‘Two-Faced Diplomacy’: China Pledges Peace Before Chasing Down Japan’s Fishing Boat

‘Two-Faced Diplomacy’: China Pledges Peace Before Chasing Down Japan’s Fishing Boat

The event sparked online outrage in Japan, leading to calls for more stringent measures against China’s ‘authoritarian breaches of international law’.

Beijing has been accused of “two-faced diplomacy” after pledging greater dialogue and cooperation during high-level talks in Tokyo on Saturday, only for three Chinese coastguard vessels to enter waters around Japanese-controlled islands the next day, pursuing a Japanese fishing boat.

Japan
Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya expressed optimism after the trilateral meeting with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts on Saturday. He characterized the talks as “an open exchange of opinions” and stated that the three countries agreed to “foster forward-looking collaboration.”

Chinese Foreign Minister
Wang Yi
seemed to concur, stating in a release that improved dialogue and teamwork could assist the trio of countries in “collectively combating threats” and boosting their reciprocal comprehension.

Contemplating the worldwide issues that had drawn Japan, China, and
South Korea
To “a pivotal moment in history,” Iwaya stressed the importance of bridging divides on Saturday. He stated, “Now more than ever, it is crucial to strive to transcend division and conflict via dialogue and collaboration.”

But the goodwill generated by these statements quickly began to evaporate when, less than 24 hours later, Chinese coastguard vessels entered waters near the
Diaoyu Islands
. The islands, administered by Japan as the Senkakus but claimed by China, have long been a flashpoint in the region.

Experts noted that the coast guard’s behavior contradicted the cooperative ethos promoted during negotiations and reflected China’s diplomatic style—presenting itself as collaborative externally while reinforcing territorial assertions in disputed regions.

Many individuals express pessimism following China’s statements and ensuing activities; however, few are truly taken aback,” noted Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, an associate professor at Tokyo International University’s Institute for International Strategy, in conversation with This Week in Asia. “Those who find themselves shocked by these developments lack perceptiveness.

Hinata-Yamaguchi described Beijing’s strategy as “showing a pleasant facade” publicly while aggressively reinforcing its territorial assertions. He explained, “Although they claim benign intent in diplomatic circles, their deeds convey a different message.”

‘Sink ships, arrest trespassers’

The events over the weekend sparked significant anger online in Japan, where people were not just upset about China’s behavior but also criticized their own government for what they saw as inadequate response. In comments on Okinawa’s Yaeyama Daily News website, one user condemned Beijing’s approach, calling it “duplicitous diplomacy.”

The commenter proceeded to assert that the Japanese government was being “duped” and cautioned that Japan might relinquish control over the contested islands if it persisted in trusting China.

“One cannot condone China’s oppressive breaches of international law,” stated an online remark. Other comments urged Tokyo to take more stringent actions, with some users advocating for legal amendments allowing Japan to “submerge vessels, detain intruders, and prosecute them in courts.”

“The Japanese government just gives warnings without taking action, allowing China to act as they please,” the commentator noted.

Toshimitsu Shigemura, a professor of political science and international relations at Waseda University, noted that there was significant distrust toward Beijing within the Japanese government. He explained, “Their statements often contradict their actions.” This sentiment was further illustrated when, on the very day that the foreign minister expressed his desire for collaboration to maintain regional stability, the Chinese coast guard entered Japanese territorial waters and intimidated a fishing vessel.

We can’t rely on China to keep its diplomatic commitments.
Toshimitsu Shigemura, a Japanese professor specializing in politics

“We can’t rely on China to keep its diplomatic commitments,” Shigemura stated, suggesting that this indicates possible tensions within the Chinese administration.

He suggested that the defense ministry might have feared the foreign minister could travel to Tokyo and reach an agreement with Japan that would undermine China’s territorial assertions over those islands. However, by dispatching coast guard vessels into Japanese maritime areas concurrently with discussions between the two counterparts, they are essentially conveying the stance held by the defense ministry.

In recent years, Chinese coast guard ships have been increasingly venturing into Japanese territorial waters more often, a trend that has become particularly noticeable over the last ten years.
A remarkable 353 days of operation were logged.
In the contiguous zones surrounding the islands earlier this year. Experts think these moves are intended to challenge Japan’s authority over the contested area.

Shigemura cautioned that Beijing might intensify the pressure even more, which would leave Japan few choices if a Japanese fishing vessel were to be forcefully halted or seized by China’s maritime police.

