Asia Pacific • The Defense Post

Sep- 2026 -

22 September

Indonesian Navy's first aircraft carrier KRI Sriwijaya (100).

First Indonesian Carrier Arrives With Heavy Backlash Over Retrofit Cost

Indonesia has taken delivery of its first aircraft carrier, welcoming the former Italian Navy warship ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (C-551) amid domestic debate over the aging vessel’s cost and strategic value.

21 September

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Chinese Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun ahead of bilateral meetings in Singapore on May 31, 2024. Photo: Chad J. McNeeley/Wikimedia Commons

Samantha Alexa

Beijing Pushes International Guardrails for Military AI

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun has called for stronger international oversight of military artificial intelligence, urging countries to assess its risks and establish rules governing its use.

21 September

Rojoef Manuel

Poland Targets Global Arms Market Growth With Philippine Defense Push

Poland is seeking expanded defense partnerships with the Philippines, offering weapons and vehicles to grow its industrial position globally.

21 September

Rojoef Manuel

Indonesia’s Kaplan Armored Personnel Carrier Passes Pre-Delivery Tests in Turkey

Ankara-based defense contractor FNSS and Indonesian state enterprise Pindad have finalized preliminary acceptance tests in Turkey for the Indonesian Army’s first Kaplan armored personnel carrier.

19 September

The JCG Hiroshima (PL-207) Miyako-class large patrol vessel

Rojoef Manuel

Mitsubishi Transfers 7th Miyako Patrol Vessel to Japan Coast Guard

The Japan Coast Guard has taken delivery of its seventh Miyako-class large patrol vessel, the JCG Hiroshima, from Mitsubishi.

19 September

Rojoef Manuel

Philippines Accepts Two More Bell 412EPX Helicopters From US

The US has turned over two additional 412EPX utility helicopters to the Philippine Air Force at Villamor Air Base, Pasay.

18 September

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Multiple Drones Crash, Malfunction at South Korean Military Exhibition

Multiple domestically developed drones crashed or malfunctioned during a military exhibition in South Korea, with officials pointing to possible frequency interference during the demonstrations.

17 September

Inder Singh Bisht

South Korea Approves $2.4-Billion MH-60R Seahawk Acquisition

South Korea has approved a plan to acquire additional Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters for 3.24 trillion won ($2.4 billion).

16 September

Participants of the Indian Air Force’s Dronathon 2026. Photo: Indian Ministry of Defence

Rojoef Manuel

Indian Air Force Tests Drone Combat Power at First ‘Dronathon’

The Indian Air Force has launched its inaugural Dronathon 2026 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, bringing domestic defense companies, startups, and other innovators into three days of operational drone trials.

16 September