Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 16, 2020

Satellite images show a build-up of PLA troops and military installations along the Pangong Tso valley in the disputed border region. Photo: Kanwa Defence Review

SCMP: China-India border dispute: PLA raised combat readiness after exchange of gunfire, sources say

* Chinese commanders increased alert level to second-highest possible for the first time in troubled region since 1987
* Alert was only eased after nations’ foreign ministers met in Moscow

Chinese troops on the country’s disputed border with India
raised their combat readiness to the second-highest possible last week after an exchange of gunfire, but the alert was lowered after a meeting of the nations’ foreign ministers, military sources said.

The increase, to second level, meant more weapons and troops were deployed to the front line, and training exercises were ramped up for commanders, officers and soldiers, a military source told the South China Morning Post.

The last time such a high level was employed by troops in the restive region was in 1987, when a skirmish in the Sumdorong Chu valley pushed the two sides to the brink of war, said the person, who asked not to be named.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 16, 2020

Seaborne rocket launches key to future of China’s space programme, experts say -- SCMP

China’s third aircraft carrier takes shape, with ambitions to challenge U.S. naval dominance -- Washington Post

China-US tension: America pushes major weapons sales to Taiwan, putting pressure on Beijing, say insiders -- SCMP/Reuters

Amid Pacific naval arms race, US defense chief pledges billions of dollars more for ships -- Defense News

US Navy Aims to Have USS Ford Carrier’s Systems Rigged ‘So Things Don’t Break’ By 2022 -- Sputnik

US Amphibious Assault Ship Joins Destroyer for Operations in Black Sea -- Sputnik

New F-35-dropped Air Force bomb tracks and destroys targets from 40 miles -- FOX News

The Plan For Making Aging USMC F/A-18 Hornets Deadlier Than Ever For A Final Decade Of Service -- Warzone/The Drive

Air Force flies record-breaking new fighter -- Politico

The U.S. Air Force Has Secretly Flown A Demonstrator For Its Next-Generation Fighter -- Warzone/The Drive

Futuristic V-280 Not Advanced Enough to Replace the Osprey: AFSOC Commander -- Military.com

Air Force delays fitness testing until January -- UPI

Space Force aims for lean, fast force, Gen. John Raymond says -- UPI

A Slew To A Kill: Project Convergence -- Breaking Defense

US military draws a line: No more bias against pregnant soldiers -- CSM

The new Army Reserve chief is planning to (virtually) crash your staff meetings -- Task & Purpose

Airman killed in accident at Kuwait base -- The Hill

Bill Would Clear the Way for Army Legend Alwyn Cashe to Receive Medal of Honor -- Military.com

U.S. Army AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter Performs Precautionary Landing In Syria -- The Aviationist

USS Roosevelt heads to Black Sea for security operations -- UPI

US Army, Estonia sign historic agreement for collaborative research in cyber defense -- US Army

US army probes coronavirus outbreak at military ski resort in Bavaria -- DW

US general reassures German town of commitment to prevent COVID-19 spread after outbreak -- The Hill

German Navy to receive new anti-ship missiles -- Defence Blog

Germany's Heckler & Koch loses out in bid for Bundeswehr assault rifle -- DW

Here Is The Surprise Choice To Become Germany’s Standard Assault Rifle -- Warzone/The Drive

Two Russian Strategic Missile Carriers Tu-160 Fly Over Baltic Sea, Escorted by Foreign Aircraft -- Sputnik

North Korea SLBM launch could happen soon, Seoul official says -- UPI

South Korea warns of underwater missile test launch by North Korea -- The Hill

North Korea: South 'digging its grave' with military spending -- UPI

Myanmar army probes 'wider patterns' of abuse against Rohingya -- Reuters

Directed Energy Weapons Are a Near-Reality on the Battlefield -- Epoch Times