Demand for weapons purchases is increasing

* The missile North Korea test-fired on March 16 was the Hwasong-17 missile . This is the information officially released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 17. According to KCNA, the missile launch was one of the reactions and countermeasures to the large-scale "provocative" military exercises of the US-South Korea alliance and the visit to Japan by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Pyongyang also said the Hwasong-17 missile flew 997km and reached an altitude of nearly 6,000km “before accurately hitting a predetermined target off the coast of the East Sea of North Korea ” (Sea of Japan). According to calculations by Chinese scientists , the Hwasong-17 missile would only take 33 minutes to reach the US if not intercepted during its flight.

* The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government will spend $1.3 billion to buy Tomahawk cruise missiles . Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Australia is continuing negotiations with the US to optimize the capabilities of the missiles it will purchase. The Guardian quoted Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles as emphasizing that the Tomahawk missiles are a very important part of what Australia needs to assert its position and increase its influence. He said: "Having a long-range strike missile is really important. It allows us to reach further and is the last resort to protect the country."

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy also confirmed that Tomahawk missiles will be equipped on the Virginia-class nuclear submarines that Australia has negotiated to buy from the US under the AUKUS project after a recent high-level meeting between British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. According to Mr. Pat Conroy, cruise missiles are an important part of ensuring the ability to attack enemies from a distance and the ability to launch long-range missiles from submarines is also very important for the Australian military.

Australia will buy 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles, the US State Department has announced. The announcement comes just days after the US approved the sale of Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia.

* South Korea approved a program to develop a new minesweeper MSH-II , worth 1.42 billion USD. The ship has a displacement of about 500 to 700 tons with the participation of main contractor Kangnam.

The basic design of the MSH-II minesweeper will be completed in 2025 and the first of six will be delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy in 2029. The new minesweeper will replace six Ganggyeong-class minesweepers that are set to be decommissioned and will complement the Yangyang-class MSH-I fleet. Both classes of South Korean minesweepers are also manufactured by the main contractor Kangnam.

The new minesweeper has a high localization rate, including minesweeping equipment and sounding depth. The hull will be reinforced with a higher proportion of fiber-reinforced plastic to reduce magnetic detection signals. In addition, the ship is also equipped with highly automated systems such as unmanned submersible systems to identify underwater mines and mine detectors and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to detonate or dismantle mines. The weapon system includes a 20mm M61 Vulcan rotary gun and two 7.62mm machine guns.

South Korea has recently increased military cooperation with its allies, while promoting the production of weapons and military equipment. The Korean Peninsula is in a period of unprecedented tension as the US-South Korea alliance continues to conduct large-scale military exercises while North Korea continues to launch cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, both short-range and long-range.

* China participates in military exercises in Cambodia

The People's Daily reported that the Chinese military has sent troops to participate in the fifth Cambodia-China joint military exercise, called "Golden Dragon 2023". The exercise will begin on March 20 and end on April 8 with the participation of 3,000 troops and many weapons and equipment from the two countries' militaries.

Activities within the framework of “Golden Dragon 2023” this year will focus on three contents: Ensuring common security for major events, conducting humanitarian relief work, and cultural exchange activities. The exercise is expected to consolidate and promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, strengthen political trust, expand military exchanges, and enhance counter-terrorism capabilities as well as humanitarian assistance between the two militaries.

Today's World Military column on the People's Army Newspaper sends readers the latest information on world military security and defense activities in the past 24 hours.

HUU DUONG (performed)

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