In a dire scenario like that, Tokyo has limited options,” he stated. “Force isn’t an option for them, so their main leverage would be threatening to withhold support. Under these circumstances, I anticipate Tokyo might propose resolving the issue via talks and discussions; however, China could interpret this stance as a sign of weakness.

“I anticipate that China will continue exerting pressure around the islands since their ultimate aim is to attempt gaining control over the entire archipelago,” Shigemura noted.

More Articles from SCMP

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong’s historic run at the Miami Open concludes with a three-set defeat against Adam Walton.

Churchome is the preferred place of worship for Justin Bieber. Previously associated with the contentious Hillsong network, this connection could potentially create a rift between the ‘Baby’ singer and his spouse, Hailey Bieber.

China declares shared navy exercises with Thailand close to a South China Sea harbor.

World Cup victor praises progress in women’s rugby, prior to captaining Kiwis at Tradition HKFC 10s

The article initially appeared on the South ChinaMorning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China andAsia.

Copyright © 2025. South ChinaMorning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

US Recovered Mysterious UFO “Orb” During Missile Test, New Report Claims

US Recovered Mysterious UFO “Orb” During Missile Test, New Report Claims

An ‘orb’
UFO
was shot out the sky and retrieved by the US Navy during a 1962 missile test, a former top aide to four US presidents revealed.

Harald Malmgren served as a key adviser to presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford.

The former government employee mentioned that he received detailed briefings from leading CIA agents andAtomic Energy Commission representatives about a recorded rocket trial conducted during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, when an astonishing unidentified flying object event happened.

Dr. Pippa Malmgren, an economist and formerly a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, shared insights into her father’s tale during a discussion. She is also the daughter of Malmgren.
blog last week
, following the death of the seasoned presidential aide on February 13 at the age of 89.

Before he passed away, her father had newly resolved to share his complete narrative “for the benefit of history.”

Harald recounted a video showing a missile test launch dated October 25, 1962. In this footage, an enigmatic “white sphere” appears to circle the speeding rocket multiple times.

The missile was equipped with what Pippa described as ‘an X-ray machine in the nosecone’, designed to use radiation to disable an incoming enemy nuclear missile.

However, the test missile’s powerful X-ray emission seemed to incapacitate the UFO as well.


“The X-rays forced it down from the sky. The U.S. Navy recovered the sphere from the sea,” Pippa recounted in her dad’s tale posted on her blog on March 18.

According to Harald, this was not the first instance of an orb being seen pursuing a U.S. missile.

We referred to them as ‘tagalongs,'” Harald stated in the blog post. “We managed to knock down one of those ‘tagalongs.’

Pippa mentioned that her father was informed about the incident since he handled the budget for the missile testing program, serving as a high-ranking White House and Pentagon official.

“Prior to my father’s recent passing, he documented everything he knew about these events because he believed it was crucial for the preservation of history,” she stated.

Harald, who remained actively engaged on the social media platform X until his last days, made veiled references to the incident.
in a tweet back in August
.

“More than 60 years ago, I received top-level clearances to head up Department of Defense efforts on nuclear weapons and anti-missile defense,” he stated.

‘I was casually informed about ‘extraterrestrial technologies’ by CIA’s Richard Bissell (who oversaw projects like Skunk Works, Area 51, and Los Alamos) but I was bound to confidentiality.’



Bissell informed me privately following his departure from the role of CIA Deputy Director for Special Operations.

‘I sensed he believed I should be forewarned in case this topic arose during discussions with presidents or other individuals. I promised confidentiality to him, without any legal obligation.’

Pippa mentioned in her blog post that her father informed her about being briefed in 1963 by the regional head of the Atomic Energy Commission at that time, Lawrence Preston Gise.

Gise is also the grandfather of Jeff Bezos, the billionaire who founded Amazon and the aerospace manufacturer Blue Origin.

At that particular gathering, according to Malmgren, he managed to get hold of a fragment from what was believed to be an ‘extraterrestrial’ vehicle, leading him to have an extraordinary encounter.

He traveled to Albuquerque for a briefing,” Pippia noted, further stating that Gise “reportedly obtained items from the downed aircraft.

He placed them on his desk, passed them to my dad, and subsequently requested him to articulate his feelings. My father mentioned that a voice started speaking to him internally. This was precisely what Gise wished to ascertain.

