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Regional arms race or bilateral arms races in Northeast and Southeast Asia .
What factors are driving this military modernisation?
Only countries with less money are not caught up in the reactionary mode
Southeast Asian countries watch their neighbors defense programs and react to them
The growing power of China is one of the main incentives driving the arms acquisition process among the regions countries.The Northeast and Southeast Asian arms buildup -- a three-tiered scramble to dominate the seas, the air, and control the next frontier of space -- runs counter to conventional wisdom. The situation now is closer to a classic situation causing an arms race, with only the exception that these countries are not enemies. But they are becoming real competitors. The most dangerous high stakes arms race centers on Northeast and Southeast Asia. Any attempt to dismantle the global military-industrial complex must start with the military forces that face one another there.
Every country in the region is now investing staggering sums in new weapons systems and new offensive capabilities. "The 9/11 attack drastically changed the outlook toward national security. An additional factor for further militarisation in the region is Missile proliferation and the re-emergence of the US Star Wars programme Western funds and weapon technology, developed with large sums on Research & Development programmes (R&D) -estimated at US$ 39.3 billion in the US and at US$ 9.1 billion in Europe annually. Russia is spending US $5 billion.China spending US$7 billion in 2008.
Pushing military budgets ever higher By invoking the 9/11 terrorist attacks, joining those government leaders who have used the 9/11 events to popularize a new sales pitch for arms acquisitions. The strike on the World Trade Center and Pentagon is a weak rationale for placing submarines and fighter aircraft on the shopping list of many East and Southeast Asian countries.
During the present decade Southeast ,Northeast Asian states defence spending has expanded in real terms, providing funding for major military procurement programmes. Armed forces in the region are investing heavily not only in sophisticated conventional arms such as multirole combat aircraft, guided-missile armed stealth frigates and destroyers, modern submarines, and cruise missiles but also in crucial force-multipliers such as in-flight refueling and airborne early warning aircraft and in Space.
Southeast Asian armed forces are also changing their organisational, logistical and training arrangements, as well as emphasising acquisition of new command, control,communications and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, in order to take advantage of the opportunities that contemporary technology offers for developing highly-mobile, hard-hitting networked forces.
Raising the nuclear stakes from Pyongyang to Tokyo would put some of the worlds biggest cities in the shadow of atomic weapons. It might also put nuclear arms in the hands of previously reluctant powers like South Korea or Taiwan.
The sub region with the highest increase in military expenditure over the 10-year period 19982007 East Asia (both 51 per cent). The factors driving increases in world military spending include countries foreign policy objectives, real or perceived threats, armed conflict and policies to contribute to multilateral peacekeeping operations, combined with the availability of economic resources.
A dramatic increase in the number of submarines being built in southeast Asia and north east Asia has sparked claims that a new arms race is under way beneath the waves in the Western Pacific. Dozens of hunter-killers, armed with missiles and intelligence-gathering equipment, are being built, fanning fears of potential conflict in a volatile corner of the world and threatening to alter the global balance of military power
Despite the lack of direct threats, major states Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are spending $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion a year on defence, with the Philippines and Vietnam about $1.5 billion East Asia Countries military Spending in 2001 was US $110 billion, 2002 US $ 116 billion, 2003 US $ 122 Billions, 2004 US $ 127 billion, 2005 US $ 132 billion, 2006 US $140 billion, 2007 US $ 152 billions, 2008 US $ 185 billion .
These are not the best weapons in the fight against terrorism. The current weapons acquisitions are high-tech buys demonstrated during the Second Gulf War on Iraq (1990-91). Furthermore, the latest orders and wish lists follow the images of US technology shown on the Afghan and Iraq battlefield:
The integration of remote operation, new observation techniques, state of the art Information Technology, improved precision guided munitions, and lasers. According to an Australian expert, "we will see increasing sophistication, not only of the platforms, the ships, tanks and aircraft, but of the weapon systems that go with them."
The 9/11 attacks and the creation of US led coalition against terrorism provided the rationale for lifting arms embargoes and relaxing arms export policies on more advanced weapon systems as a reward to countries for their participation.
The restrictions on military co-operation between Jakarta and Washington (developed between 1994 and 2000) have been under pressure ever since. Likewise the Philippines has received 100 million US$ in military assistance, and has allowed the intervention of US Special Forces in Mindanao.
An emerging arms race across the Northeast and south East Asia region. China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos South and North Korea and Brunei. All have conflicting claims to the widely scattered Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Analysts said that Beijing regards control of the islands as essential to enforcing its wider claims over the South China Sea and its oil, gas and fishing resources claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea." There are currently territorial disputes between Southeast Asian countries and China over the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands.
Internal conflicts of the countries of the region are mainly based on ethnic and religious disagreements. In the case of Thailand, there is a threat of terrorism coming from the southern part of the country where ******* prevail (making up 10% of the state population).Likewise, the internal security of Indonesia is threatened by separatist moods in provinces, especially amplified after the independence of East Timor in 2002
Arms purchases by the Republic of Korea stem from its opposition policy to North Korea. The conflict recently received a new impetus as North Korea announced that it now possesses nuclear weapons
Indonesia and Malaysia's rivalry over two islands off Borneo could spark tensions along the Sulu Sea, also a major trade route for the southern Philippines. Cross-border crime and illegal immigration from Indonesia and the Philippines to Malaysia could strain relations among those countries.
Malaysia and Singapore -- the two governments try to match each other's military capabilities.They have been peaceful neighbors since Singapore separated from the then Malayan Federation in the 1960s. But economic rivalry, and water and border disputes irritate the relationship.
China conducted military exercises in the Paracel Islands in November 2007 and, in December 2007, the Chinese Government approved the establishment of Sansha City,
which includes the Spratly Islands. In opposition to these actions, there have been public-level demonstrations in Viet Nam.
China has existing territorial disputes with a few countries in Southeast Asia, namely Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Although Indonesia is not actually a claimant state in the disputes, Chinas territorial claims overlap with Indonesias Exclusive Economic Zones.
Southeast Asian countries have made efforts for political stability and steady economic growth while deepening interdependent relationships with countries both inside and outside the region. The region is encompassed by the Straits of Malacca, the South China Sea, and the waters around Indonesia and the Philippines, thus occupying a key position for traffic by linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans. However, this region still has destabilizing factors, including the territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands, ethnic minority issues, separatist and independence movements, and Islamic extremist groups.
Between 1990 and 2002, the states of the region spent more than $150 billion on arms programs. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, worldwide arms expenditures from 1993 through 2002 climbed an average of 3 percent as opposed to 22 percent in East Asia. The Peoples Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea alone accounted for 75 percent of East Asias military spending. According to American figures, the region imported more than $30 billion worth of arms just in the four-year period from 1999 through 2002.
Most experts do not interpret these statistics to mean a regional arms race, but they do identify bilateral arms races between North and South Korea, China and Taiwan, China and Japan, China and India, and Malaysia and Singapore, for example.
