From technological breakthroughs to diplomatic maneuvers, the events of the past week offer insights into the shifting balance of power in the Asia-Pacific and the strategic priorities of China, Australia, and India in an increasingly complex global security environment.

China

China unveiled its second 5th gen fighter in the new J-35A stealth fighter, in addition to an improved variant of its J-15 carrier-borne fighter at the 15th edition of Airshow China held in Zhuhai in South China’s Guangdong Province. The J-35A has been developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute, a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC). The J-35A features an indigenously developed engine and will be capable of undertaking air superiority and strike missions against ground and maritime targets. It is the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) second stealth fighter design after the J-20. Also unveiled at Airshow China was a mockup shown for the first time of the twin-seat J-20S. The J-20S will be able to operate alongside unmanned systems over long distances.

The Shenyang J-15T is a further development of the J-15, the Chinese knockoff of the Russian Sukhoi Su-27. The J-15T is capable of being launched by an aircraft carrier's catapult system and will be able to fly farther or carry a greater weapons payload. The J-15T is expected to gradually replace the PLAN’s older J-15s and will be the backbone of the PLAN’s fighter fleet, complemented by smaller numbers of the 5th gen J-35A. The J-15T will be deployed from both of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) aircraft carriers, CNS Liaoning and the CNS Shandong both of which feature ski jumps. This is the first public appearance of the carrier-borne fighter.

Shown painted in a light grey camouflage, the J-15T features a strengthened nose landing gear and does not have the airspeed pitot mounted on the nose. The new carrier-borne fighter is said to feature improved avionics, new weapons and  now features Chinese developed turbofan engines.

AVIC also unveiled the new J-15D, which will be tasked with Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions.

Australia

The Australian Army has announced that it is rapidly bringing in to service its new fleet Abrams M1A2 SEP v3 Main Battle Tanks (MBT). At present 46 M1A2 MBTs have already delivered from the United States.

The Australian Army will induct a total of 75 M1A2 MBTs which feature significant improvements in lethality, protection, mobility and communications. “There is no other capability on the battlefield that can provide this level of protection, accurate and lethal fire, and cross-terrain mobility,” said the Australian Army’s Head Land Capability, Major General Richard Vagg. 14 M1A2s are slated to be delivered to 2nd Cavalry Regiment, based in Townsville, by the end of the year. The Australian Army will commence field training with these new MBTs from early 2025.

Australia has announced that it will gift 14 rigid hull boats to Ukraine to aid in its defence against Russia’s illegal invasion. The military support, valued at $14 million, will provide a fast and highly manoeuvrable maritime capability for Ukraine bolstering its maritime and coastal defence.

“Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to thwart Russia’s continued attacks from the Black Sea. We are proud to contribute to these vital maritime defences with this new package,” said Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. Australia has provided over $1.3 billion in military support, and more than $1.5 billion in overall support to the government of Ukraine, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

India

India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) recently announced the tests of two important new missile systems. A new Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) was test fired for the first time in addition to the DRDO announcing the completion of flight tests of the Guided Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

The two weapon systems mark another addition to the DRDO’s growing portfolio of indigenously developed missiles. Following the succesful maiden test of the LRLACM, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said it had paved the way for future indigenous cruise missile development programmes. The LRLACM made its maiden flight-test from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha, located on India’s Eastern Seaboard.

“All sub-systems performed as per expectation and met the primary mission objectives,” a DRDO spokesperson informed FW MAG, adding that the missile had followed the desired path using way point navigation and demonstrated its capability to perform various manoeuvres while flying at various altitudes and speeds.

The LRLACM will be available in two variants; a land version using a mobile articulated launcher and a maritime variant using a universal vertical launch module system for deployment on frontline warships of the Indian Navy. LRLACM has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, located in Bengaluru, which is under the control of the DRDO. The Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU), Hyderabad based Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and Bengaluru based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) have been selected as the two Development-Cum-Production-Partners for LRLACM and are also engaged in the missile development and integration.

The DRDO also announced in November that the Guided Pinaka MLRS had completed flight tests related to Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat said the rocket system has completed all pre-requisite flight trials for its induction into the Indian Army. The flight tests were conducted in three phases at different Indian field firing ranges during which the PSQR parameters related to range, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode were assessed by extensive testing of rockets. 12 rockets each from the two designated production agencies were fired from two in-service Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher production agencies.

With its enhanced range and improved accuracy, the Guided Pinaka MLRS when inducted into the Indian Army, will boost its rocket artillery capability. The Guided Pinaka has a range of 60 km and features a navigation, control and guidance system which is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). As per the DRDO, the Guided Pinaka has an CEP of < 60 m making it suitable for engaging high value targets.

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