gemerson

Here's something for the Things That Make You Go Hmmmm File: http://nosint.blogspot.com/2012/10/irans-speedboats-capable-of-launching.html This update to the database, might make for some interesting Persian Gulf scenarios.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Kind of a light navy news type of day. I guess it's the calm before the debate tonight. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 15 October ARGENTINA Navy chief Admiral Carlos Alberto Paz sacked and two more senior officials suspended over detention of sail training vessel ARA LIBERTAD in Tema (Ghana) … held responsible for the “ill-fated decision to stop in Ghana” … Vice Admiral Daniel Alberto Martin named as successor …US company asks US$ 20 million for the LIBERTAD to be released. (rmks: So why are we getting involved in this?) PAKISTAN 2nd Pakistan Marine Battalion commissioned … established to strengthen security of naval installations. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka the Keystone Kops): Danish frigate HDMS IVER HUITFELDT sails from Korsoer, for the Horn of Africa … join NATO anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield” until spring 2013 … first operational deployment for type ship of new frigates. (rmks: And the pirates quake in fear ... NOT!) RUSSIA +++ A Northern Fleet destroyer is involved in at-sea trials of new Kamov Ka-27M Helix ASW helicopter variant … new avionics and special mission system … new radar with 360 degree coverage and greater search radius, capable of multiple-target tracking. (rmks: This will be something to watch as the platform continues to mature) +++ Director naval planning: “acquisition programs until 2020 include nuclear-powered ice-capable warships, to operate in Arctic Zone.” (rmks: Now that's interesting!) +++ Completing the summer training period, the Baltic Fleet has begun final inspection by Western Military District … major activities (incl. live missile firing) at sea expected. SPAIN Helicopter carrier SPS JUAN CARLOS I successfully completed operational evaluation with the Spanish army’s air-mobile helicopter forces (FAMET) … operating Tiger, Cougar and Chinook helicopters. USA +++ At least eight companies have forwarded proposals for the US Coast Guard’s 25-ship Offshore Patrol Cutter program … after evaluating the bids, the USCG is expected to award two or three firms with Phase I preliminary design contracts in June 2013 … competition winner scheduled to be chosen only in October 2015, and awarded a contract and options to build up to 11 cutters … follow-on competition for the remaining 14 ships. Procurement of the first OPC is scheduled for 2017. (rmks: It's Deja Vu all over again! Spending even more money we don't have) +++ After short foray to the Indian Ocean, aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON has returned to 7th Fleet area of responsibility, operating in the South China Sea. (rmks: What's missing is – But it is capable of returning at a moment's notice!)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Hope everyone had a good weekend. here's are some naval news highlights (and low-lights), to get your week started. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 11 October NORWAY The wreck of former Soviet SVERDLOV class cruiser RFS MURMANSK will be completely gone by mid-November … already 14 000 tons of scrap metal removed in a unique operation at the northern Norwegian coast, where the cruiser had stranded in Dec 1994 while being towed towards a scrapyard. 12 October BANGLADESH Blogger: Bangladesh navy set to acquire a number of lengthened (105m) Chinese Project 056 corvettes … first two to be built in China, then more in Bangladesh. (rmks: Although requiring some confirmation, this is interesting news. Along with other recent acquisitions, Bangladesh is fast become a 'toothier' navy) IRAN (related) Two European insurers have withdrawn cover for tankers operated by Hong Kong's Titan Petrochemicals Group… used to store Iranian oil. (rmks: Don't you just love how well the much-toute sanctions are working!) Iranian oil production has plunged to its lowest level in 23-years, because of the impact of US and European sanctions … just 2.63m barrels a day in September, down from 2.85m b/d in August … over the past year down by more than 1m b/d. (rmks: Wow, ONLY 2.63mbd! I thought the sanctions were supposed to stop ALL production! Another fine example of the current administrations state department policy) MALTA A 12-m dinghy loaded with 109 people (just one woman) has made it from Libya to Malta … one of the passengers announced boat ahead over satellite phone, while still in Libyan waters … coast guard monitored transit. RUSSIA +++ A Black Sea fleet Be-12 Mail amphibious ASW-aircraft crashed during final landing approach into the Kacha (Ukraine) airfield … possibly engine failure … three of four crewmembers reported killed. (rmks: obsolete aircraft, operated since the 1960s) +++ STEREGUSHCHIY class (Project 20380) corvette RFS BOYKIY has begun sea trials, probably in the Gulf of Finland. USA Both the GEORGE WASHINGTON and JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Groups have passed the Malacca Strait into the Indian Ocean (5th Fleet area of operations) … in the Andaman Sea conduct integrated flight operations while also practicing surface and anti-submarine drills. (rmks: STENNIS enroute Middle East deployment, USS WASHINGTON conducts Pacific Summer Patrol and should soon return to 7th Fleet area of operations … first ever dual carrier operation in the Andaman Sea … should also be interpreted as strong signal to Iran) 13 October AUSTRALIA Patrol boats HMAS BUNDABERG and WOLLONGONG render assistance to vessel carrying 188 asylum seekers … north east of Christmas Island. CHINA +++ Aircraft carrier LIAONING has sailed for another period of sea trials … restricted areas established in the Bohai Sea … photos suggest first training for air operations with helicopters and naval jets … show a J-15 fighter performing simulated approach with low pass, possibly even "touch and go" maneuvers. (rmks: This will be interesting to watch) +++ The Chinese navy is expanding its use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in marine surveillance. (rmks: Say it ain't so! I never would have thought that!) NORWAY Norwegian navy vessels complete first live fire exercises with the new NSM/JSM anti-ship missile … SKJÖLD class patrol boat HNoMS GLIMT successfully launched one missile on 10 Oct; frigate HNoMS ROALD AMUNDSEN followed suit on 13 Oct. (rmks: NSM missiles to be main weapon system for SKJÖLD class missile boats and NANSEN class frigates. This could signal another database upgrade, when the missile comes fully online). USA +++ Missile cruiser USS SAN JACINTO and LOS ANGELES class submarine USS MONTPELIER collide while conducting routine training off Florida … damage (cruiser’s sonar dome “collapsed”) but no injuries … submarine’ nuclear propulsion plant "unaffected" … both Norfolk-based ships return to port under own power. (rmks: In the day of GPS, how in the heck does something like this happen?) +++ The US Navy is celebrating its 237th birthday. (rmks: On October 13, 1775, Congress authorized the procurement of two armed vessels to search for British ships supplying munitions to the British army, in America) 14 October INDIA – RUSSIA Russia reportedly rejected Indian demands for financial compensation over delayed delivery of aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA … instead accused the Indian navy of purchasing low-quality parts. (rmks: Can't you just feel the love) JAPAN A Fleet Review marked the 60th anniversary of the Japanese navy (JMSDF) … about 40 ships/boats and some 30 naval aircraft participated. 15 October INDIA An Indian navy Chetak helicopter crashed and caught fire while landing at Dabolim (Goa) airport … all three on board killed. SOUTH AFRICA (multinational) Hosted by the South African navy, regular trilateral Indian, Brazilian and South African exercise “IBSAMAR” kicks off at Simonstown (South Africa) … Indian navy deployed destroyer DELHI and supply ship DEEPAK; Brazilian navy to participate with frigate BARROSO. SAN usually contributes a frigate and (maybe) a submarine UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS JAPAN – USA (05 Nov) Japanese Ground forces and US Marine Corps (Okinawa-based 31st MEU) have scheduled joint exercise from 05-16 Nov … to include an amphibious drill to “recapture an island occupied by enemy forces”, conducted at uninhabited Irisunajima Island (Okinawa Prefecture) (rmks: Similar exercise conducted in Guam in September).

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Another weekend is upon us. I have big plans ... my son's eight birthday party with 14 of his close friends. Now that my Sons of the American Revolution application is completed, I can get back to work on some BRICS scenarios. Enjoy the naval news, I see you all next week! Summary to follow: 11 October ARGENTINE Argentine navy sail training ship ARA LIBERTAD will remain impounded in Tema (Ghana), after a court in the West African country rejected Argentina's appeal of an order detaining the vessel in a dispute with creditors. (rmks: That's gotta suck) EGYPT Two Egyptian army amphibious vehicles capsized and sank in the Suez Canal during exercises … one officer killed. (rmks: I wonder if this is an indicator or the level of training in the Egyptian armed forces) ITALY - FRANCE Italian and French navy have ended 10-day exercise “Levante 2012” … conducted in the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea … had involved both Italian aircraft carrier ITS CAVOUR and French aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE (European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative) … CHARLES DE GAULLE entering Naples for a port visit. PIRACY +++ Arabian Sea: Italian dock landing ship ITS SAN GIUSTO (EU NavFor flag ship) intercepted a probable pirate skiff (ladder, 20 fuel drums) 180 nm east of Socotra … 7 men apprehended, skiff destroyed. (rmks: Oh my goodness, the Keystone Kops actually did something! However, the suspected pirates will probably be released along the Somalia coast, as no crime committed yet. The cockroaches (excuse me, pirates) win another one). +++ Somalia: Somali pirates have released Greek-owned cargo ship M/V FREE GODDESS, hijacked on 07 Feb in the Arabian Sea. (rmks: Likely the ship was set adrift, to become an environmental impact hazard) +++ Somalia Basin: Netherlands navy dock landing ship HNLMS ROTTERDAM (NATO) intercepted a skiff suspected of attacking Spanish fishing vessel M/V IZURDIA on 10 Oct, some 270 nm east of Mogadishu … stopped with warning shots from helicopter … 7 men apprehended and detained until fate decided. (rmks: Question ... If the helo saw the attack and intervened, why didn't it just DEFEND the IZURDIA? The seven detained cockroaches, will likely get off and terrorize other innocent people. As usual, no pirates were harmed in reporting ANY of these stories ... BLAST IT ALL!) RUSSIA +++ After some Russian media claimed the new frigate RFS ADMIRAL GORSHKOV, built at Northern Shipyard (St. Petersburg), will conduct “sea trials in the Barents Sea as early as November,” Russian navy officials clarified: ship thus far has not been at sea at all; first sea trials expected in the Gulf of Finland in early 2013. +++ International tender to be issued for salvaging two sunken former Northern Fleet NOVEMBER class nuclear submarines … K-27 “dumped” 1980 in the Kara Sea at 75m depth … K-159 sank in the Barents Sea in 2003 while under tow, up to 250m deep. SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) The Sri Lanka navy arrests 112 persons illegally bound for Australia in a fishing trawler. UKRAINE The Ukrainian navy has resumed training dolphins and other animals for military duties including attacking enemy combat swimmers and detecting mines. (rmks: That will put them in less than favorable standing with PETA) UNITED KINGDOM Cougar-12: The Royal Navy Response Force Task Group (includes HMS BULWARK and ILLUSTRIOUS) has completed initial training … left UK waters, heading for the Mediterranean. USA +++ Aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON ends visit to Port Klang (Malaysia). +++ Aircraft carrier USS JOHN C. STENNIS enters the Indian Ocean, arriving at the 5th Fleet area of operations. +++ The US Navy will continue presence of two Carrier Strike Groups in the 5th Fleet area of operations through March. VIETNAM Domestic Hong Ha Shipbuilding has been contracted with building two naval vessels (dubbed “modern battleships”): artillery ship TT400TP and vessel 12418. (rmks: "Battleship" was likely a poor translation of 'surface combatant') YEMEN Yemen authorities have seized Iranian military equipment aboard a cargo ship at the port of Hodeidah … slated for Shiite Huthi rebels in Saada province. (rmks: Hmm, I thought there were sanctions against Iran and all this kind of stuff was bein stopped ... at least that's according to the press) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS ISRAEL (around 16 Oct) Ahead of bilateral Israeli-US missile defense exercise “Austere Challenge” (to start on 21 Oct), Israel will conduct a massive civil defense exercise … “next week” (14-18 Oct) … scenario includes an earthquake with assumed mass casualties of 7,000 dead, 70,000 wounded and 170,000 made homeless and a toxic chemical leak at Haifa's port (rmks: Although non-military scenarios, widely regarded as contingency for conflict with Iran) FRANCE (18 Oct) DCNS at its Lorient facility will launch the second French navy FREMM class frigate, FS NORMANDY, on 16 Oct … scheduled for delivery in 2014.