Security

China unveils amphibious assault ship that can launch fighter jets

BANGKOK — China launched a new amphibious assault ship Friday, capable of launching fighter jets and designed to strengthen the navy’s combat ability in distant seas. The Sichuan, the first ship of the Type 076, is China’s largest such ship yet, displacing 40,000 tons...
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Finland eyes defense-spending boost well past NATO mark

HELSINKI — Finland’s conservative-led government has unveiled a broad plan to lift defense spending from $6.8 billion in 2025 to $11.5 billion in 2032. The government’s proposal, which has gained the majority support of the main opposition parties in the Eduskunta,...
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Top NATO commander urges sea change in training, deterrence, spending

French Adm. Pierre Vandier has led the Allied Command Transformation, one of NATO’s two strategic commands, responsible for identifying future capability and interoperability requirements, since September 2024. Now based in Norfolk, Virginia, he was previously the...
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France’s military is being ousted from more African countries

DAKAR, Senegal — It’s been a tumultuous month for France and its relationship with former colonies in Africa, as its influence on the continent faces the biggest challenge in decades. As Paris was devising a new military strategy that would sharply reduce its...
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