“Submarines are an important tool for our country’s development of ‘strategic deterrence,’ as well as a crucial defensive weapon for countering maritime blockades and expanding strategic depth,” - President Lai to the 256th Submarine Squadron. news.usni.org/2026/03/25/t...

Taiwanese Leadership Visits First Domestically-built Attack Boat, Highlights Deterrent Role — USNI News news.usni.org/2026/03/25/t...

U.S. Navy to Increase Hammerhead Anti-Submarine Mine Order — USNI News news.usni.org/2026/03/17/u...

Spent the morning scouring CENTCOM imagery and videos of Tomahawk launches. Definitely not definitive, but this is my humble attempt to count how many of these crucial munitions have been used since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury. My latest covers INDOPACOM’s sorrow:

Philippine Marine BrahMos Force Stands Up Northern Luzon Unit Across from Taiwan 🇵🇭🇹🇼 By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

The Philippine Navy debuted its first non-lethal effector, a system that combines long-range acoustic device (LRAD) and laser dazzling roles, aboard the service’s new first-in-class OPV BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) 🇵🇭 By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

The U.S. Army wants to accelerate the development of a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) anti-ship variant capable of being fired from the service’s highly mobile rocket launchers and striking maritime targets over a 1,000 KM away 🇺🇸🚀 By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Good morning San Diego. Looking forward to WEST and other activities throughout the week.

Paris will send an amphibious helicopter carrier and frigate to the Philippines for this year’s Balikatan, marking the largest participation of French forces in Manila’s annual military exercise to date 🇫🇷 🇵🇭 By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Heading out to San Diego for my first WEST conference. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

“The U.S. Army has stood up a rotational force in the Philippines, according to recently released defense media.” Army Rotational Force-Philippines is Washington’s latest defense effort with Manila amid tensions in the SCS and concerns over Northern Luzon. news.usni.org/2026/02/02/u...

U.S. Army Quietly Stands Up Rotational Force in the Philippines — USNI News news.usni.org/2026/02/02/u...

Taiwan highlighted the extent of its defensive lines against a Chinese invasion amid Beijing's latest military drills around the island 🇹🇼💥🇨🇳 By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

China Wants Nine Aircraft Carriers by 2035, Says New Pentagon Report — USNI News news.usni.org/2025/12/24/c...

Philippine and American military officers surveyed Manila’s newest base in the Luzon Strait last week for joint defense operations between the two allies in the country’s northern territories near Taiwan 🇵🇭 🇺🇸 🇹🇼 Story by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Attaché held a brief courtesy call with his Philippine counterparts in Manila this week to discuss potential lines of cooperation, including intelligence sharing and capacity-building efforts. My latest with Naval News: www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Philippine and Taiwanese Coast Guard officials met in Manila this week to discuss potential maritime security cooperation activities 🇵🇭 🇹🇼 Story by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

U.S. Strategic Bombers, Japanese Anti-Ship Fighters Take Flight Amid Japan-China Tensions — USNI News news.usni.org/2025/12/11/u...

🇺🇸 🇨🇳 🇵🇭 A U.S. Navy destroyer was spotted operating near Chinese forces at Scarborough Shoal this week by a Philippine Coast Guard aerial patrol 👇 Story by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Philippine Navy Launches Second Korean Offshore Patrol Vessel — USNI News news.usni.org/2025/12/01/p...

Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Tours Military Bases Near Taiwan — USNI News news.usni.org/2025/11/28/j...

Japan to Procure New Anti-Landing Craft Missiles for Island Defense — USNI News news.usni.org/2025/11/27/j...

Two Philippine maritime patrols challenged the presence of China’s warships and cutters at Scarborough Shoal over the last few days, marking Manila’s latest effort to push back against Beijing’s claims over the South China Sea maritime feature 🇵🇭 🇨🇳 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

This is a great article. While the PLA is extremely capable, the invasion of Taiwan would be the most difficult landing operation ever attempted. There has never been an amphibious landing in the face of CDCMs. For comparison, Taiwan has hundreds of missiles and the PLAN as eight LPDs.

