On Monday, the U.S. INDOPACOM and Japan Self-Defense Force teamed up to begin the two-week exercise Keen Sword 21. The forces train as part of a "comprehensive scenario" to test crisis response capabilities and increase interoperability between the two forces.
On Wednesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran has begun construction of an underground centrifuge assembly plant. The plant, near the Natanz nuclear facility, appears to be a replacement for the Tehran plant that was destroyed in July.
Also on Wednesday, the Russian Aerospace Force successfully test-fired a new missile from its ABM defense system. The test was performed at the Sary-Shagan proving ground in Kazakhstan.
On Friday, Azerbaijan destroyed a Smerch missile launcher belonging to the Armenian Armed Forces. The launcher had reportedly been used by Armenia in the shelling of the city of Barda.
On Monday, it was reported that Russia has marked two zones in the Barents Sea for "missile-firing" and restricted sailing. The restrictions are part of the preparations by the Northern Fleet for a long-range test of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile.
Also on Monday, it was reported that Japan is planning to order two additional Aegis ships. The ships are set to partially fill the hole left by the earlier Aegis Ashore cancellation and will be equipped with SPY-7 radar.
