Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 18, 2020

National Post/The Telegraph: As China and the U.S. ramp up military activity near Taiwan, Beijing plans island takeover drill

The Pratas Islands, currently controlled by Taiwan, would be strategically important for China's advance into the Pacific Ocean

China is planning to conduct a large-scale military drill to simulate the seizure of the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, according to Japanese media reports.

Beijing and Washington have both ramped up military activities near Taiwan in recent months, including regular Chinese air force drills near the islands and several U.S. sailings through the politically sensitive Taiwan Strait.

The U.S. navy said the USS McCampbell, a guided-missile destroyer, had transited the narrow waterway on Wednesday, one week before Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen’s inauguration for a second term in office.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 18, 2020

US destroyer spotted off coast of Shanghai as PLA Navy begins 11-week exercise in Yellow Sea -- SCMP

Pentagon legislation aims to end dependence on China for rare earth minerals -- Defense News

Pandemic Raises New Cybersecurity Concerns for Navy -- National Defense

Hospital ship USNS Mercy leaves Los Angeles -- UPI

Pentagon girds for long battle with COVID-19 -- The Hill

For the second week, COVID-19 recoveries among troops outpaced new diagnoses -- Military Times

Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford begins second round of qualifications -- UPI

The Navy's Next Carrier Jet Trainer Won't Be Able To Land Or Take Off From A Carrier -- Warzone/The Drive

Pentagon Seeks Congressional OK Over $17.7 Billion Deal for Columbia-Class Submarines -- Sputnik

Navy receives its 100th P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft -- UPI

US Approves Preliminary Design for Future Long-Range Nuclear Deterrent, Air Force Says -- Sputnik

US Military's Mystery Space Plane Rockets Back into Orbit -- Military.com/AP

Pilot ejects safely as F-22 Raptor crashes in Florida -- UPI

U.S. Army plans adoption of Next Generation Squad Weapon -- UPI

Pentagon defends official's removal from DPA role -- The Hill

Thousands defer plans to leave the military during crisis -- ABC News

US Space Force launches the mysterious X-37B space plane -- Defense News

More Than 2,000 Airmen Have Applied to Join Space Force -- Military.com

Want to be Space Command’s new home? Here are the criteria. -- Defense News

What does Hyman Rickover have to do with the Space Force? -- Politico

Drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan continuing: Pentagon -- Reuters

Trump touts new 'super duper' missile but Pentagon won't confirm details -- CNN

Pentagon vows additional security measures following Pensacola mass shooting -- Washington Times

Finnish Defence Command Blamed for Favouring F-35 in Fighter Jet Procurement -- Sputnik

Death of Canadian Forces member in Snowbirds crash just the latest tragedy for Nova Scotia -- CTV News

Timeline for fatal crashes involving Canada's Snowbirds aerobatic team -- CTV News/Canadian Press

Russian Navy to Bolster Baltic Fleet With 6 New Warships -- Moscow Times

India ups foreign investment, but will stop importing weapons that can be made locally -- Defense News/AP

Not bullets but explosives cause maximum injuries to Indian Army personnel: Study -- The Print

Indian Navy Expanding Anti-Submarine Warfare Stable with Initial $904M MH-60R Buy -- USNI News

‘Space squadron’: Japan launches new unit to counter threats to satellites -- RT

Israeli Air Force to Shutter F-16 Squadron, Focus on F-35s Amid Modernization Effort -- Sputnik

Iran Is Increasing Its Military and Cyber Activity, Report Says -- Defense One