gemerson

12 January Summary to follow ... 07 January CAPE VERDE The Cape Verde Coast Guard commissioned an innovative 51-m Damen-built Stanaxe 5009 patrol vessel. Source: NIPmail. 10 January PIRACY Somalia: Somalia pirates’ attempt to use hijacked product tanker LIQUID VELVET as mother ship was short-lived ... just 90nm from the Somalia coast the ship was intercepted by British Royal Navy supply ship FORT VICTORIA … with close “shadowing” unable to carry out any attacks, the ship returned to its anchorage off the Somalia coast. Source: IMO Update. 11 January CHINA +++ the PLAN “recently” test-fired up to six Julang-2 (JL-2) submarine-launched ballistic missiles. (rmks: JL-2 carried on board new JIN class SSBN and one old GOLF class submarine used as test-bed for this new SLBM). +++ 10-odd vessels (incl. new indigenous LCAC) of the South Sea Fleet landing ship flotilla „recently” conducted amphibious exercises in the South China Sea (rmks: no details given). Source: NIPmail. COLOMBIA French Thales has completed program “Orion” overhaul/upgrade of a first Columbian navy type FS-1500 (ALMIRANTE PADILLA class) frigate and redelivered the ship to the Columbian navy … works performed at Cotecmar (Cartagena, Col.). Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA The Russian navy has “practically put into service” first BOREJ class submarine YURI DOLGORUKIY … before formal commissioning “only a number of purely technical questions have to be solved” which will “require a few months”. (rmks: With BULAVA SLBM testing complete, the sub is going into the rotation for deterrent missile patrols). Source: NPmail. SYRIA Cypriot authorities temporarily detained Russian-owned Saint Vincent-flagged cargo ship CHARIOT, reportedly carrying between 35 and 60 tons of munitions and explosives from St. Petersburg (Russia) for the Syrian port of Latakia … had berthed in Limassol for bad weather … allowed to refuel and sail from Limassol after its Russian owners agreed to “not proceed to Syria” (rmks: anyone take a bet?). New destination not disclosed. Source: IMO Update. UNITED KINGDOM HMS DARING sails from Portsmouth for the first ever operational deployment of a TYPE 45 destroyer … long-planned several-month routine deployment to relieve TYPE 23 frigate ARGYLL in the region “East of Suez” (rmks: which comprises Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf). Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM New Wildcat ship-borne helicopter has begun several-week sea trials off the UK aboard TYPE 23 frigate IRON DUKE … will also deliberately seek for “bad weather” to help define operational limits. Source: NIPmail. USA (IRAN) The US Navy is using its first high-altitude (rmks: up to 70,000 ft) drone, known as the BAMS - Broad Area Maritime Surveillance UAV, to monitor Iranian military activity and vessel transit in and around the Strait of Hormuz … flying a 24-hour mission every three days, complementing 12-hour sorties flown by manned P-3C Orion aircraft. Source: NIPmail. USA The ENTERPRISE Carrier Strike Group (ENTERPRISE, VICKSBURG, PORTER, JAMES E. WILLIAMS, NITZE) departed homeport Norfolk for COMPTUEX Composite Unit Training Exercise and subsequent JTFEX Joint Task Force Exercise (rmks: amphibious exercise “Bold Alligator” scheduled to start on 24 Jan?) … prepare for final operational deployment later this year, after which the 50-year old carrier is slated for decommissioning. Source: NIPmail. USA Navy leaders are drafting a new force structure assessment that will bring the US Navy in line with the goals laid out in the White House's new national security strategy unveiled on 05 Jan. May lead to abandoning the long-standing goal for a 313-ship fleet. Source: NIPmail. 12 January PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: 7th Russian Pacific Fleet anti-piracy task group with destroyer ADMIRAL TRIBUTS, tanker PECHENGA and salvage tug SORUM MB-37 has arrived in the Gulf of Aden to relieve 6th group with destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV (on station since Sep). Source: IMO Update. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

NNSotD for 11 January ... 05 January TURKEY Turkish Aselsan chosen for development of a naval phased array radar to become main sensor for TF-2000 air defence frigates planned to be acquired “in the next decade”. (rmks: regarded as “mile stone” in dragging frigate program). Source: http://www.defence.pk/forums/turkey-defenc...aw-frigate.html 10 January FRANCE Second newly built EDA-R type landing craft (L 9093) has commenced sea trials off Toulon. Source: NIPmail. IRAN Iranian armed forces chief reaffirms warnings for US aircraft carrier JOHN C STENNIS to re-enter the Gulf. (rmks: warning refers specifically to “this ship” and thus comes easy. As the STENNIS is about to end her scheduled deployment and head home, he may be rather confident his bluff won’t be called). Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/world/mi...ft-carrier.html PIRACY Gulf of Aden: Pirates reportedly hijack an Iranian ship carrying 30,000 tonnes of petrochemical products. No further details yet. Somalia: Product tanker LIQUID VELVET, hijacked on 31 Oct 2011, spotted 120 nm off the Somalia coast … ship probably being used as mother ship. West Africa: Off the coast of Nigeria, pirates hijack Norwegian merchant vessel SPAR RIGEL … 20 Indian crew lock in citadel … pirates abandon prey when security forces arrive on the scene. (rmks: source claims “Somali” pirates which, of course, should be utter nonsense). Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA (SYRIA) Destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, frigate LADNIY and tanker LENA depart the Syrian port of Tartus … LADNIY heading home for her Black Sea home port Sevastopol (scheduled to arrive on 13 Jan) … other ships to rejoin the ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV carrier task force which is set to conduct a series of tactical exercises incl. flight operations while heading west again. Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA Inspection of DELTA-IV class submarine YEKATERINBURH has shown sonar system and 150 sqm of rubber coating at the forward section destroyed … damage exceeds Euro25 million … submarine will be “repaired and returned to the fleet in due time”… no date given. Source: http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120110/170697703.html USA – IRAN US Coast Guard ISLAND class cutter MONOMOY rescued six Iranians from their sinking cargo dhow in the Persian Gulf … provided food and medical service, then arranged for their returning home. Source: NIPmail. USA Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN and cruiser CAPE ST. GEORGE end their visit to Laem Chabang, Thailand … continue towards the Arabian Sea. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (2012) The Russian Northern Fleet plans participation in three major international exercises this year: “Pomor 2012”, “Barents 2012” and “Northern Eagle 2012”. Source: NIPmail. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

Warhorse, are you a bubblehead? I deduce from your statement, you were on fastboats and not boomers. FWFS, Greg

There are too many if's involved, to determine what their or anybodies budget willl be that far out. FWFS, Greg

The action is where the carriers are! FWFS, Greg (last duty station was USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), 1996-1999) DM1(SW), USN-Retired

Whoa! Very telling (and sobering) quote. Greg

NNSotD - 10 January. Summary to follow ... 23 December MOROCCO First SIGMA class frigate TARIK BEN ZIYAD officially commissioned into service … during a ceremony led by King Mohammed VI. Source: NIPmail. 07 January PIRACY Yemen: Yemeni authorities have arrested seven Somali pirates who had been found adrift at sea with their skiff, four of them injured from gun shots reportedly sustained when a day before they had tried to hijack an unknown merchant vessel and encountered an embarked armed security team. Source: IMO Update. 08 January RUSSIA – SYRIA KUZNETSOV deployment: images show Syrian Defense Minister General Rajiha touring the deck of Russian aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV off Tartus (anchoring at roadstead). Source: NIPmail. 09 January INDIA The first of 12 new 8000TD medium hovercraft being built by UK-based Griffon Hoverwork for the Indian Coast Guard has commenced sea trials. Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA KUZNETSOV deployment: no information yet (as of morning 10 Jan) whether the KUZNETSOV carrier task force has ended its visit to Tartus, Syria, as Russian navy had announced; Syrian SANA news agency claims 6-day visit. Following the visit to Syria, the task force will commence western transit towards (reportedly) Tunisia for another visit to Sfax. Leave Mediterranean by end January to head home. Source: NIPmail. USA The CARL VINSON Carrier Strike Group (CSG) arrives in the 5th Fleet area of operations. (rmks: With the JOHN C STENNIS still there - expected to leave soon for home - and the recently arrived ABRAHAM LINCOLN there are - temporarily - three US Navy CSG operating in the Indian Ocean / Arabian Sea area). Source: Navy.mil http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=64678 FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

Steven, thanks for the thoughtful comments. Vietnam and China have always been traditional adversaries. The issue over the Spratlys, China and ASEAN will only increase. Vietnam like every other country finances their military hardware. The company I work for estimates Vietnam's defense budget for 2012 at/about US$2.3B. The navy will probabl see about 20% of that (roughly US$460M) and 40% of that or US$184M would be available for procurments. Payment plans are spread out over several years. Additionally, what one country pays for a platform (like China), isn't neccesarily what Vietname will pays. There is a whole bidding and offset process. The realm of armed forces procurments is a prett complicated ball of rubberbands to untangle. At the same time Vietnam is procuring the subs from Russia, they have also purchase Gepard class frigates and is negotiating with Damen Schelde for other their Sigma class corvettes source: Aviationweek http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/jsp_include...0Modular%20Ship Thanks for the post! FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

My sintiments exactly! Greg

I'll try to follow this for the forum. Greg

Good point! Most average squids (especially Russian variants) probably don't realize that somethings don't react well with others. Greg

Here's something interesting, for future South China Sea scenarios: From 2013-2018, Vietnam Will Receive a New Submarine Annually The submarines will be equipped with Klub-S, anti-ship/anti-submarine missile with max range 300km. According to some unofficial sources from the Russian media, from the beginning of the month 6/2011 the Russian side has begun work on two Kilo 636M project class submarines, for the Vietnam Navy. The first will be delivered in 2013. Expected that Russia will hand over to Vietnam annually to a submarine in 2018. Source: http://nosint.blogspot.com/2012/01/from-20...eceive-new.html FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

You got that right! Greg

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz is said to have intention to reactivate a project to buy submarines for the Saudi Navy. Source: Tactical Reports http://www.tacticalreport.com/view_news/Sa..._programme/2408 Here's a nugget to get the juices flowing on some potential "what-if" scenarios. Wow, the RSNF with submarines! FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

You're right Brad, I was probabl hasty with saying, "cooking-off," which usually applies to ordinance/weapons burning up and exploding. When I said, "cooking-off," I meant to say, "Holy smokes now that a fire!" My apologies if I mislead anyone. At this point I'm going to put on m conspiracy-thinking, tinfoil hat briefly ... Something had to be in there (other than lagging, systems, wiring, etc.) to produce flames like that. I have to give the Russkie squids a little credit - they are probably trained on DC like other navies sailors (mabe not as good). Even inept firefighters should be able to put out a scafolding fire relativel quickly (but I know what your thinking - we're talking about the Russian here). I am assuming (and I remeber we are talking about the Russian) all weapons were off-loaded prior to drydocking. That's the way the USN does things. I think a high probability cause may be the Russian equivalant of torpedo (OTTO) fuel storage. If there is a storage tank for OTTO fule up forward and it wasn't purged after being pumped out, the fumes could have started a fire of that magnitude. I know US OTTO fuel is some particularly nasty stuff. That Russian version has to be as bad (or worse). That's my analysis. FWFS, Greg

I think some systems like the CMS (Combat Management System) would need to upgraded to make the missiles accurate. Greg

