The United States and Japan have launched the Resolute Dragon exercises — with missiles that China can reach

The exercises started almost immediately after the Pentagon's "frank" conversation with China

On Thursday, the United States and Japan began a large-scale two-week exercise called Resolute Dragon. Their special feature is not just maneuvers or communication training, but the deployment of real missile systems capable of hitting targets at long distances. According to sources, we are talking about complexes, the range of which allows reaching the territories of mainland China.

At the same time, the start of the exercises took place less than 48 hours after a video call between US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun. The Pentagon called the talks "frank and constructive," but actions speak louder than words.

Rockets in action — what exactly scares Beijing

Previously, the Japanese self-defense forces were limited by defensive doctrine, but now the situation is changing. The exercises use modern rocket launchers, including modified versions of American systems. They can hit ground targets at a distance of more than 1,000 km, which is enough to reach key targets in China's coastal regions.

For Beijing, this is not just a training exercise for its allies. This is a demonstration of the possibility of a strike on its territory — a direct change in the balance of power.

Why is Japan shooting further now

Japan used to avoid possessing offensive weapons. But China's growing activity in the Pacific Ocean, pressure on Taiwan, and the increasingly frequent incursions of aircraft and ships into the country's airspace and maritime space have forced Tokyo to rethink its strategy.

Now Japan is actively modernizing the army, buying long-range missiles and learning how to use them in close coordination with the United States. Resolute Dragon is not a show—off, but a practical elaboration of a new tactic.

Exercises as a signal — to whom and why

The message is addressed to three audiences at once:

• To China, we can respond if you cross the line.
• To the allies in Asia, we are close, you can rely on us.
• To its own population, the country is ready to defend itself.

Yes, Beijing condemned the exercises, calling them a threat to stability. But for Washington and Tokyo, this "instability" is the price of deterrence.

Sources

1. Newsweek — Resolute Dragon 11-25 Sep 2025: first-ever Typhon with Tomahawk & SM-6 deployed in Japan; Beijing warns Tokyo to stay purely defensive
2. Reuters — U.S. Typhon temporarily stationed in Japan for deterrence exercise; strong PRC & RF criticism
3. Japan Times — Historic first use of advanced missiles in U.S.-Japan drills aimed at re-capturing disputed East China Sea islands
4. Stars & Stripes — Largest Resolute Dragon: 5 200 U.S. & 14 000 Japanese troops, NMESIS & MADIS missiles; response to increased PRC activity around Taiwan
5. Al Jazeera — Russia & China condemn U.S. missile deployment, accuse Tokyo of militarisation
6. Yahoo News UK — Drills begin <48 h after candid U.S.-PRC defence ministers video-call

Bright Star-25: The United States and Egypt gathered 40 countries for the largest exercises in the region

Where and how the exercises started

On August 28, the official opening ceremony of the Bright Star-25 exercises was held at the Mohamed Naguib military base in Egypt. From that moment on, a series of large-scale operations began, involving military personnel from all over the world. The base, built on the border with Libya, was not chosen by chance — it is one of the largest in North Africa and is ideal for large-scale maneuvers.

This is no longer just a bilateral exercise between the United States and Egypt. This is a global event that over the years has become one of the key elements of military diplomacy in the Middle East.

Why does the United States need such large-scale games

The Central Command of the US Armed Forces (CENTCOM), responsible for the Middle East, Africa and part of Asia, sees the Bright Star not just as a training exercise, but as a tool for strengthening alliances. The exercises show that the United States remains engaged in the region, supports strategic partners and is ready to act together.

For Egypt, this is a confirmation of the status of a key player. For the United States, it is an opportunity to keep the threads of influence without deploying large forces on a permanent basis.

Who is involved — from NATO to Asia

This year, more than 40 countries are involved in the exercises. Among them are NATO members, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, African countries, and even military personnel from Asia. About 1,800 American military personnel work side by side with colleagues from other armies.

Such a composition is rare. Usually, exercises bring together either Western allies or regional partners. There are both here. This suggests that the Bright Star is no longer just a regional event. It is becoming an international standard for compatibility and interoperability.

