Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 26, 2015

CNN: Behind the scenes: A secret Navy flight over China's military buildup

Above the South China Sea (CNN)Take-off is swift on the U.S. Navy's P8-A Poseidon -- there's no slow roll down the runway on military flights -- and within minutes, the turquoise blue of the South China Sea comes into view from the window of America's most advanced surveillance and sub-hunting aircraft.

The P8 crew, composed of more than a dozen naval aviators, invited me into the cockpit to watch and to listen. CNN last week first reported on this secret surveillance mission, which eight times received warnings from the Chinese navy to leave the contested area. This is a behind-the-scenes look at the journey.

Approaching the P8-A Poseidon on the tarmac, it's easy to mistake the sophisticated aircraft for one of the many other Boeing 737 planes around it. The P8 is based on a 737 frame, but the similarities end there.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 26, 2015

China releases 'active defence' military strategy, warns those 'meddling' in the South China Sea -- Sydney Morning Herald

Beijing steps up defence of disputed South China Sea -- The Guardian

Chinese official: U.S. has ulterior motives over South China Sea -- CNN

Chinese navy to focus on 'open seas', paper says -- CNN

China Maps Out 'Active Defense' Military Strategy Aimed Against Hegemonism -- Sputnik

Defense to offense: China unveils new military strategy to boost naval capability -- RT

China Expects to Continue Military Cooperation With US - Defense Ministry -- Sputnik

Russia begins massive air force exercise -- BBC

Putin orders 'mass surprise drill' of 12,000 soldiers in response to Nato's two-week 'Arctic Challenge' as tensions over Ukraine increase -- Daily Mail

Russia adopts program to replace US, EU defense imports — official -- ITAR-TASS

Russian defense capabilities unaffected by failed Mistral deal — security official -- ITAR-TASS

Russia to Build Own Helicopter Carrier to Replace Mistral -- Sputnik

Russia plans own helicopter carriers without copying Mistral-class analogues — official -- ITAR-TASS

Russia's Black Sea Fleet to Receive New Missile Carrier Ships -- Sputnik

Russia-Iran S-300 air defense system contract to be finalized — Foreign Ministry -- ITAR-TASS

Russian, Iranian Defense Ministers Outline Military Cooperation Prospects -- Sputnik

Iran General Says Army Needs More Funds To Counter IS -- Defense News

Georgia unveils new unmanned attack helicopter -- DFWatch

Indian Defence ministry okays deals worth over $3bn to buy 15 Chinook, 22 Apache copters -- Hindustan Times

Italy releases 2015 defense budget -- Defense News

US Military Planes Search for Boat People in SE Asia -- VOA

USS Ronald Reagan’s deployment to Japan not meant to counter China’s aggressiveness -- GMA News

Gen. Dempsey’s first fight in Iraq shapes his approach to Islamic State -- Missy Ryan, Washington Post

In Iraq, lessons of Vietnam still resonate -- Walter Pincus, Washington Post