Wendell Minnick - Articles

All Eyes On North Korean Leadership Succession

2012-01-04T00:04:00.000-08:00

Defense News 07/08/2011 Reports of Taiwan Sub Missile Test False: Experts By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - Recent local media reports that Taiwan test-fired an anti-ship Hsiung Feng 2 (Brave Wind) missile from a Dutch-built Hai Lung (Sea Dragon) submarine during an exercise in late June now appear to be false. On July 7, the Chinese-language Liberty Times reported the

Brunei Kicks Off 3rd BRIDEX Defense Show

2011-07-17T08:56:00.001-07:00

Defense News 07/05/2011 Brunei Kicks Off 3rd BRIDEX Defense Show By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - The third Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX) is quickly taking its rightful place among regional exhibitions as one of the top defense and security events in Southeast Asia. Organized by the Royal Brunei Technical Services, BRIDEX 2011 will showcase the

Taiwan AF Receives Upgraded Indigenous Fighters

2011-07-10T05:05:00.000-07:00

Defense News 06/30/2011 Taiwan AF Receives Upgraded Indigenous Fighters By WENDELL MINNICK TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Taiwan's Air Force took delivery of the first six upgraded F-CK-1 A/B Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDF) in a ceremony presided over by President Ma Ying-jeou at the state-run Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) here June 30. AIDC began the $590 million

Lockheed Report Touts Taiwan F-16 Sale as Boost to U.S. Economy

2011-07-10T05:04:00.000-07:00

Defense News 06/27/2011 Lockheed Report Touts Taiwan F-16 Sale as Boost to U.S. Economy By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — With the U.S. unemployment rate at 9.1 percent, the economy needs new jobs and tax revenue from the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, according to a report issued by the Perryman Group, a Texas-based economic and financial analysis firm. The report,

U.S. Blocks Taiwan's F-16 Request Again

2011-07-10T05:03:00.001-07:00

Defense News 06/27/2011 U.S. Blocks Taiwan's F-16 Request Again By WENDELL MINNICK Taipei - A U.S. defense industry source said that Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), was preparing to submit its fourth LoR for price-and-availability data for 66 F-16C/D Block 50/52 fighters to the American Institute in

Western Jetmakers Vie For Asian Contracts

2011-06-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

Defense News 06/20/2011 Western Jetmakers Vie For Asian Contracts By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI — As Western defense budgets crash, East Asian democracies could spend $23 billion within the decade on new fighter aircraft and upgrades, providing lucrative markets for European and U.S. aerospace and defense companies.Japan released a request for proposals (RfP) in April for

Singapore’s Global Player; ST Engineering Expands Worldwide Via Partnering

2011-06-26T07:04:00.000-07:00

Defense News 06/20/2011 Biz Watch Singapore’s Global Player ST Engineering Expands Worldwide Via Partnering By WENDELL MINNICK SINGAPORE – A country with a population of only 4 million would normally be an afterthought in a world of billion-dollar defense deals, but no one ignores Singapore’s defense industrial powerhouse.ST Engineering has grown from a small

Japan Adds Spy Bases To Watch China

2011-06-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

Defense News 06/20/2011 Japan Adds Spy Bases To Watch China By WENDELL MINNICKTAIPEI — Japan is building signals intelligence (SIGINT) stations along the Ryukyu Island chain to monitor Chinese naval and maritime activities.“China’s military expansion is conspicuous, and the military balance is changing in the East China Sea,” said Sumihiko Kawamura, a retired rear

China Becomes Aggressive in South China Sea

2011-06-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

Defense News 06/13/2011 China Becomes Aggressive in South China Sea By WENDELL MINNICK    SINGAPORE — Tensions from overlapping claims in the South China Sea have been rising in the past several months as China increases naval patrols in the region and ignores the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of its neighbors. This despite the signing of the 2002 Declaration on the

PLA 20 Years Behind U.S. Military: Chinese DM

2011-06-18T00:48:00.000-07:00

Defense News 06/07/2011 PLA 20 Years Behind U.S. Military: Chinese DM By WENDELL MINNICK SINGAPORE - There is a 20-year gap between China and the U.S. military in equipment, weapons and systems, Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie told the 10th Shangri-La Dialogue on June 5 in Singapore. "I would call the gap big," he said. Liang acknowledged that China's

