Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 8, 2017

China has for some time been engaged in a modernisation of its once-backward armed forces, seeking military clout commensurate with its economic might, a drive that has caused unease among its regional neighbours AFP

Channel News Asia/AFP: China holds wargames as North Korea tensions spike

SHANGHAI: The Chinese navy and air force flexed their muscles in live-fire drills in seas adjacent to the Korean Peninsula, the defence ministry said, amid regional tensions over North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weaponry.

The "large-scale" exercises were being conducted in the seas and skies off China's east coast in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf, and included the firing of dozens of missiles, a notice posted late Monday on the Ministry of Defence website said.

Naval and air force assets including dozens of ships, more than 10 aircraft, submarines and an unspecified number of coastal defence personnel took part in the drills, which the ministry said were aimed at testing weapons and honing the military's abilities in conducting coastal assaults and intercepting air targets.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 8, 2017

China ‘fires warning’ with array of navy drills off Korean peninsula -- SCMP

China's Military Launches War Games as Warning to US, North Korea Amid Nuclear Missile Crisis -- Newsweek

North Korea says nuclear arms aimed only at US -- Nikkei Asian Review

US spy satellites detect North Korea moving anti-ship cruise missiles to patrol boat -- FOX News

North Korea's nuclear threat at a 'new stage', warns Japan -- The Guardian

New defense chief Onodera suggests Japan should consider acquiring ability to strike North Korean missile bases -- Japan Times

Japan to Closely Follow Russian Military’s Actions on Southern Kurils -- Sputnik

Japan ‘outraged’ at resumed US Marine flights after fatal Australia crash -- RT

DoD in talks with Japan on Osprey flights following crash -- Military Times

Russia’s Defense Ministry to show trophy weapons seized from terrorists in Syria -- TASS

Turkey and Qatar carry out joint military exercises -- Al Jazeera

Israel military says helicopter crashes, killing 1 pilot -- ABC News/AP

Iran ridicules US push for inspecting its military sites -- ABC News

Indian Navy to Purchase Hundreds of Anti-Ship Missiles -- Sputnik

As Maduro’s Venezuela Rips Apart, So Does His Military -- NYT

U.S. Navy Helps Train British Forces in War Games Off Scotland -- The Telegraph

Republic of Macedonia Eyes NATO to Ward Off Russian Interference -- Bloomberg

U.S. weighing plan that would permit strikes on ISIS in Philippines: report -- The Hill

U.S. to send more Marines to Afghanistan: report -- The Hill

LCS Lives: They Still Count In Age Of Frigates -- Breaking Defense

2 aircraft carriers moving from Naval Station Norfolk to local shipyards -- Wavy.com

GOP senator slams Pentagon over new aircraft carrier -- The Hill

Cyber threats prompt return of radio for ship navigation -- Reuters

The LAV-25: What You Need to Know About the U.S. Marines' Little 'Destroyer' -- National Interest

Stealthy New Nuclear Cruise Missile Aims to Deter the Enemy -- Cipher Brief

Air Force pilot shortfall is dangerous for the US -- Gen. Larry Spencer (ret.), Defense News

US Army Seeks a New Battle Rifle for Piercing Advanced Body Armor -- The Warzone

Military can destroy drones over domestic U.S. bases: Pentagon -- Reuters

Guantanamo Navy Base Cancels Privileges for Cat-Lovers' Club Git-Meow -- Military.com/Miami Herald

Does the U.S. Military Need a Space Corps? -- Russell Berman, The Atlantic

Combat addict? Losing yourself is a powerful cocktail -- Ed Hiner, San Diego Union Tribune