January 09 NNSotD - - 05 January PIRACY Arabian Sea: US Navy destroyer KIDD intercepts Iranian fishing dhow AL MOLAI, hijacked by pirates some 40 days before and used as mother ship since … no resistance on boarding … 13 Iranian crew freed, supported with fuel, water, food and medical aid, then sent along … 15 pirates detained and transferred on board aircraft carrier JOHN C STENNIS to await decision on possible prosecution. Source: International Maritime Organization (IMO) Update. 06 January NATO / UNITED KINGDOM British Royal Navy Admiral George Zambellas has taken over Allied Maritime Command Northwood during a ceremony in North London, replacing the Royal Navy’s outgoing Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Gulf of Aden: Dhow AL-QASHMI, mother ship to pirates, “disrupted” in the Gulf of Aden near the IRTC. No details given, but should correspond to Danish navy report that multi-purpose ship ABSALON (NATO) intercepted a hijacked-turned-mother ship dhow … freed 14 Iranian/Pakistani hostages, seized pirate paraphernalia and detained 25 suspected pirates. Source: IMO Update. USA Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN and cruiser CAPE ST. GEORGE arrive off Leam Chebang, Thailand, for a scheduled port visit. (rmks: enroute scheduled deployment to the 5th Fleet area of operations). Source: NIPmail. USA US Navy website places the CARL VINSON Carrier Strike Group in the “Indian Ocean” while still stating it to be on “West Pacific Patrol”. Source: NIPmail. USA The MAKIN ISLAND Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) has relieved the BATAAN ARG of its duties in the 5th Fleet area of operations … BATAAN ARG now to head home for Norfolk to end a then nearly 11-month deployment which began in March, 2011. (rmks: expect media to put the upcoming Suez Canal passage in context with developments in Syria). Source: NIPmail. 07 January AUSTRALIA North of Christmas Island, patrol boat MARYBOROUGH intercepts a boat carrying 119 suspected asylum seekers and two crew … opposition: “continues to demonstrate the Labor government’s failed policy on border protection”. Source: IMO Update. PIRACY Somalia: (unspecified) counter-piracy forces have “disrupted” a pirate dhow just off the coast of Somalia (south of Hobyo). NATO website does not give any details. Source: IMO Update. 08 January CANADA Frigate CHARLOTTETOWN sails from Halifax for the Mediterranean … to join NATO anti-terror operation “Active Endeavour”. (rmks: local media claim relevance to Syria). Source: NIPmail. INDIA Newly leased AKULA class submarine NERPA about to sail from Russian Vladivostok to arrive at Visakhapatnam by end January. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Somalia: Somali pirates release Maltese-flagged tanker OLIB G after receiving US$ 3 million … was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on 08 Sep, 2010. Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA Update YEKATERINBURG fire: Environmental organisation Bellona reports the damaged DELTA-IV class sub sailed from the Roslyakovo dry dock to Severodvinsk for major repairs at the Zvezdochka shipyard … enroute make a stop at the Okol’naya base which is the place for missile loading or unloading. This would suggest the submarine had carried its missile load during the fire at Roslyakovo – which the Russian navy, of course, vehemently denies. Source: Undersea Wafare. RUSSIA / SYRIA KUZNETSOV deployment: Russian navy confirms Syrian state TV reports the Russian ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV carrier task force has arrived at Tartus, Syria. While the carrier together with some other ships has anchored at the roadstead, destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, frigate LADNIY and tanker LENA have entered the port. Syria state TV claims 6-day official visit; Russian navy, however, says visit for just short replenishment and ships scheduled to sail again on 09 Jan. (rmks: “short replenishment stop” meant to soften political repercussions of this visit). Source: Naval Today - http://navaltoday.com/2012/01/09/russian-c...-mediterranean/ 09 January ISRAEL The Israel navy will employ an increasing number of missile boats with protecting / securing offshore installations in the Mediterranean … requirement spurring acquisition of two additional missile boats. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS UNITED KINGDOM (11 Jan) TYPE 45 destroyer DARING scheduled to leave home port Portsmouth for a scheduled several-month deployment “East of Suez” … first operational deployment of a TYPE 45 destroyer … will relieve a TYPE 23 frigate currently operating in the Arabian Sea / Persian Gulf area. (rmks: long-planned routine deployment which many media, however, picture as a direct response to Iranian threat to close the Strait of Hormuz). Source: NIPmail. IRAN (27 Jan) Update: Announced Major IRGC naval exercise scheduled to start on 27 Jan … according to a member of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee will have the specific aim to “practice the armed forces’ ability to close the Strait of Hormuz.” Source: NIPmail.

