Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 10, 2020

Drone warfare is taking on an increasing importance for defence forces around the world. Photo: Handout

SCMP: China’s growing military power may make drone and cruise missile proliferation ‘inevitable’ in Asia-Pacific

* Hi-tech weapons becoming increasing important as a deterrent, says report by Institute of Strategic Studies
* South China Sea claimants and other developing countries seeking ways to counter aggression from major powers

Countries in Asia-Pacific are looking at developing small and smart weapons like drones and cruise missiles to deter China, making their proliferation “inevitable”, a study has warned.

“Although the proliferation of advanced weapons is normally a cause for concern regarding escalation, modern cruise missiles and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] may today serve as weapons that smaller states can use to deter aggression from larger states,” the paper from the International Institute of Strategic Studies said, naming China as one of the main causes of concern.

However, it also warned that the proliferation of these technologies increased the risk that they would fall into the hands of terrorists and extremists.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 10, 2020

US-China relations: America is looking to outgun PLA in Indo-Pacific, observers say -- SCMP

Esper Calls for Honesty from China as Tensions Heat Up -- Military.com

Esper says officials still don't know source of Beirut blast -- The Hill

Esper says US troop presence in Afghanistan will be 'less than 5,000' by November -- The Hill

Ronald Reagan CSG Exercises With Land-Based Navy, Air Force Aircraft Off Japan -- USNI News

Eisenhower carrier returns from deployment after 7 months -- UPI

Next Carrier’s Cost Creeps Up After First One Hit $13.3B -- A. Capaccio, Bloomberg

The Army is going all-in on killer new weapons tech for soldiers -- Task & Purpose

U.S. hypersonic weapon system completes second test on B-52 Stratofortress -- UPI

Photos: US Air Force Tests B-52’s Ability to Carry Hypersonic ARRW Missile -- Sputnik

Fast Deployments Deter Better Than Bases: Stimson -- Breaking Defense

After a hard-fought competition, ULA and SpaceX to remain military’s rocket launch providers -- Defense News

Space Force defines 'spacepower' as essential to U.S. security, prosperity -- UPI

Space Force: New Service’s Future Coming into Focus -- National Defense

Alaska-based long-range ballistic missile defense radar fielding delayed by a year -- Defense News

Defense Personnel to Get Crash Course in OpSec -- Defense One

Here’s what you need to know about the new guidance for US troops planning to travel during coronavirus pandemic -- Military Times

How the Army plans to use space and artificial intelligence to hit deep targets quickly -- Nathan Strout, Defense News

After 20 years, Army logistics support vessels finally leave the Middle East -- Army Times

With the Drawdown of U.S. Forces in Germany, Is South Korea Next? -- Rodger Baker, RCW

Why Japan Scrapped a $4.2B U.S. Missile System -- Rieko Miki, Nikkei Asian Review

Saab, Lockheed Martin & Boeing vie to supply Canada’s next fighter -- Air Force Technology

Germany floats a new NATO spending yardstick: 10 percent -- Defense News

Russia's Su-27 Scrambled to Overtake US Stealth Planes Over Black Sea -- Sputnik

Russia warns it will see any incoming missile as nuclear -- Defense News/AP

Fighter jets cross a line in Taiwan Strait, says Taipei as it hosts US health official amid rising US-China tension -- SCMP

China's jets fly in Taiwan Strait amid high-level U.S. visit -- UPI

Purchases From Russia, US to be Hit Hard After India Bans Import of 101 Defence Equipment -- Sputnik

Egypt, Turkey show off naval strength in eastern Mediterranean -- Al-Monitor

Libya is turning into a battle lab for air warfare -- Defense News

South Korea to invest $250B in missile defense, submarines -- UPI