Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 26, 2019

Japan’s Defence Minister Taro Kono. Photo: Reuters

SCMP/Reuters: Japan indicates China is bigger threat than North Korea in latest defence review

* For the first time, Japan’s Defence White Paper had a section on China right after the US, pushing North Korea into third position. Russia was fourth.
* China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative was identified as an emerging strategic threat, with suggestions China could use this to push its army into the Indian and Pacific Oceans

China’s growing military might has replaced North Korean belligerence as the main security threat to Japan, Tokyo’s annual defence review indicated on Thursday, despite signs that Pyongyang could have nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

The document’s security assessment on China comes after a section on Japan’s ally, the US, the first time Beijing has achieved second place in the Defence White Paper and pushing North Korea into third position.

Russia, deemed by Japan as its primary threat during the cold war, was in fourth place.

“It is a reflection of the fact that only United States and China can project their influence globally,” a Ministry of Defence official told a news briefing.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 26, 2019

Japan ranks China a bigger threat than nuclear-armed North Korea -- ABC News Online

Exclusive: As North Korea expands arsenal, Japan's missile defense shield faces unforeseen costs - sources -- Reuters

Japan Frets ‘Belt and Road’ Could Give Cover to China’s Military -- Bloomberg

Japan downgrades South Korea in annual defense report -- Nikkei Asian Review

South Korea summons Japanese diplomat over defense white paper -- UPI

S. Korea summons Japanese diplomat over defense white paper -- Yonhap News Agency

Missiles, drones may steal the show at Beijing military parade -- Reuters

China is preparing to show off some incredible weaponry. Here's what it could be -- CNN

Did China just accidentally show off its new supersonic cruise missile? -- SCMP

The US Navy Is Back In Iceland, But Left Its Carrier At Home -- Breaking Defense

Air Force announces competition calling for innovative new technology -- UPI

Black Hawk crash at Fort Polk kills one, wounds three -- Army times

Senate confirms general accused of sexual assault -- The Hill

Senate confirms Trump's Army secretary nominee -- The Hill

Pentagon official in charge of F-35 operating costs and privatized military housing resigns -- Task & Purpose

Pentagon: 541 military service members died by suicide in 2018 -- UPI

Pentagon study finds rising suicide rates in military -- The Hill

The National Guard’s suicide rate has surpassed the other military components -- Military Times

Lockheed to begin supplying F-16 wings from Indian plant in 2020 -- Reuters

US to deploy 200 personnel, missile system to Saudi Arabia -- The Hill

U.S. to send missile defense devices, 200 troops to aid Saudi Arabia -- UPI

Poll: Most Americans support sending troops, missile defenses to Saudi Arabia -- The Hill

Senate passes Ukraine aid extension, averts government shutdown for now -- Defense News

US Congress Approves Sale of 32 New F-35 Jets to Poland - Polish Defence Minister -- Sputnik

How A Classified U.S. Military Operation Hacked ISIS -- NPR

Are air defense systems ready to confront drone swarms? -- Defense News

NATO, Ukraine wrap up Rapid Trident exercise testing US-backed modernization efforts -- Stars and Stripes

BAE awarded $50.3M for nuclear missile work for U.S., Britain -- UPI

How Ukraine Uses US Military Aid -- Nolan Peterson, Daily Signal

Naval base in Syria anchors Russia to Mediterranean -- Navy Times/AP

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