May 14, 201214 yr Author Hope everyone had a great weekend. Here is your NNSotD, to start your week off right. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 04 May CHILE – Source: NIPmail The Chilean navy took delivery of two Eurocopter AS332L Super Puma medium-lift helicopters. 05 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail VAdm Chirkov: even though money is provided, Russian shipyards are incapable of fulfilling ship repair orders placed by the navy … lack of spare parts (rmks: not said is the abysmal conditions of their naval support infrastructure) 07 May USA – Source: NIPmail Amphibious assault ship IWO JIMA in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled visit. 09 May PIRACY – Source: IMO Update Arabian Sea: Pirates in two skiffs attack a tanker (Aframax) 250 nm southeast of Salalah (Oman) … firing AK47 and RPG … ship hit and damaged by up to 7 RPG, yet manages to escape … mothership with up to eight skiffs seen in vicinity. (rmk: This could have been prevented by allowing merchants to arm themselves) USA – Source: NIPmail Off Hawaii, cruiser LAKE ERIE successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system … first successful live-fire intercept test of the new SM-3 Block IB interceptor and the second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1 weapon system. 09 May – A busy Navy Kind of Day! ANGOLA – Source: NIPmail Netherlands Damen Schelde daughter Galati (Romania) set to launch a second FISV 6210 type fishery inspection vessel … to be named NIZINGA MBANDI … part of a regional program of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) through which Angola, Namibia and South Africa are working together for the protection of fishing grounds. AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Major defence budget cuts announced, but navy least affected … no lowered sights on major acquisition projects. CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ Chinese South Sea Fleet task group conducts exercises southeast of Taiwan, in international waters about halfway between Taiwan and the main Philippine island of Luzon … participants include destroyers GUANGZHOU and WUHAN, frigates YULIN and CHAOHU and dock landing ship KUNLUN SHAN … PLA Daily also reports of major amphibious exercise “recently held in the South China Sea”. +++ The first-ever deep-water drilling rig produced in China is now in operation in the South China Sea … semi-submersible CNOOC 981, owned by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, has begun drilling in the South China Sea, 170 nm southeast of Hong Kong. +++ Training vessel ZHENGHE arrives at Kochin (India) for a four-day good will visit. +++ Huangpu shipyard launches another JIANGKAI-II class frigate … should get hull number 574 (rmks: according to china-defense.com the 8th built at Huangpu and 14th overall) (Endnote: My goodness, the ChiComs have been busy!) CHINA – THAILAND – Source: NIPmail Naval infantry from both China and Thailand start bilateral anti-terror exercise “Blue Commando-2012” … until 29 May in south China's Guangdong province … first such exercise held in 2010. INDIA – Source: NIPmail DefMin Antony: the first SCORPENE class submarine will roll out of Mazagon Docks in June 2015. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail +++ Britain reportedly is seeking to persuade fellow European Union members to postpone by up to six months a ban on providing insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil, arguing that it could lead to a damaging spike in oil prices. +++ The Iranian oil ministry has given the private Iranian oil products exporting union permission to sell up to 20% of Iranian crude oil as a way of bypassing international sanctions on state oil companies. NETHERLANDS – Source: NIPmail Preparing for future cooperation (rmks: deployment to the Horn of Africa?) a Netherlands air force Apache combat helicopter has conducted first ever deck landings on board dock landing ship ROTTERDAM. PHILIPPINES – CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ The Philippines said that the United States had pledged to protect it from attacks in the South China Sea, a day after China issued a warning over a territorial row in the waters. (rmks: That and a couple of bucks will buy you a cup of coffee) +++ Chinese travel agencies reportedly have cancelled all tourist visits to the Philippines. Anti-Chinese demonstrations scheduled to take place in Manila. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail Rumours that recent leadership changes may precede centralizing command structures with abolishing the services’s main commands. (rmks: Russia centralizing its command structure??? Say it ain’t so. I thought the place was a marvelously free and open workers’ paradise) SPAIN – Source: NIPmail Jane’s: As part of further savings, the Spanish navy is preparing to lay up aircraft carrier PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS and two frigates. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail +++ The British government at a National Security Council meeting reportedly decided to reverse the U-turn it ordered in 2010 and switch back to the F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) version of the JSF to operate from the deck of its new aircraft carriers. +++ After participating in exercise “Joint Warrior”, Royal Marines 45 Commando has conducted week-long exercise “Scottish Lion” in south-western Scotland … supported from helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, dock landing ship BULWARK and amphibious support ship MOUNTS BAY. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ A first Littoral Combat Ship will be sent to Singapore next spring for a roughly 10-month deployment. +++ SecDef Panetta has appealed for lawmakers to ratify the UN convention on the law of sea, saying the country was at a disadvantage because of the Senate's refusal to back the accord. UNCLOS entered into force in 1994 but despite support from successive American presidents from both parties, the US Senate has never ratified the treaty, which requires a two-thirds majority. +++ Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship MERCY arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) for an intermediate stop. 10 May ALGERIA – Source: NIPmail update: contract with China Shipbuilding Trading Company reportedly for three light frigates (2,800ts) to be built either at Guangzhou or the Shanghai Huangpu Shipyard. (rmks: sounds like F22 such as built for Pakistan) CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, warns the Philippines about the Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoals) incident, saying the country's “armed forces will not allow anyone to take the sovereignty of the island away from China”. (rmks: more saber rattling from Beijing) PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Pirates hijack Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged Suezmax oil tanker SMIRNY … 240 nm south of Mazirah (Oman) … no security team on board. (rmks: Typical. This was the same bunch that just attacked it the day before!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: French frigate NIVOSE (based at Reunion) once more joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: and the pirates quake in fear – NOT!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Netherlands frigate EVERTSEN sails from Den Helder for the Horn of Africa … will join NATO forces in operation “Ocean Shield”. (rmks: Dittos) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail The government has officially confirmed it will revert to the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter to equip new aircraft carriers … citing unacceptable cost growth and delays in the plan to convert a carrier to handle the conventional takeoff F-35C variant. (rmks: read that EMALS ain’t all its cracked-up to be) USA Africa Partnership Station 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) … beginning support to APS 2012. (rmks: in recent months had been “touring” the Mediterranean) 11 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Two more boatloads of asylum seekers intercepted within 24 hours, first with 60 people, second carrying 101 people. +++ West of Christmas Island, Patrol boat WOLLONGONG intercepts another boat carrying 84 suspected asylum seekers … 6th boat this week. ESTONIA (multinational) – Source: NIPmail Estonia is hosting this year’s multinational MCM exercise/operation „Open Spirit“ ... participants from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands , Norway, Poland and Sweden … in-port phase (11-13 may) to be followed by mine clearing operations off the Estonian coast until 25 May. RUSSIA – NORWAY – Source: NIPmail Bilateral Russian-Norwegian exercise “Pomor-12” kicks off in Severomorsk (Russia) … until 16 May in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea …will include firing of live artillery rounds at simulated surface and aerial targets, anti-submarine warfare drills, anti-piracy operations, and search-and-rescue missions … Russian Northern Fleet participating destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, a salvage tug and aircraft (Su-33 Flanker, Il-38 May, Ka-27 Helix), Norwegian navy deployed frigate FRITJOF NANSEN to Severomorsk. Exercise will end off the Norwegian coast, with participating ships to enter Bodoe on 17 May for a port visit. FRANCE – UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail France regretted the prospect of reduced cooperation with the British fleet air arm following London's selection of the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter – which means British and French aircraft carriers won’t be compatible. INDONESIA – Source: NIPmail The Indonesian navy has ordered 37 BMP-3F Series 2 light amphibious assault vehicles from Russia… to augment amphibious forces … scheduled for delivery in July. PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Somalia: Off the Somalia coast, Netherlands frigate VAN AMSTEL (EU NavFor) rescues an Iranian fishing dhow hijacked ten days ago for use as mother ship … spotted by the frigate’s Lynx helicopter during routine surveillance flight … 17 Iranian crew freed and sent home with their dhow, 11 suspected pirates detained. +++ Arabian Sea: Turkish frigate GIRESUN (NATO) intercepts and boards Yemeni fishing dhow, hijacked and used as mother ship by Somali pirates … some 190 nm off the Yemeni coast … 7 Yemeni fishermen freed, 14 pirates arrested. Yemeni authorities: the Turkish warship “opened fire onto the fishing boat and held the crew prisoners for eight hours.” (rmks: Absolutely no pirates were injured in the process of reporting this story) TURKEY – Source: NIPmail Anadolu shipyard launches 8th C-151 class landing ship … four delivered thus far. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail TYPE 23 frigate MONTROSE returns to home port Portsmouth, ending a 6½-month deployment to the South Atlantic. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ Keel laying of future VIRGINA class submarine NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784) at General Dynamics Electric Boat-Quonset Point division in North Kingstown. +++ 7th Fleet flagship BLUE RIDGE arrives in Jakarta (Indonesia) for a scheduled port visit. 