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. More cockroach (excuse me, pirate)-related news today. I tell ya folks, this issue really bothers me. In an attempt to be kind and gentle, the anti-piracy forces (aka, the Keystone Kops) are a useless taskforce, filled with paper tigers. I will dismount my soapbox now and let you read today's news items. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 09 October USA The Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Electromagnetic Railgun program is evaluating the second of two industry railgun prototype launchers … after prototype demonstrator made by BAE Systems, now a General Atomics solution being looked at. (I'm not a ludite by any means, but in our current economic climate why in the heck are we goofing around with these silly systems? As far as gun systems go, if it isn't broke – or outdated, don't try changing it) 10 October INDIA (RUSSIA) Delivery of aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA (former Russian ADMIRAL GORSHKOV) to slip further to “fourth quarter 2013” … India “annoyed” but reportedly has not (yet) asked for penalty fees. (rmks: If contract provides for penalty fees – as some sources claim – India won’t forgo them. Although I highly doubt the Russkies will pay them. Caveat Emptor – Let the buyer beware) INDIA (RUSSIA) KILO class submarine INS SINDHURAKSHAK about to complete overhaul/upgrade at Russian Zvezdochka shipyard (Severodvinsk) … start sea trials next week. JAPAN A 20-year-old crew member (petty officer) of submarine JDS SORYU was discovered drowned in the submarine’s sail … for unknown reasons had not returned to the inner submarine when it went diving … had been missed only later when failing to report for his watch. (Oh man, that's gotta suck) PIRACY Somalia Basin: a fishing vessel reported under attack by one skiff … some 270 nm east of Mogadishu … managed to evade hijack. (rmks: Once again I ask, where are the Keystone Kops, when you need them? Fat lot of good they have done in the past couple of days. As usual ... no pirate were harmed reporting this story. BLAST IT ALL!) RUSSIA +++ Admiralty Shipyard delivers new research vessel RFS AKADEMIK TRESHNIKOV to State Commission … built for the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet) … to replace research vessel AKADEMIK FEDOROV … also support Russian Antarctic stations. +++ STEREGUSHCHIY class (Project 20380) corvette RFS BOYKIY set to begin shipyard trials. +++ Baltic Shipyard starts construction of LC-25 Project 22600 new-generation diesel-electric icebreaker … on order for Rosmorport … may be named RFS VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN. UNITED KINGDOM Second Sea Lord (Chief of Naval Personnel & Training) VAdm Sir Charles Montgomery retires … hands over to VAdm David Steel. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS ISRAEL – USA (21 Oct) Three-week bilateral missile defense “Austere Challenge 12” scheduled to start in Israel on 21 Oct … US troops and weapon platforms to arrive from 14 Oct … total of 3,000 soldiers to participate. (rmks: Expect also a seaborne element such as US missile cruiser / destroyer to join). PIRACY (Nov) Anti-Piracy Forces: New Turkish frigate TCG HEYBELIADA (Project MilGem) scheduled to sail for the Horn of Africa in November … first ever overseas deployment … probably join multinational CTF-151. (rmks: One more member to add to the cast of nitwits)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Well, the beautiful weather is set to depart tomorrow. Was busy yesterday putting the finishing touches on another project and doing several job searches. Here are the naval news summaries from the last couple of days. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 28 September SOUTH AFRICA (multinational) SAN-led multinational exercise “Atlasur-9” starts sea phase off South Africa … participants from South Africa (frigate SAS AMATOLA, mine sweeper SAS UMZIMKULU, submarine SAS QUEEN MODJADJI), Argentina (frigate ARA ESPORA), Brazil ( frigate BARROSO), Uruguay (ROU URUGUAY). 07 October USA +++ Aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON arrives off Port Klang (Malaysia) for a scheduled port visit. +++ Aircraft carrier USS JOHN C. STENNIS off Phuket (Thailand) for a scheduled visit. (rmks: Enroute Middle East deployment, to replace USS ENTERPRISE) +++ Aircraft carrier ENTERPRISE reported operating in the Western Arabian Sea up to the Gulf of Aden. (rmks: One in the batter's box and two in the bullpen. Something could be stirring) 08 October BANGLADESH Khulna Shipyard launches the first-ever domestically warship … 50-m patrol boat … no name or hull number mentioned yet … (initial data: 50.4 x 7.5m; 255 t; cruise 18 knots, max 23 knots; 2x 37mm, 2x20mm; 31 crew) … built with Chinese assistance. (rmks: Now that's different!) CHINA +++ China's marine corps and other PLA units launched a joint live fire drill to “take back an islet occupied by enemy forces" a move experts said was aimed at demonstrating China's resolve in safeguarding its sovereignty claims. (rmks: Now that's certainly telegraphing your intentions!) +++ Former Chinese navy XIANGYANGHONG 06 has completed conversion for paramilitary China Marine Surveillance (CMS) … now called ZHONG GUO HAI JIAN 19 … and looking completely different. FRANCE Budget woes likely to affect French Customs’ maritime operations in final quarter of 2012 … number of missions to be reduced. (rmks: The illegals entering Europe will love that news) IRAN (related) +++ Iran's crude oil exports rebounded by about 10% in September, on higher Chinese sales … suggesting the impact of sanctions on the country's largest source of revenue may be stabilizing. (rmks: Now that's rosey news) +++ Official: Cyber-attacks have targeted communication networks on Iranian offshore oil and gas platforms in the past few weeks, but have been repelled. (rmks: Message to the CIA cyber folks ... The hands-off approach won't work. Send in the flattops and the B-2's. Let the re-landscaping of Tehran begin) +++ A Chinese shipyard has delivered the first of 12 supertankers (VLCC) to Iran, but it is unclear if the ship will get certifications necessary to call at global ports. (rmks: Oh, it'll come. So much for the current administration vaunted attempts at sanctions) PHILIPPINES – USA The Philippines and the United States begin annual ten-day amphibious exercise “Phiblex-2013” … 1,600 Philippine and over 2,000 US troops, incl. USS BONHOMME RICHARD … conduct fire exercises, simulated helicopter raids, a demo of American aircraft capabilities, and public service activities. PIRACY West Africa: Greek tanker M/V ORFEAS (24 crew), carrying more than 32,000 metric tons of gasoline, probably hijacked off Abidjan (Ivory Coast) … “unexpectedly” sailed from the roadstead … last tracked heading south into the Gulf of Guinea. (rmks: Probably enroute the Niger Delta to offload the cargo, then be released again. Where are the Keystone Kops when you need them. No pirates were harmed reporting this story ... BLAST IT ALL!) SRI LANKA The Sri Lanka navy intercepts another trawler with 67 asylum seekers, illegally bound for Australia. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 23 frigate HMS NORTHUMBERLAND sails from Naval Base Devonport on an eight-month deployment “East of Suez” …. relieve sister ship HMS SUTHERLAND (deployed since 09 Jul). 09 October ALGERIA Unconfirmed media reports that in addition to two MEKO frigates from Germany and three Chinese frigates the Algerian navy also will receive three Russian TIGR class (STEREGUSHCHIY variant) corvettes and two British F2000 patrol ships. (rmks: Although this dratically extends the Algerian logistics chain, it appears the Algerian navy is growing some teeth!) INDIA Russian Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) has begun mooring trials of third TALWAR Batch 2 frigate, INS TRIKAND. IRAN (related) The world's biggest shipping company, Maersk Line, has stopped operations into and out of Iran. (rmks: Well that's refreshing news. One company has some sanity on the board of directors) PIRACY +++ West Africa Cockroach (excuse me pirates) Update: Pirates released Greek tanker M/V ORFEAS abducted two-days before from the Abidjan (Ivory Coast) roadstead … siphoned off some of its gas oil cargo. +++ Arabian Sea: Merchant vessels report presence of probable pirate skiffs (ladders sighted) in the western Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman. (rmks: Once again I ask ... Where are the Keystone Kops?) SWEDEN - RUSSIA During a visit of Swedish navy commander RAdm Jan Thörnqvist to the Russian Baltic Fleet, both sides agreed to hold a joint submarine rescue exercise in 2013. SWEDEN Kockums has been contracted with a comprehensive upgrade/modernization of submarine HMS GOTLAND. 10 October INDIA – RUSSIA In New Delhi, Indian Defence Minister Antony will meet with his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov … delay in handing over the refurbished aircraft carrier ADMIRAL GORSHKOV reportedly to top the discussions … media reports indicate India may impose a five percent penalty for the delay (may amount to some $115 million). (rmks: It appears the Big-V is a Not-Ready-for-Primetime Player)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Man, what a fun weekend. More beautiful weather in the PacNorWest. My son's 8th birthday. Along with a family trip to Mt. Saint Helens. Here's what happening around the globe with several navies, while you were enjoying your weekend. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 01 October CHINA (UKRAINE) A first POMORNIK class air-cushion landing craft under order from the Ukraine, has begun sea trials off Feodosiya (Crimea/Ukraine). (rmks: There's a boost for business) 04 October PIRACY Gulf of Aden: a possible Dhow Pirate Attack Group (PAG) reported in the eastern Gulf of Aden. (rmks: 'PAG,' so now the cockroaches (excuse me pirates) have organized to the point we have designated them with an acronym? When are the Keystone Kops going to get serious with this menace and deal with them, once and for all. Sorry, I forgot that we are kinder and gentler now. Meanwhile, in the real world – the cockroaches are wrecking havoc. Oh and I almost forgot – No pireates were harmed reporting this story – BLAST IT ALL!) 05 October BULGARIA (NATO) Frigate DRAZKI sails from Burgas naval base for the Mediterranean … join NATO naval forces in anti-terror operation “Active Endeavour”. IRAN (related) The European Union looks set to also ban imports of Iranian gas as part of a set of new sanctions. PIRACY West Africa: Pirates released a German-owned, Liberian-flagged tanker, a day after capturing it off Lome (Togo) … keeping the crew under gun threat, they transferred the tanker's gas oil to a bunker barge and ransacked the ship before abandoning it … no casualties among the 14 crew members. (rmks: Just another cockroach (excuse me, pirate day). Typical West African scenario, where pirates go after a ship’s cargo instead of hijacking it and its crew for ransom. No pirates were harmed reporting this story – DRAT! Where are the Keystone Kops when you need them?) SPAIN – USA The Spanish government signed a joint defense agreement, giving the final green light for the US Navy to deploy four ballistic missile defense-capable destroyers at Rota … part of NATO's ballistic missile defense shield. (rmks: Another boost for the local economy.) UNITED KINGDOM “Cougar 12”: Before finally heading for the Mediterranean (with the Royal Navy Response Force Task Group), Royal Marines (30 Commando) practice an amphibious assault near Plymouth. 