Vietnam Confirms Kilo Sub Buy at Shangri-La

2011-06-18T00:47:00.001-07:00

Defense News 06/05/2011 Vietnam Confirms Kilo Sub Buy at Shangri-La By WENDELL MINNICK SINGAPORE - Vietnam will procure six Russian-built Kilo-class attack submarines "to defend" the country. Vietnam's Defense Minister, Gen. Phung Quang Thanh, made the comment June 5 at the 10th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore 5. Analysts put the price tag for the deal at just over $3

IISS Launches North Korea Nuke Study

2011-06-18T00:44:00.000-07:00

Defense News 06/04/2011 IISS Launches North Korea Nuke Study By WENDELL MINNICK SINGAPORE - North Korea's third nuclear test will likely be a highly enriched uranium (HEU) bomb, and neither China nor the United States can stop or reverse Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. These are the conclusions of a new study by Jonathan Pollack, a senior fellow at the Brookings

Gates To Give Valedictory Speech at Shangri-La

2011-05-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

Defense News 05/30/2011 Gates To Give Valedictory Speech at Shangri-La    China Sends Big Delegation By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will deliver a “valedictory speech on lessons learned in Asia” at the 10th Asia Security Summit in Singapore, said a U.S. defense official. Gates has been a regular at the annual summit, dubbed the “

RAND: Aircraft Deals With Western Firms Help China’s Military

2011-05-29T09:58:00.001-07:00

Defense News 05/23/2011 RAND: Aircraft Deals With Western Firms Help China’s Military    By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — A new RAND Corp. report warns that European and U.S. civil aerospace companies are inadvertently improving China’s military by providing dual-use technologies and expertise while doing business with Chinese commercial aviation firms.   “Ready for

China Reveals New AMRAAM

2011-05-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

Defense News 05/23/2011 China Reveals New AMRAAM By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — China has revealed a next-generation airto-air missile that the state-run People’s Daily called a “trump card” and a “secret weapon for gaining air superiority.” The Beijing newspaper published its report on May 19, during a week of visits to U.S. bases and meetings with senior U.S. defense

Ex-Minister: Taiwan Launched Missile

2011-05-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Defense News 05/23/2011 Ex-Minister: Taiwan Launched Missile Confirms 2008 Test During Chen’s Last Days By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — Former Taiwan Defense Minister Michael Tsai confirmed the early 2008 test-launch of a “medium-range missile” during a recent interview.   The test was conducted in March or April during the final months of President Chen Shui-bian’s

Elbit Wins $52 Million Deal with Asian Customer

2011-05-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

Defense News 05/19/2011 Elbit Wins $52 Million Deal with Asian Customer By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - Israel's Elbit Systems has won two contracts for an unnamed "Asian country" and "Asian Army." Elbit officials would not confirm the identity of the customer, but said the two contracts amounted to $52.7 million. The first contract, valued at $32.7 million, is to supply an

Ice Station Dragon: China’s Strategic Arctic Interest

2011-05-22T02:14:00.002-07:00

Defense News 05/16/2011 Ice Station Dragon: China’s Strategic Arctic Interest By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — As polar ice caps melt, China is preparing to take advantage of potential opportunities that have broad national security implications, including new shipping routes along the Arctic rim and massive hydrocarbon reserves of oil and gas under the Arctic.   Though

Taiwan Navy Seeks New Torpedoes

2011-05-22T02:14:00.001-07:00

Defense News 05/16/2011 Taiwan Navy Seeks New Torpedoes By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — Taiwan could seek to buy torpedoes worth as much as $860 million over the next 10 years if proposals to replace aging weapons are approved.   Defense officials said the plan would include buying 600 Mark 54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedoes for $300 million to replace Mark 46

Taiwan President Urges U.S. to Release F-16s

2011-05-22T02:12:00.000-07:00

Defense News 05/13/2011 Taiwan President Urges U.S. to Release F-16s By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou urged the U.S. to release F-16 fighters and submarines during a speech May 12 at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. New arms will allow Taipei to negotiate with Beijing on "equal footing," he said. "This is why

