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Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume II, Edition 9 Last week was very busy, as I was starting a new contract position. In light of that I am switching back to daily updates, until Thanksgiving. Enjoy! 13 November ITALY A task force with aircraft carrier CAVOUR, frigate BERGAMINI, corvette CDTE BORSINI and replenishment ship ETNA sails for a six-month (until April) cruise to the Middle East and Africa … combine training and diplomacy with a privately (!) funded sales trip for Italian industry … to call at 19 ports in many of which to act as a mobile defense exhibition for Italian products. 14 November PIRACY Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces) Ops: Spanish navy METEORO class patrol ship TORNADO sails from Las Palmas for the Horn of Africa … in a five-month deployment join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. 15 November AZERBAIDJAN Local Baku Shipbuilding Plant will “start building a warship next year” … no details on what kind of ship or who the yard might be partnering with. PHILIPPINES (Typhoon Haiyan) +++ US Navy operation “Damayan”: Supply ships (T-AKE) CHARLES DREW and RICHARD E. BYRD on station, each with two helicopters and HA/DR-kits. +++ British Royal Navy destroyer DARING arrives, starting reconnaissance flights with her Lynx helicopter to outlying areas that may not yet have been reached by aid organizations. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: The Netherlands government has extended Netherlands navy anti-piracy operations for another year, until end-2014 … deploy frigate EVERTSEN from Feb until mid-May in support of NATO operation “Ocean Shield” … also support EU operation “Atalanta” with deployments of frigate DE ZEVEN PROVENCIEN (May to August) and afterwards patrol frigate HOLLAND (until mid-Dec). RUSSIA +++ Pella shipyard has delivered Project 90600 roadstead tug RB-400 to the Russian Navy. +++ Yantar shipyard conducts keel-laying ceremony for 5th ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH class (Proj 11356) frigate … to be named ADMIRAL ISTOMIN … lead-ship ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH to be launched in 2014. YEMEN Yemeni president on a visit to China signs US$ 507 million contract with “China Harbor Engineering Company” for expanding the Aden container terminal … build an additional berth, deepen port and outer navigational channel. 16 November CHINA (Stick-Poking Ops (aka - Territorial Disputes) With Japan: Four China Coast Guard ships temporarily entered 12-nm territorial waters at the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. FRANCE MISTRAL class Helicopter carrier DIXMUDE sails from Toulon on routine West Africa deployment … take over duties as “station ship” in national naval presence mission “Corymbe”. (rmks: usually a three-month deployment) INDIA Hand-over ceremony for aircraft carrier VIKRAMADITYA (refurbished former Russian ADMIRAL GORSHKOV) at Russian Sevmash shipyard (Severodvinsk) … will sail for transfer voyage on 30 Nov … first stop on 04 Dec at Murmansk (Russia) to celebrate Navy Day … for further voyage escorted by Indian navy warships (incl. frigate TRIKAND and tanker DEEPAK) currently heading for Murmansk … more port visits planned enroute. INDIA Boeing delivers the second P-8i maritime patrol aircraft. SRI LANKA A number of Sri Lanka Navy officers and sailors arrested after found to have been complicit with people smuggling (to Australia). SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ OPCW agreed on plan and time table for destroying Syria’s chemical weapons … plan calls for Syria to transport the stockpiles to a port, where the cargo will be shipped out and destroyed in a third country … operation to be completed by 30 June, 2014 +++ Key challenge now will be finding a country willing to take the stockpiles and capable of destroying them. Norway and Albania have already declined. +++ Russian Black Sea Fleet missile cruiser MOSKVA returns to home port Sevastopol, ending a six-month deployment as flag ship to Russian MedSqn. +++ Russian Pacific Fleet missile cruiser VARYAG ends port visit to Alexandria (Egypt). USA +++ Target drone launched from Point Mugu (California) for testing radars of cruiser CHANCELLORSVILLE malfunctioned and hit the ship … two sailors injured … ship headed back to San Diego for damage assessment. (rmks: That’s going to suck for the joystick operator) +++ Littoral Combat Ship LCS-1 FREEDOM has departed Singapore … heading for Brunei for this year’s final exercise of the CARAT series … afterwards return to San Diego (USA) to complete her eight-month maiden deployment. 17 November IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) France names four preconditions for a deal with Iran: place all (!) nuclear facilities under international control; limit Uranium enrichment to 20%; reduce stockpile of nuclear fuel; stop work on the Arak heavy water reactor. JAPAN Japan and Cambodia have agreed to boost cooperation on maritime security. NORWAY Danish civilian transport ship BRITANNIA SEAWAYS on fire west of the Norwegian coast … transporting military equipment for an exercise in Western Norway … 32 people on board, incl 12 Norwegian soldiers … rescue efforts severely hampered by storm update: fire extinguished, ship heading for port Bergen. PHILIPPINES (Typhoon Haiyan) British Royal Navy destroyer DARING in port Cebu, loading humanitarian aid, then head back to disaster zone. RUSSIA Industry source: No major overhaul of aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETZOV in the next six to eight years (rmks: wait and see; earlier, media had reported her to start an extended yard period in the first half of 2014) SRI LANKA Australia has given two patrol boats (rmks: no details) to the Sri Lankan navy … to “better deal with illegal migrants” headed for Australia. UKRAINE GRISHA class corvette TERNOPIL returns to Sevastopol, completing a six-week Mediterranean deployment in support of NATO operation “Active Endeavour”. 18 November PHILIPPINES (Typhoon Haiyan) Three Japanese navy ships (rmks: unnamed as of yet) to sail for the Philippines, scheduled to arrive around 22 November.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume II, Edition 9 Sorry this edition is a week late getting out. It’s been busy and crack here. With the holidays season starting in a couple weeks, I will be taking some time off to do family thing through the New Year. Hope you enjoy this edition of the update! 30 October BRAZIL Under US Foreign Military Sales, Sikorsky has been contracted with two additional S-70B ASW/ASUW helicopters for the Brazilian navy. CHINA A South Sea Fleet task group with destroyer LANZHOU, frigate LIUZHOU and replenishment ship POYANG HU has completed its visit to Buenos Aires (Argentina) to commence home transit … before, had visited Valparaiso (Chile) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). IRELAND Babcock Marine, Appledore (UK) has launched the first of two PV 90 new patrol ships, SAMUEL BECKETT (P 61) KAZAKHSTAN - IRAN Kazakhstan navy commander Adm Zhanzakov in official visit to Iran … talks on increased cooperation, possibly also in warship construction. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Israel air force attacked Syrian armed forces sites holding Russian SA-8 Gecko anti-air missiles … aircraft (one source: supported by navy ships) target one such site near the port of Latakia while other aircraft bombed one near Damascus. (rmks: Preventing missiles from being passed on to Lebanese Hezbollah) +++ US aircraft carrier NIMITZ has arrived at Naples (Italy) for a scheduled but unannounced port visit. 31 October CHINA +++ South Sea Fleet task group (LANZHOU, LIUZHOU, POYANG HU) arrives at Buenos Aires (Argentina) for a scheduled port visit. +++ “Maneuver 5”: China strongly condemns Japanese action to “disturb and disrupt” exercises in the West Pacific as a “dangerous provocation” … had declared a danger area for live missile-/artillery fire, warning all shipping and aircraft to stay clear … still, Japanese destroyer IZAKUCHI (107) entered this zone on 25 Oct and “persistently” remained there until 28 Oct, while Japanese reconnaissance aircraft also intruded several times. Japan dismisses protest … “normal” patrol and surveillance missions in waters surrounding Japan (southeast of Sakishima Islands, Okinawa prefecture) INDIA For the record: ten days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Russia there have been no local media reports whatsoever on leasing a second nuclear-powered AKULA class submarine … likely still negotiating. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Iranian foreign minister: We will not stop Uranium enrichment, but will not go beyond 20 percent, at that under IAEA supervision. LIBYA Libya's navy has rescued 84 Africans from a boat foundering off its coast … brought to the port of Zawiya for processing by the country's department for illegal migrants. SPAIN (AUSTRALIA) After 9 months operating as part of the Australian navy, Spanish replenishment ship CANTABRIA departs temporary homeport of Garden Island (Sydney, Australia) … will be visiting ports in Indonesia, India and Turkey before arriving home at Ferrol for Christmas. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ All (formally declared) Syrian chemical weapons mixing, filling and production facilities (41 at 23 locations) have been rendered inoperable … next task will be destroying the chemical agents themselves by summer 2014 … most probably will be shipped to another country possibly in Albania … US has offered to provide a mobile facility. +++ British Royal Navy operating destroyer DRAGON and submarine TALENT in the Eastern Mediterranean … “unrelated to situation in Syria”. USA +++ PERRY class Frigate FORD decommissioned during a ceremony at Naval Station Everett. (rmks: It will likely wind up on the secondary market list. Any guess on who will buy it? Mine estimate is Taiwan) +++ First flight of the US Navy’s newest MQ-8C variant of the Fire Scout unmanned helicopter (UAV) … longer endurance, range and greater payload capability than predecessor MQ-8B … initial operating capability planned for 2016, with the potential for an early deployment in 2014. 01 November CANADA The Canadian coast guard has taken delivery of its sixth HERO class Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel, CORPORAL McLAREN M.M.V. CHINA “Maneuver 5”: The first ever three-fleet exercise in open Pacific waters has concluded … “similar exercises will be regularly carried out in the West Pacific in the future”. JAPAN Japan's Self-Defense Forces have begun major exercise … until 18 Nov in southwestern Japan (Islands near Okinawa) … about 34,000 personnel taking part … activities to include “defence of remote islands” … amphibious landings on the uninhabited atoll of Okidaitojima (400 km southeast of Okinawa) … live-fire exercises involving navy destroyers … for the first time deploy Type 88 coastal defence anti-ship missiles at both Okinawa and Miyako, effectively covering the Miyako Strait. (rmks: China will be „closely“ watching, possibly even interfere with intrusion and/or harrassment) RUSSIA The navy has rejected proposals to use new BOREJ class SSBN in mere SSN role (employing torpedoes and anti-ship missiles) until new Bulava nuclear missiles will become operational. SOUTH AFRICA Between 01 Apr, 2012, and 31 Mar, 2013, the SAN spent just 7,300 hours at sea, just one fifth of the targeted 35,000 hours … due to “vessels that were delayed in maintenance cycles, operational defects that prevented them from going to sea and longer than anticipated repair times.” SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) During her “several month deployment” Russian Northern Fleet missile cruiser PETR VELIKIY reportedly passed the Strait of Gibraltar, entering the Mediterranean Sea … initially for an anchorage in the Alboran Sea (rmks: location usually used for replenishment). USA PERRY class frigate THACH decommissioned during a ceremony at Navy Base San Diego. (rmks: Dittos from the previous USA decom) 02 November CHINA Chinese navy RAdm in official paper: China will need at least 20 nuclear submarines to defend its maritime interests. EGYPT Security forces and the 3rd Army tighten security at the Suez Canal following intelligence that Muslim Brotherhood supporters may try to disrupt traffic in protest against upcoming (start 04 Nov) trial of former President Morsi. JAPAN – RUSSIA Japan and Russia have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in security affairs … will conduct joint naval exercises (anti-piracy / anti-terrorism). (rmks: most certainly with an eye on China …) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Russian Pacific Fleet task group with missile cruiser VARYAG passes the Suez Canal and enters the Mediterranean … “perform a number of tasks with Russian MedSqn” (one source: replace sister ship MOSKVA as flag ship) … currently reported heading for Alexandria (Egypt) for port visit/replenishment. (rmks: with also PETR VELIKIY in the region, we should expect a “good in publicity” meeting of the flag ships of all three fleets) +++ Russian foreign ministry: the major part of Syrian chemical weapons will be brought to an intermediate storage site “close to the coast” and then transported abroad for disposal. +++ French destroyer CASSARD has replaced destroyer CHEVALIER PAUL in EastMed naval presence mission. USA New VIRGINIA class submarine NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784) christened during a ceremony in Groton, Conn. 03 November CHINA North Sea Fleet task group with destroyer QINGDAO, frigate LINYI and supply ship HONGZE HU returns to home port Qingdao, completing a 2 1/2-month Pacific cruise with visits to Hawaii (USA), Australia (Centennial Fleet Review) and New Zealand. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has given strong backing to president Rouhani’s push for nuclear negotiations, warning hardliners not to accuse him of compromising with the USA. +++ Israel “in the near term” will receive six V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft from the US … (Arab) media allege the aircraft are being specifically procured for a pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities (support long-range special forces operations). PAKISTAN After touring the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, new (domestically built) frigate ASLAT now arrived at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for another visit … while frigate SHAJAHAN (ex-UK Type 21) conducts a 5-day visit to Abu Dhabi (UAE). SAUDI ARABIA German tabloid (!) paper alleges Saudi navy plans to purchase TYPE 209 submarines from German TKMS … initially five, eventually up to 25 … government spokesperson: “we never comment on specific arms exports” … TKMS: “there is no such project”. (rmks: for the time being, I regard this a “rumour based on half-truths”; would require confirmation) 04 November AUSTRALIA Future helicopter carrier CANBERRA successfully completed a first series of pier-side tests … incl. vehicle-load over side-ramp. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Iranian media report President Rouhani “not optimistic” ahead of next round of 5+1 nuclear talks, scheduled in Geneva on 07/08 Nov. ITALY – RUSSIA Annual bilateral exercise „Ionex 2013“ starts in Taranto … in-port phase until 07 Nov, followed by exercises until 09 Nov in the Ionian Sea … Russia deployed Black Sea Fleet destroyer SMETLIVIY (rmks: currently part of MedSqn) … Italian navy contributing destroyer DE LA PENNE, frigate ESPERO, a submarine and naval aircraft. NEW ZEALAND (multinational) New Zealand armed forces have begun “largest ever” multinational, joint exercise “Southern Katipo” … until 29 Nov in and off Timaru (east coast of South Island) … aims “to test the capability of the NZDF to mount a medium-scale amphibious operation that involves land, air and sea forces” … RNZN contributes multi-purpose ship CANTERBURY … up to 1800 soldiers, sailors and airmen from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Tonga, and the US also to participate. (rmks: originally planned in 2011 but postponed after earthquake) NORTH KOREA (aka the comics section) +++ Local and South Korean papers report “dozens of North Korean sailors killed ”when two navy vessels (“anti-submarine warfare destroyers”, “units 233 and 790”) sunk “during combat mission” … leader Kim Jong-un ordered recovery of bodies and then visited the graves, which show date of death as 13 Oct. … no further details (location, circumstances) given. (rmks: it seems that vintage (built in the 1960s) HAINAN class subchaser 233 (belonging to “Unit 790”) sank after colliding with a smaller (100 - 200 tons) patrol boat during exercises off the east coast port of Wonsan … at least 19, possibly up to 30 people killed) PIRACY Gulf of Aden: Ukrainian frigate HETMAN SAGAYDACHNIY (NATO) reacted to a distress call from a merchant vessel claiming to be approached by suspected pirate skiffs … when reaching the scene, the boats had disappeared (night time) … unclear whether pirates or harmless fishermen. POLAND The Polish MoD and the US have signed agreement on overhauling and modernizing PERRY class frigate GENERAL K. PULASKI … work to be completed by end 2015/early 2016 … to serve until 2025. SOUTH KOREA STX Offshore & Shipbuilding has delivered the 12th GEOMDOKSURI class fast missile boat to the South Korean navy. TURKEY Turkish navy has begun annual exercise “Dogu Akdeniz 2013” in the Eastern Mediterranean … run through 14 Nov … focus on regional crisis intervention along a provided scenario …“invitational exercise” with participants including NATO SNMG-2 and a US Navy destroyer … Turkish navy has deployed 5 frigates/corvettes, 6 fast attack/patrol boats, 3 submarines, 1 LST, a number of auxiliary vessels and aircraft (navy, coast guard, air force). UNITED KINGDOM +++ Reports of another substantial increase in the cost of building the two new aircraft carriers … total costs said to rise by another 950 million Euro to 7.3 billion Euro … almost twice the original estimate. +++ “Cougar 13”: Upon completion of exercises with Omani armed forces, dock landing ship BULWARK conducted a short visit to Karachi (Pakistan) … for “amphibious familiarization” of Pakistani marines and counter-piracy talks held on board. USA +++ A US Navy T-45C Goshawk training aircraft crashed during landing at Naval Air Station Pensacola (Florida) … flight instructor and student pilot taken to hospital. +++ Huntington Ingalls at Pascagoula (Mississippi) lays the keel for destroyer DDG-113 JOHN FINN … 63rd BURKE class destroyer, set to join the fleet in 2016 … first ship in DDG restart program. 05 November JAPAN According to a local paper, the MoD has “begun preparations” for construction of another two Aegis-destroyers. MEXICO Mexican armed forces (rmks: naval infantry?) have taken control of Pacific seaport Lazaro Cardenas … part of an effort to bring drug-cartel activity under control in the western state of Michoacan. PIRACY Somalia: German frigate NIEDERSACHSEN (EU NavFor) prevented a suspected 10-man pirate group from sailing from the Somalia coast … whaler loaded with 10 fuel barrels and 2 ladders, towing skiff … when frigate approached equipment was thrown into water and the boats returned to shore. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Upon completion of a port visit to Lisbon (Portugal), Northern Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ship GEORGIY POBEDONOSETS is heading for the Strait of Gibraltar and subsequently the Eastern Mediterranean to join Russian MedSqn. +++ The “Geneva II” peace talks, originally scheduled on 23 Nov, likely face an “indefinite delay” … Syrian opposition and rebel groups undecided whether to attend; dispute over participation of Iran. +++ The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, tasked with eliminating Syria's chemical weapons, is running out of money … only able to fund its mission through this month … so far raised about 10 million Euros while total costs for the programme could run into hundreds of millions of Euros. +++ after new intelligence, the US is “increasingly concerned” the Assad regime may have not disclosed all chemical weapons, keeping a “secret stash”. SWEDEN Swedish navy starts this year`s final major national exercise “Swenex 13.02” …one-week exercise along the Baltic coast from Carlskrona to Berga … corvettes, mine hunters, patrol vessels, auxiliary ships, helicopters … Finland participating with mine layer /patrol ship UUSIMA … during “preplanned serials” in a “fictional scenario” practice maritime surveillance, MCM operations, anti-submarine warfare. USA General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego lays the keel of third mobile landing platform, MLP-3 LEWIS B. PULLER … expected to be delivered in 2015. 06 November BULGARIA (NATO) Frigate DRAZKI has completed a (rare) Mediterranean deployment in support of NATO operation “Active Endeavour” and returned to her Burgas home base. INDIA The Indian Navy formally inducted the first fully Indian (HAL) manufactured Hawk jet training aircraft. SOUTH KOREA The ROK Navy has begun 8-day exercises off the east coast near Pohang … focus on amphibious operations / coastal defence … participants include 10 navy vessels, naval infantry, and aircraft. UNITED KINGDOM BAE Systems is to cut almost 1,800 jobs from its UK-based Maritime-Naval Ships business and will cease shipbuilding operations at its (historic) Portsmouth facility next year. 07 November AUSTRALIA An Australian Customs patrol boat is trying to turn a boat with 56 suspected asylum seekers back to a “reluctant” Indonesia rather than taking them to Christmas Island … intercepted within Indonesia`s search and rescue zone. AZERBAIJAN New naval base under construction near Puta (Garadagh) … become operational in 2014. EGYPT (Unconfirmed) source: Egypt considers spending up to US$4 billion on advanced weaponry from Russia following the partial suspension of military aid and equipment deliveries from the United States. (rmks: No details and for the time being rather speculative). IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Two-day Iran/5+1 talks begin in Geneva … “optimism that a deal might be attainable” … 5+1 softened position: previously demanded that Iran must halt its nuclear program in return for sanctions to be lifted, now conceding that Iran may continue limited reprocessing uranium for peaceful purposes in return for which some sanctions would be lifted … Israeli PM Netanyahu fears “mistake of historic proportions”. MALAYSIA (multinational) Malaysia hosting multinational exercise “Bersama Lima 2013” … Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) activity involving Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK …until 21 Nov … air and maritime activities in the South China Sea, Malaysia and Singapore. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) Russian missile cruisers PETR VELIKIY and VARYAG have begun “exercises” in the Central Mediterranean. (rmks: Press statement does not mention Black Sea Fleet cruiser MOSKVA, suggesting she may be about to end her deployment with the Russian MedSqn) USA The KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group (KEARSARGE, SAN ANTONIO, CARTER HALL) returns to home port Norfolk, completing an 8-month Middle East deployment. VIETNAM First Russian-built KILO-II class submarine HANOI (HQ-182) handed over to the Vietnamese navy (VN) at Admiralty Shipyard (St. Petersburg) … will be loaded on a stevedore barge on 11 Nov and towed to Vietnam, where it will be officially transferred (commissioned) … scheduled to arrive at Cam Ranh in Jan 2014 … upon arrival the VN will also inaugurate a submarine training facility there … second KILO-II to be delivered in early 2014 (poss. in January), third later in 2014. 08 November USA Aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON arrives at Hong Kong for a scheduled 5-day visit. (rmks: Conducting routine “fall patrol” in the West Pacific region) 09 November USA Newport News Shipbuilding will christen the US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier GERALD R FORD (CVN 78).

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume II, Edition 7 Another week is past and yet another weekend is upon us. I hope you all are enjoying autumn as it begins to settle in. With these kind words to serve as the introduction, here is your weekly global naval news update. Enjoy! 12 October CHINA HAIJIU class (Type 037) patrol vessel NANHUI (688) decommissioned … to become museum ship. 14 October LATVIA Riga Shipyard put the fifth and last SKRUNDA class SWATH-design patrol boat REZEKNE (P-09) to water. 15 October PIRACY +++ Somalia Basin: After recent attacks on two vessels some 250 nm east of Hobyo, international maritime forces (read that the keystone kops) in a coordinated effort searched for, located, intercepted and apprehended a group of suspected Somali pirates … operation included FORT VICTORIA, MELBOURNE and WANG GEON (CTF-151), JOHAN DE WITT (EU NavFor) and a Seychelles based maritime patrol aircraft from Luxembourg (EU NavFor) … skiffs and equipment destroyed, suspected pirates detained on board MELBOURNE … with no chance for prosecution, marooned at the Somalia coast. (rmks: That was a bold move! However, it was completely lost … WHEN THEY LET THE FREAKING PIRATES GO, TO PIRATE AGAIN!) 16 October PIRACY Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: British amphibious support ship LYME BAY has joined EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” … until mid-November. (rmks: part of current national Royal navy deployment “Cougar 13” which LYME BAY will rejoin after leaving EU NavFor). USA LOS ANGELES class submarine ALBANY begins a 29-month midlife overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth. 17 October CHINA Observed by navy commander Adm Wu Shengli, the North Sea Fleet conducted live missile firing in the Yellow Sea … associated photos show launches of air-defence missiles … exercise was attended by “about 100 ships and submarines” … named destroyers HARBIN, SHIJIAZHUANG and corvette DATONG … photos also show a SOVREMENNIY class destroyer and a JIANGKAI-II class frigate … activities probably formal kick-off for several-week (until early Nov) exercises dubbed “Maneuver V” reaching to the open sea of the West Pacific … participants to include ships, submarines, aircraft and coastal defense missile units of all three fleets. FRANCE First sea trials for second FREMM type frigate NORMANDY, scheduled this week, delayed due to (unspecified) “technical problem” … builder DCNS: will not affect scheduled delivery date in 2014. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) In the wake of a promising first round of nuclear talks with Iran (although these did not produce a breakthrough) the US government deliberates easing some sanctions, offering Tehran access to billions of dollars in frozen funds “if the Iranian government takes specific steps to curb its nuclear program”. (rmks: Sure remove the sanctions (they weren’t working anyway)) ISRAEL The MoD’s weapons development administration (Mafat) has decided to more focus on development of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), not least targeting a global market worth an estimated US$2B annually. PAKISTAN +++ Frigate ASLAT arrives at Novorossiysk (Russia) for the first ever visit of a Pakistani warship to this Russian Black Sea port …to stay until 20 Oct. +++ Pakistan is seeking to upgrade Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works by expanding co-operation with South Korea … major focus on "enhanced facilities to produce smaller boats like fast attack craft". PIRACY +++ West Africa: IMB-report: Pirate attacks off Nigeria’s coast have jumped by a third this year … unlike the dangerous waters on the eastern coast of Africa, many vessels have to anchor to do business off West African countries, with little protection. This makes them a soft target for criminals who ransack the vessels and steal the cargo, usually gas oil. +++ Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: Italian frigate ZEFFIRO returns to Taranto (Italy), ending a five-month deployment with EU NavFor in support of operation “Atalanta” (rmks: Yet another frivolous waste of money, with NOTHING to show for it) RUSSIA +++ LADA class submarine St. PETERBURG arrives at a Northern Fleet base for a series of sea trials including deep water tests in the Barents Sea. (rmks: Much delayed deployment, originally scheduled already in 2012, then Apr/May 2013). +++ An underwater film shows several large holes in the outer hull of sunken NOVEMBER class submarine K-159 … alleging leaking radioactivity. (rmks: Sank in Aug 2003 in the Barents Sea while being towed to scrapyard. That’s going to really endear the Russkies with the Greenies) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ US Secretary of State John Kerry hopes the Syrian chemical weapons will be rapidly consolidated into one location, put on a ship and removed from the region. +++ “Geneva 2” peace conference scheduled on 23 Nov in Geneva … Syrian opposition still divided whether to participate. UKRAINE Nine naval vessels to be formally removed from inventory because of “technical inadequacy” … reportedly include minesweeper MELITOPOL, diving tender VOLNOGORSK, transport vessel BRYANKA, roadstead support vessels KONOTOP, RK-1935 and RITM-450, survey vessel MGK-1964, small boat OSTROG, water tanker BAKHMACH, ammunition transport vessel DZHANKOI. (rmks: More or less window dressing; most if not all of them have been inoperative for quite some time). UNITED KINGDOM Royal Navy ice patrol ship PROTECTOR sails from Portsmouth for two consecutive deployments to Antarctica … return to her new home at Devonport Naval Base only in Spring 2015 … will conduct surveys and patrols on behalf of the UK Hydrographic Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office and provide logistical support to the British Antarctic Survey organization. 18 October FRANCE The French navy looks set to part with dock landing ship SIROCCO in 2015 … may be sold to Chile. RUSSIA +++ Zvezdochka (Severodvinsk) will complete two-year overhaul of OSCAR-II submarine SMOLENSK “by year end” … sister boat OREL to take her place in November. +++ Completing infrastructure at the Novorossiysk naval base requires considerably more funds than previously planned … Duma defense committee proposes an additional 600 million Euro, distributed over FY 2014 to 2016. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) OPCW experts thus far have inspected 14 chemical weapons sites in Syria … mission to be expanded with more investigators arriving by 01 Nov … currently 60 inspectors in Syria. UNITED KINGDOM Supply ship FORT VICTORIA has departed the Gulf region after a three-year (!) deployment in support of both national and multinational operations in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean region. USA Huntington Ingalls delivers 9th SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship, LPD-25 SOMERSET, to the US Navy … scheduled to be commissioned on 01 Mar, 2014, in Philadelphia. 19 October CANADA With construction of the new Joint Support Ships to start only in 2016, and current supply ships PROTECTOR and PRESERVER scheduled to retire “around 2017”, the RCN could face a (up to) two-year capability gap and may have to rely on allies to resupply its warships. CHINA “Maneuver 5”: As a precursor to the actual exercise (an “all-fleet confrontational drill in the open waters of the Western Pacific” … “Red Party vs. Blue Party”), a South China Sea Fleet task force practiced defence of port approaches and roadsteads (“mooring area defence drill”) … during the exercise, the task force will act as “Red Party” – the “pre-determined wining side”. JAPAN The three ships of the JMSDF’s training squadron have arrived at Da Nang (Vietnam) for a three-day visit.(rmks: On their final leg of a circumnavigating training cruise) RUSSIA A Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer ADMIRAL VINOGRADOV, tanker IRKUT and NEFTEGAZ class salvage tug KALAR sails from Vladivostok on a two-month deployment to the Asia Pacific Region … initially proceed to Busan (South Korea) for participation in naval exhibition “Kormarin 2013” (22-25 Oct), then continue for Southeast Asia with a visit to Myanmar. UNITED KINGDOM – INDIA British frigate WESTMINSTER arrives at Goa (India) for annual (overall 9th) bilateral exercise “Konkan” … together with Indian destroyer DELHI, helicopters and land-based aircraft practice asymmetric operations, anti-air warfare and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) procedures. 20 October BRAZIL Third AMAZONAS class offshore patrol vessel ARAGUARI has arrived home after its maiden voyage which had included visits to West Africa and joint exercises with six African countries. INDIA Prime Minister Manmohan Singh starts visit to Russia amid speculations that a deal on leasing a second nuclear-powered AKULA class submarine may be finalized. OMAN First KHAREEF class corvette AL SHAMIKH has completed her transfer voyage from UK … arrives at the Said bin Sultan Naval Base (Oman). PIRACY Bab-el-Mandeb: The “brave” forces of the 27th fleet of warships succeeded in saving the Iranian LPG tanker BOOTANON after a few hours of clashes with the pirates … which in the Bab-el-Mandeb attacked with eight (!) skiffs … no mentioning of damage to skiffs nor apprehended pirates. (rmks: Yet another in a series of incidents not corroborated by any other source. As no other ships have been attacked there in recent months, either pirates in this area have “specialized” on Iranian ships, or – more likely – embarked Iranian navy security teams use to fire at any fishermen getting too close for comfort and then proudly report their “victorious battle” home. Huzzah for the Mullahs!) SYRIA (incl. related / non- naval) Russian MedSqn: Russian Black Sea Fleet landing ship NOVOCHERKASSK passes the Turkish Straits towards the Mediterranean. (rmks: had spent some two weeks in the Black Sea before returning to MedSqn now) UKRAINE Still unclear whether the Russian navy will purchase SLAVA class cruiser UKRAINA … official document states costs for completing the ship estimated at some 130 million Euros. (rmks: Rather small sum, probably just for completing the basic ship; fitting it with modern systems should prove much more expensive) USA Media report that BIW in the coming days will move to dry dock and “unceremoniously” float new destroyer ZUMWALT … make good with the formal christening ceremony (scheduled on 19 Oct but cancelled due to government shutdown) some time in spring. 21 October CANADA The MoD has decided to extend participation in Arabian Sea multinational anti-terror operation “Enduring Freedom” (national operation “Artemis”) to April 2015 … currently frigate TORONTO deployed with CTF-150, will be relieved by sister ship REGINA in early 2014. ISRAEL Envisioned 450 million Euros will not be sufficient to fund procurement of up to four new missile corvettes (offshore patrol vessels) required to protect offshore gas installations … alternative plan allegedly sees acquisition and modification of civilian ships, the first of which could enter service in three years. (rmks: Requires confirmation). PAKISTAN Frigate ASLAN continues tour of the Mediterranean / Black Sea region … after visits to Port Sudan (North Sudan), Tripoli (Libya) and Novorossiysk (Russia) now headed for Turkish Golcuk naval base (22-25 Oct) … enroute home then visit Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). (rmks: New ship, domestically built to Chinese F22P design) PHILIPPINES (FRANCE) Reports that the Philippine coast guard has purchased French navy patrol vessel LA TAPAGEUSE seem to have been premature … still no formal agreement signed … France looking for another buyer. PIRACY Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: South Korean destroyer CHOI YOUNG has replaced sister ship WANG GEON in multinational Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. RUSSIA (FRANCE) Recently launched helicopter carrier VLADIVOSTOK pulled out of dock and transferred to fitting-out pier in St. Nazaire (France). RUSSIA Nevsky Shipyard has been chosen (over competing Admiralty Shipyard) to build a new 23,000-ts tanker (Project 23130) for the Russian navy … delivery in 2016. SPAIN Set to complete a nearly one-year deployment (rmks: had sailed from Ferrol on 03 Jan) to Australia, supply ship CANTABRIA is preparing her return transit … with port visits to Jakarta (Indonesia), Goa (India) and Aksaz (Turkey) planned enroute. SYRIA (incl. related / non- naval) +++ Russian MedSqn: Landing ships YAMAL (Black Sea Fleet) and MINSK (Baltic Fleet) pass the Turkish Straits towards the Mediterranean. (rmks: both had spent some two weeks in the Black Sea before returning to MedSqn now) +++ US aircraft carrier NIMITZ (together with cruiser MONTEREY) has passed the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean …”unrelated with Syria situation” … for a recreational port visit (first such since August) and some regional training … destinations not yet specified. USA +++ The DoD has awarded Raytheon a $1.6 billion contract, including options, to develop a new AMDR-S radar for the third batch of ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers. +++ Littoral Combat Ship LCS-1 FREEDOM, currently deployed to Singapore, reportedly experienced flooding (allegedly up to one meter in engine room) due to a burst sea water pipe … no “major” damage … will not affect participation in upcoming (Nov) Brunei phase of this year’s exercise CARAT … in late Nov ship to commence home transit to arrive in San Diego by late Dec. 22 October CHINA Task group with destroyer LANZHOU, frigate LIUZHOU and supply ship POYANG HU arrives at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) for a scheduled 5-day visit … upon sailing on 26 Oct conduct “Passex” with Brazilian navy, then continue for Argentina. USA – CAMBODIA CARAT 13: US Navy rescue and salvage ship SAFEGUARD arrives in Cambodia as part of annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) … Cambodia phase to focus on diving training. 