06 October CHINA – JAPAN Four Chinese paramilitary China Marine Surveillance (CMS) ships entered territorial waters of disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands … Japanese coast guard demanded they immediately leave the area, while Tokyo lodged a formal protest with the Chinese government. (rmks: And the soap opera continues.) INDIA An (unnamed) Indian navy ship successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile from the Orissa test range to the Bay of Bengal. (rmks: Launching platform may have been SUKANYA class offshore patrol vessel INS SUBHADRA, used in earlier tests.) ISRAEL +++ The Israel air force intercepted and shot down a drone approaching from the Mediterranean … flew over the Gaza Strip but did not originate from the Palestinian territory … speculations that it had been operated by Lebanese Hezbollah. (rmks: So now somebody (probably Iran) is supplying Hezbollah with drones. Me thinks, the stakes got a wee bit higher) +++ (Gaza): “Freedom Flotilla” sailing vessel ESTELLE sails from Naples (Italy) for final, about two-week leg of voyage towards Gaza. Palestinians reportedly have begun Project “Gaza’s Arc” … building a boat at Gaza facility using existing resources … will sail next year carrying Palestinian exports to international customers, and to challenge Israel's blockade from the inside out. (rmks: Likely it will look very similar to a Kon-Tiki raft and won’t make it further out to sea than the local Palestinian fishermen. The Palestinians will then claim the Israeli sank it and so the region will erupt in even more violence.) JAPAN JMSDF training squadron (JDS KASHIMA, SHIMAYUKI, MATSUYUKI) arrives at Sihanoukville (Cambodia) for a scheduled port visit … homebound leg of this year’s training cruise with visits to 14 countries in the Indian Ocean Region. TURKEY (SYRIA) Local (nationalist) Turkish paper claims a number of warships and submarines have been deployed from the Gölcük main naval base (Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul) to Mediterranean ports … “fully loaded with arms”. (rmks: Destination Syria unconfirmed; more likely the ships are enroute Egypt for scheduled bilateral - routine - exercise “Bahr el Sadaka". This will likely increase tensions in the region.) USA +++ During a ceremony in New York, the US Navy has commissioned its newest destroyer, USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112). (rmks: Sail fast, strike hard and return home safe!) +++ Enroute a Middle East deployment, aircraft carrier USS JOHN C STENNIS passes the Strait of Malacca. (rmks: And so it begins) 07 October INDIA First TALWAR-mod (Batch 2) class frigate INS TEG conducts live firing of Brahmos supersonic anti-ship missile … off the Goa coast. ISRAEL (Gaza) The Israel navy has arrested four Palestinian fishermen who with their boat had strayed into an “area closed for fishing”. PIRACY Somalia: Somali pirates have issued a two-week deadline to buy release of seven Bangladeshi mariners kidnapped from a Malaysian ship in 2010 … else “will begin killing them”. (rmks: Why are we molly-coddling these freaks? Where are the exterminators? Oh, I almost forgot ... No pirates were harmed reporting this story. BLAST IT ALL!) SOUTH KOREA A Defense Acquisition Program Administration's (DAPA) report concludes the ROK Navy should have “at least three to four task groups,” to more effectively protect its sovereignty over its easternmost (Dokdo) and southernmost (Ieodo) islets. (rmks: Which are disputed with Japan.) 08 October IRAN – IRAQ The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Naval Force, RAdm Ali Fadavi, will travel to Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi navy to discuss bilateral defense cooperation. (rmks: I'd like to be a fly on the wall, at this meeting of the minds.)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. A busy weekend ahead. Hope everyone enjoys it. Here are some navy news tidbits, to get those creative juices flowing. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 04 October CHINA +++ A Chinese navy task group with seven ships has passed between the Japanese Islands of Okinawa and Miyako … exercises until 07 Oct … destroyers HARBIN (112) and SHIJAZHUANG (116), frigates MIANYANG (528) and YANCHENG (546), supply ship HONGZHE HU, (submarine) rescue ships CHANGXINGDAO (861) and HAIYANGDAO (864) … the latter would suggest also submarines in the area. (rmks: Probably a routine exercise, not related to current territorial disputes with Japan; however, it would be extremely easy to retask them to support the dispute issue) +++ (Speaking of which ... (CHINA – JAPAN – TAIWAN)) A total of eight paramilitary Chinese vessels (CMS, Fishery Protection) stay “in the contiguous zone” (not territorial waters) around the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands …also one Taiwanese patrol vessel in the area. NIGERIA President Goodluck Jonathan reshuffles military leadership … appointing Chief of Naval Staff, VAdm Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, with RAdm Dele Ezeoba to succeed him as new Chief of Naval Staff. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka The Keystone Kops): Swedish navy has begun recruiting supplementary crew for upcoming anti-piracy mission off Somalia … mine layer HMS CARLSKRONA to sail in March 2013 … scheduled to join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” from 15 Apr – 15 Aug, 2013. (rmks: The cockroaches 9excuse me, pirates) are trembling with fear ... not! As usual, no pirates were harmed reporting this piece. BLAST!) RUSSIA Two Russian air force Tu-95MS strategic bombers conduct 15-hour “strategic deterrence” flight over the Pacific and Arctic oceans. (rmks: Could somebody remind me about all of that stuff concerning peace and safety) SPAIN VAdm Salvador Delgado takes over as new Almirante de Acción Marítima (ALMART). UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS USA (06 Oct) During a ceremony in New York, the US Navy will commission its newest destroyer, MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112. EGYPT – TURKEY (07 Oct) Egypt will host bilateral exercise “Bahr el Sadaka” … in the Eastern Mediterranean from 07-14 Oct … Turkey to deploy two frigates, two fast attack craft, two landing ships (with one company naval infantry), one replenishment tanker, helicopters and special forces. No info yet on Egyptian participation. (rmks: routine exercise)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Back to work with the daily Navy News! Some interesting things going on. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 27 September USA Aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER back in the Arabian Sea (from the Persian Gulf), supporting operation “Enduring Freedom” … short Passex with aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE which afterwards may have headed for the Strait of Hormuz to enter the Persian Gulf. (rmks: Two flat tops in the region and a couple are "nearby," with one in hot-standby off the west coast – something might be up) 29 September USA Aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ begins Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) … off the Pacific coast … afterwards move on to a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), which will be the final exam prior to a scheduled deployment. 30 September BANGLADESH Blogger: The Bangladesh navy is going to get USCG HAMILTOLN class patrol ships … “final negotiations” soon. (rmks: This is a not-to-be-trusted, until-verified moment) USA Aircraft carrier USS JOHN C STENNIS arrives off Kota-Kinabalu (Malaysia) for a four-day visit. (rmks: Stopover enroute Middle East deployment) 01 October ITALY – FRANCE The Italian navy is hosting exercise “Levante 2012” … in the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea … among other ships will involve both Italian aircraft carrier ITS CAVOUR and French aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE (European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative). LATVIA STORM class patrol boat LVNS ZIBENS taken from active duty with the fleet and transferred to naval college as a training platform. RUSSIA +++ Sevmash: First BOREJ class submarine RFS YURI DOLGORUKIY “ready for commissioning” … second boat RFS ALEXANDER NEVSKIY “successfully passed” another round of sea trials in the White Sea. +++ Black Sea Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ship RFS NOVOCHERKASSK sails from Sevastopol for a six-week Mediterranean cruise … visits to Greece (Corfu, Pylos, Thessaloniki) and Montenegro (Bar). (rmks: Regular deployment to commemorate historic events) UNITED KINGDOM (multinational) Multinational, UK-hosted two-week (until 11 Oct) exercise “Joint Warrior 12-2” starts off Scotland … involves sea, ground and air assets from participating allied and NATO forces in a maritime environment … participants from 12 countries (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA) USA 2nd Joint High Speed Support Vessel JHSV-2 CHOCTAW COUNTY officially launched in Mobile (Alabama). (rmks: Christening ceremony already on 15 Sep) 02 October AUSTRALIA Patrol boat HMAS ARARAT intercepts vessel carrying 39 asylum seekers north of Christmas Island. CHINA – JAPAN Four China Marine Surveillance ships patrol off Diaoyu/Senkaku after some nationalist Japanese had landed on the disputed islands. INDIA (RUSSIA) Delivery of aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA delayed once again, with repairs to be completed only in “fall 2013” … India “not amused”. PIRACY (It's been qute a while since we had a funnies section) Anti-Piracy Forces: Romanian navy frigate ROS REGELE FERDINAND joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” … the first Romanian warship to participate in the EU’s anti-piracy mission. (rmks: Another member added to the cast of the Keystone Kops) PORTUGAL Due to financial constraints, the Portuguese navy reportedly has cancelled orders for further VIANA DO CASTELO class offshore patrol vessels. RUSSIA Bloggers claim one of the two reactors powering missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY had to be shut down following a leakage in the cooling circuit while the warship was on voyage in Arctic last week … radioactive vapor released from one of the steam generators. (rmks: This is an ouchy, yet unconfirmed tibdit of news. That would royally suck, as the PtG is the Russkies flagship and a PR slap-in-the-face for their Navy) SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) Sri Lanka navy has arrested another 23 illegal migrants shortly after sailing for Australia. UNITED KINGDOM The first of 30 new Royal Navy helicopters Merlin Mk2 (enhanced variant) successfully completed 12 days of trials on board helicopter carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. 03 October ARGENTINA Argentine navy sail training ship ARA LIBERTAD has been detained in Tema (Ghana) following a court order sought by "holdout" creditors suing Argentina in international courts over its 2002 debt default … ship visiting Ghana as part of a West African tour, due to head next to Angola but would only be able to set sail if Ghanian courts lifted the order. AZERBEIDJAN According to a local paper, the Azeri navy will ”acquire new submarines within the next three years” …”outclass Iranian KILO class” (rmks: Which, by the way – are not based in the Caspian Sea). (rmks: Another article speaks of TRITON-2M submarines. These are small underwater vehicles designed for carrying tourists, not military-grade swimmer delivery vehicles (SDV)) FRANCE DCNS has adapted GOWIND family offshore patrol vessel FS L’ADROIT for a mine countermeasure role … employing a Seakeeper MCM drone. (rmks: Whoppty-do. Another multi-purpose ship. Even the French don't learn from the failures of their neighbors (the Danish), when designing ships) ISRAEL (Gaza) The Israel navy is preparing to intercept the latest Gaza-bound “flotilla” - actually just the single small Swedish-flagged sailing boat ESTELLE - carrying a handful European pro-Palestinian activists seeking to break the Gaza blockade … scheduled to arrive off Gaza by mid-October (currently in Italy). ITALY Italian navy, coast guard, and paramilitary organizations conduct anti-pollution (oil spill) exercise “Vulcano 2012” off Messina (Sicily) … navy participants include ITS ORIONE, SIRIO, CIGALA FULGOSI, CASSIOPEA, TICINO. RUSSIA +++ DefMin Serdyukov has ordered restructuring of Northern Fleet command staff … downsize (from 200 to 70 officers) with reassigning a number of tasks to Western Military District HQ at St. Petersburg … to be implemented “before year end” … Baltic Fleet to follow suit in 2013. +++ Caspian Sea Flotilla frigate RFS TATARSTAN and salvage tug SORUM MB-58 at Aktau (Kazakhstan) for a port visit and bilateral exercise … afterwards continue for Baku (Azerbeidjan). (rmks: That'll be some great liberty!) USA French DCNS has teamed up with US VT Halter Marine for a joint bid for the US Coast Guard’s future Offshore Patrol Cutter. 04 October POLAND – SWEDEN Two-day bilateral submarine rescue exercise “Northern Crown 12” begins in the Gulf of Gdansk … Polish navy employing salvage tug LECH and submarine ORP SOKOL, Swedish navy sent submarine rescue ship HMS BELOS with embarked NSRS (NATO Submarine Rescue System) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS INDIA (RUSSIA) (09 Nov) Yantar shipyard will hand over second TALWAR-mod class frigate INS TARKASH on 09 Nov. (rmks: Before, delivery had been announced for Sep) CLOSING QUESTION Which of the previous situations lends itself best, for a possible scenario design? Why?

