Open Source IMINT

Satellite imagery captured on 25JAN14 by DigitalGlobe show two MV-22 Osprey located on the parking apron at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. The observation of the tiltrotors comes shortly after the US committed military aircraft to support the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. During this time-frame, the US was negotiating the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement which supports deepening bilateral relations, specifically by increasing the rotational presence of US armed forces in the Philippines.

Satellite imagery acquired by Digital Globe from April 2014 confirms that China has been carrying out construction activity on the Johnson South Reef. If things couldn’t get any worse in the South China Sea, earlier today the Philippines publicly accused China of conducting land reclamation on the Johnson South Reef, located in the heart of the […]

In case you missed it, on 24 July 2013, a People’s Liberation Army Navy Y-8J surveillance aircraft flew over international waters between Okinawa and Miyako beyond the “first island chain.” Although not to be sensational, this is the first time open reporting has recorded such an event. With tensions growing in the South China Sea […]

The Philippine military has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base that American forces could use to counter China’s presence in the South China Sea, Manila-based Manuel Mogato reported in June. The proposed bases in the Philippines, a close U.S. ally, coincides with a resurgence of U.S. warships, […]

With a contract for 6 Kilo (Project 636) submarines signed back in 2009, Russia and Vietnam’s defense relationship has continued to deepen. Just prior to the launching of Vietnam’s first Kilo from Admiralteiskie Verfi in August 2012, Russia and Vietnam announced their “strategic comprehensive partnership,” affording Russia special treatment. Most recently, Russian Minister of Defense, General […]