U.S. P-8 spy plane to be deployed to Singapore amid China tensionsDecember 8, 2015 - 10:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Singapore has permitted a U.S. spy aircraft to conduct surveillance operations from its territory to support “maritime security efforts” while keeping a close watch on Beijing’s activities amid the South China Sea tensions, RT reports. Under the agreement reached by Washington and Singapore, an American P-8 Poseidon military aircraft will be deployed to Singapore later this month for stepping up maritime security in the South China Sea region, a joint statement said on Monday, according to Reuters. Both U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Singapore's defense minister, Ng Eng Hen has expressed satisfaction with the results of their meeting also mentioning that further deployments in Singapore could be expected. The U.S. Poseidon spy plane has already carried out a number of operations from Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia. The latest move is a part of Defense Cooperation Agreement signed by Carter and Ng stipulating the cooperation between the two countries in fighting terrorism and piracy. Last month, two U.S. B-52 strategic bombers flew near Chinese artificial islands in the South China Sea, ignoring calls to “get away” from Beijing’s airspace. In late October, the U.S. Navy’s USS Lassen passed within a 12-mile zone around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands archipelago, claimed by China, which also significantly chilled the U.S.-China relations. Beijing claims control over most of the South China Sea, which includes most of the sea routes supplying China with energy resources and a number of island rich in natural resources. The islands are also claimed by a number of other regional powers: Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei. The tensions over these islands have been growing over the last years since China began artificially expanding the territory of these islands to construct airstrips and other military infrastructure. The U.S. claims China’s actions pose a threat to freedom of navigation in the region and refuses to acknowledge Beijing’s sovereignty over the islands. Photo: Reuters Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |