Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 29, 2016

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers ride on a 203mm self-propelled howitzer during an annual training session, which is based on a scenario to defend or retake islands in Japanese territory, near Mount Fuji at Higashifuji training field in Gotemba, west of Tokyo. REUTERS/YUYA SHINO

Reuters: Japan public divided as laws easing limits on military take effect

Laws loosening the limits of Japan's pacifist constitution on its military took effect on Tuesday as surveys showed the public remained divided over a change that allows Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said the security legislation, the biggest change in Japan's defense policy since the creation of its military in 1954, is vital to meet new challenges including a rising China.

Critics say the changes, which triggered demonstrations ahead of their enactment last September, violate the pacifist constitution and increase the risk of involvement in foreign wars. Opposition parties plan to campaign for the laws' repeal in an upper house election in July.

"The security environment surrounding our country is increasingly severe," Abe told reporters at a news conference after parliament approved the state budget.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 29, 2016

Japan extends military reach in disputed East China Sea -- The Guardian/Reuters

Japan enacts laws allowing combat missions abroad -- Al Jazeera

China accuses Japan of threatening Pacific peace with military law -- The Guardian

China military commemorates key victory over Taiwan forces -- Reuters

The Chinese PLA’s New 'Army' -- The Diplomat

North Korea fires short-range missile along its coast -- Reuters

North Korean nuclear threats spotlight US missile defense -- AP

Iran Army hints at deployment of Special Forces to Syria and Iraq -- Long War Journal

Egyptian army falls eight places within 24 hours in ranking of world’s most powerful militaries -- Middle East Monitor

Africa, Arab Defense Ministers Agree Counter-Terrorism Cooperation -- Defense News/AFP

Qatar, France Complete Dassault Rafale Fighter Jet Deal -- Defense News

Israeli Air Force: Russian Air Power in Syria Remains Robust -- Defense News

Syrian Campaign Pays Off as Moscow Lands Military Contracts -- Sputnik

Russia Orders 10,500 Syria Campaign Medals As Military Involvement Continues -- IBTimes

Russia-India draft agreement on supply of S-400 missile systems ready — official -- TASS

Croatia Probes Fighter Jet Deal With Ukraine Amid Corruption Claims -- Defense News

Turkmenistan Starts Massive, Unprecedented Military Exercises -- Eurasianet.org

US Military Donates Nearly $1B in Property to Afghan Government -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes

Airmen reflect on B-1 bomber attacks over Libya -- US Air Force

F-35 May Deploy to the Pacific or Middle East in ‘a Couple Years’ -- DoD Buzz

Air Force F-35A Will Likley Deploy Within 2-Years -- Scout

Lockheed Martin gets another $1.5 billion for C-130J military transport aircraft -- Washington Business Journal

Marines Forming New Cyberwarrior Unit -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes

Secret weld: How shoddy parts disabled a $2.7 billion submarine -- Navy Times

Navy names EB prime contractor on new class of ballistic-missile subs -- CT Mirror

Navy Sub Build Strategy: Electric Boat Will Focus On Ohio Replacement While Newport News Delivers More SSNs -- USNI News

LCS Commanding Officer Fired after Ship Breakdown -- Military.com

Navy: Destroyer Zumwalt Back at Bath Iron Works After Builder’s Trials -- USNI News

Marines Gear Up For Women In Combat, But Will They Sign Up? -- NPR

Faced With Threats From China And Russia, U.S. Taps Silicon Valley To Bolster Military Space Power -- Saadia M. Pekkanen, Forbes

The US Air Force and Stealth: Stuck on Denial Part I -- War on the Rocks