gemerson

Besides standard Russian heavy torpedoes, I would think the Nerpa was probably upgraded to carry the sub-launched version of the Switchblade (SS-N-25 "Club-S) missile. It's probably also capable of minelaying as well. FWFS, Greg

Sorry its been a couple of days since the last NNSotD, publishing deadlines precluded me from doing any summaries for the last couple of days. This should make up for lost time. Have a great day! Summary to follow ... 01 March VIETNAM The Vietnam navy accepted into service three new patrol vessels – two of them Russia-built SVETLYAK HQ-264 and HQ-265. Source: NIPmail. 07 March Mission Jeanne d’Arc 2012: Two days into this year’s cadet training cruise, helicopter carrier DIXMUDE and destroyer GEORGE LEYGUES have conducted amphibious training off Corsica. (rmk: The French version of an operational deployment) Source: NIPmail. 08 March SWEDEN German P+S shipyard at Wolgast christens KBV-032 LYSEKIL, the second of four new patrol vessels for the Swedish coast guard (other names: KBV-031 DJUROE, KBV-033 OSKARSHAMN, KBV-034 HAERNOESAND). (rmk: More additions to the DB). Source: NIPmail. 09 March EGYPT The second of four US-built Fast Missile Craft on order for the Egyptian navy was launched at VT Halter Marine's shipyard in Pascagoula. (rmk: It wil be interesting to see how the Ambassadors are used as an anchor for reconstituting the EN). Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ Major customer Royal Dutch Shell will stop buying oil from Iran within several weeks, already ahead of a July deadline imposed by the European Union … analyst estimate Shell has been purchasing around 200,000 barrels of oil per day from Iran, shipping half to Japan and half to Europe. Source: NIPmail. +++ Chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee Carl Levin (Dem.): An international naval blockade of Iranian oil exports should be considered before any resort to air strikes. (rmk: International meaning the US). Source: NIPmail. NORTH KOREA North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected navy units at the west coast. (rmk: Must have been a short inspection) Source: NIPmail. PIRACY General: The Asian Shipowners’ Forum has called for a United Nations resolution that would see the international body sponsor and manage armed personnel on board ships sailing through pirate-infested waters. Source: IMO Update. USA +++ Royal Dutch Shell remains confident it will be able to start exploring for oil in the Arctic Ocean off the coast of Alaska this summer. (rmk: Why is everyone else drilling and we are allowing the price of oil to go up, as we have domestic resources just waiting to be tapped. It makes no sense) Source: NIPmail. +++ PERRY class frigate JOHN L. HALL decommissioned at Mayport Naval Station. Source: NIPmail. +++ Adm. Samuel Locklear takes over from Adm. Robert Willard as head of the US Pacific Command in a ceremony at Camp H.M. Smith, a Marine base outside Honolulu, Hawaii, where the command has its headquarters. Source: NIPmail. 10 March CHILE Dock landing ship SARGENTO ALDEA (former French FOUDRE) arrives at Valparaiso, greeted by Chilean president Pinera, the defence minister, and the navy commander. Source: NIPmail. INDIA DRDO had to reschedule a test of submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) K-15 from an underwater platform off Andhra Pradesh coast, originally planned on 04 Mar … due to adverse weather conditions … should be conducted anytime now … missile will be test-fired from a pontoon (replica of a submarine) positioned some 20 feet undersea. Source: NIPmail. ISRAEL The Israeli air force and navy have decided to prolong the service life of their Israel Aerospace Industries Westwind 1124 “Shahaf” maritime patrol aircraft. Source: NIPmail. JAPAN (VIETNAM) Japanese destroyers HAMAGIRI, SAWAYUKI and ASAYUKI arrive at Haiphong, Vietnam, for a four-day visit to “promote friendship and cooperation”. (rmk: Interesting ASEAN-related development!) Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Gulf of Aden: pirates in a skiff ran two successive attacks against an Iranian oil tanker … in the “vicinity of the Gulf of Aden” … repelled by embarked Iranian navy security team. (rmk: So much for unit among brother Muslims) Source: IMO Update. TURKEY ADIK shipyard (Istanbul) hands over the first of eight new landing ships (1,100-ts LCT), C-151, to the Turkish navy … remaining seven to follow in three-month intervals. Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM DEFENDER, the fifth TYPE 45 destroyer, has begun her second and final stage of sea trials … off Scotland. Source: NIPmail. USA The US Navy and Huntington Ingalls have signed a memorandum of agreement for LHA-7, the second ship of the AMERICA-class amphibious assault ships … eventual award of a contract later this year. Source: NIPmail. MOROCCO Netherlands Damen Schelde delivers the second SIGMA class corvette, SULTAN MOULAY ISMAIL (614) to the Moroccan navy … before transfer voyage will conduct another three weeks of training in the North Sea off Den Helder. Source: NIPmail. 11 March India successfully testfires a sub-surface launched K-15 Sagarika ballistic missile … test reportedly “inconclusive” with another planned this week (14 Mar?) … K-15 to eventually arm indigenous submarine ARIHANT. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Arabian Sea: Pirates attack merchant vessel about 200 nm ENE of Socotra, firing RPG at its bridge … ship escapes applying “best management practises” (rmk: i.e., all ahead full) Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA Construction of the “New Admiralty Shipyards" on the southern shore of the Kotlin island (near St. Petersburg) to begin in 2012 … area of more than 250 hectares planned. Source: NIPmail. 12 March MYANMAR Two former Chinese navy JIANGHU class frigates, transferred to the Myanmar navy, have sailed from Guangzhou for future home … arrive at Da Nang, Vietnam, for a three-day port visit … first ever Myanmar navy visit to Vietnam … Chinese website gives names as MAHAR BANDOOLA (F-21) and MAHAR THIHA THURA (F-23). Source: NIPmail. SPAIN Fifth ALVARO DE BAZAN class frigate, CRISTOBAL COLON (F-105) has begun builder’s trials off the northwest coast of Spain. Source: NIPmail. USA Coast Guard Cutter NORTHLAND has confiscated more than US$43M worth of cocaine (1.7 tons) and detained four crew from a speedboat in the Caribbean Sea. Source: NIPmail. 13 March ISRAEL Israel navy corvettes LAHAV (SA’AR-5) and YAFO (SA’AR-4,5) reportedly enter the Suez Canal for southbound transit towards the Red Sea. (rmk: Not necessarily related to Iran, but may come handy to “send a signal”) Source: NIPmail. ITALY Italy reportedly has cut orders for US-manufactured F-35B and F-35C combat aircraft … no revised number available yet, however, the navy may still hope for its planned 22 F-35B STOVL aircraft, as otherwise aircraft carrier CAVOUR won’t have an air wing once ageing Harrier are phased out. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY General: The European Union calls for international rules on the use of armed guards aboard ships (rmk: after Embarked Italian naval infantry allegedly shot two Indian fishermen). Source: IMO Update. THAILAND Thailand‘s navy acknowledged that it had dropped plans to acquire second-hand German TYPE 206A submarines after deadline for the purchase has passed. Source: NIPmail. 14 March BANGLADESH – MYANMAR The International Maritime Court has defined sea boundaries for Bangladesh and Myanmar in the Bay of Bengal … as the two countries had been unable to reach a mutual agreement. Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ International Energy Agency: Iran’s oil exports will probably decline by 50 percent when European sanctions take full effect in July. Source: NIPmail. +++ The European Union reportedly considers to allow insurance for non-European tanker operators tankers carrying Iranian oil to non-European destinations. The EU embargo currently would affect insurance for 95 percent of the world’s tankers as they are covered by the London-based International Group of P&I Clubs, thus effectively extending sanctions also to non-EU countries that have not signed off on any embargo. Source: NIPmail. ISRAEL Update: according to an “IDF source”, corvettes LAHAV (SA’AR-5) and YAFO (SA’AR-4,5) have passed the Suez Canal in a routine deployment to southern Israeli naval base Eilat. Source: NIPmail. NETHERLANDS The Netherlands navy will upgrade its four DE ZEVEN PROVENCIEN class frigates with extended long-range “Smart-L” radar systems … as national contribution to the NATO missile defence program. Source: NIPmail. 15 March THE KOREAS Ahead of the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, South Korea is conducting a “large scale” combined arms exercise involving army, air Force and navy units … off the east coast … scenarios include a mock incursion by a North Korea patrol vessel in Goseong, about 225 kilometers northeast of Seoul, and a submarine near a port in Yanyang. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS CHINA - RUSSIA (late Apr) The Chinese North Fleet and the Russian Pacific Fleet plan “large scale” bilateral naval exercise to take place in late April in the Yellow Sea … Russia to deploy “a dozen ships” to Qingdao. Source: NIPmail. USA The US Navy has set the dates for deactivation (for subsequent decommissioning) of 11 ships in FY 2013 (rmk: The year of the axe is only just beginning!). Source: NIPmail. 31 Oct 2012: frigate CROMMELIN 15 Feb 2013: frigate UNDERWOOD 27 Feb 2013: frigate CURTS 15 Mar 2013: aircraft carrier ENTERPRISE, frigate CARR 22 Mar 2013: frigate KLAKRING 31 Mar 2013: cruisers COWPENS, ANZIO, VICKSBURG, PORT ROYAL 30 Aug 2013: frigate REUBEN JAMES. The six frigates will be offered for sale to foreign navies, while the four cruisers will be dismantled.

You all fail to realize an estimated 40% of the defense budget evaporates because of the leadership and defense industr big wigs are padding their Swiss bank accounts! 40%, that's huge! FWFS, Greg

Busy, busy, busy. Lots of stuff going on. Summary to follow ... 03 March SPAIN Research ship HESPERIDES has completed annual Antarctic campaign and commences home transit. Source: NIPmail. USA Amphibious assault ship BONHOMME RICHARD arrives at Guam for a scheduled port visit … eventually proceed to Sasebo (Japan) to relieve sister ship ESSEX. Source: NIPmail. 04 March USA Forward (Japan) based ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group (ESSEX, TORTUGA, DENVER) embarks more than 2,000 Marines of the 31st MEU in Okinawa for amphibious integration training (AIT), and certification exercise (CERTEX). Source: NIPmail. 05 March BANGLADESH Transfer of two Chinese second-hand JIANGHU class frigates “pending.” (rmk: China extends its arms sales reach into the IO region even farther) Source: NIPmail. MYANMAR China reportedly plans transferring two JIANGHU class frigates (namely JIANGHU-I 554 ANSHUN and JIANGHU-II 557 JISHOU) to the Myanmar navy. (rmk: CC from above) Source: NIPmail. PAKISTAN Frigate BABUR docks at Jubail (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled visit. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Somalia: The Transitional Federal Government’s MoD announces the establishment of the “Somali Anti Piracy Task Force Coast Guard”, in association with Nairobi-based private security company Halliday Finch International … will be part of the Somali National Security Forces, and will consist of land, sea and air components. (rmk: And the pirates quake in fear, NOT!) Source: IMO Update. 06 March AUSTRALIA +++ Patrol boat WOLLONGONG intercepted a boat carrying 26 suspected asylum seekers north-west of Christmas Island. Source: NIPmail. +++ Indonesian police detains 67 allegedly illegal asylum seekers from Palestine, about to board a boat destined for Australian Christmas Island. Source: NIPmail. BANGLADESH Two 600-ton patrol craft being built at Wuchang Shipyard (China) for the Bangladesh navy reportedly completed; delivery expected soon. Source: NIPmail. BENIN French OCEA is building three patrol boats (variant of FPB 98 Mk1 built for Algeria) for the Benin navy … names given as ALIBORI (hull number P 109), OUEME and ZOU. First boat in final outfitting; all three probably to be delivered this year. Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ Ships stranded outside Iran’s main food cargo terminal at Bandar Imam Khomeini due to western sanctions finally diverted to new destinations … in late January as much as 400,000 tonnes of grain were being held up on ten vessels, as EU sanctions froze the assets of Iran’s central banks and held up payments for consignments. (rmk: Let them eat oil) Source: NIPmail. +++ Deputy armed forces commander: New indigenous built submarine FATEH “will be put into operation in the beginning of new Iranian Year” which starts on 21 Mar (rmk: Should equal project QAEEM) … “after the FATEH submarine is released, Iran plans to start making a 1,200 ton BESAT submarine” - in a few years, if their shipbuilding infrastructure survives air strikes) Source: NIPmail. LATVIA Newly built SKRUNDRA class patrol boat CESIS probably on transfer voyage from Abeking & Rasmussen shipyard at Lemwerder (near Bremen, Germany) to Latvia. Source: NIPmail. NIGERIA French OCEA has all but completed the first of three 24-m patrol boats ordered by the Nigerian navy … hull number P 175. Two more under construction. Acquisition program also includes two SHALDAG fast interceptor craft from Israel. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IO Update +++ Gulf of Aden: Pirates in one skiff try to hijack merchant ship in the eastern entrance to the Gulf of Aden (200nm southwest of Salalah, Oman) … embarked armed security team repels attack. +++ Somalia: Somali pirates holding Panama-flagged cargo vessel LEILA (hijacked last month) have called for fellow pirates jailed in Somaliland to be freed in return for the ship's release. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Singapore will deploy a TRIDENT-class frigate with a naval helicopter task group to the Gulf of Aden … in the second half of 2012. (rmk: And the pirates quake in fear, NOT!) +++ General: The United States has handed over 15 suspected Somali pirates to Seychelles to stand trial … were detained in January when the US Navy rescued 13 Iranian fishermen abducted in the Arabian Sea and held hostage for more than a month. RUSSIA “Defence industry sources”: no reactivation / modernization of TYPHOON class submarines SEVERSTAL and ARKHANGELSK due to financial constraints. DMITRIY DONSKOY to be retained as testbed. Source: NIPmail. SOUTH KOREA – USA +++ Bilateral joint air, ground and naval field training exercise “Foal Eagle” kicks off … until April … about 11,000 US forces along with South Korean troops in division-sized or smaller units. Source: NIPmail. +++ South Korean destroyers SEJONG DAEWAN and CHUNGMUGONG YI SHUN-SHIN in exercises with US Navy 7th Fleet flag ship BLUE RIDGE … in the Sea of Japan. Source: NIPmail. USA +++ Boeing has delivered the first production P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to the US Navy … US Navy ordered an initial batch of 13 -- on top of six flight-test and two ground-test airplanes -- and ultimately plans to buy 117. The first ones are set to enter operational service. Source: NIPmail. +++ New US Navy aircraft carriers getting more expensive. GERALD R. FORD (under construction), which FY 2014 and FY 2015 … and total could increase further. Cost projection for JOHN F. KENNEDY has jumped from $10.3 billion in FY 2012 to $11.4 billion in FY 2013. Source: NIPmail. +++ Southern Partnership Station 2012: HSV 2 SWIFT departs Cap-Haitien, Haiti … the final stop of its four-month mission. Source: NIPmail. 07 March RUSSIA +++ General Makarov: "If there appears such possibility we will order two additional project 955 (BOREJ class) and two extra project 855 (YASEN class) submarines." (rmk: on the other hand, there are some indications that Russia may be facing a financial squeeze, but who cares, Czar Vladimir Putin is now in power and he will likely follow thru on campaign promises to modernize the military) Source: NIPmail. +++ RUSSIA – NETHERLANDS: Russian navy commander, Admiral Vysotsky, begins three-day visit to the Netherlands, the first such visit since WWII. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS PHILIPPINES – USA (16 Apr) Annual bilateral exercise “Balikatan” scheduled from 16-27 Apr at and off Palawan, at the South China Sea “within Philippine territorial waters” (rmks: which, by the way, China also claims its territorial waters) … mock exercise involving the retaking of an oil rig seized by terrorists … 4,500 US soldiers to participate (rmk: Number would indicate deployment of an Amphibious Ready Group) Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA – UKRAINE (May) During a meeting Russian and Ukrainian defence ministers agreed to conduct joint military drills this year, among them naval exercises in the Black Sea in May. Source: NIPmail.

How was everyone's weekend? So begins another week and to kick it off, here is your NNSotD! Summary to follow ... 28 February GERMANY Two decommissioned TYPE 206A submarines (U-22, U-29) are offered for sale (scrapping); already completely demilitarized. (rmk: Older boats, already taken out of service in 2006 resp. 2008. Not among the six recently offered to Thailand or Colombia) Source: NIPmail. 29 February PIRACY Nigeria (update): attack on Curacao-flagged cargo ship at anchor off Port Harcourt (Nigeria) and abduction of crew members conducted by a group associated with MEND rebels. (rmk: Blasted pirates are like cockroaches!) Source: IMO Update. 01 March AUSTRALIA Frigate BALLARAT sails for five-month deployment around Australia and to North East Asia … first participate in Exercise “Triton Storm 2” off Western Australia, then continue for Asia with visits scheduled to Singapore, China and South Korea. Source: NIPmail. 02 March INDIA Russian Sevmash shipyard confirms schedule for aircraft carrier VIKRAMADITYA (former ADMIRAL GORSHKOV) … as planned, ship will commence sea trials in May to be delivered in December this year. (rmk: BTW, congrats to Czar (I mean) President (and likely for life) V. Putin) Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ Iranian super tanker DELVAR loaded with 1.5 million barrels of crude arrived at Shell's Singapore refinery to discharge its cargo. (rmk: A sign any embargo is not yet in force) Source: NIPmail. +++ Indian tanker MAHARAJA AGRASEN had to cancel already booked transport of Iranian crude as the ship owner could not get the necessary insurance coverage. (rmk: Obviously, Iran is a big liability. Iran is India's second-biggest supplier of oil, with some US$11B a year in shipments meeting about 12 percent of India's crude import needs) Source: NIPmail. +++ Iranian (rmk: Privately-owned, wink-wink) Kish Protection & Indemnity Club, the main insurer for Iran's biggest oil tanker fleet, is confident to provide insurance also for Western tankers transporting Iranian crude oil … unfortunately; however, US sanctions bar any payment through Iran’s central bank – which the company uses for its financial transactions. Source: NIPmail. IRAQ US company RiverHawk is preparing two 60-m offshore support vessels (OSVs) for delivery to the Iraqi navy. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Gulf of Oman: Pirates in one skiff attack merchant vessel in the southern Gulf of Oman … manages to escape. The last two weeks have seen an increase in pirate activity off the eastern Omani coast. Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA RB-42, the first of three new Project 90600 tugs built by Pella shipyard (St. Petersburg), has arrived at the Baltic Fleet main base Baltiysk; the other two to be based at the Leningrad Naval Base. Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM Tough choices looming … (re-)deciding for STOVL F-35B carrier aircraft may actually come cheaper than re-designing the new QUEEN ELIZABETH aircraft carriers to accommodate the conventional F-35C variant. Source: NIPmail. USA With return to home port Bremerton, aircraft carrier JOHN C STENNIS completes her seven-month deployment. Source: NIPmail. 03 March CHINA Published budget shows China will boost military spending by 11.2 percent this year. (rmk: Standby for news concerning new builds and other programs) Source: NIPmail. INDIA Ministry of defence: no private sector shipyard in the country has the infrastructure and capability required for building planned Project 75i submarines … contract to be divided between foreign shipyards and the defence public sector with the first two Project 75i submarines to be built abroad by the foreign vendor that wins the MoD contract. Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ Ahead of sanctions coming into force this summer, Japan and Spain already reduced Iranian oil imports and switched to Saudi crude. Source: NIPmail. +++ With many international shipping agencies, due to sanctions, unable to insure their tankers when carrying Iranian crude, Iranian tankers seem trying to fill the void. A number of Iranian tankers usually serving as mere “floating storage sites” currently underway to serve foreign customers. Source: NIPmail. 04 March CHINA Flight deck of aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG, currently berthed in Dalian, cleared from containers and working equipment. (rmk: Ship may be readying for another round of sea trials) Source: NIPmail. USA (IRAN) US Navy patrol boat FIREBOLT and US Coast Guard cutter MAUI rescued an Iranian merchant seaman and recovered the bodies of three others after their dhow capsized during rough weather in the Gulf. Survivor and bodies handed over to Iranian coast guard. Source: NIPmail.

Ah, another weekend is upon us! Hope everyone has some plans that include some liesure time. I have to help my kids with their science fair projects! Here your update of significant navy events from around the globe. Summary to follow ... 28 February USA In exercising an option, the US Navy has ordered GD Bath Iron Works to build another ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyer (DDG-116). (rmk: Hark, I think the bell tolling on the Zumwalt program, for the time being) Source: NIPmail. 29 February INDIA The Indian navy is set to formally introduce new indigenous light-weight anti-submarine torpedo TAL … 2.75 m, 220 kg, 50kg warhead … may be launched from ships, helicopters or aircraft. (rmk: These fish may be deployed on their proposed new ASW patrol vessel) Source: NIPmail. IRAN Official statement: “Power of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy increased after it received renovated and optimized TONDAR class missile-launching frigates.” (rmks: Modernized Chinese-built HUDONG class missile boats) … for a “total of about 1 (rmks: Yoiu paid what????) million dollars the vessels' bodies, engines, fire-extinguishing systems, control systems, radar and defensive systems have all been optimized”. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update +++ Nigeria: Pirates attacked a Nigerian-owned oil tanker about 80 nm off Port Harcourt … ship managed to escape after increasing speed and initiating anti-piracy measures. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: German frigate LUEBECK temporarily left EUNavFor … deploying to South Africa for bilateral exercise “Good Hope” with the South African navy. First phase (until 10 Mar) of this exercise conducted together with SAN frigate ISANDLWANA focused on anti-piracy operations off the coast of Mozambique and. Enroute, the frigate made a short stop over in Mombasa (Kenya) where it had a slight collision with a civilian ferry. No injuries, damage is being repaired. UNITED KINGDOM VANGUARD class strategic nuclear submarine (SSBN) VENGEANCE is preparing for a three-and-a-half year overhaul incl nuclear refill, while sister boat VIGILANT is about to end such overhaul. Source: Naval Today - http://navaltoday.com/2012/03/02/uk-hms-ve...res-for-revamp/ VIETNAM – CHINA Vietnam has accused China of assaulting its fishermen in the South China Sea … used force to threaten 11 Vietnamese fishermen on Feb. 22, preventing them from entering the Paracel islands to avoid a storm … assaulted them and tried to take their property. Vietnam lodged a formal protest with the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi. (rmk: Another example of the naval version of the Love & Respect crazt cycle!) Source: NIPmail.