Not just shooting, but preparing for real scenarios

The exercises cover everything from field maneuvers to command and staff games. Both conventional combat operations and counteraction to guerrilla formations, terrorist threats, and cyber attacks are being practiced. What matters is not so much the number of shots fired as the quality of the interaction — how orders are transmitted, how actions are coordinated, and how language and technical barriers are resolved.

This is not a rehearsal for war, but a resilience training. Because in a real conflict, the winner is not the one with the most tanks, but the one who knows how to work together better.

Sources

1. U.S. Department of Defense — Bright Star 25 official opening and overview
2. DVIDS — Bright Star 25 multinational exercise details
3. Wikipedia — Exercise Bright Star history and data
4. The Jerusalem Post — Bright Star 25 begins in Egypt
5. U.S. Embassy Egypt — Bright Star exercise information

Kim Jong-un urged to accelerate the build-up of nuclear weapons amid the exercises of the United States and South Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said that the country needs to accelerate the development and build-up of its nuclear weapons. This was reported on Tuesday by the state news agency KCNA, stressing that such actions are a response to external threats.

Kim Jong-un called the joint military exercises of the United States and South Korea "a clear manifestation of the desire to provoke a war." His statement came amid the start of large-scale bilateral exercises between Seoul and Washington aimed at developing a rapid response to the growing nuclear and missile threats from the DPRK.

During the exercises, the South Korean and American armed forces are working out improved deterrence scenarios, including coordinating actions in the event of a possible provocation from the north. These maneuvers are sharply criticized by Pyongyang, which traditionally perceives them as a threat to its security and preparations for an invasion.

Kim Jong-un's statement underscores the further tightening of the DPRK's rhetoric and indicates the continuation of the course towards strengthening nuclear capabilities as a central element of national defense.

"Robot wolves": China for the first time showed armed four-legged combat robots at military exercises

At the latest military exercises of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA), a pack of new combat robots, the so-called "wolf robots", was seen for the first time. These impressive four—legged machines weigh about 70 kilograms, look larger and more powerful than their predecessors - "robot dogs" — and are equipped with automatic weapons such as assault rifles.

"Wolf robots" are able to work side by side with live soldiers, move over rough terrain, climb ladders, keep up with infantry on the offensive and perform a variety of tasks: from reconnaissance and fire support to cargo transportation.

The peculiarity of these robots is that they can act in packs, distributing tasks among themselves — someone conducts reconnaissance, another delivers targeted strikes, the third provides cover or accompanies cargo. The pack is controlled by a leader who coordinates actions and provides communication with operators and drones.

FPV drones, controlled by fighters in camouflage suits, are circling around the "robot wolves" during the exercises. Drones help to target and correct the actions of robots, providing real feedback for the most effective human-machine interaction.

Such developments are a significant step towards deeper robotization of the army and reducing the risks for live fighters in combat conditions, especially in difficult mountainous and urban areas. Experts point out that such machines exert significant psychological pressure on the enemy and are capable of performing tasks that previously required only manpower.

Chinese media claim that the introduction of "robot wolves" will improve the effectiveness of the offensive and innovatively change the tactics of future wars.

The UVB-76 radio station, Buzzer, transmitted mysterious words and unusual activity

The UVB-76 radio station, which is often referred to as "Doomsday Radio" or simply "Buzzer", has recently shown unusual activity. Usually, a monotonous buzzing sounds at a frequency of 4625 kHz — such a monotonous background that goes on for days without changes. But recently, five strange and mysterious words were broadcast at once — "Friendship", "frilly", "ginochili", "schesolub" and "kerner".

What does it mean? In fact, such transmissions are part of the military communications system, where encoded messages are transmitted and the availability of communication channels is checked. These words are not just random sets, but special signals that can mean something important, for example, urgent instructions or a change of ciphers. For example, the word "ginochili" traditionally means some kind of conditional place or geolocation, that is, a specific addressee or object on the ground.

