CV32

From RIA Novosti [excerpt] CV32: Perhaps 'more ready' would be a better description?

From Information Dissemination blog [excerpt]

Did you forget your existing (pinned) thread?

This is pretty much how I see it. The PLAN is looking to solidify its hold on regional control, i.e. within that string of pearls. I rather doubt anything beyond the nuke sub force would venture beyond that, and up till now, even the subs have stayed close to home. When it comes to overseas interventions in, say, the Malacca Strait or elsewhere, I expect the Chinese would be looking to exploit "other means" or tools at their disposal (e.g. asymmetric, etc) rather than sail a warship(s) that far from home with expectations of it accomplishing any given mission and/or surviving to do so.

Re the 'quiz' found in the Ares post, I also noticed a different antenna on the fwd mast of Dixmude, behind the bridge. Anyone identify it?

From Ares [excerpt]

From RIA Novosti [excerpt]

Sorry to hear about the painfully slow download speeds. Though the boxed version is much nicer, in any event.

From AOL Defense [excerpt]

They look unrelated to me, like oil storage tanks on that beach or some such.

A new version of the Harpoon Commander's Edition (HCE) 'Cold War' Database (HCCW-120113) is now available. Get it in the Downloads section of the HarpGamer website. New additions include: Ships: Abdiel MCM - UK Abdiel (1/1950) ML - UK Abdiel (2/1950) ML - UK Adamant AR - UK Amazon Type 21/1 FF - UK Amazon Type 21/2 FF - UK Anzio LST(A) LST - UK Bacchus AK - UK Battle (1950) DD - UK Battle (1960) DD - UK Battle (Late) DD - UK Battle (Late/DDR) DDR - UK Bay (1950) FF - UK Belfast (1963) CL - UK Blackwood (1955) FF - UK Blackwood (1957) FF - UK Blackwood (1962) FF - UK Britannia MRCH - UK Ca (1953) DD - UK County (Batch 1/62) DDG - UK County (Batch 1/74) DDG - UK County (Batch 2/66) DDG - UK County (Batch 2/74) DDG - UK Daring (1950) DD - UK Daring (1963/1) DD - UK Daring (1963/2) DD - UK Dark PT - UK Dieppe LST(3) LST - UK Dodman Point AR - UK Engadine AAH - UK Fearless LPD - UK Fiji CL - UK Ford (1951/1) PC - UK Ford (1951/2) PC - UK Fort AFS - UK Ham MCM - UK Hecla AGOR - UK Illustrious CV - UK Implacable CV - UK Indefatigable CV - UK Indomitable CV - UK Leander 1A FF - UK Leander 2A FF - UK Leander 3/1 FF - UK Leander 3/2 FF - UK Leander (1963/1) FF - UK Leander (1963/2) FF - UK Leander (1963/3) FF - UK Leopard (1958) FF - UK Leopard (1963) FF - UK Ley MCM - UK Loch (1955) FF - UK Maidstone AR - UK Meon LSH - UK Mermaid FF - UK Messina LST-C LST - UK Mull of Galloway AR - UK Olwen AO - UK Plumleaf AO - UK Rame Head AR - UK Redoubt LCT(8) LCT - UK Resource AFS - UK Retainer AE - UK Rothesay (1960) FF - UK Rothesay (1968) FF - UK Round Table LSL - UK Rover AO - UK Salisbury (1957) FF - UK Salisbury (1962/1) FF - UK Salisbury (1962/2) FF - UK Salisbury (1973) FF - UK Sheffield CL - UK Swiftsure (1960) CL - UK Terpischore Type 16 FF - UK Tide AO - UK Tidespring AO - UK Tiger (1959) CL - UK Tiger (1969) CL - UK Ton (1952) MCM - UK Ton (1963) MCM - UK Tribal (1961/1) FF - UK Tribal (1961/2) FF - UK Tribal (1970) FF - UK Triumph AR - UK Tyne AD - UK Type 42A DDG - UK Urania Type 15/1 FF - UK Urania Type 15/2 FF - UK Vanguard BB - UK Wave Baron AO - UK Weapon (1950) DD - UK Weapon (1955) DD - UK Weapon (1959/1) DDR - UK Weapon (1959/2) DDR - UK Whitby (1956) FF - UK Whitby (1958) FF - UK Whitby (1962) FF - UK Enjoy.

I think the big boys in the PG have generally tried to tread carefully in their politico-military relations. Yes, they snipe at each other sometimes - even militarily - but for the most part have avoided head on clashes. Its rather difficult to guesstimate what exactly what might happen if there were strikes on Iran without there being any overt provocation. Yes, places like the KSA and UAE would like to preserve their relationship with the USA (they have the really nice toys they want to buy!) but at the same time they have a challenging balancing act to maintain with their own populations and their position within the greater Mideast. Recall that even the joint action against Saddam in 1990-91, who offered plenty of reason for his smackdown, caused a great deal of strain between the regional actors. The 'Arab Spring' adds a further level of complexity and uncertainty. It still looks pretty dim in places like Libya and Egypt. I can envision a situation where any number of local nations - US allies and otherwise - might choose to opt out of getting involved or even feel compelled to protest openly. Possibly worse.

From Army Times [excerpt]

From AOL Defense [excerpt]

Didn't you hear? Heat makes you crazy, as in wanting to push the button.

Currently tackling The Guns of August, by Barbara Tuchman. Was on the 'bucket' list for awhile now.

A little more on the EDAR in a press release from the French Navy here. (Defense Aerospace link)

From Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists [excerpt]

Got a better source for this? The RIA Novosti link provided says nothing about destruction of the sonar or 150 sq.m of anechoic coating.

From Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists [excerpt]

From CNN [excerpt]

From Reuters [excerpt]

From Center for a New American Security: Cooperation from Strength: The United States, China and the South China Sea (PDF) One excerpt that stood out to me:

I expect the Lincoln [CSG 9] is still enroute to the AO, as she was in Thailand as recently as 6 January (see Maritime Security Asia). The current state of carrier deployments are always interesting (though often over-emphasized), because if you look at the rest of the fleet, the remaining carriers are either in port (such as in DPIA or RCOH), on their way to port, or close to their homeport.

I understand that Vietnam is hoping to acquire six boats, and the total cost (2010 estimate) was expected to be US$3.2 billion, comprising US$2.1 billion for the actual submarines and another US$1.1 billion for weapons, infrastructure, etc. Its worth bearing in mind that the Vietnamese annual naval budget has supposedly jumped 150 percent since 2008, and is anticipated to be about $400 million by the time this project is in full swing. No doubt that the overhaul and upgrade of Vietnamese naval power has high priority. Consider the Gepard frigates as well.