His father neither remembered nor chose to mention what those words were. He apparently noted that certain individuals engage with the material, while others do not. As a result of this discussion, they had briefings at Los Alamos and received an invite from Richard Bissell.



Harald informed his daughter that former President JFK and Vice President Johnson were provided with extensive ‘top-secret debriefings’ regarding the event on December 7, 1962, at various locations including the Strategic Air Command Headquarters situated at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, Kirtland Air Force Base, and Sandia National Laboratories located in Albuquerque.

She asserts that this particular event prompted JFK’s famous de-escalation discussions with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

The reason Kennedy reached out to Khrushchev and initiated discussions on limiting armaments was due to information from America’s leading government scientists about unidentified anomalous phenomena sightings and their appearance during anti-ballistic missile tests, according to Pippa.

On December 7th, 1962, JFK was informed of three separate occasions regarding a missile test known as Operation BlueGill Triple Prime. This briefing took place at various sites, one being Los Alamos. During these discussions, he learned that the operation had resulted in the detection of an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP), thereby confirming our status as inhabitants among potentially many others in the vastness of space.

The ex-White House advisor stated that his father verified for him and others that they had gained knowledge from the crashed UFOs.

He mentioned that we discovered these peculiar vehicles could be affected by X-rays. This was an additional rationale for our experiments with X-rays at higher latitudes.

The remarkable account has partial support from government documents, uncovered by ex-Australian intelligence officer turned UFO investigator Geoff Cruickshank, and was released in December on a website dedicated to UFO news.
Liberation Times
.

Cruickshank mentioned an experimental Cold War-era warhead, the XW-50-X1, known for emitting high-energy X-rays intended to incapacitate missile re-entry vehicles through extreme heat and structural harm. This aligns with Harald’s account.

Cruickshank also pointed to
now-declassified videos
displaying a high-altitude detonation of a nuclear weapon over the Pacific Ocean near Johnston Island on October 26, 1962.

A visible object seems to spin out from within the nuclear fireball in the video.

He mentioned that a subsequent edition of the footage had been censored by authorities from the Los Alamos laboratory, featuring a white triangular shape covering the area where the descending item could be seen.

On September 19, 1962, two weeks prior to this incident, yet another unidentified flying object was captured on film moving at 18 times the speed of sound. This UFO followed an Avco Mark 4 missile for approximately 90 seconds as it plummeted down after being launched from the Atlantic Missile Range near Cape Canaveral, Florida.

A index card notes the video recording as a ‘UFO sighting’.

The card describes ‘a missile in flight, followed by its breakup; the camera focuses on the nose cone, where a smaller object can be seen flying above and behind it along a parallel trajectory.’

After the October 1962 Blue Gills experiment, naval vessels were dispatched to collect the remnants.

Cruickshank stated that the deck logs kept at the National Archives describe some of this wreckage as ‘unusual.’

The logs from the two additional vessels, the USS Engage and the USS John S. McCain, documented intercepting an ‘experimental pod,’ along with observing a ‘black sphere in the sea’ and a ‘green cylinder.’

According to the log entries, the tube exhibited a radiation reading of 60 mR (milli-Roentgen) when measured from a distance of one foot. This indicates a secure yet heightened level, implying that it was in close proximity to a nuclear incident.

According to records from various vessels, the team aboard the USNS Point Barrow noted abnormally elevated radiation readings following their retrieval operation.

However, Point Barrow’s logs have vanished from the archives, according to what Cruickshank wrote.

Read more

FG Unveils Elite Forces to Tackle Terrorism and Cyber Threats – International Edition

The federal government has introduced a Special Operations Forces training initiative, recruiting 800 troops from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This program is designed to boost the nation’s capability to effectively tackle terrorism, insurgency, transnational crimes, and various unconventional threats.

On Monday, during the inauguration of the elite forces’ training program at Camp Kabala within the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna, Minister of Defence Mohammed Abubakar stated that this initiative aims to develop a proficient, adaptable, and operationally ready unit equipped for intricate missions across various challenging terrains.

The minister highlighted that current security threats were constantly changing, necessitating the creation of a specialized unit equipped with modern tools and trained in sophisticated strategies, guerrilla warfare, data-backed operations, and swift deployment capabilities.