23 October CHINA “Maneuver V“: Ships from all three major fleets have “broken the first island chain’s blockade” … to simultaneously pass Bashi Channel, Osumi Strait and Miyako Strait into the open Pacific. INDIA Two months after it was floated out at Cochin Shipyard, indigenous aircraft carrier VIKRANT has now been taken to the larger repair dock of the yard for the second phase of construction IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Iran plans to generate more electricity through nuclear energy in coming years … consider construction of a number power plants … priority given to the Persian Gulf coast to power planned water desalination facilities. NEW ZEALAND The RNZN wants to replace mine countermeasures and diving support vessel, MANAWANUI and hydrographic survey vessel RESOLUTION (already decommissioned in Apr 2012) “as both approach their end of life” … Request for Information calls for a “littoral operations support” ship combining the capabilities of both … delivery in mid-2017 and acceptance into naval service by mid-2018. PIRACY +++ West Africa: Nigerian militants reportedly attacked US-flagged platform supply vessel C-RETRIEVER off the Niger Delta … captain and one crew said to have been abducted (rmks: unconfirmed) … in a separate (probably unrelated) incident in the same area a Nigerian navy speedboat was attacked by militants who killed all soldiers and stole the weapons. +++ Kenya: Four Somali pirates were sentenced to seven years each in prison by a Kenyan court that found them guilty of hijacking a fishing dhow in the Indian Ocean in 2010. RUSSIA Prosecutors have downgraded charges against 30 Greenpeace activists (detained during a protest against Arctic oil drilling) from piracy to hooliganism (rmks: “disorderly conduct” holds a maximum sentence of seven years vs. 15 years for piracy) … Russian will boycott maritime court hearings sought by the Netherlands in a bid to free them. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ French destroyer CHEVALIER PAUL in recent days has joined US Navy NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group. (rmks: Ol’ Assad is shaking in his boots now … the French have arrived on the scene) +++ Russian Black Sea Fleet landing ship AZOV has joined the Russian MedSqn in the Eastern Mediterranean. +++ Israeli warplanes “earlier this week” reportedly targeted a convoy of missiles being delivered from Syria to Lebanese Hezbollah … “near the Syria-Lebanon border” (rmks: but unclear on which side of it). 24 October IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Iran claims to have stopped “unnecessary” plans to enrich Uranium beyond 20 percent. (rmks: litmus test will be verification) IRELAND Decommissioned patrol ship EMER auctioned off … Nigerian businessman bought her for 320,000 Euros … further use (pleasure boat or commercial security ship off West Africa) unclear. ITALY Italian navy (SAN MARCO, CIGALA FULGOSI), coast guard, and a merchant vessel have rescued a total of up to 800 migrants from boats found in distress south of Lampedusa. PHILIPPINES Looking for two new frigates the Philippines now reportedly consider also an Indian offer (rmks: still conducting market survey) RUSSIA +++ Yaroslavl shipyard has sent DJUGON class (Project 21820) landing craft DENIS DAVYDOV to the Baltic for final factory and state tests ahead of delivery. +++ After completing a 5-day port visit to Cork (Ireland), Baltic Fleet STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette SOOBRAZITELNIY has arrived at Falmouth (UK) for another visit and replenishment … afterwards head for home base Baltiysk. UNITED KINGDOM “Cougar 13”: Heading for more exercises in the Gulf of Oman, helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, escorted by frigate MONTROSE, has left the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. USA +++ After a seven year-assignment in Sasebo (Japan), dock landing ship TORTUGA has returned to Norfolk (USA) … in Sasebo replaced by sister ship ASHLAND. +++ A gunman (guardsman) opened fire at a US Navy support facility in Millington, near Memphis (Tennessee) … two soldiers non-critically injured before he was taken into custody. VIETNAM Russian Admiralty Shipyard has “successfully completed all tests” for the first Vietnamese KILO-II class submarine … formal delivery “in early November” … boat to be sent on its way to Cam Ranh (Vietnam) “by late Jan 2014”. 25 October SOUTH KOREA (JAPAN) Marking “Dokdo Day”, the South Korean navy and coast guard have begun exercises at disputed with Japan Dokdo/Takeshima islands … scenario sees “foreign soldiers illegally landed at the two islands” … ROK Navy forces include one KDX-I destroyer.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume II, Edition 6 Well, it looks like the bureaucratic dam has burst in DC and the sludge will once again flow from the halls of Congress and the White House, as the shutdown is over. It will be interesting to see the ramifications over the next few weeks. In the meantime, the world’s navies continue to be active. Enjoy! 10 October CHINA Upon completion of port visit to Valparaiso (Chile) destroyer LANZHOU and frigate LIUZHOU conduct “Passex” with Chilean navy frigates LYNCH and CAPITAN PRAT … practicing air defense with targets provided by 5 Chilean navy Pilatus PC-7 aircraft … together with supply ship POYANG HU now head south for Cape Hoorn/Magellan Strait for next port visit at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) PIRACY Somalia Basin: Two skiffs approached a fully laden super tanker (VLCC) in the northern Somalia Basin, 230 nm east of Hobyo (Somalia). When embarked security team fired warning shots, fire was returned before the skiffs backed away … NATO and EU NavFor issued warning to shipping. (rmks: Notice to the Keystone Kops – The cockroach problem isn’t going to take care of itself. You guys (and gals) will have to do some actual policing of the seas) 11 October CHINA Task group with destroyer QINGDAO, frigate LINYI and supply ship HONGZE HU arrives at Auckland (New Zealand) for a scheduled port visit. GUAYANA – VENEZUELA Venezuela's navy detained survey ship TEKNIK PERDANA, operated by US company Anadarko Petroleum … in waters disputed by the neighboring countries … contracted by Guayana to conduct seismic survey … “action by the Venezuelan navy unprecedented in Guyana Venezuela relations". (rmks: It looks like the FNZ is starting to feel its oats and wants to start flexing it’s muscles in the Caribbean) ITALY (MALTA) Another ship carrying refugees and African migrant workers to Italy capsized and sank south of Sicily … leaving some 250 people stranded in the water … Italy and Malta launched major rescue operation but more than 30 feared dead. PIRACY Gulf of Aden: The Iranian navy claims to have foiled another pirate attack, this time on an Iranian LNG tanker south of Al Mukallah (Yemen) … once again, the Iranian navy’s “firepower” (read that embarked armed security team) forced the pirates to flee the scene and the tanker could safely continue its journey. (rmks: No other source have reported any recent incident in the area. Additionally, there has been no alert/warning issued to other shipping; possibly chased away harmless fishermen who came too close for comfort and the Iranian navy at home took the chance to highlight the “important” role of the Iranian navy in safeguarding international sea-lanes far from home) THE KOREAS While trilateral (South Korea, USA and Japan) naval exercises continue in the Japan Sea (conflicting reports, some sources say “west” of Korean peninsula), North Korea has vowed to “bury in the sea” participating US aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON … “if provoked”. (rmks: And if pigs could fly …) USA Due to “uncertainty over the government shutdown” christening ceremony of destroyer DDG-1000 ZUMWALT, supposed to be held on 19 Oct at Bath Iron Works, has been postponed … likely be rescheduled for spring 2014. (rmks: There’s gotta be some other cause than just the gov’t shutdown) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) US Navy Times: US Navy aircraft carrier NIMITZ still patrolling the Red Sea, escorted by cruiser SAN JACINTO and destroyer MASON … while four ships of the Carrier Strike Group (PRINCETON, WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE, STOCKDALE, SHOUP) are headed home, the aircraft carrier’s deployment has been extended “for the foreseeable future”. (rmks: That’s gotta suck. Been there and done that on the NASSAU in 1989) TAIWAN The Ministry of National Defense confirms plans to replace two KNOX class frigates with two PERRY class frigates to be acquired from the US, but denies media reports on planned decommissioning of another four KNOX as "pure speculation and untrue". USA +++ Building dock (at Newport News) for new aircraft carrier GERALD R. FORD flooded and ship floated … now being prepared for christening ceremony scheduled on 09 Nov. +++ In a change-of-command ceremony at Naples (Italy), VAdm Phil Davidson relieves VAdm Frank C. Pandolfe as commander, US 6th Fleet. 12 October CHINA +++ “Mission Harmony 2013”: Hospital ship DAISHANDAO (during mission officially called “Peace Ark”) returns home, ending this year’s deployment … had visited eight Asian countries, treated over 30,000 people, performed almost 300 surgeries. +++ Photos of the stern of a large twin-screw new ship under construction at Hudong shipyard has led to rumors that another YUZHAO class dock landing ship may be built … expert bloggers: “premature speculation, could be an LNG tanker, wait and see”. (rmks: The ChiComs continue their shipbuilding binge) NORTH KOREA Leader Kim Jong-un visits “new warships” … associated photos suggest patrol craft, armed with (at least) modified AK-230 (rotating barrels added) and 14,5mm gatling mount. (rmks: The pigs have gotten made up and dressed-out for another propaganda photo op) PIRACY Keystone Kops Ops (Anti-Piracy Forces update): Indian authorities have detained “security ship” SEAMAN GUARD and her 10 crew and 25 security guards … for failing to produce papers authorizing it to carry weapons and ammunition in Indian waters … owned by private US company AdvanFort … has operated off the southern tip of India to provide embarked security teams to passing merchant vessels. (rmks: Obviously, private companies are now being required to trust in the incompetence of the Keystone Kops to protect them) USA The KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group (KEARSARGE and CARTER HALL, with SAN ANTONIO to rejoin in the Mediterranean, 26th MEU) has left the 5th Fleet area of responsibility after six months in the region … commenced home transit to Norfolk, where KEARSARGE is slated for depot level maintenance period until Apr 2014. 13 October AUSTRALIA Frigate NEWCASTLE returns to Fleet Base East, Sydney … greeted by new Prime Minister Tony Abbott … completed a six-month deployment to the Middle East (national Operation “Slipper”) CHINA (Stick Poking Ops (aka: Territorial Disputes) With Vietnam: China and Vietnam have agreed to set up a working group to jointly explore their disputed waters in the South China Sea … vow to move beyond the territorial row and enhance bilateral ties. (rmks: Chinese prime minister in three-day visit to Hanoi, Vietnam) EGYPT Egypt has stepped up security along the Suez Canal after jihadists threatened attacks along the waterway. ITALY +++ A Libyan oil tanker rescued 174 Syrian migrants in international waters off the Italian coast. +++ Two more migrant boats in distress intercepted off Italy and their some 400 African migrants are taken over by Italian navy/coast guard +++ Italy will triple the number of navy/coast guard vessels deployed in patrols south of Sicily and off the North African coast. NORTH KOREA According to “intelligence reports” North Korea is developing a ballistic anti-ship missile, range 300 km, based on improved version of KN-02 surface-to-surface ballistic missile. (rmks: You have to love dictatorships. They let their people starve, while they try to develop new toys to “conquer the world”) 14 October ITALY Migration: In Operation “Mare Nostrum” the Italian navy is deploying five warships incl. a SAN GIORGIO class dock landing ship (rmks: some sources also speak of LUPO/BERSAGLIERE class frigates), patrol aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs to waters south of Sicily … large-scale high seas patrol mission to also “deter people smugglers” … join six coast guard patrol boats and six border guard patrol boats. MOROCCO After completing a two-year modernization at French Raidco Marine, CORMORAN class patrol vessel EL MAHER has left Lorient to return to Morocco … sister ship EL MAHID still in Lorient … three more units of this class modernized by Raidco between 2005 and 2009. NETHERLANDS “African Winds 13”: Dock landing ship ROTTERDAM set to arrive at Lagos (Nigeria) for a scheduled visit from 15 – 19 Oct … conduct joint trainings with African partners, and also function as a “platform for high level business”. (rmks: national deployment, though partially linked with US Navy’s Africa Partnership Station) PIRACY +++ Somalia Basin: two skiffs “approached” a fishing vessel some 250 nm east of Hobyo. (rmks: possibly same group that had attacked a passing VLCC tanker on 11 Oct) +++ Belgium: Belgium authorities apprehended two leading Somali pirates involved in hijacking of Belgium dredger POMPEI in April 2009… pretended wishing hire them as advisors for a documentary on a notorious Somali pirate, with contracts mandatory to be signed in Brussels … upon arrival at the Brussels airport, they were arrested. +++ France: Three Somali pirates went on trial in France for the 2009 hijacking of French yacht TANIT which resulted in a rescue operation by French commandos and the death of the yacht's skipper. (rmks: It’s likely the poor pirates will be granted French citizenship and sentence to living off the EU dole for the rest of their natural lives) RUSSIA STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette SOOBRAZITELNIY sails from Baltiysk for a scheduled 18 – 23 Oct visit to Cork (Ireland) … participate in international maritime festival … Baltic Fleet orchestra embarked. RUSSIA / SOUTH KOREA Annual bilateral coast guard exercise kicks off in and off Vladivostok … until 18 Oct … South Korean coast guard deploying one of its larger (5,000 ts) rescue/salvage ships. (rmks: Such annual exercises have been held since 2001) SOUTH KOREA At Jinghae, the ROK Navy has taken delivery of its 11th GEOMDOKSURI class missile boat, name given as HONG XI UK. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) Russian Pacific Fleet cruiser VARYAG and tanker BORIS BUTOMA arrive at Salalah (Oman) for a port visit until 19 Oct … afterwards “will proceed to the Gulf of Aden”. (rmks: Anti-piracy operations combined with Syria contingency?) TURKEY In protest at a court ruling against 237 military officers for “plotting to overthrow the government”, a number of high ranking navy/coast guard officers have resigned … among them coast guard commanders VAdm Atilla Kezek and RAdm Sami Orguc. UNITED KINGDOM “Cougar 13”: British papers report major amphibious exercise for RN Response Group Task Force (rmks: incl. helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS and dock landing ship BULWARK), scheduled end of Oct in/off Djibouti, cancelled … “due to soaring cost of fuel for the ships”. (rmks: Currently in the Persian Gulf region) 15 October CANADA Vancouver Shipyards will begin construction of the first Joint Support Ship only in late 2016. (rmks: Whoa! They are actually cutting steel. Simply amazing, at the program is currently eons behind schedule) CHINA Task group with destroyer LANZHOU, frigate LIUZHOU and supply ship POYANG HU passes the Magellan Strait enroute from Valparaiso (Chile) to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). FRANCE +++ French navy supply ship MEUSE to be withdrawn from service in 2014. +++ Second FREMM type frigate, NORMANDIE, scheduled to sail from Lorient “this week” to begin her first sea trials INDIA +++ The Indian navy commissioned its second SARYU class offshore patrol vessel, SUNAYNA (P-57). +++ The Defense Ministry has - finally - decided to award a US$1.2B contract to South Korean Kangnam for eight mine-countermeasure vessels … first two boats will be constructed at Pusan (South Korea), the remaining six will be built at the Goa Shipyard through technology transfers … more orders likely as the Indian navy has identified a requirement of up to 24 new MCM vessels. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) New round of 5+1 talks has begun in Geneva … to create an “atmosphere of mutual trust” Iran reportedly prepared to “temporarily suspend enriching Uranium beyond 20 percent if sanctions are lifted“. (rmks: When we are talking about Iran and negotiations, why do I keep remembering Munich in 1936? Man that is strange. Does that happen to anyone else?) ITALY An Italian navy frigate and a patrol boat brought some 290 people, mostly Syrians, Somalis and Eritreans, to Lampedusa after two migrant vessels used satellite phones to dial for help. A Panamanian merchant vessel later picked up about another 80 people adrift on a large raft off Libya and took them to Sicily. MALAYSIA In order to boost asymmetrical warfare capabilities the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is seeking funding to replace older fast attack craft. PHILIPPINES The Philippine navy has sent 13 vessels to Central Visayas to help in relief operations after the magnitude-7.2 earthquake … include amphibious vessel TAGBANUA, one patrol ship, two logistic ships and a number of smaller patrol boats. PIRACY +++ Keystone Kops Ops (Anti-Piracy Forces update) Japan: The Japanese government is considering legislation that would allow armed security guards to be stationed on board Japanese-registered cargo ships (off Somalia), as part of anti-piracy measures. +++ South-East Asia: A Thai-flagged oil tanker, hijacked on 13 Oct while enroute Vietnam, has been released … cargo stolen, crew unharmed. RUSSIA French STX shipyard at St. Nazaire floated out the first of two MISTRAL class helicopter carriers being built for the Russian navy. VLADIVOSTOK to start sea trials in March … afterwards will be handed over unarmed to be fitted with Russian-made weapons systems at St: Petersburg … scheduled to be commissioned with the Pacific Fleet in Nov 2014. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) The Syrian Coalition and the General Staff of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) pledge cooperation with the OPCW experts … seen as first step towards local ceasefires required for OPCW to work in safety. (rmks: Major parts of the opposition not controlled by these moderate forces) THAILAND The Thai navy plans to complete the construction of a submarine squadron headquarters and training center at the Sattahip naval base in March next year, then look for “at least three submarines” as part of its next 10-year procurement plan. UNITED KINGDOM “Cash-strapped” MoD has formally launched a search for buyers for helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS which is scheduled to retire in late 2014 … preferring to have the “Pride of the Royal Navy” preserved as museum ship. USA The “21st International Seapower Symposium“, scheduled for Oct. 22-25 in Newport (Rhode Island), has been cancelled as a result of the government shutdown. (rmks: It will be interesting to see if it get reslated anytime soon) VENEZUELA – GUAYANA Update: Ahead of bilateral talks planned on 17 Oct to resolve the issue, Venezuela already released US-operated survey vessel TEKNIK PERDANA, seized on 10 Oct during exploration work in disputed waters. 16 October AUSTRALIA Defense Minister David Johnston: “Evolved” COLLINS Class submarine leading option for Australia's next generation of submarines. CHINA +++ Photos published on the official website of the Chinese navy suggest East Sea Fleet H-6G bombers (derivate of Soviet Badger) conducted a mining exercise in Western Pacific in September, nine-days after two such bombers were detected by the Japanese in the airspace over international waters between the island of Okinawa and Miyako. +++ Task group with destroyer QINGDAO, frigate LINYI and supply ship HONGZE HU completes four-day visit to Auckland (New Zealand) and commences home transit. FRANCE Aircraft carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE sails from Toulon for pilot training / carrier qualification. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) 5+1 talks (aka Munich 2013): Media reports indicate Iran has offered a three stage plan that includes snap inspections of nuclear facilities and an agreement to limit uranium enrichment in return for an easing of sanctions … agreed on next round of talks on 7 / 8 Nov. (rmks: Iranian tactics: offer small compromises in return for major concessions, which is a standard in Middle East politics) ITALY +++ The Italian authorities have intercepted what they are calling a "migrant mother ship" in international waters … used to tow smaller boats full of migrants closer to Italy. +++ The governor of Sicily has declared a state of emergency because of the vast number of migrants arriving on the island. +++ (With the US Navy) US Navy dock landing ship SAN ANTONIO helping in the rescue of 128 migrants spotted on a dinghy in rough seas 70 nm south of Malta. MALAYSIA Malaysia will create a Marine Corps … to conduct amphibious operations … consist of naval, ground and air forces … based in Sabah state at the South China Sea with new base to be established in Bintulu. RUSSIA Northern Fleet coastal defense forces “recently” completed live missile firing exercises … launched a total of seven coast-to-ship missiles from shores of Rybachiy and Sredniy peninsula where they had been deployed some six weeks … afterwards missile batteries, personnel and equipment picked up and returned to garrison by landing ship ALEXANDER OTRAKOVSKIY SOUTH KOREA The ROK Navy has requested three more KDX-III Aegis destroyers … Joint Chiefs of Staff will discuss requirement early next month … if the plan gets the go ahead, the ships will be built between 2020 and 2025. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Italian navy destroyer ANDREA DORIA, since mid-Sep deployed to the EastMed for Syria contingency, now has joined UNIFIL Maritime Task Force off Lebanon. (rmks: Kills two birds with one stone; stay in the region and at the same time contribute to another international mission) +++ Russian Baltic Fleet frigate NEUSTRASHIMIY returns to home base Baltiysk, completing her six-month deployment which in recent months saw her operating in EastMed with the Russian MedSqn. +++ Nearly 70 rebel groups in southern Syria announced they would no longer recognize the Western-backed Syrian National Council. +++ OPCW inspectors have verified 11 (out of 20 formally declared) Syrian chemical weapons sites and destroyed key equipment in 6 of them. (rmks: Interesting numbers: previous reports indicated a total of some 45 chemical weapons - related - sites in Syria) UKRAINE Defense Minister Pavel Lebedev: First Project 58250 corvette scheduled to enter service in 2017 … current ten-year (2011-2021) plan provides funding for four ships of this class. USA +++ Congress approved legislation to end government shutdown and raise the federal debt limit … albeit only for a few months. (rmks: When we will again, begin arguing about AGAIN raising the debt limit) +++ During a change-of-command ceremony at a Pearl Harbor, Adm Harry Harris took command of the US Pacific Fleet from Adm Cecil Haney, who is leaving to lead US Strategic Command.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume II, Edition 5 Back from vacation, with my family in Tennessee and Kentucky. Even with the government shutdown there has been a whole lot of activity with the world’s major (and minor) naval forces. Enjoy! 03 October CHINA “Harmonious Mission 13”: On return transit from final mission stop at Cambodia, hospital ship DAISHANDAO has been diverted to the South China Sea’s Paracel Archipelago (Xisha islands) … assist in search & rescue operation for a larger number of Vietnamese and Chinese fishermen missing after typhoon Wutip (30 Sep). South Sea Fleet dispatched three more warships and helicopters. USA In another successful BMD test, cruiser LAKE ERIE intercepted a medium-range ballistic target missile in space over the Pacific Ocean … using new interceptor SM-3 Block 1B, currently still under development but after this latest test now ready to “go into production if and when the government gives the word” … scheduled to be deployed by the US Navy in 2015. (rmks: It looks like another Tom Clancy concept is coming to fruition) 04 October BRUNEI Photo shows a fourth PV 80 DARUSSALAM class offshore patrol vessel in advanced stage of fitting-out at the German Lürssen facility in Lemwerder (Bremen) … hull number 09 (no nameplate yet) INDONESIA The Indonesian MoD has taken delivery of its first CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft from domestic PT Dirgantara Indonesia. NEW ZEALAND As part of its ANZAC Frigate Systems Upgrade, New Zealand has decided acquisition of MBDA’s new SeaCeptor air defense missile system (with CAMM - Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) … currently developed for the British Royal Navy (Type 23, Type 26) to be fielded in 2016. RUSSIA +++ After Russian prosecutor charged 30 Greenpeace activists (arrested when trying to board a Gazprom drilling platform in Arctic Pechora Sea) with “piracy,” the Netherlands government has decided to take legal action, beginning an “arbitration procedure on the basis of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea”. (rmks: Greenpeace ship ARCTIC SUNRISE, impounded in Murmansk, sails under Netherlands flag) +++ The Northern Fleet has conducted live anti-ship missile firing exercise in the central Barents Sea … over distances from 60 to 400 km … involving OSCAR-II submarines OREL and VORONEZH as well as missile cruiser PETR VELIKIY (firing SS-N-19), SOVREMENNIY destroyer ADMIRAL USHAKOV (SS-N-22), NANUCHKA corvettes AJSBERG and RASSVET (SS-N-9) and Redut coastal defense system. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Russian Black Sea Fleet destroyer SMETLIVIY temporarily split from the “Mediterranean Squadron” and went to Corfu (Greek) to attend the “Russian Week” (until 07 Oct). +++ French navy destroyer CHEVALIER PAUL has left her patrol station in the EastMed off Syria for a three-day port visit to Marmaris (Turkey) +++ Russian navy landing ships MINSK (Baltic Fleet) and NOVOCHERKASSK (Black Sea Fleet) have left the Mediterranean, passing the Turkish Straits towards the Black Sea. 05 October IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) US president Obama: US intelligence believes Iran is “a year or a more away from being able to produce a nuclear weapon” … estimate “more conservative than that of Israeli intelligence.” (rmks: This estimate should largely service to allow for sufficient time to negotiate with new Iranian president Rouhani; Israel most probably does not share this view) SOMALIA (USA) A US Navy SEAL team in a pre-dawn mission “from the sea” attacked a seaside villa in Baraawe (southern Somalia) known as a gathering point for al-Shabaab militants … targeting a senior al-Shabaab leader … some sources say attack had to be aborted as SEALs came under heavy fire … al-Shabaab for its part claimed the attack was carried out by British and Turkish special forces – and had failed. (rmks: Response to recent Nairobi terror attack) 06 October IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head Ali Akbar Salehi called on security forces to be watchful of possible terrorist attacks on nuclear centres … several acts of sabotage already defused and a number of spies arrested recently. NORWAY Norwegian paper reports the navy has “permanently berthed” frigate OTTO SVERDRUP as a spare parts hulk for her four sister ships … spare parts agreement was never put in place with their Spanish builder, Navantia, and the price of spare parts with local supplier, Bergen Group, are proving too costly. … MoD: “no comment”. PIRACY Gulf of Aden: The Iranian navy claims to have thwarted two successive attacks by first one, then eight skiffs on an Iranian tanker being escorted through the Gulf of Aden … “heavy firepower” forced the pirates to flee. (rmks: Go figure, it’s the mullahs who FINALLY do something right, in the war on piracy. Goes to show you that a broken clock really does tell the correct time once per day) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ UN chemical weapons inspectors have official begun destroying the Syrian stockpile … working to “render useless” a first production facility. +++ US DoD reportedly prepared to offer deployment of a mobile Field Deployable Hydrolysis System … to be set up outside Syria to neutralize large quantities of chemicals transported out of the country. +++ Rumor originating in Lebanon alleges Syrian President Assad transferred significant amounts of weaponry to Lebanese Hezbollah, including the missiles capable of carrying chemical warheads … the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps supervised the transfer of the weapons and helped build and design the launching pads in Lebanon. (rmks: There will be more such reports with a major part of them, however, deliberate disinformation). USA SecDef Hagel is recalling all naval shipyard employees who were placed on furlough … although the government shutdown continues, they shall return to their normal worksites. 07 October ITALY Civilian ships rescue 363 Syrian refugees underway in an overcrowded boat in the central Mediterranean … all brought to Sicily. PAKISTAN – LIBYA New Pakistani frigate ASLAT (F22P) arrives in Tripoli (Libya) on a four-day visit to boost naval ties and bilateral cooperation between Libya and Pakistan. PIRACY Spain: Six Somalis have gone on trial in Spain with the prosecutor seeking a 23-year sentence for each defendant … had been apprehended in Jan 2012, when trying to hijack Spanish navy supply ship PATINO (EU NavFor), mistaking it for a commercial freighter … now claim they are fishermen and had approached the ship for help. (rmks: They will likely get off and then be granted EU citizenship, where they can then live on the public dole) RUSSIA “Dissatisfied with progress of work” at Northeastern Vilyuchinsk repair center, defence minister Shoigu ordered Pacific fleet submarines to be repaired / upgraded at other shipyards … Pacific-based AKULA class submarines BRATSK and SAMARA to transfer to Zvezdochka (Severodvinsk) in Jul rspv. Aug 2014 via Northern Sea Route. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Russian Baltic Fleet landing ship ALEXANDER SHABALIN returns to the Mediterranean, passing the Turkish Straits after spending a few days in the Black Sea. (rmks: Last reported in southbound transit on 29 Sep, with return to Black Sea not covered by open sources; looks like they are shuttling cargo) +++ Russian Black Sea Fleet destroyer SMETLIVIY and support ship KASHTAN KIL-158 have ended their visit to Corfu (Greece). +++ Pacific Fleet destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, former part of Russian Mediterranean Squadron, confirmed to have left Mediterranean … begins four-day (until 11 Oct) visit to Egyptian Red Sea port of Bur Safajah. TAIWAN The Ministry of National Defence released its biennial defense White Paper … emphasizing "China's continued failure to renounce the use of force against the island" and warning of Beijing's "increasing military threat" … Chinese invasion “possible by 2020”. THE KOREAS With trilateral ROK-US-JAP naval exercises set to kick off (08 – 10 Oct), North Korea has begun its usual loud propaganda … “will carry out pre-emptive strikes to counter military provocations by South Korea and the United States” … exercise participants include US Navy GEORGE WASHINGTON Carrier Strike Group and ROK Navy and Japanese navy Aegis-destroyers … focus on maritime maneuvering, and search and rescue operations. UNITED KINGDOM +++“Cougar 13”: Amphibious support ship CARDIGAN BAY and repair ship DILIGENCE have arrived in the Persian Gulf … for several-day MCM exercises with four Bahrain-based British mine hunters together with US Navy afloat base PONCE and Sea Dragon MCM helicopters … clear a channel for cargo vessels … frigate MONTROSE, two US Navy destroyers and US Navy riverine forces provide protection against “enemy forces”. +++ Multinational joint (tri-service) exercise “Joint Warrior 13.2” begins off Scotland … until 17 Oct … 15 warships (UK, Denmark, France, Norway) and some 40 aircraft … one focus on British – French cooperation (part of joint training under the Treaty of Lancaster House, signed in 2010). USA With regards to government shutdown Fleet Forces commander, Adm Gortney, directed that the Fleet will limit activities to only those that are absolutely necessary to safely accomplish currently assigned excepted missions … “avoid or delay expenditures unless it is absolutely necessary. This is not business as usual." 08 October CHINA Huangpu shipyard finally launched its 9th JIANGKAI-II class frigate … floated without ceremony. (rmks: Launch had been widely expected already on 01 Oct; photo does not show hull number yet). ISRAEL Update: The Israel air force-operated drone which crashed into the Mediterranean Sea just off the Israeli coast was not a Heron (as some media had initially reported) but a Hermes 450 … cause of accident still unknown but early assessments point to engine failure. RUSSIA Due to „insufficient budget“ (for fuel), the Russian armed forces may have to curtail number or scale of exercises scheduled in 2014 … also reduce flying hours for pilots by 20 percent. UNITED KINGDOM In two separate incidents just days apart, frigate LANCASTER, currently deployed in the Caribbean, intercepted drug runners and seized 400kg of cocaine and almost 1.2 tons of marijuana with a total street value of nearly 70 million Euros. USA The National Science Foundation has cancelled the entire US Antarctic research program for this year because of the ongoing government shutdown. Scientists and contractors already stationed at the three US science bases on Antarctica will be sent home with only a small staff left behind to maintain the structures and equipment. 09 October AUSTRALIA The MU90 lightweight torpedo has entered active service with the Australian navy, having achieved Operational Release Status after a recent final test firing. BRUNEI According to the “Brunei Times”, the fourth PV 80 DARUSSALAM class offshore patrol vessel currently under construction at German Luerssen shipyard (hull number 09) “during a christening ceremony in August has been named DARUTTAQWA”. CHINA (Territorial Disputes) +++ General: During the 16th ASEAN – JAPAN summit, leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations vowed to advance negotiations with China on a “legally binding code of conduct,” aimed at reducing territorial and maritime conflicts in the South China Sea. (rmks: And they actually think the ChiComms will abide by it) +++ With Japan: Japan is “ready to improve ties with China through dialogue, while at the same time checking it on its behavior in regional waters by referring to attempts to change the status quo by force”. (rmks: Dittos) EGYPT +++ The US government has decided to curtail cash assistance and military aid to Egypt and withhold deliveries of heavy weapons such as tanks or combat aircraft … until "credible progress is made toward an inclusive government set up through free and fair elections” … continue providing arms and systems relevant to combatting terrorism. (rmks: Annual aid has amounted to US$1.5B; unclear whether deliveries of AMBASSADOR class missile boats will be affected) +++ Update: US officials: US military aid withheld includes Harpoon anti-ship missiles. FRANCE +++ MoD: France “needs 11 new multi-mission frigates”, but will not exclude substituting then last three FREMM with a “future frigate intermediate size” (FTI), a smaller, less expensive “new generation” ship which also would stand good chances on the export market … decision, however, not due before 2016. +++ DCNS has begun looking for a prospective buyer for offshore patrol vessel L’ADROIT after leasing contract with the French navy expires in early 2015. NORWAY Update: The Norwegian Navy has denied local media reports claiming that its NANSEN class frigates are subject to “extensive cannibalization”. PHILIPPINES (JAPAN) Japanese Prime Minister Abe confirmed plans to support the Philippine coast guard … process under way toward „swiftly providing” 10 patrol vessels to the PCG as announced in July this year. PIRACY Keystone Kops Ops (Anti-Piracy Forces Update): Danish multi-purpose ship ESBERN SNARE has arrived in the Southern Red Sea, joining NATO’s SNMG-1 in operation “Ocean Shield” RUSSIA Russian investigators claim to have found hard drugs (raw opium, morphine) on board Greenpeace ship ARCTIC SUNRISE seized during a protest in the Arctic last month (with its 30 crewmembers arrested) and will expand charges accordingly. Greenpeace statement: "We can only assume they are referring to the medical supplies that our ships are obliged to carry under maritime law.” SAUDI ARABIA Contracts for modernization/life time extension (until 2025) of four MADINA class frigates and two BORAIDA class supply ships formalized … main contractor French DCNS, with all works conducted at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) … work to start in 2014 and completed by 2019 … additional similar contract expected for modernization of also the three RIYADH class frigates. SOUTH AFRICA VALOUR class frigate SPIOENKOP has begun a two-month voyage to West Africa … will attend a “sea show” in Senegal and visit some African countries to strengthen relations … return home by end-November. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) Chemical weapons inspectors thus far have identified 20 sites in Syria to inspect for chemical weapons stocks and precursor materials, but the ability of the teams to reach the sites is dependent on proper security … “require some temporary cease-fires to permit work in a permissive environment”. UNITED KINGDOM +++ TYPE 23 frigate KENT returns to home base Portsmouth, completing a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. +++ The Royal Navy's former ice patrol ship ENDURANCE is to be scrapped after the MoD decided the cost of repairing the vessel, which flooded off the coast of Chile in 2008, was too great. (rmks: Was to be expected after purchase of previously leased PROTECTOR). +++ Decommissioned TYPE 22 frigate CHATHAM has begun her final voyage, sailing from Portsmouth for a Turkish scrapyard … sister ships CAMPBELTOWN and CUMBERLAND to follow this week, CORNWALL at a later date. USA Huntington Ingalls has started fabrication of the sixth LEGEND class National Security Cutter for the US Coast Guard … to be named MUNRO (WMSL 755). 