Hopefully, everyone had an enjoyable leap year day. It's hard to believe we are now in March (where does the time go!) Time never rests ... with that let's see what's happening with the world's navies. Summary to follow ... 27 February DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The US Southern Command will finance construction of a naval base and dock on Saona Island … to curb drug trafficking and migrant smuggling … investing US$1.5 million. (rmk: Itw will be interesting to see where the manning for this base comes from, with the RIFs (reductions in force) taking place) Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA The Russian navy purchase eight autonomous unmanned submersibles produced by Teledyn Gavia (Iceland) … suitable for reconnaissance and hydrographical research … three to be delivered this year, the remainder five to follow in 2013-2014. (rmk: Likely to be used in the Arctic region, as it is a new pot that is moving to slow boil) Source: NIPmail. INDIA MoD has approved limited series production of initially nine Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) … for indigenous (under construction) aircraft carrier VIKRANT. Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 45 destroyer DARING has arrived in the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden … joined multi-national CTF 150 in anti-terror operations. Source: NIPmail. USA +++ General Dynamics NASSCO (San Diego) is being awarded contract for third Mobile Landing Platform ship … to be completed by January 2015. Source: NIPmail. +++ By-lines to images published at the US Navy website imply aircraft carrier CARL VINSON still operating inside the Persian Gulf. (rmk: Will likely neither confirm or deny) Source: NIPmail. 28 February CHINA Photos published in the Internet show a J-15 combat aircraft on the flight deck of ex-VARYAG aircraft carrier … possible a full size model for practising aircraft handling. J-15 (Flanker clone) is under development, expected to be fielded not before 2016. Source: Kanwa News. PIRACY (rmk: Obviously the pirates aren't letting barnacles grow on their ships keels!) Source: IMO Update. +++ Gulf of Aden: Pirates attack Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel SPILIANI … embarked security team thwarts boarding. EUNavFor deploys German combat support ship BERLIN to position … intercepts skiff and obviously hijacked dhow … no boarding due to hostage situation. +++ Arabian Sea: A dhow was hijacked approximately 150nm north of Socotra island. (rmks: Probably for use as mother ship). +++ Somalia: Small cargo vessel LEILA, hijacked last week, has arrived at the Somalia coast … initially off Bargal (Puntland) where local residents, however, “persuaded” the pirates to move on. Now anchoring off pirate stronghold Eyl. +++ Somalia: Pirates and ship owner reportedly agreed on a $4 million ransom for Malaysian-flagged cargo ship ALBEDO (hijacked on 26 Nov in the Indian Ocean, west of the Maldives). Ransom to be delivered “soon”. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces (update): 11th Chinese task group sailing from North Sea Fleet base Qingdao also includes JIANGKAI-II class frigate YANTAI. +++ Somalia: Danish navy multi-purpose shop ABSALON (NATO) intercepts suspicious dhow just leaving the Somalia coast … did not react to orders nor warning shots, finally stopped by direct gun fire … turned out to be hijacked vessel with 18 Iranian/Pakistani hostages on board … two hostages killed (rmks: Circumstances unclear yet), the other 16 safe … 17 suspected pirates arrested and detained on board ABSALON … trying to find regional country willing to prosecute them. (rmks: no prosecution possible under Danish national law) +++ Bab el Mandeb: Pirates in two skiffs attack and fire at merchant vessel … ship manages to escape. +++ Arabian Sea: Skiff with suspected pirates (boarding ladders sighted) approaches merchant ship some 120 nm southeast of Salalah (Oman), but turns off again. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: 11th Chinese task group departs North Sea Fleet … images show destroyer QINGDAO (LUHU class) and supply ship WEISHAN HU (FUCHI class) in farewell ceremony. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: French frigate LA MOTTE PICQUET returns to home port Brest, ending a 4-month deployment to the Middle East, which included temporary assignment to EU NavFor in support of operation “Atalanta” FRANCE Destroyer GEORGES LEYGUES sails from Toulon for Brest … for upcoming “Mission Jeanne d’Arc” cadet training cruise, to commence on 05 Mar (rmk: Together with new MISTRAL class helicopter carrier DIXMUDE). Source: NIPmail. MEXICO EADS North America has delivered the second of four Airbus Military CN235-300 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to be supplied to the Mexican Navy. Source: NIPmail. USA Engineers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren have fired the first industry-built electromagnetic railgun (EM Railgun) prototype launcher … commencing an evaluation that is an important intermediate step toward a future ship-borne tactical weapon with a range of 50 – 100 miles. Source: NIPmail. 29 February IRAN India allegedly “may ask Iran to take responsibility” (rmks: provide insurance) for delivering crude, allowing domestic refiners to avoid arranging insurance on the shipments. Source: NIPmail. JAPAN – CHINA China expressed dissatisfaction over Japan's unilateral marine research in disputed areas (claimed by Japan to part of its EEZ) of the East China Sea … on 28 Feb, a Chinese vessel radioed the Japanese Coast Guard ship TAKUYO to stop activities. Source: NIPmail. JAPAN Japan will provide “development assistance” to South East Asian coastal countries (rmk: Read that ASEAN), to help boost their capabilities for securing shipping lanes. (rmks: Claiming the South China Sea as territorial waters, China certainly won’t be amused) Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Nigeria: An armed gang raided a Curacao-flagged cargo ship at anchor off Port Harcourt (Nigeria) … robbing valuables at gunpoint and kidnapping two crew members. Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA +++ Update: Northern Fleet may expect the first four out of 24 new carrier capable Fulcrum-D combat aircraft next year … will be training version MiG-29KUB. Source: NIPmail. +++ According to “sources close to the navy”, there are still obstacles to relocating the main naval staff from Moscow to St. Petersburg … among them high costs (some 70 million Euro) and “unresolved problems of social and domestic arrangement” (no housing yet for officers). (rmk: The Moscow version of the “never ending story”) Source: NIPmail. +++ Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) starts construction of KRIVAK-IV class frigate ADMIRAL MAKAROV … last ship in first 3-ship batch (other two ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH, ADMIRAL ESSEN in various stages of construction) … all three to be delivered by 2014 (rmks: rather optimistic schedule) … in 2011, Yantar had received orders for a second batch of another three ships. Source: NIPmail. +++ Defense Minister Serdyukov signed contract with MiG Aircraft Corporation for acquisition of 20 MiG-29K and 4 MiG-29KUB naval combat aircraft … to operate from aircraft carrier … deliveries between 2013 and 2015. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS INDIA (04 Mar) DRDO is preparing for two tests of submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) K-15 from an underwater platform off the Andhra Pradesh coast … first test scheduled for 04 Mar, the second between 16 and 19 Mar. (rmk: Likely a milestone as part of the ARIHANT and follow-on SSBNX program). Source: NIPmail.

