US Navy and Taiwan Conduct Unplanned Military Exercises in West Pacific Amid Rising Tensions with China

 

In an unannounced move showcasing growing maritime cooperation, the U.S. and Taiwan conducted impromptu military exercises in the West Pacific. This development comes amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China, ahead of the inauguration of Taiwan's president-elect, Lai Ching-te. According to unnamed sources cited by Reuters, the drills took place during routine naval encounters.

One source mentioned the involvement of “multiple military assets,” while another highlighted that these exercises were unofficially termed “unplanned sea encounters,” implying a tacit agreement that these drills were coincidental rather than premeditated.

These exercises occurred between a series of scheduled high-profile drills. In mid-April, the U.S. conducted a trilateral exercise with Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) vessels, focusing on interoperability and warfighting capabilities. Shortly after, the Balikatan 24 exercise in the Philippines involved the U.S., Philippine, Australian, and French forces, concentrating on counter-landing operations and maritime domain awareness.

During the unplanned U.S.-Taiwan drills, around six ships, including supply vessels and frigates, engaged in basic communications, resupply operations, and joint anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises. These drills are critical for ensuring operational compatibility between the two navies in emergencies, involving tactical maneuvers and underwater target searches.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense spokesperson, Major General Sun Li-fang, stated that the exercises adhered to the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), which manages interactions between different militaries at sea. This protocol was previously utilized in 2016 during an encounter between the USS Chafee and three ROCN ships.

The disclosure of these exercises follows Taiwanese Chief of General Staff Admiral Mei Chia-shu’s visit to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) change of command ceremony in Hawaii in early May. Shortly after, China conducted significant military exercises around Taiwan, labeled “Joint Sword-2024A,” which involved near-encirclement maneuvers similar to those after Nancy Pelosi's visit in 2022.

In late May, the U.S. began Tiger Strike 2024 with Malaysia, focusing on amphibious warfare and multi-domain awareness. Early June saw the announcement of the “Freedom Edge” exercise, a first-time trilateral drill involving the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.

These high-profile activities in the West Pacific lead up to the Rim of the Pacific 2024 (RIMPAC 24) exercises, scheduled from June 28 to August 2, involving 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel. The Italian carrier Cavour and a French Navy FREMM air defense frigate will also participate.

US Air Force Nears Breakthrough in Rapid Electronic Warfare Updates

 The U.S. Air Force is on the brink of being able to update its electronic warfare (EW) systems with new battlefield data in just a few hours, significantly faster than the current process, a key commander said on Wednesday.

Col. Josh Koslov, head of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, has aimed for a rapid three-hour update window for EW systems, a goal he once considered a “moonshot.” Speaking in a webcast hosted by C4ISRNET, Koslov revealed that this target is now within reach.

“We're very close to that, if not already achieving it, for most systems under the spectrum warfare wing,” said Koslov. He noted that more than half of the 70 EW systems managed by his wing can now be updated in three hours or less.

However, many of these systems have unique characteristics, and Koslov emphasized the need for interoperability and open architecture standards to streamline rapid data updates. To support this, the Air Force must develop data production methods that can handle large-scale data processing and quickly relay updates to the field.

Koslov and Brig. Gen. Ed Barker, the Army’s program executive officer for intelligence, electronic warfare, and sensors, discussed the necessity of swift updates to EW systems in future conflicts against advanced adversaries, where battlefield conditions and threats change rapidly.

“Data is the weapon,” Koslov stated. “We must continue to pressure the adversary to gain an advantage and achieve our objectives. Data processing is the key to making that happen.” This involves integrating data from all sources within the joint force, analyzing it to identify new threats, and developing countermeasures to deploy swiftly.

To achieve rapid updates, the Air Force has revised its tactics, techniques, and procedures with a stronger focus on warfighting. Whether updates can be made remotely or require physical connection depends on the specific EW system, with data being processed at locations like Eglin Air Force Base or other reprogramming centers.