10 October ALGERIA Italian navy website gives name of dock landing ship (Debarquement de Batiment et de Soutien Logistics - BDSL) currently being built by Italian Fincantieri as KALAAT BENI-ABBES. First contingent (101) of future crew arrived in Italy in late Sep for initial training. AUSTRALIA Helicopter carrier CANBERRA set to begin in-port trials (vehicle loading/offloading tests) this week … first sea trials to start in Dec with delivery (originally scheduled in late Feb) now slated for May 2014 … sister ship ADELAIDE to depart Spanish Navantia shipyard loaded onto heavy lift ship BLUE MARLIN in Dec … arrive by early Feb in Williamstown, Australia, for completion and outfitting. NATO While some Russian media still report (all) “six ships” of NATO’s SNMCMG-1 in a port visit to St. Petersburg, actually only four vessels have been allowed berthing there (“four foreign warships permitted at one time”). The remainder two (NDL, BEL) said “to arrive later” … for the time being may have been diverted to another (non-Russian) port in the region. PIRACY Keystone Kops Ops (Anti-Piracy Forces Update): Ukrainian frigate HETMAN SAGAYDACHNIY has arrived in the Gulf of Aden and joined NATO operation “Ocean Shield”. RUSSIA +++ After successfully completing all factory tests (incl. live weapons firing), YASEN class submarine (SSN) SEVERODVINSK “soon” (no date given) will begin state testing which should be completed by year-end … Russian media continue to doubt “delivery this year”. +++ LtGen Oleg Makarevich appointed as new Chief of Staff of the Eastern Military District, replacing VAdm Viktor Mardusin. SOUTH KOREA (multinational) Two days delayed by a typhoon, the ROK Navy, the US Navy and the Japanese navy have begun a “search & rescue exercise” (annual event “for humanitarian, not military purposes”) … east of the Korean peninsula … participants include Korean and Japanese Aegis destroyers and US Navy aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON. (rmks: certainly not the type of ships one would expect to conduct a search & rescue exercise) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ A second team of chemical weapons experts has arrived in Damascus while the first team has completed visits to three of Syria's 45 chemical weapons sites. +++ Russian Baltic Fleet frigate NEUSTRASHIMIY has completed operations with the Russian “MedSqn” and commenced home transit … arrive at Baltiysk by 20 Oct. (rmks: has been deployed since March)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume II, Edition 4 It’s been a very interesting week in naval news. FYI - I am travelling next week on family business, so the next update will be week after next! Enjoy! 17 September KUWAIT US Marine, Inc. (USMI) and Trinity Yachts Offshore have completed the last of the 10 Mk V patrol boats ordered by Kuwait. 18 September BRAZIL Submarine TAPAJO has returned to Rio de Janeiro, completing a seven-month deployment to the US east coast where is had conducted a number of training exercises with the US Navy. VENEZUELA – NETHERLANDS Venezuelan coast guard vessels GUAICAMACUTO and SERRETA arrive at Willemstad (Curacao, Netherlands) for a visit and annual bilateral exercise “Eyes Open” with Netherlands coast guard vessel PANTHER … until 20 Sep … both sides also employed helicopters. 19 September INDIA A Western Fleet four-ship task group with destroyer MYSORE (Commander Western Fleet embarked), frigates TARKASH and TABAR, and supply ship ADITYA arrives at Muscat (Oman) for a scheduled visit and subsequent training (“Passex”) with the Omani navy … part of a month-long deployment to enhance bilateral ties and participate in naval exercises with navies in the Gulf region. (rmks: Before had visited Kuwait and the UAE) RUSSIA Russian border guards boarded Greenpeace vessel ARCTIC SUNRISE and arrested a number of activists … after attempts to scale a Gazprom drilling platform in Arctic Pechora Sea. (rmks: Lessons Learned - The Russkies don’t play by the same rules as the rest of society. You hippies are lucky you didn’t become polar bear food) 20 September ESTONIA The Estonian navy reportedly interested in acquiring Finnish mine layer POHJANMAA, scheduled for decommissioning in 2015. RUSSIA Northern Fleet task force with missile cruises PETR VELIKIY has concluded operations near Arctic New Siberian Islands and commenced return transit to the Barents Sea. (rmks: Probably will join upcoming Northern Fleet exercises) UNITED KINGDOM Third ASTUTE class submarine, ARTFUL, is christened at BAe Systems facility in Barrow-in-Furness … will be rolled out of building hall in early 2014 to start sea trials in 2015. USA – CUBA USA and Cuba have reached a rare preliminary agreement on working together more closely in the field of air and maritime rescue … provisional agreement which must now be approved by the governments. 21 September AUSTRALIA (RUSSIA) Remark made by Australian navy commander VAdm Griggs seems to indicate that there is still no official word whether Russia will withdraw cruiser VARYAG and two support ships from upcoming (04 Oct) International Fleet Review at Sydney. CHINA Aircraft carrier LIAONING has returned to Qingdao, completing several-week trials and training phase with more than 100 aircraft sorties flown. INDIA Update: More than a month after sinking from a series of onboard explosions, submarine SINDHURAKSHAK still bottomed pier-side … probe into the incident nowhere near concluding … still only 11 of 18 bodies recovered. PIRACY Keystone Kops Antics (Anti-Piracy Forces update): Danish navy multi-purpose ship ESBERN SNARE sails from Frederikshavn for the Horn of Africa … to join NATO SNMG-1 in operation “Ocean Shield”. RUSSIA +++ Aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV has sailed from Severomorsk for the Barents Sea … participate in five-day large scale exercises. +++ Northern Fleet has begun “large-scale” exercises … until 25 Sep … involve 30 warships / auxiliary vessels, coastal defense forces and airborne forces … engage approaching enemy force (ASW, ASUW, Air Defence), conduct coastal defense/amphibious exercises. Participants include aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV and (returning from Arctic deployment) PETR VELIKIY task force … ships operating in five groups from Barents Sea to Kara Sea … exercise to culminate in live firing and major coastal defense operation (repel amphibious assault) with Northern Fleet coastal defense forces and airborne forces. 22 September AUSTRALIA Frigate MELBOURNE sails from Fremantle on a six-month deployment to the Middle East / Persian Gulf region to relieve sister ship NEWCASTLE in national maritime security operation “Slipper”. (rmks: Cooperate with/join multinational CTF-150, also temporarily conduct anti-piracy operations with CTF-151) CHINA +++ Chinese air force begins annual large scale exercise “Mission Action 2013” … involving various aircraft including fighters, bombers, reconnaissance and transports with a total of more than 10,000 personnel … some serials to be conducted in cooperation with naval aviation and naval ships. +++ Development design phase of a new “fourth generation” nuclear attack submarine to be armed with torpedoes and land-attack capable missiles reportedly “completed” but no schedule yet for construction or possible in-service dates. (rmks: Project 095 TANG class?) IRAN Large parades displaying all kind of military hardware in Tehran and across the country marked the start of the “Week of Sacred Defense” (commemorating Iranians' sacrifices during the 8-year war with Iraq in 1980s). USA A MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter assigned to destroyer WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (rmks: belongs to NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group) has crashed into the central Red Sea during routine flight operations … three of five people on board found and “stable”, two missing … cause unknown yet, but not due to “hostile activity”. (rmks: Which probably will feature coastal defense /amphibious operations). 23 September ANTARCTIC Antarctic sea ice has grown to a record large extent for a second straight year, baffling scientists seeking to understand why this ice is expanding rather than shrinking in a warming world…. increasing ice is especially perplexing since the water beneath the ice has warmed, not cooled. (rmks: Silly scientists … global warming is a myth) FRANCE Regular quarterly force-level training “Gabian” started off Toulon in the Mediterranean … until 26 Sep … focus on traditional warfare areas (ASW, AAE, ASUM, MCM) … participants include JEAN BART (OTC), CASSARD, FORBIN, GUEPRATTE, LA FAYETTE, JEAN DE VIENNE, JACOUBET, CDT BIROT, MISTRAL, CAPRICORNE, VAR. INDIA Aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over the first domestically-built Hawk Mk 132 jet trainer to the Indian Navy … four more to follow “soon” … total of 17 ordered by the navy (with another 40 for the air force) … primarily used for pilot-training but also may be employed in ground attack or air defense role. NORWAY Kongsberg Defence Systems has signed a contract for supply of the MineSniper Mk III One Shot Mine Disposal Weapon System to the Norwegian navy. POLAND At Gdynia, contracts formally signed for construction of a first Project Kormoran II mine hunter (with option for a second) … delivery in 2016 … and the completion of corvette SLAZAK (Project Gawron) in a “simplified” (less expensive) variant as “patrol ship with minimal weaponry and equipment”. RUSSIA +++ Update: Russian border guards have seized Greenpeace ship ARCTIC SUNRISE, towing her to Murmansk. +++ Starting next year, the Russian navy will receive new Shtil advanced vertical-launch modular air-defense systems … modules to hold 12 missiles, firing rate 2 per second … destined for new Project 11356 ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH class frigates currently under construction and scheduled to enter service from 2016. RUSSIA – BELARUS Second stage of ongoing bilateral exercise “Zapad 13” focus on “freeing communities from armed terrorists” … training areas near Kaliningrad … activities involved Baltic Fleet corvettes STEREGUSHCHIY and SOOBRAZITELNIY “destroying” (SS-N-25 missiles, guns) terrorist ships trying to land at the coast. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) Assad reportedly “prepared to grant UN inspectors access” to chemical weapons stockpiles. TAIWAN The first of a batch of former US Navy P-3C Orion marine patrol aircraft purchased from the US is set to arrive in the country. (rmks: Well now, this is an interesting development) USA The Pentagon is bracing for a government-wide shutdown that would potentially force troops to work without a paycheck and send thousands of civilians home … shutdown automatically on 01 Oct (first day of fiscal year 2014), unless lawmakers agree to a budget or a continuing resolution that would allow the military to carry on under the same spending levels as fiscal year 2013. 24 September CHINA “Harmonious Mission 2013”: Hospital ship DAISHANDAO (during mission officially called “Peace Ark”) arrives at the Sihanoukville (Cambodia) for a scheduled week-long visit which includes providing medical services to local residents. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Iranian President Rouhani in his address to the UN General Assembly signals a more moderate course in resolving the nuclear issue … prepared to engage immediately in “time-bound and result-oriented” talks about the nuclear program under certain conditions”… declines, however, a face-to-face meeting with US President Obama (due to “domestic reasons”). JAPAN On the homebound leg of their circumnavigation, the Japanese training squadron (KASHIMA, SHIRAYUKI, ISOYUKI) arrive at Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a scheduled “goodwill visit” until 26 Sep. PIRACY Keystone Kops Antics (aka: Anti-Piracy Update): Ukrainian frigate HETMAN SAGAYDACHNIY sails from Sevastopol for the Gulf of Aden … until Feb 2014, integrate in NATO SNMG-1 for operation “Ocean Shield”, afterwards join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” for another couple of months. RUSSIA +++ Update: Russian prosecutors accuse Greenpeace activists who were arrested when trying to board a Gazprom oil rig in the Pechora Sea of “piracy”. Greenpeace ship ARCTIC SUNRISE meanwhile has arrived in a fjord near Murmansk, accompanied by a tug and Russian border guard vessel LADOGA. (rmks: That charge is rather appropriate) +++ Caspian Flotilla and Pacific Fleet begin command and staff exercises with groups of forces (troops) … until 28 Sep. +++ Now it’s official: The Russian navy formally has cancelled participation (cruiser VARYAG and two support vessels) in upcoming Australian navy’s International Fleet Review. (rmks: That’ll suck for Aussie/Russkie relations) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) Russian Pacific Fleet destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV reportedly left the Mediterranean, passed the Suez Canal for the Red Sea to “monitor” movements of US Navy NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group. Tanker PECHENGA set to follow after replenishing ships of the MedSqn. USA +++ Northrop Grumman is in discussions with the US Navy to continue flight testing of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System - Demonstration (UCAS-D) … planned flight testing had been completed in July after the “demonstrator” aircraft had fulfilled all required missions. +++ Fleet Forces Commander, Adm Gortney: Current deployment lengths of 8-10 months are not sustainable … create problems with maintenance cycles as well as personnel. VIETNAM +++ Russian Zelenodolsk shipyard starts construction of second pair of GEPARD class corvettes for the Vietnamese navy … unlike the first two, the new ships will feature antisubmarine weapons and an “advanced propulsion system”. +++ With China “nibbling” at its maritime borders in the South China Sea, Vietnam seeks enhanced military cooperation with India. 25 September JAPAN The MoD is set to move forward with its purchases of MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft … widely seen as the best way of rapidly transporting troops to potential hot spots. NATO NATO Response Force (NRF) begins maritime exercise “Brilliant Mariner” in the Mediterranean Sea (Tyrrhenian Sea between Sicily and Sardinia) …until 06 Oct … directed from NATO’s Maritime Command at Northwood (UK) … “realistic and demanding scenario, presenting a number of challenges including, asymmetric or terrorist threats, maritime security operations and embargo operations” … over 5,000 military and naval personnel from 10 NATO nations (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, UK and US) … involve a total of 25 warships, including one aircraft carrier, 12 frigates, one auxiliary ships, and 7 mine counter measure vessels. Two submarines and a range of maritime Patrol aircraft will also take part. PERU South Korean STX Offshore Shipbuilding has won the tender for construction of five 500-t patrol vessels for the Peruvian navy … with an option for another five … to be built by Peruvian SIMA under technology transfer agreement … construction to start in Jan 2014 with the first two ships to be delivered in mid-2015 … some data: 54,5 x 8.5 m, 2 Caterpillar 3516C HD diesel, 23 knots, range 3,600 nm at 14 knots, 25 crew, 1-30mm, 2-12.7mm. PHILIPPINES The US have handed over six small riverine patrol craft to the Philippine navy … for counter-terrorism operations. RUSSIA Deployment of Black Sea Fleet landing ship YAMAL to Greece for participation in several anniversary celebrations (such as Battle of Navarino) cancelled due to “other operational requirements” … instead, buoy tender KASHTAN KIL-158 will take over the program, which includes visits to the islands of Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, as well as the ports of Pylos, Patras and Piraeus … scheduled to leave Sevastopol on 29 Sep. (rmks: Fall-out from high optempo?) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Russian Black Sea Fleet landing ship NIKOLAJ FILCHENKOV expected to berth at Syrian port Latakia (rmks: not Tartus) … deliver “special cargo”. (rmks: Probably carrying a load of arms / military cargo) +++ UN chemical weapons inspectors return to Syria for more investigation into alleged chemical weapons use. (rmks: Visit not related to announced disbanding of chemical weapons) +++ A UN Security Council resolution on eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons reportedly will include a “reference to” Chapter 7, though noncompliance by Syria would not automatically trigger the use of force. +++ Syrian opposition increasingly fragmented … fighting groups do not and will not follow the direction of outsiders and can get arms and ammunition without them …. become more Islamic and anti-Western. +++ Russian landing ships ADMIRAL NEVELSKOJ and PERESVET pass the Turkish Straits towards the Mediterranean (join MedSqn) … after only a few days at Novorossiysk. (rmks: Originally said to conduct a several-week maintenance period at Novorossiysk) +++ Russian Pacific Fleet VARYAG task group reportedly “passing the South China Sea” enroute the Gulf of Aden. USA Japan-based amphibious assault ship BONHOMME RICHARD at Okinawa offloaded Marines from the 31st MEU after conducting joint-force operations (summer patrol) in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. 26 September FRANCE Piriou in Concarneau launches 44-m training vessel ALMAK … will enter service in Oct to be employed in training of foreign naval officers/cadets (initially from Kuwait) under the French navy’s CENOE (Course of the Naval Academy for Foreign Officers) program. INDIA At Cochin India’s first naval and shipbuilding exhibition NAMEXPO-2013 has opened … hoped to eventually develop into the “largest defense exhibition in the country” … this year, Russia only foreign exhibitor “at state level”. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) +++ First (after 34 years) face-to-face meeting of US and Iranian foreign minister at the UN General Assembly sidelines… reportedly agreed trying to fast-track nuclear negotiations to within a year … new round of 5+1 nuclear talks to be held in mid-Oct. +++ Both the US Navy’s NIMITZ and HARRY S. TRUMAN Carrier Strike Groups pictured together in the Arabian Sea in “mission hand-over”. (rmks: NIMITZ now probably set to return home) NEW ZEALAND The MoD began negotiations with Norwegian Kongsberg to buy air-launched anti-ship missiles Penguin Mk 2 mod 7 stockpiled in Australia … intended to be carried by SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters, which Australia has foregone (and consequently also does not require the missiles anymore) RUSSIA Nizhniy Novgorod shipyard launches the second of 16 new Project 23040 (FLAMINGO class derivate) inshore support craft … associated photo shows hull number RVK-762. RUSSIA Northern Fleet destroyer VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV after her cruise to the Caribbean has arrived in the Barents Sea … conducts exercises (before returning to home port). (rmks: Thus far no official word at all on rumored major technical breakdown) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) The five UNSC permanent members have agreed on a draft resolution … reportedly does not include any “Chapter 7 option”. TAIWAN In the first such live firing test in six years, ROCN destroyer MAKUNG (KIDD class) launched a Standard Missile SM-2 air-defense missile, successfully intercepting a target drone. UNITED KINGDOM During a ceremony at the Portsmouth Naval Base the Royal Navy commissioned the sixth and last of its TYPE 45 destroyers, DUNCAN, into service. USA Notwithstanding budget woes the US Coast Guard has received approval to move forward on the production schedule for SENTINEL class fast response cutters (FRC) … Bollinger contracted with building six more … seven delivered thus far with a total of up to 58 planned.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume II, Edition 2 Thanks everyone for the over 18K views of NNSoTW. Hopefully, it useful in helping the community craft relavant scenarios. It was another interesting week. Enjoy! 10 September SWEDEN The Swedish Maritime Administration has taken delivery of the first of seven AgustaWestland AW139 search & rescue helicopters … second to follow shortly, third by year end. 12 September PIRACY West Africa: US private maritime security company AdvanFort has received Benin government’s permission to conduct anti-piracy operations off that country’s coast, protecting both domestic and foreign vessels. (rmks: WE'll see if a private exterminator can do a better job dealin with the cockroaches (excuse me, pirates), than the Keystone Kops) UNITED KINGDOM In a multi-agency operation in the Central Caribbean involving UK and US assets, fleet tanker WAVE KNIGHT intercepted a fishing vessel and seized drugs worth more than 7.5M Euros. USA Huntington Ingalls (Pascagoula) lays the keel for future DDG 114 RALPH JOHNSON … delivery in FY 2017. USA To compensate for the inevitable loss of OHIO mod (SSGN) submarines, scheduled to retire between 2026 and 2028, the US Navy wants to increase the number of Tomahawk cruise missiles on future VIRGINIA class submarines from currently 12 to 40. 13 September CHINA A top Chinese general (DepSecGen Central Committee CPC) has ordered the country's navy to accelerate training and technical upgrades to boost its war-fighting readiness as it “faces a complicated and difficult security environment”. FRANCE The arms procurement authority (DGA) has taken delivery of the first of four former government Falcon 50B aircraft, converted for maritime surveillance … remainder three to follow by 2015. JAPAN Ruling coalition likely to deliberate revising the interpretation of the nation’s right to collective self-defense in the Constitution … The United States would welcome a lifting of the ban on exercising the right of collective self-defense as well as Japan playing a bigger role in the international community. (rmks: expect harsh propaganda from China, but also internal opposition) RUSSIA +++ Tests of Bulava SLBM to resume “later this year” (rmks: five additional tests ordered by DefMin Shoigu) … state commission to determine whether subcontractors delivered botched work. +++ “Source” clarifies: trials moratorium for BOREJ class submarines ordered by DefMin Shoigu only for weapons system (Bulava) related purposes … yard trials to continue as scheduled. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ UN inspectors’ report will confirm use of chemical weapons but not address question who might be responsible. +++ Assad (reportedly): “will only abandon chemical weapons if US stops arms deliveries to rebels” +++ Russian Black Sea Fleet KASHIN class destroyer SMETLIVIY and landing ship NIKOLAJ FILCHENKOV pass the Turkish Straits for the Mediterranean. USA Japan-based aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON has sailed from Yokosuka to resume West Pacific Patrol after a 3-week break. 14 September INDIA Even after completing the contract negotiations with a South Korean shipyard for building eight minesweepers for the Indian Navy, bureaucratic red tape and procedural wrangle still delay inking the deal as the files are still doing the rounds in the Defence Ministry. (rmks: project initiated 13 years ago) IRAN Navy commander RAdm Sayyari: Indigenous new submarine FATEH to be unveiled “by the end of the current Iranian calendar year” (ending March 20, 2014). (rmks: well, here’s another delay ….) RUSSIA – BELARUS “Zapad 13”: Landing ships KALININGRAD (Baltic Fleet), GEORGIY POBEDONOSETS (Northern Fleet) and AZOV (Black Sea Fleet) arrive at Leningrad Naval Base to embark a battalion-size (350 men) force of the Belarus army’s mobile special operations forces … to transport it to the Kaliningrad region … exercise to commence on 26 Sep. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) USA and Russia have agreed on a framework that, if fully implemented, could mean the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons … Syria must submit within one week a comprehensive list of its chemical weapons stockpile … to have them removed/destroyed within eight months. (rmks: unless this agreement is furthered to general peace talks, Assad now has a free hand to continue his “internal war” without any threat of foreign intervention.) 15 September EGYPT (GAZA) Egyptian navy patrol boats open fire at Palestinian fishing boats off Rafah (southern Gaza) … no injuries; two fishermen detained … Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip accuses Egypt to tighten sea blockade of Gaza. (rmks: Hamas reportedly associated with Egyptian anti-government extremists in Sinai) IRAN Navy commander, RAdm Sayyari: “All Iranian navy ships carry drones (UAV), and (all) helicopters are ASW capable.” (rmks: statements probably primarily meant for the Iranian people, ahead of “Sacred Defence Week”) JAPAN Japanese destroyers AKEBONO and HAMAGIRI arrive at Manila (Philippines) for a three-day friendly visit. RUSSIA +++ Major Pacific Fleet exercises, begun on 09 Sep, culminate in live missile firing off Kamchatka … coastal defence, anti-ship and anti-air missiles fired from shore, submarines and surface ships (namely destroyers MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, ADMIRAL VINOGRADOV, BYSTRIY) … overall 15,000 soldiers/sailors with more than 50 warships and support vessels, 30 aircraft and helicopters involved. +++ Current Arctic deployments to New Siberian Islands (PETR VELIKIY task force) and Franz Josef Land archipelago (GORIZONT) “part of establishing permanent military presence in the Arctic” … small airfield at New Siberian Islands reactivated and to be expanded to operate also larger aircraft.” +++ BUYAN class artillery ship MAKHACHKALA has begun transfer voyage (on inland waterway) from St. Petersburg to future Caspian Sea home port Astrakhan. UNITED KINGDOM The government wishes to re-negotiate the Euro 6.3 bn contract with BAE Systems to build two aircraft carriers in an attempt to force it to take more responsibility for spiralling costs (initially Euro 4.3 bn) … Commons public accounts committee skeptical: too few incentives in the contract to keep down costs. 16 September AUSTRALIA Spanish Navantia launched the first of 12 landing craft (23 m, similar to Spanish LCM-1E) ordered by the Australian navy … first batch of four to be commissioned in Apr 2014. (rmks: four each to be carried on board future amphibious assault ships CANBERRA and ADELAIDE) BANGLADESH “Senior Indian navy source”: China intends selling two of its Russian-built KILO class submarines to the Bangladesh navy. (rmks: unconfirmed) FINLAND STX Finland has decided to close Rauma Shipyard and move work to Turku Shipyard … attempt to halt six-year financial losses. INDIA A Western Fleet four-ship task group with destroyer MYSORE (Commander Western Fleet embarked), frigates TARKASH and TABAR, and supply ship ADITYA arrives at Dubai (UAE) for a scheduled visit … part of a month-long deployment to enhance bilateral ties and participate in naval exercises with navies in the Gulf region. (rmks: before had visited Kuwait) RUSSIA +++ Update: Fire on board OSCAR-II class submarine TOMSK at Zvezda shipyard (Bolshoi Kamen) extinguished … limited to rubber coating and “old paint” in/near ballast tank … caused by “violation of safety rules during welding” while working on the ballast tanks … no injuries … no weapons on board, reactor deactivated since start of maintenance period in 2012 … defense ministry reportedly preparing a lawsuit against Zvezda … 13 firefighting units from the Pacific Fleet and the Emergencies Ministry at the scene … radiation level normal, but “all personnel withdrawn beyond the dock”. +++ The Defense Ministry has ordered all thus far produced Bulava SLBM to be checked for possible defects. +++ Arctic Deployment: In reactivating a former Soviet airfield on the Arctic island of Kotelniy (New Siberian Islands), landing ships and auxiliaries (military cargo ship PECHORA) of the PETR VELIKIY task force have begun unloading of diesel fuel, lubricants and some 400 tons of “large bulk” equipment. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ UN inspectors‘ report: Convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent Sarin were used against the civilian population “on a relatively large scale” … although the report carefully avoids any blaming, the professional way of deployment points to government forces … evidence that sites had been “cleaned” before the inspectors’ arrival. +++ Rumors that Syria is transferring some of its chemical weapons to Lebanese Hizballah. (rmks: could be deliberate disinformation; there will be more of that) +++ Turkish air force shot down a Syrian military helicopter that had entered Turkish airspace and ignored warnings. +++ “Planned” Mediterranean deployment of Russian Baltic Fleet flag ship, destroyer NASTOYCHIVIY (SOVREMENNIY class) cancelled as no longer required. +++ Russian Pacific Fleet landing ships PERESVET and ADMIRAL NEVELSKOJ as well as Baltic Fleet landing ship ALEXANDER SHABALIN have left the Mediterranean for the Black Sea (rmks: according to earlier announcements they should proceed to Novorossiysk for a scheduled maintenance period; Baltic Fleet frigate NEUSTRASHIMIY may follow) USA A former (2007-2011) US Navy electricians mate enters US Navy Sea Systems Command building at Washington Navy Yard for a shooting rampage … kills 12 people and injures another 14 before he himself is shot… motive unclear but probably not terror-related. USA - PHILIPPINES Amphibious assault ship BOXER and dock landing ship NEW ORLEANS dock at Subic Bay (Philippines) for a port visit and subsequent “Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014” (PHIBLEX), three weeks of bilateral, air-ground and amphibious training alongside the Philippine Marine Corps and some naval units. (rmks: BOXER Amphibious Ready Group sailed on 23 Aug from San Diego on a regular deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility) VIETNAM – JAPAN During a meeting in Hanoi (Vietnam) the defense ministers of Japan and Vietnam have agreed to boost maritime security cooperation amid concern over China's growing maritime activity. 17 September INDIA Aircraft carrier VIKRAMADITYA (former Russian ADMIRAL GORSHKOV) successfully completed sea trials in the Barents Sea and White Sea … returning to Russian Sevmash shipyard (Severodvinsk) to prepare for handover to the Indian navy in November. NETHERLANDS Defense Minister officially confirms “rumoured” plans to sell Joint Support Ship KAREL DOORMAN (currently under construction) before commissioning and disband the Aruba(Caribbean)-based 32nd Naval Infantry Company. RUSSIA +++ Update TOMSK fire: While official statements for nearly two days had claimed “no injuries”, the Russian navy now concedes 15 people hospitalized … adding that the submarine sustained “significant damage” and “partly lost some of its functional characteristics”. (rmks: No real surprise here; press offices still follow “proven” Soviet procedures of denial, deception, and disinformation) +++ Nizhny Novgorod shipyard launches the first of 16 multi-purpose “inshore rescue boats” … project 23040, enlarged FLAMINGO variant, with towed sonar, small USV … four boats to be delivered by year-end to serve in Novorossiysk (Black Sea), three each destined for Kronshtadt (Baltic) and Caspian Flotilla, the remainder six will be for Baltiysk (Baltic). +++ Pacific Fleet task group with missile cruiser VARYAG, tanker BORIS BUTOMA and salvage tug SB-522 reportedly directly headed for the Indian Ocean … from early October conduct (anti-piracy) operations in the Gulf of Aden … port visit to Sri Lanka enroute. (rmks: Wait for confirmation; this could mean that the long-planned visit to Australia with participation in Centennial Fleet Review at Sydney has been cancelled) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ UN Security Council cannot agree on “tough” resolution. +++ Russian DepForeignMin Ryabkov in Syria for consultations … “disappointed” by “politicized, biased, selective, incomplete“ inspectors’ report … “new documents (handed over by Syrian government) clearly indicate rebel involvement in chemical attack”. (rmks: Then why were these documents not presented to the UN team? Me thinks there may be a skunk in the works) +++ The UK has deployed a BAE Systems AR327 surveillance radar to its Cyprus airbase at Akrotiri … to give the wide-area surveillance coverage across the eastern Mediterranean. USA US Marine Corps reportedly to be downsized by some 30,000 soldiers/staff. (rmks: Likely the next verse of the sequestration blues) 18 September AUSTRALIA Frigate NEWCASTLE has visited Aqaba (Jordan) and conducted short training exercises with Jordanian naval forces. (rmks: On a six-month maritime security deployment to the Middle East in national operation “Slipper”) CHINA - Stick Poking Ops (aka: Territorial Disputes) With Japan: Two Chinese Coast Guard ships temporarily entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea … 65th such intrusion since last September. (rmks: Media often confuse 12-mile territorial waters with adjacent contiguous zone; in most cases Chinese vessels did not intrude into the 12-mile zone) CHINA Current trials of aircraft carrier LIAONING include first aircraft take-offs and landings with weapon load (weight-simulating dummies). FRANCE DCNS at Lorient floated out third French navy FREMM frigate, PROVENCE (652) … delivery scheduled in 2015. IRAN (incl. Related / non-naval) +++ Nearly one year after Tanzania had de-registered all 36 Iranian tankers flying its national flag, they reportedly still “identify” themselves (in automated tracking systems) as Tanzanian. +++ Two Iranian navy warships (one “destroyer”, one supply ship) arrive at Port Sudan (Sudan) … for “routine refueling”. (rmks: 27th anti-piracy task group with frigate SABALAN und supply ship KHARK) NIGERIA French OCEA completed a FPB 98 Mk1 patrol boat, reportedly the first of (at least) two destined for the Nigerian navy. PHILIPPINES – USA Annual bilateral three-week exercise “Phiblex 13” begins off the Luzon west coast / South China Sea … focus on amphibious operations … activities to include live ground firing and simulated “amphibious assaults to capture islands held by hostile forces” … US Navy/USMC participating with two ships of the BOXER Amphibious Ready Group (BOXER, NEW ORLEANS, 13th MEU) PIRACY +++ Keystone Kops Ops (aka: Anti-Piracy Forces Update): Italian frigate LIBECCIO sails from home port Taranto for Djibouti … will join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. +++ Spain: A Spanish court has sentenced six Somali pirates to at least 36 years in prison … were caught in the Indian Ocean on 06 Oct, 2012, by Netherlands navy dock landing ship ROTTERDAM after trying to hijack Spanish fishing vessel IZURDIA. (rmks: With the European good behavior statutes, they will likely be paroled next week and then given the EU version of green cards) RUSSIA +++ In an incident in Arctic Pechora Sea, Russian border guards fired warning shots to prevent Greenpeace ship ARCTIC SUNRISE from approaching a Gazprom offshore oil platform. +++ Five new non-nuclear submarines scheduled to join the Russian navy 2015-2017 … three KILO-III class (NOVOROSSIYSK, ROSTOV NA DONU, STARY OSKOL) will join Black Sea Fleet in 2015 … launch of NOVOROSSIYSK postponed to spring 2014 because Admiralty Shipyard busy with construction of Vietnamese submarines. Two LADA class submarines (KRONSTADT, SEVASTOPOL) to join the Northern Fleet by 2017, but SEVASTOPOL might be delayed due to development of air-independent propulsion. (rmks: It will be interesting to see if this is the vodka version or the real deal) +++ Bloggers report Northern Fleet destroyer VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV, which together with missile cruiser MOSKVA had conducted a cruise to Central America, has suffered a major technical defect (source: “broken rudder”) while still in the Caribbean and is being towed back to the Northern Fleet … currently said to be near Iceland. (rmks: unconfirmed, but likely true; originally was supposed to stay with the MOSKVA and join the Mediterranean Squadron. Seems Black Sea Fleet destroyer SMETLIVIY had to step in for her) SOUTH KOREA KDX-II destroyer DAEJOYEONG and supply ship HWACHEON arrive at Antwerp (Belgium) for a scheduled three-day port visit … coming from Cherbourg (France) the two ships make up the “2013 Cruise Training Task Group”, currently on an around-the-world training cruise. SOUTH AFRICA Submarine S-101 MANTHATISI is expected to complete her refit (incl. battery change) by end Oct … has been out of action since 2007, after “someone” damaged the electrical systems by connection its high voltage shore service “the wrong way round”. SPAIN (multinational) During a ceremony on board helicopter carrier JUAN CARLOS I at the Rota naval base, Spanish VAdm Santiago Bolibar assumed command of the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR) from French VAdm Philippe Coindreau. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) Assad: committed to chemical weapons agreement, but disposal will take a year, cost a billion … reportedly makes “new proposals” to Russia. (rmks: Seems he is playing for time … and will be asking for money) UNITED KINGDOM “Cougar-13”: Helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, dock landing ship BULWARK, frigate WESTMINSTER and supply ship FORT AUSTIN conduct bilateral exercise “Red Alligator” with Saudi navy frigates ABHA and MAKKAH and supply ship BORAIDA in the Red Sea. USA In another ballistic missile defense test off Hawaii, cruiser LAKE ERIE successfully combats a multiple-warhead ballistic target missile, destroying a separated warhead with SM-3 Block1B missile. 19 September FRANCE (UNIFIL) Helicopter carrier TONNERRE sails from Toulon for the Lebanon … embarked 600 French army soldiers for rotation of UNIFIL forces. PIRACY Keystone Kops Ops (Anti-Piracy Forces Update): The Ukrainian parliament approved deployment of frigate HETMAN SAGAYDACHNIY to join NATO-forces in anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield” … ship ready to sail. RUSSIA Northern Shipyard (St Petersburg) has rescheduled launching of new large (2,500+ tons) intelligence ship YURIY IVANOV from 26 Sep to 30 Sep … delivery in 2014, for Pacific Fleet … first of two Project 18280 ships. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ The Russian navy has cancelled planned Mediterranean deployment of missile corvettes SHTIL (NANUCHKA) and IVANOVETS (TARANTUL) … had been scheduled to sail on 25 Sep to join the MedSqn off Syria … in current situation no longer required. +++ Russian navy confirms planned deployment of Pacific Fleet task group with missile cruiser VARYAG “to the Indian Ocean/Gulf of Aden” … may proceed to the Mediterranean if situation requires, but this will not be the main task. (rmks: time table still unclear; Australian navy website still holds the VARYAG group as participants to International Fleet Review 03-11 Oct). 20 September JAPAN (multinational) The Japanese navy is hosting multinational submarine rescue exercise “Pacific Reach 2013” … until 27 Sep … bottoming a submarine and conducting closed-hatch rescue with multiple countries’ rescue assets … Japan, Australia, South Korea to provide submarines, Japan and South Korea also submarine rescue ships … US Navy and Singapore to send personnel. RUSSIA – BELARUS Bilateral biennial (since 2009) joint exercise “Zapad 2013” kicked off … until 26 Sep held on the territories of both states, including military bases in Belarus and Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, as well as Baltic and Barents sea waters … “scenario similar to current Middle East conflicts” … ships from Russia’s Baltic, Black Sea and Northern fleets will take part during the final stage of the exercises (rmks: which probably will feature coastal defense /amphibious operations).

