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asiatimes.com • Gabriel Honrada

China’s drone carriers concealed among merchant ships could militarize trade routes

Reports suggest China is exploring merchant vessels modified to carry and deploy unmanned aircraft, a tactic that could mask military capability within commercial fleets and extend PLA reach along key sea lanes. The approach would blur civilian‑military lines, complicating surveillance, attribution and rules of engagement.

2026-01-06T11:37:46.405489-08:00

Reuters

France greenlights PA‑Ng carrier programme; Charles de Gaulle to be replaced from 2038

2025-12-21T07:34:00.612540-08:00

FlightGlobal

DoD: China Operates >1,189 Satellites, 510+ for ISR; ‘Historic’ Buildup Includes Nuclear, Carrier and Sixth‑Gen Fighter Tests

2025-12-24T09:52:50.024415-08:00

Wall Street Journal

Trump increases Air Force One use as second‑term foreign policy intensifies

2025-12-29T10:31:31.062386-08:00

News Timeline

asiatimes.com

China’s drone carriers concealed among merchant ships could militarize trade routes Reports suggest China is exploring merchant vessels modified to carry and deploy unmanned aircraft, a tactic that could mask military capability within commercial fleets and extend PLA reach along key sea lanes. The approach would blur civilian‑military lines, complicating surveillance, attribution and rules of engagement.

2026-01-06T11:37:46.405489-08:00

China’s drone carriers concealed among merchant ships could militarize trade routes

Stars and Stripes

USS Nimitz reactors could power land-based AI data centres If the Nimitz project succeeds, the nuclear reactors from USS Nimitz — and from future decommissioned carriers, submarines and other military sources — could be re-used to supply high‑density, land‑based power for AI data centres. The plan presents an alternative to strained local grids and mobile turbine solutions.

2026-01-02T07:27:11.225514-08:00

USS Nimitz reactors could power land-based AI data centres

Wall Street Journal

Trump increases Air Force One use as second‑term foreign policy intensifies Presidents typically turn to foreign policy during a second term. President Trump has increased use of Air Force One as his second‑term foreign policy intensifies, expanding presidential overseas travel and operational demands on the presidential transport fleet and supporting defense platforms.

2025-12-29T10:31:31.062386-08:00

Trump increases Air Force One use as second‑term foreign policy intensifies

portsmouth.co.uk

UK explores air-to-air refuelling drones for HMS Queen Elizabeth The UK government is exploring use of air-to-air refuelling drones aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, examining sophisticated logistics to support carrier air operations. Options under consideration would see autonomous or remotely piloted tanker drones providing fuel and operational flexibility for shipborne air wings.

2025-12-26T11:44:55.550360-08:00

UK explores air-to-air refuelling drones for HMS Queen Elizabeth

The Aviationist

USS Nimitz Returns to Bremerton, Slated for Decommissioning as HII Wins Contract Modification After nearly 50 years of service, nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz returned to Naval Base Kitsap–Bremerton on Dec. 16, 2025 following its final scheduled deployment and is slated for decommissioning next year. Huntington Ingalls Industries has received a contract modification to support work tied to the ship’s inactivation.

2025-12-24T10:08:41.215059-08:00

USS Nimitz Returns to Bremerton, Slated for Decommissioning as HII Wins Contract Modification

FlightGlobal

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DoD: China Operates >1,189 Satellites, 510+ for ISR; ‘Historic’ Buildup Includes Nuclear, Carrier and Sixth‑Gen Fighter Tests The DoD’s 2025 assessment says Beijing now operates more than 1,189 satellites — over 510 dedicated to space-based ISR — and calls China’s military buildup “historic,” citing expanded nuclear and carrier forces alongside flight tests of tailless sixth‑generation fighter prototypes.

2025-12-24T09:52:50.024415-08:00

DoD: China Operates >1,189 Satellites, 510+ for ISR; ‘Historic’ Buildup Includes Nuclear, Carrier and Sixth‑Gen Fighter Tests

UK Defence Journal

UK MoD says there are no current plans to fit defensive laser weapons to Royal Navy carriers The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed there are currently no plans to fit defensive laser weapons directly to the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, saying the capability is not planned for carrier platforms at present or scheduled for procurement at this time.

2025-12-22T11:45:19.018998-08:00

UK MoD says there are no current plans to fit defensive laser weapons to Royal Navy carriers

Business Insider

Turkey revises first aircraft carrier to 300 m (984 ft) and begins construction, approaching US Nimitz/Ford-class lengths Turkey has revised its first aircraft carrier to 300 metres (approximately 984 ft) and confirmed construction has begun; the ship will be larger than the Anadolu amphibious assault ship. At that length it approaches the size of US Nimitz- and Ford-class carriers, reshaping Turkey's naval aviation profile.

2025-12-21T21:50:42.369395-08:00

Turkey revises first aircraft carrier to 300 m (984 ft) and begins construction, approaching US Nimitz/Ford-class lengths

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Aircraft Carrier News

China’s drone carriers concealed among merchant ships could militarize trade routes

France greenlights PA‑Ng carrier programme; Charles de Gaulle to be replaced from 2038

DoD: China Operates >1,189 Satellites, 510+ for ISR; ‘Historic’ Buildup Includes Nuclear, Carrier and Sixth‑Gen Fighter Tests

Trump increases Air Force One use as second‑term foreign policy intensifies

News Timeline