gemerson

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum , with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Enjoy! My goodness it was a fun and busy weekend. Hope you all enjoyed it. It was also a busy weekend in navy-related news. Summary to follow ... 13 August PORTUGAL The government announced that it is to sell state-owned shipbuilder Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo (ENVC). (rmks: In the current economy, it will be interesting to see who picks up this piece of real estate. I could see this being the start of an interesint Med or Atlantic scenario) 14 August SINGAPORE RAdm Timothy Lo takes over as Singapore navy fleet commander from RAdm Lai Chung Han … change of command ceremony held at Changi Naval Base. 16 August ISRAEL – USA Annual exercise “Reliant Mermaid” concluded off Haifa; participants included Israel navy corvettes INS HANIT (SA’AR-5) and HEREV (SA’AR-4.5) as well as US Navy destroyers USS JASON DUNHAM and FORREST SHERMAN and fleet tanker USNS JOHN LENTHALL … practiced SAR, VERTREP, maritime security operations, and live firing. (rmks: With Turkey still on the outs with Israel, once again it's just a bilateral event) RUSSIA Transfer of production capacity of "Admiralty Shipyards" from Novo-Admiralty Island (St. Petersburg) to Kronshtadt remains on the agenda, but seems to be postponed with no new timeframe given. (rmks: This xfr is key to domestic production of Russia's 3rd and 4th Mistral hulls) 17 August BlackSeaForce: Ships of the BlackSeaForce completed port visit to Trabzon (Turkey) … start next three-day sea phase while heading for Novorossiysk (Russia) with scheduled arrival on 21 Aug. CHINA Icebreaker XUELONG has arrived in Iceland after sailing the Northern Route along the coast of Russia … first Chinese ship to pass through this Arctic seaway. FRANCE FS JACOUBET has returned to Toulon after completing national West African presence mission “Corymbe” … on 09 August had handed over duties to frigate FS VENTOSE. INDIA To make up for delays with submarine acquisition, the MoD has indicated that not all new Project 75i submarines will be built domestically, but two of them be provided by the foreign company that wins the (design) contract. (rmks: The sad Indian shipbuilding sonata continues) IRAN (related) +++ Saudi Arabian Oil company Aramco, the world’s largest crude exporter, reports its computer network attacked by a virus … network linked to oil production not affected. (rmks: That would be interesting if it was linked to Iran) +++ Tanzania’s government has confirmed to have deregistered 36 Iranian oil tankers flying Tanzania's flag to dodge sanctions. (rmks: Iran was obviously paying a lot of attention to Iraq, during the heady Post-Gulf War day. They are using many of the stunts ol' Saddam used to smuggle oil) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: New Spanish METEORO class corvette SPS RELAMPAGO sails from Rota (Spain) for the Horn of Africa … join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” … first multi-national operation of a METEORO class ship … afterwards participate in exercises in the Persian Gulf (Nov), then circumnavigate Africa with a number of port visits. (rmks: An OPV isn't going to do much against the cockroaches (excuse me – the armed displaced coastal peoples). This is likely a show tour, promoting the design for export. As usual, no pirates were harmed in reporting this story – Drat it all!) ROMANIA – USA Romanian military and US Navy dock landing ship USS FORT McHENRY (embarked USMC) conducted combined amphibious exercise “Summer Storm” … afterwards the US ship proceeded to Constanta (Romania) for a scheduled visit. RUSSIA +++ Med-Deployment: Interfleet task force completed exercises in the Central Mediterranean, proceeding west to the Alboran Sea for replenishment (rmks: suggests supply ship RFS IVAN BUBNOV still with the force, although not mentioned) … afterwards group will split: three Northern Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ships to leave the Med into the Atlantic “for more exercises”. Two Baltic Fleet NEUSTRASHIMIY class frigates to stay in the Mediterranean for “exercises related to prevention of illegal arms trafficking and anti-terrorism”. +++ Adm Chirkov: By end of August, moving the Main Naval Staff from Moscow to St. Petersburg will be completed; transfer process already started in June +++ Merchant ship ALAED, previously known for failed delivery of refurbished combat helicopters to Syria, has passed the Suez Canal southbound … transporting construction materiel for a Russian navy warship to a Far East shipyard … no attempt to berth at any Syrian port. +++ United Shipbuilding Corporation “source”: Next Bulava missile test to be conducted from BOREJ class submarine RFS ALEXANDER NEVSKIY in November. (rmks: This could be the vodka version – as there are several conflicting reports) +++ Northern Fleet destroyer RFS VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV arrives at Lisbon (Portugal) for a scheduled port visit. (rmks: on return transit from anti-piracy operations off Somalia and inter-fleet exercises in the Mediterranean) USA The US Navy has decided to repair fire-damaged submarine USS MIAMI … no new estimates published on costs. (rmks: Earlier cost given as US$400M). 18 August JAPAN – CHINA A flotilla of boats carrying Japanese nationalists, including parliamentarians sails for the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, disputed with China. (rmks: Things continue to simmer around the SoJ) NORWAY (multinational) Trilateral (Norway, Russia, USA) exercise “Northern Eagle 2012” starts at Bodoe (Norway) … involves Russian destroyer RFS ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, a US Navy ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyer and Norwegian coast guard ship NoCGV NORDKAPP as well as naval aircraft and helicopters … while sailing from Bodoe to Severomorsk (Russia) will conduct maritime interdiction operations and search & rescue in the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea. (rmks: Previous “Northern Eagle” held in 2004, 2006, and 2008). PIRACY +++ Arabian Sea: Pirates temporarily hijack Iranian dhow PAYAM but abandon it later after stripping it of all valuables … US missile cruiser USS HUE CITY assisted the troubled vessel, providing medical aid and enough fuel, water and provisions to reach the next safe port. (rmks: Obviously, the much touted 'Islamic brotherly love' isn't part of the cockroaches play book) +++ Southern Red Sea: According to Iranian state media, pirates with “50 speedboats” twice attacked two Iranian cargo ships … some 25 nm north of the Bab el Mandeb Strait … “Iranian naval forces' (routinely embarked on all vessels passing there) swift action and their heavy machine gun fire and sniper rifles forced the pirates to flee the scene.” (rmks: Don't you love Iranian media! This is the hookah version. More than likely, they probably chasedoff a bunch of harmless local fishermen, trying to earn a day's wage) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces (aka the Key Stone Cops): Netherlands frigate HNLMS EVERTSEN returns to home port Den Helder, completing deployment in support of NATO operation “Ocean Shield.” (rmks: As usual, no pirates were harmed in reporting any of these story – blast it all) USA Discussions whether tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey could replace C-2A Greyhound as the US Navy’s next-generation carrier onboard delivery aircraft. (rmks: Something needs to be done soon. The CODs are getting quite old and are becoming more costly to maintain. The would allow the V-22 production line to further incorporate the economies of scale) 19 August AUSTRALIA The hull of first helicopter carrier HMAS CANBERRA is on its way from Spanish Navantia to Australian BAE Systems Williamstown dockyard, where the ship will be completed … transport by heavy lift ship MV BLUE MARLIN … trip to take 43 days. (rmks: Check out today's POD on the HarpGamer Facebook page) ITALY Italian CG rescued more than 350 African migrants … mostly from Sub-Saharan countries … off the small Italian island of Lampedusa over the weekend as they tried to reach European shores on rickety wooden boats. JAPAN – CHINA Japanese nationalists manage to step ashore and place Japanese flags at Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, disputed with China … inciting anti-Japanese protests across China. (rmks: And the soap opera continues) 20 August RUSSIA The Baltic Fleet is set to conduct amphibious training at the Khmelevka range (near Baltiysk) … involve more than 10 surface ships and support vessels … ROPUCHA class landing ship RFS KALININGRAD to put some 200 naval infantry men ashore. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (28 Aug) Returning from Hawaii (USA) after participation in US-led multi-national exercise “RimPac 2012”, a Russian Pacific fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, tanker BORIS BUTOMA and salvage tug FOTIY KRYLOV has scheduled a four-day port visit to Maizuru (Japan), arriving on 28 Aug.

Clean design. In the coming days, I'll be interested in seeing mow info of the platform.

Clemens, That's how things goes in defense sector reporting all the major rags reference each other - its an incestuous relationship and a lazy man's way of reporting. I'm thinking the probability of it occuring is about 75%. US SOSSUS sucks these days and with the Navy concentrating on so many other places, I wouldn't put it pasted the Russkies to slip an Ajkula into the GoM - just to show that they could. At the same time this occurred, Russia was also restarted strategic aircraft patrols along our frontier - interesting coincidence (not). Its just another example that the Bear we faced backed during the Cold War, hasn't replaced its teeth with dentures, due to age. I think that Czar Vladimir is seeing how much of his muscles he can flex.

Rainman, I like your analogy! Many people in this country work to get more stuff, while your Chinese worker works just to live. Excellent point.

In '78 the ChiComs were operating on the Sviet playbook. Having seen how effective their foray in to Vietnam was, seeing Russia's expereince in Afghanisatan, our victories in the 1st and 2nd Gulf Wars and witnessing first-hand US Naval training exercises along with sending observers to other internatonal training exercises, I think the ChiComs are improving their game. Aditionally, one can also see an improvement in the design and contruction of their ships and other defense materiel. I think the dragon encountered on the modern battlefield (both on land and sea) will a different breed, than the one encountered in 1978.

SH-UK, The comparison was to make the following point - the ChiComs ain't interest in falsely pumping-up their troops with glad-handing tours by their equivalent of the CNO. They are singlemindedly busy with one purpose - defeating the US Navy. We (meaning the US Navy) need to get serious about this. That's what I was trying to say in my comparison to Apocalypse Now.

Full Article Looks like the second Azmat class units was added, the Paks NOB.

Its like the old fairy tale about the Emperor with no clthes - no one is willing to tell the boss he's in his birthday suit, for fear of rocking the boat. That's what worries me about my Navy - we have a large crop of officers who have spines with all the consistency of jello! Where have all the Halseys gone? Sadly, I think the virus called 'the beltway mentality,' whose main symptom is CYA has gone airborne and has infected the fleet. We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings anymore, we want to think happy thoughts and we want to make each visit by the CNO and MCPON to each and every command, like its the arrival of a visiting head of state. Inspired by Martin Sheen from Apocalypse Now - The ChiComs don't get much R & R. Like the VC, the ChiComs are preparing to string some pearls across the western half of the largest ocean on the face of the planet. Are we preparing the meet them - some may think so, but I beg to differ. Our sailors are tired from the optempo that been imposed upon them, our ships are tired and the maintenance budget bucket is running on empty. Finally we are building crappy ships (LCS), thinking they are the best thing since sliced bread. As long as we concentrate more on feelings and insuring posteriors are covered instead of building ships that can actually survive a meeting engagement with the ChiComs (or another adversary) and operating in the littorals - I will continue to worry about my navy. We need some more people saying, 'Hey boss, put on some clothes!'

I'm thinking its a flight deck trainer (a mock-up). I would say the helo is the real deal. The ChiComs are slow and methodical (that's their nature). They will probably practice moving it around the flight and having their quija board guys get training in flight ops. Dollars to doughnuts, the next time the ship goes to sea, if you see two of more aircraft - that means they will be conducting real flight ops. Slow and methodical - that's the overall ChiCom way - they freaking practice and worry things to death, unless they have overwhelming numbers and then they follow Soviet doctrine and steamroller their enemies.

I'm right there with you, man! Uncle Joe (I like the phrase) has hood-in-Mouth disease - the only time he opens his mouth, is to exchange feet! This will be a very interesting election cycle.

From NOSINT The San Juan Islands are such a lovely place ... great scenery, good food, whale-watching and last but not least - liberals. They don't like the sound the US Navy's jets at neighboring Whidbey Island Naval Air Station makes (want some cheese with that whine?) It's obvious, they don't realize that throaty roar is the sound of freedom. Every day they take for granted the freedoms they enjoy, all because of the distinctive sound of those Prowler and Hornet engines and the men an women who drive those aircraft, along with others like them on the ground and sea, who serve in the other branches of our armed forces.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum , with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Enjoy! This Thursday is kind of a slow news day. Enjoy these tidbits! Summary to follow ... 14 August SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) A SLN fast patrol boat intercepted a fishing trawler with 43 illegal migrants bound for Australia some 20 nm from the west coast … all arrested under national law. (rmks: Ya gotta know it's a 'great' tourist location, when there are laws against unregistered departure). 15 August IRAN (related) India may instruct state-owned ocean carrier SCI (Shipping Corp. of India) to bring crude from Iran after local tanker owners shunned an emergency insurance scheme for Iranian shipping oil. (rmks: Ahhh, the soap opera continues) JAPAN +++ Tokyo is facing escalating tensions on three fronts, as South Korea, Russia and China make fresh challenges to claims over island territories off the shores of Japan. (rmks: Brad, they must have known you were releasing Imperium ad decided to give you some free advertising. Seriously, this situation is definitely scenario grist material) +++ Five Chinese activists were arrested after landing on Senkaku/Diaoyu island chain claimed by both Japan and China … their vessel was closely tailed by Japanese coastguard vessels and even pummeled with water cannon, but still managed to break through. LIBYA – EGYPT Libyan authorities remanded 90 Egyptian fishermen into custody on charges of trespassing the territorial waters without permission. (rmks: Obviously the Arab Spring honymoon is over, now its time to get back to work repressing the people) RUSSIA (USA) Update: A US DoD official has denied media reports that a Russian nuclear-powered submarine recently operated “in restricted US waters” for up to a month without being detected. (rmks: Seems this denial is only meant for “restricted US waters,” whatever these might be. To quote Shakespeare, "Me thinks he doth protest too much.") 16 August UNITED KINGDOM Royal Navy survey ship HMS ECHO returns to home to Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, after a 19-month deployment. 17 August RUSSIA Admiralty Shipyards (St. Petersburg) to start construction of KILO-III (Proj 636.3) class RFS STARIY OSKOL …third of six boats destined for Black Sea Fleet. (rmks: Depending on how this plays-out, it could rely put a thumb into the Ukrainian eye. It helps me with future BRICS scenario planning though)

Man, I need to check my typing better. Your right, Brad. I completely forgot about the airwing as well. Also, politics IS a very deadly weapon.

From Naval Today Ah, this is likely to give the ChiCom navy planning staff a Maalox moment, for which they richly deserve. With the Vietnamese submarine program underway, things in the SCS may look a little differently - or it will be like kicking over a hornet's nest. What says the forum?

Love the tagline for the article! Maybe they will actually programs them to say, "By your command." Seriously, Washington needs to freaking STOP THE WASTEFUL SPENDING! I am hoping against hope, this tidbit came from The Onion, but I doubt it.

Trus, but also a carrier is mobile. Its harder to hit a moving target - even with a nuke. Given some warning (I mean get real, someone its just going to lob a nuke as a knee-jerk reaction), a CVN can hightail it out of the area. From experience, when i mean hightail it, I mean HIGHTAIL it out of the area. All the speeds listed in books, websites (and games), are the unclassified speed. Although not ludicrous speed (man I love Spaceballs), its fast! Sorry, if I told you the precise knots I'd have to kill you afterwards. are three-inches of HY-80 - the steel used for our submarine hulls. The deck penetrations on the flight deck and Hangar Bay are pnumatically-operated they are so heavy. I love them to death (having served on one), but they can be made more cost-effectively! That's my root point.

With a little help from some friends, this installment of the BRICS Saga has been fixed and is ready for play. Let me know what you think.

The scenario has been fixed. The orders should be good and the airfield issue has been corrected. Let me know if you have any other issues.

So, something else to checkout!

Wow! Now there's a concept.

Super COOL! A new toy to play with. I can't wait to try it out!!

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog . The commentary is my own. Enjoy! Hope your hump day is going well. Here's what's happening navy-wise, around he globe. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 13 August BANGLADESH Bangladesh has launched a joint air and naval operation against pirates who kidnapped some 50 fishermen on 12 Aug in the Bay of Bengal close to the Sundarban Islands. (rmks: Let's hope these exterminators know how to deal with the cockroach infestation in the area) NAMIBIA New Namibian navy ship ELEPHANT arrives at Walvis Bay, completing her transfer voyage … built at Chinese Wuhan shipyard, where she was officially handed over on 03 July … primary role will be training ship; secondary role fishery patrol. (rmks: Interesting how the ChiComs are breaking into the international secondary market) 14 August AUSTRALIA Patrol boat HMAS MAITLAND has assisted a merchant ship in rescuing 67 people aboard a suspected asylum-seeker boat south of Java … inside Indonesia's search and rescue region. CHINA Internet rumors that aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG may be named LIAONING … MoD calls the assumption "speculation", because there is still no consensus on this issue. (rmks: An aircraft carrier by any other name is still an aircraft carrier) ECUADOR The Ecuadorian Navy is exploring the use of low-cost unmanned surface vessels for coastal and inshore patrols. (rmks: Looks like Rafael has some new business prospects for their Protector USV) EGYPT President Morsi has named MajGen Osama el-Gendy commander of naval forces. Rumors that military leadership shake-up forestalled a planned military coup. GERMANY A “leaked report” (Jane’s): due to "technical difficulties with the integration" of RBS 15 Mk 3 anti-ship missiles” the FGS BRAUNSCHWEIG class corvettes may not become fully operational before 2014. (rmks: Although unconfirmed, the ships may still be employed in asymmetric missions such as anti-piracy operations prior to become fully operational) MYANMAR Parliament has named Myanmar’s navy chief, VAdm Nyan Tun (58), as second vice president … predecessor resigned due to health reasons. RUSSIA +++ Interfleet task group with three Northern Fleet landing ships and two Baltic Fleet frigates arrives in waters southwest of the Italian island of Sardinia. (rmks: tanker RFS IVAN BUBNOV and salvage tug not mentioned) +++ Northern Fleet destroyer RFS VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV has split from the force and commenced home transit … port visits planned to Lisbon (Portugal), Portsmouth (UK) and Cork (Ireland). (rmks: Before joining the interfleet task force she had conducted several months of anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden) +++ A US news outlet reported that a Russian AKULA class nuclear-powered attack submarine operated undetected in the Gulf of Mexico for several weeks … in June and July. (rmks: See the ongoing discussion here in the HarpGamer Forum) +++ New YASEN class submarines will carry supersonic “Kalibr” cruise missiles (A new name for the Club-S missile), range 2,500 km, single warhead. SWEDEN Saab is nearing completion of phase one design studies for a carrier-borne version of its Gripen NG multi-role fighter aircraft. (rmks: Looks like the Brits may have some more airwing options for the QECV) USA – ISRAEL Update: this year’s exercise “Reliant Mermaid” once again takes place off Haifa and with participation of the Israel navy … although thus far no specific units mentioned. (rmks: Very low key event this time, due to current political situation) 15 August RUSSIA (multi-national) Trilateral search & rescue exercise RU-POL-LIT 2012 starts in the Eastern Baltic off Kaliningrad … until 17 Aug … scenario: search for missing sailing yacht between Gdansk (Poland) and Klaipeda (Lithuania) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (JAPAN) (25 Aug) Pacific Fleet landing ship RFS ADMIRAL NEVELSKOY and salvage tug RFS KALAR scheduled to visit three of four Kurile islands … disputed with Japan … from 25 Aug – 17 Sep … take part in ceremonies honoring Soviet sailors who died there at the end of WW II. (rmks: Likely to anger Japan which has been claiming the islands) VIETNAM (end Aug) Russian Admiralty Shipyard is set to put the first of six KILO-II class submarines to be built for Vietnam to water by end of August. MOROCCO (08 Sep) Netherlands Damen Schelde will deliver the third and final SIGMA class frigate, ALLAL BEN ABDELLAH, to the Royal Moroccan Navy on 08 Sep.

Thanks. When I get our computer back tonight. I'll modify the scenario and trust in the honor of our esteemed forum members! Along with taking care of fixes in the NM1.

Brad, I thought RED could still target INTL ships. Drat! How would suggest I fix it? My only other alternative is the honor system.

Here's the corrected link: Naval Open Source Intelligence Enjoy!