My news source is taking a holiday. Next update will be 04 October! See y'all then.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Busy weekend for navy news. Obviously several of the world's fleets didn't rest. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 27 September BANGLADESH +++ Internet blog suggests the two former British CASTLE class patrol ships have been refitted with Chinese-made C-704 anti-ship missiles. (rmks: Now that's interesting news) +++ Second Chinese-built missile boat (LPC - Large Patrol Craft) launched at Wuhan (China). (rmks: Obviously, they don't realize there's a recession) CHINA +++ A Defense Ministry spokesman dismissed as “inaccurate” foreign media reports that said China is building a second aircraft carrier in Shanghai and that it will be launched late this year … “have a long way to go.” (rmks: Folks, this is about as close as we are going to get, as an outright denial. It just states “inaccuracies,” to location and/or timeframe). +++ (Non-military) Icebreaker XUELONG returns to Shanghai, completing a three-month deployment to the Arctic … first Chinese ship to cross the Arctic Ocean from the Pacific to the Atlantic (Iceland) and back. (rmks: Yet another ChiCom propaganda victory) +++ (CHINA – JAPAN) China confirms two navy frigates “carried out patrols and military training” in waters off the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands “recently.” (rmks: First ever involvement of regular navy; all action thus far limited to paramilitary forces) INDIA Retired navy commander, Admiral Nirmal Verma, will be appointed India’s next High Commissioner to Canada. IRAN (related) A “leaked” Israeli foreign office analysis concludes that the sanctions against Iran are having a dramatic impact in Iran and are creating internal discontent that is focused on the Iranian government, while at the same time; however, had not yet had any effect in altering the Iranian nuclear program. (rmks: Say it ain't so! I NEVER would have thought that) SRI LANKA RAdm Jayanath Colombage takes office as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka navy … with promotion to Vice Admiral … succeeding VAdm Dissanayake who retired on 26 Sep (promoted to Admiral the day before). UNITED KINGDOM Royal Navy Response Force Task Group (RFTG) about to sail for three-month “Cougar-12” deployment … to the Mediterranean … force includes HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, BULWARK (flag), NORTHUMBERLAND, MONTROSE, MOUNTS BAY, HARTLAND POINT, Royal Marines … 01-09 Oct conduct amphibious training at the UK southwest coast, then head for the Mediterranean for scheduled exercise “Corsican Lion” (with French navy incl. aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE) and another amphibious exercise off Albania. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 42 destroyer HMS YORK decommissioned during ceremony at Portsmouth. (rmks: Who would like to buy a "gently" used RN destoyer?) USA (multinational) IMCMEX-12 in the Persian Gulf region concludes … during the exercise, the US Navy had tested a prototype of the Kingfish mine-detecting drone. 28 September RUSSIA +++ Baltic Fleet frigates RFS NEUSTRASHIMIY and YAROSLAV MUDRIY return to home base Baltiysk, ending a three-month deployment to the Mediterranean. (rmks: last “remnants” of a deployment involving Northern, Black Sea and Baltic fleets) +++ Missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY returns to home port Severomorsk, ending “historic” Arctic deployment. +++ Western Military District exercise in the Arctic region culminated with live missile firing in the Barents Sea … a total of six missiles fired from two OSCAR-II class submarines (2 SS-N-19), NANUCHKA class corvettes AJSBERG and RASSVET (2 SS-N-9), two more from Rubesh and Redut coastal missile batteries. SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) The Sri Lanka navy intercepts another trawler loaded with 77 asylum seekers, just after sailing for Australia. AUSTRALIA Patrol boat HMAS BROOME rescued 198 asylum seekers, after a distress signal was received from their boat northwest of Christmas Island. A Border Protection Command vessel intercepted another boat carrying 72 people north of Cocos Island. CHINA +++ LUDA class destroyer NANNING (162) reportedly to be decommissioned and converted for “second life” with paramilitary China Marine Surveillance (CMS). +++ Rumors that construction of first ship of a new class of missile cruisers (CG), tentatively dubbed TYPE 055A, might start around 2014. FRANCE Coinciding with ongoing NATO exercise “Noble Mariner” (but nor part of it), a French navy carrier task force (FS CHARLES DE GAULLE, CHEVALIER PAUL, JEAN DE VIENNE, MEUSE) has sailed from Toulon for national training period PEAN 12.2 … will evolve into participation in Italian exercise “Levante 2012” to start on 01 Oct and “Corsican Lion” (17-26 Oct) together with the UK Response Force Task Group (RFTG). INDONESIA A fire completely destroyed just recently launched fast missile boat KLEWANG (625) at PT Lundin’s shipyard facility in Banyuwangi, East Java … prototype of an innovative trimaran design … no injuries … cause unknown yet but seems to be related to “maintenance work.” (rmks: That's gotta suck! I wonder if that that shows how flammable composit materials are?) IRAN (related) Korean Register of Shipping (KR), the last big company doing classification work on Iranian ships, key to securing insurance and ports access, also stopped work for Iranian shipping. (rmks: Another fine examples of the sanctions at work!) SOMALIA (KENYA) Kenyan and African Union forces have stormed the beaches of Kismayo (Somalia) in a “midnight amphibious assault” … capturing the last major stronghold of the al Shabaab militant group in Somalia. Ahead of the assault, but also afterwards, Kenyan naval vessels shelled the port from the sea. UNITED KINGDOM Last TYPE 45 destroyer HMS DUNCAN has returned to the Clyde after highly-successful month-long initial trials. USA President Barack Obama for security reasons blocked a Chinese-led group from purchasing several wind farms near a US naval station (naval weapons system training base, testing drones) in Oregon. 29 September PAKISTAN During ongoing annual exercise “Seaspark 12” … off the home coast … Pakistan navy ships successfully test-fired a combination of surface-to-air missiles. IRAN (related) In order to circumvent EU/US sanctions, state-controlled Iranian shipping lines in recent months repeatedly shifted flag registrations of a number of vessels to different small even inland nations … but face increasing opposition there … Mongolia will cancel the flag registrations of five Iranian cargo ships … Moldova has deregistered 12 Iranian vessels in July and no longer has any Iranian vessels on its registry. (rmks: Once again ... yet ANOTHER fine example of the sanctions doing their job. Not!) ISRAEL (Gaza) Palestinian sources claim an Israel navy patrol boat shot at a fishing boat off Gaza, killing one person … Israel denies … concedes the boat had been ordered to return to Gaza waters after straying into restricted area, but without any shots fired. (rmks: Remember, there is also a propaganda war going on) 30 September IRAN (related) Probably referring to just completed US-led multinational exercise IMCMEX-12, which deliberately had kept a distance to Iranian waters and the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian navy commander, RAdm Habibollah Sayyari said “the enemies lack courage to put their threats against Iran into action”. PHILIPPINES (CHINA) The Philippines has deployed 800 more Marines and opened a new headquarters at Palawan to guard its interests in the disputed Spratly islands … the two battalions will not be stationed on the Spratlys but will patrol nearby. SRI LANKA The Sri Lanka navy has intercepted another boat with 36 illegal migrants bound for Australia. SYRIA (related) Media reports originating from Syrian opposition forces claim Russia has “completed” evacuation of its logistic base in the Syrian port of Tartus … Russian and Cypriot ships had docked at Tartus to this end. (rmks: This would require confirmation; may be nothing more than another deliberate disinfo attempt) USA The USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Carrier Strike Group has begun operations in the East China Sea … “not far from” the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands disputed between China and Japan. The USS JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group has reached the South China Sea en route a scheduled Middle East deployment. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS JAPAN (06 Oct) JMSDF training squadron (KASHIMA, SHIMAYUKI, MATSUYUKI) to arrive at Sihanoukville (Cambodia) on 06 Oct for a scheduled port visit … homebound leg of this year’s training cruise with visits to 14 countries in the Indian Ocean Region.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. As the week proceeds toward closure, some interesting tidbits abound to get the scenario design juices flowing. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 25 September ALGERIA (multinational) In Algiers, multinational exercise “Seaborder-12” has begun … maritime search & rescue, coordinated surveillance (migration) … participants include naval and air assets of Portugal, Spain, Algeria and Morocco … first phase (25/26 Sep) in port Algiers, second phase (27 Sep) at sea south of Rota (Spain) … conducted in the framework of the “5+5 Intiative” of South European (France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain) and North African (Algeria, Libya, Mauretania, Morocco, Tunisia) countries. AUSTRALIA (JAPAN) During a visit of DefMin Smith to Japan, both nations agreed to strengthen defense cooperation, focusing on equipment and technologies. Observers would not exclude that the Japanese SORYU class might become a contender in the Australian project SEA 1000 submarine project. (rmks: Interesting news! It will be interesting to see if the Japanese contender is the Collins class replacement) 26 September CHINA +++ LUDA class destroyer NANJING (131) decommissioned … will be modified for new role as China Marine Surveillance patrol ship. (rmks: Even disarmed, the LUDA will be the largest class ship in the MSA fleet) +++ (CHINA – JAPAN): An approaching tropical storm could - at least temporarily - help easing tensions around the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and provide a new opportunity for diplomacy. (rmks: I doubt the forced separation will cool tempers, but we'll see) GREECE – TURKEY A Greek coast guard vessel, on anti-immigration patrol near the island of Farmakonissi in the Aegean Sea, has collided with a Turkish coast guard vessel … no injuries reported … Greece to make an “official complaint.” (rmks: And now things begin heating-up in the Aegean) INDIA (RUSSIA) The Indian crew has left aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA to return home until repairs are completed. INDONESIA (AUSTRALIA) Indonesian police arrested 119 Afghans and two Iranians moments before they were to board a rickety boat to Australia to seek asylum, having earlier fled a detention centre. IRAN (related) EU nations are discussing a British sanctions proposal against Iran that notably calls for a total ban on shipping and "full" freeze” on financial transactions with Iran's central bank … most member states “largely supportive”. The world’s largest oil trader, Vitol, allegedly continues buying and selling Iranian fuel oil … company spokesman: confirm a Bahraini subsidiary company purchased a spot cargo of Iranian fuel oil from a non-Iranian counterparty in July 2012 … Vitol itself has ceased all sales of refined product to Iran and all purchases of crude oil from Iran. (rmks: LEGALLY, the Swiss-based company is not obliged to comply with EU/US sanctions. Don't you love the ruse, the Mullahs are playing with the rest of the world!) PIRACY (i.e., Cockroach News) Arabian Sea: the 24 Sep report of a pirate attack on a dhow some 110 nm SE of Salalah (Oman) has not been confirmed. (rmks: Although I highly doubt somebody would make the story up. Oh, and no pirates were injured reporting this piece – BLAST IT ALL!) RUSSIA Admiralty Shipyard confirms LADA class submarine RFS ST. PETERBURG did not deploy to the Northern Fleet (for testing) in June, as had been planned … “hopeful” she will now sail from Baltiysk (Baltic Sea) by end September. SOMALIA – KENYA Kenyan navy vessel(s) shelled al Shabaab militia positions in Somali port of Kismayu … ahead of a planned ground assault on the rebels' last bastion. USA +++ Four missile cruisers (USS COWPENS, ANZIO, VICKSBURG and PORT ROYAL), scheduled to end their active careers in March, will be kept in service for the time being … pending completion of the fiscal year 2013 authorization and appropriation process. +++ Amphibious assault ship USS BONHOMME RICHARD arrives at Guam for a scheduled visit. (rmks: On deployment in the West Pacific) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS ITALY – FRANCE (early Oct) The Italian navy in first week of October will conduct exercise “Levante 2012” … in the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea … among other ships will involve both Italian aircraft carrier ITS CAVOUR and French aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE (European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative) RUSSIA (end Oct) Admiralty Shipyards has scheduled launching of submarine rescue ship RFS IGOR BELOUSOV “by end October”.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Maritime disputes and Arctic claims issues play a big part in today's updates. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 24 September IRAN In an exercise “near the Strait of Hormuz,” IRGC forces test-fired four anti-ship missiles that sunk a naval target “the size of a warship.” (rmks: The Mullahs are getting increasingly more aggressive. One has to wonder if this situation is going to wind up being the October surprise of the this US election cycle) PIRACY (It's been a while since we've have any funnies) Arabian Sea: approx. 