In East Asia, China ***** up against Japan and grapples with the limits of its influence on the Korean peninsula;and Taiwan still unable to resolve basic questions of sovereignty and we also have unresolved border disputes between many countries including between China and its maritime neighbors in the South China Sea.
As the US National Intelligence Council (NIC) points out in Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World published in November 2008 an increasing wave of regionalisation within the area as a whole has been lacking in the issue of defence.This was a point emphasised in 2007 by China's deputy chief of general staff, Zhang Qinsheng, when speaking at a conference on Asia-Pacific security in Singapore. He noted that his country was, "worried this kind of deployment would destabilise Asia and create uncertainty in terms of regional stability and peace."
Thailand has argued that the 4.6 km surrounding Preah Vihear has been Thai territory However, that it has taken since 1962 to reach this agreement (even if there was a ferociously cold world championship chess game going on for a great deal of time) only serves to highlight the transience of sovereignty in Southeast Asia. Cambodia, Thailand in standoff over second temple
Singapore, a country that does not have 700 ballistic missiles pointed at it, spends about 5 percent of its GDP on defense. "In spite of growing GDP over the past 10 years. Defence Budget: 1999 - $4.2 billion 2000 - $4.4 billion, 2002 $4600 million,2004 $5.1 billion US$6.7billion in 2007 $10.8 billion defense in 2008 $11.45 billion 2009
Singapore, with a total land area of just 660 square kilometers (264 square miles), Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Total Armed Forces: active - 60,500 (including 39,800 conscripts) reserve - 213,800. Singapore Army force Main Battle Tanks - Leopard 2A4 : 96. Navy: Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) active - 4,500 (including 1,800 conscripts) 1 SSK submarine ( 3 more to be delivered) 24 patrol and coastal combatants 4 mine countermeasures 6 amphibious warfare ships Singapore Air Force (RSAF) active - 6,000 (including 3,000 conscripts) 136 total combat aircraft including 6 fighter/ground attack squadrons of A-4s, F-16A/B/C/Ds and F-5s 20 armed helicopters supporting air defense guns and missiles
Singapore supports the United States presence in the Asia-Pacific. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 1990 permitting the United States to use military facilities in Singapore. Counterterrorism, prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, defense technology, joint military exercises and training, and policy dialogues.
Philippines Coastline: 36,289 km Square Land Area: 300,000 km Active Military Personnel: 113,000: Philippine Army active - 66,000 8 combat divisions 40 tanks Total Philippine Navy active - 24,000 Navy Ships: 36, Major Ports and Harbors: 6 Frigates: 1 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 24 Mine Warfare Craft: 1, Amphibious Craft: 12. Philippine Air Force active - 16,000 Total Aircraft: 300 Combat air craft 150 Helicopters: 150 Serviceable Airports: 255.
Defense Budget: $1,348,000,000 dollars in 2007 and US $1.5 billion in 2008. 1999 - $ 1.4 billion 2000 - $ 1.3 billion 2002$1,600 millions 2004 $i.5 billionThe Philippines and the United States maintain a long-lasting cohesive military cooperation. They resumed the large-scale joint military exercise, Balikatan in 2000 and have since conducted the exercise on an annual basis. At Balikatan 08, held from February to March 2008, the two nations conducted command post exercises andCivic assistance activities in Mindanao and other areas. The Philippines and United States have also conducted other joint exercises, including Balance Piston and Talon Vision.
Thailand Active Military Personnel: 314,000 12 combat divisions Royal Thai Navy active - 68,000 (27,000 conscripts) Total Land-Based Weapons: 4,848 Tanks: 1,380 Armored Personnel Carriers: 974 Towed Artillery: 550 Self-Propelled Guns: 20 Mortars: 1,900 Anti-Tank Guided Weapons: 24 Anti-Aircraft Weapons: 334 NAVY Total Navy Ships: 74 Merchant Marine Strength: 398 [2008] Major Ports and Harbors: 4. Aircraft Carriers: 1,1 STOL ( Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft carrier with 6 Seahawk helicopters and 8 AV-8 Harrier jump jets Destroyers: 0 Submarines: 0 Frigates: 12 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 15 Mine Warfare Craft: 7 Amphibious Craft: 7 AIR FORCE Total Aircraft: 555 Helicopters: 260 Serviceable Airports: 106 Royal Thai Air Force active - 43,000 153 total combat aircraft including 3 fighter/ground attack squadrons (48 aircraft) 3 fighter/aggressor squadrons (33 aircraft) 2 helicopter squadrons (42 helicopters) supporting air defense guns and missiles .
Defense Budget: 1999 - $2.1 billion 2000 - $2.0 billion 2002 $1.96billion 2004,$1.98 billion.Thailand and the United States started joint military exercise Cobra Gold in 1982, and the exercise has been multinational since 2000. In response to the military coup in Thailand in September 2006, the United States announced the suspension of military aid of about $29 million in total to Thailand. However, the military exercise Cobra Gold 07 in 2007 was held as usual. The suspension of military aid was lifted in light of the December 2007 general election. At the joint exercises in May 2008, besides command post exercises, non-combat missions such as disaster relief and humanitarian assistance were held In 2003, the United States granted Major Non-NATO Ally status to the Philippines and Thailand, since the United States recognized their proactive participation in the U.S.-led War on Terror
Taiwan Coastline: 1,566 km Square Land Area: 35,980 km Taiwan Active Military Personnel: 290,000 The air force current 56,000, 62,000-strong navy. 12 Combat Divisions 1,644 Tanks Total Navy Ships: 100 Destroyers: 11 Submarines: 14 Frigates: 21 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 127 Mine Warfare Craft: 16 Amphibious Craft: 39 Total Aircraft: 479 Helicopters: 310 Serviceable Airports: 41 total combat aircraft including 3 fighter squadrons with 58 Mirage 2000-5 20 ground attack/fighter squadrons of F-5, ChingKuo, F-16A/B and AT-3 Supporting Air-Defense Guns and Missiles
Tawian defense budget in 2001$1.7billion, 2002$1.8 billion.2003$1.9 billion 2006$7.7 billion.: $10,500,000,000 dollars in 2008 Taiwan currently has a 22-month compulsory military service for all males 18 and over. suppliers Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, 205th Armory Foreign suppliers USA FRANCE Taiwan's overall investment in defense approximately 2.6 percent of GDP In 2007 Taiwan's defence spending grew by 17.7 per cent 2008 US$10.7 billion .Taiwan and Japan continue to upgrade their relationship with the United States .
Forces Abroad and Foreign ForcesUS: F-16 Conversion Unit @ Luke AFB, AZThe following forces are currently stationed in the Taiwan:Singapore: 3 Tactical Recon Group Camps
Each time China announce an increase in defense budget, it becomes a major concern for many neighboring countries. China could have imported more than US$11 billion worth of weapons mainly from Russia. (Source The long march to be superpower-Chinas military might, The Economist, 4 august, 2007. p. 20).
