Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 27, 2017

Sailors stand on the deck of the Izumo warship as it departs from the harbor of the Japan United Marine shipyard in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. March 25, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Doug Tsuruoka, Asia Times: As global power shifts, Japan mulls new alliances and weapons

As it shifts away from pacifism, Tokyo hopes to leverage the technological edge of native defense contractors to piggyback new missiles and fighters off US systems

Japan and the United Kingdom fought ferocious naval battles in World War II, but bygones are bygones: The two island democracies are planning joint naval exercises next year.

The proposed maneuvers – the first by the two navies since World War I – are part of a cooperation pact announced by London and Tokyo on December 14. The pact also includes jointly developing a new air-to-air missile for the US F-35 stealth fighter used by both countries.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 26, 2017

Japan’s defense buildup due to North Korea threat to come under scrutiny in 2018 -- Japan Times

Japan And South Korea Eye F-35B For Their Helicopter Carriers -- The Warzone/The Drive

China warns Japan against modifying helicopter carriers -- UPI

Japan, Australia mull military deal -- The Australian

Australia and Japan Expected to Finalize Visiting Forces Agreement Next Month -- USNI News

US asks Japan to ban personal drone flights over American bases -- Stars and Stripes

North Korea Increasingly Worried by Japan’s Military -- Epoch Times

Report: South Korea Is Developing a Super Torpedo That Could Attack at 200 Knots -- National Interest

Chinese air force carried out 16 drills near Taiwan in 2017, the island's defence ministry says as it warns Beijing's military poses an 'enormous threat' -- Daily Mail

China to bring paramilitary police force under military's wing -- Reuters

China adds an ‘enormous dragon’ to its military arsenal -- Asia Times

Mongolia's Modernizing Military -- The Diplomat

Vietnam army reveals 10000-strong cyber warfare unit -- Financial Times

Russia to extend Tartus and Hmeimim military bases in Syria -- DW

Russia to supply Turkey with four S-400 missile divisions for $2.5 billion: Kommersant -- Reuters

What Moldova's new NATO office means for Russia—and the EU -- Euronews

Spain to hike military spending over next 6 years -- Xinhuanet

UK Military chiefs order troops to use gender-neutral language at training base to avoid upsetting women and trans groups -- Daily Mail

Anatomy of a B-1 Bomber Training Mission -- Defense Tech

The Air Force Wants to Install New Engines on the B-52 Bomber -- Popular Mechanics

The US Army Wants to Buy 150 Helicopters for Allies and "Other Government Agencies" -- The Warzone/The Drive

Marines Insist Storming A Beach Is Still A Military Option -- NPR

Marine Corps Invests Millions in New Skis for Cold Weather Training -- DoD Buzz

For Deployed Marines, Mission Comes First -- Even at Christmas -- Military.com

Baretta M9: The Gun Navy Seals Love to Hate -- National Interest

New in 2018: Army rolling out new handgun across the force -- Army Times

'This is not closure': Navy families want answers on McCain, Fitzgerald deaths -- Washington Post

Transgender Recruitment to Begin Unless Courts Intervene -- Military.com

America First? Trump Struggles to Implement Campaign Promises on Military -- VOA

What Trump’s First Nuclear Posture Review Should Do -- Bob Butterworth, Breaking Defense

“Fat Leonard” Scandal Fallout Will Damage the Navy for Years -- US Naval Institute

The 2020 Olympics Will Be Another Glimpse Into Our Surveillance-Filled Future -- Popular Mechanics

Sorry, Believers — Many UFOs Are Just Military Aircraft -- David Axe, War Is Boring