He stated, “The Special Operations Forces Training program is a strategic effort designed to boost our operational efficiency in countering terrorism, insurgency, cross-border criminal activities, and various other asymmetric challenges plaguing our country.”

This special operations unit will play a vital role in safeguarding our nation’s independence, ensuring the safety of our people, and upholding tranquility and order both domestically and internationally.

This training program has been carefully crafted to produce highly proficient individuals adept in specialized combat techniques, anti-terrorism activities, information collection, and hostage recovery assignments.

The program aims to equip participants with the skills needed for high-risk operations in various settings, including urban and challenging terrains, guaranteeing their ability to respond effectively to evolving dangers. Considering the cross-departmental character of contemporary security issues, this training will encourage smooth teamwork between members of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, and additional security organizations.

Abubakar also mentioned that this unveiling marks the initial phase involving 800 individuals out of a total of 2,400 who will undergo training. This initiative forms part of an extensive plan aimed at fostering elite special operations capabilities within the Nigerian military forces. He emphasized that moving forward, the program will continue and grow to include additional members drawn from various divisions of the armed services.

Musa highlighted the significance of the training, asserting that it was essential for attaining “convergence,” which refers to the capability to synchronize and combine kinetic and non-kinetic abilities to produce simultaneous impacts across various fields more swiftly and efficiently than adversaries.

“As everyone recognizes the changing nature of contemporary warfare and the distinct difficulties presented by asymmetrical threats in our nation, the circumstances require that our armed forces must be thoroughly trained, adequately equipped, and ready to react quickly, efficiently, and resolutely. In light of these requirements, the formation of this Special Operations Unit is greatly anticipated because they symbolize the pinnacle of our military’s capability to promptly and firmly address dangers, whether domestic or foreign,” he stated.

However, Musa showed optimism that the Special Operations Force would play a crucial role in the military’s endeavors to combat terrorism, insurgency, and other threats to national security.

I’m equally impressed with the cutting-edge training facility, which undoubtedly will boost the effective training of our armed forces personnel. Consequently, I wish to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Defence for their courageous initiative that made this occasion possible. This development will greatly contribute to realizing my vision of ‘cultivating a citizen-focused Nigerian military equipped to fulfill its constitutional duties within an integrated and cooperative framework.’

To the 800 valiant members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who have participated in this training following an extensive selection process, I applaud your commitment and national spirit. You stand at the forefront of a fresh era in our defense story.

“I thus encourage all of you to face the upcoming challenges and duties with unyielding resolve. The training will be demanding and strenuous, yet with perseverance and the correct attitude, you will succeed. It is crucial that you dedicate yourselves fully to the training because this program aims to equip you thoroughly for every operational situation you may confront in the field,” he emphasized.

The Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani—who attended as the Special Guest of Honor—stated that this initiative demonstrates the administration’s steadfast dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s security framework, addressing new challenges, and safeguarding the nation.

In her representation of him, Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe highlighted that “the nature of security concerns nowadays continues to change, encompassing not only terrorism, insurgency, and brigandage but also extending into areas like cyber threats and international criminal activities. To counteract this wide array of issues, it is essential for us to provide our military personnel with top-tier education, advanced strategies, and the fortitude required to tackle these multifaceted problems.”

This specialized force training program represents an ambitious move to ready a fresh cohort of top-tier soldiers adept at safeguarding our nation’s independence through accuracy, wit, and bravery. Additionally, this initiative aims to foster strategic reasoning, prompt decision-making, and leadership marked by integrity.

“In the current security landscape, the threats we encounter continue to change, ranging from terrorism, insurgency, and banditry to cyber threats and transnational crimes. To address these issues, we should provide our military forces with top-notch training, advanced strategies, and the fortitude required to tackle these obstacles,” he stated.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).

South Africa and DRC Meet to Boost Defence Capabilities


__________________


JOHANNESBURG –

The defense minister from the Democratic Republic of Congo initiated a trip to South Africa on Monday with the purpose of enhancing “strategic defense capacities” between the nations, according to statements made by South Africa’s government.

The visit, scheduled to end on Thursday, occurs amid intensifying hostilities in the resource-abundant eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here, soldiers from South Africa, who were dispatched under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mandate, have faced significant setbacks.

“The purpose of this visit is to further bolster and improve the long-standing bilateral defense ties between South Africa and the DRC,” stated the South African Ministry of Defense.