(don’t trust anyone in area studies that seem too confident , kids)

Taiwan highlighted its efforts in developing area denial capabilities, including anti-ship missiles, attack drones and new coastal defense forces, to counter a potential Chinese invasion of the island in its 2025 National Defense Report 🇹🇼 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

U.S. Marines Deploy Drone Unit to Philippines to Patrol Over South China Sea — USNI News news.usni.org/2025/11/13/u...

The Philippine Marine Corps publicly unveiled its BrahMos cruise missile coastal defense system at a Marine Corps Coastal Defense Regiment facility in Zambales, reported by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social See our visualization of the BrahMos system's deployment site and reported operational range

Philippine Marine Corps Unveils First BrahMos Anti-Ship Missile Battery — USNI News news.usni.org/2025/11/07/p...

The Philippine Marine Corps unveiled its first BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile battery and future plans to enhance coastal defense on Friday, a milestone in Manila’s effort to develop a long-range precision fires capability. news.usni.org/2025/11/07/p...

The Philippine Marine Corps has revealed its first BrahMos missile battery during a presentation at the force’s 75th anniversary ceremony today. Located in Zambales, Manila’s first BrahMos base can reach Scarborough Shoal. Note the battery comp and facilities shown. 📸 RTVM

“Of the nine planned field training exercises, three will focus on anti-invasion activities near the Luzon Strait. Northern Luzon will see Philippine troops hold counter-landing drills and practice the recapture of seized ports and airfields.” news.usni.org/2025/11/05/p...

South Korea Positions KSS-III Attack Submarine for International Sale — USNI News news.usni.org/2025/11/04/s...

Philippine 81st Liberation Anniversary late post. The other half of my family resides in a small village in Leyte, which means every trip we pass by this memorial. To me, this spot marked where the New World, with all its power and might, stepped forth to the rescue and the liberation of the Old.

news.usni.org/2025/10/31/u... "While the size and scope of Task Force Philippines is unclear, the initiative follows the previously established Task Force Ayungin."

Just updated with a statement from U.S. Pacific Fleet. According to the release, Task Force-Philippines is a joint 60 personnel coordination unit led by a one-star. It also aims to bolster the capability of Manila’s new defense strategy (CADC). 1/2

American and Philippine defense secretaries unveiled a task force designed to deter Chinese coercion in the South China Sea and enhance alliance defense cooperation. news.usni.org/2025/10/31/u...

Reposting my summer embark with the Philippine Coast Guard amid recent musings in Manila. For those interested in learning about the experiences of PCG sailors on the frontlines in the South China Sea during an escort mission to the Spratly Islands. 1/3 news.usni.org/2025/06/04/v...

Last week, the Philippine Army stood up a provisional missile battalion ahead of an anticipated procurement of several dozen MLRS and ground-based anti-ship missile batteries under Manila’s next phase of military modernization. My latest with USNI News: news.usni.org/2025/10/27/p...

“The system works. It stopped because it wasn’t, you know, fieldable in an operational environment. The reliability aspects of it, right? But in terms of the technical challenges, the technical challenges have been solved.” Railguns work, according to GA. My latest with Naval News:

The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed its intentions to stand up a new Maritime Reconnaissance Company and procure unmanned rocket launchers in the service’s annual force design update 🇺🇸 Story by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

General Atomics is pitching previously developed #railgun technologies amid Washington’s push for a nation-wide air and missile defense network and the reinforcement of its Indo-Pacific outpost at Guam, Naval News has learned 🇺🇸⚡️ By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Day one of AUSA done. Despite the photo, I did have fun. Looking forward to the rest!

A Chinese bomber equipped with supersonic anti-ship missiles flew over a disputed South China Sea maritime feature that Beijing claims as its own during combat readiness patrols alongside frigates and fighter jets on Wednesday 🇨🇳 By @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Oahu, August 2025.

Visits

Taipei, June 2025.

Nagoya, July 2025.