China Confirms J-15 Carrier-based Fighter

2011-05-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

Defense News 05/02/2011 China Confirms J-15 Carrier-based Fighter Aircraft based On Russian-Designed Su-33 By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — Chinese state-run media have issued the first official photographs of the J-15 Flying Shark carrier-based fighter, the latest revelation in a year that has already seen several from traditionally opaque Beijing.   The disclosure

Stealthy Catamarans To Prowl Taiwan Strait

2011-05-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

Defense News 04/25/2010 Stealthy Catamarans To Prowl Taiwan Strait By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — Taiwan plans to begin building its first prototype of a stealthy 500-ton catamaran corvette in 2012 under the Hsun Hai (Swift Sea) program, Deputy Defense Minister Lin Yu-pao told legislators in April 18 testimony.   A Taiwan defense source said there are initial plans to

China Building Missile Muscle

2011-05-01T10:33:00.001-07:00

Defense News 04/25/2011 China Building Missile Muscle By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — In a Xiangqi chess game, the most common tactic is to use cannons to control the middle, then push flanking horses and chariots for a checkmate.   China sees Taiwan and the South China Sea in much the same way, adding new ballistic missiles to check its opponent into a position that

Is China Developing a VSTOL Fighter?

2011-05-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

Defense News 04/22/2011 Is China Developing a VSTOL Fighter? By Wendell Minnick TAIPEI - China may have test-flown the J-18 Red Eagle vertical short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) fighter earlier this month, if chatter on Chinese-language military blogs is accurate. China's defense industry is largely opaque and it is difficult to substantiate Internet chatter. However,

Sea Trials Expected for China’s 1st Carrier

2011-04-25T04:38:00.001-07:00

Defense News 04/18/2011 Sea Trials Expected for China’s 1st Carrier By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI — China is expected to begin harbor trials of its first aircraft carrier this summer, with near-sea and open-sea trials starting next year, a Taiwan defense official said.   But aircraft for the Soviet-built Varyag are not expected to be ready for at least two years, and

Report: Arms to Taiwan Help U.S. Economy

2011-04-25T04:35:00.000-07:00

Defense News 04/18/2011 Report: Arms to Taiwan Help U.S. Economy By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — Amid new calls for an end to U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan, proponents argue that the lucrative arms market here is a boon to a shaky American economy that continues to suffer. Taiwan spent $16.5 billion on U.S.built arms and equipment from 2007 to 2010, according to a new

Thailand Looking at German Subs

2011-04-17T17:14:00.000-07:00

Defense News 04/04/2011 Thailand Looking at German Subs By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is considering the procurement of two German decommissioned 500-ton Type 206A diesel-electric attack submarines. If successful, these will be the RTNs first submarines. Thailand is not the only potential customer. Germany is discussing the sale to other

N. Korea Hones Commando Delivery Skills From Sea

2011-04-13T15:47:00.000-07:00

Defense News 04/04/2011 N. Korea Hones Commando Delivery Skills From Sea    By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — North Korea is improving its special forces delivery capabilities with upgrades to its Sang-O (Shark)-class coastal submarines and construction of a Kongbangclass hovercraft base near the South Korean border on the west coast. The effort to improve its commando

China’s New White Paper Hints at Joint Ops

2011-04-13T15:46:00.000-07:00

Defense News 04/04/2011 China’s New White Paper Hints at Joint Ops By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — China’s air force and navy may be emerging from the shadow of the People’s Liberation Army, according to the latest version of China’s biennial defense white paper.   Released March 31 by China’s Information Office of the State Council, the paper calls the PLA “first among

Taiwan Frustrated Over Stalled F-16 Effort

2011-04-09T18:12:00.001-07:00

Defense News 04/01/2011 Taiwan Frustrated Over Stalled F-16 Effort By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - Taiwan defense officials are frustrated by continued U.S. reluctance to move forward on new F-16C/Ds and an upgrade program for older F-16A/Bs. Combined, the programs add up to $10 billion in new U.S. arms deals to Taiwan, but reluctance by Washington to anger Beijing continues

CAE To Supply Flight Trainers for Taiwan

2011-04-03T05:53:00.000-07:00

Defense News 03/25/2011 CAE To Supply Flight Trainers for Taiwan By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - Canadian-based CAE won a U.S. Navy contract under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to design and manufacture an operational flight trainer and operational tactics trainer for Taiwan's P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Taiwan procured 12 P-3C aircraft from the U.S. for

Will Japan’s Troubles Be China’s Boon?