Undersea Warfare continues to track on the Russian Delta IV fire: Nuclear submarine fire mystery deepens The ‘Yekaterinburg’ torpedo compartment blaze could have had catastrophic consequences even though it did not affect the reactor. Environmental organisation Bellona reported the damaged Delta-IV class sub sailed from the Roslyakovo dry dock to Severodvinsk in Arkhangelsk Oblast via the Okol’naya base. Equipment at Okol’naya includes cranes to remove ballistic missiles. The Russian Defence Ministry refused to confirm the Okol’naya route, maintaining there was no weaponry about ‘Yekaterinburg’. Nevertheless, Bellona’s Alexander Nikitin, a former Russian submarine captain, claimed leaving any such arsenals aboard, including Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) or nuclear warheads, is common for short-term repairs. The 18,200-ton vessel can carry up to 16 ICBMs, each with four warheads, as well as 12 torpedoes. According to RT, these missiles were removed beforehand. Meanwhile, Vice-Admiral Einar Skorgen, former commander of defence for northern Norway, said there was never any danger the fire would damage the reactor, which had been shut down. “As far as I know, there are two important things that are located forward in the submarine, the torpedo tubes pass through the section and the sensors are [also] located there,” he told NRK. To damage the reactor, the fire “would have to have occurred on the inside of the pressure-proof hull, but there is little chance that it might have happened.” He alleged the Russians withheld information about the fire “to hide they had made another mistake.” The 'Yekaterinburg' blaze took 20-hours to extinguish. It is estimated nine people were injured. One has to wonder what was cooking-off inside of there. 20-hours is a loonnngggg time to fight a fire. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

From the most recent copy of Undersea Warfare: Oscar Shifts From Quality To Quantity Russia is planning to rebuild its Oscar II class nuclear submarines to carry a wide variety of missiles. Currently, each Oscar II carries 24 large anti-ship missiles. But by rebuilding the missile launchers (which are outside the pressure hull) to carry more, but smaller missiles, each Oscar II can carry up to 72 missiles. This makes it easier to overcome the anti-missiles of enemy surface ships. What is lost in range and warhead size will be made up with better target detection and countermeasures technology. Russia has eight Type 949A SSGNs (nuclear powered cruise missile submarine). Known in the West as the Oscar II class, these boats began entering service just as the Cold War ended (three were in commission when the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991). Construction continued on six more, and by 1997, eight were in service. Seven Oscar IIs remain in service, as the Kursk was lost in 2000, to a well-publicized accident. The Oscar's were designed as "carrier destroyers," with long range cruise missiles that could, in theory, take out an American aircraft carrier. The Oscar II class boats have a surface displacement of 14,000 tons. They have eight torpedo tubes (four 650mm/25.6 inch, four 533mm/21 inch), and 24 SS-N-19/P-700/Shipwreck/Granit missiles. These anti-ship missiles have a range of 550 kilometers, a speed of 1600 kilometers an hour, and a 750 kg (1,650 pound) high-explosive warhead (or a nuclear warhead of 350 or 500 kilotons as an option). The Oscar's crew of 107 contains 48 officers. That's because of the high degree of automation, and the need to offer officers pay and accommodations to attract the technical talent required to keep these boats going. The United States and Russia are no longer at each other's throats, especially on the high seas. The Oscar's are expensive to operate, and were scheduled for retirement over the next decade, as their nuclear reactors were due for refueling. The decision to refurbish the Oscar IIs indicates that the navy believes it won't get money for replacement boats. The P-700 missile is an older, and bulkier, design. New launching tubes would allow it to fire more of the Yakhont (also known as Oniks, P-800 or 3M55). This is a 8.9 meter (27.6 foot) long, three ton missile with a 300 kg (660 pound) warhead. Early ship launched versions had a range of 120 kilometers, but the more recent models have a range similar to the Harpoon. The big advantage of the Yakhont is its high speed (about 2,500 kilometers an hour). This makes it more difficult to defend against. The 546 kg (1,200 pound) Harpoon is 4.6 meters (15 feet) long, has a 222 kg (487 pound) warhead and a range of 220 kilometers. It approaches the target low, at about 860 kilometers an hour. GPS gets the missile to the general vicinity of the target, then radar takes over to identify and hit the target. The Harpoon has successful combat experience going back two decades. Most corvettes and many frigates are small enough to be destroyed by one Harpoon. Yakhont does more damage because of the high speed, and greater weight. Yakhont was originally deployed as a "carrier killer". Both missiles cost about the same ($1.2 million each). A likely contender for inclusion in the Oscar II's arsenal is the updated SS-N-25/Sizzler (Club-S variant). This tidbit has many scenario possibilities (of the lethal variety). FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USN