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume II, Edition 1 Summer is over (sadly). I hope everyone had a joyous vacation/holiday period. With summer’s end, it’s time to get back to work updating the activities of the world’s navies. Enjoy! 29 August PHILIPPINES Indonesian PT PAL has emerged "lone eligible bidder" for construction of (at least) two strategic sealift vessels for the Philippine navy. 04 September COLOMBIA Christening ceremony at COTECMAR (Cartagena) for second OPV-80 patrol vessel, 7 DE AGOSTO. HONDURAS The Honduran navy commissions new Stan Patrol 4207 type patrol vessel LEMPIRA (FNH-1401) … built by Netherlands Damen under a leasing agreement … second boat MORAZAN (FNH-1402) to follow by year-end … contract also includes six smaller Damen Interceptor 1102 craft. (rmks: Time to update the HUCE OOB) NETHERLANDS Rumors on more "deep cuts” to defence budget … MoD reportedly plans publication of new defence planning around 17 Sep … local papers allege possible forgoing of joint support ship KAREL DOORMAN (currently under construction for delivery in 2015), citing cost overruns of more than 170 mio. Euro (above originally estimated 400 mio. Euro) … ship reportedly planned to be sold before completion; instead, a smaller and less expensive ship to be jointly procured with Belgium and Luxembourg. (rmks: waiting for confirmation) 04 September 05 September MOZAMBIQUE French CMN reportedly confirms signing of major export contract with Mozambique … “historic both in terms of number of ships and the variety of vessels” … said to include three OCEAN EAGLE 43 trimaran patrol vessels, three HSI 32 interceptors and eighteen fishing boats for a total of twenty-four vessels. (rmks: Paint me skeptical. I'll believe it when I see them rolling off the building ways) 06 September AUSTRALIA COLLINS class submarine WALLER arrives at Guam (USA) for a scheduled visit … reported as first ever visit of an Australian submarine to Guam. CHINA (Stick-Poking Ops (aka Territorial Disputes)) With Philippines: China has placed 75 large concrete blocks near the entrance of the Scarborough Shoal (South China Sea), which is within the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but claimed by China as “sovereign territory” … concerns that China may be laying the foundation for a permanent facility. (rmks: Gotta love the ChiComs subtly ... it'slike a sledge hammer) ITALY +++ Italian coast guards intercepted a fishing boat with 300 Syrian and Afghan asylum seekers … some 30 nm southeast of Syracuse … taken to a port in Sicily. +++ Fincantieri at Riva Trigoso (near Genova) lays the keel for the 6th Italian navy FREMM class frigate … LUIGI RIZZO to be delivered in 2017. NETHERLANDS Patrol ship HOLLAND returns to home port Den Helder, completing a 4-month Caribbean deployment RUSSIA New BOREJ class submarine ALEXANDER NEVSKIY conducted missile test, launching a Bulava submarine-launched-ballistic missile from the White Sea towards Kamchatka … technical malfunction ended missile flight shortly after one minute. Russian “Kommersant” claims missile not equipped with telemetry gear (rmks: ??? test without telemetry would not make much sense), therefore it will be difficult to determine cause of failure. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Interfax: Black Sea Fleet ALLIGATOR class landing ship sails from Sevastopol for Novorossiysk to load “special cargo” (rmks: one may well suspect military goods, arms, ammunition) before leaving the Black Sea for the Syrian port of Tartus. +++ The US government has ordered all non-essential diplomatic staff/families to leave Lebanon … fears that a strike on Syria could trigger Hizballah terror and severely affect security. (rmks: Ya' think!) THE KOREAS North Korea has agreed to restore the military hotline with the South. VIETNAM The Vietnamese Navy held a ceremony to announce the decision of forming a seaplane squadron equipped with DHC-6 (Twin Otter 400) amphibious aircraft. 07 September BELGIUM Frigate LEOPOLD I leaves Den Helder (Netherlands) for its home base of Zeebrugge, following the completion of a two-year modernization period. (rmks: Welcome back into the action) CANADA The government looks set to abandon purchase of long-delayed CH-148 Cyclone naval helicopters … sent a military team to Britain to evaluate aircraft “other than Cyclone” (such as Merlin Mk1). ITALY More boats with several hundred asylum seekers (mostly from Syria) arrive at the Italian island of Lampedusa. RUSSIA One day after a failed Bulava missile test, defence minister Shoigu has put state trials for BOREJ class submarines ALEXANDER NEVSKIY and VLADIMIR MONOMAKH on hold and ordered five additional tests for the troubled missile … originally, both submarines had been scheduled for delivery by year end, but their commissioning is “dependent on successful Bulava tests”. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) The EU has asked the US to postpone strike on Syria until UN chemical weapons inspectors have completed their report … at the same time, some media report that US Congress might delay its vote by at least one week. USA The US Navy commissions VIRGINA-class attack submarine MINNESOTA (SSN 783), during a pier side ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. 08 September COLOMBIA (multinational) Naval forces (19 warships) from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Peru, UK and USA kick off annual multinational exercise UNITAS 2013 in Cartagena, Colombia … hosted by the Colombian navy will run through 15 Sep in the Western Caribbean … observers from Belize, El Salvador, Germany, Jamaica, Panama and Mexico. CHINA – JAPAN In a probable “familiarization flight”, two Chinese H-6 bombers (rmks: Badger derivate) flew a round trip from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean, passing also through airspace between Okinawa and adjacent islands … without violating Japanese airspace … Japan scrambled fighter aircraft. (rmks: Leave it to the ChiComs to find new ways of using the sticking-poking tactic) PALESTINE (GAZA) Hamas Interior Minister Fathi Hammad announced plans to open a “naval academy” soon in the Gaza Strip … part of the already existing police academy, an “extension of all marine sciences which benefit the society in civilian and other affairs.” PHILIPPINES Suspected Muslim rebels stormed a coastal town in the Philippines and took about a dozen hostages after clashing with a navy patrol off the key southern city of Zamboanga. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) Unconfirmed reports that Chinese dock landing ship JINGGANGSHAN (rkms: part of current anti-piracy task group operating in the Gulf of Aden) is sailing north in the Red Sea enroute the Suez Canal. (rmks: if true could be in preparation for evacuation operations from Syria or Lebanon) USA +++ The US Coast Guard has repatriated 50 Cuban migrants found on small vessels off Florida Keys, South Florida. +++ The USS BOXER Amphibious Ready Group enters the 7th Fleet area of responsibility … to conduct a number of exercises and visits before proceeding to 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (rmks: Likely to relieve the KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group, deployed since March) 09 September AUSTRALIA Australian customs authorities north of Darwin intercept a boat loaded with 88 asylum seeker … new Prime Minister Tony Abbott has indicated that one of his first directives will be “ordering the navy to start returning asylum seeker boats”. BAHRAIN The Bahrain Coast Guard is procuring six small (18m) ARES 58 FPB fast patrol craft - with an option for six more - from Turkish builder Ares Shipyard and UK-based design consultancy BMT. CANADA A helicopter assigned to Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker AMUNDSEN has crashed into Arctic waters in the M’Clure Strait (600 km west of Resolute), killing all three people on board including the icebreaker’s Commanding Officer. CHINA +++ Xingang Shipyard (Tianjin) launches paramilitary China Marine Surveillance (CMS) 600-ton patrol vessel HAI JIAN 3012 … 14 such ships ordered/under construction, also at Wuhan. +++ Concluding its visit to Pearl Harbor (Hawaii, USA) a Chinese navy task group (QINGDAO, LINYI, HONGZE HU) conducts a one-day search & rescue exercise with US Navy units. Also today, Chinese navy commander Adm Wu Shengli has arrived in the US, visiting USN and USMC commands in San Diego. +++ Two Chinese navy ships pass through the international waters between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako … from the West Pacific towards the East China Sea. (rmks: Open ocean training has become somewhat routine for the Chinese navy, signaling it is on course for a “blue water navy”) +++ Stick-poking Ops (aka Territorial Disputes) With Japan: An unidentified, most probably Chinese drone was spotted flying near disputed Senkaku Islands, but did not enter Japanese airspace … Japan scrambled fighter aircraft. (rmks: First reported incident of its kind) INDIA +++ Salvage of sunken submarine SINDHURAKSHAK may cost some US$76M … unexploded ordnance (missiles, torpedoes) pose major problem … India “does not have the equipment” but at the same time considers hiring of foreign equipment (floating crane etc.) too expensive … still looking for alternatives. +++ To replenish dwindling stocks the navy is in urgent demand of an additional 262 Barak-I air defense missiles ("critical operational requirement to retain fast eroding air defence capability”) … the MoD, however, is stalling decision due to a pending investigation into a kickback scheme discovered in 2006 with the initial purchase of Barak. POLAND Notwithstanding a much strained budget, the Polish navy is set to proceed with procurement of three mine hunters (Project “Kormoran II”) … contract for the first boat to be signed next week, for delivery within two years … also to acquire three coastal defence vessels (Project Miecznik), three smaller patrol boats and – possibly – three new submarines (with German TKMS seen as main contender) … altogether spend an annual 210 million Euros over the next decade. SWEDEN (multinational) Sweden is hosting this year’s multinational, joint exercise “Northern Coast 2013” … until 19 Sep … participants met on 06 Sep at Karlskrona to start “hot phase” on 09 Sep … fictional scenario with a number of naval serials off Gotland (Eastern Baltic), culminating in major evacuation exercise … participants from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden (altogether more than 30 naval ships, boats and submarines plus a number of aircraft) SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) With Syria accepting a proposal to put its chemical weapons under international control and subsequently have them destroyed, there is renewed hope for a political solution. (rmks: The devil will be found in the details when it comes to implementation. In any case, a US attack cannot be justified as long as negotiations progress) UNITED KINGDOM MBDA received a £250M production contract from the UK MoD for the delivery of the Sea Ceptor air defence weapon system … from 2016 will initially equip the TYPE 23 frigates, replacing Seawolf … later be integrated into TYPE 26 frigates as their primary air defense system. 10 September CANADA Maritime surveillance capability will be boosted by orbiting three new radar-imaging satellites by 2018 … Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) will keep eyes on maritime and Arctic areas … will be used by a number of Canadian government departments and agencies, but Canadian Forces see the system as key to its future surveillance needs … currently operating only one radar satellite. (rmks: An interesting twist in the Arctic claims issue) CHINA +++ East Sea Fleet frigates YIYANG and CHANGZHOU complete a 16-day training mission to the Western Pacific and return to home port … on return transit yesterday had passed between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako. +++ Stick-Poking Ops (aka Territorial Disputes): With Japan: Eight Chinese coast guard ships currently in waters around disputed Senkaku islands, with seven of them temporarily entering territorial waters … Japanese foreign ministry lodged formal protest. +++ “Harmonious Mission 13”: Hospital ship DAISHANDAO (during mission officially called “Peace Ark”) arrives at Labuan Bajo (Indonesia) for a five-day scheduled visit … (temporarily) together with Indonesian navy hospital ship DR SOEHARSO and Singapore dock navy landing ship ENDEAVOUR offer medical services to local residents … upon completion continue for Jakarta (Indonesia) for a two-day visit. INDIA Destroyer MYSORE and frigate TARKASH arrive at Kuwait for a scheduled goodwill visit in an effort to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation with the Gulf nation … Commander Western Fleet, RAdm Anil Kumar Chawla, embarked in MYSORE. ISRAEL Area warnings published by Cyprus suggest upcoming Israel navy / air force live missile tests in the Eastern Mediterranean. RUSSIA +++ TYPHOON class submarine DMITRIY DONSKOY is scheduled to perform a “functional test launch” of a Bulava missile and a new “automated control system” (rmks: no date given but should be rather soon) … cause of test failure on 06 Sep given as “faulty vector engine thrust”. Source: Test was just for launching systems on submarine ALEXANDER NEVSKIY, not for the missile itself; therefore it did not carry telemetry systems. +++ Supported by four nuclear-powered icebreakers (YAMAL, VAYGACH, 50 LET POBEDY, TAIMYR) a Northern Fleet 10-ship task group led by missile cruiser PETR VELIKIY has passed the Strait of Mathisen and Strait of Boris Celebes (between Taimyr pensisula and Severnaya Zemlya archipelago) … “in difficult ice conditions” continue east towards the Laptev Sea. SOUTH KOREA +++ Helicopter carrier DOKDO immobilized off the West coast after fire broke out in the generator room … one sailor injured … one of the two generators out of action due to fire, the second failed after sea water employed to extinguish the fire … crew failed to restore electricity … salvage ship underway to tow her to Jinhae. +++ Hanjin Heavy Industries at Busan launches first of four new 7,000-ts landing ships, CHEONWANGBONG … to be delivered in 2014. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ US, France and UK leaders agree to “work together to explore seriously” a Russian proposal to put Syria's chemical weapons stockpile under international control … with the United Nations Security Council to provide a negotiations platform. +++ Ships of the Russian Mediterranean Squadron have completed operational work-up in preparation for possible US strike on Syria … conducted air defence, ASW, and search & rescue (for Syrian sailors and refugees) +++ (Single) Russian paper carried an unconfirmed report that Syrian rebels intend to launch a chemical attack against Israel from within Syrian government-held territory to trigger foreign intervention. (rmks: although this should be just a typical regional rumour, such “ideas” would not be unusual in MidEast) USA In an “operational realistic” test conducted in the West Pacific, destroyer DECATUR tracked and successfully destroyed (with SM-3 interceptor missile) an overhead medium-range ballistic target missile. 11 September AUSTRALIA Frigate Sydney returns home to Fleet Base East, completing a several-month deployment to North East Asia … temporarily had been embedded in US Navy GEORGE WASHINGTON Carrier Strike Group. CHINA +++ North Sea Fleet task group (QINGDAO, LINYI, HONGZE HU) ends visit to Pearl Harbor (USA) … continues for Sydney (Australia) for participation in Australian Navy Centennial Fleet Review. +++ Chinese media report a carrier-based variant of "Shenyang" J-15 fighter aircraft has entered service and is ready for serial production … “reverse engineered” Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker, developed from prototype purchased from the Ukraine in early 2000’s. (rmks: Let's see if they can actually land the thing on their flattop) FRANCE Two new patrol boats are to replace P-400 class CAPRICIEUSE and GRACIEUSE as Guayana station vessels … tender and subsequent order expected in 2014, with delivery in 2016. NAMIBIA The Namibian navy is set to take delivery of 17 new small vessels … starting next month … built by South African KND and Veecraft Marine … five four-metre long fibreglass row boats; five six-metre long inflatable combat boats; two six-metre long aluminum harbour patrol boats; two eight- metre long boarding boats; one 11-metre long landing craft, two 14-metre long fast interceptors and two eight-metre long swamp boats. (rmks: “many a little makes a mickle”) RUSSIA +++ Two Russian air force Tu-95MS strategic bombers conduct routine long-range flight (18 hrs) over the Arctic and the Norwegian Sea. +++ Design work on new destroyer following two tracks: with a conventional power plant and a nuclear power plant … planned to replace SOVREMENNIY class. +++ Black Sea Fleet commissions Pella-built tug RB-398. +++ A naval variant of the Pantsir combined gun-missile short-range (20 km) air defense system will enter service with the Russian navy in about two years … will be installed on several destroyers and other “large warships” as part of modernization. SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Russian Black Sea Fleet landing ship NIKOLAJ FILCHENKOV departs Novorossiysk for the Turkish Straits and eventually Tartus (Syria) … reportedly carrying “special load”, widely believed to be an arms shipment for Syrian government forces. +++ Russian missile cruiser MOSKVA (Black Sea Fleet flag ship) passes the Strait of Gibraltar, heading for the Eastern Mediterranean where on 15-16 Sep she will assume command of the Russian MedSqn. (rmks: returning from training cruise to Central America) UNITED KINGDOM +++ “Cougar 13”: Adhering to its original schedule (despite Syria crisis) the Royal Navy Response Force Task Group with helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, dock landing ship BULWARK and a number of other ships has left the Mediterranean and passed the Suez Canal for the Red Sea … conduct visits and exercises in the Indian Ocean / Persian Gulf region. +++ Destroyer DARING is conducting tests to establish whether the TYPE 45 destroyers could provide British forces with theater ballistic-missile defense (TBMD) capabilities … has been in the Pacific for several weeks … tests conducted as part of US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) research and development. 12 September CHINA +++ Adm Wu Shengli: “The Chinese navy is using aircraft carrier LIAONING for training and testing ... will decide on an operational carrier only after a few years of evaluation”. +++ During a ceremony at Dinghai, the East China Sea Fleet commissions new supply ship CHAO HU (890) into service. +++ Huangpu shipyard launches the second of four 4,000-ton China Coast Guard patrol ships, HAI JING 2401. DENMARK The two THETIS class patrol vessels will receive a comprehensive mid-life upgrade over the next four years. ITALY Italian authorities have seized a "mother ship" used to traffic illegal migrants across the Mediterranean … caught in international waters off Sicily while transferring some 200 Syrian refugees to smaller boats … 15 crew arrested; refugees brought to Sicily. PIRACY Keystone Kops (aka Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: The 14th Chinese anti-piracy task group (HARBIN, MIANYANG, WEISHAN HU), on return transit after completing mission off Somalia, arrives at Sattahip (Thailand) for a five-day friendly visit. RUSSIA +++ Northern Fleet task force with cruiser PETR VELIKIY has reached the New Siberian Islands archipelago, anchoring in the Stakhanovtsev Bay on the west coast of Kotelniy Island. +++ Northern Fleet hydrographic survey vessel GORIZONT and salvage tug SORUM MB-56 have arrived at Arctic Franz Josef Land archipelago. +++ Aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV is slated for a 5-year complex overhaul and modernization … incl. replacement of power plant … to be conducted at Sevmash shipyard … contracts, however, not yet signed. +++ Third BOREJ class submarine VLADIMIR MONOMAKH has departed Sevmash shipyard for first sea trials in the White Sea … notwithstanding DefMin Shoigu only a few days ago had “suspended” all sea trials for ALEXANDER NEVSKIY and VLADIMIR MONOMAKH. (rmks: Trials originally announced to start in July; should initially focus on basic systems such as power plant). SYRIA (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Syria has formally asked to join the chemical weapons convention (rmks: just the first step to full membership). Assad: will fulfill chemical weapons initiative “if USA ends threats”. (rmks: More ”ifs” to be expected) +++ United Nations seem to deliberate deployment of “Blue Helmets” to Syria. +++ Russian Black Sea Fleet KASHIN class destroyer SMETLIVIY sails from Sevastopol for the Eastern Mediterranean to join the MedSqn … departure delayed three hours “by Ukrainian customs”. (rmks: Probably will rendezvous with landing ship NIKOLAJ FILCHENKOV also heading for the Med) UNITED KINGDOM Frigate ARGYLL returns home after a 7-month deployment with a range of operations in the seas around Africa, the Falklands, the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. USA “Officials”: The US Navy has decided to delay "detail design and construction" contract for aircraft carrier JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN 79) by as much as a year. (rmks: The next verse in the sequestration blues tune). 13 September GERMANY The German Navy commissions its third combat support ship, BONN.

Greeting all, I just upgraded our home PC to a WIN8, 32-Bit desktop platform. Before I reinstall HUCE, will it run and can I design scenarios on this new platform?