The radio station has been operating around the clock since the late 1970s and is associated with military structures. There is speculation that it may be part of an automatic control system or even a so—called "Dead Hand" - a terrible nuclear complex that, if the command is destroyed, will automatically launch a retaliatory strike.

UVB-76's activity is usually quiet, but when it starts transmitting such cryptic words in a row, it indicates that exercises, communications checks, or urgent messages are being transmitted in military circles. Such transmissions help keep systems ready and will allow for quick response if necessary.

So if you suddenly hear unusual words on this frequency, know that this is not someone's joke, but an important signal from the depths of the military infrastructure.

A South Korean plane entered the Japanese air defense zone without warning, and fighters were scrambled

 

The military tension in the Far East almost reached a new level due to one unexpected maneuver. The South Korean transport aircraft C-130 Hercules entered the Japanese air defense zone (the so-called ADIZ) without prior notice. Japan reacted immediately: fighter jets were scrambled from the airbase to intercept.

What exactly happened? On July 13, this aircraft flew as part of a large—scale exercise under the auspices of the United States, probably Resolute Force Pacific, which is positioned as the largest military exercise in the history of the Pacific Ocean. On his way to Guam, he needed to refuel, and the route changed abruptly — he turned to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. But the South Korean military seems to have forgotten to inform Japan about this in advance.

But for Tokyo, this is serious. ADIZ is not a border, but a zone where the country monitors all aircraft, especially military ones. If someone enters without warning, it may look like a challenge or even a threat. Therefore, Japanese fighters took to the air to visually identify the aircraft and track it.

Now the South Korean Air Force has launched an investigation — they are trying to understand whether it was a mistake in coordination or just a slip. In any case, the incident is a reminder of how easily even NATO and other bloc allies can scare each other, especially in a tense region like East Asia.

It's good that there was no escalation. But the situation has shown that even friendly countries should keep each other informed when flying near other people's "air zones."

The Royal Canadian Navy has tested unmanned kamikaze boats inspired by the experience of Ukraine

In early July, multinational naval exercises ended off the west coast of Vancouver Island, during which the Royal Canadian Navy for the first time tested an experimental concept for the use of unmanned boats packed with explosives. As part of the tests, one drone boat crashed into another unmanned object and was blown up, demonstrating the potential of the "kamikaze sea drone" tactics actively used in the war in Ukraine.  

According to representatives of the Canadian Navy, this experiment was part of a rethink of modern maritime threats and the adaptation of lessons from the Ukrainian conflict to Canada's defense strategy. It is noted that the new tactics can be used to protect the country's long maritime borders, as well as to enhance operational flexibility in the Arctic and the Pacific region.  

French Rafale fighter jets demonstrate their might at exercises in Sweden

For the first time, French Rafale multirole fighters, including modifications capable of carrying nuclear weapons, are involved in joint military exercises in Sweden. This event was a landmark step in strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries and demonstrating France's military might beyond its borders.

The exercises are aimed at practicing the rapid dispersal of fighters in Sweden, which is a key element of modern tactics to counter potential threats. This strategy minimizes the risks to aviation in the event of an attack on the main air bases and increases the operational flexibility of the armed forces.

Rafale fighters, known for their versatility and high combat performance, play an important role in ensuring NATO's security. They are capable of performing a wide range of tasks, including air support, reconnaissance, air defense, and even nuclear deterrence. The participation of these vehicles in the Swedish exercises underlines France's desire to strengthen its position in Europe and demonstrate its readiness for collective defense.

Sweden, which is actively modernizing its armed forces and seeking closer cooperation with NATO, has provided its territory for the maneuvers. It also demonstrates the country's growing role as an important partner in ensuring the security of the region.

Such exercises have not only military, but also political significance. In the context of growing tensions in Europe, the demonstration of unity between the participating countries is becoming an important signal for potential opponents. In addition, it is an opportunity to share experiences and improve the compatibility of the armed forces of different States.

Working out how to disperse fighters is especially relevant in light of modern threats, such as the use of precision weapons and drones. The rapid transfer of aircraft to alternate airfields makes it possible to increase the survival rate of aircraft and ensure the continuity of combat operations.

