6 most prominent world defense events in 2017

North Korea testing intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, and IS being driven out of Iraq and Syria were two of the year's most prominent defense events.

2017 was a turbulent year for the world with unpredictable security developments. The focus of the year seemed to be on the Korean peninsula with a series of ballistic missile launches and nuclear weapons tests. The South Korean and US militaries held consecutive military exercises, causing the Korean peninsula to “stand on the brink of war” many times.

North Korea launches missiles and tests nuclear weapons

2017 saw an unprecedented frequency of missile launches by North Korea in many years. By the end of November, Pyongyang had conducted 23 ballistic missile launches of various types.

Specifically, Pyongyang opened a turbulent year on the Korean peninsula with the test of the Pukguksong 2 medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 2,000km.

The Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile lifts off from the launch pad in a record-breaking test by North Korea. Photo: CNN.

On July 4, Pyongyang stunned the world when it announced the successful test launch of the Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The missile reached an orbital altitude of 2,500 km and flew about 930 km. This was Pyongyang's first ICBM test, a major breakthrough in North Korea's missile technology.

Experts estimate that the missile could have a range of 7,000-8,000 km, enough to hit Alaska, Hawaii and Seattle, if launched on a standard trajectory. In addition to normal missile launches, Pyongyang also launched two ballistic missiles over Japan on August 29 and September 15.

Most recently, on November 29, Pyongyang test-fired an unprecedentedly large ballistic missile called the Hwasong-15. It reached an orbital altitude of 4,500 km and flew 992 km. If launched at a standard trajectory, the Hwasong-15 could reach a range of 13,000 km, capable of hitting the entire United States.

On September 3, Pyongyang shook the Korean Peninsula with its sixth nuclear test. The North Korean government said it had tested a thermonuclear bomb (hydrogen bomb) that could be fitted to an ICBM. The Korea Meteorological Administration estimated the blast had a yield of about 50 kilotons. US intelligence agencies said the blast had a yield of about 100 kilotons.

This is North Korea's most powerful nuclear test to date. The test has met with fierce opposition from the international community.

US - South Korea increase military exercises

In response to North Korea's provocations, the US and South Korean militaries have stepped up joint military exercises to warn Pyongyang. In addition to the annual Foal Eagle and Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercises, the US and South Korea have also held additional exercises on an unprecedented scale in recent years.

Most recently, the US and South Korea just concluded a giant exercise called Vigilant Ace with the participation of 230 fighter jets of all types and 12,000 soldiers, in which, for the first time, stealth fighters F-22 and F-35 practiced together on the Korean peninsula.

US fighter squadrons during the Vigilant Ace exercise that ended on December 8. Photo: USAF.

Pyongyang has always strongly opposed joint military exercises between the US and South Korea, claiming that they are preparations for an invasion of North Korea. The US and South Korea's military exercises and Pyongyang's continuous missile launches have kept the Korean peninsula on the brink of war in 2017.

IS driven out of Iraq

2017 saw major successes in the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. After being driven out of its largest sanctuary in Aleppo, Syria, IS retreated to Mosul, Iraq. This is considered the terrorist organization's last sanctuary.

The Iraqi army, with air support from the US-led coalition, began the operation to liberate Mosul on October 16, 2016. The Iraqi army, with support from the coalition, has a force of up to 108,000 people. About 6,000-12,000 IS fighters are entrenched in the city.

Iraqi army armored vehicles prepare to attack and liberate Mosul. Photo: ABC News.

It took more than 10 months of fierce fighting for IS to be driven out of Mosul, the last major city of the group in Iraq, and it officially collapsed. On December 9, the Iraqi government declared Iraq completely liberated from IS occupation.

This event opens a new chapter in Iraq's reconstruction after more than 3 years of IS violence. However, analysts warn that although IS has been driven out of Iraq, the remnants of this organization are still very dangerous and they can carry out terrorist attacks in revenge.

Russia completes its goals in Syria

In 2017, the Russian military in Syria continued to conduct operations to support the Syrian government army against the remaining remnants of IS, as well as illegal armed groups opposing the government in Syria.

Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber on a combat mission in Syria. Photo: Russian Air Force.

In addition, the Russian military also monitors the ceasefire with the opposition, and supports the Syrian military in clearing mines and explosives left over from the war. On December 11, the Syrian government announced that it had completely liberated the country from IS. Shortly thereafter, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Russian military base in Syria and requested the military to withdraw from Syria.

Hours after President Putin's announcement, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the Russian military had begun withdrawing from Syria. However, analysts said Russia would not completely withdraw its troops from Syria, but would only reduce the size of its forces there.

Syria is strategically important to Russia's presence in the Middle East, and Moscow certainly cannot abandon its position there. Russia's announcement of its withdrawal shows that Moscow's primary strategic goal of maintaining the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is considered complete.

Bad luck haunts the US Navy in 2017

In 2017, the US Navy in the Pacific increased its activities with unprecedented frequency and scale in recent years. However, this was also a year of "unlucky" for the naval force considered the number 1 in the world.

The destroyer USS Fitzgerald was deformed after a strong collision with a container ship. Photo: AP.

The US Navy in the Pacific suffered five accidents in 2017, including two serious collisions that killed 17 sailors. This was one of the worst accidents for the US Navy in many years.

On June 17, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) collided with a container ship off the coast of Japan. Fitzgerald suffered a large dent on her starboard side. The collision killed seven sailors.

In the early morning hours of August 21, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) collided with an oil tanker east of Singapore. The collision killed 10 sailors and left a large hole in the McCain’s port side. The series of serious accidents has led many to question the operational capabilities of the world’s number one navy.

The mysterious disappearance of the submarine Argentia

On November 15, the Argentine submarine San Juan mysteriously disappeared in the San Jorge Bay, about 200 nautical miles off the coast of Patagonia, southern Argentina. The ship was carrying a crew of 44 people and to this day, nearly a month has passed but there is still no news of the ship.

The submarine San Juan mysteriously disappeared nearly a month ago. Photo: Argentine Navy.

The Argentine Navy, with the help of seven countries and many aircraft and warships, searched the South Atlantic for the ship but has not yet found it. On November 18, the Argentine Navy said it had received seven satellite calls that could have originated from the missing submarine but could not establish contact.

On November 23, the Argentine Navy said it had recorded an unusual event that resembled an explosion near the site where the San Juan submarine went missing. However, all the information is just speculation and the ship has not been found.

According to Knowledge