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 12 Well, this is my last naval news update for the summer. I will be peaking at the headlines each day I will post a NewsGram and make everyone aware of it on the HarpGamer forum on FaceBook. Enjoy your summer. See you in September! 09 May PHILIPPINES – TAIWAN A Philippine navy vessel reportedly opened fire at Taiwanese fishing boat GUANG TA HSIN 28 … in disputed South China Sea waters some 160 nm south of Taiwan … killing one crew member … Philippine navy denies … later turns out the Philippine coast guard had been involved in the “unfortunate incident” … 11 coast guard personnel suspended from duty. (rmks: This would an interesting “what-if” scenario) 10 May CHINA The Chinese navy formally establishes a “carrier-borne aviation force” comprising carrier-borne fighter jets, jet trainers and ship-borne helicopters for ASW, search & rescue and maritime surveillance … stating “aircraft carrier's capabilities have entered a new phase.” (rmks: Maybe the ChiComs are finally going to actually consider flight ops) NEW ZEALAND Frigate TE MANA arrives at Shanghai (China) for a scheduled 5-day visit … just came from Hong Kong, afterwards head for Inchon (South Korea). (rmks: on a 4-month Asia/South East Asia tour, from Feb to Jun) PIRACY +++ Keystone Kops (aka Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: Danish frigate HDMS IVER HUITFELDT (NATO) completes 183 days of anti-piracy operations off Somalia … commences home transit. (rmks: The pirates breath a sigh of relief … not!) +++ KK Update: Estonia will end participation in EU operation “Atalanta” this month … since 2010, had deployed vessel protection detachments (VPD) with other EU-navies’ warships … future plans are to base VPD ashore, which would require more soldires, a shore support system and diplomatic representation in regional states … too complicated and expensive. RUSSIA – NORWAY Bilateral annual exercise “Pomor 13” kicks off at Murmansk (Russia) … run through 16 May, evolving from the Barents Sea to the Norwegian Sea to be completed at Bergen (Norway) … focus on anti-terror and anti-piracy operations, interception of fast-speed boats illegally crossing the state borders, search and rescue operations but also include joint maneuvering, live artillery firing, anti-aircraft defense and detection of submarines … Participants: destroyer RFS VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV (Russia), frigate HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD and coast guard ship HNoMS SENJA (Norway) as well as aircraft of both nations and elements of the Russian Northern Fleet’s naval infantry brigade and the Norwegian Coastal Ranger Command. SUDAN – IRAN Sudanese navy chief, General Dalil al-Daw Mohamed Fadal-Allah, on official visit to Teheran (Iran) … Iranian navy chief, RAdm Habibollah Sayyari, voices “enthusiasm” for stronger naval cooperation” … Iranian navy prepared to train Sudanese naval forces. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Second FALAJ-2 patrol vessel built by Italian Fincantieri, SALALAH (P 252), begins transfer voyage from Italy to the UAE. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 23 frigate HMS NORTHUMBERLAND returns to Plymouth, ending a 7-month deployment to the Middle East which included anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa. 11 May INDIA On its “Day of Naval Aviation” the Indian navy commissioned Naval Air Squadron 303 (INAS 303) “Black Panthers” … at Hansa naval air base in Goa … first squadron of MiG-29K (Fulcrum-D) naval fighters … will operate 16 single-seat MiG-29K and four twin-seat MiG-29KUB trainer aircraft … to be deployed on board aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADTIYA. MALAYSIA Former navy chief Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor claims the RMN would need at least three, preferably six more submarines to effectively fulfill its mission. PIRACY Nigeria: Nigerian pirates have released five crewmembers kidnapped from German-owned (flag: Antigua & Barbuda) container ship M/V CITY OF XIAMEN nearly three weeks ago about 100 nm off the coast in the Gulf of Guinea … unclear if ransom paid. (rmks: Likely it was) TURKEY Contract with Italian Alenia Aermacchi on procurement of ten ATR-72 maritime patrol aircraft amended … Alenia now to deliver six ATR 72-600 TMPA maritime patrol aircraft plus two ATR 72-600 TMUA maritime utility aircraft. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) US Navy aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ arrives at Busan (South Korea) for a scheduled weekend port visit which North Korea denounces as an “extremely reckless provocation”. 12 May CHINA JIANGHU-I (053H) class frigate ZHENJIANG (514) decommissioned. (rmks: It will likely be sold on the secondary market to Bangladesh or another third rate power in the region) IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Defence ministry officials announces fitting paramilitary Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) boats with new advanced anti-ship missiles with a range of 300km. PIRACY KK Update: Netherlands navy frigate HNLMS VAN SPEIJK sails from Den Helder for the Horn of Africa … join NATO task group in operation “Ocean Shield”. RUSSIA Admiral Chirkov: Besides 5 – 6 combat ships and some support vessels, the Mediterranean Squadron may also include (nuclear-powered) submarines. PHILIPPINES – TAIWAN Update: Following public outrage over the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Filipino coastguards, Taiwan has deployed four coastguard and naval vessels to strengthen patrols in waters near the Philippines … “determined to protect our fishermen”. RUSSIA +++ October Revolution Shipyard (Blagoveshchensk) launched the first project 14157 diving tender (80 tons) for the Pacific Fleet. +++ Work on new carrier pilot training site at Yeisk (Russian Black Sea coast) “proceeding on plan” and nearly completed … aircraft may start flying there by August or September. However, official opening, earlier announced for autumn this year, postponed to 2014. (rmks: To replace former Soviet navy Nitka training site which today is on Ukrainian territory) VIETNAM The crew of the first KILO class submarine (built by Russian Admiralty shipyard and scheduled for delivery this year) has completed theoretical classes and commenced sea training in the eastern Baltic. 13 May CHINA During a ceremony at a South Sea Fleet minesweeper squadron in Guangdong, the seventh Type 081 minesweeper 843 is named CHANGSHOU. DENMARK (multinational) Denmark is hosting multinational search & rescue exercise “Baltic Sarex” … until 18 May in the Central Baltic around the island of Bornholm … 30 ships and 10 aircraft/helicopters from nine European countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden). ISRAEL One year after “formal delivery” (04 May,2012) the first DOLPHIN-II (AIP) class submarine, INS TANIN, has commenced sea trials off Kiel (Germany). JAPAN A Japanese P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft on 12 May spotted and tracked an “unidentified foreign” (media: Chinese) submarine off Okinawa, just outside territorial waters … no indication that it had entered them …on 13 May left the area to the southeast. (rmks: most likely Chinese; not the first one to be spotted there) NATO (FRANCE) NATO naval forces have begun exercise “Spontex 2013” … until 21 May in the Bay of Biscay … focus on anti-submarine warfare and protection of shipping lanes … warships and naval aviation from Belgium, Canada, France (BNS PRIMAUGUET, FS L’HERMINIER, FS SIROCCO), Germany (FGS EMDEN, FRANKFURT AM MAIN), Poland (ORP KOSCIUSZKO), UK, USA. (rmks: None of NATO’s standing naval groups involved) NETHERLANDS The MODNL Defence Materiel Organization signed a contract with Imtech Marine Netherlands to begin a life-extension program for the navy’s WALRUS class submarines. PIRACY Somalia Basin: Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel SPS RAYO (EU NavFor) intercepts skiff with six men some 320 nm off the Somalia coast … pirate paraphernalia found and seized … men brought back to the Somalia coast. (rmks: no crime committed yet, yet they are carrying pirate gear. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!). RUSSIA +++ Deputy Commander Northern Fleet, VAdm Alexander Vitko, “presented” as new Black Sea Fleet commander … VAdm Alexander Fedotenkov to become Deputy Chief of Navy … official transfer of command “within the next days”. +++ Admiral Chirkov: New base at Novorossiysk will augment Black Sea Fleet infrastructure but not replace Sevastopol as main base. (rmks: Obviously banking on “permanent” basing agreement with the Ukraine) +++ Mediterranean Squadron: Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, two ROPUCHA class landing ships and two support vessels has entered the Red Sea, heading north for Suez Canal passage. (rmks: Scheduled to join Mediterranean Squadron on 15 May) TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES Update: Following incident on 09 May, when a Philippine coast guard vessel opened fire on Taiwanese fishing boat “in overlapping economic zones” south of Taiwan (in the Bashi Strait), the ROC Navy initially deployed a KNOX class frigate to support three coast guard ships in the region … on 12 May augmented forces with a CHENGKUNG class frigate … on 13 May sent another CHENGKUNG class frigate and a KIDD-class destroyer … all ships plan naval exercises in the area, set to start on 16 May. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has dismissed defense minister General Kim Kyok-sik (appr. 70, only installed in Nov last year), replacing him with younger (50-60) General Jang Jong-nam … no reasons given. (rmks: had been in office only since Nov, 2012) THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) The US Navy’s USS NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group sails from Busan (South Korea) for two-day bilateral exercises with ROK navy destroyers ROKS SEJONG DAEWAN and CHUNGMUGONG YI SUNSHIN in the Japan Sea … focus on anti-submarine warfare and air defense. (rmks: earlier media-reports spoke of 5-day exercises in Yellow Sea) USA +++ Preparing for the upcoming hurricane season, US Fleet Forces Command and Navy Installations Command conduct exercise “Hurrex/Citadel Gale 2013” … three simulated storm systems threatening the Caribbean Islands, East Coast and Gulf Coast regions … no US Navy ship movements associated with this exercise. +++ The US Navy will permanently relocate another five US-based CYCLONE class patrol boats to the Persian Gulf … USS TEMPEST, SQUALL, THUNDERBOLT to leave Virginia Beach on 14 May to arrive in Manama (Bahrain) this summer … two more boats to follow by spring 2014 … total force in Bahrain then to comprise 10 of the 13 CYCLONE, with only three staying in US. JAPAN Update: “Unidentified foreign” submarine spotted off Okinawa reportedly Chinese YUAN class. NATO (ICELAND) Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG-1) begins four-day exercises with the Icelandic Coast Guard … off Reykjavik conduct basic maneuvering, communications and survey of port approaches 14 May FRANCE Both MoD and DCNS reportedly “prepared” building a total of 11 FREMM type frigates (as previously planned), notwithstanding the recent white paper calling for only eight such ships …unclear whether the additional three would be for the French navy or a foreign customer. (rmks: Greece comes to mind) PAKISTAN Chinese-built SWORD class frigate SAIF arrives at Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) for a scheduled visit until 17 May. SINGAPORE International Maritime Defence Exhibition IMDEX Asia 2013 opened at the Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore … biennial event, until 16 May. SPAIN After nearly five years of research (by main contractor Navantia), development of a remote-controlled naval mine-sweeping system (Project “Siramicor”) has been frozen due to lack of funding. TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES Update 09 May incident: Taiwan reaffirms intention to hold military exercises (on 16 May) near Philippinee islands in disputed waters south of Taiwan …if the Philippines do not officially apologize (and pay compensation for killed fisherman) … include a KIDD class destroyer, a PERRY class frigate, fighter jets and a number of coast guard vessels … local media: drills for the very first time would depict the Philippines an enemy. USA – ISRAEL Amphibious assault ship USS KEARSARGE arrives at Eilat (Israel) for a scheduled visit until 18 May (rmks: said to be first visit of US Navy ship to Eilat in 14 years) USA. +++ Off Norfolk X-47B UCAS drone launched by catapult from aircraft carrier GEORGE H.W. BUSH … conducted two simulated landing approaches (slow and low passes) to the carrier before successfully landing after 65-min flight at Patuxent River naval air station. (rmks: First ever unmanned craft to complete a catapult launch from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier) +++ 800,000 civilian DoD employees face 11-day “forced holidays” to pay for budget cuts under sequestration. +++ The USS PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group returns to home port San Diego, completing a Middle East deployment begun on 17 Sep, 2012. INDIA Aircraft carrier VIKRAMADTYA has been put in a dry dock at Russia’s Sevmash shipyard for “cosmetic” repairs ahead of final sea trials and delivery to the Indian navy later this year. MYANMAR A boat carrying 150 - 200 Rohingya Muslim refugees capsized off Myanmar’s coast … nearly all on board killed. RUSSIA The Caspian Sea Flotilla commissions new (roadstead) tug RB-396 into service … third such vessel for the flotilla; first entered service in Nov 2010, second in Jun 2012. TURKEY Turkish Roketsan and German TKMS and Diehl have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop and produce submarine-based IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines) missile system. (rmks: small missile to defend against air threats such as ASW-helicopters, but also can be employed against surface/land targets) USA Dock landing ship USS PEARL HARBOR departs San Diego for annual humanitarian mission “Pacific Partnership” … four-month mission to Samoa, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and Solomon Islands …Australia to join with landing ship HMAS TOBRUK, New Zealand with multi-purpose ship HMNZS CANTERBURY … for the first time partner nations will lead individual phases (Australia in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand in Kiribati and Solomon Islands). (rmks: This year’s mission does not involve hospital ship MERCY) USA The US Navy accepted delivery of its first Mobile Landing Platform, MLP-1 USNS MONTFORD POINT, from General Dynamics-NASSCO in San Diego. 15 May GERMANY 6th (and final) TYPE 212A submarine, U-36, christened at HDW shipyard in Kiel … to be commissioned in 2014. INDIA The Indian navy has inducted its first of eight Boeing P-8i Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft … at the Rajali naval air station. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) 10th round of negotiations between Iran and the IAEA on resumption of nuclear site inspections (suspended five years ago) ended without results … Iran still stalling on any verification of its “purely civilian” program … further talks agreed. OMAN The Omani MoD has contracted Netherlands Damen Shipyards with building a new sail training vessel … STV-2630 design, 87-m square rigged, three-masted steel clipper … keel laying ceremony already in March at Damen’s Romanian Galati subsidiary … delivery in Aug 2014, to replace current Omani navy’s (smaller) sail training vessel SHABAB OMAN. PIRACY +++ KK Update: French navy training squadron with helicopter carrier FS TONNERRE and destroyer FS GEORGES LEYGUES end support operations for EU NavFor to continue their annual training cruise “Mission Jeanne d’Arc 2013”. +++ KK Update: Norwegian frigate HNoMS FRITJOF NANSEN sails from Haakonsvern (Bergen) naval base for the Horn of Africa … to become flagship of NATO SNMG-1 which in mid-June is to relieve SNMG-2 in anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield” off Somalia. RUSSIA +++ Mediterranean Squadron: Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, two ROPUCHA class landing ships and two support vessels passed the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean … initially proceed to Limassol (Cyprus) for a scheduled 17-20 May port visit … rotation of forces: Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN as well as Black Sea Fleet RFS AZOV withdrawn from Mediterranean to spend “several weeks” at Novorossiysk for repairs/maintenance and crew rest … afterwards return to Mediterranean to resume duties. (rmks: Baltic Fleet landing ships deployed since December, 2012). +++ Defence minister Shoigu and navy chief Adm Chirkov visit Black Sea Novorossiysk naval base. TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES +++ Update 09 May incident: A KIDD class destroyer departs from Zouying naval base (Kaohsiung) for announced exercises south of Taiwan … “in waters overlapping with Philippine territory” …joint exercise with Taiwanese coast guard; will not include live firing … media embarked. 16 May AUSTRALIA +++ Australia looks set to spend up to $3 billion on procurement of US-made MQ-4C Triton long-range maritime patrol drones. (rmks: Global Hawk variant. This has some potential for some cool scenarios in the South Pacific) +++ The DoD released a Request For Tender to CEA Technologies for the development of a High Power Phased Array Radar concept demonstrator … based on CEAFAR radar currently being fitted to the ANZAC frigates … support future naval acquisitions such as the Future Frigates (Project SEA 5000) CHINA (Territorial Disputes) South China Sea: China announced the start of its annual 10-week fishing ban "in most parts of the South China Sea" for rehabilitating marine resources … " will strengthen monitoring efforts to prevent any foreign boats from entering the area." RUSSIA +++ Five Northern Fleet KILO class submarines are scheduled for major (2-year) maintenance period at Zvezdochka (Severodvinsk). Already nearly completed for RFS KALUGA (sea trials scheduled in June); RFS VLADIKAVKAZ at shipyard (completed by 2015); RFS YAROSLAVL, MAGNITOGORSK and LIPETSK to dock in 2015 to 2017; RFS NOVOSIBIRSK and VOLOGDA not yet mentioned in schedule. +++ During a ceremony at the Baltiysk naval base, STEREGUSHCHIY (Proj 20380) class corvette RFS BOYKIY is handed over to the Baltic Fleet. +++ Repairs to STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS SOOBRAZITELNIY (damaged in fire off Denmark in Sep 2012) completed … ship to participate in 310th Baltic Fleet anniversary celebrations (18 May at Kronshtadt), then return to home base Baltiysk. TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES Update 09 May incident: While the circumstances behind the 09 May shooting remain shrouded in controversy, Taiwanese navy and coast guard held their announced exercise close to the spot of the incident … closely watched by Philippines, but went smoothly without incident. UNITED KINGDOM After failing two safety exercises (response to simulated submarine accidents) in March and April, Royal Navy submarines for the time being have been banned from navigating Scottish waters in Loch Goil (noise testing range near Faslane), and in Loch Ewe (Wester Ross). Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) is demanding a satisfactory rerun of the exercises before ban be lifted. USA Cruiser USS LAKE ERIE and Missile Defense Agency successfully conducted another Ballistic Missile Defense test off Hawaii … intercept of a separating ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean … Flight Test Maritime-19 (FTM-19) was the third consecutive successful intercept test of the latest Aegis BMD 4.0 Weapon System and the SM-3 Block IB missile. INDONESIA Netherlands Damen Schelde confirmed contract for now two (rmks: option taken) SIGMA 10514 multi-purpose frigates for the Indonesian navy …assembly (with Netherlands Damen Schelde to supply large modules) at PT Pal in Surabaya. JAPAN Three Japanese navy ships arrive at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii, USA) for a port visit … also embark several-hundred Japanese army ground troops to be flown in … then continue for San Diego (California) for US-hosted, multinational amphibious exercise “Dawn Blitz”, scheduled to begin on 11 Jun off Southern California. TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES Update: Taiwanese navy/coast guard exercise in Bashi Channel near Batanes Island (Philippines) included KIDD class destroyer MA KUNG, LA FAYETTE class frigate CHEN DE, some smaller vessels and four coast guard vessels … Taiwanese air force deployed two Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft and E-2K reconnaissance aircraft … exercise aim given as “scanning the area for possible enemies in the air and the sea” and search and rescue. UKRAINE ROPUCHA class landing ship KONSTANTIN OLSHANSKY completed 9-month overhaul and started sea trials. USA One Navy SEAL died and another seven servicemen were injured when their Humvee vehicle overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox (Kentucky). 16 May PIRACY KK Update: Italian navy frigate ZEFFIRO sails from Taranto for the Gulf of Aden … will join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. 17 May CHINA (Territorial Conflicts) With Japan: Three Chinese maritime surveillance vessels (HAIJIAN 26, 50, 66) entered Japanese territorial waters (some sources: contiguous zone adjacent to territorial waters) near disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. FINLAND RAUMA class missile corvette FNS NAANTALI completed overhaul and has returned to the operational fleet. SWEDEN Estonian “Baltic Workboats” delivers KBV-315, fourth of five KBV-312 class patrol boats to the Swedish coast guard. (rmks: plate reads FURUSUND, but unclear whether this is name or –officially designated - homeport) SYRIA Media reporting on delivery of Russian S-300 air defence missiles and Yakhont supersonic coastal defence missiles to Syria. (rmks: Yakhont are fulfillment of longstanding contract on 72 missiles, dating back to 2007; initial batch of unknown number already delivered in 2011) THAILAND Frigate HTMS NARATHIWAT arrives at Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) for a scheduled weekend port visit. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 23 frigate HMS MONMOUTH arrives back to its homeport of Plymouth from a 7-month deployment to the Persian Gulf region. 18 May CHINA JIANGDAO class (Proj 056) corvette DATONG (580) commissioned. IRAN The Iranian has deployed frigate JAMARAN to closely watch US-led multinational mine-warfare exercise “IMCMEX-13”, currently held off Bahrain. ISRAEL Israel Shipyards announces new SA’AR-72 multi-purpose corvette design … 72m / 800 ts, 30+ knots with extended endurance, modern weapons, operate medium-sized helicopter, optimized for support of special forces operations … also be offered for export as missile corvette or mere OPV. (rmks: unclear yet, if it will be ordered by the Israel navy). NORTH KOREA North Korea test-fired three short range ballistic missiles (probably KN-02, derived from Soviet SS-21, range 120km) from its east coast towards the Japan Sea. PIRACY +++ KK Update: German parliament has extended German navy participation in EU anti-piracy operation “Atalanta” by another year. +++ West Africa: The Nigerian navy at its Eastern Naval Command has inaugurated a new intelligence centre, equipped with “state-of-the-art digital gear” … enhance capabilities to monitor both the open sea in the Gulf of Guinea and the inshore areas of the Niger Delta. RUSSIA +++ “Source”: MISTRAL class helicopter carrier RFS SEVASTOPOL to become flag ship to new Russian “Mediterranean Squadron” … after entering service by 2017. (rmks: Unconfirmed; only in Nov, 2012, navy chief Adm Chirkov had stressed both MISTRAL will be stationed with the Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok where berthing space is currently under construction) +++ Baltic Fleet celebrates 310th anniversary with parades at Kronshtadt and the Baltiysk main naval base. SOVREMENNIY class destroyer RFS NASTOYCHIVIY deployed from Baltiysk to Kronshtadt (flag ship). +++ STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette (Proj. 20380) RFS STOYKIY scheduled to join the Baltic Fleet in 2014. SRI LANKA A small Sri Lankan Navy boat capsized during a naval parade off the coast of Bambalapitiya … one sailor drowned … about 50 naval vessels took part in the parade held to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the war victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels. USA During an underwater mine detection training exercise off San Diego, a US Navy dolphin discovered a 19th century “Howell” brass torpedo and “notified” its trainers of the find. 19 May ISRAEL The Israel navy is set to introduce a new unmanned surface vessel … enhanced (extended range and endurance) PROTECTOR had been on trial for two and half years. JAPAN A Japanese P-3C maritime patrol aircraft spotted an unidentified submarine – thought to be Chinese – south of Minamidaito Island (Okinawa Prefecture), travelling just outside the contiguous zone. NORTH KOREA +++ North Korea has test-fired another three short-range missiles (“projectiles”) from its east coast into the Sea of Japan …possibly from a new multiple round rocket launcher system (MRL) with a very large caliber and long range. (rmks: tests of short-range missiles may send a political signal but do not violate any UN resolutions) +++ With a Chinese fishing boat (16 crew) confirmed to have been hijacked by North Korea, anti-North Korea sentiment in China is mounting anew. (rmks: In the immortal words of Forrest Gump – Stupid is, as stupid does) RUSSIA After port visit to Bergen (Norway), following exercise “Pomor 13”, destroyer VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV is heading for the North Sea / Norwegian Sea … rendezvous with tanker VYAZMA to fulfill “more tasks in North-Eastern Atlantic”: (rmks: earlier announcement spoke of anti-piracy deployment to the Horn of Africa region) 20 May ISRAEL (GAZA) Israel has returned outer limit of fishing zone off Gaza from 3 to 6 miles … had been reduced for a couple of months following rocket fire from Gaza. JAPAN (PIRACY?) Destroyers JDS SUZUNAMI and KIRISAME arrive at Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) for a three-day goodwill and supply visit. (rmks: probably enroute the Gulf of Aden for another anti-piracy mission; both ships only in January had completed such a mission). PHILIPPINES Patrol frigate BRP RAMON ALCARAZ (former USCG cutter DALLAS) has begun a final round of sea trials off Charleston (South Carolina, USA) … preparing for transfer voyage scheduled to start by mid-June. PIRACY KK Update: Spanish offshore patrol vessel SPS RAYO ends operations with EU NavFor … now on “promotion tour” around Africa with visits to Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Gabon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal and Cape Verde … return to home port Las Palmas in late July. (rmks: Belongs to new METEORO class which builder Navantia would like to sell to African navies) RUSSIA Mediterranean Squadron: Black Sea Fleet landing ships RFS AZOV and NIKOLAI FILCHENKOV once again deployed to the Mediterranean to join the multi-fleet task force. TURKEY The Turkish navy has kicked off its largest annual exercise “Deniz Kurdu” … until 02 Jun in Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean … participants include frigates TCG YILDIRIM, BARBAROS, SALIHREIS and HEYBELIADA plus a larger number of smaller vessels, auxiliaries and naval air assets. UNITED KINGDOM Decommissioned aircraft carrier HMS ARK ROYAL leaves Portsmouth for the last time … being towed to Turkey for scrapping. (rmks: A sad ending to a fine ship) 19 May NIGERIA The Nigerian navy conducted a “successful” raid against oil theft syndicates in the Niger Delta. 20 May TAIWAN The ROC Navy has confirmed intentions to acquire two used PERRY class frigates from the US Navy. USA Austal at Mobile (Alabama) laid the keel for Joint High Speed Vessel USNS FALL RIVER (JHSV-4). 21 May CHINA (Territorial Disputes) With Philippines: The Philippines has formally protested the presence of a Chinese warship, two surveillance vessels and around 30 fishing boats off Ayungin Shoal (Spratly Archipelago), “poaching in Philippine waters” … reports of Chinese (para)military ships increasingly “harassing” Philippine fishing boats and other civilian vessels in the region. CHINA An East Sea Fleet task group (frigates HUAIHUA and FOSHAN, supply ship QIANDAO HU) has completed a 16-day training cruise to the West Pacific … returned to home port via Bashi Channel and South China Sea … a.o.t. practiced “island defence”. CYPRUS In order to protect offshore exploration (gas fields), the Cypriot government announces plans to acquire two high-sea capable patrol vessels. Reportedly, Israel Shipyards is offering its new SA’AR-72 corvette (OPV variant). NETHERLANDS Patrol frigate HNLMS HOLLAND arrives at Willemstad (Curacao) … on a several-month deployment replace sister ship FRIESLAND as Caribbean Station Ship. NORTH KOREA 16 Chinese fishermen abducted off the North Korean coast two weeks ago have been released … handed over by men wearing military uniforms … reportedly no (demanded) ransom paid. (rmks: Most likely North Korean navy trying to “generate additional income”) PHILIPPINES President Aquino approved a $1.82-billion military modernization program that gives priority to upgrading the navy … by 2017, acquire two new frigates, two more AW-109 helicopters capable of anti-submarine warfare (additional to three to be delivered by December), three fast patrol boats, and eight amphibious assault vehicles. PIRACY General: In support of a regional maritime security programme to enhance piracy-fighting capabilities, the European Union will provide a total of 37 million Euro to several Eastern and Southern African countries. RUSSIA +++ TYPHOON class submarines RFS SEVERSTAL and ARKHANGELSK will be officially withdrawn from the navy’s inventory by year end … to be scrapped by 2018 … too old for active duty and too expensive to retrofit. (rmks: Truly an end to an era) +++ Mediterranean Squadron: Northern Fleet destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK rendezvoused with Black Sea Fleet landing ship in the Aegean Sea for “joint maneuvering”. Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV (but without two ROPUCHA class landing ships) completes port visit to Limassol (Cyprus) to start operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. +++ During a meeting with Russian naval shipbuilders, President Putin sharply criticized inefficiency … “construction of a number of nuclear submarines and surface ships and their delivery to the navy has been unjustifiably delayed". +++ Pacific Fleet celebrates its 282th anniversary. SPAIN Local media: S-80 submarine programme “in severe trouble” after engineers found serious design flaws such as excess weight with the half-finished boats. (rmks: unconfirmed) 17 May USA Japan-based aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON has completed a 2-week readiness assessment ahead of an upcoming patrol. (rmks: With Australian frigate HMAS SYDNEY to be integrated in Carrier Strike Group) 21 May INDIA The Indian Coast Guard commissioned its third 90-m Offshore patrol vessel, ICGS VAIBHAV (32). LIBYA The Libyan navy/coast guard has received 30 new semi-rigid-hulled inflatable fast patrol boats (small boats between 3.5 and 12 m, such as such as1200 RIB UM used by French naval commandos) …first batch of a total of 50 ordered in January this year … expecting delivery of two 20-m Raidco Marine RPB 20 boats on 26 Apr, and of 25 small patrol craft (no details) from South Korea later this year. USA +++ LCS-1 USS FREEDOM forced to return (under own power) to port Singapore after sediment discovered in oil lubrication system …only hours before had departed Changi Naval Base. (rmks: On 8-month maiden deployment to Singapore. I’m truly surprised it went this before something broke) +++ CARAT 13: Destroyer USS MOMSEN and dock landing ship TORTUGA arrive at Jakarta (Indonesia), marking the beginning of the Indonesian phase of this year’s Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. +++ Newest VIRGINIA class submarine USS MINNESOTA (SSN 783) successfully completes first round of builder’s sea trials. +++ Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the USCGC PAUL CLARK, the sixth SENTINEL class Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the US Coast Guard … will be stationed in Florida. 22 May CHINA The Chinese navy officially “bid farewell” to JIANGHU-I class frigate HUAYIN (513). (rmks: May have been inactive for quite a while). FRANCE BATRAL class landing ship FS JACQUES CARTIER arrives at Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a port visit and logistic stop … transferring from French Polynesia to Brest where she is to be decommissioned. INDIA New TALWAR (Batch 2) class frigate INS TARKASH off Goa successfully test-fired a Brahmos supersonic anti-ship missile. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval +++ Bahrain - on its territory - has recovered an Iranian drone … no further details given. Iran has expanded Uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz (500 more centrifuges) and continues “nuclear research” work at Parchin military facility. +++ Ahead of upcoming presidential elections, the “Guardian Council” has excluded more than 600 candidates from running, incl. some thought to be prepared for negotiating the nuclear program ... only eight candidates “favorable to the religious leaders” have remained on the ballot list. ITALY Netherlands Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding has been contracted with building two 50-m Stan Patrol 5509 patrol boats for the Italian customs (Guardia Finanza) … to be assembled at Italian Vittoria shipyard from materiel packages. RUSSIA President Putin “has instructed” DepPrimMin Dmitry Rogozin to “take personal control of both military and civilian shipbuilding”. SPAIN Research ship SPS HESPERIDES returns to Cartagena, completing her six-month “XIX Campana Antartica“. USA Prototype of new MQ-4C Triton naval reconnaissance drone (Northrop Grumman) successfully completed first flight … 90 minutes at Palmdale (California) … more tests there before transferring to Patuxent River (Maryland) … designed to fly missions lasting up to 24 hours (11.500 miles without refuelling) at altitudes greater than 10 miles … US Navy plans anticipate building 68 Tritons under its Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program. 21 May ITALY The Italian Navy is seeking to develop a new generation of low-cost vessels with dual-use capability … “simplified FREMM” would displace 4,000ts (125m x 15m), initially carry 127-mm and 76-mm guns, while flexible design will allow later integration of other weapon systems … helicopter hangar … capable of carrying containers (floating hospital) … costs about 2/3 of FREMM … concept still in early stages, but with preliminary general staff approval for six ships … long term replacement of older frigates/corvettes. 22 May USA Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) has received approval to enter full-rate production. 23 May BANGLADESH During a reflagging ceremony at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, USA officially handed over former HALIMTON class USCG cutter USCGC JARVIS to the Bangladesh navy … renamed BNS SOMUDRO JOY (“Victory at Sea”), no hull number painted yet … sail for Bangladesh “later this year” once crew training completed. CHINA (Territorial Disputes) With Philippines: Despite diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines, at least three Chinese (paramilitary) ships and 10 fishing boats have remained near Ayungin Shoal (Kalayaan Island Group off Palawan) … Philippines: “not a disputed area but oursand well within our EEZ” …will not send additional ships to the shoal but use an unarmed Navy ship for resupplying the Filipino contingent in the area “s scheduled”. Commentary on China MoD website: „China must adopt unyielding attitude to hold Philippines accountable”. IRAN (incl. related / non vaval) The US Treasury Department has placed sanctions on 20 more individuals and entities for their involvement in Iran’s nuclear proliferation networks and attempts to evade restrictive measures. (rmks: Fat lot of good that’s likely to do) PIRACY +++ Gulf of Aden: increased reporting of suspicious approaches on merchant vessels along the Western approaches to the Gulf of Aden … possibly skiffs with potential pirates conducting probes to test the responsiveness of merchant vessels (rmks: Duh, ya think?) … at the same time, however, could be interaction between legitimate fishing boats and merchants transiting in close proximity to seasonal fishing areas. +++ KK Update: 13th Chinese anti-piracy task group (frigates HUANGSHAN and HENGYANG with supply ship QINGHAI HU) arrives back home at Zhanjiang (South Sea Fleet), completing Horn of Africa deployment. +++ KK Update: Danish navy frigate HDMS IVER HUITFELDT returns to home base Korsoer, ending a nearly 9-month deployment in support of NATO operation “Ocean Shield” off Somalia. RUSSIA In order to “attract private funding”, decision on state financing of three new nuclear icebreakers has been deferred, probably resulting in delays for 2nd and 3rd ship (1st to be delivered by 2017). TAIWAN - PHILIPPINES Taiwan's coast guard will escort fishing ships on regular basis to protect them from harassment by the Philippines … “will not allow the 09 May incident to occur again”. USA +++ SecNav Mabus announced two next ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers to be named USS DANIEL INOUYE and PAUL IGNATIUS … no hull numbers given. +++ High Speed Vessel HSV-2 USNS SWIFT returns to Mayport (Florida) to officially mark the completion of the Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2013 mission. 25 May PIRACY Nigeria: Pirates board oil products tanker MATRIX I off the Niger delta … abducted a number of Nigerian and Pakistani crew. 27 May RUSSIA Mediterranean Squadron: Black Sea Fleet landing ships AZOV and NIKOLAI FILCHENKOV have left the Mediterranean … pass Turkish Straits for the Black Sea. 28 May CHINA (Territorial Disputes) With Philippines: Second Thomas Shoal, part of Reed Bank (80nm west of Palawan/Philippines) could be the next flashpoint in the South China Sea … area believed to be rich in oil and natural gas … in 1999 the Philippines deliberately ran aground an old military transport and have used the wreck since to mark “inhabited territory” … about a dozen Marines stationed there … recent reports indicate China converging (para)military vessels, possibly to block the “garrison” from resupply. FRANCE Offshore Patrol Vessel FS L’ADROIT arrives at Hai Phong (Vietnam) for a scheduled 6-day port visit … 40th anniversary of the two countries' establishment of diplomatic relations, INDIA The Eastern Fleet task group (INS RANVIJAY, SATPURA, KIRCH and SHAKTI) has passed the Malacca Strait … currently conducting Passex with Singapore navy … about to head for the South China Sea (port visit to Vietnam). IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Already ahead of new US sanctions to be implemented in July, major international shipping companies (such as Maersk) are abandoning their Iranian voyage routes, no longer berthing at Iranian ports. RUSSIA At Nizhny Novgorod state acceptance tests completed for another Project 11770 SERNA class landing craft … boat ready for transfer to the Caspian Sea on inland waterway … to join the Caspian Sea Flotilla by end of summer. UNITED KINGDOM +++ Royal Navy and Army have warned military cadets not to wear uniforms on the streets in case they are targeted by terrorists. +++ TYPE 23 frigate HMS LANCASTER sails from Portsmouth for a 6-month deployment to the North Atlantic and the Caribbean … tasks to focus on security of British Overseas territories, provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief during the core hurricane season and counter narcotic operations with partner nations. 03 June CHINA Restricted areas announced in the Bohai Sea from 05-25 Jun. (rmks: Could indicate upcoming operational tests for aircraft carrier LIAONING) FRANCE Aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE left dry dock in Toulon (docked since 21 Jan) … about to complete regular maintenance period … preparing for sea trials scheduled to commence mid-June. INDIA The Indian navy inducts auxiliary vessel PRADAYAK … small tanker capable of carrying 400 t of fuel and 100 t of aviation fuel … named after a ship decommissioned in 2007. IRAN (incl. related/non-naval) +++ The IAEA in unusually strong words criticized Iran for stalling negotiations … ten rounds of talks without any progress … with such behavior, a nuclear arms program cannot be excluded. (rmks: Ooh, don’t use the ‘unusually strong word’, please don’t) +++ The US has put new sanctions in force, targeting the Iranian currency and its car industry. (rmks: Like all the other sanctions are doing any good, let’s stick it to the Iranian auto industry) NORTH KOREA (incl. related/non-naval) North Korea is close to completing restoration of the graphite-moderated reactor at Yongbyon … could be operational within 2 months and may be used to supply weapons-grade plutonium … steady progress also on an experimental light water reactor that is under construction … a year or more from operational status … supply material for uranium enrichment. RUSSIA YASEN class submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK has begun another round of sea trials in the White Sea … due for delivery later this year. USA In a multi-year contract running through 2017, the US Navy has placed orders for another nine ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers … Huntington Ingalls to build five ships (at Pascagoula), GD Bath Iron Works the other four ships … option for a tenth ship which would be built at BIW. 05 June NORWAY In live test-firing off Andoeya, decommissioned OSLO class frigate HNoMS TRONDHEIM has been destroyed by NSM anti-ship missiles … fired from ashore as part of certification process. USA Third Joint High Speed Vessel, JHSV-3 USNS MILLINOCKET, launched from the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile (Alabama) 06 June CHINA Dinghai navy yard (Zhoushan) launches 600-ts China Marine Surveillance vessel HAI JIAN 7018 … 8th in 14-ship series thus far numbered 1116, 1117, 3011, 4067, 5030, 8003, 8027. (rmks: All ships still sporting the old color scheme) LIBYA Two RPB-20 patrol boats JANZOUR and AKRMA (rmks: photo does not show any hull numbers), built by French Raidco Marine, sail from Lorient on their delivery voyage … visits to Tangiers, Morocco and Tunisia before arriving in Tripoli on 18 Jun. PIRACY KK Update: Turkish frigate GÖKSU joins multinational CTF-151 … until 06 Dec … for the next three months will serve as flag ship for CTF-151 commander, Pakistani RAdm Muhammad Ihsan Qadir. USA +++ Austal at Mobile (Alabama) delivers the second Joint High Speed Vessel, JHSV-2 USNS CHOCTAW COUNTY, to the US Navy. +++ Aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH has completed at-sea test of new Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) System … combines passive detection (and tracking) capability with a hard-kill capability 07 June MYANMAR JIANGHU class frigate UMS MAHAR THIHATHURA arrives at Chittagong (Bangladesh) on a four-day goodwill visit. PIRACY KK Update: Italian-led NATO SNMG-2 (RAdm Antonio Natale, flagship SAN MARCO) hands over command of NATO Operation “Ocean Shield” to Norwegian-led NATO SNMG-1 (Cdre Henning Amundsen, flagship FRITJOF NANSEN. USA (multinational) US-led (USS MOUNT WHITNEY) exercise “Baltops 2013” kicked off in Roenne (Denmark) and Ventspils (Latvia) … until 22 Jun in the Central and Eastern Baltic Sea… largest annual multi-national naval exercise in the Baltic Sea with participants from 13 countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA), incl. NATO SNMCMG-1. UNITED KINGDOM On a six month deployment to the North Atlantic and Caribbean, frigate HMS LANCASTER arrives in Bermuda, joining supply ship RFA WAVE KNIGHT … both form Atlantic Patrol Taskforce (North), ready to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief support to regional countries in upcoming hurricane season. 08 June AUSTRALIA Another asylum seeker’s boat has perished on its journey from Indonesia to Australian Christmas Islands … search & rescue operation initiated, with frigate HMAS WARRAMUNGA coordinating … 13 bodies recovered with more than another 40 more missing … renewed criticism of Australia's response to boats in distress … allegedly 46-hour lag from the time the boat was reported ''overdue'' (06 Jun) and the mounting of a search-and-rescue operation. (rmks: Boat had been spotted on 05 Jun, with people waving at passing Australian P-3C Orion; no sign of distress then) CHINA (Territorial Disputes) With Vietnam: China and Vietnam have agreed to set up a hotline between their navies amid escalating maritime tensions over the disputed South China Sea islands. CHINA Bloggers suggest YANTAI class (073II) transport ship LULIANG SHAN (938) has found a new role as training vessel. NORTH KOREA North Korea has declared a restricted area in the Yellow Sea off its central west coast apparently for an artillery exercise …effective for one week. PIRACY KK Update: Netherlands frigate HNLMS DE RUYTER returns to home port Den Helder, ending her deployment in support of NATO Operation “Ocean Shield” RUSSIA DepPM Rogozin: Former MoD officials forced shipyards to largely underprice BOREJ and YASEN class submarine contracts … putting the entire projects at risk in 2011. 09 June INDIA “Grossly mismanaged, with huge time and cost overruns”, construction of SCORPENE submarines reportedly faces more delays … first vessel now to roll out of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) by Nov 2016 at the earliest … while follow-on submarine acquisition Project 75i remains stuck in political apathy and bureaucratic red-tape. (rmks: Just another typical day for the Indian naval shipbuilding industry) IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Iran claims to have set up its first space tracking center to monitor objects passing in orbit overhead. ISRAEL The Israel navy is reported to plan installing Barak-8 air defense missiles on offshore gas rigs to protect them against Yakhont missiles (from Lebanon/Syria). JORDAN (multinational) Exercise “Eager Lion 2013” kicks off … until 20 Jun … more than 8,000 soldiers and observers from 19 different countries, vast majority from Jordan and US … mostly land/air activities, but US Navy KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group may be involved … US Army CentCom: “unrelated to the conflict in Syria”, however, the US is sending a Patriot missile battery and F-16 fighters, and afterwards may keep them in Jordan to counter the threat posed by the Syrian civil war. PIRACY KK Update: Refurbished South African patrol vessel GALESHEWE (former MINISTER class) has replaced frigate AMATOLA in anti-piracy patrols along the Mozambique Channel. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (Jul) Zvezdochka shipyard will return KILO-I class submarine RFS KALUGA (B-800) to the Russian navy in July this year … had entered shipyard for overhaul in 2002, but due to lack of funding work only started in 2010. INDIA (12 Aug) DefMin Antony on 11 May: Indigenous aircraft carrier INS VIKRANT will be launched on 12 August. (rmks: I’ll believe when I see it) VIETNAM (Aug) Third KILO-II class submarine built by Russian Admiralty Shipyards (St. Petersburg) will be launched in August … according to Vietnamese media to be named HA PHONG (184). Names also given for the remainder on order: 4th to be DA NANG (185), 5th to be KHANH HOA (186), 6th to be VUNG TAU (187). RUSSIA (late summer) A combined Northern Fleet / Baltic Fleet / Black Sea Fleet task force is scheduled to conduct a several-month “combat training mission” to and across the Atlantic … late summer to October, with visits to several Latin American ports. (rmks: very preliminary information with no details yet on participants, exact time schedule nor ports to be visited) PIRACY (Nov) KK Update: Starting in November, New Zealand navy frigate HMNZS TE MANA for three months will join multinational CTF-151 (CMF) in anti-piracy operations … in mid-2014 a New Zealand P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft will deploy with the CTF-151 (CMF).