Been busy "making sausage" for the last few days. Sorry if you've gone into withdrawls. Here are the summaries for the last few days: 24 February IRAN +++ Japan's main shipping insurer will only be able to provide a fraction of the coverage to tankers transporting Iranian oil under new European Union sanctions US media: the US military has informed Congress of plans to preposition new mine-detection and clearing equipment and expand surveillance capabilities in the area of the Strait of Hormuz. (rmk: This may be nothing new but just referring to earlier plans i.e. PONCE) Source: NIPmail. PIRACY +++ Somalia: UN Office on Drugs and Crime counts about 3,500 Somali people working as pirates … many more than the 2,000 figure commonly cited in counter-piracy campaigns. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: British frigate WESTMINSTER has arrived off the Horn of Africa … joining multinational CTF-151 for anti-piracy operations. RUSSIA +++ Russian Main Naval Staff to relocate from Moscow to St. Petersburg in March “after presidential elections.” Source: NIPmail. +++ After weeks of controversy and speculation, Russia's Northern Fleet admitted that DELTA IV-class submarine YEKATERINBURG indeed had its nuclear ballistic missiles on board when fire broke out on 29 Dec while dry-docked in Murmansk. Source: Jane's. SOUTH AFRICA Spanish Navantia teams up with South African Veercraft Marine … prepare joint bid for Offshore Patrol Vessels and Inshore Patrol Vessels for the South Africa Navy’s “Project Biro”. Source: NIPmail. USA +++ The 2013 budget request for the US Coast Guard does provide for a sixth BERTHOLF class ship. The service’s five-year capital investment plan, however, shows no money for any more such ships. (rmk: a total of at least eight had been planned). Source: NIPmail. +++ 7th Fleet flag ship BLUE RIDGE arrives at Busan (South Korea). Source: NIPmail. +++ During a ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the US Marine Corps (2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501) introduced the F-35B Lightning II aircraft into its fleet. Source: NIPmail. 25 February BRAZIL Two Brazilian sailors died and one was injured when trying to extinguish a fire broke out in the engine room of the Brazilian Antarctic “Comandante Ferraz” station on King George Island … media report Antarctic station “basically destroyed” … with the “core housing all technical installations” gone in the blaze ... all personnel evacuated … Chilean navy salvage tug LAUTARO and helicopters as well as Argentine navy research vessel PUERTO DESEADO assisted in fire fighting and evacuation … Brazilian government determined to quickly rebuild facility. Source: NIPmail. LEBANON (UNIFIL) During a ceremony in port Beirut, Brazilian RAdm Luiz Henrique Caroli hands over command of UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force to (also Brazilian) RAdm Wagner Lopes de Moraes Zamith … on board Brazilian navy frigate UNIAO, currently flag ship to UNIFIL MTF. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ Southern Red Sea: The Iranian navy (rmks: embarked protection detachment?) claims to have thwarted an attack by six skiffs on an Iranian tanker … 35nm north of the Bab el Mandeb … “swift action forced the pirates to flee”. (rmks: may have been harmless fishermen driven out of the way of the tanker). +++ Arabian Sea: Singapore flagged small container vessel KOTA ARIF reports under attack from pirates 90 nm southeast of the coast of Oman … vessel protection team on board … NATO orders Italian Frigate GRECALE towards the position. +++ India (update): Indian police have searched Italian tanker ENRICA LEXIE … still anchored off Kochi … confiscated a number of weapons found on board … for forensic examination (try to find the weapon that killed two Indian fishermen). +++ Somalia (update): eight suspected pirates temporarily detained on board German combat support ship BERLIN (following an attack on tanker NORTH STAR on 22 Feb) have been released at the Somalia coast … due to lack of evidence. THE KOREAS North Korea has threatened to stage a “sacred war” over upcoming US-South Korean annual joint military exercise “Key Resolve” … denouncing the drill as a “silent declaration of war”. Source: NIPmail. 26 February GHANA Refurbishing (in Wilhelmshaven) of two former German Navy TYPE 143 missile boats for the Ghana navy seems nearly complete, although no weaponry installed yet … one boat pictured with hull number P 39 and name NAA GBEWAA, second boat (behind P39 and mostly covered from view) probably hull number P38; name not visible. Source: NIPmail. IRAN British (i.e. tabloid) media: British intelligence sees Iranian – Israeli war “inevitable” … giving a timeframe of “18 – 24months” … Royal Navy said to have begun “drawing up war plans”. (rmk: The is one of those things that make you go hmmmm). Source: NIPmail. PAKISTAN Frigate BABUR has begun a goodwill tour of the Persian Gulf … expected in Jubail (Saudi Arabia) on 03 Mar for a five-day visit and some training with local Saudi Arabian navy. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: US Navy destroyer McFAUL sails from Norfolk, Va., for counter-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea (rmks: To possibly join multinational CTF-151) Source: IMO Update. SOUTH KOREA – USA Bilateral exercise “Key Resolve” kicks off … until 09 Mar … command post exercise, mainly computerized, involving about 200,000 South Korean troops and 2,100 U.S. troops. Separately, joint air, ground and naval field training exercise “Foal Eagle” will be held in March and April with about 11,000 U.S. forces along with South Korean troops in division-sized or smaller units. (rmk: Both exercises are long standing annual routine, although North Korea always portraits them as immediate war preparation). Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA Ministry of defence approves series production of new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Lijner. (rmk: Variant of SS-N-23 to be installed on DELTA-IV class submarines) Source: NIPmail. USA +++ Africa Partnership Station 2012: Frigate SIMPSON arrives in Lagos, Nigeria. Source: NIPmail. +++ Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., has been contracted with building Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) 8 and 9 … to be completed by April 2016. Source: NIPmail. 27 February AUSTRALIA The United States has indicated for the first time it would be willing to lease or sell nuclear submarines (VIRGINIA class) to Australia. Source: NIPmail. CANADA VAdm Maddison: Submarine VICTORIA will complete test firing of its first torpedoes next week and be followed by WINDSOR in the fall – thus by early 2013 there will be operational submarines on both coasts. (rmk: And if pigs had wings the would fly. No offense, Brad!) Source: NIPmail. INDIA +++ The Government has given a go-ahead for construction of two more indigenous nuclear-powered ARIHANT-class submarines. Source: NIPmail. +++ The government has finally approved acquisition of nine advanced medium range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft, which will cost upwards of $1 billion … the MRMR planes will be in addition to long-range (LRMR) P-8i aircraft already being acquired. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ General: India will make a fresh appeal before the London-based Joint War Committee, a body of insurance underwriters, to exclude India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from the war zone notification … there have been no piracy incidents in Indian waters for the last nine months … Inclusion of India's EEZ in the “war zone” has resulted in higher premiums on insurance cover, affecting local Indian shipping. +++ General: EU foreign ministers extended anti-piracy mission “Atalanta” until December 2014, but did not act on plans to attack pirate gangs on land as well as at sea. +++ South Africa: The growing piracy problem in the Indian Ocean has forced the government to consider reopening the naval base on Durban’s Salisbury Island as a hub for anti-piracy operations. +++ Gulf of Oman: Pirates in three skiffs chase a container ship in the most northern edge of the Gulf of Oman, close to the Strait of Hormuz … embarked private security team successfully deterred them with warning shots. +++ General: UK and Netherlands have agreed to jointly fund Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecutions Intelligence Coordination Centre (RAPPICC) … to be established in the Seychelles … will coordinate and analyse intelligence to inform tactical law enforcement options, including the turning of intelligence into useable evidence for prosecutions both in the region and further afield. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Spanish navy DESCUBIERTA class corvette INFANTA ELENA joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. SINGAPORE – MALAYSIA The Singapore navy is hosting bilateral exercise “Malapura” with the Malaysian navy … until 07 Mar … conventional naval warfare and maritime security operations in the Malacca Strait … Singapore participating with frigate FORMIDABLE, corvette VALOUR and patrol vessel BRAVE, Malaysian navy deployed frigate JEBAT and patrol vessels TERENGGANU and SELANGOR. 22nd edition of “Malapura”, held since 1984. Source: NIPmail. USA The JOHN C STENNIS Carrier Strike Group returns to San Diego, ending their Mid-East deployment started on 25 Jul 2011 … STENNIS to continue for home port Bremerton. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA – NORWAY (May) The Russian Northern Fleet and the Norwegian Navy will conduct their annual bilateral exercise “Pomor-2012” in May … in Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea. Source: NIPmail.

Brad, Really goof stuff! Your right that the unions will likely have a hissy-fit. We all know that American shipyards and steel ndustry are "infant industries" (even though they've been in existence for over a 100-years - that's some pretty old babies, by the way). I think they need to grow-up and finally learn the cold, hard truth about life in this great big world we live in - Life is not far. In business you have to compete, to succeed.

Last of my long weekends coming up. Hope you can make it through to Monday, without an update. Hopefully this can tide you over. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 17 February USA Aircraft carrier JOHN C. STENNIS arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), on return transit from a Middle East deployment. (rmk: Welcome back Johnny Reb!) Source: NIPmail. 18 February USA Africa Partnership Station West 2012: Frigate SIMPSON arrives in Tema (Ghana) to begin training … more than 40 Ghanaian navy personnel, as well as 10 ship riders from other partner nations including Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, Republic of Congo and Togo. (rmk: This has the makings of a good scenario idea!) Source: NIPmail. 19 February GHANA update: As it turns out, the “four new fast patrol boats” reported commissioned on 19 Feb actually are the four China-built boats delivered already in Oct 11. Only now officially commissioned into service by the Ghana president. (rmk: Don’t cha just love weasel words!) Source: NIPmail. 21 February AUSTRALIA Patrol boat LARRAKIA and customs vessel TRITON have intercepted two more boats carrying 198 people between them … bringing total asylum-seeker arrivals this year to 1196, almost four times the number during the same period in 2011. Source: IMO Update. CANADA +++ Submarine VICTORIA back at sea, conducting diving operations off Vancouver Island. Damage to submarine CORNER BROOK “not as bad as it looks” … hole in the hull is only in outer fibreglass shell and does not affect the boat’s structural integrity. (rmk: As I have previously stated numerous times, the anthem for the Canadian submarine service needs to be the Hee Haw classic – “Gloom, Despair and Agon on Me.”) Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ Indian shipping firms will face problems importing Iranian crude oil after European Union sanctions come into effect on 01 July. European insurers will be prohibited from indemnifying ships carrying Iranian oil. Indian companies might look to Chinese insurers. +++ In a symbolic political move, India and China have cut their oil imports from Iran by 10 percent. +++ Iranian general warns “will pre-emptively strike anyone who threatens Iran”. +++ Some confusion on the Iranian navy visit to Tartus: several Media quoting US Pentagon press speaker that NAGHDI and KHARG never berthed at any Syrian port; just passed the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean only to return two days later. (rmk: Possible game of deliberate disinformation going on?) Source: NIPmail. USA Amphibious assault ship BONHOMME RICHARD arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) … heading from San Diego to Sasebo (Japan) to relieve forward deployed sister ship ESSEX. Source: NIPmail. ISRAEL The first of three DOLPHIN-II (AIP) class submarines has begun first pier-side tests at HDW shipyard in Kiel (Germany) … protected by police boats. Boat was rolled out of building hall on 17 Feb and put to water on 19 Feb. Source: NIPmail. NATO Standing NATO Mine Counter Measure Group 2 (SNMCMG2) begins a visit to Algiers (Algeria) … until 24 Feb. Source: NIPmail. NIGERIA (multinational) The Nigerian navy is hosting four-day multinational exercise “Obangame Express 2012” … in the Gulf of Guinea … foreign nation participants from Benin, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Ghana, Italy, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Spain, Togo, USA. Four “warships” from Nigerian navy, other participants deployed naval vessels or sent observers. (rmk: More scenario fodder) Source: NIPmail. NORTH KOREA – CHINA China plans to spend $3 billion to build a three-pier terminal in a special economic zone bordering North Korea and a 34-mile cross-border railroad linking the port to the Chinese northeastern city of Tumen … also construct a power station and airfield in Rason. Source: NIPmail. PAKISTAN Nine months after terrorists attacked a Pakistan naval air station and destroyed the two only operational Pakistan navy P-3C Orion, another two such aircraft were delivered from US … funded through US foreign military sales … at least two more aircraft to follow. (rmk: Interesting, they won’t take hard cash in FMF but the will take our planes.) Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Arabian Sea: unverified reports suggest that, besides MV FAINA, a second UAE-owned cargo vessel, the SAVINA-FAHAD, may have been hijacked this week …reportedly seized in the Indian Ocean while carrying a load of charcoal from the Somali town of Kismayo. Source: IMO Update. SENEGAL – SPAIN During a ceremony at the navy arsenal in Cartagena (Spain), the Spanish navy transfers decommissioned patrol boat CONEJERA to the Senegalese navy. Source: NIPmail. SOUTH KOREA – USA Eleven US and South Korean warships, along with a half-dozen aircraft, have begun their previously announced five-day anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Yellow Sea … officials give no details, just state that activities will remain well clear from the disputed maritime border between the two Koreas. Source: NIPmail. USA 7th Fleet command ship BLUE RIDGE departs home port Yokosuka (Japan) for patrol. (rmk: Possibly to participate in upcoming bilateral exercises with South Korea) Source: NIPmail. 22 February IRAN IAEA inspectors end their visit to Iran, reportedly without being given a chance to inspect nuclear facilities nor any concessions. Iranian official: the IAEA team “did not come to inspect sites but just hold talks”. (rmk: Don’t you just love the Iranians. Hmm, I wonder if they have something to hide?) Source: NIPmail. BRAZIL One sailor died and two suffered burns in a fire aboard aircraft carrier SAO PAULO … fire was of “small proportions” and broke out in crew quarters in the vessel’s stern. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: After being relieved by destroyers MURASAME and HARUSAME, Japanese navy destroyers TAKANAMI and OONAMI have ended their anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa a few days ago and commenced home transit. Enroute arrive at Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a scheduled port visit. Source: IMO Update. POLAND Construction of GAWRON corvette (MEKI A-100 design) reportedly suspended … allocated funds said to be redesignated for acquisition of a new submarine. (rmk: This is interesting!) Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA (NORWAY) Russian chief of General Staff, Gen Makarov, has warned Norway not to get pulled into a possible “area of conflict” by bowing to U.S. pressure to upgrade its NANSEN class Aegis frigates with ballistic missile defence capable missiles. (rmk: They’re back! Ahh, it’s looks like the Russians are letting their mask slip) Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA Baltic Fleet submarines will relocate from their current base in Kronshtadt to the main naval base in Baltiysk … after necessary infrastructure has been built there. Source: NIPmail. TAIWAN The two Dutch-built SEA DRAGON class submarines will be armed with Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles (imported from USA) … next year. (rmk: I see an update to the HUCE DB coming on this one) Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM South Korea’s Daewoo (DSME) has been named preferred bidder to build, in South Korea, four 37,000-ton auxiliary oilers (Project MARS) using a design from British BMT Defence Services … no British companies had submitted final bids to build the vessels … the first of the double-hulled vessels is scheduled to be delivered in 2016. Source: Naval Today: http://navaltoday.com/2012/02/23/south-kor...ability-tanker/ USA +++ Just four months after its formal acceptance by the Navy, the MZ-3A airship (“blimp”) is to be deflated and stored again … program suspended to save money and due to “lack of a mission.” (rmk: Your tax dollars at work) +++ Reports on a visit to Dubai (UAE) suggest some ships of the CARL VINSON Carrier Strike Group, possibly also the carrier itself, have - routinely - entered the Persian Gulf. (rmk: Nah, get outta here! We actually have carriers in the Gulf? Aren’t we afraid of offending the Iranians) Source: NIPmail.

Been hearing some rumblings about the possibilities of the US going in with Canada on a Deifenbaker class. All of the US's breakers are antiquated. If Canada is planning to build a new hull in Vancouver under NSPS, this might be a way for two birds to be killed with one stone - Canada gets an influx of cash and extends the class (a victor for the economies of scale) and SeaSpan Shipyards can create more jobs for the BC region. Sounds like a win-win to me.

If its still showing a Kara in the BSF, that can be attributed to the date in the lower lefthand corner (2010). The last Kara was decomm'd in 2011. Hope this helps.

Hi everybody. I know, I know - its been a while since the last NNSotD. I enjoyed a long weekend. To make up for my absence, here is a nice long one. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 13 February USA The FY13 budget proposal includes funding for an new USCG ice breaker … and expansion of helicopter hangar and refuelling facilities in Alaska. Source: NIPmail. 16 February USA Marinette Marine has been contracted with building another 40 Response Boats, Medium for the US Coast guard … to start delivery in second quarter of 2013 … USCG has a requirement for a total of 250 RB-M, to be built by Marinette Marine and Kvichak Marine … with new contract, 166 of these boats under order. Source: NIPmail. CHILE On her transit voyage from France to Chile, newly acquired dock landing ship SARGENTO ALDEA (LSDH 91, former French FS FOUDRE) arrives at Port-au-Prince (Haiti) for a three day stop … support United Nations contingent with short exercise and loading vehicles. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Arabian Sea: Somali pirates hijack UAE-owned (Panama-flagged)small Ro/Ro cargo vessel LEILA … off the Omani coast … not registered with MSCHOA (no info on crew nor cargo) … given the vessel’s size, age (1973) and probable value, the LEILA is more likely to be used as a mother ship rather than being held for ransom. Source: IMO Update. 17 February BELGIUM The Belgian navy has purchased another two autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) REMUS 100 … part of mine countermeasure capabilities upgrade. Source: NIPmail. IRAN – SYRIA Iranian navy frigate NAGHDI and supply ship KHARG pass the Suez Canal northbound into the Mediterranean. (rmk: Current Iranian navy anti-piracy task group, deployed from the Gulf of Aden). Source: NIPmail. JAPAN (IRAN) The Japanese government reportedly considers dispatching naval forces to escort oil tankers in the event of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and/or conduct mine clearance operations. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ Bab el Mandeb: NATO warns of possible pirate activity in the inner Gulf of Aden and the Bab el Mandeb. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: German combat support ship BERLIN joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. SEYCHELLES The foreign minister of Seychelles signed agreements with India covering the supply of a Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and a coastal surveillance radar system (rmk: Likely enhancing anti-piracy capabilities) Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM The Royal Navy’s next-generation helicopter, Wildcat, has completed 20 days of trials aboard TYPE 23 frigate IRON DUKE … nearly 400 deck landings by day and night in various weather conditions off the coasts of southern England. Source: NIPmail. 18 February AUSTRALIA Swedish Kockums has been dropped from a list of four European companies being considered for a ''military off-the-shelf'' option for new Australian navy submarines …. “because it does not have a new design in service”. (rmk: The other European companies should be French DCNS, German TKMS and Spanish Navantia). Source: NIPmail. IRAN Iranian navy frigate NAGHDI and supply ship KHARG arrive at Tartus (Syria) for a port visit and a “training mission for the Syrian navy” (rmk: Show them how to operate modern Iranian missile systems, maybe even delivering such?). Source: NIPmail. NIGERIA Suspected rebels attack a Nigerian navy boat patrolling the outer waterways of the Niger Delta … three soldiers killed, two more survived (one in critical condition); boat destroyed. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Somalia Basin: A pirate action group reported some 100 nm to the east of the Seychelles. Skiff approached a merchant vessel which was able to escape. Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA Amur Shipyard in Russia’s Far East has started the construction of (modified) STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette GROMKIY … sixth STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette, and the second built by Amur Shipyard for the Pacific Fleet … to be delivered in 2015. Source: NIPmail. SOMALIA A “missile” of unknown origin hits a beach camp used by al Qaeda linked Shabaab insurgents … some 12 km from Kismayo. Source: NIPmail. SOUTH KOREA The ROK Navy announces plans for establishing a new submarine command by 2015. Source: NIPmail. 19 February NETHERLANDS Supply ship AMSTERDAM departs home port Den Helder for the Caribbean … will become new “station ship” (anti-drug operations, disaster relief). With ZUIDERKRUIS officially taken out of service last month, the AMSTERDAM currently is the Netherlands’ navy only supply ship. Source: NIPmail. BENIN French Ocea will “soon” deliver three new patrol boats to the Benin navy/coast guard … names to be ALIBORI, OUEME and ZOU … should be similar to the FPB 98 Mk1 built for Algeria. Source: NIPmail. CANADA The head of the Royal Canadian Navy says Canada needs to bolster its military presence in the Arctic to prepare for a boom in human and economic activity resulting largely from climate change. Source: NIPmail. GHANA The Ghana Navy has taken delivery of four lightly armed (machine guns) new patrol boats … ahead of schedule (rmk: No add'l details currently available). Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ Already ahead of sanctions set to come into effect on 01 Jul, Iran claims to have halted all crude oil sales to French and British companies. +++ The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) land forces have begun new exercises … far inland in Yazd province … still no word on previously announced naval exercises (near the Strait of Hormuz). +++ Iranian navy commander announces another bilateral search & rescue exercise with the Omani navy … to be held in March. Two such exercises conducted to date, in 2009 and in Feb 2011. Source: NIPmail. PHILIPPINES The US has formally offered a second HAMILTON class US Coast Guard ship (namely DALLAS) to the Philippine navy. “If discussions run smoothly”, transfer may be as early as May. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ India: Indian police have detained two members of an Italian navy (rmks: naval infantry San Marco Battalion) security team over the fatal shooting of two Indian fishermen from Italian oil tanker ENRICA LEXIE. Will appear in court on 20 Feb. According to some media they might face “murder charges”. +++ India: India's maritime administration may make ‘flag-state endorsement' mandatory for foreign merchant ships entering Indian waters with armed security guards on board. The idea is to make the Government of the country in which the ship is registered (flag-state) also responsible for any action on the part of the armed guards deployed on the vessel. THE KOREAS Ahead of an upcoming South Korean exercise, North Korea has warned the South of possible shelling of islands near the disputed Yellow Sea border … recommended inhabitants to evacuate … "should not forget the lesson" of the of the Yeonpyeong island bombardment in Nov 2010. Source: NIPmail. 20 February THE KOREAS Ignoring threats from the North, South Korean forces have begun exercises … with live firing scheduled … near Yeonpyeong island close to the disputed Yellow Sea border. Also major bilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise with the US Navy scheduled to start today. Source: NIPmail. IRAN Iranian armed forces begin four-day air defence exercise "Sarollah" ("God's vengeance") in Southern Iran … reinforce air defence capabilities (defend nuclear sites) and coordination between regular forces and IRGC … missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, radars and warplanes deployed. (rmk: Although exercise area may extend to coastal areas, naval forces probably not involved). Source: NIPmail. NORWAY Faced with acute personnel shortages, the Norwegian navy reportedly considers hiring foreign officers … especially technicians. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY India: (update ENRICA LEXIE) An Indian court has remanded two members of an Italian navy security team accused in the fatal shooting of two fishermen in custody for two weeks. Italian navy claims, “in full accordance with existing rules of engagement” the men only fired warning shots in the air and into the water, “not hitting the boat at all”. Source: IMO Update. TAIWAN Local media report the Taiwan navy will – within the next two months - ask parliament to fund the purchase of up to eight new submarines … in a bid to revive an acquisition that has been in limbo for over a decade … “not necessarily US submarines”, even proposing “domestic program with delivery of a prototype within three to four years”. (rmk: Rather optimistic time table). Source: NIPmail. USA Amphibious assault ship BONHOMME RICHARD has sailed from San Diego for Japan … replace forward stationed sister ship ESSEX which is to return to the US for a planned major overhaul … first activity will be participation in upcoming bilateral exercise “Foal Eagle” with South Korean armed forces, scheduled to start in March. Source: NIPmail. 21 February AUSTRALIA Patrol boat ARARAT intercepts a boat carrying 143 suspected asylum seekers and four crew … north of Christmas Island. Source: NIPmail. INDIA Newly leased AKULA (mod) submarine NERPA / CHAKRA will arrive in Visakhapatnam only on 30/31 March … boat currently “underway” (rmks: had been scheduled to sail from Russian Bolshoi Kamen naval base “by 10 February”. A seven-week cruise would suggest not a mere transfer voyage but some training enroute). Source: NIPmail. IRAN Jerusalem Post (Breaking News): Two Iranian navy ships (NAGHDI, KHARG) have ended their visit to Tartus (Syria) and re-entered the Suez Canal for southbound transit. Iranian navy views deployment as “proof that sanctions are not working”. (rmk: Very short “training period” for the Syrian comrades). Source: NIPmail. THE KOREAS South Korean forces have ended exercises … with live artillery firing … near Yeonpyeong island close to the disputed Yellow Sea border … no incident nor apparent interference attempt from the North. Source: NIPmail.

I think it is likely that this is the vodka version. If and when they release a shipbuilding strategy, it should be an interesting read.

I did some checking, they are still in the region. likely they are operating independently or are loosely associated with the Carl Vinson Battle Group. Hope this helps. Greg

Thanks for the add'l info, Brad!