From the recent copy of Undersea Wafare: Taiwan's Project Diving Dragon Resurfaces TAIPEI - Recurring reports that countries other than the United States are helping Taiwan build diesel-electric submarines domestically go back a decade. According to various articles, it's either the Western Europeans, Russians or Indians who are clandestinely concocting a submarine plan with the Taiwanese. While the notion that any country able to build subs would choose to so profoundly snub China appears unlikely, the question arises as to why these rumors persist. An island and its mythical being Then-United States president George W Bush in 2001 approved the sale of eight conventional submarines to Taiwan, but the deal has been in limbo ever since. While the US ceased building diesel-electric subs decades ago, the Western European countries that do still produce them - and are seen as having the best technology for diesel-electric sub construction - likely fear reprisals from Beijing for supplying Taipei with the technology. In the 2000s, with pro-independence Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian in power and the Taiwan Strait constantly on the brink of war, a solution that ostensibly suggested itself was that the Taiwanese build their own subs. While there have yet to be credible signs that "Project Diving Dragon" was ever alive and kicking, or any alternate Taiwanese plan for submarines, rumors of its existence refuse to die. Intriguingly, such rumors have surfaced at even shorter intervals under Chen's successor, Ma Ying-jeou, who says he doesn't want an arms race with the military power across the Taiwan Strait. As the situation with China continues to simmer, the will be an interesting issue to keep track of. Likely, with more updates to follow. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

Personally, I don't see this happening. The UK doesn't have the carrier capability we have - no proficiency with trapped landings, as the Brits have harriers (which hover-in for carrier landings). They tried doing this with the French and it fell through. However, I could be wrong - stranger things have happened and budgets are extremely tight in both navies. That's my take anyway. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

There's no such thing as a silly question on this board (as far as I can tell). Fair winds and following seas is the tradiotional adu of the US Navy. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

