Samudra Laksamana: Together at Sea, Stronger in Partnership

15 September 2026

KD Gagah Samudera (271), INS Mysore (D60), dan KD Lekir (FSG26) (photos: TLDM)

From harbour to sea, Exercise SAMUDRA LAKSAMANA 4/26 moved into its Sea Phase as the Royal Malaysian Navy and Indian Navy put their coordination into action.

Throughout the day, both navies conducted FIAC, PHOTEX, RASAP, Surface Firing and BOARDEX with sea rider exchanges onboard, demonstrating seamless coordination and shared understanding at sea.

A final Sail Past brought the exercise to a close — a fitting salute before both navies parted ways, carrying forward the friendship and professional ties strengthened throughout the exercise. Fair wind and following sea INS Mysore.

(TLDM)

RSAF AH-64D Successfully Concluded Exercise in Idaho, U.S.

15 September 2026

Annual gunnery exercise Crimson Talon in Idaho, U.S. (photos: RSAF)

Eyes on target, precision on point

Our Peace Vanguard Detachment has successfully concluded their annual Crimson Talon gunnery campaign, held from 1 Aug to 1 Sep 26 in Idaho, U.S.

 

The deployment saw our AH-64D aircrew put their skills to the test in live-firing sorties, while our ground crew honed their engineering expertise, keeping the helicopters mission-ready in the dynamic training environment.

Exercise Crimson Talon is an annual live-firing gunnery campaign conducted by the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Peace Vanguard Detachment in Idaho, United States.

In addition to its domestic base at Sembawang, the RSAF also deploys Apache helicopters for overseas training; one such deployment is the Peace Vanguard Detachment in United States.

(RSAF)

Malaysia Pertimbang Peroleh Peluru Berpandu BrahMos - Anwar

15 September 2026

Analis memprediksi bahwa tipe yang diincar Malaysia adalah BrahMos versi air-launched untuk mempersenjatai Su-30MKM (photo: IndiaTV)

NEW DELHI: Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengesahkan Malaysia sedang meneroka kemungkinan untuk memperoleh sistem peluru berpandu udara ke permukaan BrahMos India.

Beliau menekankan perbincangan itu masih dijalankan walaupun tiada keputusan muktamad yang dibuat setakat ini.

Dalam satu temu bual dengan NDTV India, beliau berkata perbincangan mengenai perkara itu dibuat semasa mesyuarat dua hala dengan rakan sejawatnya dari India, Narendra Modi, namun pihak yang berhak membuat keputusan adalah Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM).

“(Kami) telah berbincang, namun lazimnya kedudukan saya adalah melibatkan jabatan atau agensi yang berkenaan, mereka yang mempunyai kepakaran dalam tentera udara, mereka sepatutnya meneruskan perbincangan.

“Mereka telah mengadakan perbincangan awal dan saya memberitahu Perdana Menteri Modi yang saya sangat menyokong kerana hubungan ini dibina atas kepercayaan dan kami ingin mengukuhkannya dalam semua bidang,” katanya.

Anwar, yang juga Menteri Kewangan, mengakui keupayaan pertahanan India.

BrahMos merupakan peluru berpandu krus supersonik berkuasa ramjet jarak jauh yang boleh dilancarkan dari kapal selam, kapal, pesawat pejuang atau pelancar mudah alih (TEL).

Ia merupakan usaha sama antara Pertubuhan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pertahanan (DRDO) India dan NPO Mashinostroyeniya Persekutuan Rusia, yang bersama-sama membentuk BrahMos Aerospace.

(Bernama)

Australia Declares JASSM-ER and LRASM Long-Range Missiles is Operational

14 September 2026

JASSM-ER loaded to a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland (photo: Aus DoD)

Air Force modernises air-launched strike

The Royal Australian Air Force has delivered a significant milestone for advanced long-range strike capabilities, with initial operational capability declared for the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) and the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER). 

The LRASM is an air-launched precision guided, semi-autonomous missile, designed to destroy high-value, well-defended maritime targets at ranges in excess of 370 kilometres.

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet carrying a JASSM-ER Missile departs RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland (photo: Aus DoD)

The JASSM-ER is an air-launched precision guided, long-range land strike cruise missile, designed to locate, identify and defeat targets from ranges of up to 900 kilometres from the launch aircraft.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, DSC, CSC, OAM said the Royal Australian Air Force has demonstrated it is ready to conduct long-range, survivable and lethal maritime and land strike, from F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, against highly defended targets. 

An AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) loaded to a P-8A Poseidon during Exercise Medusa Fury, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (photo: Aus DoD)

“By acquiring a suite of long-range maritime and land strike missiles Air Force will increase the lethality of our air combat aircraft and avoid increasingly sophisticated air defences.”

“We are continuing to develop and grow Air Force’s ability to precisely strike targets at long-range.”

“This will allow Air Force, as part of the integrated, focused force, to further enhance deterrence by holding potential adversary forces and infrastructure at risk from a greater distance.”

In July 2026, a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and personnel from No 92 Wing deployed on Exercise Medusa Fury 26 to Hawaii to conduct testing of the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) (photo: Aus DoD)

Operational testing includes validation of weapons preparation and loading, as well as targeting and successful weapon engagement by F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft. In February 2025, two LRASM were successfully test fired at the Point Mugu Sea Range in the United States, followed by two JASSM-ER being successfully test fired at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, in November.

More recently, during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 26 (RIMPAC), operational testing has further expanded these capabilities, when a P-8A Poseidon successfully fired an LRASM hitting its target.

An AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is released from a No.92 Wing P-8A Poseidon hits its target during Exercise Medusa Fury, at Hawaii (photo: Aus DoD)

Introducing both these complex weapons into service required close collaboration between the Royal Australian Air Force, Defence Delivery Group, Joint Capabilities Group, whole-of-government, and United States military and industry partners.

The expansion of long-range strike capabilities, as identified in the National Defence Strategy, further enhances Defence’s ability to deliver deterrence through denial as an integrated, focused force. 

(Aus DoD)

Vietnam Officially Embarked on the Path on the R&D of its Own Indigenous MBT

14 September 2026

Vietnam is starting to research and develop modern main battle tanks that meet combat requirements, are effective, and are cost-effective (photo: QDND)

On the morning of September 8th, Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Member of the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission, and Deputy Minister of National Defense, chaired a working session with several agencies and units on the orientation of research and development plans for main battle tanks, aiming to gradually improve self-reliance and meet the requirements of building the Army in the new situation.

During the meeting, agencies and units reported and discussed the direction and methods for researching, designing, and manufacturing main battle tanks to serve training and combat readiness tasks; focusing on clarifying the requirements for mastering technology, being proactive in research, manufacturing, and production, and ensuring strategic self-reliance.

A Ministry of National Defence delegation at Factory Z125 (General Department of Defence Industry) (photo: QDND)

According to the guidelines, the research and development process of main battle tanks focuses on developing products that are integrated, modern, suitable for combat requirements in new conditions, ensuring high technological content, efficiency, and reasonable costs. Along with combat performance requirements, the product must ensure ease of operation, use, repair, and maintenance under the actual conditions of the units.

Regarding the design of the main battle tank, delegates argued that it is necessary to fully consider the technical maintenance capabilities throughout the product's lifecycle. The tank's equipment systems must be modern and advanced, possessing strong firepower, good protection, high mobility, and excellent off-road capability; it must be able to operate on various terrains and in different weather conditions, both day and night.

The T-90S/SK main battle tank of the Vietnam People's Army is featured alongside T-62 tanks (photo: VoV)

Concluding the working session, Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam emphasized that orienting the research and manufacturing of main battle tanks is one of the directions contributing to achieving the goal of building a proactive, self-reliant, self-strengthening, dual-use national defense industry, gradually improving self-sufficiency in weapons and technical equipment, and meeting the requirements of building a  modern army .

General Pham Hoai Nam requested that agencies and units incorporate the opinions expressed at the meeting, promote a proactive and creative spirit, accelerate research to master technology, and gradually develop the capacity to design, manufacture, and produce main battle tanks; strengthen coordination between management agencies, research facilities, factories, and user units so that products are designed realistically, are easy to operate, meet technical standards, and have the potential for future development and upgrading.

