Gordon Arthur

Author

Gordon Arthur was the Asia Pacific editor for Shephard Media. Born in Scotland and educated in New Zealand, Gordon had a stint of nearly 20 years in the territory of Hong Kong before returning to NZ.

His work has appeared in nearly 40 international defence journals and magazines to date. His focus is primarily on Asia-Pacific countries, and he travels extensively in the region to attend defence shows and observe military exercises.

Latest news

Naval Warfare

Royal Australian Navy sizes up modernisation plans for new and existing capabilities

The Australian navy is pushing ahead with its efforts to modernise its workforce and capabilities while balancing risky submarine upgrades, ageing Collins-class boats and a shrinking minehunter fleet. Head of navy capability RAdm Stephen Hughes updated Shephard on the force’s progress.

Land Warfare

Chaiseri’s quartet of new vehicles offers fresh capabilities to Asian markets

The Guardian-T 8x8, Hisaar MRAP 4x4, Ridgeback 4x4 and Jackal 4x4 were all on display at Defense & Security 2025, with target markets for the vehicles including Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines as well as Thailand.

Land Warfare

New Type 100 AFVs help China leapfrog ahead of other Western concepts

China’s fourth-generation armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) have pulled ahead of international analogues in their concept of operations, but questions remain about the reliability of their advanced technologies further down the line.

Naval Warfare

Royal New Zealand Navy outlines modernisation goals

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has a crunch time coming up as it looks to refresh its fleet before 2040, and prepares to begin operating Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters, although it is at the back of a long ordering queue. A key part of any solution is looking at what neighbouring Australia is buying.

Land Warfare

New armoured vehicles appear in Vietnam’s 80th anniversary parade

8th September 2025

Marking eight decades since Vietnam gained its independence, the Vietnam People’s Army used the procession to showcase two new vehicles.

Naval Warfare

Royal New Zealand Navy outlines modernisation goals

2nd September 2025

Naval Warfare

Taiwan entrusts USVs with task of deterring a PLA amphibious invasion

23rd August 2025

Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s Black Sea experience, Taiwan is investing heavily in unmanned surface vessels to strengthen its asymmetric defence strategy against potential PLA amphibious assaults.

Naval Warfare

Austal signs long-delayed shipbuilding pact as industry risks persist

18th August 2025

Austal signs long-delayed Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, but schedule risks and programme delays still loom over Canberra’s naval plans.

Naval Warfare

Indonesian Navy looks for variety and industrial partnerships to add capability

4th August 2025

Indonesia is looking to introduce a variety of vessels to meet particular requirements both operational and geographic and is building ties with Turkey as part of the effort.

Naval Warfare

Philippine Navy looks to old and new vessels to beef up its fleet

25th July 2025

The Philippines has turned to regional neighbours Japan and South Korea in a effort to boost its naval fleet with new and ex-Japanese ships. The bonds between the countries is an acknowledgment of the rising power of China and the continued manoeuvres of the Asian giant throughout the region.