Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 23, 2019

At least one Su-30 fighter jet, similar to the one pictured, and a Y-8 surveillance plane were spotted flying close to Taiwan on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

SCMP: Chinese military flies Su-30 fighter jet, Y-8 surveillance plane close to Taiwan in latest show of strength

* Taipei scrambles planes, ships in response to ‘long-distance drill by various aircraft’, defence ministry says
* Exercise comes days after US Navy chief says he has not ruled out sending aircraft carrier to Taiwan Strait

Chinese military aircraft flew close to Taiwan on Tuesday as Beijing once again flexed its muscle in the region, Taipei reported.

A Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet and a Shaanxi Y-8 transport plane, which can also be used for surveillance, from the People’s Liberation Army were among the “various military aircraft” seen flying over the Bashi Channel, a disputed waterway to the north of the Philippines, Taiwan’s defence ministry said.

“[The aircraft came] from the southern part of the Chinese mainland, and flew through the Bashi Channel and then … to the western Pacific”, it said.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 23, 2019

China’s military overhaul likely to raise neighbours’ concerns over improved offensive capabilities -- SCMP

China releases video of DF-26 ballistic missile launch -- Defence Blog

Pentagon: Chinese Military Units Training With ASAT missiles -- Washington Free Beacon

Chinese army AI can track people across different CCTV cameras -- New Scientist

Problem: Chinese Troops Didn't Know How to Use Their High-Tech New Tanks -- National Interest

The Army wants to use AI to prevent cyberattack -- Fifth Domain

Second US service member killed in Afghanistan in 2019 -- The Hill

American soldier wounded in Manbij attack fighting for his life -- Stars and Stripes

House passes bill expressing support for NATO -- The Hill

US House votes overwhelmingly to bar US exit from NATO -- Defense News

Dem senator says Trump's Syria withdrawal is leading Kurds 'to a slaughter' -- The Hill

Pentagon: No changes to policy on transgender troops, for now -- Military Times

Lockheed Martin wins $542 million U.S. defense contract: Pentagon -- Business Insider/Reuters

BAE Systems wins $474 million U.S. defence contract - Pentagon -- Reuters

Next steps for the Pentagon’s new space sensors for missile defense -- Space News

The military is looking for a leap-ahead weapons fire control system. Could this system be the answer? -- Army Times

Check out the new laser/light combo ‘pistol enhancer’ for the military’s new handgun -- Army Times

These moving, robotic targets can modernize any range and keep Marines, soldiers shooting sharp -- Marine Times

Coast Guard chief: 'Unacceptable' that service members must rely on food pantries, donations amid shutdown -- The Hill

Should women be required to register for the draft? Commission likely to recommend big changes -- Gregory Korte, USA TODAY

The Hubris Of The Pentagon's Disastrous Invasion Of Iraq, In One Paragraph -- Jared Keller, Task & Purpose

As Russia, China Encroach, Airmen Work to Expand Comms Network in Antarctica -- Military.com

A Game-Changer?: The U.S. Navy Wants Robotic Warships -- David Axe, National Interest

The Avangard Threat: Is It a Game Changer? -- Adam Cabot, RCD

Canadian navy decides to start upgrades to extend life of aging submarine fleet -- Montreal Gazette/Canadian Press

Latvia halts $206 million armored vehicle contract amid controversy -- Defense News

Europe's Arianespace takes on SpaceX by cutting Ariane 5 rocket launch price -- Reuters

North Korea criticizes U.S. calls for military renegotiations with South -- UPI

Ivory Coast agrees to buy C295 transport aircraft from Airbus -- UPI

India navy set to open third base in strategic islands to counter China -- Economic Times/Reuters

Israel touts successful test of Arrow-3 missile interceptor -- Defense News/AP