Japan and China compete over a host of issues, from regional security to international trade to access to energy. The two countries have a centuries-old history of conflict ongoing disputes over ownership of various islands in the East China Sea. In 2007, China and Japan ranked third and fifth respectively in national defense expenditures
China's military modernization fuels Japanese fears that China will use its growing economic leverage and military prowess to throw its weight around and dominate the region. Tanaka Akihiko of the University of Tokyo, speaking at a December 2008 CFR symposium on U.S.-Japan relations said China's growing military forces might change the balance of power in East Asia
Their naval and air forces threaten to continue escalating the many unsolved maritime territorial conflicts (as in the South China Sea) despite strenuous ongoing efforts at building mutual trust and security in Asia. The level of maritime arms spending by the Asia-Pacific states alone is expected to double to about $14 billion by 2009. Even small member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are likely to add to the number of their submarines and relatively large warships such as corvettes, frigates, and destroyers equipped with the most modern guided weapons, including cruise missiles.
China Coastline: 14,500 km Square Land Area: 9,596,960 km China troops Army 2.3 Million,Navy,255,000,Airforce,400,000,Marine,10,000,Main battle tank 7850,Combat air craft,3079, Total Navy Ships 780 Combat ship,70,Submarine,75, Major Ports and Harbors: 8 Aircraft Carriers: 1 [2010] Destroyers: 30 Frigates: 60 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 398 Mine Warfare Craft: 45 Amphibious Craft: 150 Missile 1000 Helicopters: 520 Serviceable Airports: 467 China's government announced it will increase defense spending by 17.6 percent in 2008, marking the 20th straight year of double-digit growth in its military budget.
For China, the US attack on its embassy and the Hainan Island spy plane Incident were crucial triggers in the direction of changing the speed of its military Modernisation. This was followed by September, 11, 2001 as another trigger because of The US approach to adopt a more aggressive approach in the name of the global war on Terror. By 2003, the US had already fighting in two theatres in Asia. First was the attack On Afghanistan to oust the Taliban and catch Osama b. Laden. The second was in 2003,
The war in Iraq to oust the Saddam regime. The North Korean problem is another issue Since 1998, where the Bush administration hardened its approach in the region.
Forces Abroad and Foreign Forces UN MONUC (Congo): 197 including 9 observersUNMEE (Ethiopia/Eritrea): 6 observer UNTSO (Middle East): 5 observers UNOMSIL (Sierra Leone): 6 observers MINURSO (West Sahara): 19 observers
Defense budget of china in 2000 14.6 billion, or 121 billion yuan, 2001$17 billion ,2002$20 billion,2003 $22 billion,2004 $24.7 billion,2005 $29.9 billion 2006 $35 billion 2007 $45 billion 2008 US$61 billion
China says its 2008 defense budget is $61 billion, Beijing's spending, claim these sources, is really in the $100 billion though the Pentagon has historically challenged Beijing's reported figures. In its annual report to Congress, the U.S. Defense Department estimated China's total military-related spending for 2007 to be between $97 billion and $139 billion, as compared to $52 billion reported by China. All that spending has gone to building a sophisticated, modern military: a large, increasingly capable submarine fleet, an air force stocked with Russian warplanes, and technical strides which have improved China's ballistic missile arsenal, as well as satellite surveillance, radar, and interception capabilities.
Chinas introduction of nuclear submarine carrying long range ballistic missiles known as Type 094 SSBN had sent some important signals to the US. Chinas naval forces are still not well-equipped in comparative terms with a country like Japan. Chinas move to have its own aircraft carrier is still slow.( SourceUS Navy: China beefing up its submarine fleet, New Straits Times, 4 March 2007).
If the Chinese expenditure continues to grow at the present rate, then by 2012, it will emerge as the second highest military spender in the world, surpassing France and UK en route. Construction of a huge 93,000-ton nuclear-powered carrier by 2020. China is also modernizing its air force with an upgrade of fighters, tanker aircraft, and transport planes
IndiaPost - Voice of Indians Worldwide
South Korea Coastline: 2,413 km Square Land Area: 98,480 km South Korea troops 687,000,Armys Army active - 560,000 (140,000 conscripts) 24 combat divisions 2,330 tanks 117 attack helicopters supporting artillery/air defense guns and missiles Marine 28,000 2 Marine combat divisions (60 tanks and other supporting artillery) 60,000,Navy, Combat ship,83, SSK and SSI Submarine 30. 39 principal surface combatants 84 patrol and coastal combatants 15 mine warfare ships 14 amphibious warfare ships Naval Air arm with 23 combat aircraft and 48 armed helicopter Major Ports and Harbors: 4.Air force 64000. 555 total combat aircraft including 7 tactical fighter/ground attack wings with 160 F-16C/D, 195 F-5E/F and 130 F-4D/E Helicopters: 580 Serviceable Airports: 150 supporting air defense guns and missiles .
South Korean defense budget in 2001$ 11.9 billion, 2002 $13.2 billion,2003 $18.8 billion ,2004$19.0 billion,2005,$20.33 billion,$22.4 2006,2008 $28.90 billion. South Korean military spending jumped more than 70%. In 2007, South Korea has embarked on an ambitious $665 billion Defense Reform 2020 initiative, which will increase the military budget by roughly 10% a year until 2020. In those years, while troop levels will actually fall, most of the extra money will go to a host of expensive, high-tech systems such as new F-15K fighters from Boeing, SM-6 ship-to-air missiles that can form a low-altitude missile shield, and Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles.
Forces Abroad and Foreign Forces Kyrgystan: 90 (medical staff)UNFICYP (Cyprus) 1 UNMISET (Timor): 225UNOMIG (Georgia): 7 observersUNMOGIP (India/Pakistan: 9 observersCurrently Stationed in South Korea:US: ARMY - 28,600; 1 HQ, 1 Infantry Division NAVY - 300AIR FORCE - 9,420 USMC - 180
Japan Coastline: 29,751 km Square Land Area: 377,835 km Japan troops Army 240,000, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Active - 148,500 12 Combat Divisions 1070 Tanks some 90 attack helicopters supporting Artillery/Air Defense Guns and Missiles Navy, 44,000, Combat ship, 150 .Submarine 24 Destroyers: 15. Frigates: 41 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 3 Mine Warfare Craft: 38 Amphibious Craft: 9.Helicopters: 55 12,000-strong Air Arm with 80 combat aircraft and some 80 armed helicopters176 Major Ports and Harbors: 10. Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Active - 44,200 331 total combat aircraft 420, including 2 fighter/ground attack squadrons with 40 F-I and 20 F-4EJ 10 fighter squadrons with 160 F-15J/DJ and 50 F-4EJ supporting air-defense guns and missiles, 745. Serviceable Airports. 12,000 Maritime Safety Agency (Coast Guard)
Tokyo already has among the most advanced air forces and naval fighting forces in the world. The air force features high-tech bombers like the J-2 Attack Fighter, developed with U.S. help. The Maritime Self-Defense Forces maintain over 150 major warships, including top-of-the-line destroyers Japan's defense spending will decrease for the seventh consecutive year in fiscal 2009 to a 14-year low, mostly due to falling oil prices and cost savings from the bulk purchase of arms and munitions, the draft state budget showed.