110 nm southeast of Salalah (Oman), an Omani dhow fired upon by a single skiff … managed to avoid being hijacked. (rmks: No pirates were harmed in reporting this story. Blast it all) USA +++ The USS BONHOMME RICHARD Amphibious Ready Group completes certification exercise (CERTEX) in the Philippine Sea … temporarily had Japanese ground forces soldiers embarked. +++ Aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN departs Norfolk to conduct one-week combat systems ship qualification trials (CSSQT). (rmks: In July, completed 16-month maintenance period) +++ En route from San Diego for a regular deployment to the West Pacific and subsequently the Middle East, the USS PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) 25 September CHINA +++ Two-days after taking delivery, the Chinese navy formally commissions aircraft carrier ex-VARAG under the name LIAONING … President Hu Jintao presided over ceremony at the port of Dalian, along with Premier Wen Jiabao and top generals. +++ (CHINA – JAPAN): The Chinese State Council Information Office has issued a white paper about the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands dispute with Japan … claiming ownership of the islands. (rmks: Nay, say it ain't so! I would have NEVER thought that!) RUSSIA +++ Admiralty Shipyards reaffirms plans to resume construction of two LADA class submarines in 2013, with new propulsion systems to be installed … currently negotiating with MoD over the costs … RFS KRONSHTADT to receive set of advanced Lithium-Ion batteries (in 2015), RFS SEVASTOPOL may get air independent propulsion system currently under development. (rmks: Absence of any reports suggests that type boat RFS ST. PETERBURG failed to deploy to Northern Fleet area for tests, as had been announced in May) +++ MoD official gives costs for refurbishing KIROV class cruiser RFS ADMIRAL NAKHIMOV as approx. Euro 1.2 billion … suggests alternative may be purchase and completion of Ukrainian SLAVA class cruiser UKRAINA … two other KIROV class cruisers RFS ADMIRAL LAZAREV and ADMIRAL USHAKOV beyond repair and “will be disposed of.” +++ Missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY back in the Kara Sea (rmks: from as far east as the Laptev Sea and the Novosibirsk Archipelago) … joining other Northern Fleet units for upcoming Western MD-led, joint exercise in the Kara Sea … force to include destroyers RFS ADMIRAL CHABANENKO and VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV, landing ship RFS ALEXANDER OTRAKOVSKIY, two salvage tugs and some more auxiliaries … exercise to focus on search & rescue at sea as well as support to Arctic mining facility ashore … aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV seems to have remained further west in the Barents Sea. USA +++ Dock landing ship USS GUNSTON HALL, part of the IWO JIMA Amphibious Ready Group, has joined multinational exercise IMCMEX-12, operating off Bahrain within the Persian Gulf … hosting members of the British, Canadian, Djibouti and Yemeni navies. +++ Aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON ends visit to Guam, continues West Pacific patrol. +++ Scientists at the US Naval Research Laboratory are developing a process to turn sea water into fuel … extract carbon dioxide (CO2) and produce hydrogen gas (H2) from seawater, subsequently catalytically converting the CO2 and H2 into jet fuel by a gas-to-liquids process … already successfully developed and demonstrated associated technologies … currently working on process optimization and scale-up … initial studies predict that jet fuel from seawater would cost in the range of $3 to $6 per gallon to produce. (rmks: Interesting concept; however, I'm guessing the "green" fuel will be found to really gum up the works and not burn as efficiently as the real stuff – which is the way ALL of these "green" fuels have been determined to be) 26 September SOUTH KOREA (multinational) Two-day annual “Proliferation Security Initiative Exercise”, this year hosted by South Korea, begins off Busan (South Korea) … participants include Australia, Japan, South Korea, USA … South Korea allegedly refused Japanese warship planned visit to Busan ahead of the exercise … South Korean official: not true, the Japanese for their part cancelled the visit. (rmks: Its quite possible the widening territorial dispute over Dokdo, a pair of islands that lie between the two countries had a part to play in this cancellation)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. It will be interesting in the coming days to watch the Soap Opera between China, Taiwan and Japan. Although this navy news didn't make today's headlines, these are some other interesting tidbits of news to report. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 17 September CHINA “Dozens of amphibious combat vehicles and assault boats with marines of a marine brigade under the South China Sea Fleet” conduct amphibious exercise, practicing “island-reef-seizing“ … exercise involved dock landing ship KUNLUN SHAN and air cushioned landing craft. (rmks: Hmm, do you think something's up? I know, they're practicing humanitarian relief operations!) IRAN Iranian Revolutionary Gaurd Corps speed boats, backed up by a frigate (rmks: term usually applies to the SINA class missile corvette) practice mine laying … in the Caspian Sea, off Noushar … demonstration observed by Ayatollah Khamenei. (rmks: Strange how they did this just on the day after start of IMCMEX-12) 23 September SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) The Sri Lanka Navy arrests another 85 persons illegally bound for Australia in two fishing trawlers 24 September AUSTRALIA Signs of “premature aging” have been found on amphibious support ship HMAS CHOULES (former British RFA LARGS BAY). (rmks: Looks like the Aussies discovered they got a lemon after all. Its likely the Brits knew these details before they offered it to their cousins down under) GERMANY First operational deployment for new Type 130 corvette FGS MAGDEBURG … sails from Wilhelmshaven for the Eastern Mediterranean to join the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force off Lebanon. INDIA (RUSSIA) Against the backdrop of delay in delivery schedule of aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA (former Russian ADMIRAL GORSHKOV), an Indian Navy team is scheduled to visit Russia in the next few days to monitor the progress of repair work. ISRAEL (GAZA) Irish-flagged sailing ship M/V ESTELLE on its way to Gaza to breach the Israeli blockade … sailed from Sweden a few weeks ago, made two stops in Spain, now in Corsica … set to arrive off Gaza by mid-October … 79 Irish parliamentarians have signed a statement in support of the mission. (rmks: Once again peaceniks are being used by the Islamist's useful fools) JAPAN – CHINA – TAIWAN +++ Three Chinese paramilitary ships briefly entered what Japan considers its territorial waters near disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands … engage in “combat” with water cannons … prompting an official protest from Tokyo and renewed diplomatic efforts to cool tensions. +++ Up to 40 Taiwanese fishing boats from Taiwan (rmks: Taiwan also claims the islands) escorted by Taiwan Coast Guard vessels arrive at the island group … briefly enter territorial waters but then stay clear. NATO 25 warships from 10 countries assemble at Toulon (France) for exercise “Noble Mariner” … until 07 Oct … certification of NATO Response Force (NRF), of which France takes command for one year, starting on 01 Jan … participants include French aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE and helicopter carrier FS TONNERRE (exercise flag ship), NATO SNMG-2. SOUTH KOREA President Lee Myung-Bak warns of "growing threats" to the country's maritime security, posed by North Korea and regional territorial disputes over isolated island chains. (rmks: Territorial disputes with Japan). TANZANIA A new integrated radar and automatic identification system (AIS) coastal surveillance system has been successfully installed in Tanzania as part of a broader project headed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which aims to significantly enhance maritime situational awareness. TURKEY Decommissioned KNOX class frigate TCG MUAVENET being towed to Aliaga (Turkey) for scrapping. USA The first of the two new oceanographic research vessel currently under construction (designated AGOR 27) will be named USNS NEIL ARMSTRONG … ships to be called NEIL ARMSTRONG class. (rmks: A fitting tribute) USA – JAPAN Japanese army commander Gen Eiji Kimizuka along with the commanding general of the 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt Gen Kenneth Glueck Jr, visits amphibious assault ship USS BONHOMME RICHARD “at sea” (Philippine Sea) … amid discussions on the potential for future Japanese ground and naval forces integration with US Navy Amphibious Squadron 11 and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, both based in Japan. 25 September UNITED KINGDOM Destroyer HMS EDINBURGH leaves Portsmouth for the final deployment of a Royal Navy TYPE 42 destroyer … heading to West Africa, then to the South Atlantic (Falklands Patrol) … on return transit make a number of “high-profile visits” in the Caribbean and the USA.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Here's some Navy News to start your week. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 12 September USA The US Navy sunk decommissioned command ship CORONADO during a “Sinkex” live-firing exercise off Guam. (rmks: A rather ignominious end, to a fine ship) 20 September USA In context with new Pacific-focused strategy, LOS ANGELES class submarine USS KEY WEST changes home port, relocating from Pearl Harbor to Guam. (rmks: Things are looking interesting in WestPac) USA Aircraft carriers USS JOHN C STENNIS and GEORGE WASHINGTON complete annual exercise “Valiant Shield” … conducted in waters around Guam. While WASHINGTON proceeds to Guam for scheduled visit, STENNIS now continues transit toward the Middle East region. (rmks: Going into harm's way. Godspeed Johnny Reb) 21 September AUSTRALIA (INDONESIA) 60 nm south of Java (Indonesia), an asylum seeker boat sent out a distress call, claiming to have capsized with 180 people on board … merchant ships and Australian navy vessels (with permission of Indonesia) rushed to the scene only to find the boat afloat … passengers transferred to a merchant ship and brought to Christmas Island. (rmks: there have been several incidents when asylum seeker boats sent distress calls just after sailing from the Indonesian coast, hoping to be “rescued” by Australian navy vessels and get a “free ride” to Christmas Island. They ain't stupid, people) CHINA +++ Training ship ZHENGHE returns to Dalian, completing a 158-day round-the-world voyage with visits to 14 countries. (rmks: Another ChiCom propaganda victory) +++ (CHINA – JAPAN (TAIWAN)): A protest ship from Taiwan (fishing boat TA HAN 711), escorted by a Taiwan coast guard vessel. briefly joined around a dozen state-owned Chinese vessels in waters near Japan-administered Senkanu/Diaoyu Islands … currently a total of 13 vessels from China's maritime (CMS) and fisheries (FLEC) authorities spotted near the islands. (rmks: Taiwan also claims ownership to the islands; in July, a boat carrying activists and four patrol boats from Taiwan had briefly entered territorial waters there) FRANCE Offshore patrol vessel FS L’ADROIT arrives at Tema (Ghana) for a four-day visit … on 24 Sep to continue for Lagos (Nigeria) … on return transit from South Africa temporarily joined French national West Africa naval presence mission “Corymbe.” (rmks: Obviously a marketing visit. Showing-off the new ship and its capabilities to local navies) INDIA +++ During a ceremony at the Kawar naval base (Arabian Sea coast), the Indian navy commissions new hydrographic survey vessel INS MAKAR, the first indigenously built catamaran-design ship. +++ (INDIA (RUSSIA)): Update failed trials of aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITIYA: around three boilers heat insulation bricks already collapsed at 40 percent power … bricks were bought in China … reportedly also some installations (cooling aggregates, nitrogen generators) provided from Western subcontractors had failed … in October, Russia and India will discuss consequences … Sevmash shipyard expects the ship repaired by May 2013. (rmks: Don't you just LOVE that quality machinery!) IRAN +++ Navy Commander RAdm Habibollah Sayyari: “We are preparing plans for presence near the South Pole.” (rmks: Now that's something completely different!) +++ After being deleted from the Tuvalu shipping register, Iranian merchant ships have started sailing under the flag of Moldova. (rmks: Now that's an interesting tack. Moldova, doesn't even have a coast or seaport, yet it can flag ships. Don't you just LOVE how the sanctions are working against Iran) LATVIA (Baltron) Baltic States navies’ Baltron squadron begins exercise “Route Survey 2012” … in the Irben Strait … annual event rotating between the three navies, this year Latvia hosting. POLAND Polish navy starts (annual) national exercise “Anakonda-12” …until 27 Sep … involves 19 warships/auxiliaries (among them one submarine, two landing ships, seven mine hunters, 9 aircraft, coastal defense forces, special forces and border guard units … fictional scenario to require action at sea, ashore and in the air … main task “break blockade” and secure shipping along the coast. RUSSIA +++ Tests of Bulava SLBM, scheduled in October, postponed due to “software problems” … MinDef Serdyukov hopes for test launch from BOREJ class submarine RFS ALEXANDER NEVSKIY “before year end”. +++ Black Sea Fleet KILO class submarine RFS ALROSA returns to home port Sevastopol after overhaul in the Baltic Sea (Kronshtadt) +++ Northern Fleet begins major combat exercise … until 27 Sep … involve some 20 ships incl. aircraft carrier KUZNETSOV, submarines and two ROPUCHA class landing ships … focus on defending Arctic waters (Northern Sea Route) … for the first time, amphibious landing in the Arctic planned … related command post exercise integrates other services as well as missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY, currently far to the east in the Laptev Sea in first ever Arctic deployment. SOUTH / NORTH KOREA Six North Korean fishing boats accidentally crossed the sea border (Northern Limit Line) in the Yellow sea into South Korean waters … returned after South Korean navy ship fired warning shots… no action from nearby North Korean naval vessels. (rmks: Me thinks the new ultimate leader is feeling his oats) SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) A Sri Lanka navy patrol boat intercepts a fishing trawler which had just sailed for Australia carrying 86 asylum seekers … all arrested under national law. USA +++ The US Navy has ordered another 11 P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft from manufacturer Boeing … third batch of low-rate, production planes, bringing the total number of P-8 under contract to 24, out of a total of 117 that the US Navy plans to buy overall. +++ The USCG has opted to build an additional six SENTINEL class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) at Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, La., bringing the total number of FRCs under contract from Bollinger to 18. In total the USCG plans to acquire up to 58 FRCs. 22 September AUSTRALIA Patrol boat BROOME intercepts a boat carrying 66 asylum seekers north of Christmas Island. CHINA The East China Sea Fleet has held joint amphibious exercise … “under real-fire conditions”… involved “dozens of landing ships” as well as land and air forces. JAPAN – USA Media invited to observe a joint drill of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the US Marine Corps on the western Pacific island of Guam … aimed at strengthening “ability to defend remote islands from foreign assault”. SOUTH AFRICA Swiss company Ruag proposes a private/public partnership to replace the South African air force's antiquated Douglas DC-3 maritime patrol aircraft with modern Dornier Do-228NG. USA LCS-3 USS FORT WORTH commissioned during a ceremony at Galvaston (Texas). 23 September CHINA Aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG handed over to the navy … Admiral Wu Shengli reportedly highest ranking guest attending the ceremony which has not been mentioned at all on official MoD website … commissioning into service at a later time … though some media (and most blogs) now give name as LIAONING, there seems to have been no official naming yet (just number 16). JAPAN Destroyer JDS ARIAKE and frigate JDS OYODO arrive at Vladivostok (Russia) for a port visit and bilateral anti-piracy exercises. 24 September INDIA Armed forces contemplate establishment of three unified commands for Space/Aerospace, Cyberwar, and Special Forces … to synergize efforts and assets of the three services in these "critical areas”. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS SRI LANKA (26 Sep) Navy Commander Vice Admiral D. W. A. S. Dissanayake is scheduled to retire on 26 September. UNITED KINGDOM (multinational) (early Oct) Multinational, UK-hosted two-week exercise “Joint Warrior 12-2” scheduled to start in early October … involves sea, ground and air assets from participating allied and NATO forces in a maritime environment … off Scotland … participants from 12 countries (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA).

Hey Silent Hunter, thanks for the clarification! I have never claimed to be an expert on Bubblehad matters. In my busy schedule, I should have picked-up on the missile designator. Although most of the Typhoons have been decomm'd they still have one in service, as a test platform with the Bukava program (although it doesn't see much service). I think the scrapping of the older SLBM's clears the decks for broader production of the newer Bulava, despite the issues the Russkies are still having with it. Best regards!