Interesting developments taking place in the world's navies. Let's get down to business! Summary to follow ... 13 February PIRACY Source: IMO Update. Nigeria: pirates “chased and boarded” a bulk carrier “drifting” in the Gulf of Guinea, some 110 nm south of Lagos, Nigerian ... kill captain and engineer, while remainder of crew locked up in safe room … when Nigerian coast guard and a nearby French warship arrive, pirates had left already. International Maritime Bureau has warned shipping to avoid Nigerian waters, as pirates are beginning to strike in deeper waters, which is unusual. (rmk: Duh! If you don't interdict them, they are going spread. I don't believe these guys didn't expect something like this to happen!) POLAND 3rd Flotilla begins 5-day joint exercise in the Southern Baltic … focus on sea control with support from air and ashore … will include MCM operations and live artillery firing … participants given as PULASKI, KOSCIUSZKO, KASZUB, ORKAN, MEWA, MACKO, PIAST, BALTYK. Source: NIPmail. 14 February CANADA After photos of submarine CORNER BROOK were published (showing a ripped open bow section), political opposition claims damage to the submarine after its grounding last year to be much bigger than the Canadian navy / government has been telling. (rmk: As I have previously stated, the anthem of the RCN submarine service should be the old Hee Haw number, "Gloom, Despair and Agony On Me"). Source: Ottawa Citizen - http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2012/02/14/...ender-bender-2/ JAPAN The first of four new TYPE 19DD destroyers, AKIZUKI, set to become fully operational in March … three sister ships in various stages of construction. Second ship, TERUZUKI, to be commissioned in March 2013, the next two ships to follow in 2014. (rmk: flattops in all but their name). Source: NIPmail. KUWAIT (multinational) Five-day exercise “Stakenet” completed off the coast of Kuwait … major annual exercise to protect the region’s offshore oil installations … conducted by currently Kuwait-led CTF-152 … participants included Kuwait navy/coast guard patrol craft MASKAN and MUBARAK, British Royal Navy frigate ARGYLL, US destroyers JOHN PAUL JONES and STERETT and US patrol boats CHINOOK and TYPHOON. Source: NIPmail. PAKISTAN Three Pakistan Navy read admirals promoted to the rank of vice admiral: Muhammad Shafiq (deputy chief of naval staff, admin), Shafqat Jawed (deputy chief of naval staff, projects) and Muhammad Zakaullah (fleet commander). Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA In stark contradiction to just recently announced ambitious fleet building plans, there seems to be a pressing need to significantly curb defence spending … Russian media insinuate possible cancelling or postponing major acquisition programs, incl. forgoing of 3rd and 4th MISTRAL class helicopter carriers. (rmk: Standy by for the appropriate government spin to be placed on the story). Source: NIPmail. USA Source: NIPmail. +++ Southern Partnership Station: High Speed Vessel SWIFT arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to receive more than 160 pallets of humanitarian materials in support of Operation Handclasp … will continue for Haiti for distribution of supplies. +++ Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN (together with cruiser CAPE ST. GEORGE) has left the Persian Gulf heading into the Arabian Sea … passed the Strait of Hormuz “routinely watched” by Iranian patrol boats and an aircraft (drone?), but without being harassed. LINCOLN on 16 Feb to commence air operations in support of Afghanistan campaign. +++ Aircraft carrier CARL VINSON repositioned from Arabian Sea to the Gulf of Oman. YEMEN Yemeni authorities seized an Iranian ship … near the Red Sea port of Hodeidah … carrying mortar launchers, anti-armour shells and other weapons destined for Houthi rebels. Source: NIPmail. 15 February UKRAINE – RUSSIA The Ukraine reportedly plans to impose taxes on Russian Black Sea Fleet real assets not used “to purpose” or have them returned to the city of Sevastopol … also tax commodities imported for the Russian fleet. (rmk: This will likely go over as well as breaking wind, during the middle of a church service!). Source: NIPmail.

Happy Valentine's da everyone. I hope you have something planned for that special someone in your life. Here's is today's navy highlights. Summary to follow ... 09 February RUSSIA Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad has begun pier-side tests of new research vessel SELIGER … continue until mid-March, then first sea trials to follow. Source: NIPmail. 10 February THAILAND – USA US Navy dock landing ship GERMANTOWN begins participation in multinational exercise “Cobra Gold” in and off Thailand. Source: NIPmail. USA The US Coast Guard took delivery of its first fast response cutter, the BERNARD C. WEBBER, in Miami. Source: Naval Today - http://navaltoday.com/2012/02/13/us-coast-...rnard-c-webber/ 12 February USA With no own ice-capable vessels available, the US is relying on Russian icebreaker VLADIMIR IGNATYUK to cut a channel through Antarctic sea ice so that Military Sealift Command tanker MAERSK PEARY and GREEN WAVE can re-supply the US McMurdo Station. (rmk: How the mighty have fallen!). Source: NIPmail. 13 February PIRACY Source: IMO Update +++ Arabian Sea: increasing pirate activity in the Northern Arabian Sea, with up to four groups reported lingering in an area some 300 nm east of Salalah, Oman. +++ General: Somali pirates may have begun operating in a new region, away from Northern Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden currently patrolled by international naval forces … especially targeting the Cape to Malacca Strait shipping lane. +++ Somalia: Danish multipurpose ship ABSALON was able to transfer four of the 21 pirates held on board since 06 Jan to Kenyan authorities; the remainder 17 had to be set ashore at the Somalia coast, as no country prepared to accept them for prosecution. (rmk: I won't say what should happen to them, because of Valentine's Day.) RUSSIA Defence minister Serdyukov visits the Baltic Fleet. Source: NIPmail. USA Source: Various news feeds. President Obama presented his budget proposal. Avoiding deep cuts for the US Navy, it plans for an overall battle force ships of 284 in FY13 … fleet size of “more than 280” ships by the end of the five-year plan. +++ Navy will cut about 3,000 sailors and another 2,500 civilian personnel; USMC will lose about 5,000 troops. +++ Aircraft carrier JOHN F. KENNEDY will be ordered as planned, but construction schedule will be moved back two years … to be delivered no later than 2022. +++ remain committed to a 55-ship LCS class, but procurement will be slowed. +++ construction and delivery timelines for LHA 8 AMERICA not affected. +++ early retirement for cruisers COWPENS, ANZIO, VICKSBURG and PORT ROYAL in FY2013, GETTYSBURG, CHOSIN and HUE CITY in FY2014. +++ early retirement for dock landing ships WHIDBEY ISLAND and TORTUGA. +++ Support for SSBN (OHIO) replacement continues, but at reduced levels +++ VIRGINIA class procurement reduced in the FYDP from 10 SSNs to 9 (delayed procurement of 1 SSN from FY14 to FY18). +++ Joint Strike Fighters (F-35 B/C) reduced by nearly 50 percent across the FYDP (21 F-35B and 48 F-35C models reduced). Additional reductions include P-8A, MV-22B, MH-60R, and KC-130J. +++ funding for unmanned aerial vehicles reduced, but remains “robust”. +++ Plans to move an aircraft carrier from Virginia to Florida are on hold for at least five years, but the two states will likely see a shuffling of some other military ships – possibly a larger amphibious ship. +++ The cost of the aircraft carrier GERALD R. FORD has increased by $811 million, or about 16 percent, over its $5.16 billion target price.

Hope evryone had a great weekend. It was busy in the Emerson house and on top of all of that, I'm battling a cold I received from my daughter (yipee!) Here's today NNSotD, to start you week. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 07 February PIRACY Arabian Sea: Somali pirates hijack Greek-owned, Liberia-flagged bulk carrier FREE GODDESS (21 Filipino crew) … some 500 nm east northeast of Socotra … carrying a cargo of steel wire from Singapore to Egypt. Source: IMO Update. 08 February JAPAN Construction of first 22DDH helicopter carrier has begun at IHI Marine United's Yokohama facility. (rmk: technically, its an LHD but their WWII treat signature precludes this.) Source: NIPmail. 09 February INDIA Indian navy and air force conduct several-day joint exercise “Tropex” (Theatre-level Readiness and Operational Exercise) off the southeastern coast … “network centric warfare exercise” to test new platforms, weapons sensors, communication systems and tactics … participants include aircraft carrier VIRAAT and new frigate SHIVALIK. Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ The IRGCN has added two more GHADIR class midget submarines to its fleet. (rmks: May now have up to 19 GHADIR in its inventory). Source: NIPmail. +++ New sanctions do not bar firms from selling food to Iran but they make it difficult to carry out the international financial transactions needed to pay for it … sharp rises in the prices of basic foodstuffs … Iran reportedly turning to barter - offering gold bullion in overseas vaults or tanker loads of oil – to pay for goods. (rmk: Tough times in Tehran, for sure.) Source: NIPmail. ISRAEL The Israeli government plans to build a floating liquefied natural gas terminal with a sea-based defence radar system off its Mediterranean coast while forming a naval force to protect its rich offshore Leviathan and the Tamar gas fields against terrorist attack. Source: NIPmail. ISRAEL - NATO Turkey reportedly is blocking the Israel navy’s first ever active participation in NATO anti-terror operation “Active Endeavour” in the Mediterranean. (rmk: Sngle source; unconfirmed although story sounds credible, seeing that Turkey and Israel's relationship is souring.) Source: NIPmail. ITALY – LIBYA The Italian navy is deploying coastal transport vessels GORGONA and TERMITI to Tripoli (Libya) … divers and naval infantry embarked … assist the Libyan navy in salvaging sunken ships and restoring functionality to ports and facilities damaged in recent conflict. Source: NIPmail. NORTH KOREA North Korea is said to have completed a hovercraft base at the western coast near Koampo … can accommodate up to 70 small hovercraft which could be used to attack South Korean islands near the disputed Yellow Sea border. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: EU NavFor is training AMISOM (African Mission in Somalia) soldiers as vessel protection teams … to be embarked on the ships en-route Mogadishu providing logistic support for AMISOM. Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA +++ Sevmash shipyard is to complete building OSCAR-II class submarine K-139 BELGOROD, converting it for “a series of special missions” (rmks: not elaborated). Keel laid in 1992, but construction halted in 2000 after KURSK disaster. Source: NIPmail. +++ Adm Vysotsky: TYPHOON class strategic submarines SEVERSTAL and ARKHANGELSK to remain in service for a number of years … “enough SS-N-20 missiles kept in storage” to arm them. (rmk: This was pretty much a given, now that the Russkies are resuming SLBM patrols). Source: NIPmail. SINGAPORE – INDONESIA Singapore’s Sea Police has donated five coastal patrol craft to neighbouring Indonesian Marine Police (Polair) … in an effort to jointly enhance regional maritime security. Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 45 destroyer DARING has completed a scheduled port visit to Aqaba, Jordan. Source: NIPmail. USA +++ The US Navy has contracted Dakota Creek Industries with detail design and construction of OCEAN class Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research vessels AGOR 27 and AGOR 28 … 238-ft single hull ships … to be delivered in late 2014 and early 2015 … replace older ships. +++ Unconfirmed sources allege OHIO-mod class submarine SSGN 729 GEORGIA (rmks: carrying more than 150 cruise missiles) operating in the “Northern Indian Ocean”, staging out of Diego Garcia. Source: NIPmail.