Japan Defence Budget: 1999 - $43.2 billion 2000 - $45.6 billion 2001 $40.8 billion,2002 $39.5 billion,2003 $41.4 billion.2004$ 44.47billion,2005$44.165billion ,2006#43.701billion,2007$ 41.75 billion Defense spending will fall by 0.3 percent to ¥4.798 trillion, or $40.7 billion, in the budget year that begins April 2006-2007 from ¥4.814 trillion under the draft budget proposed by the Finance Ministry, defense spending for the fiscal year starting April will fall 0.1 Independent
Iraq: 1000UN UNMISET (East Timor): 495 UNDOF (Syria/Israel): 30 The following forces are currently stationed in the Japan: US: 40,680
Japan's army is now larger than Britain's, and the country spends more on its military than all but four other nations. (China surpassed Japan in military spending for the first time in 2006.) Nonetheless, for decades, the provisions of its peace constitution at least put limits on the offensive capabilities of the Japanese military, which is still referred to as its Self-Defense Forces to offensive force.
North Korea Coastline: 2,495 km Square Land Area: 120,540 km .North Korea troops 1.1Million,Army, KPA (Army) active - 950,000 27 combat divisions 4,060 tanks Navy,46000, Combat Ship,15,Submarine,98,Missiles,1200. Major Ports and Harbors: 12 Frigates: 5 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 500 Mine Warfare Craft: 26 Amphibious Craft: 140
Air force 86000, 4 Air Divisions Total Aircraft: 1,778, Helicopters: 612 Combat air craft, 630 including 3 light bomber regiments (80 aircraft)15 fighter and fighter/ground attack regiments (541 aircraft),Serviceable Airports: 77
Defense Budget: Defence Budget: 1999 - $1.3 billion 2000 - $1.3 billion ,2001$4.5 billion,$5.0billion in 2002,$3.66 billion in 2003, $5,500,000,000 in 2005 and 2006 6.0 billion and 2007 6.5 billion and US$ 7.0 billion 2008 US$8.0billion 2008.
Malaysia disputes sovereignty over the possibly oil-rich Spratly Islands with Brunei, China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The Philippines previously claimed the state of Sabah, and Indonesia has disputed Malaysias incorporation of Sarawak. However, both claims appear dormant. Indonesia and the Philippines claim the Ligitan and Sipadan Islands, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded to Malaysia in 2002. . Brunei and Malaysia both claim offshore seabeds, so the dispute has terminated gas and oil exploration in the area. Finally, Malaysia has disputed Singapores land reclamation, bridge construction, maritime boundaries, and claim to Pedra Branca Island (Pulau Batu Putih), approximately 15 kilometers off the southern coast of the state of Johor.
Malaysian Armed Forces Total Armed Forces: active - 96,000 reserves - 49,800 Navy: Royal Malaysian Navy active - 8,000 including 160 Naval Air 4 principal surface combatants 41 patrol and coastal combatants 4 mine countermeasures 2 amphibious warfare ships 17 armed helicopters Air Force: Royal Malaysian Air Force active - 8,000 84 total combat aircraft including4 fighter/ground attack squadrons (42 aircraft) 3 fighter/"aggressor" squadrons (26 aircraft) supporting air defense guns and missiles Paramilitary forces: active - 20,100 .
Malaysia spend $3-4 billion on weapons from 2002-2005 .2002 $3,400million 2003 ,$2.2 billion . 2004,$ 2.6 billion.The military modernization program is partially aimed at narrowing the gap with neighboring Singapore, which has an annual military budget roughly twice the size of Malaysia'. One involves regional instability particularly, but not exclusively, in Indonesia. Then there is piracy in the Malacca Straits. is China. Malaysia is concerned about an increase of Chinese influence in the South China Sea
Indonesia Coastline: 54,716 km Square Land Area: 1,919,440 km Active Military Personnel: 316,000 Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) active - 230,000 2 combat divisions 15 combat/combat support division equivalents Total Land-Based Weapons: 2,888 Tanks: 500 Armored Personnel Carriers: 720. Navy: Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) active - 40,000 (including 1,000 Naval Air and 13,000 Marines) Total Navy Ships: 111 Major Ports and Harbors: 10 Submarines: 4. Frigates: 17, Patrol & Coastal Craft: 36 Mine Warfare Craft: 14 Amphibious Craft: 30 AIR FORCE Total Aircraft: 410 Helicopters: 200 Serviceable Airports: 652 Air Force: Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) active - 27,000 108 total combat aircraft including 5 fighter/ground attack squadrons of A-4s, F-16A/B and Hawk Mk109/31/209/53 1 fighter squadron of F-5E/F supporting air defense missiles
Indonesia defense budget 1999 - $1.553 billion 2000 - $2.271 billion 2002 $6,600million 2004$2.3 bn Budget: $4,740,000,000 [2008] Indonesia is adding submarines to its fleet faster than any other country of comparable size. Four Russian Kilo class diesel-powered boats have been ordered from the Russian Far East, at a cost of $200million (£107 million) each. A $750million deal last month with South Korea will supply another two submarines.
Conclusion
Washingtonand UN knows just how risky that can be. So does Moscow. They squared off in the Cuban missile crisis, which very nearly led to Armageddon. And Beijing has good reason to fear a nuclear arms race within range of its own cities. Instead of spurring the race on, all three Governments have to stop it before it goes too far.
The objective would be to get north East Asia and south East Asian nation to suspend their arms race before they assemble warheads and mount them on missiles, while they try to resolve their political differences. That's the surer way to security on the North east and south East Asian countries. Washington needs to persuade them of that, with help from Moscow and Beijing.
The arms race in Northeast Asia undercuts all talk of peace in the region. It also sustains a growing global military-industrial complex. Northeast Asia is where four of the world's largest militaries Japan, China, South Korea and North Korea facing each other .
"The confrontation between the North and the South in the political and military fields has been put to such extremes that the inter-Korean relations have reached the brink of a war." North Korea would come out to talk with south korea
Chinese policies including the looming prospect of Chinas first aircraft carrier. The time when Japan could remain on the sidelines is over
The narrow Malacca Straits, through which some 600 ships carrying oil and other cargo pass daily. "This kind of area can suddenly become volatile after Singapore ,Indonesia and Malaysia got submarine.
The United States will surely continue to be the chief driver of global arms spending.
Part 2nd will be on Burma, Cambodia,Vietnam,East timor,brunie defense spending and new arm race in south east asia
Usman karim based in Lahore Pakistan lmno25@hotmail.com
What factors are driving this military modernisation?