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Ahh, the weekend is upon us. Time for a last few cookouts and summer-type outdoor activities, before the yucky weather of fall arrives. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 18 September FRANCE Aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE sails from Toulon for a few days of pilot training and carrier qualifications off the southern French coast. 19 September RUSSIA Returning from overhaul in the Baltic Sea (Kronshtadt), Black Sea Fleet KILO class submarine RFS ALROSA has passed the Turkish Straits. USA Africa Partnership Station (West) 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT departs Lome (Togo), wrapping up a four-day visit. 20 September ALGERIA Russian Rosoboronexport has received a request from Algeria for two new KILO class submarines. (rmks: The Kilo continues to be a popular export 'flavor', for up and coming navies. It likely it will include Club-S systems) AZERBEIDJAN Coinciding with ongoing Russian regional exercise “Kavkaz 12”, Azerbaijan for its part has begun “large scale” joint exercises, involving the country's ground force, navy and air force. CHINA +++ Speculations that aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG may be commissioned on 01 Oct (National Day). +++ CHINA – JAPAN: China has officially registered its claim to Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands with the United Nations. (rmks: So the next act in the soap opera begins. It ought to REALLY get good now that the blue hats are involved. THAT will settle the situation ... NOT!) RUSSIA +++ Missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY, during her current Arctic deployment, has conducted missile defense drills … MoD official: “Part of the sea-based segment of the national missile defence shield.” (rmks: Probably employing SA-N-20 Gargoyle, ship borne variant of S-300 air defense missiles). +++ One of PETR VELIKIY’s two ship borne Ka-27 helicopters made a “hard landing” when deploying troops to an island in the Kara Sea / Laptev Sea … emergency landing following engine/gear trouble … no injuries to personnel, who were picked up by rescue team … no word on condition of helicopter (rmks: Wording suggests it has not been recovered yet. The Helix is pretty cheap and its likely it's expendable) … PETR VELIKIY for the time being has suspended further helicopter flights … official: incident will not affect the ship’s schedule. +++ Exercise “Kavkaz 12”: Black Sea Fleet naval infantry conducts “opposed amphibious landing” … landing force (composition not stated) protected by corvettes and missile boats (RFS MUROMETS, KASIMOV, MIRAZH, SHTIL) … cruiser RFS MOSKVA and frigate PYTLIVIY, together with Mi-24 Hind combat helicopters provide naval gunfire support … MCM forces operate ahead of beaching. (rmks: Likely, keeping up on invasion proficiency; in case the balloon goes up again in Georgia) +++ Caspian Sea Flotilla: Conducts live missile firing with frigates/corvettes RFS DAGESTAN, TATARSTAN, BUDJONNOVSK, BOROVSK and coastal missile batteries … at sea and land targets in the northern Caspian Sea … defending against an “approaching enemy landing force”. USA (multinational) After a four-day in-port phase, with communication checks, loading supplies and simulated medical evacuations for mine-disposal divers, IMCMEX 12 gets underway at sea … although some 30 nations participating, most of them not with ships … number of participating vessels given as “about 20 from just over a half dozen countries” (among them Japan, UK and USA). (rmks: Media headlines of the “largest naval build-up the world has seen” once again blows the facts WAY out of proportion) USA – NEW ZEALAND SecDef Leon Panetta visiting New Zealand … lift restrictions for RNZN ships to berth at US naval bases (be decided on a case-by-case basis) … few signs yet, however, that New Zealand will reciprocate in kind. (rmks: After New Zealand turned away a US destroyer in 1985 and later passed its anti-nuclear law, the US suspended a defense treaty and most military contacts) USA Lockheed Martin is preparing to test-launch a new Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from US Air Force bombers and is funding ship integration efforts for a vertical launch system (VLS) variant. 21 September RUSSIA Almaz (St. Petersburg) delivers fourth Project 22460 OCHOTNIK class patrol ship (transl. EMERALD) to the Federal Border Guard Service … at the same time, FSB commissions third ship (transl. PEARL) of this type. UNITED KINGDOM Helicopter carrier HMS OCEAN returns to home-port Naval Base Devonport (Plymouth), after two-months on the Thames supporting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (12 Oct) Update: Date for keel laying of 4th Project 11356 ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH class frigates now given as 12 Oct … ship (reportedly) to be named RFS ADMRAL BUTAKOV.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Kind of a light navy news day. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 19 September CHINA A number of recent exercises with maritime/naval aims … in early Sep dock landing ship KUNLUN SHAN practiced “assaulting an island” with hovercraft … in another drill, an air force aviation regiment (nine “fully armed” fighter bomber aircraft) conducted a “night high-sea penetration” off the southeastern coast, successfully bombing “the enemy at sea.” (rmks: While such exercises are part of routine annual training, their detailed depiction can't be accidental) IRAN Media photos of a briefing given to Ayatollah Khamenei (it could be staged or old) suggest a new major warship or training ship being developed … larger than Project “Mowj” JAMARAN, helicopter capable (hangar), armament includes anti-ship missiles … project name may be “Loghman” with the ship possibly to be named KHALIL FARS. (rmks: It could be propaganda, but Iran has shown that is quite capable of independently developing and building naval systems. If it is true, this is just another indication the sanctions against them are a freaking joke, as they can't build the ship without outside resources) RUSSIA As part of the joint US/Russian Cooperative Threat Reduction program, in a 12-year long project (all remaining?) 78 Russian SS-N-20 SLBM have been scrapped. (rmk: They have all been replaced by newer, more capable missiles) THAILAND The cabinet has approved some €800M, for acquisition of new frigates “within the next five-years”. Rumors speak of German design MEKO, with some politicians said to be pushing for Chinese ships. (rmks: It is likely they will go with the German design, as they got burned by the ChiComs in a previous deal for their Naresuan class frigates) UNITED KINGDOM A report published by the House of Commons Defence Committee, says that the decision to cancel development of the Nimrod MRA4 aircraft has created a "capability gap" in maritime surveillance, leaving the UK dependent on other nations for support. (rmks: Another sign of how the mighty have fallen) USA – BANGLADESH Bilateral Bangladesh phase of annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) underway. USA – CHINA During his visit to China, SecDef Panetta announces the Chinese navy will be invited to join multinational exercise RIMPAC 2014. (rmks: Oh sure, they gather intel from the Keystone Kops, during "anti-piracy" ops, now they are are going to actively gather intel on their doorstep. When will our egghead leader realize the ChiComs are our adversaries, not our business partners!) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS UNITED KINGDOM (27 Sep) Decommissioning ceremony for TYPE 42 destroyer HMS YORK scheduled on 27 Sep at Portsmouth. (rmks: ship up for sale to another navy. Likely candidates would be Saudi, Bangladesh or another developing MENA or AP region navy)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Some interesting tidbits in today's naval-related news. Summary to follow: 14 September RUSSIA By presidential decree, Deputy Commander of the Baltic Fleet, VAdm Viktor Kravchuk, officially appointed new Commander Baltic Fleet (succeeding new navy commander Viktor Chirkov) … Baltiysk naval base commander, RAdm Sergej Popov, appointed new Deputy Commander of the Baltic Fleet. 17 September IRAN (related) Separate explosions allegedly targeted power supplies to Iran’s two main uranium enrichment facilities. (rmks: Unconfirmed Iranian press reporting) NETHERLANDS Combined operational sea trials of NH90 naval helicopter and offshore patrol ship HNLMS HOLLAND … up to expectations … helicopter deck-landing at wind force 8, sea state 4. USA The PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group (USS PELELIU, GREEN BAY, RUSHMORE, 15th MEU) departs San Diego for a scheduled regular deployment to the Middle East. (rmks: Likely to relieve the IWO JIMA group deployed since March. Godpseed as you go into harm's way) 18 September CHINA +++ Obvious dress rehearsal for upcoming commissioning ceremony of aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG … again flagged over top, crew dressed up all in white manning the rails. (I swear, the ChiComs even worry something relatively simple like a commissioning ceremony to death) +++ (CHINA – JAPAN) Just hours after two Japanese activists made a brief landing on the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, the Japan Coast Guard reports 11 Chinese patrol ships approaching … not entering Japanese territorial waters but encroaching on the contiguous zone. (rmks: And the soap opera continues) INDIA (RUSSIA) Third TALWAR Batch 2 class frigate, INS TRIKAND, has begun dock trials at Russian Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) IRAN +++ Iranian media report KILO class submarine TAREGH “launched” after overhaul. (rmks: Confusing, as this boat already had been reported re-launched in May; either mix-up of names or to be the Al Jazeera talking head mistanslated, “Return to active fleet.”) +++ Frigate SAHAND, another JAMARAN class (Project MOWJ) “destroyer”, launched at Bandar Abbas. (rmks: Yippeee, another target!) RUSSIA +++ Exercise “Kavkaz-12”: In the Caspian Sea, missile frigate RFS DAGESTAN conducts live anti-ship missile firing … mine sweepers in lead-through exercise … combined exercises of BAYAN class “artillery ship” RFS ASTRAKHAN and river gun boats … security exercise defending port / anchorages against underwater intruders. +++ Each of the MISTRAL helicopter carriers will have air wings consisting of 30 Ka-56 / Ka-29 helicopters. (rmks: Here's an update for the databases) UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 45 destroyer HMS DAUNTLESS probably completed South Atlantic (Falkland) patrol … after visit to Cartagena (Columbia) currently at Key West (Florida, USA), participating in US-hosted multinational exercise UNITAS Atlantic 2012. USA Veteran missile cruiser USS LONG BEACH, the world’s first nuclear-powered warship (decommissioned in 1994) heading for Tacoma Metals scrapyard. (rmks: A sad end to a proud history) 19 September PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): During a ceremony in Manama (Bahrain), the Turkish navy takes over command of multinational CTF-151 from the South Korean navy … Turkish frigate TCG GEMLIK replaces ROK Navy destroyer ROKS WANG GEONG as the force’s flag ship. (rmks: This amounts to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic – useless in other words. The cockroaches (excuse me, the pirates) couldn't care less about all this pomp and circumstance) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS USA (01 Dec) After 51 years of service, aircraft carrier ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) will inactivate on 01 Dec, in a ceremony to be held at Norfolk Naval Station. (rmks: See today's Photo of the Day, on the Harpgamer FaceBook Page)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Long weekend preparing for some upcoming job interviews. Lot's of interesting stuff happening, which could be the premise for some very interesting scenarios. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 11 September CANADA Frigate HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN returns to home port Halifax, ending a 9-month deployment to the Middleeast, which temporarily included anti-piracy operations off Somalia. DENMARK (multinational) Off Frederikshavn, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian special ships begin a two-day combined pollution exercise, practice dealing with a major oil spill. 