Sorry for the delay. Lost internet connectivity for a couple of days and then I was off on Friday. Here's your NNSotD. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 06 February USA Exercise “Bold Alligator 2012”: Following a week at sea practicing all facets of amphibious operations, amphibious craft and thousands of US Marines and British and Canadian commandos deployed from multiple ships to the beaches of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina … ahead of the landing, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command conducted a synthetic underwater mine-clearing exercise … BA-12 will continue until 12 Feb afloat and ashore, in and around North Carolina and Virginia. Source: NIPmail. (rmks: Of course, some media regard BA-12 as "final rehearsal" for an Iranian attack – notwithstanding that this would imply such an attack has been in planning for more than a year). 07 February ARGENTINA For the fifth time, Russian ice breaker VASILIY GOLOVNIN has been chartered to conduct annual mission to deliver equipment, fuel and food to Argentina’s Antarctic stations. Has sailed from Buenos Aires … to return by mid/end May … stands in for Argentine navy ice breaker ALMIRANTE IRIZAR which five years after a fire still is inoperable but scheduled to return to service by late 2012. (rmks: Whose forces are actually hollow – the USN or the Argentinain Navy?) Source: NIPmail. ARGENTINA – UNITED KINGDOM Argentine president Kirchner announces an “official protest” at the United Nations ahead of the upcoming deployment of British TYPE 45 destroyer DAUNTLESS and possibly also a TRAFALGAR class submarine to the Falkland Islands. Source: NIPmail. (rmks: Man, I knew this would happen! This is a mere populist move ahead of 30th Falkland War anniversary, not backed up by international law). INDIA Russian Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) has completed final trials for new frigate TEG (first ship TALWAR Batch 2). (rmks: About time). Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA Update: as it turns out (and already has been suspected), the authors of Russian navy.ru website have got their bearings wrong. (rmks: No! Tell me it ain’t so.) The KUZNETSOV task group has been passing west of Ireland (and not through the Irish Sea) … closely watched by British Royal Navy destroyer LIVERPOOL, which southwest of England had taken over “escort” duties from French Aviso LV LE HENAFF. Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA +++ President Medvedev: “Extra measures needed to protect Russian interests and reinforce its borders in the Arctic.” Already announced to deploy by 2020 a combined-arms force to in the Arctic, including military, border and coastal guard. (rmks: The artic is going to generate a lot of naval coverage over the next several years. Keep an eye on it!) Source: NIPmail +++ Shipbuilding plan until 2020 reportedly provides for 16-new combat and auxiliary vessels for the Caspian Sea Flotilla. (rmks: This is likely part of the Vodka-version. We need to wait for the Duma to sober-up and release the real deal.) Source: NIPmail. +++ Fire at a Murmansk Shipyard floating dock … holding SORUM class border guard patrol vessel URAL for repairs … four people hospitalized (smoke inhalation) … no information on possible damage to the URAL. (rmks: Here we go again. Another drydock fire.) Source: NIPmail. USA – JAPAN The United States and Japan are discussing a plan to transfer nearly 5,000 Okinawa-based US Marines to Guam. Source: NIPmail. 08 February BELGIUM Defence minister has given “priority” to (in the long-term) replace the navy’s two KAREL DOORMAN class frigates with two coastal patrol ships. (rmks: No details nor time table). Source: NIPmail. CHINA Second YUZHAO class dock landing ship, JINGGANGSHAN, has conducted first operational training in the South China Sea. Source: NIPmail. ERITREA – YEMEN Eritrea's “navy” has seized five Yemeni fishing boats near the Red Sea’s Hanish Islands … part of a territorial dispute between Yemen and Eritrea over water rights around the islands. An international court gave Yemen sovereignty over some of the archipelago's islands, but the two countries have disagreed on interpretations of the ruling regarding fishing rights. Source: NIPmail. IRAN Danish shipping and oil company A.P. Moller-Maersk has suspended “all new fixtures involving Iran and all carriages of products with Iranian origin” due to European Union sanctions. “Spot fixtures, single voyages, and other obligations entered into before 23 Jan 2012 will continue to be performed within the framework of the exemption set out in the decision of the EU Council”. Source: NIPmail. KENYA Kenya has confirmed that final preparations for the long-delayed delivery of the offshore patrol vessel JASIRI are underway. Source: NIPmail. NEW ZEALAND Frigate TE KAHA and fleet tanker ENDEAVOUR sail for Australia for three-month system tests and crew training. Source: NIPmail. PAKISTAN Pakistan navy group with frigate ZULFIQUAR, research vessel BEHR PAIMA and submarine HAMZA arrives at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled several-day port visit. Source: NIPmail. PHILIPPINES The US will “soon” transfer a second former US Coast Guard HAMILTON class patrol ship (namely DALLAS) to the Philippine navy. First ship GREGORIO DEL PILAR (former HAMILTON) has begun patrolling waters off Palawan in the South China Sea waters, staging out of Puerto Princesa. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY (rmks: Every good newspaper has to have a comics page, right!) Source: IMO Update. +++ Somalia: Somali pirates released Iranian fishing dhow AL-KHALIIL … hijacked on 25 Jan for use as mother ship … no ransom paid … reportedly “found” another vessel (rmks: no details) better suited for their purposes. +++ Indian Ocean: Skiff with 5 armed men on board approaches merchant ship appr. 240 nm east of the Seychelles … ship manages to escape. +++ East Africa: Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa in Dar-es-Salaam signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on maritime security cooperation … to ensure security and the free flow of goods along the east coast of Africa from Tanzania, Mozambique through to South Africa. (rmks: And what good will this do? Likely this is just another useless piece of paper.) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: South African navy frigate ISANDLWANA currently deployed with anti-piracy patrols (operation “Copper”) in the Mozambique Channel. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Japanese destroyers MURASAME and HARUSAME call at Kochi (India) on their way for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. (rmks: replacement for destroyers TAKANAMI and OONAMI, on station since Nov 2011). RUSSIA +++ At the Sevmash shipyard (Severodvinsk), construction of third BOREJ class submarine, VLADIMIR MONOMAKH, proceeds as planned, with launching scheduled this year. (rmk: This will likely be pushed-back). First BOREJ class submarine, YURI DOLGORUKIY, may join the Pacific Fleet in June 2012. (rmk: Now that Bulava testing has been completed.) Second boat ALEXANDER NEVSKIY also to be commissioned this year. Source: NIPmail. +++ (Admiral Vysotsky) Construction of a “prospective” new aircraft carrier may “begin after 2020” … initial designs to be completed by 2014. (rmk: Once again, if pigs had wings they would fly.) +++ Two LADA class submarines currently under construction may be equipped with a newly developed air-independent propulsion system … could start testing in 2014. +++ All DELTA-IV class strategic submarines currently in service will be refitted with new SS-N-23 variant “Lijner”. (rmk: No telling how much this will cost.) SPAIN The Spanish Navy is working on a new surface combatant project - codenamed F-110 - to replace its ageing SANTA MARIA class. Source: NIPmail. UKRAINE President Yanukovich has sacked defence minister Mikhail Yeshel (a retired admiral who from 1996-2003 had commanded the Ukrainian) … following accusations that he was not only corrupt but had “ruined” the armed forces. (rmk: Corruption in Ukraine! Say it ain’t so!) Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM Dock landing ship BULWARK has cancelled planned port visit to Hamburg “due to ice on the Elbe river”. (rmks: there’s a nice twist here: bound for Arctic exercise “Cold Response” in Northern Norway, BULWARK can’t proceed to Hamburg due to ice …). Source: NIPmail. USA +++ Frigate SIMPSON arrives at Dakar (Senegal) for a logistic stop … conducting theatre security cooperation and maritime security operations in the Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility. Source: NIPmail. +++ In 2017, the US Navy's frontline force will consist of 16 fewer ships than was originally planned. (rmk: No! I didn’t realize that!) Source: NIPmail. 09 February NATO NATO mine countermeasure group SNMCMG-2 arrives at Tunis (Tunesia) for a scheduled visit until 13 Feb. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS Source: Various and sundry chatters NORWAY (multinational) (05 Mar) Invitational military exercise “Cold Response 2012” scheduled in northern Norway’s Troms and Nordland provinces … practise multi threat operations during cold weather conditions … Crisis Response Operations (CRO) related to a fictive UN mandate according to the UN Chapter VII … 16000 participants from 15 nations (both Nato and PfP) to take part with main international forces from Canada, France, Netherlands, Sweden, UK and USA. 05 – 12 Mar – preparation and Forces Integration Training 12 – 21 Mar – main phase, incl. amphibious and special forces operations 21 – 23 Mar –Evaluation and withdrawal of national and international forces. USA (02 Jun) Commissioning for new VIRGINIA class submarine MISSISSIPPI scheduled on 02 Jun in Pascagoula. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 42 destroyer LIVERPOOL scheduled for decommissioning on 30 March in Portsmouth.

Yeah, the fpreseeable future looks pretty grim. I'm going to be at Sea-Air-Space in DC during the month of April and I have the feeling its going to be like a funeral service, instead of a trade show.