Only countries with less money are not caught up in the reactionary mode
Southeast Asian countries watch their neighbors defense programs and react to them
The growing power of China is one of the main incentives driving the arms acquisition process among the regions countries.The Northeast and Southeast Asian arms buildup -- a three-tiered scramble to dominate the seas, the air, and control the next frontier of space -- runs counter to conventional wisdom. The situation now is closer to a classic situation causing an arms race, with only the exception that these countries are not enemies. But they are becoming real competitors. The most dangerous high stakes arms race centers on Northeast and Southeast Asia. Any attempt to dismantle the global military-industrial complex must start with the military forces that face one another there.
Every country in the region is now investing staggering sums in new weapons systems and new offensive capabilities. "The 9/11 attack drastically changed the outlook toward national security. An additional factor for further militarisation in the region is Missile proliferation and the re-emergence of the US Star Wars programme Western funds and weapon technology, developed with large sums on Research & Development programmes (R&D) -estimated at US$ 39.3 billion in the US and at US$ 9.1 billion in Europe annually. Russia is spending US $5 billion.China spending US$7 billion in 2008.
Pushing military budgets ever higher By invoking the 9/11 terrorist attacks, joining those government leaders who have used the 9/11 events to popularize a new sales pitch for arms acquisitions. The strike on the World Trade Center and Pentagon is a weak rationale for placing submarines and fighter aircraft on the shopping list of many East and Southeast Asian countries.
During the present decade Southeast ,Northeast Asian states defence spending has expanded in real terms, providing funding for major military procurement programmes. Armed forces in the region are investing heavily not only in sophisticated conventional arms such as multirole combat aircraft, guided-missile armed stealth frigates and destroyers, modern submarines, and cruise missiles but also in crucial force-multipliers such as in-flight refueling and airborne early warning aircraft and in Space.
Southeast Asian armed forces are also changing their organisational, logistical and training arrangements, as well as emphasising acquisition of new command, control,communications and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, in order to take advantage of the opportunities that contemporary technology offers for developing highly-mobile, hard-hitting networked forces.
Raising the nuclear stakes from Pyongyang to Tokyo would put some of the worlds biggest cities in the shadow of atomic weapons. It might also put nuclear arms in the hands of previously reluctant powers like South Korea or Taiwan.
The sub region with the highest increase in military expenditure over the 10-year period 19982007 East Asia (both 51 per cent). The factors driving increases in world military spending include countries foreign policy objectives, real or perceived threats, armed conflict and policies to contribute to multilateral peacekeeping operations, combined with the availability of economic resources.
A dramatic increase in the number of submarines being built in southeast Asia and north east Asia has sparked claims that a new arms race is under way beneath the waves in the Western Pacific. Dozens of hunter-killers, armed with missiles and intelligence-gathering equipment, are being built, fanning fears of potential conflict in a volatile corner of the world and threatening to alter the global balance of military power
Despite the lack of direct threats, major states Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are spending $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion a year on defence, with the Philippines and Vietnam about $1.5 billion East Asia Countries military Spending in 2001 was US $110 billion, 2002 US $ 116 billion, 2003 US $ 122 Billions, 2004 US $ 127 billion, 2005 US $ 132 billion, 2006 US $140 billion, 2007 US $ 152 billions, 2008 US $ 185 billion .
These are not the best weapons in the fight against terrorism. The current weapons acquisitions are high-tech buys demonstrated during the Second Gulf War on Iraq (1990-91). Furthermore, the latest orders and wish lists follow the images of US technology shown on the Afghan and Iraq battlefield:
The integration of remote operation, new observation techniques, state of the art Information Technology, improved precision guided munitions, and lasers. According to an Australian expert, "we will see increasing sophistication, not only of the platforms, the ships, tanks and aircraft, but of the weapon systems that go with them."
The 9/11 attacks and the creation of US led coalition against terrorism provided the rationale for lifting arms embargoes and relaxing arms export policies on more advanced weapon systems as a reward to countries for their participation.
The restrictions on military co-operation between Jakarta and Washington (developed between 1994 and 2000) have been under pressure ever since. Likewise the Philippines has received 100 million US$ in military assistance, and has allowed the intervention of US Special Forces in Mindanao.
An emerging arms race across the Northeast and south East Asia region. China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos South and North Korea and Brunei. All have conflicting claims to the widely scattered Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Analysts said that Beijing regards control of the islands as essential to enforcing its wider claims over the South China Sea and its oil, gas and fishing resources claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea." There are currently territorial disputes between Southeast Asian countries and China over the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands.
Internal conflicts of the countries of the region are mainly based on ethnic and religious disagreements. In the case of Thailand, there is a threat of terrorism coming from the southern part of the country where ******* prevail (making up 10% of the state population).Likewise, the internal security of Indonesia is threatened by separatist moods in provinces, especially amplified after the independence of East Timor in 2002
Arms purchases by the Republic of Korea stem from its opposition policy to North Korea. The conflict recently received a new impetus as North Korea announced that it now possesses nuclear weapons
Indonesia and Malaysia's rivalry over two islands off Borneo could spark tensions along the Sulu Sea, also a major trade route for the southern Philippines. Cross-border crime and illegal immigration from Indonesia and the Philippines to Malaysia could strain relations among those countries.
Malaysia and Singapore -- the two governments try to match each other's military capabilities.They have been peaceful neighbors since Singapore separated from the then Malayan Federation in the 1960s. But economic rivalry, and water and border disputes irritate the relationship.
China conducted military exercises in the Paracel Islands in November 2007 and, in December 2007, the Chinese Government approved the establishment of Sansha City,
which includes the Spratly Islands. In opposition to these actions, there have been public-level demonstrations in Viet Nam.
China has existing territorial disputes with a few countries in Southeast Asia, namely Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Although Indonesia is not actually a claimant state in the disputes, Chinas territorial claims overlap with Indonesias Exclusive Economic Zones.
Southeast Asian countries have made efforts for political stability and steady economic growth while deepening interdependent relationships with countries both inside and outside the region. The region is encompassed by the Straits of Malacca, the South China Sea, and the waters around Indonesia and the Philippines, thus occupying a key position for traffic by linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans. However, this region still has destabilizing factors, including the territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands, ethnic minority issues, separatist and independence movements, and Islamic extremist groups.
Between 1990 and 2002, the states of the region spent more than $150 billion on arms programs. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, worldwide arms expenditures from 1993 through 2002 climbed an average of 3 percent as opposed to 22 percent in East Asia. The Peoples Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea alone accounted for 75 percent of East Asias military spending. According to American figures, the region imported more than $30 billion worth of arms just in the four-year period from 1999 through 2002.
Most experts do not interpret these statistics to mean a regional arms race, but they do identify bilateral arms races between North and South Korea, China and Taiwan, China and Japan, China and India, and Malaysia and Singapore, for example.