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 11 Well, it’s been two-weeks since my last post – so I better get busy with this one, as there is now a sufficient about of news to talk about. FYI – I will be taking a break from Navy News Summary in the summer, to spend time with the family. I will pick it up again in September. 29 April CHINA +++ Bloggers speculating on a total of 40 JIANGDAO class (Proj 056) corvettes to be built. (rmks: Obviously the ChiCom building ways are not going idle anytime soon) +++ Estimated transport capacity of one YUZHAO class dock landing ship: 4 x Z-8 helicopters (with a marine special force platoon of 40-50); 4 x Type-726 LCAC's (with up to 12 amphibious tanks or AFV's and up to another 320 marines); Up to another 16 amphibious tanks, AFV's, or SP artillery pieces. (rmks: This will be good info for the next HUCE DB update) FRANCE White Paper published … perfunctory “glimpse” shows for the navy: +++ No second aircraft carrier +++ Submarine force: Retain 4 SSBN and stick to six new BARRACUDA class +++ Destroyers/frigates: By 2019 just 15 vs. previously 18 frigates to be in service; only 8 FREMM to be built; the two FREDA will be forgone and compensated by upgrading air defense capabilities of two regular FREMM. LA FAYETTE class to be modernized. +++ Amphibious forces: No 4th MISTRAL; no replacement for dock landing ship SIROCCO; successors to the three BATRAL class ships without “beaching” capability +++ Patrol forces: Just “a dozen units”, at that by 2025 … probably meaning project BATSIMAR delayed by five years. Days at sea reduced; more cuts to personnel. ISRAEL Second DOLPHIN-II (AIP) submarine, HYS RAHAV, christened and handed over to the Israel navy at German HDW shipyard (Kiel) … with Israel navy commander RAdm Rotberg attending. (rmks: “Non-public” event) NORWAY South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has emerged as the preferred bidder for Norway's re-competed logistics and support vessel program. PHILIPPINES MoD has earmarked some Euro 350 million (Peso 18 bn) for the procurement of two new frigates … a number of international shipbuilders incl. from South Korea, Spain and Singapore expected to respond to tender to be issued “once the navy has forwarded its final requirements”. RUSSIA Black Sea Fleet commander, VAdm Fedotenkov: First of six Project 11356 frigates, RFS ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH, will join the Black Sea Fleet in 2014 … gives names of other ships as RFS ADMIRAL ESSEN, ADMIRAL MAKAROV, ADMIRAL BUTAKOV, ADMIRAL ISTOMIN and ADMIRAL KORNILOV. USA The USS JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group arrives at San Diego, effectively ending a MidEast deployment begun in August 2012. (rmks: Carrier still has to continue for home port Bremerton). 30 April AUSTRALIA Budget cuts mean Australia might not be able to fund planned major acquisitions, including 12 new submarines to replace its COLLINS class boats DJIBOUTI The US has donated two small (8.5 m) patrol craft Metal Shark 28 DEFIANT to Djibouti to improve its maritime security. KAZAKHSTAN Domestic “Ural Plant” (Zenith) has launched 2nd KAZAKHSTAN class 250-ts patrol vessel (“rocket artillery ship” … to be named ORAL. PIRACY +++ Somalia: Somali pirates release the six crew (2 Danes, 4 Filipinos) of Danish cargo vessel LEOPARD, hijacked in Jan 2011 off Somalia … had been held hostage on mainland … Danish officials deny any ransom paid. West Africa: In the Gulf of Guinea, appr. 100 nm off the Niger Delta, pirates board German container ship CITY of XIAMEN and abduct five crew members. RUSSIA +++ OSCAR-II class submarines K-410 RFS SMOLENSK (Northern Fleet) and K-150 RFS TOMSK (Pacific Fleet) as well as AKULA-II class submarine K-419 RFS KUZBASS scheduled to return to operational service this year … after completing repairs/overhauls. +++ Mediterranean Squadron: Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN pass the Turkish Straits southbound, returning to the Mediterranean after a short visit to Novorossiysk (Russia). SINGAPORE Second ARCHER class (former Swedish VAESTERGOETLAND class) submarine, RSS SWORDSMAN, has been declared operational and commissioned into service with the Singapore navy. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Bilateral South Korean – US exercises have ended as scheduled. (rmks: “endex” usually sets the stage for easing tensions, although this year may prove different) +++ North Korea reportedly has stopped preparations for the launching Musadan medium-range ballistic missiles, deployed to the east coast in early April. +++ North Korea still holds seven South Korean workers at Kaesong, demanding payment for wages, corporate taxes, electricity, water etc. … South Korea: “not yet” a hostage situation. USA The US Navy is proceeding with a life extension programme for the Trident II D5 submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) USA +++ Missile cruiser USS CHOSIN to sail from Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) for Western Pacific deployment. +++ US Army officials are exploring the potential to operate from maritime platforms during various contingencies in the Pacific region. 01 May AUSTRALIA With 184 asylum seekers and two crew, the largest boatload this year has made it to Christmas Island. CANADA Fresh from a refit, submarine HMCS WINDSOR has been “restricted in range of operations and endurance” due to a broken diesel generator. RUSSIA (ISRAEL) Black Sea Fleet landing ship RFS AZOV arrives at Haifa for a scheduled three-day visit … the first ever visit of a Russian warship to Israel. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) North Korea reportedly is "putting the external finishing touches on" an experimental light water nuclear reactor at Yongbyon … probably will become operational in 2014. USA +++ High speed vessel HSV-2 USS SWIFT completed testing of the TIF-25K Aerostat (unmanned blimp) and a Puma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) … now commences anti-drug operation “Martillo” in the US 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility. +++ Huntington Ingalls has been contracted with building the sixth LEGEND class National Security Cutter for the US Coast Guard … to be named USCGC MUNRO (WMSL 755). 02 May COLOMBIA Sail training vessel GLORIA departs for 73rd training cruise … across the Pacific to Asia / South East Asia with 12 visits scheduled to foreign ports, incl. Honolulu (Hawaii, USA), Guam (USA), Hong Kong (China), Busan (South Korea), Tokyo (Japan), Port Klang (Malaysia), Bangkok (Thailand), Balboa (Panama) … return to Cartagena on 06 Dec. FRANCE – ALGERIA Annual bilateral exercise “Rais Hamidou” kicks off at Toulon (France) … until 16 May in the western Mediterranean, evolving from French waters to Algerian waters, ending at Algiers (Algeria) …maritime security operations (smuggling, illegal migration); pollution control … participants include French destroyer FS DUPLEIX, Algerian landing ship KALAAT BENI HAMMAD and an Algerian coast guard vessel … surveillance aircraft and helicopters. IRAN Navy commander RAdm Habibollah Sayyari: upon receiving an “order” Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian navy has defined its primary area of operations as the “golden triangle” between the strategic straits of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Malacca … area will be the navy’s “point of concentration”. USA At Naval Air Station North Island (near San Diego) the US Navy inaugurates a first squadron that combines MH-60 Romeo naval helicopters with MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicles … Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 35 (HSL-35) "Magicians" … to operate off Littoral Combat Ships. (rmks: The choppers will be about the only offensive capability these tinker toys have) 03 May AUSTRALIA Government media release (2013 Defence White Paper) on shipbuilding plans: +++ Remain committed to acquiring twelve Future Submarines to be assembled in Adelaide (formal release of “Future Submarine Industry Skills Plan”) +++ The Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance will reallocate construction of four AWD steel hull blocks from the Forgacs shipyard in Newcastle to the BAE Systems shipyard in Melbourne. +++ At the earliest opportunity replace Australia’s supply ships HMAS SUCCESS and SIRIUS … examine options for local, hybrid and overseas build or the leasing of an existing vessel. +++ Brought forward the replacement of ARMIDALE class patrol boats, to be assembled in Australia. +++ Give consideration to bringing forward the replacement of the current ANZAC class frigates with a new Future Frigate to be assembled in Australia. This will include further investment in the Australian-developed phased array radar technology already in service in the ANZAC class frigates. CANADA – USA Canadian Maritime Forces Pacific-hosted biennial joint exercise “Trident Fury” kicked off … until 19 May … off the Canadian Pacific coast west of Vancouver Island … air and surface joint operations including live air and surface weapons firing, anti-submarine warfare training, maritime jurisdiction, and surveillance … include assets from the Royal Canadian Navy (HMCS ALGONQUIN, OTTAWA, NANAIMO, SASKATOON, EDMONTON, submarine HMCS VICTORIA), Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Army, US Navy (USS FORD, SPRUANCE, CARL BRASHEAR), US Air Force, US Air National Guard, US Coast Guard (RUSH, ORCAS). CHINA JIANGKAI-II class frigate YUEYANG (575) commissioned into South Sea Fleet at Sanya (Hainan) naval base. INDIA KILO class submarine INS SINDHURAKSHAK arrives at home port Mumbai, ending her long transfer voyage after comprehensive overhaul and upgrade at Russian Zvezdochka shipyard (Severodvinsk) … meanwhile, Zvezdochka assisting with overhaul/upgrade of KILO class submarine INS SINDHUKIRTI at Visakhapatnam (India). IRAN (incl. related / non naval) The US DoD announces it has redesigned its biggest "bunker buster" bomb with more advanced features intended to enable it to destroy most heavily fortified and defended underground sites … subtly hinting to Israel that the US has the capability for an effective pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, and that Israel's military can't do that on its own. (rmks: Haven’t our enlightened leaders ever heard of telegraphing and the consequences it has to future operations? What a bunch of lamebrains) SOUTH PACIFIC (multinational) During South Pacific Defence Chiefs of Defense Force meeting in Nuku’alofa (Tonga), Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga agree on new exercise series “Povai Endeavour” … to develop and maintain regional skills in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, amphibious operations, and peacekeeping and stabilization. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non naval) The last seven South Korean workers have left the Kaesong industrial zone which now has been closed for good. USA +++ Frigate USS REUBEN JAMES will return to her homeport in Hawaii from her final deployment … scheduled for decommissioning in August. +++ The NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group (now comprised of USS NIMITZ, PRINCETON, MOMSEN and PREBLE) has entered the 7th Fleet area of responsibility … conduct a number of exercises and port visits in the West Pacific region. +++ Aircraft carrier USS JOHN C STENNIS returns to home port Bremerton, ending a nearly 10-month deployment to the Middle East. +++ Returning from a Middle East deployment, the PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii). +++ An X-47B combat drone (UCAV) performed its first carrier-style landing … short-range "arrested landing" (tailhook) on an airstrip at Patuxent River Naval Air Station … “key milestone” 04 May IRAN Navy Commander RAdm Sayyari: “This week we will bring into operation a mine-sweeping system.” (rmks: Since when have the Mullahs ever cared about minesweeping? I wonder if they think something is up.) IRAN – INDIA In an obvious attempt to counter Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean region, India will upgrade infrastructure of the Iranian port of Chabahar … expert team soon to visit for assessment … project estimated at US$100M. (rmks: Man, with allies like the Indians, who needs enemies) RUSSIA The Russian navy introduced the first of a planned eight Antonov An-140-100 twin turboprop transport aircraft at the Ostafievo naval air station. USA +++ The US Navy commissioned SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship USS ANCHORAGE (LPD 23) into service. +++ The US Navy plans to more than double the number of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to be based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station … 49 aircraft, up from previously planned 24. (rmks: No word on “when” they plan to do it, as we are smack-dab in the middle of sequester) 05 May AUSTRALIA Defence minister Smith: acquisition of German submarines (rmks: such as Type 212A/214 with air independent propulsion) no option … “won`t buy commercial-of-the-shelf” but develop proprietary design. (rmks: He obviously didn’t receive the press release about the budget woes) CANADA Marking the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, on 05 May, the Canadian navy introduced a new naval ensign … on an all-white background incorporates the national flag in the upper left hand corner and the naval badge … national flag will be new naval jack. FRANCE Test launch of new M51 missile (SLBM) failed … missile (without warheads) launched from SSBN FS LE VIGILANT, off the coast of Brittany (Bay of Audierne) self-destructed shortly after launch, during first propulsion phase. RUSSIA Mediterranean Squadron: Black Sea Fleet ALLIGATOR class landing ship NIKOLAI FILCHENKOV and repair ship AMUR PM-56 (rmks: former Tartus/Syria station ship) pass the Turkish Straits towards the Black Sea. 05 May FINLAND The Finish navy’s materiel command has offered four decommissioned naval vessels for sale: multi-purpose support vessels (AP) VAHAKARI and VALAS, diving tender MURSU, cable layer PUTSAARI. USA AVENGER class mine hunter USS PIONEER was off-loaded from heavy lift ship M/V SUPER SERVANT 3 at Naval Base San Diego, ending an 11-month deployment to Bahrain. 06 May AUSTRALIA Frigate HMAS SYDNEY arrives at Yokosuka (Japan) … for the next three months will embed with the US Navy’s USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Carrier Strike Group … conduct a number of regional exercises and port visits. CHINA +++ The US Pentagon’s latest annual Report to Congress sees “China investing considerably in capabilities for naval operations” … robust program for undersea warfare, developing submarines that are both conventional, diesel-electric powered, air- independent propulsion and nuclear-powered … building two new classes of missile submarines … particular concern is the deployment near Taiwan of a precision-guided DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile. (rmks: Hmm, I wonder what they plan on doing with all that hardware?) +++ An East Sea Fleet task group (frigates HUAIHUA and FOSHAN, supply ship QIANDAO HU) sails for “routine training” in Western Pacific. IRAN Iranian naval forces begin several-day minesweeping exercises in the Gulf of Oman and east of the Strait of Hormuz … the “newest and most advanced minesweeper, designed and manufactured by Iranian experts” to be unveiled during the war games. SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) Sri Lankan Navy nabbed at least 65 suspected illegal immigrants to Australia shortly after sailing from the island. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ South Korea and the US launch a five-day “routine” naval exercise in the Yellow Sea … one focus on anti-submarine warfare … no official statements on participants; local media, however, report on “US aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ, Aegis destroyers (of both navies) and naval air assets”. +++ North Korea has taken two Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missiles off launch-ready status and probably returned them to storage from their position on the country's east coast (rmks: Had been deployed since 05 Apr)… has terminated high level combat alert for the armed forces since 30 Apr (end of South Korean – US exercises) … units in the southwest (Yellow Sea coastal zone), however, remain on high alert. +++ North Korea threatens “retaliation by missile forces” if ongoing South Korean - US anti-submarine warfare and island artillery exercises in the Yellow Sea “violate its territorial sovereignty”. USA +++ Internal, confidential 2012 report (recently leaked to media) warned that “Littoral Combat Ships can’t meet their promised mission because they are too lightly manned and armed” … “failure to adequately address requirements and capabilities will result in a large number of ships that are ill-suited to execute warfighting needs.” (rmks: Who needed to leak that info? It’s been public knowledge for anyone with two brain cells to rub together) +++ Launch of new aircraft carrier USS GERALD R. FORD delayed from July to November this year, with delivery date already deferred from contracted Sep 2015 to early 2016. +++ Update IMCMEX 13: Representatives from 41 nations incl. from shipping industry have assembled in Bahrain for US CentCom-hosted International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 13 … until 30 May … will exercise a wide spectrum of defensive operations designed to protect international commerce and trade; mine countermeasures, maritime security operations, and maritime infrastructure protection … 35 ships/boats, 18 UUVs and more than 100 EOD divers … three phases: 3-day symposium on maritime infrastructure protection; afloat operations phase; re-integration phase to discuss lessons learned for future exercises. 07 May CHINA (The neverending story – aka Territorial Disputes) With Philippines: A Chinese fishing fleet composed of 30 vessels has sailed from Hainan for “40-day operation” for the Spratly islands in the South China Sea … fishing close to or even within Philippine waters anticipated … Philippine coast guard closely watching. CHINA Latest US DoD report officially uses class name JIANGDAO for Type 056 corvettes … two new names for such ships: JI’AN (586) and SANGRAO (587) FINLAND – ESTONIA Finland hosting bilateral naval air defence/anti-air gunnery exercise “Baltic Shield” conducted in the Gulf of Finland … six Finish naval vessels participating; Estonia deployed mine hunters ENS SAKALA and UGANDI as well as support/command vessel TASUJA. FRANCE Following a final short (1-day) day at sea, with nine former commanding officers embarked, destroyer FS DE GRASSE has been taken from active service during a ceremony at Brest … will be replaced by first FREMM frigate FS AQUITAINE … crew now prepare ship for scrapping, scheduled to begin in autumn. (rmks: last remaining TOURVILLE class destroyer) TURKEY 11th International Defence Industry Exhibition opens in Istanbul (Turkey) … until 10 May… Russian navy sent Black Sea Fleet DERGACH class missile corvette TCG BORA. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Foreign container shipping lines are suspending Iranian business ahead of new US sanctions in July, dealing a further blow to Iran’s seaborne trade. IRAN Update: new minesweeping system unveiled … consists of (modified) CH-53 helicopters towing mine sweeping sledge through the water. (rmks: These 53’s are ancient. It’s highly unlikely they are in operable condition for extended flight periods) RUSSIA +++ Upcoming (09 May) Victory Day Celebrations: US Navy destroyer USS LASSEN arrives at Vladivostok; Norwegian frigate HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD berths at Severomorsk. +++ Zelenodolsk (Gorkiy) scheduled to lay the keel for 6th GRACHONOK class (project 21980) patrol boat. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Update: There has been “some movement” at the east coast site where two Musadan IRBM had been deployed since 05 Apr, however, unclear whether the missiles have actually been “withdrawn” as had been reported … possibly just relocated to another site. +++ Chinese state-run Bank of China has notified the Foreign Trade Bank of North Korea that its account or accounts were being closed and that all financial transactions were being suspended. (rmks: Latest sign of Beijing’s displeasure with its former ally) 08 May BELGIUM Support ship BNS GODETIA returns to home port Zeebrugge, ending a 3-month to West Africa which included support to the US Navy’s Africa Partnership Station mission. CANADA Vancouver Shipyard is to build both a new ice breaker (CCGC JOHN G. DIEFENBAKER) and Joint Support Ships … both urgently required, but according to local media the shipyard can only handle one project at a time and the government may be forced to declare priorities which would delay one of them. CHINA (The Neverending Story) With Japan: Official Chinese newspaper “People's Daily” reportedly published an article advocating a review of Japanese sovereignty over the Ryuku Islands which include Okinawa … claiming they were a tributary state of China before Japan annexed them in the 1879 … “problems relating to the Ryukyu Islands have reached the time for reconsideration.” (rmks: have not seen the original article yet) PIRACY Keystone Kops (aka Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: Netherlands navy dock landing ship HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT prepares for Horn-of-Africa deployment “this summer” … will support EU operation “Atalanta”, with boarding team from Malta armed forces embarked. RUSSIA New Proj. 21300 submarine rescue ship RFS IGOR BELOUSOV, currently under construction at Admiralty Shipyards (St. Petersburg), scheduled to enter service in 2014. 09 May AUSTRALIA Australian shipbuilder ASC has teamed up with South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and UK design house BMT Defence Services in a bid to build new afloat replenishment ships as replacements to HMAS SUCCESS and SIRIUS. FRANCE First FREMM frigate FS AQUITAINE returns to Brest, ending a several-month deployment for systems tests in subtropical/tropical waters (et al visited Morocco, Brazil, Carribbean, US, Canada). INDIA Indian coast guard commissions second of five 50-m Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV, built by Hindustan Shipyard), INS RANI AVANTIBAI. RUSSIA Victory Day celebrations throughout Russia with the usual parades, wreath laying ceremonies and military demonstrations also at all major naval bases … in Sevastopol joint parade with Ukrainian navy … US Navy destroyer USS LASSEN participated in Vladivostok; Norwegian frigate HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD at Severomorsk (Murmansk) naval base. RUSSIA Mediterranean Squadron: Baltic Fleet task group with frigate RFS YAROSLAV MUDRIY, tanker RFS LENA and salvage tug RFS SLIVA SB-921 berth at Piraeus (Greece) for a scheduled visit. 10 May UNITED KINGDOM Ice Patrol Ship HMS PROTECTOR returns home to Portsmouth marking an end to her 9-month deployment to Antarctica. 11 May THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) US Navy aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ scheduled to berth at Busan (South Korea) for a weekend port visit. (rmks: Participating in bilateral ROK-US naval exercises in the Yellow Sea) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (15 May) Mediterranean Squadron: Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, landing ships PERESVET and ADMIRAL NEVELSKOY, tanker PECHENGA and salvage tug FOTIY KRYLOV to pass the Suez Canal and enter der Mediterranean “around 15 May” … for “a couple of months” Mediterranean naval presence operations … 17 May begin port visit to Limassol (Cyprus). PIRACY (19 May) Anti-Piracy Forces: Immediately after completing bilateral exercise “Pomor 13” with the Norwegian navy, on 19 May, Russian Northern Fleet destroyer VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV is scheduled to sail for the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations. USA (May) Annual humanitarian mission “Pacific Partnership” to commence in May … four-month mission to Samoa, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and Solomon Islands … US Navy to deploy dock landing ship PEARL HARBOR (rmks: not hospital ship USNS MERCY this time), Australia to join with landing ship TOBRUK, New Zealand with multi-purpose ship HMZNS CANTERBURY … for the first time partner nations will lead individual phases (Australia in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand in Kiribati and Solomon Islands). (rmks: Similar mission to the Atlantic region cancelled due to sequester) RUSSIA (end May) STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS BOYKIY to be delivered to the Russian navy end May/early June. LIBYA (Near Future) The Libyan navy will take delivery of two RPB 20 patrol vessels built by French Raidco Marine, Lorient. PHILIPPINES (Jul) Second former USCG HAMILTON class patrol ship, BRP RAMON ALCARAZ, now scheduled to arrive in Manila in July … currently still in Charleston (South Carolina, USA) for crew training RUSSIA (28 Jul) Severnaya shipyard plans keel laying ceremony for another STEREGUSHCHIY-mod (Proj 20385) class corvette on the eve of Navy Day (28 Jul) (rmks: some confusion here; only recently there were reports that the STEREGUSHCHIY program has been terminated for good) RUSSIA (Aug) New YASEN class type submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK scheduled to conduct trials with Onyx (Yakhont variant) supersonic, land-attack capable anti-ship missile system in August … success said to be “critical” for commencing YASEN series production.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 10 Some very interesting developments in this issue, as the saga of ChiCom stick-poking ops continues.. Enjoy the summaries! 18 April CHINA China Central TV: Aircraft carrier LIAONING may sail from Qingdao for her, “first long-distance journey within a year.” (rmks: This ought to be fun to track) FRANCE +++ After visits to Norfolk (for exercise with the US Navy) and New York, frigate FS AQUITAINE arrives at Halifax (Canada) for a visit until 24 Apr … also support French industry in bidding for future Canadian Surface Combatant. +++ Four EDA® landing craft officially commissioned into operational service. INDIA Russian Yantar-built TALWAR class frigate INS TRIKAND has successfully completed a final round of sea trials which included weapon system tests in the Eastern Baltic … on schedule for handover to the Indian navy in June. RUSSIA +++ Baltic Fleet missile forces with NANUCHKA-III class RFS LIVEN and three TARANTUL (RFS KUZNETSK, DIMITROVGRAD, R-2) conduct joint live missile and artillery firing in the Eastern Baltic. USA Littoral Combat Ship USS FREEDOM arrives at Singapore … 8-month maiden deployment … in May participate at IMDEX exhibition (Singapore) … then join select phases of exercises CARAT and SEACAT with regional partner navies. (rmks: Looks like I have to eat crow on this one. I truly thought the tinker toy would breakdown) 19 April AUSTRALIA Off Christmas Island, a RAN vessel intercepted a boat loaded with 153 asylum seekers. BAHAMAS The Government of the Bahamas and Netherlands Damen Shipyards Group signed a Letter of Intent to acquire nine vessels (4 Stan Patrol 4207, 4 Stan Patrol 3007, 1 Stan Lander 5612 roll-on, roll-off landing craft … mid-life upgrade of the BAHAMAS class vessels that entered service in 1999 … construction work for three naval bases. CHINA Former 13th anti-piracy task group (2 frigates, 1 supply ship) ends five-day port visit to Lisbon (Portugal). ESTONIA The Estonian defense ministry reportedly has decided to decommission its navy’s flag ship ENS ADMIRAL PITKA … defense planning sees three mine hunters (ENS ADMIRAL COWAN, SAKALA and UGANDI) plus command ship ENS TASUJA as sufficient naval combat core. ITALY Offshore patrol vessel ITS VEGA rescues 87 people (illegal migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa), shipwrecked with unseaworthy craft south of the island of Lampedusa. NEW ZEALAND +++ The government has approved purchase of eight SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopters (upgraded variant) from US manufacturer Kaman … originally built for the Australian navy which then refused to accept them. (rmks: Rather “controversial” decision) +++ The MoD has issued a request for information for replacement of fleet replenishment tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR by 2018 … new ship should carry a minimum of 8,000 tons of ship fuel and a minimum of 1,700 tons of aviation fuel … should also be able to sustain land forces, and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. RUSSIA Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Hydromet has prepared specifications for a new research vessel for work in Antarctica … by 2018 … similar to RFS AKADEMIK TRESHNIKOV but “not a full copy”. USA USS NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group (USS NIMITZ and PRINCETON) departs San Diego for a “scheduled” West Pacific deployment. (rmks: No word - yet - on Middle East; destroyers USS HIGGINS, STOCKDALE, WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE, SHOUP, making up the CSG’s Surface Action Group, already deployed in Jan) 20 April INDIA +++ The Indian Navy has issued an RfP for five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) … capable of transferring all types of stores, ammunition, fuel and personnel to naval units while underway at sea … 60-day mission endurance, 12,000 nm range, helicopter capable … orders not expected before 2016. +++ With consultants from Spanish shipbuilding partner Navantia leaving Mazagon Dockyards (Mumbai) after contract expired, India’s SCORPENE project faces another 18-month delay … delivery date slipped to end 2016 … Mazagon might ask for more funds to cover costs for technical assistance. (rmks: Initially, SCORPENE had been jointly developed/produced/marketed by French DCNS and Navantia) IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Iran is considering exporting oil to North Korea … delegation from North Korea's oil ministry currently visiting Iran … has denied a UN report saying the two have exchanged ballistic missiles, components and technology in violation of UN sanctions. (rmks: Don’tcha just love the UN’s “honor” system?) USA Christening ceremony for Joint High Speed Support Vessel USS MILLINOCKET at Austal’s facility in Mobile, Alabama. 21 April AUSTRALIA Frigate HMAS NEWCASTLE sails from Sydney for a six-month deployment to the Middle East. (rmks: Replaces frigate HMAS TOOWOOMBA deployed since end-December) CHINA +++ Another Proj 056 JIANGDAO class corvette about to complete fitting out at Huangpu shipyard … hull number 597, name given as QINZHOU. +++ JIANGWEI-II class frigate 565 renamed once more; the original YULIN had her name changed to SANYA (with commissioning of new frigate YULIN), now renamed HULUDAO. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Iran currently is owed US$4B for oil sales to customers who have been unable to pay because of sanctions targeting the banking system. (rmks: Awe that’s too bad. Could happen to a better group of despots) PIRACY Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: Russian Pacific Fleet former anti-piracy task group with destroyer RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, tanker RFS IRKUT and salvage tug RFS ALATAU returns to home port Vladivistok, ending a nearly six-month deployment to the Horn of Africa. RUSSIA A Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV and ROPUCHA class landing ships PERESVET and ADMIRAL NEVELSKOY arrive at Bandar Abbas (Iran) for a scheduled port visit. (rmks: Ships in May scheduled to proceed to the Mediterranean and to Syrian Tartus which will fuel speculations for transporting Iranian-made military goods for the Assad government) SENEGAL French Raidco Marine at Quimper is building one RPB 33 patrol boat for the Senegalese navy … delivery this summer. SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) Off Jaffna the Sri Lankan navy intercepts a boat with 80 illegal migrants headed for Australia. THAILAND Bangkok Post: The Thai navy has chosen South Korean Daewoo as manufacturer for two new 3,000-4,000 tons multi-purpose frigates (rmks: such as the DW 3000 design recently shown on exhibitions) … delivery in about two years … European design had been preferred but proved too expensive … Daewoo also to provide new combat management systems for frigates HTMS NARESUAN and TAKSIN. (rmks: Careful here! This is not yet official, and the Thai navy is known for “surprises”. RUMINT has it the ChiComs are still in the race) THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) North Korea moved two launchers believed to be for Scud short range ballistic missiles to the east coast. (rmks: Preparing for multiple-missile test-firings?) TOGO French Raidco Marine at Quimper is building two RPB 33 patrol boat for the Togolese navy … delivery in March rspv. June 2014. USA – VIETNAM US destroyer USS CHUNG HOON and salvage tug USS SALVOR arrive a Da Nang (Vietnam) for a five-day visit which includes training in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, diving, rescue and underwater medicine. (rmks: Annual “Naval Exchange Activity”, equivalent to CARAT series) 22 April RUSSIA Pacific Fleet flag ship, missile cruiser VARYAG, completed maintenance period … preparing for longer cruise “this year” with a number of visits to foreign ports in the Asia-Pacific region. (rmks: No dates nor details yet) TAIWAN The MoD has rebutted a media report that navy commander Adm Tung Hsiang-lung will be replaced due to glitches (missile/gun malfunctions) during last week's Han Kuang live-fire exercise. THAILAND Three servicemen, including a senior bomb disposal expert, were killed when a bomb they were inspecting exploded inside the Narathiwat naval base. An explosives team had previously worked to disarm the bomb and had declared it safe to handle. USA +++ The US Coast Guard has repatriated 32 Cuban migrants who were recently picked up in waters off South Florida and the Keys. +++ The JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group arrives at Hawaii … on return transit from 8-month Middle East deployment. USA - QATAR Dock landing ship USS SAN ANTONIO (rmks: part ofUSS KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group) off Qatar supporting exercise “Eagle Resolve 2013” … annual, multinational naval, land and air exercise designed to enhance regional cooperative defense efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council and US CentCom. 