The following is a summary of key events taking with the major navies around the world. All information is gleaned from open source intelligence (OSINT). Ship locators are provided from Naval Intelligence professionals Mail (NIPmail). Source URL’s are provided for stories, whenever possible. Use this info to catch-up on daily navy news and to plan “What-If” Harpoon scenarios. Fair Winds and Following Seas (FWFS), Greg Emerson, DM!(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA January Summary follows: 30 December RUSSIA KUZNETSOV deployment: Carrier task force south of Sicily, heading east … while enroute, flight operations with 24 sorties Su-33 Flanker and 7 helicopter sorties. Source: NIPmail. 03 January RUSSIA KUZNETSOV deployment: Aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV completed two days of flight operations in the Central Mediterranean (rmks: west of Crete) … 32 sorties of Su-33 Flanker and 9 sorties of helicopters Ka-27 Helix. Source: NIPmail. 05 January ISRAEL Israeli and US armed forces are gearing up for exercise “Austere Challenge 12”, the largest ever bilateral missile defence exercise … no specific date given but expected to be conducted “during the next weeks” … not related to any current events (Iran), as planned for more than a year … based on previous exercises such as “Juniper Cobra 2010” should also involve BMD capable US Navy ships. Source: http://my.firedoglake.com/ctuttle/2012/01/...challenge-2012/ RUSSIA KUZNETSOV deployment: ships of the KUZNETSOV carrier task force at anchorage south of Crete for replenishment … afterwards continue towards Eastern Mediterranean. Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM The visit of Royal Navy Antarctic survey ship PROTECTOR to Montevideo, Uruguay, has caused outrage in South America as tensions build ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War … Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay had agreed a pact to close ports to “Falkland-flagged vessels”, but PROTECTOR flies the Royal Navy’s White Ensign. Source: http://en.mercopress.com/2012/01/04/hms-pr...from-montevideo USA Efforts to save US$ 450 billion over the next decade have prompted a revised US military strategy … abandon ability to fight two major wars simultaneously but will still be able to deny an aggressor in a second region while already engaged in another. Focus on Pacific region (specifically China). Published document does not mention specific weapons programs. Analysts expects cuts to mostly affect US Army and US Marine Corps. As the Pacific region is predominantly “maritime”, the US Navy should not bear the brunt. (rmks: may expect lobbyists to immediately start working) Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...cmcP_print.html USA The three Mobile Landing Platforms to be built (at NASSCO, San Diego) for the US Navy (Military Sealift Command) will be named MONTFORD POINT, JOHN GLENN and LEWIS B. PULLER . First of class MONTFORD POINT expected to be delivered in fiscal 2013 and be operational in fiscal 2015. Source: NIPmail. USA Enroute the 57h Fleet area of operations, the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group has reached the South China Sea. Source: NIPmail. USA USCG acquisition chief has officially declared the multibillion-dollar Deepwater acquisition plan as dead. “The time has come to officially drop the Deepwater name from any reference to our acquisition portfolio”. (rmks: individual acquisition programs will continue) Source: http://www.federaltimes.com/article/201201.../201050304/1001 06 January IRAN After the Iranian navy concluded exercise “Velayat 90”, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is poised to stage a naval exercise of its own … RAdm Fadavi: “largest ever IRGC naval exercises in Iran's Southern waters will commence in the near future” (media: in Feb) … 7th edition of “Great Prophet” series, but “different from previous ones”. Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/iran-new-na...f-hormuz-2012-1 USA Aircraft carrier RONALD REAGAN sails from San Diego for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton (Wash.) … start a one-year major overhaul … return to home port in Jan 2013. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS FRANCE (09 Jan) Helicopter carrier MISTRAL scheduled to sail from Toulon for Norfolk (USA) … participate in exercise “Bold Alligator” (24 Jan – 13 Feb) … embark French army personnel and vehicles, incl. tanks … probably also take along first new EDA-R landing craft. Source: NIPmail. USA (29 Jun) Exercise RIMPAC 12 … off Hawaii 29 Jun – 07 Aug … participants to include ships / aircraft / observers from Australia, India, Indonesia, Canada, Colombia, Korea, Malaysia, Peru, Russia, Singapore, USA, Tonga, Japan … total of six submarines, 39 warships, 200 aircraft … Russian Pacific Fleet to deploy SOVREMENNIY class destroyer BYSTRY, a tanker and a salvage tug. (One has to wonder if the exercise will coincide with the release of "Battleship" the Movie) Source: NIPmail.

This has the potential for making the nightmare days of Jimmy Carter era military seem like a vaction! No has noticed yet that the DoD seal is on the document, but the information itself is from the President. Nice way of blame-shifting it things go south! FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

I concur. Tomorrow, I'll start a single NNSotD thread. We get our summary from a single source, but I can glean the sources easily., from Naval Today: http://navaltoday.com/ , Naval Open Source Intelligence: http://nosint.blogspot.com/ and foreign news services. Thanks for the encouragement. I just want to provide a little realism to scenario design. I feel these summaries are a way of providing an endless supply of scenario possibilities. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA