The Indo-Pacific is a strategic system encompassing the Indian and Pacific oceans, reflecting the expanding interests and reach of China and India as well as the enduring role of the US. The Lowy Institute's International Security program presents a weekly selection of links illuminating the changing security picture in this increasingly connected super-region.
- The Philippines' defence build-up has ground to a standstill, particularly the contracts concerning new naval frigates and maritime surveillance aircraft.
- Manila has signaled its intention to begin basing fighter aircraft and naval vessels at the former US naval facility at Subic Bay near the South China Sea.
- In a high profile 'spy-plane flight', the new commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Scott Swift joined a P-8 surveillance patrol over the South China Sea.
- Japan's new maritime and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the P-1, is receiving growing attention from potential overseas buyers. The Japanese Self-Defense Force plans to eventually buy 70 of the aircraft.
- Tokyo has also called on China to halt construction of oil and gas exploration platforms in the East China Sea near their disputed territory.
- In a surprisingly frank manner, Zhou Bo, an honorary fellow at the Academy of Military Science in Beijing, has defended the PLAN's deployment of submarines to the Indian Ocean.