This capability will be crucial in major conflicts, such as those involving China or North Korea, where joint forces would be dispersed across the Pacific. “It’s not effective if a new capability is limited to one area,” Koslov said. “We need to distribute it across the force, and centralizing the process is the way to do that moving forward.”

Since its activation in 2021, the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing has expanded its capabilities, recently adding two new squadrons: the 388th at Eglin and the 563rd at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The 563rd focuses on developing new EW software for operational units, while the 388th studies adversaries like China to find ways to counter their digital capabilities.

The wing’s next objective is to build the 950th Spectrum Warfare Group at Robins, set to be fully operational by 2027. This group will assess and enhance EW systems in Air Force combat aircraft. “We need to evaluate the performance of our platforms and our tactics, techniques, and procedures to ensure we are effective in the EW spectrum,” Koslov concluded.

US Test-Fires Minuteman III Missiles Amid Call for Modernization of Nuclear Arsena

The U.S. military conducted test launches of two unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles this week, emphasizing that these tests were not influenced by current global events. The Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees part of the United States' nuclear triad, carried out the tests on June 4 and June 6 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Defense News has reached out to confirm the success of these tests. In the June 4 announcement, Col. Chris Cruise, head of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, highlighted the importance of the U.S. nuclear program for global security, stating that the test demonstrated the readiness and reliability of the ICBM system and underscored the continuous alert status maintained by U.S. forces.

The missiles' reentry vehicles traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. These reentry vehicles, which carry nuclear warheads, are designed to separate from the missile, travel through space, and reenter the Earth’s atmosphere to reach their targets.

Initially operational in the 1970s and intended for a decade of use, the Minuteman III ICBM system remains in service nearly 50 years later and will continue until the 2030s, according to Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chair of the House Armed Services Committee. Earlier in the month, the Air Force had to intentionally destroy an unarmed ICBM during a test due to an anomaly.

Rep. Rogers emphasized the need to modernize the aging nuclear deterrent, advocating for the replacement of the Minuteman III and other nuclear systems with modern technology. The Air Force is developing a new ICBM, named Sentinel, though the program faces delays and cost overruns, with the first test flight now scheduled for February 2026.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. John Garamendi of California have expressed concerns over the Air Force’s inconsistent timeline for the Sentinel program, noting that while the Minuteman III is expected to remain viable until the mid-2030s, the Air Force plans to maintain it for 15 to 20 more years as the Sentinel is phased in. The Minuteman III will thus be relied upon until at least 2036.

Russian Warships to Conduct Drills in the Caribbean with Cuba and Venezuela, Escalating US Tensions

 As tensions between Moscow and Washington continue to rise over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Moscow is now planning military drills near the US. A senior US official revealed on June 5 that Russia intends to send warships to the Caribbean this summer for naval exercises, which will likely include stops in Cuba and possibly Venezuela.

“We expect increased Russian naval and air activities near the US this summer as part of their regular military exercises, culminating in a global naval exercise this fall,” the official stated.

The official reassured that the US Navy would closely monitor these drills but does not see the involvement of a few ships and aircraft as a direct threat. He emphasized that these activities are routine for Russia, which aims to showcase its global military capabilities despite the expenses and challenges of maintaining an aging fleet.

Although Russia has not officially notified the US about these drills, the US Navy has been tracking Russian ship movements. Typically, countries inform each other of such activities to avoid miscalculations, but Russia opted not to do so this time.

Conducting military drills in international waters is not uncommon for Russia or other countries. For example, the US and nearly 20 NATO states are set to begin BALTOPS 24, a significant naval and aviation drill in the Baltic Sea, close to Russia. Even before the Ukraine invasion in February 2022, Russia conducted global drills, including Arctic protection exercises in 2022, naval drills in the Mediterranean, joint war games in Venezuela, and major drills off Siberia and Alaska.

This upcoming deployment to the Caribbean is notable as it follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s pledge to respond globally to the US decision to allow Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons against Russia.

