The great Indo-Pacific hedge - deeper defence ties as US doubts grow and China ascends
Regional governments are expanding arms deals and export rules as officials question whether Washington will stay focused on Asia.
- At the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Indo-Pacific nations deepened defense ties and accelerated arms purchases, responding to China's rapid military rise and concerns about the United States' regional focus.
- China's military expansion, including the display of CJ-20A cruise missiles during a September 2025 military parade marking World War Two's 80th anniversary, prompted regional nations to bolster deterrence and seek greater interoperability.
- Japan's April export rules overhaul enables broader cooperation, while New Zealand considers British and Japanese vessels to replace ANZAC-class frigates; Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing calls this approach "coalitions of the able and willing."
- Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told Reuters that regional defence secretaries are unanimous in "buttressing" the United States' traditional role, with partners deepening cybersecurity and maritime exercises to address shared threats.
- Despite concerns that conflict in Iran might divert United States' attention, officials insisted the United States' commitment remains "unwavering," with Defence Minister Richard Marles describing ties with Washington as "absolutely fundamental to our national security.
10 Articles
10 Articles
New military alliances are emerging in the Indopacific. Countries in the region are coming closer together because China is growing and there are doubts about the US.
Catched between China's rapid military rise and the growing doubts about the focus of the US in a region that has long dominated, the Indo-Pacific nations are the race to arm themselves and each other. At the main Asia defence forum, held on Saturday, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pressured the regional partners to take on most of the security burden. Still, it was confronted with persistent concerns that US priorities may be drifting awa…
The great Indo-Pacific hedge - deeper defence ties as US doubts grow and China ascends
Caught between China's rapid military rise and growing doubts about the U.S. focus on a region it has long dominated, Indo-Pacific nations are racing to arm themselves, and each other.
The United States recognizes the decline in readiness for military partnership with representatives of the Indo-Pacific region due to the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East. Participants in the Shangri-La Dialogue Asian Defence Forum in Singapore, including Japan, the Philippines, Canada and New Zealand, spoke in favour of strengthening defence ties, confirming plans for rearmament. Strengthening security was supported by US Secreta…
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