(QDND)

Philippine Army Deploys Sabrah Light Tanks for First Operational Mission

13 September 2026

Sabrah light tank to support election-security mission in Mindanao (photos: Pambato)

Armor Division deploys for historic BARMM elecytions; reactivates DMIC to boost readiness 

Camp O'Donnel., Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac — The Armor (Pambato) Division, Philippine Army, led by Major General Ronel R. Manalo PA, conducted a send-off ceremony for Tank Platoons, a Security Platoon, and the Division Mechanized Infantry Company (DMIC) – Dismounted, alongside its formal reactivation, at the Pambato Clubhouse. These actions support the Philippine Army’s election-security mission for the historic first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections on September 14, 2026.

The deployment of forces underscores the Armor Division’s distinct role as the Philippine Army’s decisive arm, capable of delivering overwhelming firepower, rapid maneuver, and unyielding force protection in support of national objectives. Tank Platoons serve as visible deterrence and rapid-response capability; the Security Platoon fortifies ground stability; and the DMIC expands operational reach, strengthening forces in Mindanao to ensure absolute readiness and flexibility throughout election duty.

In his remarks, Major General Manalo emphasized the solemnity of the mission:

“This mission goes beyond securing polling places — it is about safeguarding democracy, protecting the people’s voice, and ensuring peace prevails at this defining moment in our nation’s history.”

He further noted that the DMIC reaffirms the Division’s commitment to modernization and readiness, serving as an agile force multiplier ready to respond decisively to emerging challenges. He emphasized that the mission tests the Division’s core principles of Respect, Relevance, and Mettle (RRM), and expressed full confidence that troops would carry out their duties with honor, resilience, and unity — upholding the Philippine Army’s STRONG principles of Stewardship, Transformation, Readiness, Organizational Development, Nation-Building, and God-Centered Leadership.

The Armor Division stands ready to fulfill its mandate, affirming the Army’s enduring commitment to defending democracy, preserving peace, and safeguarding the aspirations of the Filipino people. (Philippine Army)

ATMOS 155mm howitzers to support election-security mission in Mindanao (photos: Philippines Army)

Army reinforces Lanao del Sur security ahead of BARMM Elections

The Philippine Army, as the largest force provider to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, reinforced election security in Lanao del Sur as ground units deployed Sabrah light tanks, ATMOS 155mm wheeled self-propelled artillery systems, additional ground troops ahead of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on September 14, 2026.

The deployment forms part of the Army’s sustained and comprehensive election security measures, which include the strategic positioning and movement of troops and assets to areas requiring additional security support. The Sabrah light tanks and ATMOS 155mm wheeled self-propelled artillery systems will augment the armored and fire support assets already prepositioned in Lanao del Sur, alongside the 10 battalions currently deployed in the area. The 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions will also be deployed as follow-on infantry forces.

Army units, which form a crucial part of Joint Security Control Centers with the PNP and Comelec, are firmly committed to ensuring that Bangsamoro voters can freely elect their next leaders free from any threat. (Philippine Army)

The Republic of Singapore Navy Successfully Concludes Exercise Maritime Cooperation with People’s Liberation Army (Navy)

13 September 2026

RSS Steadfast and PLANS Dali (photos: Sing Mindef, China Military Bugle)

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the People’s Liberation Army (Navy) [PLA (Navy)] concluded the fifth edition of Exercise Maritime Cooperation (XMC) earlier today. Held from 5 to 9 September 2026 in Zhanjiang, China, the exercise saw the participation of the RSN’s Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast, and PLA Navy’s Jiangkai-II-class frigate PLANS Dali.

During the exercise, both navies had an exchange of sea riders and conducted a series of maritime security and conventional warfare drills. These included gunnery firings, communications and manoeuvring exercises, as well as joint search and rescue and medical evacuation serials. Ashore, the navies engaged in planning exercises and professional exchanges.

Speaking on the conduct of the exercise, the RSN’s Deputy Fleet Commander Colonel Ng Yen Meng said, “Through these serials, we have strengthened our operational competencies and deepened the trust and understanding between our two navies, allowing us to strengthen relationships. Exercise Maritime Cooperation 2026 represents yet another milestone in our navies' shared journey towards greater understanding and mutual trust, and I look forward to many more years of cooperation ahead.”

XMC underscores the longstanding, warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and the People’s Republic of China.

(Sing Mindef)