“Everything that we can knock off that list we will do in the archipelago…because that allows us to do the tests in the environment that the vessel will operate in ultimately,” said Maj. Gen. Jered Helwig.

Mid-level officials from the NSC and State Department will lead the talks, which follow on Xi-Biden summit last November. No public joint statement is expected, let alone a formal agreement.

Gen. Angus Campbell also defended the conduct of the Australian military after a recent run-in with Chinese helicopters.

“Our first challenge is to strengthen our workforce, more specifically to address the shortfalls in those specific masteries and experience levels that constrain our capacity to grow,” the chief of the Royal Australian Air Force said.

Thelmar Rosarda and Nathaniel Schochet of CNAS argue in this op-ed that the US should strengthen its partnerships with countries to combat China’s aggression in the South China Sea.

Still, Jeremiah Manele signaled he may take a more balanced approach to the East-West power struggle, recently saying it’s “important to treat every and all of our partners as equals.”

Ann McDonnell, chief operating officer for Export Controls Australia Group, told Breaking Defense, “I think definitely from the Australian perspective, it really seemed like we had done everything possible that we could do in a really quick timeframe to get that certification.”

In addition, South Korea will buy four new frigates and create a new air-to-air missile; all told, the three projects will represent roughly $4 billion in investments. 

China watchers are asking whether Feng’s article is a step in the evolution of differences in Chinese and Russian positions — or is it an overt signal of internal Chinese Communist Party debate over Beijing’s policy of supporting Putin’s war in Ukraine?

“What does seem clear at this point is that the PLA recognizes that its reforms and modernization efforts are an ongoing effort, which will require further adjustments,” author Dean Cheng writes.

Australia has already supplied Ukraine with 120 Bushmaster vehicles, six 155mm howitzers, 56 M113 armored vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles and its signature cardboard drones.

“The thing with the H-20 is when you actually look at the system design, it’s probably nowhere near as good as US LO [low observable] platforms, particularly more advanced ones that we have coming down,” said a DoD intelligence official.

A PLA spokesman said the Information Support Force “is a brand-new strategic arm of the PLA and a key underpinning of coordinated development and application of the network information system,” which would seem to indicate a sharp focus on networks.

Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said Anduril’s Ghost Shark is part of the Australian military’s $5.2 billion to $7.2 billion investment in undersea uncrewed maritime systems.

MDA Chief Lt. Gen. Heath Collins said more maneuverable missiles and drones have changed the missile defense game: Instead of just preparing to hit “fastballs,” he said, “now we’re hitting sliders and curveballs.”