2011-03-30T04:12:00.000-07:00

Defense News 03/21/2011 Will Japan’s Troubles Be China’s Boon? By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — Japan’s triple disaster — earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis — threatens to disrupt the region’s strategic balance, analysts say.   “The situation, in the near term, cannot but benefit China’s position — especially when it comes to responding to Chinese activity in the East

China Ramps Up Missile Threat With DF-16

2011-03-30T04:10:00.000-07:00

Defense News 03/21/2011 China Ramps Up Missile Threat With DF-16 By WENDELL MINNICK   TAIPEI — China is developing a ballistic missile that will pose a “great threat” to Taiwan and regional neighbors and further complicate U.S. military action should it become involved in a confrontation with Beijing.   Tsai De-sheng, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau director-general,

Japan To Launch Much-Delayed F-X Contest

2011-03-16T20:23:00.001-07:00

Defense News 03/07/2011 Japan To Launch Much-Delayed F-X Contest By PAUL KALLENDER-UMEZU and WENDELL MINNICK TOKYO and TAIPEI — After years of vacillation, Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) plans this month to formally launch a $10 billion purchase of 40 to 50 fighter jets, a program that could make or break the country’s ability to manufacture combat aircraft.   The

China's Defense Budget Hits Record $91.5B

2011-03-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Defense News 03/04/2011 China's Defense Budget Hits Record $91.5B By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - China has announced a 12.7 percent increase in its annual defense budget to a new high of $91.5 billion, up from $78.6 billion in 2010 and a return to the double-digit growth recorded through most of the 2000s. Last year's increase was 7.5 percent. China's defense budget rose

Piracy Shifts from Malacca Strait to South China Sea

2011-03-05T11:10:00.001-08:00

Defense News 02/28/2011 Piracy Shifts from Malacca Strait to South China Sea By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — Stronger regional cooperation has reduced piracy in the Malacca Strait over the past five years, new figures show.   According to the figures, just released by the London-based International Maritime Bureau (IMB), the number of actual and attempted piracy attacks

As Asian Sub Forces Grow, So Do Concerns

2011-03-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/28/2011 MARITIME SECURITY As Asian Sub Forces Grow, So Do Concerns    Motivation Behind Submarine Acquisitions More Complicated Than Defending Shipping    By JUSTIN GOLDMAN and WENDELL MINNICK SINGAPORE and TAIPEI — The increasing numbers of submarines operating in the Asia-Pacific region complicate efforts at maritime confidence-building, preventive

Taiwan Reels From Spy Arrest

2011-03-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/24/2011 Taiwan Reels From Spy Arrest By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - Taiwan military officials are still reeling from the late-January arrest of a one-star army general on accusations of spying for China, the worst espionage scandal in Taiwan's history. Gen. Lo Hsien-che, who ran the communications, electronics and information division of Army Command

DoD: China To Have Regional AF by 2020

2011-03-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/21/2011 DoD: China To Have Regional AF by 2020 By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is undergoing dramatic changes that will make it “one of the world’s foremost air forces by 2020,” according to a handbook to be released this week by the Pentagon’s principal source for air and space intelligence.   Published by

Singapore Military Procures BullsEye

2011-03-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/18/2011 Singapore Military Procures BullsEye By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - Singapore's Ministry of Defense will procure the next-generation Super BullsEye II Advanced Weapons Scoring System built by Singapore-based Stratech Systems Limited for $1.14 million. Stratech made the announcement on Feb. 16. "This contract covers the supply, delivery, installation

MMRCA Hopeful MiG-35 Skips Aero India

2011-02-28T10:06:00.001-08:00

Defense News 02/14/2011 MMRCA Hopeful MiG-35 Skips Aero India    By WENDELL MINNICK BANGALORE, India — Russian officials offered a variety of reasons for the MiG-35’s absence from the Aero India air show held here Feb. 9-13.    The MiG-35 is one of six foreign competitors for the hotly contested $10 billion-plus Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft

Ukraine Pushing Sales in India

2011-02-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/11/2011 Ukraine Pushing Sales in India By WENDELL MINNICK BANGALORE, India - A Ukrainian defense industry official said Russian arms deals with India are offering opportunities for the former Soviet satellite state. The comments were made at the 2011 Aero India air show being held in Bangalore, India, from Feb. 9-13. A government-run State Foreign Trade