Discussions between Congo’s Defence Minister, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, and his South African peer, Angie Motshekga, will center around enhancing “critical aspects of defense collaboration” as well as strengthening their strategic defensive capacities, the statement noted.

The partnership is essential for promoting peace, security, and stability throughout the area, according to the ministry.

In January, fourteen South African troops lost their lives in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This occurred as the M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, initiated a rapid assault, capturing extensive territories and major urban centers.

Many of the troops were part of the SADC deployment made in December 2023 to assist the DRC government – which is also a SADC member – in reinstating stability and safety.

At minimum, two of the deceased soldiers were serving with a distinct United Nations peacekeeping unit.

After the fatalities, a dispute arose between South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwanda’s leader Paul Kagame. In response, Kagame tweeted that the Southern African soldiers were not serving as a peacekeeping unit but were instead “conducting offensive combat missions to support the DRC government.”

“If South Africa opts for confrontation, Rwanda will address the issue within that framework anytime,” Kagame stated on X.

In mid-March, the SADC declared that it would conclude its military operation, with the majority of forces being contributed by South Africa.

On March 18, Qatar surprisingly revealed that it had facilitated meetings with the Presidents of Rwanda and Congo, during which they “confirmed the pledge of all sides to an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities.”

However, even after the announcement, the M23 seized control of Walikale, which is a key mining center, marking their deepest advance into the heartland of the DRC since 2012.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).

ISIS in Somalia: From Origins to Recent Battlefield Losses

The Islamic State in Somalia is part of the global extremist organization known as ISIS, which operates internationally.

Located in the semiautonomous region of Puntland within northern Somalia, this terrorist organization became the focus of the inaugural international military action undertaken by the Trump administration in February 2017.

Earlier, the organization had connections to intended terrorist acts against the Vatican and the Israeli embassy in Stockholm.

Stig Jarle Hansen, who has written multiple books on African extremism, explores its roots, growth, and most recent military setbacks in the Puntland mountain region.

Read: Puntland offensive delivers setback to Islamic State in Somalia. Prior to the emergence of the Islamic State in Somalia in 2015, the Somali extremist organization Al-Shabaab was dominant in the northern region.

The limited team maintained far-reaching ties to smuggling rings.

Later, it divided into two factions, with Sheikh Abdulqader Muumin, who would go on to lead the Islamic State in Somalia, arising from one of these offshoots.

In Somalia, clans dictate the relationships among individuals and various entities within the society. The affiliations of this new group with the Ali Suleiman sub-clan allowed it to benefit from the clan’s ties to illicit trafficking networks and pirate organizations operating at sea.

Puntland serves as the central point for communication and maritime commerce connecting Somalia with Yemen and the broader Middle East. Illicit activities have been prevalent in this area for many years. Its rough landscape provides an advantageous setting for acts of piracy, unauthorized smuggling, and insurgent operations.

For over thirty years, Puntland has maintained a largely independent status within Somalia, with minimal interference from the central Somali government in recent times. As for the leader of Al-Shabaab’s affiliate in Somalia, Muumin resided in Sweden during the 1990s and early 2000s before relocating to the United Kingdom.

In Somalia, he became affiliated with Al-Shabaab and emerged as a notable presence in the organization’s radical video content. These videos serve to uphold certain values, draw in fresh members, and generate support for the group.

In 2015, Muumin deserted to head the Islamic State in Somalia. His deputy was an additional member from the Ali Suleiman clan named Mahad Moalim. The following year, in 2016, the group’s initial video began circulating via Islamic State propaganda channels.

A significant event occurred after the group’s suicide attack at the Juba Hotel in Bosaso, which serves as Puntland’s main commercial hub and port, in 2017.

This allowed the Islamic State in Somalia to coerce businesses based in Bossasso into paying them protection fees, which became their primary source of revenue. It is estimated that between 2017 and 2018, the organization was likely responsible for up to 50 targeted killings in central Somalia.

Murders served as a coercive means to extort protection money.

Read: Al-Shabaab Turns 18: Why Has It Refused to Disband?
On July 27, 2018, the Somali group became an official provincial branch of the Islamic State, commonly referred to as ISIS. This designation occurred when the Maktab al-Karrar regional office, located within the smaller Puntland chapter, assumed international duties.