12 September CHINA The North China Sea Fleet in early September conducted major “joint confrontation training,” which included surface ships, submarines, aircraft and “electronic confrontation troops”. ISRAEL Defense minister Barak reportedly mulled buying a Greek isle for Israeli navy training … later decided not to pursue the project … doubts about its “economic viability.” (rmks: With Israel and the Turks on the outs, they would like have raised a royal fuss of the deal) PHLIPPINES President Benigno Aquino III has officially named the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippines, where the (disputed with China) Scarborough Shoal and Kalayaan Islands are, as the "West Philippine Sea." (rmks: Way to go! That'll show those dastardly ChiComs) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka The Keysrone Kops): Romanian frigate ROS REGELE FERDINAND sails from Constanta for the Horn of Africa … join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” … first time for a Romanian navy ship to participate in anti-piracy operations, also first time to join an international operation with a Puma helicopter embarked … return to Constanta on 14 Dec. (rmks: They add another member to the cast) RUSSIA +++ In line with the “maritime doctrine that stipulates for resuming Russian naval vessels regular presence in strategically important areas of the World Oceans”, Northern Fleet missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY has sailed for a combat training mission to the Kara Sea and into the entrance to the Arctic Northern Sea Route. +++ Two Tu-95 Bear-H strategic bombers carried out a 17-hour routine patrol flight over the Arctic Ocean, the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea. (rmks: Unlike other claimants, Russia appears to mean business concerning its claims in the Arctic region) UNITED KINGDOM +++ Survey ship HMS ENTERPRISE has sailed from Falmouth for a nine-month Middleeast deployment. +++ Ahead of upcoming large-scale Middleeast region “International Mine Counter Measures Exercise” (IMCMEX 12), defence minister Hammond has visited the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) at Bahrain. +++ Helicopter carrier HMS OCEAN sails from London, where she had been deployed since July to provide Olympics/Paralympics security … now “continue her tasks” … upcoming visit to the Netherlands. (rmks: back in April, there were reports of a planned major Mediterranean / Middle East deployment “after the Olympics.” I guess we'll have to wait and see if it happens) USA (LIBYA) In reaction to the attacks on the Benghazi consulate and the killing of the US ambassador to Libya, the US Navy is deploying destroyers USS LABOON and McFAUL off Liyba … no specific mission yet. 13 September BRAZIL The Brazilian navy has ordered Penguin anti-ship missiles from Norwegian Kongsberg … will be deployed on the new (S-70B Seahawk) maritime helicopters. (rmks: This will likely be a dramatic technologic leap for the South American country. Also it looks like there will be some additional updates the the good ol' Harpoon database) CHINA Former 11th anti-piracy task group with destroyer QINGDAO, frigate YANTAI and supply ship WEISHAN HU returns home, ending a 7-month deployment to the Horn of Africa with subsequent visits to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. (rmks: They have collected enough intel on the other members of the cast, now it's time to go home and process it) INDIA French Couach has delivered the final three of a batch of 15 Type 1300 Fast Interceptor Craft to the Indian navy. RUSSIA Plans for comprehensive renewal of auxiliary fleet … five ships to be bought this year, another 96 to be acquired by 2020 … trend towards multi-purpose ships which fulfill a variety of tasks, from replenishing fuel, stores and ammunition up to rescue and salvage. (rmks: The first news release is always the vodka version. Once they sober-up, we should see some realistic numbers) SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) The Sri Lanka navy intercepted another trawler attempting to sail for Australia, this time with 86 asylum seekers on board. (rmks: I keep wondering why Australia? I'll a LONG ways away. Anyone have any guesses, as to the answer?) TURKEY RMK Marine shipyard launches SG-704 YASAM, the 4th Turkish coast guard DOST class search & rescue ship. (rmks: Another example of efficiency in naval shipbuilding) USA (multinational) Update upcoming exercise IMCMEX 12: Netherlands navy deploying two teams of mine clearance divers as well as Remus UUV. UNITED KINGDOM The three fishery protection ships HMS TYNE, SEVERN and MERSEY have been bought outright by the Royal Navy after nearly a decade on loan to the Fleet. 14 September CHINA – JAPAN Now up to six paramilitary Chinese Marine Surveillance (CMS) ships reported at/near disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. (rmks: Expect Japanese coast guard, possibly even navy, to respond in kind and enhance presence) USA +++ Adm. William E. Gortney will relieve Adm. John C. Harvey as Commander US Fleet Forces Command … in a ceremony in Norfolk on board aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN. +++ Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship MERCY is set to return to San Diego, ending this year’s humanitarian mission to the Pacific region. 15 September CHINA Aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG being decorated with flags, suggesting commissioning imminent. (rmks: Interesting, in that it hasn't even launched it's first aircraft) INDIA Sail training ship INS SUDARSHINI sets sail on a historic 6-month voyage … to celebrate India’s two-decade-long partnership with ASEAN countries. INDONESIA Following the construction of three Type 209 class submarines ordered from South Korea, with the third to be built by domestic PT PAL, the government expects to place additional orders for submarines to be built by PT PAL … defense minister sees a requirement for a total of “about ten boats.” (rmks: That could make things VERY interesting in the region) PHILIPPINES Coast guard chief, RAdm Isorena: 15 ships not enough to patrol the seas covered by the 54 PCG stations or outposts across the country … need at least 30 more ships and patrol craft. USA +++ Navy shipbuilding and conversion funding would be cut by $2.14 billion in FY 2013 under so-called "sequestration" (automatic spending cuts over a 10-year period, mandated by the 2011 legislative deal to raise the federal debt ceiling). +++ Joint High Speed Vessel USS CHOCTAW COUNTY (JHSV-2) christened during a ceremony in Mobile, Ala. 16 September AUSTRALIA Two more asylum seekers boats have arrived off Australia, carrying a total of 77 people. Australia has begun transferring asylum seekers to the Pacific island state of Nauru for processing … hoping that the prospect of ending up far away from Australia proper will deter some people from their voyages. (rmks: Question is, how would they know this; the organizers certainly won’t tell them). PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka The Keystone Kops): India is readying an initial 100-man team of commando soldiers to protect its merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden region … first time armed personnel will be deployed aboard cargo ships. (the pirates quake in fear ... NOT!) IRAN (related) IRGC commander, Gen Mohammad Ali Jafari: Strait of Hormuz will be legitimate target in case Iran is being attacked. (rmks: Me thinks Iran upping the ante?) JAPAN Training squadron now complete at Colombo (Sri Lanka). Earlier (14 Sep) arrived JDS KASHIMA joined by JDS SHIMAYUKI and MATSUYUKI for port visit until 19 Sep and subsequent short exercise with the Sri Lanka navy. RUSSIA Strategic exercise "Kavkaz (Caucasus) 2012“ kicked off in South Russia/Caspian Sea incl. Caucasus states Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Armenia … until 23 Sep … basically joint command and staff exercise, with 8.000 soldiers (incl. ten ships from Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Sea Flotilla) participating in the field … taking account of “ current security political developments” … exceed previous exercises in both scale and scope ... prepare Russian forces for possible (insert: USA - Iran) conflict “in the Caspian Sea region.” SOUTH KOREA Destroyer ROKS CHUNMUGON YI SUN SHIN and frigate DAE CHON arrive at Vladivostok (Russia) for a scheduled three day visit. SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) Offshore patrol vessel SAMADURA rescues 52 asylum seekers from a trawler headed for Australia … after engine failed had been drifting on open ocean for a number of weeks. TURKEY Chief of staff at the Turkish naval staff, VAdm Veysel Kösele, reportedly arrested as part of a “military espionage” probe. (rmks: Anyone want to guess on who's payroll he was? My bet is the US or Israel. At least that's what the charges will likely state, when he was really working for China or another rival power) USA +++ (Multinational) USCENTCOM-hosted International Mine Counter Measures Exercise (IMCMEX 12) kicks off in MidEast … until 27 Sep … 20 (plus) nations participating, some just with observers, some only to attend a symposium held at Bahrain … media: just 12 ships participating … aims to test abilities of different nations to work together to keep sea lanes open and hunt underwater explosive devices … three distinct exercise areas: one off Bahrain, another in the Gulf of Oman (rmks: well clear of the Strait of Hormuz), and the third near the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait (Southern Red Sea). Participants (as mentioned in open sources thus far) - France: small group of mine clearance divers - Japan: MCM command ship URAGA and 1 mine hunter - Netherlands: 2 teams of mine clearance divers - United Kingdom: 4 Gulf-based mine hunters, CARDIGAN BAY - USA: no specific ships named yet, but expect Gulf-based mine hunters and MCM command ship PONCE to join. +++ In a Taliban attack on Camp Bastion (Afghanistan), which killed two US soldiers and injured nine more, also six USMC AV-8B Harrier fighter bomber aircraft were destroyed, two more seriously damaged. +++ US 4th Fleet hosts multinational exercise UNITAS Atlantic 2012 … incorporates participants from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the UK and the US Navy … staging out of Key West (Florida) PAKISTAN Annual Pakistan navy exercise “Seaspark-12” commenced … in the Northern Arabian Sea … permanent feature of the navy’s operational calendar, to assess the operational readiness … “all operational” ships, submarines, aircraft, marines, special forces to participate. 17 September CHINA – JAPAN Diaoyu/Senkaku: As anti-Japanese protests continue in China for the seventh day, about 1,000 fishing boats reportedly have been mobilized by China to sail to the islands. Japan has stepped up coast guard patrol. (rmks: On both sides thus far, NO regular armed forces / navies involved!) CHINA Official press statement: The East China Sea Fleet has conducted major exercises including live missile firing in the East China Sea …dozens of warships, submarines and aircraft participated. INDIA (RUSSIA) Update INS VIKRAMADITYA: Engine trouble confirmed. Reason for the boilers' failure said to be India refusing to have asbestos (!) for heat insulation, instead the shipyard had to use firebrick, which proved not sufficiently heatproof. Sevmash: “some defects have been detected” with three (not seven) of the eight boilers … three to four months should be enough to rectify it. Indian navy reportedly hopeful for delivery by April 2013. One source: Aircraft carrier will return to the Sevmash shipyard at Severodvinsk on 25 Sep for “complete examination and troubleshooting”. Another source: aviation trials to continue (rmks: Ship engines up to the task, with all the added weight? I think not) and be completed by mid-October. IRAN (related) Ahead of a new round of (unofficial) talks in Istanbul, Iran accuses the IAEA of attempting to sabotage its nuclear program … “(IAEA) infiltrated by terrorists and saboteurs”. (rmks: interesting viewpoint) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka The Keystone Kops): Chinese (frigate YIYANG) and US (destroyer USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL) navies conducted a first ever joint anti-piracy drill in the Gulf of Aden. (rmks: And didn't harm a single pirate in the process) RUSSIA Missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY in her Arctic deployment passes the Vilkitsky Strait, heading further east into the Laptev Sea … mission part of “expanded Arctic presence” under new maritime doctrine. SWEDEN Old (decommissioned) NAECKEN class submarine HMS NEPTUN brought to Karlskrona maritime/naval museum. USA The US Navy takes delivery of SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship USS ANCHORAGE (LPD-23). USA (multinational) Update IMCMEX-12 participants: US Navy: MCM command ship PONCE, six AVENGER class mine hunters, MCM helicopters MH-53. INDIA (RUSSIA) Russian Kommersant reports on a number of “malfunctions detected during trials of aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA” … seven out of eight boilers not working properly, preventing the ship from reaching speed required for safe flight operations … after “failed sea trials” handover to India, scheduled on 04 Dec this year, might be deferred until Oct 2013. (rmks: Unconfirmed, single source - just repeated by other news agencies - but Kommersant usually rather well informed) UNITED KINGDOM Ice patrol ship HMS PROTECTOR sails from Portsmouth for an eight-month deployment surveying and patrolling in Antarctica. 18 September CHINA Latest photos show aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG very clean and nicely painted, but no longer with flag-decorations. (rmks: My guess, it was just another ChiCom photo op for propaganda purposes) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (Oct) +++ Yantar shipyard “in October” will start construction of 4th of six Project 11356 ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH class frigates destined for the Black Sea Fleet … no name yet … type ship RFS ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH to be launched in 2013 … first three ships to enter service by 2015, remainder to follow by 2020. +++ Missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY has passed the Kara Strait, heading into the south-western Kara Sea between Novaya Semlya and Vaigach. SOUTH KOREA (16 Sep) Destroyer ROKS CHUNMUGON YI SUN SHIN and frigate DAE CHON are expected at Vladivostok (Russia) for a scheduled three-day visit. CHINA – JAPAN Six paramilitary China Marine Surveillance vessels have (temporarily ?) left immediate area around disputed with Japan Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands … shortly before, China's foreign ministry had issued a forthright statement claiming the boats were patrolling sovereign territory for “law enforcement”. IRAN (related) Iran is using hired Titan Petrochemicals Group tankers (Panama-flagged) off Labuan (Malaysia) as "mobile storage depot" … several million barrels of crude oil transferred “in night-time operations” from Iranian tankers onto the ships at anchor. (rmks: Don't you just love how the sanctions are working so effectively!) SOUTH AFRICA Domestic KND has been contracted with designing a fast Interceptor Craft … 14-m boat, capable of speeds of 55-knots, in a later version possibly 65+ knots. UNITED KINGDOM Second ASTUTE class submarine, HMS AMBUSH, set to begin sea trials. USA +++ Bollinger Shipyards has delivered third Fast Response Cutter (FRC) USCGS WILLIAM FLORES to the US Coast Guard (already on 15 August) … commissioning scheduled in Nov at Tampa (Florida).

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Some interesting little tidbits today, along with some interesting possibilities for future scenarios. Summary to follow: 03 August VENEZUELA Offshore patrol vessel ARBV WARAO (PC-22) involved in collision in Brazil (where it had deployed for bilateral exercise “VenBras 2012”) … possibly considerable damage, as Spanish Navantia (builder) has been tasked with assessing the extent of repair works required. (rmks: That's gotta suck. Warao was one of Hugo's new class of OPV. It will be interesting to see how this one plays-out. It's also interesting how this is coming-out just now.) 11 September CHINA +++ Coming from Indonesia (port visit until 07 Sep), training Vessel ZHENGHE arrives at Port Muara (Brunei) for a four-day visit. (rmks: final stop on round-the-world trip) +++ CHINA – JAPAN: Chinese MoD Spokesman: “The armed forces of China are completely opposed to the Japanese government's move to "purchase" the Diaoyu (Senkaku) islands.” (rmks: I never would have thought that) IRAN (related) The U.N. atomic agency has received “new and significant intelligence” over the past month that Iran has moved further toward the ability to build a nuclear weapon. (rmks: The press fogot to add ... And will do absolutely NOTHING to stop it) NETHERLANDS Official farewell ceremony for Lynx naval helicopters … flyby in Den Helder … after 36-years of service, replaced with NH-90. (rmks: So long old cat, you did good) RUSSIA +++ GEPARD class corvette RFS DAGESTAN will be commissioned into Caspian Flotilla this month … had suffered damage during gale in Novorossiysk in Nov 2011. +++ Aircraft carrier RFS ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV in the Barents Sea … Su-25 and So-33 pilot training period which is to run through October. (rmks: Well, I guess they have carrier-capable frogfeet after all) SRI LANKA The Sri Lanka navy arrested another 53 illegal migrants headed with a boat for Australia … prevented 302 illegal migrants heading to Australia within a week time. UNITED KINGDOM Persian Gulf-based mine hunters in comprehensive 11-day work-up towards upcoming (16 Sep) “International Mine Counter Measures Exercise” IMCMEX 12. USA Huntington Ingalls cuts first steel for future destroyer USS JOHN FINN (DDG 113) … the first ship in the DDG 51 program restart … delivery expected in early 2016. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS USA (multinational) (16 Sep) Update: Large-scale Middle East region “International Mine Counter Measures Exercise” IMCMEX 12 … to start on 16 Sep … aims to test the abilities of different nations to work together to keep the sea lanes open and hunt underwater explosive devices … three distinct exercise areas: one off Bahrain, another in the Gulf of Oman (rmks: Not too far from but not in the Strait of Hormuz), and the third near the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait (Southern Red Sea) LATVIA (Baltron) (21 Sep) Baltic States navies’ Baltron squadron to conduct exercise “Route Survey 2012” … in the Irben Strait … annual event rotating between the three navies, this year Latvia hosting.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Folks, it's 9/11/2012. Never forget what occurred 12-years ago. Summary to follow: 31 August USA – UNITED KINGDOM Key specifications on design and construction of the common missile compartment (“quad packs”) formalized (document signing) for both the United States’ Ohio Replacement and United Kingdom’s Successor Programs. (rmks: Seen as milestone for both projects) 08 September MOROCCO Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (Vlissingen, Netherlands) delivers third SIGMA class frigate, ALLAL BEN ABDELLAH (615), to the Moroccan navy … crew will continue with another three weeks of Sail Safety Training in Den Helder and North Sea before starting maiden voyage to Morocco. (rmks: Yet another DB update) SOMALIA Spanish offshore patrol vessel SPS RELAMPAGO (currently in EU anti-piracy operation “Atalanta”) finds boat loaded with 58 migrants adrift in the Gulf of Aden … with failed engine found to be beyond repair, boat towed to Bosaasso (Puntland, Somalia). (rmks: A good deed by the Keystone Kops) 10 September CHINA Recent photos show two newly built Type 056 corvettes at the Huangpu shipyard pier, fitting out nearly completed … modules for two more ships next to building hall … it seems that all Type 056 ships (even those already in water) have their bow section modified, which is somewhat puzzling as none has been reported to have had any sea trials yet. (rmks: Likely they will test and commission as a set) FRANCE Offshore patrol vessel FS L’ADROIT, currently off southern Africa, will return to Toulon by end October … scheduled for Indian Ocean cruise, incl. anti-piracy operations, in 2013. (rmks: The French are adding a member to the cast of the Keystone Kops ... Woohoo!) ITALY An Italian navy submarine has passed the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean towards the Red Sea. (rmks: Fat lot of good a sub will do. Obviously it's a morale booster) MALTA South of Malta a patrol boat intercepts boat with some 40 migrants, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa … 11 brought ashore to Malta, the remainder insisted to continue northwards (for Italy / the EU). PHILIPPINES The defense ministry has shortlisted Indonesian-made CN-235 and Italian C-27J Spartan as probable maritime patrol aircraft. (rmks: Both are good MPA platforms. Likely the Philippines will go with the Indonesian CN-235, as the supply chain is a lot shorter) RUSSIA +++ Project 11982 research ship RFS SELIGER, built by Yantar (Kaliningrad) has begun a final round of sea trials in the Black Sea … until end September … afterwards be delivered to the MoD … will be based at Temryuk on the Sea of Azov. +++ Official: “There are no plans to return (ROGOV class) dock landing ship RFS MITROFAN MOSKALENKO to active service”. (rmks: This shows the mixed-up, pickled nature of Russkie politics. Obviously, it's a sign of too much Vodka) SPAIN A small boat with 42 migrants, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa, is intercepted off the southern coast of Spain. UNITED KINGDOM After intention to scrap aircraft carrier ex-HMS ARK ROYAL became public, government hurries to announce that remaining carrier ILLUSTRIOUS will be preserved as a memorial once she will have been decommissioned. (rmks: Can you say, Face saving? I knew you could) USA +++ The BONHOMME RICHARD Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, begins Certification Exercise (CERTEX) … in the Philippine Sea … currently on scheduled fall deployment to the West Pacific region. +++ The first of the Navy’s new mobile landing platform ships, MLP-1 MONTFORD POINT, is structurally nearly complete at NASSCO in San Diego … scheduled to be launched on 13 Nov, christened in March 2013 and delivered to the Navy in May … fabrication of MLP-2 JOHN GLENN began in April. (rmks: Holy smokes! Something that is either at or near being on schedule. That's almost unheard of) 11 September CHINA – JAPAN Chinese paramilitary CMS reportedly deployed two patrol ships to disputed with Japan Diaoyu / Senkaku islands … official: “China has an action plan to protect its sovereignty“. (rmks: Sounds like the ChiComs are gearing-up for the next act in this ongoing soap opera)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Hope everyone had a good weekend. Some interesting tidbits to report. Enjoy the updates! Summary to follow: 04 September SOUTH KOREA Daewoo has launched first naval rescue and salvage ship, ROKS TONGYEONG (3,500-tons) … delivery to the ROK Navy scheduled in 2013. 05 September JAPAN Training ship JDS KASHIMA arrives at Karachi (Pakistan) for an official five-day visit … upon leaving (09 Sep) short Passex with Pakistan navy units. (rmks: I bet that's a GREAT liberty port (not)) 06 September AUSTRALIA Official keel laying ceremony for first AWD destroyer, future HMAS HOBART, at Techport Australia (Adelaide) … hull to be completed within 15 months. (rmks: Good to see they are finally lighting the candle on the project) 07 September ITALY Italian and NATO rescue crews searched the waters off a small island near Lampedusa for survivors of a shipwrecked migrant boat … 56 people (all Tunisians) and one body recovered, but dozens more missing. PIRACY Somalia: Suspected pirates from a small boat opened fire on an Italian navy helicopter on patrol off the east coast of Somalia, hitting a window and slightly injuring a pilot … did not return fire to avoid endangering any possible hostages … returned safely to Italian dock landing ship ITS SAN GIUSTO (EU NavFor). (rmks: If they opened fire on a naval helicopter, I would imagine that removes any suspicions from the equation. Once again the score stands at Cockroches: 1, the Keystone Kops Extermination Service: 0. Oh and before I forget ... No pirates were harmed reporting this piece. BLAST IT ALL!!!) SWEDEN Mine hunters HMS VINGA and ULVOEN arrive at Baltiysk (Russia) for port visit and short exercise with Russian Baltic Fleet SONYA class mine hunter BT-212 … also plan future exchanges and exercises. SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) The Sri Lanka navy intercepts a trawler which had just sailed with 58 persons illegally bound for Australia. 08 September IRAN (related) +++ Sierra Leone has removed nine Iranian ships from its shipping register. +++ Targeted virus attacks were behind the recent crippling of computer systems at Saudi Aramco and Qatari natural gas producer RasGas … computer disruptions do not appear to have affected oil and gas production, but scope of the attacks appears "extensive”. Iran suspected, but no clear evidence. (rmks: It appears the Mullahs learned something from StuxNet and the worm is turning) RUSSIA The defense ministry has ordered eight Berijev Be-200 amphibious aircraft … to be delivered between 2014 and 2016 (rmks: No info yet who will get them) … also defined requirement for new ASW-capable maritime patrol aircraft, with tender to be placed this year (replacement for Il-38 May, which is antiquated and are about to be phased-out). UKRAINE Within current military reform, Ukraine armed forces will be reduced from currently 193,000 to mere 100,000 men and abolish military draft … to be completed by 2017. (rmks: No details yet on how this will affect the navy. If they can increase the image of the armed forces, a volunteer force could appear to be a great way to start a working career. However, only time will tell.) 09 September AUSTRALIA (INDONESIA) In a coordinated operation with Indonesia's search and rescue agency, two Australian navy patrol boats have rescued 80 asylum seekers from a boat in distress off Java. CHINA Rumors “somewhat solidifying” that aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG may be named LIAONING. (rmks: LIAONING is a northeastern Chinese province that was under the control of Japan from 1939 to 1945. The naming could be a way of poking a finger in the collective Japanese eye) IRAN A senior Iranian defense ministry official announces plans to “in the near future” unveil “highly advanced” cruise missile “Meshkat” … claims a range of 2,000 km … fired from land, air and sea. (rmks: Don't you love the Persians ... they come out with yet another new missile. I wonder what they intend to use it for?) PHILIPPINES Former US Coast Guard HAMILTON class ships GREGORIO DEL PILAR and RAMON ALCARAZ will be refitted with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and more sophisticated radars. (rmks: Now there's something interesting! This could make for some VERY interesting SCS scenarios. The RPN is growing some teeth) SYRIA (related) Unconfirmed media reports allege the Syrian government last month had major stockpiles of chemical weapons transferred to the port city of Tartus. (rmks: The Syrian have WMD stores ... say it ain't so!) UNITED KINGDOM Decommissioned aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL is being sold for scrapping. (rmks: A sad and ignoble end to a grand old lady)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Once again, it's Friday. Rejoice my brothers (and sisters), the weekend is upon us. Enjoy the news bits! Summary to follow: 05 September FRANCE GOWIND offshore patrol vessel FS L’ADROIT has arrived at Cape Town (South Africa) for a visit until 09 Sep … long-range deployment off Africa, providing an opportunity for DCNS to promote GOWIND’s range, operational value and technologies. (rmks: Fat lot of good it's going to do against the cockroaches. They are impressed by sheer force and the flipping thing doesn't even have a gun. In pirate thought – it's either an easy target or it's no threat. Plain and simple) PAKISTAN The Pakistan navy inducted another P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft in its aviation fleet, received from USA under Security Assistance Program. 06 September AUSTRALIA Three more boats with a total of 209 asylum seekers have arrived off Christmas Island / the West Australian coast. CHINA China plans to send as many as eight satellites into space before 2020 to provide ocean data … four observing the colour of the sea, two observing ocean currents and two maritime radar. IVORY COAST Six people including a military officer are believed to have drowned after a navy boat with 15 people on board capsized near a naval base in Abidjan. RUSSIA +++ Reportedly deliberations whether SERNA and DUGONG class landing craft should be procured to be carried on board MISTRAL class helicopter carriers. Russian LCAC (MURENA) obviously too large. (rmks: Oops! Guess they didn't think that one trhough) +++ KILO class submarine RFS ALROSA sails from CEUTA (Spain) for Sevastopol … arrive there on 20 Sep … accompanied by Black Sea Fleet salvage tug SHAKHTER. TURKEY At least 61 illegal migrants (Iraqis, Palestinians, Syrians) died, 46 rescued, after their overcrowded 15-m boat sank at the Turkish coast near Izmir … shortly after sailing across the Aegean Sea for Greece to make it to the European Union. (rmks: Once again it's interesting how people are fleeing from these bastions of Muslim brotherly love)

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Lots of Cockroach (excuse me) pirate news today. Enjoy the updates! Summary to follow: 02 September PIRACY General: Six suspected pirates (read that cockroaches), captured on 13 Aug during the successful disruption of a hijacked dhow and detained since on board Netherlands navy dock landing ship HNLMS ROTTERDAM (NATO), are handed over to the Seychelles for prosecution. (rmks: Now that they've been wined and dined aboard the Netherlands Navy ship, they've be molly-coddled by the Keystones Kops. Likely, they'll be sentenced to time served and allowed to go back to their cockroach ways. No pirates were harmed (obviously) during the reporting of this story – DRAT!) 05 September AUSTRALIA With a "re-base-lined construction schedule", HOBART class destroyers face further delays … new delivery dates (18-month intervals): HMAS HOBART Mar 2016, BRISBANE Sep 2017, SYDNEY Mar 2019. (rmks: Economic gloom, dispare and agony continues) CHINA For the record: One new Type 056 corvette has painted number 584 to its hull … paint-scheme, however, not consistent with regular appearance, suggesting it’s only temporary (or intended to confuse foreign observers). (rmks: Either that or its was built for foreign sale) IRAN (related) St. Petersburg-based Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), among the top 13 global ship classification societies, had decided to suspend verifying safety and environmental standards for one of Iran's biggest shipping groups (rmks: The Russians are putting on make-up to appear to be in cooperation with sanctions, in case the ballon does go up on Iran) PHILIPPINES (USA) Local media report on plans to establish a “US Marine Corps forward headquarters” on Palawan Island (Philippines), at the South China Sea. Phil. Defence Minister denies. (rmks: This has the makings of a good scenario in the WestPac Battleset) PIRACY West Africa: (Update) Nigerian navy takes control of tanker ABU DHABI STAR, hijacked off Lagos (Nigeria) on 04 Sep … pirates fled when navy vessel approached … all 23 Indian crew unharmed. (rmks: Blasted cockroaches ... they scatter at the first sign of an exterminator. I just wish the exterminators would DO something. Once again, no pirates were harmed in reporting this story – OBVIOUSLY) RUSSIA +++ Northern Fleet conducts search & rescue exercise in the Barents Sea … salvage tugs RFS ALTAI and NIKOLAI CHIKER assist “large ship on fire”, the role of which assigned to missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY. +++ First YASEN class submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK to hold a final round of sea trials in November ... official delivery to the navy (State Commission) scheduled for December. +++ Caspian Sea Flotilla preparing task group comprised of frigate RFS TATARTSTAN and salvage tug MB-58 for Caspian Sea cruise … first half of October … conduct exercises with port visits planned to Aktau (Kazakhstan) and Baku (Azerbeidjan). +++ Update: Corvette RFS SOOBRAZITELNIY probably made it safely back to Baltiysk naval base … no statements at all from Russian navy. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS USA (06 Oct) Destroyer USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG-112) to be commissioned during a ceremony in New York City on 06 Oct … afterwards sail for the Pacific Ocean, where its home will be Pearl Harbor (Hawaii).