February 17, 2017

"Introduction

On 18 November 2016, the RSIS Military Transformations Programme (MTP), together with the RSIS Maritime Security Programme, hosted a one-day workshop on 'Arms Racing in Asia: The Naval Dimension.' The workshop was held at the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium and was run back-to-back with the Maritime Security Programme’s conference on 'Navies, Coast Guards, the Maritime Community and International Stability,' held 16-17 November, also in Singapore.

This workshop focused primarily on the issue of recent arms acquisitions by Asian militaries – particularly focusing on maritime systems – and the impact such proliferation might have on regional security. Papers presented at the workshop included: who is selling arms to Asia (and why); the security dimensions of regional arms acquisitions; and how major powers, particularly the United States and China, view the proliferation of increasingly sophisticated weapons systems to the region. Special focus was paid to the proliferation of submarines, aircraft carriers, and unmanned aerial systems, and panellists speculated on the possible spread of extremely high-technology capabilities (so-called 'third-offsets' systems) that could have an unknown effect on regional security and military balances. The workshop concluded with a panel discussion featuring experts on naval modernisation and arms proliferation."

Read more:

http://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/arms-racing-in-asia-the-naval-dimension/#.WKjx0PLbcic 

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