The Somali faction was assigned responsibility for the Central African and Mozambique regions under the Islamic State’s purview. Funds were transferred to this group by the Islamic State, along with proceeds from extortions in Bossaso and various other towns across northern Puntland; however, such inflows from Mogadishu occurred less frequently.

During the initial six months of 2022, the US Treasury asserted that the organization garnered $2.3 million through ransom demands, associated imports, farming, and animal husbandry activities.

The regional office along with Muumin became prominent financial entities across East Africa and beyond, operating primarily from Buur Dexhtaal in Bari Puntland. In fact, according to claims by unidentified U.S. officials in 2023, Muumim was appointed as the international head of the Islamic State.3 Overstating Influence: The influence of the Islamic State within Somalia tends to be exaggerated. They have not managed to seize or maintain extensive regions. By 2024, estimates suggested their membership ranged between 600 and 1,600 individuals. This figure is significantly smaller when compared to Al-Shabaab’s presence in southern Somalia.

The connections to an alleged assault on the Israeli embassy in Stockholm scheduled for 2024 were likely tenuous and did not withstand scrutiny in legal proceedings. Additionally, the individual associated with plans for an attack in the Vatican during 2018 appears to have departed from the Islamic State before the plot was developed.

It is equally uncertain that Muumin leads the global Islamic State, as asserted by certain individuals. This skepticism stems primarily from two factors. Firstly, a leader of the Islamic State must come from a clan associated with the Prophet (the Quraysh tribe).

Muumin does not qualify. Additionally, the Islamic State in Somalia is the least extensive among the Islamic State’s African provinces. It is probable that a leader from a more powerful region would be positioned higher.

Despite the revenue-generation capabilities of the group based in Puntland enhancing its profile in Islamic State propaganda, the Islamic State in Somalia doesn’t outrank the Islamic State in the Sahara or Mozambique.

For Somali media outlets, fear often masquerades as legislation. Despite setbacks, they remain resilient. In January 2025, the Puntland administration spearheaded an effective counter-assault against the Islamic State, supported by aerial assistance from both the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates.

In January and February, Puntland emerged victorious in significant skirmishes, one of which resulted in the death of 70 Islamic State militants.

By the end of February, the spirits of the Islamic State combatants appeared to wane. When their primary stronghold at Buur Dexhtaal was seized in March, most of the significant recognized outposts had been overrun. Numerous escaping foreign fighters ended up being apprehended.

However, the Islamic State has not been vanquished. The landscape allowed certain combatants to remain concealed. Both Muumin, who is in his 70s, and his deputy, Abdirahman Fahiye, have reportedly survived unharmed. At minimum, a few hundred fighters still remain active.

Should the Islamic State continue to extract funds from the business sector in the north, it might enlist members among the substantial population of Oromo Ethiopian refugees residing in and around Bosasso, along with local individuals seeking employment.

Written by Stig Jarle Hansen – Professor of International Relations at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).

New Cutting-Edge Weapon Threatens French Navy Patrol Boats

New Cutting-Edge Weapon Threatens French Navy Patrol Boats


However, why did this submarine attack a patrol boat from the French Navy? Rest assured, it was just a demonstration of a novel advanced weaponry system.

As reported by
Futura-sciences
Last December, a French nuclear attack submarine (SNA) conducted a test that resulted in sending the French patrol boat Premier-Maître L’Her to the ocean floor. However, this incident was not due to mistaken identity; rather, it was part of an intentional exercise. The F21 heavyweight torpedo, equipped with live ammunition, was fired at what was actually a naval vessel—a hollowed-out shell serving as the target.

The patrol vessel, which served faithfully for four decades, stopped operations last July. After being thoroughly cleaned, the vessel became an excellent candidate for testing advanced weaponry. The Ministry of the Armed Forces reported that the ship split into two pieces and rapidly sank thousands of meters beneath the surface.


A design by Naval Group

It was

Naval Group

The design of the F21 “Artemis” heavyweight torpedo, aimed at countering both submarine and surface targets, is documented here.
Futura-sciences
What are its features? It weighs 1.5 tons, measures 6 meters in length, can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h, has a range of 50 kilometers, and carries an explosive payload of 250 kg.

According to the

French Ministry of National Defense

, due to the
In an increasingly complex global landscape, it appears pertinent at times to revisit and potentially conduct naval armament trials once more.

(MH co-authored with Manon Pierre – Source: Futura-sciences – Illustration: ©Unsplash)