Jun 16-19, JMOD conducted its 1st Japan-Canada WPS Maritime Security Cooperation Project in Manila, which was attended by 14 Philippines Navy. Through lectures by 🇯🇵🇨🇦 instructors and group discussions, participants gained knowledge to advance #WPS# in their activities.

Welcoming Vice Admiral Joseph Buzzella on his first visit to Japan as Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area. Chargé d’Affaires Aaron Snipe and Vice Admiral Buzzella discussed strengthening 🇺🇸🇯🇵 maritime security cooperation and advancing coordination with the Philippines and South Korea, while deepening regional collaboration to support a secure and stable Indo‑Pacific. @USCG @JCG_koho @JCG_koho_en

The United States’ engagement in the ASEAN Regional Forum demonstrates U.S. support for a free and open IndoPacific across all security domains, including maritime security, nonproliferation and disarmament, and information and communications technology. Glad to be a part of the ARF Senior Officials’ Meeting in Manila. -MGD

Excited to have met Japan’s DDG Hokugo Kyoko. 🇺🇸🇯🇵 Together, we’re advancing a free & open Indo-Pacific, enhancing maritime security 🌊, strengthening our trilateral ties with the Philippines, and supporting ASEAN centrality to ensure regional peace and stability. -MGD

A big thank you to @kasphilippines, with special appreciation to @braun_daniela, for organizing the excellent KAS Maritime Security Advisory Network study trip and Brussels programme. It was a highly valuable opportunity to engage directly with European policymakers, diplomats, military officials, and experts on Europe’s security posture and prospects for realistic cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners. In my discussions with the EU Parliament, academic circles, and the German Parliament, I was encouraged to see that Europe remains deeply committed to the rule of law and international law. While they are currently focused on addressing serious security threats closer to home — they clearly understand the strategic importance of supporting the Indo-Pacific region. This support is essential to prevent any country from bullying others or violating international law, and to uphold the rules-based international order. That said, translating this understanding into tangible actions and concrete commitments — beyond just supportive words — will understandably take some time given their current priorities. I look forward to continued dialogue and building meaningful cooperation in areas such as upholding international maritime law and protecting critical maritime infrastructure.

Daily Hard Tech Headlines: - @PsiQuantum has secured a $125 million agreement with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to expand testing of its approach to building a utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer. The company remains one of only two participants in Stage C, the final phase of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. - @terraindustries, an African defense and critical infrastructure security startup, has launched Kama, an autonomous interceptor drone built to counter weaponized commercial drones. The company plans to produce the system at its Abuja and Accra factories. - @_Andrenam_ has secured an $18 million Series A. The Los Angeles startup develops sonar systems for maritime security, with the round led by Upfront Ventures. - @Saronic has partnered with Samsung Heavy Industries to scale autonomous ship production in the United States, focusing on robotic shipyard automation and high-throughput manufacturing. - Hokkaido Spaceport’s Launch Complex 1, a new Japanese orbital launch site, is nearing completion. - Northrop Grumman has launched its Mission Robotic Vehicle aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, enabling the inspection of satellites in orbit using two robotic arms and the installation of propulsion modules to extend their operational lives. - Bahrain is exploring the development of its first small modular nuclear power plant. - The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has launched a Drone as First Responder program using systems provided by Paladin. - MOBY Robotics, an ocean intelligence startup, has secured a commercial contract to map the seabed in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone using deep-ocean robotic systems. The customer was not disclosed. - United States Marine Corps tested forward manufacturing capabilities in Okinawa during Valiant Shield 26, including circuit-board repair, metal restoration, hybrid manufacturing, and 3D printing while in transit. - @vast, the Long Beach space infrastructure startup, has launched a national security division focused on space-based capabilities for the DOW and intelligence community. Melanie Stricklan will lead the division. - Babcock International Group, ACUA Ocean and Frankenburg Technologies are teaming up to develop a maritime C-UAS system combining Acua’s unmanned surface vessel, Babcock’s launcher and Frankenburg’s precision-guided interceptor missiles. - Cooperative Ventures, backed by two of North America’s largest agricultural cooperatives, has invested in OpenTug, which develops software for the inland barge networks that move grain, fertilizer, and other bulk commodities across the United States. - Simon Shuham, the former head of product at Exowatt, has launched a Denver-based stealth startup developing high-efficiency systems that convert stranded waste heat into electricity. - Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation (CSMC) secured a $4.5 million investment from the Canadian government to support the scaling of small nuclear technology for the Arctic.

The "Joint Sea-2026" exercise between China and Russia concluded at a military port in Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province Monday, with all planned exercise missions finished. Following the conclusion of the drills, some of the two countries' participating forces have set sail for the Pacific to carry out joint patrols. The two naval forces dispatched 10 vessels, including surface, underwater, aerial, and support units, to the exercise centered on "jointly countering maritime security risks."