Thus, the participation of the French Rafale in the exercises in Sweden symbolizes the deepening of cooperation between the countries and demonstrates their readiness to jointly defend the European continent.

France and Great Britain conducted large-scale exercises over the Black Sea

 French and British troops conducted a large-scale air operation over the western part of the Black Sea, demonstrating a coordinated demonstration of intelligence and air superiority amid the ongoing escalation of tensions in the region.

A large number of aircraft from both countries participated in the large-scale flight, which acted together to monitor the actions of the Russian military.The mission involved Rafale fighter jets and an E-2 Hawkeye long-range radar detection aircraft launched from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. , as well as Typhoon fighters of the Royal Air Force, Rivet Joint RC-135 electronic reconnaissance platform and support from tankers of both countries. 

The presence of the French E-3 Sentry long-range radar detection and control aircraft provided additional coordination and control, which made it possible to expand the surveillance zone over the entire maritime region of the Black Sea.

Flight tracking data showed that several tanker aircraft provided a long flight, which allowed the escort fighters and surveillance equipment to remain in place for a long time.

USS Gerald R. Ford and CSG-12 are completing preparations for deployment to the US Fifth Fleet

 

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12) are completing the final Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) exercises off the coast of Virginia. According to the plan, this will prepare the group for its planned deployment to the US Fifth Fleet, responsible for operations in the Middle East, as early as this year.  

COMPTUEX is a comprehensive training event that checks the teamwork of ships, aviation units and headquarters. Previously, CSG-12 successfully conducted similar exercises in November 2024, including group maneuvers (Group Sail). However, the current stage has become a key one for certification before the operational task.  

CSG-12 includes the Ford aircraft carrier, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 squadrons, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and other Destroyer Squadron 2 ships. This is the first U.S. Navy combat group equipped with next-generation technologies, including advanced control systems and power plants.  

It is expected that by May 2025, when the "two-month" deadline announced by President Trump for the withdrawal of troops from conflict zones expires, three US aircraft carriers may be stationed in the Middle East at the same time. This will strengthen the military presence in the region amid growing tensions.  

The US Army has tested a new mysterious weapon "670" at the Fort Irwin base

 

A mysterious weapon was fired from a Bradley combat vehicle during an exercise.

Recently, the M2 Bradley tank launched a new projectile from its TOW anti-tank missile launcher during major US Army test events.

This is the installation of the BGM-71 TOW to launch something else, called simply "670", which does not seem to have been demonstrated before.

"The Bradley combat vehicle of the US Army launches the 670 during the Convergence-Capstone 5 (PC-C5) project at Fort Irwin, California, in March 2025"

Iranian Army Tests Combat Robots in Military Exercises

The Iranian army has taken a significant step forward in its military capabilities by testing combat robots in recent exercises. Brigadier General Nozar Nemati, Deputy Commander of the Ground Forces, revealed to the Tehran Times that his troops began using these advanced devices in military drills two months ago. This development underscores Iran's commitment to enhancing its military prowess and competing with rival countries at the highest possible level.

The integration of combat robots into military operations is a clear indication of Iran's ambition to modernize its armed forces. These robots are designed to perform a variety of tasks, from reconnaissance to combat support, and their deployment suggests that Iran is investing heavily in cutting-edge technology to bolster its defensive and offensive capabilities.

General Nemati's announcement comes at a time when regional tensions are high, with Iran facing various geopolitical challenges. The use of combat robots not only enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of Iranian military operations but also sends a strong message to potential adversaries about the country's technological and military advancements.

Iran's deployment of combat robots is part of a broader strategy to stay competitive in an increasingly complex and technologically advanced military landscape. By incorporating these robots into their exercises, Iranian forces are demonstrating their readiness to adapt to new technologies and maintain a strong defensive posture.

This move is likely to be closely watched by regional and international powers, as it highlights Iran's determination to strengthen its military capabilities and assert its influence in the region. As the world continues to evolve technologically, Iran's investment in combat robots shows that the country is prepared to meet the challenges of modern warfare head-on.