In East Asia, China ***** up against Japan and grapples with the limits of its influence on the Korean peninsula;and Taiwan still unable to resolve basic questions of sovereignty and we also have unresolved border disputes between many countries including between China and its maritime neighbors in the South China Sea.
As the US National Intelligence Council (NIC) points out in Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World published in November 2008 an increasing wave of regionalisation within the area as a whole has been lacking in the issue of defence.This was a point emphasised in 2007 by China's deputy chief of general staff, Zhang Qinsheng, when speaking at a conference on Asia-Pacific security in Singapore. He noted that his country was, "worried this kind of deployment would destabilise Asia and create uncertainty in terms of regional stability and peace."
Thailand has argued that the 4.6 km surrounding Preah Vihear has been Thai territory However, that it has taken since 1962 to reach this agreement (even if there was a ferociously cold world championship chess game going on for a great deal of time) only serves to highlight the transience of sovereignty in Southeast Asia. Cambodia, Thailand in standoff over second temple
Singapore, a country that does not have 700 ballistic missiles pointed at it, spends about 5 percent of its GDP on defense. "In spite of growing GDP over the past 10 years. Defence Budget: 1999 - $4.2 billion 2000 - $4.4 billion, 2002 $4600 million,2004 $5.1 billion US$6.7billion in 2007 $10.8 billion defense in 2008 $11.45 billion 2009
Singapore, with a total land area of just 660 square kilometers (264 square miles), Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Total Armed Forces: active - 60,500 (including 39,800 conscripts) reserve - 213,800. Singapore Army force Main Battle Tanks - Leopard 2A4 : 96. Navy: Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) active - 4,500 (including 1,800 conscripts) 1 SSK submarine ( 3 more to be delivered) 24 patrol and coastal combatants 4 mine countermeasures 6 amphibious warfare ships Singapore Air Force (RSAF) active - 6,000 (including 3,000 conscripts) 136 total combat aircraft including 6 fighter/ground attack squadrons of A-4s, F-16A/B/C/Ds and F-5s 20 armed helicopters supporting air defense guns and missiles
Singapore supports the United States presence in the Asia-Pacific. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 1990 permitting the United States to use military facilities in Singapore. Counterterrorism, prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, defense technology, joint military exercises and training, and policy dialogues.
Philippines Coastline: 36,289 km Square Land Area: 300,000 km Active Military Personnel: 113,000: Philippine Army active - 66,000 8 combat divisions 40 tanks Total Philippine Navy active - 24,000 Navy Ships: 36, Major Ports and Harbors: 6 Frigates: 1 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 24 Mine Warfare Craft: 1, Amphibious Craft: 12. Philippine Air Force active - 16,000 Total Aircraft: 300 Combat air craft 150 Helicopters: 150 Serviceable Airports: 255.
Defense Budget: $1,348,000,000 dollars in 2007 and US $1.5 billion in 2008. 1999 - $ 1.4 billion 2000 - $ 1.3 billion 2002$1,600 millions 2004 $i.5 billionThe Philippines and the United States maintain a long-lasting cohesive military cooperation. They resumed the large-scale joint military exercise, Balikatan in 2000 and have since conducted the exercise on an annual basis. At Balikatan 08, held from February to March 2008, the two nations conducted command post exercises andCivic assistance activities in Mindanao and other areas. The Philippines and United States have also conducted other joint exercises, including Balance Piston and Talon Vision.
Thailand Active Military Personnel: 314,000 12 combat divisions Royal Thai Navy active - 68,000 (27,000 conscripts) Total Land-Based Weapons: 4,848 Tanks: 1,380 Armored Personnel Carriers: 974 Towed Artillery: 550 Self-Propelled Guns: 20 Mortars: 1,900 Anti-Tank Guided Weapons: 24 Anti-Aircraft Weapons: 334 NAVY Total Navy Ships: 74 Merchant Marine Strength: 398 [2008] Major Ports and Harbors: 4. Aircraft Carriers: 1,1 STOL ( Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft carrier with 6 Seahawk helicopters and 8 AV-8 Harrier jump jets Destroyers: 0 Submarines: 0 Frigates: 12 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 15 Mine Warfare Craft: 7 Amphibious Craft: 7 AIR FORCE Total Aircraft: 555 Helicopters: 260 Serviceable Airports: 106 Royal Thai Air Force active - 43,000 153 total combat aircraft including 3 fighter/ground attack squadrons (48 aircraft) 3 fighter/aggressor squadrons (33 aircraft) 2 helicopter squadrons (42 helicopters) supporting air defense guns and missiles .
Defense Budget: 1999 - $2.1 billion 2000 - $2.0 billion 2002 $1.96billion 2004,$1.98 billion.Thailand and the United States started joint military exercise Cobra Gold in 1982, and the exercise has been multinational since 2000. In response to the military coup in Thailand in September 2006, the United States announced the suspension of military aid of about $29 million in total to Thailand. However, the military exercise Cobra Gold 07 in 2007 was held as usual. The suspension of military aid was lifted in light of the December 2007 general election. At the joint exercises in May 2008, besides command post exercises, non-combat missions such as disaster relief and humanitarian assistance were held In 2003, the United States granted Major Non-NATO Ally status to the Philippines and Thailand, since the United States recognized their proactive participation in the U.S.-led War on Terror
Taiwan Coastline: 1,566 km Square Land Area: 35,980 km Taiwan Active Military Personnel: 290,000 The air force current 56,000, 62,000-strong navy. 12 Combat Divisions 1,644 Tanks Total Navy Ships: 100 Destroyers: 11 Submarines: 14 Frigates: 21 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 127 Mine Warfare Craft: 16 Amphibious Craft: 39 Total Aircraft: 479 Helicopters: 310 Serviceable Airports: 41 total combat aircraft including 3 fighter squadrons with 58 Mirage 2000-5 20 ground attack/fighter squadrons of F-5, ChingKuo, F-16A/B and AT-3 Supporting Air-Defense Guns and Missiles
Tawian defense budget in 2001$1.7billion, 2002$1.8 billion.2003$1.9 billion 2006$7.7 billion.: $10,500,000,000 dollars in 2008 Taiwan currently has a 22-month compulsory military service for all males 18 and over. suppliers Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, 205th Armory Foreign suppliers USA FRANCE Taiwan's overall investment in defense approximately 2.6 percent of GDP In 2007 Taiwan's defence spending grew by 17.7 per cent 2008 US$10.7 billion .Taiwan and Japan continue to upgrade their relationship with the United States .
Forces Abroad and Foreign ForcesUS: F-16 Conversion Unit @ Luke AFB, AZThe following forces are currently stationed in the Taiwan:Singapore: 3 Tactical Recon Group Camps
Each time China announce an increase in defense budget, it becomes a major concern for many neighboring countries. China could have imported more than US$11 billion worth of weapons mainly from Russia. (Source The long march to be superpower-Chinas military might, The Economist, 4 august, 2007. p. 20).