Russia has been strengthening ties with Cuba and Venezuela, both of which have long-standing tensions with the US. Cuba, one of the few countries not participating in international sanctions against Russia, has enhanced its relationship with Moscow since February 2022. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has condemned NATO’s expansion towards Russia and announced new economic cooperation with Russia. A Russian naval ship docked in Cuba in July 2023, and a Cuban delegation is currently visiting Russia.

Reports have also surfaced of Russia recruiting Cubans to fight in Ukraine since the latter half of last year.

Venezuela, another country with a strong cooperation history with Russia, has condemned US interference in its affairs. President Nicolas Maduro has accused the West of trying to weaken Russia by escalating the Ukraine war and criticized Western sanctions against Russia. In February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Venezuela, emphasizing the need to strengthen comprehensive cooperation between the two nations and expressing support for Venezuela’s bid to join BRICS.

The US, which views Latin America and the Caribbean as vital to its security, is closely watching these developments as Russia continues to bolster its presence and alliances in the region.

Hezbollah Claims Destruction of Israel's Iron Dome, Releases Video Amid Escalating Tensions

 

Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah has announced the destruction of Israel’s well-regarded Iron Dome air defense system. This claim came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of potential "very intense" operations near Lebanon.

On June 5, Hezbollah claimed it struck an Iron Dome launcher near Ramot Naftali, referred to by Hezbollah as “northern occupied Palestine.” The group supported this claim with a video showing a guided missile hitting the launcher. Israeli media, however, did not confirm the aftermath of the attack.

Additional visuals emerged on social media showing an Iron Dome battery stationed at an Israel Defense Force (IDF) barrack being hit in a precision strike. Despite this, the IDF has not acknowledged any attack on the Iron Dome system. Earlier, on June 2, Hezbollah claimed to have destroyed an Iron Dome radar in the Golan Heights using attack drones, causing an explosion and casualties.

The video has sparked celebrations among pro-Iranian and pro-Palestinian social media users, who hailed it as the first-ever destruction of an Iron Dome battery.

Observers noted that while Hamas has attempted to destroy the Iron Dome in the past, there is no credible evidence of success, making Hezbollah’s claim more significant. Some users pointed out the irony of a system designed to destroy incoming missiles being destroyed by a missile.

Israel has extensively used the Iron Dome against incoming targets from Hezbollah and Hamas, particularly since launching a bombing campaign against Gaza following a Hamas attack in October 2023. The Iron Dome is credited with intercepting 99% of aerial targets launched by Iran in a large-scale attack in April 2024. Developed with US support, the Iron Dome is designed to intercept short-range rockets and has a reported success rate of over 90%.

The system’s reported failure to intercept a Hezbollah rocket has become a focal point on social media, highlighting Hezbollah’s growing capabilities. There are claims that Hezbollah has acquired more sophisticated weapons, allegedly supplied by Iran via Syria.

Israel and Hezbollah have been in continuous conflict since October last year, with Hezbollah opposing Israel’s war on Gaza, which has resulted in over 36,000 civilian deaths and widespread condemnation. In November, Hezbollah warned the US that Israel’s ongoing campaign could lead to regional escalation.

The recent destruction of an Iron Dome battery has intensified hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. Following months of daily clashes, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel was “prepared for a very intense operation” in the north.

Fighting has increased over the past week, with Israel conducting deeper strikes into Lebanese territory, raising fears of a larger conflict. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s readiness to restore security in the north during a visit to the border area.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Hezbollah members and Palestinian and Lebanese fighters in Lebanon. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched a drone attack on June 5, injuring at least ten people.

Netanyahu’s coalition partners, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have also called for aggressive action against Hezbollah. Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, Herzi Halevi, emphasized the military’s preparedness for an offensive in the north following extensive training.

Since October 7, Israeli strikes have killed around 300 Hezbollah members and 80 civilians. The Israeli military reported 18 soldiers and 10 civilian deaths from attacks originating in Lebanon.

Hezbollah's deputy head, Sheikh Naim Qassem, stated that while the group has not decided to expand the conflict, it is prepared to do so if necessary, warning that Israel would face significant destruction if the conflict escalated.