23 April BLACKSEAFORCE Spring Activation of BlackSeaFor formally ended during a ceremony at Sevastopol (Russia/Ukraine) … next activation scheduled in August this year. CHINA (Territorial Disputes) With Japan: While a “flotilla” of Japanese nationalist activists seems to be headed for the disputed Senkaku / Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, Chinese paramilitary maritime forces in the area are being augmented …up to eight vessels reportedly enroute … Japan said to have summoned Chinese ambassador. (rmks: The current version of the neverending story) 24 April CHINA Bloggers insinuate the Chinese navy will soon establish a fourth fleet … centered around aircraft carrier LIAONING … responsible for deep sea combat missions … as “strategic force” be directly subordinate to the Central Military Commission … be based at Sanya (Hainan) and ultimately consist of two aircraft carrier groups. (rmks: This is likely the ChiCom edition of the Vodka Version. Thie RUMINT has been floating around for quite a while) IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Struggling with Western sanctions Iran is storing millions of barrels of oil on tankers in its territorial waters … oil revenues have fallen by about 50 percent since EU and US measures were imposed last year. (rmks: That’s too bad ain’t it) IRAN Iran said to have begun equipping Air Force fighter jets with airborne variants of anti-ship missiles Nour (range 120 km; dubbed: Qaem) and Qader (range 200 km). NATO Annual SAR (search and rescue) exercise “Dynamic Mercy” kicked off in the Baltic … SAR units from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the UK participating … two independent at-sea phases: 24 Apr: Baltic Central-North (east of Bornholm to the Gulf of Riga, Gulf of Bothnia and Gulf of Finland); 08 May: Baltic South (western Baltic to the east of Bornholm) NEW ZEALAND (VIETNAM) Frigate HMNZS TE MANA docks at the sea port of Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) for a five-day visit. (rmks: on four-month deployment with visits also to Australia, Singapore, China, and South Korea … return home in June). RUSSIA +++ LADA class submarine RFS ST. PETERBURG “preparing” to sail from the Baltic to the Northern Fleet … for deep-sea tests … date of departure yet undetermined; deliberations that she should first participate in IMDS exhibition, scheduled in July in St. Petersburg. (rmks: Barents Sea / White Sea tests originally already planned last year but then deferred with no reasons given) +++ Nishniy Novgorod to build sixteen 28-m Project 23040 diving tenders / salvage vessels for the Russian navy. +++ Mediterranean Squadron: Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHALALIN together with Northern Fleet tanker DUBNA reportedly once again berth at Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. SRI LANKA The Sri Lanka Navy intercepted 55 persons illegally bound for Australia in a trawler UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 23 frigate HMS MONMOUTH handed over Gulf Patrol duties TYPE 45 destroyer DRAGON and commenced home transit. (rmks: Deployed since 19 Oct, 2012) USA The US Navy is considering a new deployment plan for Carrier Strike Groups (CSG)… today, a CSG deploys every 36 months … new plan would see it sail twice every 36 months …cycle made out of one pre-deployment workup period to prepare for two seven-month deployments, with seven months at home in between the two cruises, and a maintenance period afterwards. 25 April CHINA The Neverending Story (aka, Territorial Disputes): With Japan - Japan is to send a senior defense official to China over the Senkaku Islands dispute. (rmks: Fat lot of good that’ll do) 26 April CHINA Recent photos suggest Huangpu-built JIANGDAO class (Proj 056) corvettes 596 and 597 about ready for delivery. INDIA Although Spanish Navantia consultants left Mazagon Dockyards (Mumbai), French DCNS insists the SCORPENE submarine project remains “very much on track”. PIRACY KK Update: Next Japanese navy anti-piracy task group with destroyers JDS AKEBONO and HAMAGIRI bound for the Gulf of Aden arrives at Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a two day logistic stop. RUSSIA French STX will provide four landing craft to be carried on board MISTRAL class helicopter carriers … decision reportedly for conventional type, NOT the new EDA-R design currently acquired by the French navy. SENEGAL French Raidco Marine has been contracted with building a 45-m Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV 45) for the Senegalese navy .. delivery in Sep 2014. SWEDEN German Peenewerft (Wolgast) delivers KBV-034 HSwMS HELSINGBORG, the final of four 52-m patrol vessels, to the Swedish coast guard … will remain in Wolgast for a few weeks of crew training … in June head for future home port of Helsingborg in southern Sweden. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) North Korea has decided to permanently close the Kaesong industrial zone USA +++ Coast Guard cutter USCGC GALLATIN intercepted a fishing vessel and seized 2,200 pounds of cocaine worth about US$27M while on patrol in the western Caribbean Sea. +++ The US Marine Corps is establishing a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), specifically tailored for crisis response in Africa. 27 April CHINA (UKRAINE) First of two POMORNIK (ZUBR) class LCAC built in Feodosiya (Ukraine) for the Chinese navy loaded on board Hansa Heavy Lift transport ship. (rmks: No hull number discernible; weapon systems still missing, Chinese might install their own) CHINA The Neverending Story: With Japan - China seems not prepared to make any concessions on the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea … official foreign ministry statement for the very first time regards the islands “as China’s core interest”. EGYPT (CHINA) An Egyptian-Chinese agreement on the “Suez Canal Corridor Development Project” has been signed … overhaul the northwest area of the Gulf of Suez to “transform it from just a waterway to a mega national project”. RUSSIA Black Sea Fleet missile boats (RFS SHTIL, MIRAZH, R-60, IVANOVETS and BORA) conduct live missile firing exercise “in a tactical environment” … observed by navy commander Adm Chirkov. RUSSIA (SYRIA) Black Sea Fleet AMUR class repair ship PM-138 passes the Turkish Straits enroute Tartus (Syria) … regular 6-month deployment to replace sister ship PM-56 as Tartus station ship. (rmks: PM-56 at Tartus since late October, 2012) THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) South Korean has withdrawn all remaining 175 South Korean workers from the Kaesong industrial zone. (rmks: With an unpredictable partner and the financial losses involved, there won’t be any more business investments in the foreseeable future) 28 April BRAZIL Inace Shipbuilding held keel laying ceremony for new 55-m (530 tons) Brazilian navy oceanographic research vessel RIO BRANCO … delivery in late 2014. (rmks: had been ordered in Dec, 2012) CHINA (Territorial Disputes) The Neverending Story: With Vietnam - A ship with Chinese “tourists” has set off from Hainan for a four-day cruise to the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea (also claimed by Vietnam). (rmks: Very first “tourist trip” had been announced a few weeks ago) CHINA Hudong shipyard launches the overall 17th JIANGKAI-II frigate. NIGERIA Suspected renegade militants kidnap nine workers of two oil servicing companies operating in the Niger Delta. PIRACY KK Update: Private British security company’s armed vessel DEFENDER (former Omani 172ft warship, built in the 1970s) is being held by Spanish authorities as Santa Cruz (Tenerife) …over “security issues relating to its lifesaving equipment” and “administrative irregularities” …has been enroute the Horn of Africa for anti-piracy mission (vessel protection) with eight former Royal Marine Commandos embarked. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) North Korea appears to be gearing up for a major military exercise … preparations under way near the western port of Nampo for a combined live-fire drill involving artillery units and air force jets … also missile tests expected. (rmks: provocation to South Korea not excluded) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS LIBYA (+/- 26 Apr) The Libyan navy will take delivery of two RPB 20 patrol vessels built by French Raidco Marine, Lorient. PHILIPPINES (Jul) Second former USCG HAMILTON class patrol ship, BRP RAMON ALCARAZ, now scheduled to arrive in Manila in July … currently still in Charleston (South Carolina, USA) for crew training FRANCE (07 May) Frigate FS DE GRASSE scheduled for decommissioning on 07 May. RUSSIA (end May) STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS BOYKIY to be delivered to the Russian navy end May/early June.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 9 Things have been extremely busy in the Emerson household and I wasn’t able to post last week’s edition. Additionally, my news source was on vacation this week, so There has been nothing to report. Here is all the news I have. Enjoy the summaries! 04 April FRANCE FREMM class frigate FS AQUITAINE arrives at Norfolk (USA) for “integration training/certification” with the US Navy. (rmks: Man things have gotta be bad for my Navy, when we call in the French) PIRACY Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: The Iranian navy’s 25th anti-piracy task group sails from Bandar Abbas for the Gulf of Aden … frigate ALBORZ and landing ship/logistic support ship LARAK. 05 April BELGIUM Eurocopter “successfully“ conducted maiden flight of first NH90 NFH helicopter for the Belgium navy … Belgium has ordered eight NH90, four of which are naval variant NM90 NFH … replace Sea King. BLACKSEAFOR Seasonal routine activation of BlackSeaFor … at Varna (Bulgaria) … this time under Turkish command … visits to Constanta (Romania) and Sevastopol (Russia/Ukraine) … participants include RESITELNY (Bulgaria), SOKHUMI (Georgia), HORIA MACELLARIU (Romania), NOVOCHERKASSK (Russia), HEYBELIADA (Turkey, flag), CHERKASY (Ukraine). BRAZIL British BAe Systems has begun sea trials for third Brazilian navy AMAZONAS class OPV, ARAGUARI (P-122). (rmks: Last of three ships originally built for Trinidad & Tobago coast guard which then backed out of contract) CHINA Since August, 2012, Indian and US sonars spotted a total of 22 unidentified submarines operating in the Indian Ocean to the south of Sri Lanka … strong indications that they were Chinese navy. (rmks: Either that or the Indian sonar guys need hearing exams. I’m wagering of the need for hearing exams) GUINEA-BISSAU Former Guinea-Bissau navy chief, RAdm Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto, has been arrested from a boat in international waters (“set-up”) near Cape Verde … transferred to the US on drug related charges. INDONESIA The Indonesian navy opened new naval base in Palu (Central Sulawesi) … with immediate access to deep sea, will serve as the navy’s submarine base. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Expecting a North Korean missile launch, the South Korean navy deployed two KDX-III Aegis-destroyers east and west of the Korean peninsula. +++ North Korea has asked a number of countries (incl. Russia) to “consider evacuating their embassies” as security might not be guaranteed “after 10 Apr” … “if war breaks out.” +++ North Korea now deployed two mobile medium-range missiles on the east coast for probable “demonstrative” test launches. TURKEY The Turkish coast guard officially commissions new patrol ships TCGS DOST and UMUT into service … first and third ships in a new class; second ship GÜVEN obviously delayed (for unknown reasons). USA +++ Frigate USS GARY returns to home port San Diego, ending a six-month deployment to Central and South American waters for a.o.t. anti-drug operation “Martillo.” +++ The USS KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group (KEARSARGE, SAN ANTONIO, CARTER HALL, 26th MEU) completed transit of the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea. (rmks: replacing the PELELIU ARG in a scheduled routine deployment to the Middle East) 06 April EGYPT Update: Togo-flagged small coastal freighter COMR intercepted by the Egyptian navy on 04 April off the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula and initially reported to be “loaded with 45 tons of arms and ammunition (some 60.000 rifles)” in the end has become a “security vessel owned by an international security company carrying 64 rifles and 28 pistols and security personnel for anti-piracy operations” … and was allowed to proceed. (rmks: so much for Middle East media reporting …) NIGERIA Militants in the Niger Delta ambushed a group of police officers as they sat stranded in a boat in the region’s winding creeks, leaving at least 12 “missing” (presumably dead) … most serious attack in months. PIRACY +++ KK Update: During a change-of-command ceremony in Djibouti Portuguese navy Cdre Jorge Palma assumes command of the EU NavFor from Spanish navy RAdm Pedro Garcia De Paredes … Portuguese frigate ALVARES CABRAL relieves Spanish frigate MENDEZ NUNEZ as flag ship. +++ KK Update: In Djibouti Swedish patrol ship CARLSKRONA has joined EU NavFor in support of operation “Atalanta”. +++ KK Update: Spanish frigate SPS NUMANCIA has joined EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” RUSSIA Unclear whether a Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, currently in the Indian Ocean, will have anti-piracy operations as its main task … may operate off the Horn of Africa for a couple of weeks, but latest press statements suggest main purpose connected with establishing permanent Mediterranean presence … group “in May” will pass the Suez Canal and enter the Mediterranean, with two of the three accompanying ROPUCHA class landing ships (RFS ADMIRAL NEVELSKOI, PERESVET) to proceed to Tartus (Syria) to offload “cargo” brought along. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) The US military will advance (first ever) deployment of a Global Hawk long-range reconnaissance drone to the US airbase in Misawa (Japan) to boost “regional” surveillance capabilities … originally planned only in summer. USA – PHILIPPINES The Philippines demand US$1.4M from the US Navy to compensate for damages to the Tubbataha Reef resulting from the grounding of minesweeper ex-USS GUARDIAN. USA SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24) commissioned during a ceremony at the Norfolk naval base. 07 April CHINA (Territorial Disputes) +++ With Vietnam: China is to open disputed Paracel islands (South China Sea) up to tourism this month, a move likely to inflame a long-running territorial row with Vietnam. +++ With Philippines: Two suspected Chinese Sukhoi fighter jets intruded into Philippine airspace over the Kalayaan Island Group (South China Sea), in Palawan province. (rmks: Now they have their fighters doing stick-poking ops. That could be a bad sign) FRANCE The last two BATRAL class landing ships FS DUMONT D’URVILLE and GRANDIERE will remain in service until 2015 … originally planned to pay off in 2014 … wait until orders for planned successors (batiment multi-mission) are formally placed. RUSSIA +++ Repairs to SLAVA class missile cruiser RFS MARSHAL USTINOV at Zvezdochka “on schedule to be completed in 2014”. +++ Update: Besides proceeding to the Mediterranean (Syria), Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV will also conduct port visits to Iran and - during return transit - Vietnam. Only two landing ships (RFS PERESVET, ADMIRAL NEVELSKIY) with the group; third landing ship OSLABYA reportedly had been scheduled, but was “not required” and therefore stayed behind. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ The USA has postponed planned test-firing of a Minuteman-3 ICBM from Vandenberg (California) by one month … test at this time could send a wrong signal to North Korea. +++ “Recent activities” at North Koreas Punggye-ri nuclear test site could indicate preparations for another (overall 4th) nuclear test. +++ Japan deploying a BMD-capable Aegis destroyer to the Sea of Japan … DefMin: “There is not a high possibility that a North Korean missile would target Japan, but we should prepare for any contingency” … armed forces ordered to prepare for shooting down ballistic missiles in the event that any are launched (towards Japan). 08 April AUSTRALIA In the past four days, four boats carrying a total of more than 340 asylum seekers have been intercepted off Christmas Island. CHINA (Territorial Disputes) With Philippines: A Chinese fishing vessel has entered Philippine territorial waters and run aground at Philippine Tubbataha Reef (rmks: where three months ago also US Navy minesweeper ex-USS GUARDIAN shipwrecked. Hey, if the USN can do, so can the ChiComs. It’s likely they will use the ship as a base, instead of breaking it up – like the GUARDIAN) … the Philippine Coast Guard has sent search and rescue vessel ROMBLON (SARV-3503) to investigate. EGYPT Supply ship SHALATEIN, employed as training ship, arrives at Toulon (France) for a scheduled visit during a Mediterranean cadet training cruise. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ To defend against possible North Korean missile attacks, Japan has deployed a number of Patriot missile batteries, some in centre Tokyo. +++ With North Korean workers not showing up for work, North Korea has factually shut down the Kaesong Industrial Zone. +++ South Korean officials appease: another North Korean nuclear test “not imminent.” TURKEY The Turkish Energy Ministry by mid-April will deploy research vessel BARBAROS HAYREDDIN PASHA to the eastern Mediterranean to conduct seismic surveys for hydrocarbon deposits. (rmks: most probably also in contested waters off Cyprus and in the Aegean Sea). USA +++ The US Navy is preparing to deploy a new solid state laser weapon that in countering asymmetric threats can disable a hostile boat or destroy a surveillance drone overhead … in 2014 (FY), two years ahead of schedule, a prototype weapon will be installed for at-sea demonstrations on board mine warfare control ship USS PONCE (currently deployed to the Persian Gulf region). +++ An F-18 Super Hornet, operating from aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER, has crashed into the Northern Arabian Sea after engine failure … both crew safely ejected and plucked from water. +++ Missile cruiser USS MONTEREY departs Norfolk for a deployment to the 6th and 5th Fleet area of operations. VIETNAM Ba Son shipyard (Ho Chi Minh City) has put the first two of six (plus optional another four) domestically built Project 12418 MOLNIYA class missile boats to water. (rmks: Built with assistance and materiel packages from Russian Vympel shipyard) 09 April CHINA Former 13th anti-piracy task group (two frigates, one supply ship) arrives at Casablanca (Morocco) for a scheduled 5-day port visit PIRACY KK Update: French frigate FS GUEPRATTE sails from Toulon for the Horn of Africa … will join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. TAIWAN All Hsiung Feng I anti-ship missiles (derivative of Israeli Gabriel II), were officially decommissioned from the ROC Navy late last year. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ North Korea has advised South Korea to “prepare measures for evacuating foreigners.” (rmks: Likely psychological warfare) +++ Observed “loading activities” have British media speculating that North Korea has begun evacuating its London embassy … which North Korea denies. (rmks: Cleaning out embassies widely regarded as one of the indicators to “imminent war”) +++ North Korea has completed preparations for test firing mobile ballistic missiles from its east coast, however, no “danger areas” (mariners warning) announced yet. UNITED KINGDOM Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope formally stands down as First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff as Admiral Sir George Zambellas takes over. USA +++ Due to sequester, the US Navy has cancelled all remaining 2013 performances of its Blue Angels aerobatic squadron. (rmks: Well that sucks! No Blues for SeaFair this year) +++ Littoral Combat Ship USS FREEDOM arrives at Manila (Philippines) for a scheduled port visit. (rmks: enroute first operational deployment to Singapore). 10 April FRANCE +++ Offshore patrol vessel FS L’ADROIT, on long-distance deployment since January, has left Reunion (Indian Ocean) heading for Singapore … for participation in upcoming IMDEX Asia to be held there from 14 – 16 May. +++ On board a special cargo vessel, mine hunters FS PEGASE and SAGITTAIRE arrive at Abu Dhabi (UAE) to be offloaded. IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) Iran exported nearly 18 million barrels of fuel oil in the first quarter, or around 200,000 barrels per day, an increase of nearly 12.5 percent from the previous quarter … the US, however, expects importers of Iranian crude oil to make further significant cuts in their purchases. (rmks: Don’tcha just love how the sanctions are working) PIRACY +++ KK Update: Spanish frigate SPS MENDEZ NUNEZ conducts port visit to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) … had ended support of EU operation “Atalanta” on 07 Apr and commenced home transit. +++ KK Update: After completing operations in the Gulf of Aden, the Russian Northern Fleet task group (destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK, tanker RFS DUBNA, salvage tug RFS ALTAY) has passed the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean … for the next two month will “join the permanent Mediterranean Squadron”, before returning home. Anti-piracy operations to be taken over by Baltic Fleet task group (frigate RFS NEUSTRASHIMIY, tanker RFS YELNYA, salvage tug RFS YEVGENIY KHOROV) which is about to arrive off the Horn of Africa. RUSSIA Zelenodolsk shipyard has launched missile corvette UGLICH, second Project 21631 (BUYAN-M) vessel. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Ahead of anticipated North Korean missile launches South Korean and US forces have raised their alert level … Pentagon wary that two Musudan medium-range missiles positioned at the east coast might be just a diversion from actually planned “multiple-missile launches” from other (covert) positions. (rmks: any North Korean ballistic missile test would be in gross violation of UNSC resolutions) +++ North Korea preparing for Kim Il-sung birthday celebrations … on 15 April … analysts expect “some military action” such as missile launches to be related with that date. USA The Department of the Navy released its proposed $155.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2014 … $4.2 billion decrease from last year … includes a $49 billion for operations and maintenance (three percent reduction) ... $43.5B for ship, aircraft, weapons and other procurement for programs. UNITED KINGDOM New ASTUTE class submarine HMS AMBUSH suffered a “technical problem” (reportedly “stopped dead” in water) and had to be towed back to Faslane … MoD confirmed incident but declined to give specific details. (rmks: Man that’s gotta suck) USA General Dynamics has completed critical design review for Knifefish surface-mine countermeasure unmanned undersea vehicle (SMCM UUV) … essential component of the Littoral Combat Ship mine countermeasure mission package … now begin development of system hardware and software. 11 April CANADA Two independent think-tanks recommend the government abandon its project to construct Arctic Patrol Ships … the $4.3-billion plan “has been watered down to the point where it no longer makes much sense” … better build high-speed navy cutters and civilian icebreakers. DefMin outright dismissed the reports. CHILE Domestic Asmar shipyard “recently” delivered new fishery and oceanographic research vessel CABO DE HORNOS to the Chilean navy. (rmks: ST-367 design, 74-m ship) CHINA During inspection of the South Sea Fleet in Sanya (Hainan), president Xi Jinping urged soldiers “be better prepared for military struggle”. FRANCE Destroyer FS LATOUCHE TREVILLE has taken over West African naval presence mission “Corymbe”, relieving helicopter carrier MISTRAL and Aviso LE HENAFF. (rmks: Usually 3-month deployment, which is considered a loonnngggg deployment for the French) INDIA Two-day multi-agency maritime security exercise “Sagar Kavach” kicked off in territorial waters (up to 12 nm) along the Goa coast … involves navy, coast guard, state marine police, customs, fisheries, port authorities and other central and state departments. RUSSIA +++ Two Baltic Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN pass the Turkish Straits back into the Mediterranean … had spent some two weeks at Novorossiysk (Black Sea) for replenishment and maintenance. (rmks: On Mediterranean deployment since 18 Dec) +++ STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS BOYKIY successfully completed sea trials in the Eastern Baltic … will now undergo a series of final tests at Severnaya shipyard … join the Baltic Fleet in May or June. +++ KIROV class cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY has sailed for the Barents Sea for a number of individual ship exercises … incl. air defense and land attack. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Indications that North Korea may have started fuelling ballistic missiles and testing telemetry signals. (rmks: If confirmed, launch should occur within a week, preferably sooner, because the fuel is unstable and corrosive … preparations could point to a launch in honor of Kim Il-sung's birthday on 15 April) +++ US Navy mobile sea-based radar platform SBX-1 now “in position” to monitor any possible missile launches by North Korea. +++ US DIA thinks North Korea may have (crude) nuclear weapons that could be delivered by ballistic missiles, however, reliability will be low. USA +++ Ahead of official announcement (expected in coming days), politicians have disclosed names selected for future US Navy warships … two littoral combat ships to be named MANCHESTER and WICHITA, a Joint High Speed Vessel to get the name USS TRENTON. (rmks: no associated numbers given yet) +++ The US Navy has cancelled participation in a number of upcoming “Fleet Weeks” … following DoD guidance that “no branch of the Armed Forces can participate in community events that come at an additional cost.” 12 April AUSTRALIA Dock landing ship HMAS CHOULES has completed repairs and returned to sea. CHINA (Territorial Disputes) With Philippines: One year after a standoff between the Philippine Navy and Chinese vessels began at Scarborough Shoals (South China Sea), Chinese ships (currently 2 CMS, 1 FLEC) still have remained in the area. NEW ZEALAND After spending eight months alongside at the Devonport naval base for “training and resting key personnel”, offshore patrol vessel WELLINGTON has returned to sea. RUSSIA +++ Black Sea Fleet landing ship RFS AZOV has sailed for the Mediterranean … scheduled to visit Messina (Italy) from 23-25 Apr for historic anniversary celebrations. +++ Baltic Fleet landing ship RFS ALEXANDER SHABALIN (rmks: passed the Turkish Straits on 11 Apr) is headed for Tartus (Syria) … by 17 Apr, deliver supplies and spare parts for AMUR class repair ship and logistic base … then join the Mediterranean Task Group. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Chinese tanks and armored vehicles conducted live fire drills near borders with North Korea, marking the first military activity in the area since the start of the current crisis … defense official denies “military build-up” near the border. Additionally, the Chinese city of Huichen (near the border with North Korea) staged an air raid drill. USA +++ Frigate USS THACH returns to San Diego, cutting short a deployment for anti-drug operations to the 4th Fleet area of operations. (rmks: Called back due to sequester) +++ The second NEIL ARMSTRONG class research vessel (AGOR) will be named after female astronaut USNS SALLY RIDE. +++ A small fire occurred aboard new littoral combat ship USS CORONADO during sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico … insulation on the starboard diesel "smoldered, then ignited" … quickly extinguished, no injuries, minor damage. 13 April CHINA Former 13th Anti-Piracy Task Group (2 frigates, 1 supply ship) end their port visit to Casablanca (Morocco) … two more visits to Portugal and France to follow. INDIA The Indian navy is set to “later this year” order another three TALWAR class frigates from Russia. IRAN RAdm Sayyari: “New destroyer SHAHEED BAYANDOR” set to be launched … will officially join the fleet by next month. (rmks: possibly the old BAYANDOR returning to the fleet after completing an upgrade) USA +++ A fourth attack submarine will be sent to Guam and six destroyers will be shifted from the Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific as part of the re-balancing of US forces. +++ A 34-foot assault boat from Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 (Jacksonville, Florida) during a routine training mission crashed into the jetties about four miles off shore near Charleston (South Carolina) … all six people on board injured and taken to hospital … three released meanwhile, the other three in stable condition. 14 April AUSTRALIA Two more asylum-seeker boats with a total of 100 people have been intercepted in Australian waters amid confusion over the over the fate of almost 100 refugees on board up to two vessels that capsized last week … Australia assumes that at least one boat made it to Indonesian waters … a total of 21 boats have successfully made the journey to Australia in the first two weeks of this month. INDIA The first of six SCORPENE class submarines built by Mazagon Dockyards with French DCNS assistance “will be rolled out in 2014”. USA This year’s New York Fleet Week (to start on 22 May) may not be cancelled but will be significantly scaled back because of sequester … with nearly no US Navy participation at all. Financial woes also will prevent Naval Station Everett (Seattle) from opening its doors to the public during the city’s Fourth of July celebration this year. 15 April DENMARK Captain Frank Trojahn takes command of Soeværnets Operative Kommando … with promotion to Rear Admiral already announced. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) Kim Il-sung 101st birthday celebrations in North Korea without – thus far - any missile launches. Actually, the two Musadan missiles deployed to the east coast “have not been seen” for the last two days and no other missile movements have been reported. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS FRANCE (end of Apr) Test-firing of a new M-51 ballistic missile planned off the coast of Britanny … towards end of April. FRANCE (multinational) (24 Jun) France will host this year’s multinational naval exercise FRUKUS (France, Russia, UK, USA) … to be held in and off Brest from 24 Jun until 02 Jul … participants: PRIMAUGUET (France), YAROSLAV MUDRIY (Russia), SUTHERLAND (UK), NICHOLAS (USA). IRAN (18 Apr) Armed Forces Day in Iran on 18 Apr; a number of new weapon systems, among them an indigenous “mine-sweeping warship” to be displayed at various parades and events. IRAN (Aug) Deputy Defense Minister Mohammad Eslami: “… final stages of an indigenous 500-ton submarine’s design and construction currently underway … will be unveiled by August 2013”. (rmks: 22 August will mark Day of National Defence Industry) UNITED KINGDOM (multinational) (15 Apr) Royal Navy and Royal Marines are to host joint multinational exercise “Joint Warrior” … “largest military exercise in Western Europe this year” … 15 – 29 April … exercise areas off Scotland (staging out of Faslane) … scenarios to develop increasing in tension and uncertainty into stimulated operations and potential state on state hostilities … training for NATO Response Force … feature amphibious operations … 49 ships from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. (rmks: US Navy cancelled scheduled deployments of ships due to sequester)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 8 Another busy naval news week. Lots of stuff coming out of the Korean Peninsula. Enjoy the summaries! 26 March FRANCE: Mission "Jeanne d'Arc 2013": Training squadron with helicopter carrier TONNERRE and destroyer GEORGES LEYGUES has arrived off Lebanon to conduct amphibious exercise "Cedre Bleu" with Lebanese armed forces. (rmks: annual cadet training cruise) 28 March CHINA To "more effectively cooperate in protecting maritime interests," the military has established new "coordination mechanisms" with the restructured State Oceanic Administration (China Marine Surveillance, Fisheries Law Enforcement Command, China Coast Guard). (rmks: In other stick-poking ops have just become official business) FRANCE Frigate FS AQUITAINE arrives at Havana (Cuba) for a scheduled port visit. PIRACY Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: Pacific Fleet Task Group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, three landing ships, two auxiliaries approaches the Strait of Malacca heading for the Indian Ocean. (rmks: Force composition suggests exercises with regional navies, such as India, in addition to normal anti-piracy operations) RUSSIA +++ The Black Sea Fleet has begun an unscheduled alert exercise involving 36 warships, military aircraft and armored vehicles, and thousands of marines. President Putin personally gave order to alert the Black Sea fleet, as well as the regional Air Force and troops. Ships after sailing from bases conducted live firing exercises. (rmks: Could be part of comprehensive inspection of BSF by Main Naval Staff, started on 16 Mar. BSF in late 2011 miserably failed such an inspection) +++ A new Project 12150 (MANGUST class) patrol boat has joined the FSB Border Guard in the Kaliningrad region. THE KOREAS (related / non-naval) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "decides the time has come to settle accounts with the U.S. imperialists." Ratifies the plan of the Strategic Rocket Force for firepower strike." Forces ready to strike "if ordered." UNITED KINGDOM +++ Destroyer HMS EDINBURGH returns to Portsmouth, ending her final 6-month deployment to the South Atlantic. (rmks: last active TYPE 42 destroyer; to be decommissioned in June) +++ Search & Rescue service of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force formally outsourced . in a deal amounting to Euro 1.85 bn, US company Bristow Group will take over the operation in 2015 USA +++ After a six-week delay (due to budget woes), aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN enters Newport News Shipbuilding to begin a four-year overhaul (RCOH) period . Navy "shifted" funds to keep LINCOLN's mid-life refueling and overhaul on schedule. (rmks: Costs given as US$2.6B) +++ Cruiser USS CHANCELLORSVILLE has completed major upgrade (part of Cruiser Modernization program) which began in April, 2012 . included Aegis upgrade (Baseline 9) for improved BMD capabilities . will next undergo combat system ship qualification trials beginning in April . expected to rejoin the fleet in June 2014. 29 March CHINA Update: The South Sea Fleet task group has passed the Bashi Channel, heading for the West Pacific . practice deep-sea precision striking, integrated air defence and open-ocean interception as well as maritime law enforcement, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy operations. FRANCE HORIZON class destroyer FS CHEVALIER PAUL has returned to Toulon, ending her 4-month maiden deployment to the Middle East. (rmks: Had been temporarily integrated in US Navy USS STENNIS Carrier Strike Group) LATVIA Naval vessels and helicopters rescued more than 200 people from drifting ice floes in the Gulf of Riga. LEBANON - SYRIA Local Lebanese media report a Syrian frigate (rmks: might apply to a PETYA-III class ship) "entered Lebanese territorial waters off Al-Arida and opened fire on a fishing boat (injuring one fisherman)." (rmks: Unconfirmed, but there have been similar incidents before in this "somewhat disputed" area) RUSSIA +++ Update: Landing force comprising four landing ships (RFS AZOV, SARATOV, NOVOCHERKASSK, NIKOLAI FILCHENKOV, marines embarked), escorts, and auxiliary vessels operating near Novorossiysk . a second "diversion" landing force includes Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN. Practice transit to amphibious objective area under mine and air threat, President Putin arriving to observe ongoing exercises. +++ As part of current sea trials, RFS STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette BOYKIY conducted live missile firing in the Eastern Baltic . two SS-N-27 fired at floating target . in the next days continue weapons tests with live firing of torpedoes and guns. THE KOREAS (related / non-naval) +++ North Korea declares State of War: the "armed forces have entered into an actual military action." "All issues arousing between the north and the south will be dealt with according to wartime regulations." "Stage a do-or-die final battle." Still threat of action remains conditioned on a provocation started by the Allies. +++ South Korean intelligence notes increase in personnel and vehicle movement at the North's mid- and long-range missile sites. USA LCS-1 USS FREEDOM arrives at Guam for scheduled port visit over the Easter weekend . enroute Singapore in first operational deployment. (rmks: I am truly amazed it’s made it this far without a tow) 30 March ITALY More than 500 illegal migrants - mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa - have arrived at the Italian island of Lampedusa in recent days after crossing the Mediterranean from Libya and Tunisia . at least two people died from exhaustion or hypothermia. SYRIA (IRAN) +++ Syrian opposition sources claim a Lebanese-owned, Tanzanian-flagged ship loaded with 8,500 t of weapons from Iran for the Syrian regime "about to enter the Suez Canal enroute the Mediterranean." +++ Update: Suez Canal authorities searched the ship but did not find any arms nor forbidden cargo. (rmks: Looks like one of those fabricated stories typical for the Mid-East) USA +++ Life on the Reef Update: Salvage teams removed the last piece (the stern) of mine hunter ex-USS GUARDIAN from Tubbataha Reef. Salvage ships will still remain on site for another three days to make sure that no debris is left. +++ Aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ departs its homeport of Everett (Wash) for a scheduled Sustainment Training Exercise (SUSTEX) in preparation (certification) for an upcoming West Pacific deployment. +++ Following a (final) port visit to Dubai, amphibious assault ship USS PELELIU has left the Persian Gulf, passing the Strait of Hormuz to the Arabian Sea. (rmks: Prepping to hand over to approaching KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group) 31 March CHINA Polar research ship XUELONG ("Snow Dragon") has completed a six-month scientific expedition to Antarctica. On home transit to arrive at Shanghai on 09 Apr. NEW ZEALAND The RNZN is set to (by May) take delivery of two small "Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA)" boats . HMNZS TAKAPU and TARAPUNGA. Can be towed on a trailer, carried aboard the RNZN's OPVs and MRV CANTERBURY; also be transported by an Air Force C-130 Hercules. PIRACY KK Update: British supply ship RFAS FORT VICTORIA sails from Bahrain. New flag ship to CTF-151, hosting Singapore's Rear Admiral Giam Hock Koon and his command team for the next three months. USA (PHILIPPINES) US Navy dock landing ship USS TORTUGA departs Okinawa for the Philippines to participate in upcoming annual (29th edition) exercise "Balikatan". 01 April CHINA +++ Territorial Disputes: With Japan: Three Chinese (paramilitary) government ships temporarily entered territorial waters of disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. +++ Update: After two-day training in West Pacific east of Taiwan, which included live gunnery exercises, the South Sea Fleet task group once more passes the Bashi Channel, returning to the South China Sea. ISRAEL After first natural gas has started flowing from offshore fields, the Israel navy is contemplating an "entire new defensive envelope." Currently "underequipped to protect these strategic assets, within rocket range from Gaza." RUSSIA The Black Sea Fleet has completed its exercises with live-firing at sea; ships now heading back to port. THE KOREAS (related / non-naval) +++ North Korean "Supreme People's Assembly" passed a new "nuclear weapons consolidation law," which makes nuclear weapons non-negotiable (without a change of this law). Will be a crime for North Korean diplomats to consent to nuclear negotiations of any kind. (rmks: Typical move for a whack-job tinpot dictator) +++ Indications that tensions are easing, with soldiers returning to barracks. Farmers prepare planting as winter training cycle ended. USA: No troop movements or preparations that could signal military action imminent. +++ the US Navy has positioned BMD-capable destroyer USS McCAIN (rmks: Other source claims USS FITZGERALD) to waters off the Korean peninsula (rmks: Pentagon speaker: "routine deployment"). Also moving the SBX-1 sea-based radar platform closer to the region to monitor possible missile launches. +++ South Korean President Park Geun-hye appeared to give her country's military permission to strike back at any attack from the North, "without further word from Seoul." URUGUAY The Uruguay navy plans to domestically (Tsakos, Montevideo) build two offshore patrol vessel of Portuguese NPO-2000 (VIANA DO CASTELLO) design. Contracts expected by end-2013 with construction to start in 2014 and delivery in 2017/18. USA Aircraft carrier USS JOHN C. STENNIS arrives at Singapore for a scheduled port visit. (rmks: On return transit from Middle East deployment. You’ll know something is up in Korea, if it turns it’s bow North, instead of East) YEMEN French Couach has begun construction of two PLASCOA 2200 patrol boats for the Yemeni navy/coast guard . delivery planned in Feb and Mar 2014 (22m x 5.6m; built from fiberglass and Kevlar; 2 MTU 8V200 diesel; 30 knots; machine gun) 02 April CHINA (Territorial Disputes) With Japan: Japanese government members release five-year maritime plan to be ratified "in the next few weeks." strengthen maritime security around Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea – monitor and protect area. Deals with incursions under domestic law and deploys ground forces to Yonaguni island (Okinawa prefecture) and install mobile radars there. Exploit natural gas from sea-bed deposits with three-year survey and "commercialization around 2018". (rmks: Me thinks this will have a similar effect, as kicking a hornet’s nest) CHINA Former 13th anti-piracy task group (frigates HUANGSHAN and HENGSHAN, supply ship QINGHAI HU) arrives at Algiers (Algeria) for a scheduled four-day visit. GEORGIA With US (financial) assistance Georgia has established a maritime operations control center in Supsa (south of Poti), to more effectively combat trafficking and maritime crime. PIRACY +++ Somalia Basin: Pirates in one skiff attack a merchant vessel off the Somalia coast, near Mogadishu. They backed-off when embarked security team returns fire. (No pirates were harmed reporting this piece – BLAST IT ALL!) +++ Bay of Bengal: The Bangladesh navy recovered 20 bodies of fishermen who were tied up and thrown into the sea in an apparent pirate attack. Pirates in the Bay of Bengal routinely kidnap and extort money from fishermen working along the coastline. (rmks: Why are we playing Pattycake with these scumbags) +++ KK Update: Russian Northern Fleet task group with destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK has completed anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden . now conduct "a number of exercises" in the Red Sea before proceeding north toward the Suez Canal. RUSSIA +++ Nerpa shipyard has begun scrapping OSCAR-II class submarine RFS KRASNODAR (laid up since 1999, but officially decommissioned only in 2012). Currently unloading spent nuclear fuel, with to be completed by 2014. +++ Contracts for resumption of suspended construction of second LADA class submarine (RFS KRONSHTADT) expected to be signed "this summer". +++ Black Sea Fleet repair ship RFS AMUR PM-138 set to deploy from Sevastopol to Tartus (Syria), replacing sister ship PM-56 as Tartus station ship. (rmks: Usually a six-month deployment; PM-56 had sailed on 20 Oct, 2012) TAIWAN Taiwanese coast guard commissions two new ships (a 2,000-ton frigate and a 1,000-ton patrol boat) into service. First ships of a total of 37 ships, to be built under a 10-year plan. THE KOREAS (also related /non-naval) +++ North Korea announces restart of Yongbyon reactor (enrichment/plutonium production facility) shut down, mothballed and disabled in 2007. (rmks: Will take quite a while to become operational again) +++ US Navy destroyer USS DECATUR currently near the Philippines has been ordered to proceed to waters off the Korean Peninsula. (rmks: Joins sister ship USS JOHN S McCAIN – both BMD-capable) UNITED KINGDOM - LIBYA Royal Navy frigate HMS KENT has arrived at Tripoli (Libya) for a scheduled port visit first visit of a UK warship in 40-years and will be hosting a number of UK defense and security firms, offering services and training to Libya. (rmks: Man, that’s gotta be some quality liberty … NOT!) VIETNAM Russian Zelenodolsk shipyard is to build two more GEPARD 6.9 (Proj 11661E) frigates for the Vietnamese navy. Construction of first ship to start in June this year; deliveries in 2016 and 2017. 03 April CHINA A South Sea Fleet four-ship task group has completed 16-day exercises in the South China Sea and the West Pacific and returned to Sanya home base (Hainan). PIRACY KK Update: German frigate FGS AUGSBURG has arrived at Djibouti, relieving sister ship KARLSRUHE in EU operation "Atalanta". RUSSIA President Putin has rejected a defense ministry's proposal to have Russian warships repaired at foreign shipyards. (rmks: I wonder if this would apply to Black Sea Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ship RFS TSESAR KUNIKOV, which was to start a major overhaul at Varna, Bulgaria, in March . but seemingly did not go there). THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ North Korea: "(nuclear) attack plans on South Korea and the USA now formally ratified." US SecDef Hagel: "clear and real danger" (rmks: Ya’ think!) +++ North Korea: Has closed border crossings to the Kaesong joint industrial zone. South Korean workers reportedly will be allowed to leave. From South Korea: "Military action an option if citizens threatened." +++ The US is deploying a land-based, mobile missile defense system to Guam. +++ Possibly related: US destroyer USS CHUNG HOON sails from Pearl Harbor for an "independent deployment and integrated operations with partners/allies to the Asia-Pacific region." UNITED KINGDOM Survey ship HMS SCOTT returns to Plymouth, ending a four-month deployment for survey work to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. USA Life on the Reef Series Finale: In the aftermath of the grounding of minesweeper USS GUARDIAN, the US Navy has "relieved from duty and reassigned" the commanding officer, the executive officer and navigator, the assistant navigator and the officer of the deck. Findings indicate all four "failed to adhere to standard navigation procedures" at the time of grounding. (rmks: Like duh!) 04 April EGYPT At the southern entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba the Egyptian navy has intercepted and detained a Togo-flagged ship … enroute from Eilat (Israel) to Togo … loaded with reportedly more than 60,000 weapons … conflicting reports on both origin and destination of cargo … most media claim weapons for security company involved in protecting merchant ships from pirates. (rmks: Conflicting reports, however, 60,000 guns would seem to be pretty much for a private security company) FRANCE Mission Jeanne D’Arc 2013: French navy training squadron with helicopter carrier FS TONNERRE and destroyer FS GEORGES LEYGUES completes 4-day visit to Aqaba (Jordan) which included bilateral special forces exercise “Mercy”, conducted inland some 60 km north of Aqaba IRAN (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Next round of talks with 5+1 Group scheduled to start in Almaty (Kazakhstan) … conciliatory offer: Iran reduce output of Fordo facility, but not close it. +++ Frigate SABALAN and supply ship KHARG arrive back home at Bandar Abbas, ending their tour to China and Sri Lanka. THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval) +++ Intercepted communication indicates North Korea planning a missile test +++ The Philippine navy has placed two logistic vessels and an escort ship on standby for possible evacuation of Filipinos from South Korea … an estimated 40,000 Filipino workers in South Korea. +++ North Korea reportedly (rmks: unconfirmed) has moved a Musudan medium-range (estimated 3,000 - 4,000 km) ballistic missile to a launching site on the east coast. (rmks: Moving a single missile should be nothing more than a propaganda stint, however, could also point to an imminent "test firing," which might just be the "spark" to a military escalation) +++ National holiday in North Korea … state media have not published any new threats nor official statements since yesterday. USA +++ The US Navy considers adding more offensive capability to its Littoral Combat Ships … replace the 57-mm gun on with larger caliber … after current order of 24 ships completed. +++ The USS PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) has left the 5th Fleet area of responsibility, heading home (San Diego) while replacement USS KEARSARGE ARG still in the Mediterranean Sea. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS BLACKSEAFOR (05 Apr) Next (routine) activation of multinational Black Sea Force scheduled from 05 - 23 Apr. This time under Turkish command, with visits to Varna (Bulgaria), Constanta (Romania) and Sevastopol (Russia/Ukraine). Participants to include RESITELNY (Bulgaria), SOKHUMI (Georgia), HORIA MACELLARIU (Romania), RFS NOVOCHERKASSK (Russia), TCG HEYBELIADA (Turkey, flag), CHERKASY (Ukraine). FRANCE (19 Apr) Noumea (New Caledonia)-based BATRAL class landing ship FS JACQUES CARTIER scheduled for retirement. Will leave Noumea on 19 Apr for Brest and arrive there on 08 Jul, for subsequent decommissioning. (rmks: Could be a candidate for the secondary market) RUSSIA (Jun) Third BOREJ class strategic submarine RFS VLADIMIR MONOMAKH scheduled to start trials in the White Sea in June. AUSTRALIA (03 Oct) A Chinese warship will join the Australian navy's international fleet review planned in Sydney from 03-11 Oct, 2013.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 7 Hope everyone had a Happy Easter/Passover celebration. Sorry about being a day late on publishing, but I couldn’t pass up the excellent weather in the PacNorWest over the weekend. The family and I spent the weekend working in the front yard. Some interesting things happening navy-wise. BTW, thanks for taking this article over 13K views. Enjoy the summaries! 20 March INDIA Cochin shipyard launches the second of 20 fast patrol craft for the Indian coast guard … associated image shows hull with number 237 … contract signed in 2010, with deliveries through 2017. USA The US Navy’s first Mobile Landing Platform, MLP-1 MONTFORD POINT, successfully completed builder's sea trials off San Diego. 22 March CANADA The Canadian Coast Guard takes delivery of new 14-m inshore fishery patrol boat S. DUDKA. CHINA New fishery inspection ship YUZHENG 312 has sailed for the South China Sea (Spratly Archipelago) … maiden-patrol … 40-50-day deployment … largest fishery inspection ship (101m, 4.950-tons). DENMARK All three Danish navy ice breakers officially taken out of service as “ice service” is outsourced. (rmks: A really sad day. If we’re not careful, this could be the blueprint for my beloved USN) FRANCE First FREMM frigate AQUITAINE continues long-range trials deployment … after visit to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) operated off French Guyana … from 16-20 March at Cartagena (Colombia) … now heading for a scheduled visit to Havana (Cuba) … afterwards proceed north to the USA and subsequently Iceland. ISRAEL (GAZA) In response to a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip Israel reportedly has curtailed Palestinian access to fishing waters off the Gaza Strip … “halving” the permitted fishing zone. (rmks: The zone had been extended from 6 to 12 nm as part of a ceasefire agreement that ended an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November … Israel regards the recent attack as breach of this agreement. Makes sense to me and I don’t have any diplomatic credentials) PIRACY Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: Spanish frigate SPS NUMANCIA sails from Rota for the Horn of Africa … to join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. RUSSIA The Baltic Fleet has commissioned two more Project 90600 tugs RB-394 and RB-395 …now total of five in service (incl. RB-20, RB-27, RB-42), with a sixth to be delivered by year end. UNITED KINGDOM Sixth and final TYPE 45 destroyer, HMS DUNCAN, arrives at Portsmouth and is officially delivered to the Royal Navy … soon start sea trials. USA +++ The USS JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group has concluded operations in the Arabian Sea / Persian Gulf (support of operation “Enduring Freedom”) and commenced home transit. +++ PERRY class frigate USS KLAKRING decommissioned during a ceremony at Mayport (Florida). (The for the service Klakring!) 23 March RUSSIA Baltic Fleet SOVREMENNIY class destroyer RFS NASTOYCHIVIY has completed major refit and a first series of sea trials. USA – CHINA The Chinese navy has accepted invitation for participation in next year’s (biennial) US-led multinational exercise “RIMPAC 2014” … but contradictory media reports whether ships/aircraft will be deployed to Hawaii. (rmks: Had taken part as observer in the 1990s. Man, that’s like asking the foxes to assist with guarding the chicken coop. Makes absolutely ZERO sense) USA Amid ongoing budget woes the US Navy has cancelled upcoming deployments for frigate USS RENTZ and LOS ANGELES class submarine USS JEFFERSON CITY … frigate USS THACH will cut short its current anti-drug deployment and return home in April … at Key West, the Navy’s “Blue Angels” did their last public performance for a while. 24 March CHINA (RUSSIA) According to state media, China will procure four LADA class submarines from Russia … two to be built in Russia, the other two with technology transfer in China … agreement signed just before president Xi’s visit to Russia … no further details (price, timetable) given thus far. IRAN (related / non-naval) India plans to set up a fund to back local insurers providing cover for refiners processing Iranian oil after companies warned they would be forced to halt imports. THAILAND – AUSTRALIA Seventh iteration of biennial bilateral exercise “AUSTHAI” conducted off Thailand … Thai Navy contributed frigates HTMS RATTANAKOSIN and PHUTTHAYOTLA CHULALOK plus some naval aircraft; Australian navy joined with visiting frigate HTMS PARRAMATTA. USA Aircraft carrier EISENHOWER arrives in the Northern Arabian Sea, starting flight operations in support of “Enduring Freedom” (Afghanistan). 25 March AUSTRALIA Two people died when an asylum seeker boat loaded with 95 people capsized off Christmas Island; all others picked up by Australian navy vessel … after a lull, numbers arriving there are picking up again … only on 23/24 Mar at least four boats taken to Christmas Island, one carrying 128 people. CHINA (Territorial Disputes) +++ With Vietnam: Chinese officials “vehemently deny” reports that a Chinese patrol vessel fired signal munitions at Vietnamese fishing boats (setting one on fire) in order to drive them out of disputed waters near Paracel Archipelago in the South China Sea. (rmks: I wonder how many people will by the spontaneous combustion defense?) +++ The South Sea Fleet task group has arrived in the Spratly Archipelago … practice combined assault (on an island) with support of land-based aircraft (bomber, fighter, early warning) … remain in the area for a few more days to continue “three-dimensional cruise” (rmks: phrase could indicate submarines involved as well). INDIA (RUSSIA) Russian media claim repairs to boilers of aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA at Baltic Plant “well behind schedule” ... officials denying: ”India very pleased with progress”. INDIA Plans for “Project Varsha” substantiated … new (nuclear) submarine base to be established “in the coming decade” on the east coast, near Rambilli, some 50 km from Visakhapatnam … will have “hardened underground” facilities (rmks: submarine tunnels?). PIRACY KK Update: British Royal Navy frigate HMS KENT is to sail from Portsmouth for a six-month deployment focusing on anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean. RUSSIA +++ Pacific Fleet (former anti-piracy) task group with destroyer RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, tanker RFS IRKUT and salvage tug RFS ALATAU arrives at Langkawi (Malaysia) … to participate in LIMA-2013 arms exhibition (scheduled to kick off on 26 Mar). +++ Baltic Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ships KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN once again entered the Black Sea through the Turkish Straits. (rmks: have been deployed to the Mediterranean region since 18 Dec … and rust shows). +++ The Russian navy plans acquisition of a special reconnaissance submarine optimized for hydro-acoustic surveillance … locating and tracking submarines, surface vessels and even low flying aircraft over distances of up to 600 km. THE KOREAS (related / non-naval) +++ North Korea (I) once more threatened strikes on US (Hawaii) … Kim Jong-un busy visiting troops and “supervising” training, having himself depicted as a “superb military leader”. +++ North Korea (II) staged a “large scale” combined army and naval (amphibious) exercise on the coast near Wonsan (Sea of Japan), involving hovercraft and multiple rocket launchers … watched by leader Kim Jong-un. +++ South Korean navy corvettes and missile boats, on third anniversary of sinking of corvette ROKS CHEON AN, conduct exercises in the Yellow Sea. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 23 frigate HMS SOMERSET has successfully completed sea trials, following completion of her refit. USA More deployments scheduled in April cancelled due to budget woes … hospital ship USNS COMFORT (“Continuing Promise 2013” humanitarian mission to Central and South America), salvage ship GRASP (European command), frigate USS KAUFFMAN (Southern Command). 26 March AUSTRALIA Two more boatloads of asylum seekers arrived at Christmas Island, bringing the total to 11 in the last five days … end of the monsoon season brings unprecedented surge in irregular immigration by sea …. 3028 asylum seekers have arrived in Australia this year, compared with just 1302 in the three months to April last year. CHINA +++ Former 13th anti-piracy task group (frigates HUANGSHAN and HENGSHAN, supply ship QINGHAI HU) arrives at Valetta (Malta) for a scheduled 5-day visit … more visits announced to Algeria, Morocco, Portugal and France. (rmks: Upon completion of anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden conduct Mediterranean cruise before heading home) +++ A four-ship South Sea Fleet task group has reached Zengmu Reef, the “southernmost part of China's territory” (rmks: In Spratly Archipelago) INDIA GRSE at Kolkata launches 3rd Project 28 (KAMORTA class) ASW corvette, named KILTAN (after an island). (rmks: Photos show no hull number yet) INDONESIA The Indonesian navy reportedly has decided to buy three British BAe Systems F 2000 (NAKHODA RAGAM class) corvettes originally built for Brunei but not accepted. MALAYSIA 2013 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition kicked off … run through 30 March. PIRACY West Africa: The US and some of its allies are considering plans for anti-piracy operations off West Africa … concerns that money from the attacks is funding a Nigerian-based insurgent group that is linked to one of al-Qaeda’s most dangerous affiliates. THE KOREAS (related / non-naval) North Korea has ordered its strategic rocket and long-range artillery units “combat ready”, targeting U.S. military bases on Guam, Hawaii and mainland America … still, no sign of imminent military action. (rmks: Is this tinpot little schmuck serious?) UNITED KINGDOM HUNT class mine hunter HMS CHIDDINGFOLD returns to sea after completion of 18-month upgrade. USA +++ Life on the Reef Update: Dismantling and sectioning the hull of grounded mine countermeasures ship ex-USS GUARDIAN progressing well … bow section cut off and safely lifted to an awaiting barge. +++ The USS JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group has left the 5th Fleet area of responsibility … heading home to San Diego / Bremerton. +++ After a short stop-over at Rota (Spain), the USS KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group passes the Strait of Gibraltar, entering the Mediterranean enroute its scheduled Middle East deployment. (rmks: To relieve the PELELIU ARG deployed since Sep, 2012) 27 March CHINA – TANZANIA Adding to its "string of pearls" in the Indian Ocean, China now ready to build / develop a new port at Bagamoyo (Tanzania) … Chinese state-owned company, China Merchants Group, will lead the port construction. (rmks: Well ain’t that peachy keen) CHINA After “landing exercises” at James Shoals and “patrolling the Meiji Reef” (in most southern Spratly Archipelago) the South Sea Fleet task group now headed for the West Pacific … will sail the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines. CHINA – RUSSIA Russian officials deny arms deal with China which reportedly includes four AMUR (LADA) class submarines. (rmks: Wording suggests deal “not signed” yet” but still could be in the making. This could be the vodka version. Only time will tell) EGYPT The Egyptian navy has arrested three scuba divers trying to cut undersea communication / Internet cable off Alexandria. IRAN (related / non-naval) Chinese VLCC tanker YUAN YANG HU berthed at Kharg Island … obviously to load up to 2 mn barrels Iranian crude … first confirmed visit to an Iranian port by a Chinese-owned crude oil carrier since the beginning of EU/US sanctions … Norwegian-based insurer: “hauling Iranian oil automatically invalidates the ship’s insurance”. (rmks: Don’t you just love how the sanctions are working?) JAPAN Kawasaki Heavy Industries delivers the first two P-1 next-generation antisubmarine patrol aircraft to the Japanese navy (JMSDF) … will conduct two more years of tests before becoming operational. (rmks: Program delayed by more than one year after fuselage cracks found on prototype aircraft). RUSSIA Baltic Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ships KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN as well as tanker LENA arrive at Novorossiysk (Black Sea) … for replenishment and maintenance. (rmks: deployed to the Mediterranean region since mid-Dec, 2012) SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) The Sri Lankan navy arrested 97 Australia-bound illegal migrants off the east coast. TAIWAN Taiwan is on track to take delivery of 12 refurbished P-3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft from the US by mid-2015. THE KOREAS (related / non-naval) +++ North Korea now also cut off the military hot line … “when a war may break out any moment, there is no need to keep the military communications” +++ The US Air Force reportedly has deployed B-2 stealth bombers over South Korea. USA +++ VT Halter Marine's Moss Point shipyard launches new oceanographic survey vessel USNS MAURY (T-AGS 66). +++ Bollinger shipyard has delivered USCGC MARGARET NORVELL, the 5th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the United States Coast Guard. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS PAKISTAN (Apr) The Pakistan Navy is set to receive its fourth F-22P SWORD class frigate, ASLAT(254) … in April … built at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works under a technology transfer agreement.