Japan and China compete over a host of issues, from regional security to international trade to access to energy. The two countries have a centuries-old history of conflict ongoing disputes over ownership of various islands in the East China Sea. In 2007, China and Japan ranked third and fifth respectively in national defense expenditures
China's military modernization fuels Japanese fears that China will use its growing economic leverage and military prowess to throw its weight around and dominate the region. Tanaka Akihiko of the University of Tokyo, speaking at a December 2008 CFR symposium on U.S.-Japan relations said China's growing military forces might change the balance of power in East Asia
Their naval and air forces threaten to continue escalating the many unsolved maritime territorial conflicts (as in the South China Sea) despite strenuous ongoing efforts at building mutual trust and security in Asia. The level of maritime arms spending by the Asia-Pacific states alone is expected to double to about $14 billion by 2009. Even small member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are likely to add to the number of their submarines and relatively large warships such as corvettes, frigates, and destroyers equipped with the most modern guided weapons, including cruise missiles.
China Coastline: 14,500 km Square Land Area: 9,596,960 km China troops Army 2.3 Million,Navy,255,000,Airforce,400,000,Marine,10,000,Main battle tank 7850,Combat air craft,3079, Total Navy Ships 780 Combat ship,70,Submarine,75, Major Ports and Harbors: 8 Aircraft Carriers: 1 [2010] Destroyers: 30 Frigates: 60 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 398 Mine Warfare Craft: 45 Amphibious Craft: 150 Missile 1000 Helicopters: 520 Serviceable Airports: 467 China's government announced it will increase defense spending by 17.6 percent in 2008, marking the 20th straight year of double-digit growth in its military budget.
For China, the US attack on its embassy and the Hainan Island spy plane Incident were crucial triggers in the direction of changing the speed of its military Modernisation. This was followed by September, 11, 2001 as another trigger because of The US approach to adopt a more aggressive approach in the name of the global war on Terror. By 2003, the US had already fighting in two theatres in Asia. First was the attack On Afghanistan to oust the Taliban and catch Osama b. Laden. The second was in 2003,
The war in Iraq to oust the Saddam regime. The North Korean problem is another issue Since 1998, where the Bush administration hardened its approach in the region.
Forces Abroad and Foreign Forces UN MONUC (Congo): 197 including 9 observersUNMEE (Ethiopia/Eritrea): 6 observer UNTSO (Middle East): 5 observers UNOMSIL (Sierra Leone): 6 observers MINURSO (West Sahara): 19 observers
Defense budget of china in 2000 14.6 billion, or 121 billion yuan, 2001$17 billion ,2002$20 billion,2003 $22 billion,2004 $24.7 billion,2005 $29.9 billion 2006 $35 billion 2007 $45 billion 2008 US$61 billion
China says its 2008 defense budget is $61 billion, Beijing's spending, claim these sources, is really in the $100 billion though the Pentagon has historically challenged Beijing's reported figures. In its annual report to Congress, the U.S. Defense Department estimated China's total military-related spending for 2007 to be between $97 billion and $139 billion, as compared to $52 billion reported by China. All that spending has gone to building a sophisticated, modern military: a large, increasingly capable submarine fleet, an air force stocked with Russian warplanes, and technical strides which have improved China's ballistic missile arsenal, as well as satellite surveillance, radar, and interception capabilities.
Chinas introduction of nuclear submarine carrying long range ballistic missiles known as Type 094 SSBN had sent some important signals to the US. Chinas naval forces are still not well-equipped in comparative terms with a country like Japan. Chinas move to have its own aircraft carrier is still slow.( SourceUS Navy: China beefing up its submarine fleet, New Straits Times, 4 March 2007).
If the Chinese expenditure continues to grow at the present rate, then by 2012, it will emerge as the second highest military spender in the world, surpassing France and UK en route. Construction of a huge 93,000-ton nuclear-powered carrier by 2020. China is also modernizing its air force with an upgrade of fighters, tanker aircraft, and transport planes
IndiaPost - Voice of Indians Worldwide
South Korea Coastline: 2,413 km Square Land Area: 98,480 km South Korea troops 687,000,Armys Army active - 560,000 (140,000 conscripts) 24 combat divisions 2,330 tanks 117 attack helicopters supporting artillery/air defense guns and missiles Marine 28,000 2 Marine combat divisions (60 tanks and other supporting artillery) 60,000,Navy, Combat ship,83, SSK and SSI Submarine 30. 39 principal surface combatants 84 patrol and coastal combatants 15 mine warfare ships 14 amphibious warfare ships Naval Air arm with 23 combat aircraft and 48 armed helicopter Major Ports and Harbors: 4.Air force 64000. 555 total combat aircraft including 7 tactical fighter/ground attack wings with 160 F-16C/D, 195 F-5E/F and 130 F-4D/E Helicopters: 580 Serviceable Airports: 150 supporting air defense guns and missiles .
South Korean defense budget in 2001$ 11.9 billion, 2002 $13.2 billion,2003 $18.8 billion ,2004$19.0 billion,2005,$20.33 billion,$22.4 2006,2008 $28.90 billion. South Korean military spending jumped more than 70%. In 2007, South Korea has embarked on an ambitious $665 billion Defense Reform 2020 initiative, which will increase the military budget by roughly 10% a year until 2020. In those years, while troop levels will actually fall, most of the extra money will go to a host of expensive, high-tech systems such as new F-15K fighters from Boeing, SM-6 ship-to-air missiles that can form a low-altitude missile shield, and Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles.
Forces Abroad and Foreign Forces Kyrgystan: 90 (medical staff)UNFICYP (Cyprus) 1 UNMISET (Timor): 225UNOMIG (Georgia): 7 observersUNMOGIP (India/Pakistan: 9 observersCurrently Stationed in South Korea:US: ARMY - 28,600; 1 HQ, 1 Infantry Division NAVY - 300AIR FORCE - 9,420 USMC - 180
Japan Coastline: 29,751 km Square Land Area: 377,835 km Japan troops Army 240,000, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Active - 148,500 12 Combat Divisions 1070 Tanks some 90 attack helicopters supporting Artillery/Air Defense Guns and Missiles Navy, 44,000, Combat ship, 150 .Submarine 24 Destroyers: 15. Frigates: 41 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 3 Mine Warfare Craft: 38 Amphibious Craft: 9.Helicopters: 55 12,000-strong Air Arm with 80 combat aircraft and some 80 armed helicopters176 Major Ports and Harbors: 10. Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Active - 44,200 331 total combat aircraft 420, including 2 fighter/ground attack squadrons with 40 F-I and 20 F-4EJ 10 fighter squadrons with 160 F-15J/DJ and 50 F-4EJ supporting air-defense guns and missiles, 745. Serviceable Airports. 12,000 Maritime Safety Agency (Coast Guard)
Tokyo already has among the most advanced air forces and naval fighting forces in the world. The air force features high-tech bombers like the J-2 Attack Fighter, developed with U.S. help. The Maritime Self-Defense Forces maintain over 150 major warships, including top-of-the-line destroyers Japan's defense spending will decrease for the seventh consecutive year in fiscal 2009 to a 14-year low, mostly due to falling oil prices and cost savings from the bulk purchase of arms and munitions, the draft state budget showed.