American Systems Promotes F-18 SAMT at Aero India

2011-02-28T10:05:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/11/2011 American Systems Promotes F-18 SAMT at Aero India By WENDELL MINNICK BANGALORE, India - Virginia-based American Systems, a government information technology solutions provider, demonstrated the "physics-based simulation" F/A-18 Hornet Simulated Aircraft Maintenance Technology Trainer (SAMT) at the 2011 Aero India air show being held in Bangalore,

India's Boeing P-8I Moving Forward

2011-02-28T10:04:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/11/2011 India's Boeing P-8I Moving Forward By WENDELL MINNICK BANGALORE, India - Boeing announced a number of milestones in India's P-8I program during the 2011 Aero India air show being held in Bangalore, India, from Feb. 9-13. In 2010 Boeing completed the final design for the P-8I and began fabrication in December, said Leland Wright, Boeing's P-8I

Goodrich Showcases Real-Time Technology at Aero India

2011-02-28T10:02:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/11/2011 Goodrich Showcases Real-Time Technology at Aero India By WENDELL MINNICK BANGALORE, India - U.S.-based Goodrich Corporation showcased mission-critical defense technology that brings real-time information to air crews along and field proven safety systems at the 2011 Aero India air show being held in Bangalore, India, which began Feb. 9.

MiG-29K for China Dismissed at Aero India

2011-02-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/10/2011 MiG-29K for China Dismissed at Aero India By WENDELL MINNICK BANGALORE - A Russian defense industry official dismissed the idea that the MiG-29K carrier-based fighter jet would ever be offered to Beijing to outfit its future aircraft carrier, the former Soviet-built Varyag under refurbishment in China. The comments came during the 2011 Aero India

Boeing Unveils New Hornet Options at Aero India

2011-02-28T09:58:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/08/2011 Boeing Unveils New Hornet Options at Aero India By WENDELL MINNICK BANGALORE, India - Boeing provided a preview of new options available for international customers under the Super Hornet International Roadmap program at the 2011 Aero India defense and aerospace show at Yelahanka Air Station here on Feb. 8. The program allows international

Shangri-La Confirms Keynote Speaker

2011-02-01T16:30:00.000-08:00

Defense News 02/01/2011 Shangri-La Confirms Keynote Speaker By WENDELL MINNICK TAIPEI - The U.K.-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has confirmed that the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, will be the keynote speaker at the 10th IISS Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, to be held in

China Developing Counterstealth Weapons

2011-02-01T16:29:00.001-08:00

Defense News 01/31/2011China Developing Counterstealth Weapons By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — Did China use stolen Western technology to build its stealthy J-20 combat jet? Maybe — but perhaps a more pressing topic is whether such knowledge is being used to develop weapons to shoot down U.S. warplanes.   China’s top air-to-air missile research institute has invested considerable effort in

Sino-U.S. Military Ties Face Land Mines

2011-02-01T16:26:00.000-08:00

Defense News 01/24/2011 Sino-U.S. Military Ties Face Land Mines By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — The pomp and pageantry of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to the White House last week carried hopes of restored military dialogue with China, but land mines exist that could cripple closer relations.   The most prominent is U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Taiwan has roughly

Taiwan Tests Missiles As Hu Visits U.S.

2011-01-23T17:54:00.000-08:00

Defense News 01/18/2011 Taiwan Tests Missiles As Hu Visits U.S. By WENDELL MINNICK JIUPENG, Taiwan - Taiwan military officials are denying that a series of missile tests it conducted is a political move connected to Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Washington. Taiwan test-fired missiles of 11 different types during an exercise on Jan. 18 at the Jiupeng Missile

Sino-U.S. Ties Back on Track, But for How Long?

2011-01-23T17:53:00.000-08:00

Defense News 01/17/2011 Sino-U.S. Ties Back on Track, But for How Long? By WENDELL MINNICK    TAIPEI — Sino-U.S. military relations appear to be back on track after a Jan. 9-12 visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, but analysts wonder how long the honeymoon will last with the pending U.S. release of a retrofit package for Taiwan’s aging F-16A/B fighter jets.