Meet with Taiwan’s inaugural indigenously-developed submarine: the Haikun (海鯤)

The Haikun is a diesel-electric submarine armed with Mk-48 torpedoes and incorporates a combat system provided by Lockheed Martin.

Haikun's trials are slated to commence on September 28, with harbor acceptance tests beginning on October 1. The goal is to conclude these tests by April 1, 2024, subsequently transitioning to sea acceptance trials.

By 2027, Taiwan aspires to commission at least two of these indigenously-produced submarines.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, the architect of this initiative since assuming office in 2016, unveiled the first of a planned series of eight submarines this Thursday in Kaohsiung.

"In the past, a domestically developed submarine was considered an impossible task. But, today, a submarine designed and manufactured by our country's people sits before our eyes," Tsai said.

The indigenous submarine endeavor benefited from international collaboration and technological transfer, marking a significant achievement for Taiwan, often diplomatically sidelined.

Cheng Wen-lon, the Chief of Taiwan's CSBC Corp responsible for the submarine's construction, indicated that the submarine comprises approximately 40% domestic components. He refrained from elaborating on international involvement.

Highlighting the strategic partnership between Taiwan and the United States, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, the acting U.S. ambassador to Taiwan, Sandra Oudkirk, graced the unveiling ceremony.

The U.S. remains Taiwan's principal defense equipment provider.

Russia says the next batch of Su-57 and Su-35 fighter jets has been transferred to the Russian MoD.

Chinese MoD:

The U.S. is a hacker empire of thieves.

Everyone knows that the United States is the world’s largest “hacker empire,” “spy empire,” “empire of theft,” shamelessly carrying out large-scale, systematic, illegal cyber attacks on other countries, and not even sparing its own allies.

In addition, the U.S. is the initiator of cyber operations. They are actively developing the offensive capabilities of cyber forces, researching and developing cyber weapons such as Quantum, Acid Fox and others.

Clearly, when it comes to cyber threats, if the US is second in the world, then no country can be first.

Cyberspace should become a new territory for the benefit of humanity, not a new battlefield filled with smoke.

The United States must stop unprovoked attacks and slander against China, stop promoting the militarization of cyberspace, and work with the international community to ensure cybersecurity.

NATO will send two AWACS aircraft to Lithuania to “monitor Russian military activities near the alliance’s borders”.

The first of two aircraft will arrive on Thursday (September 28, 2023).

#BREAKING Kremlin calls Armenia’s decision to ratify the Rome Statute “extremely hostile” towards the Russian Federation.

Russia does not welcome Armenia’s intention to join the Rome Statute.

Meanwhile Kadyrov meets with Putin.

Kazakh President Tokayev:

Kazakhstan will follow the sanctions regime against Russia.

Kazakh President Tokayev:

Kazakhstan does not have any concerns regarding territorial claims from Russia.

Swedish-made BvS10 (Bandvagn Skyddad 10) tracked articulated amphibious all-terrain armoured vehicle in Ukraine.

First crashed FPV kamikaze drone spotted in Syria equipped with TBG-7V round, launched by Syrian regime forces in Idlib.

Russian MFA:

Ratification of the Rome Statute by Armenia will have the most negative consequences for bilateral relations.

Russia hopes that in the national assembly of Armenia there will be forces that will not rubber-stamp a toxic decision under the Rome Statute.

US Secretary of State Blinken on the possibility of Biden meeting with Putin:

“Never say never.”

“It's like saying why the UK won't give up Wales or Manchester.”

Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges, the former Commanding General of US Army Europe, tells the BBC why Ukraine should not cede Crimea to Russia in exchange for peace.

Russian forces testing the remote control for the Kornet ATGM.

The remote control allows the system and the operator to be placed separately from each other, which significantly increases the safety of personnel.

Azerbaijani police patrolling in Khankendi.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and one of the senior commanders of the Wagner, Andrei Troshev.

Putin instructed the former chief of staff of the Wagner, Troshev, to deal with the so-called "formation of volunteer units".

Yevkurov recently completed a tour of the regions where Wagner has the largest presence.

Troshev currently heads part of the group that accepted the offer of the Russian authorities after the rebellion of Yevgeny Prigozhin. He's now part of the Russian MoD.

Armenia wants its money from Russia

Given the difficult social situation in Armenia, Armenia turned to Russia to return approximately $400 million paid to Moscow for weapons, the supply of which never began.

However, the Russian side refused to return the money, citing the fact that the contracts for the supply of weapons have not yet been terminated.

Kazakh President Tokayev:

Kazakhstan is not “anti-Russia” and firmly adheres to the course of full cooperation with Moscow.

Sanctions confrontation counterproductive. Kazakhstan does not participate in parallel imports to Russia.

Tokayev called for finding a “mutually acceptable basis” for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and noted that the world has “approached the dangerous point of fatal confrontation”.

Russian military source Fighter Bomber says another Russian Su-35 fighter jet has been lost.

The pilot appears to be killed.