Japan Defence Budget: 1999 - $43.2 billion 2000 - $45.6 billion 2001 $40.8 billion,2002 $39.5 billion,2003 $41.4 billion.2004$ 44.47billion,2005$44.165billion ,2006#43.701billion,2007$ 41.75 billion Defense spending will fall by 0.3 percent to ¥4.798 trillion, or $40.7 billion, in the budget year that begins April 2006-2007 from ¥4.814 trillion under the draft budget proposed by the Finance Ministry, defense spending for the fiscal year starting April will fall 0.1 Independent
Iraq: 1000UN UNMISET (East Timor): 495 UNDOF (Syria/Israel): 30 The following forces are currently stationed in the Japan: US: 40,680
Japan's army is now larger than Britain's, and the country spends more on its military than all but four other nations. (China surpassed Japan in military spending for the first time in 2006.) Nonetheless, for decades, the provisions of its peace constitution at least put limits on the offensive capabilities of the Japanese military, which is still referred to as its Self-Defense Forces to offensive force.
North Korea Coastline: 2,495 km Square Land Area: 120,540 km .North Korea troops 1.1Million,Army, KPA (Army) active - 950,000 27 combat divisions 4,060 tanks Navy,46000, Combat Ship,15,Submarine,98,Missiles,1200. Major Ports and Harbors: 12 Frigates: 5 Patrol & Coastal Craft: 500 Mine Warfare Craft: 26 Amphibious Craft: 140
Air force 86000, 4 Air Divisions Total Aircraft: 1,778, Helicopters: 612 Combat air craft, 630 including 3 light bomber regiments (80 aircraft)15 fighter and fighter/ground attack regiments (541 aircraft),Serviceable Airports: 77
Defense Budget: Defence Budget: 1999 - $1.3 billion 2000 - $1.3 billion ,2001$4.5 billion,$5.0billion in 2002,$3.66 billion in 2003, $5,500,000,000 in 2005 and 2006 6.0 billion and 2007 6.5 billion and US$ 7.0 billion 2008 US$8.0billion 2008.
Malaysia disputes sovereignty over the possibly oil-rich Spratly Islands with Brunei, China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The Philippines previously claimed the state of Sabah, and Indonesia has disputed Malaysias incorporation of Sarawak. However, both claims appear dormant. Indonesia and the Philippines claim the Ligitan and Sipadan Islands, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded to Malaysia in 2002. . Brunei and Malaysia both claim offshore seabeds, so the dispute has terminated gas and oil exploration in the area. Finally, Malaysia has disputed Singapores land reclamation, bridge construction, maritime boundaries, and claim to Pedra Branca Island (Pulau Batu Putih), approximately 15 kilometers off the southern coast of the state of Johor.
Malaysian Armed Forces Total Armed Forces: active - 96,000 reserves - 49,800 Navy: Royal Malaysian Navy active - 8,000 including 160 Naval Air 4 principal surface combatants 41 patrol and coastal combatants 4 mine countermeasures 2 amphibious warfare ships 17 armed helicopters Air Force: Royal Malaysian Air Force active - 8,000 84 total combat aircraft including4 fighter/ground attack squadrons (42 aircraft) 3 fighter/"aggressor" squadrons (26 aircraft) supporting air defense guns and missiles Paramilitary forces: active - 20,100 .
Malaysia spend $3-4 billion on weapons from 2002-2005 .2002 $3,400million 2003 ,$2.2 billion . 2004,$ 2.6 billion.The military modernization program is partially aimed at narrowing the gap with neighboring Singapore, which has an annual military budget roughly twice the size of Malaysia'. One involves regional instability particularly, but not exclusively, in Indonesia. Then there is piracy in the Malacca Straits. is China. Malaysia is concerned about an increase of Chinese influence in the South China Sea
Indonesia Coastline: 54,716 km Square Land Area: 1,919,440 km Active Military Personnel: 316,000 Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) active - 230,000 2 combat divisions 15 combat/combat support division equivalents Total Land-Based Weapons: 2,888 Tanks: 500 Armored Personnel Carriers: 720. Navy: Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) active - 40,000 (including 1,000 Naval Air and 13,000 Marines) Total Navy Ships: 111 Major Ports and Harbors: 10 Submarines: 4. Frigates: 17, Patrol & Coastal Craft: 36 Mine Warfare Craft: 14 Amphibious Craft: 30 AIR FORCE Total Aircraft: 410 Helicopters: 200 Serviceable Airports: 652 Air Force: Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) active - 27,000 108 total combat aircraft including 5 fighter/ground attack squadrons of A-4s, F-16A/B and Hawk Mk109/31/209/53 1 fighter squadron of F-5E/F supporting air defense missiles
Indonesia defense budget 1999 - $1.553 billion 2000 - $2.271 billion 2002 $6,600million 2004$2.3 bn Budget: $4,740,000,000 [2008] Indonesia is adding submarines to its fleet faster than any other country of comparable size. Four Russian Kilo class diesel-powered boats have been ordered from the Russian Far East, at a cost of $200million (£107 million) each. A $750million deal last month with South Korea will supply another two submarines.
Conclusion
Washingtonand UN knows just how risky that can be. So does Moscow. They squared off in the Cuban missile crisis, which very nearly led to Armageddon. And Beijing has good reason to fear a nuclear arms race within range of its own cities. Instead of spurring the race on, all three Governments have to stop it before it goes too far.
The objective would be to get north East Asia and south East Asian nation to suspend their arms race before they assemble warheads and mount them on missiles, while they try to resolve their political differences. That's the surer way to security on the North east and south East Asian countries. Washington needs to persuade them of that, with help from Moscow and Beijing.
The arms race in Northeast Asia undercuts all talk of peace in the region. It also sustains a growing global military-industrial complex. Northeast Asia is where four of the world's largest militaries Japan, China, South Korea and North Korea facing each other .
"The confrontation between the North and the South in the political and military fields has been put to such extremes that the inter-Korean relations have reached the brink of a war." North Korea would come out to talk with south korea
Chinese policies including the looming prospect of Chinas first aircraft carrier. The time when Japan could remain on the sidelines is over
The narrow Malacca Straits, through which some 600 ships carrying oil and other cargo pass daily. "This kind of area can suddenly become volatile after Singapore ,Indonesia and Malaysia got submarine.
The United States will surely continue to be the chief driver of global arms spending.
Part 2nd will be on Burma, Cambodia,Vietnam,East timor,brunie defense spending and new arm race in south east asia
Usman karim based in Lahore Pakistan lmno25@hotmail.com