Ahhh, another day to excel! I hope everybody is enjoying their Tuesday. Lots of interesting things happening, so let's get right to the update. Sumary to follow ... 04 February PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: Greek frigate HYDRA has joined EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: And the pirates quake in fear! (not)). Source: IO Update. 05 February RUSSIA The KUZNETSOV carrier task group has reached waters southwest of the British Isles … conducting replenishment … while passing west of Portugal and through the Bay of Biscay, had conducted helicopter operations (25 sorties Ka-27) on both the aircraft carrier and destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO. (rmks: The Red-K is putting a lot of rpm's on the screws! I reckon their making-up for lost time.) Source: NIPmail. THAILAND (multinational) Multinational exercise “Cobra Gold” kicked off … to run through 17 Feb … co-hosted by Thailand and the US Pacific Command … seven nations to participate (incl. Thailand, USA, Japan, South Korea) with another nine countries, incl. Russia and China, to send observers. Activities to begin with “humanitarian action”, followed by a command post exercise, a three-day landing drill and a tactical exercise for a week … conclude with maritime transportation and tactical manoeuvring exercises in the Gulf of Thailand. Source: NIPmail. USA Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN departs Bahrain, following a four-day port visit. Source: Naval Today - http://navaltoday.com/2012/02/07/uss-abrah...eparts-bahrain/ 06 February DENMARK During a ceremony at the Korsoer naval base, the Danish armed forces’ Materiel Command formally hands over frigate IVER HUITFELDT, the first of three new ships, to the Danish navy. Two remaining ships to follow next year. IVER HUITFELDT to achieve full operational readiness by 2014. Source: NIPmail. FRANCE Although no official decision has been made yet, there reportedly is consensus to not acquire a second aircraft carrier … mainly for budgetary reasons … for “at least 15 coming years” make do with single carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE. Source: NIPmail. INDONESIA TYPE 209 submarine NANGGALA completed overhaul and modernization at Daewoo (South Korea) and returned home to Surabaya naval base. Source: NIPmail. JAPAN The JMSDF has purchased (from US Northrop-Grumman) four helicopter-mountable, Airborne Laser Mine Detection Systems (ALMDS) to help protect its coastline and maritime traffic. Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA +++ The KUZNETSOV carrier task group continues return transit to Northern Fleet, reportedly sailing through the Irish Sea (quote: “east of GBR and Ireland”). (rmks: reported position would require confirmation). Source: NIPmail. +++ Russia is developing a comprehensive “30-year shipbuilding plan” … to be completed by June this year. First indications point to procurement of ten BOREJ class vs. previous eight … and six large Project 11711 IVAN GREN class landing ships. (rmk: I wonder if the will issue a sober version and a vodka version). Source: NIPmail. +++ Black Sea Fleet commander, RAdm Fedotenko, reaffirms plans to acquire six new submarines (Project 636.3 improved KILO-II) for his fleet by 2017. (rmks: Me thinks I see a scenario here!) Source: NIPmail. +++ Northern Fleet “Severomorsk-1” air base to be overhauled and modernized … runway lengthened to 3,500m to accommodate large aircraft such as Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers … first phase to be completed by end May, 2013. SPAIN The Spanish navy has taken delivery of third METEORO class patrol ship, RELAMPAGO (P-43). Source: NIPmail. USA +++ The BATAAN Amphibious Ready Group returns to home ports Norfolk / Little Creek, ending an 11-month deployment. (rmks: Welcome home guys!) Source: NIPmail. +++ The Office of Naval Research's Electromagnetic Railgun program will take an important step forward in the coming weeks when the first industry railgun prototype launcher is tested at a facility in Dahlgren, Va. (rmks: Enough with the 'golly-gee' toys. Concentrate on reliability and fixing the freaking fleet! I will remove myself from my soapbox now.) Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS INDIA (10 Feb) Leased AKULA (mod) class submarine NERPA / CHAKRA to depart Russian Bolshoi Kamen submarine base (near Vladivostok) for its transfer voyage to India “by Feb 10”. Source: NIPmail.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. Congrats to all the NYG fans out there, on yur team's Superbowl victory. I didn't get a chance to watch it - life was occuring in the Emerson household. Its a new week, with new possibilities! Here's what's with the major navies around the world! Summary to follow ... 01 February USA For at least the fourth time in its young history, San Diego-based littoral combat ship FREEDOM has developed a serious mechanical or structural problem … while operating off Southern California "suffered a failure of the port shaft mechanical seal" which caused some (minor) flooding. (rmks: Told ya so. The LCS is a white elephant program. The USN shold have listened to the Danish on "multipurpose, do-everthing" platforms). Source: NIPmail. INDIA (multinational) Hosted by the Indian navy, biennial exercise “Milan” has kicked off at Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar islands) … delegations of 14 Asia-Pacific Region nations (Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Philippines, Singapore, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam) participating … focus on search and rescue, terrorism, piracy, poaching … most activities ashore (seminars, discussions) … only few participants also sent ships or boats which will do some related small-scale exercises. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: German Navy frigate RHEINLAND-PFALZ sails from home port Wilhelmshaven for the Horn of Africa … will join NATO SNMG-1 in anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield”. +++ General: Four of the 25 suspected pirates detained on board Danish warship ABSALON since 07 January have been taken by the Seychelles after all for prosecution … search continues for other countries willing to prosecute the remainder 21 men still held on board the ABSALON. 02 February IRAN Source: NIPmail. +++ US media: “SecDef Panetta believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June - before Iran enters a 'zone of immunity' to commence building a nuclear bomb”. (rmks: with no outright denial from Panetta, looks like deliberate leak to increase pressure on Iran). +++ According to an annual budget proposal by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented to parliament, Iran plans to more than double military spending over the coming 12 months. (rmks: To do so, Iran would become the MENA version of North Korea. Current estimates indicates Iran spends about 5% of its GDP on defense. Ramping-up to more than 10% in such a short time would wreck the economy. Heck, if the people revolt - which is likely to happen - the could do our job for us! Go Ahmaddinajad, go!). +++ Up to five ships carrying grain to Iran have been diverted to new destinations as European Union sanctions hold up payments. PIRACY Source: IMO Update +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: For the first time ever, India, China and Japan have begun coordinating their naval patrols / convoy escorts off the Horn of Africa. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Russian and NATO navy officials had a meeting to discuss cooperation of their naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden … Russian destroyer ADMIRAL TRIBUTS and tanker PECHENGA, Turkish frigate GIRESUN, Spanish supply ship PATINO and US destroyer HALSEY conduct short joint exercise, incl. replenishment at sea. RUSSIA +++ The ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV carrier task force has left the Mediterranean, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Atlantic … planning for some more tactical exercises including flight operations enroute home ports. Source: NIPmail. +++ Rogozin: To fill a gap before all eight planned BOREJ class submarines are in service (by 2020), decommissioning of strategic nuclear submarines currently in service is being deferred … subs will get another upgrade to extend service life time from 25-years to up to 35-years … TYPHOON class submarines to be upgraded with their electronics and weapon systems replaced (rmks: refitting TYPHOON for Bulava missiles is likely to occur) +++ Rogozin: “By 2013, production capacity at Russian shipyards will allow us to build six submarines and an aircraft carrier every year.” (rmks: careful here: wording applies to capability, not intentions). UNITED KINGDOM +++ TYPE 45 destroyer DARING has passed the Suez Canal southbound. Source: NIPmail. +++ TYPE 23 frigate LANCASTER has begun sea trials off the South Coast after a 16-month overhaul and upgrade. Source: NIPmail. USA +++ Frigate SIMPSON concluded a three-day port visit of training and senior staff talks in Casablanca, Morocco … on a several month deployment to conduct theatre security cooperation and maritime security operations in the Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility. Source: NIPmail. +++ Preparing for upcoming exercise “Cobra Gold” in Thailand, dock landing ship GERMANTOWN in Okinawa embarks nearly 500 Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and their equipment. Source: NIPmail. CANADA STX Canada Marine is awarded contract to design the future flagship polar icebreaker of the Canadian Coast Guard … to be named JOHN G. DIEFENBAKER … delivery to coincide with decommissioning icebreaker LOUIS ST. LAURENT in 2017 … able to operate autonomously for 270-days in the Arctic. Source: NIPmail. CHINA Chinese navy task group enroute the Western Pacific Ocean … for a “regular training exercise” … four frigates reported to have sailed (in international waters) between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako. Japan's coast guard monitoring the situation. (rmks: Likely more saber-rattling). Source: NIPmail. COLOMBIA The Colombian navy has taken over patrol ship 20 DE JULIO, the first of four OPV-80 patrol ships built by local Cotecmar shipyard. Source: NIPmail. IRAN Ship owners have become increasingly reluctant to call at Iranian ports over fears about being properly insured and because of the likelihood of additional US sanctions targeting shippers. Source: NIPmail. JAPAN Japanese Navy ships participated in massive citywide emergency drill (assumed 7.3-magnitude earthquake) in Tokyo … evacuating Japanese government employees … US Navy joined with destroyer LASSEN. Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA +++ UDALOY class destroyer ADMIRAL KULAKOV has become the first Northern Fleet surface warship to be manned only by contract sailors … no conscripts on board. Submarines already earlier started using 100-percent contract personnel. (rmks: CV32 reported on this earlier in the week.) Source: NIPmail. +++ Admiral Vysotsky to navy officers: “On June 1 or a bit later we will resume constant patrolling of the world’s oceans by strategic nuclear submarines.” (rmks: basically, the admiral concedes they have been of regular patrols in recent years). Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM Helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS sails from from Portsmouth for two-months of training culminating in NATO’s large-scale Arctic exercise Cold Response in Northern Norway. Source: NIPmail. USA +++ Reflecting the new strategic focus on the Pacific region, the US Navy plans to assign as many as 16 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) to San Diego, up from previously 12. +++ Campaigning has reached the navy: Presidential candidate Mitt Romney vows to “build 15 warships annually” … although this would be tough to pay for and require cuts from other parts of the military. (rmks: somehow “read my lips” comes to mind …) 03 February RUSSIA Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV has ended a four-day visit to Manila (Phipippines). (rmks: former anti-piracy task group returning home from deployment to the Gulf of Aden). Source: NIPmail. 04 February IRAN +++ Iran has begun “mass production” of Zafar anti-ship missiles … small short-range missiles to be mounted in speed boats and other light vessels for attacks on small to medium-size targets. Source: NIPmail. +++ Some media report the IRGC has begun “naval maneuvers near the Strait of Hormuz”. This seems to be NOT the case. Only verifiable exercise takes place some 200 km inland by IRGC land forces. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: The 18th Iranian anti-piracy task group, comprised of frigate NAGHDI (Type US PF 103) and supply ship KHARG (deployed since 21 Jan), has arrived at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled port visit. +++ Coinciding with the Iranian task group’s visit, also British frigate SOMERSET has berthed at Jeddah for a visit (rmks: ended participation in operation “Enduring Freedom”, about to return home. Temporarily also had been employed in anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa) UNITED KINGDOM Amid heightened tensions with Argentina over the disputed Falkland Islands (and the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Falkland War), the Royal Navy reportedly is deploying a TRAFALGAR class nuclear-powered submarine to the South Atlantic. (rmks: Interesting way of calming things down - deploying an SSN into the region.) Source: NIPmail. 05 February FRANCE (IRAN?) After three more days of sea trials off Toulon, aircraft carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE has embarked its air group … for a one-week work-up towards an “upcoming deployment” (rmks: Some weeks earlier than originally announced; could indicate that rumours of an impending deployment to the Arabian Sea vs. Iran may indeed have substance). Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update Bab el Mandeb: Iranian navy claims to have foiled an attack by “35 pirate boats” on an Iranian oil tanker close to the Bab el-Mandeb strait. (rmks: most probably just drove harmless fishermen out of the way when the tanker’s captain got nervous. MSCHOA: “no pirate activity within the last 24 hrs”) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS DENMARK (06 Feb) During a ceremony scheduled at the Korsoer naval base, the Danish armed forces’ Materiel Command will formally hand over frigate IVER HUITFELDT, the first of three new ships, to the Danish navy. Two remaining ships to follow next year. IVER HUITFELDT to achieve full operational readiness by 2014. Source: NIPmail. NATO (14 Feb) Exercise “Proud Manta 12”, NATO's largest Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise this year, scheduled in the Mediterranean (Ionian Sea to the southeast of Sicily) from 14-26 Feb … eleven NATO nations (Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey, UK, USA) will provide 5 submarines, 15 aircraft (including shore and ship based helos) and 12 surface ships (including 2 Auxiliary ships from Italy and 1 NATO Research Vessel). Source: NIPmail.

Source: Naval Open Source Intelligence - http://nosint.blogspot.com/2012/02/iran-ma...hip-cruise.html Here's something to read as you enjoy your breakfast and morning coffee! The Zafar missile, as it is dubbed in the report, "is a short-range, anti-ship cruise missile capable of destroying small- and medium-sized targets with high precision." It can be mounted on speed boats and other light vessels, can withstand electronic warfare, and is able to fly in low altitudes to avoid detection, the report said. (rmks: Zafar (or another cruise missile) was recently tested from a Wellington class ACV during the last round of naval exercises). FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

To quote Teddy Roosevelt, "Weasel words from nathering naybobs." That flushing sound you hear is more US tax dollars going to waste. More wasted mone while the OPTEMPO od the fleet is max'ing out, things can't be fixed and we can't build useful platforms - just over-priced golly jeeze-whiz ships that in the end are completely useless! Okay I am stepping down from my soapbox now and hopefully my blood pressure will return to normal.