12 May CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail China has denied reports its military forces are preparing for war amid growing tensions over disputed Scarborough Shoals in the South China Sea. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail A Chinese shipping company has asked an Iranian company to provide insurance for its tankers when carrying Iranian crude. NEW ZEALAND – Source: NIPmail The RNZN plans replacing its five Seasprite helicopters … according to local media with “up to 11 refurbished older Super Sea Sprite rejected by Australia in 2008 because they were considered unsafe and unsuitable”. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Arabian Sea (update): Warships of CTF-151 to intercept and shadow hijacked tanker SMYRNI, heading for the Somalia coast. (rmk: read that – nothing was done to return the vessel to its rightful owners and no pirates were injured in reporting this story) USA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON departs home port Yokosuka (Japan) to conduct sea trials in preparation for the ship's next patrol 13 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ “High ranking source”: Dismissal of Admiral Vysotsky due to “refusing the order” to move the navy’s main staff from Moscow to St. Petersburg. (rmks: From the things that make you go mmmmh file) +++ Amur Shipyard in Russia’s Far East officially laid the keel of (probably NOT modified) STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette GROMKIY … sixth STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette, and the second built by Amur Shipyard for the Pacific Fleet … to be delivered in 2015. (rmks: modules construction already started in Feb) 14 May SPAIN – Source: NIPmail 11 ships of the Fuerza de Accion Maritima (FAM) together with some 15 paramilitary and civilian organizations have begun exercise “Flotex/Marsec-12" … conducted until 25 May in Spanish waters from Canary Islands to the Alboran Sea and the Balearic Islands … 9 different scenarios ranging from maritime security operations to fishery inspection and search & rescue.
May 14, 201214 yr Author Hope everyone had a great weekend. Here is your NNSotD, to start your week off right. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 04 May CHILE – Source: NIPmail The Chilean navy took delivery of two Eurocopter AS332L Super Puma medium-lift helicopters. 05 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail VAdm Chirkov: even though money is provided, Russian shipyards are incapable of fulfilling ship repair orders placed by the navy … lack of spare parts (rmks: not said is the abysmal conditions of their naval support infrastructure) 07 May USA – Source: NIPmail Amphibious assault ship IWO JIMA in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled visit. 09 May PIRACY – Source: IMO Update Arabian Sea: Pirates in two skiffs attack a tanker (Aframax) 250 nm southeast of Salalah (Oman) … firing AK47 and RPG … ship hit and damaged by up to 7 RPG, yet manages to escape … mothership with up to eight skiffs seen in vicinity. (rmk: This could have been prevented by allowing merchants to arm themselves) USA – Source: NIPmail Off Hawaii, cruiser LAKE ERIE successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system … first successful live-fire intercept test of the new SM-3 Block IB interceptor and the second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1 weapon system. 09 May – A busy Navy Kind of Day! ANGOLA – Source: NIPmail Netherlands Damen Schelde daughter Galati (Romania) set to launch a second FISV 6210 type fishery inspection vessel … to be named NIZINGA MBANDI … part of a regional program of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) through which Angola, Namibia and South Africa are working together for the protection of fishing grounds. AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Major defence budget cuts announced, but navy least affected … no lowered sights on major acquisition projects. CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ Chinese South Sea Fleet task group conducts exercises southeast of Taiwan, in international waters about halfway between Taiwan and the main Philippine island of Luzon … participants include destroyers GUANGZHOU and WUHAN, frigates YULIN and CHAOHU and dock landing ship KUNLUN SHAN … PLA Daily also reports of major amphibious exercise “recently held in the South China Sea”. +++ The first-ever deep-water drilling rig produced in China is now in operation in the South China Sea … semi-submersible CNOOC 981, owned by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, has begun drilling in the South China Sea, 170 nm southeast of Hong Kong. +++ Training vessel ZHENGHE arrives at Kochin (India) for a four-day good will visit. +++ Huangpu shipyard launches another JIANGKAI-II class frigate … should get hull number 574 (rmks: according to china-defense.com the 8th built at Huangpu and 14th overall) (Endnote: My goodness, the ChiComs have been busy!) CHINA – THAILAND – Source: NIPmail Naval infantry from both China and Thailand start bilateral anti-terror exercise “Blue Commando-2012” … until 29 May in south China's Guangdong province … first such exercise held in 2010. INDIA – Source: NIPmail DefMin Antony: the first SCORPENE class submarine will roll out of Mazagon Docks in June 2015. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail +++ Britain reportedly is seeking to persuade fellow European Union members to postpone by up to six months a ban on providing insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil, arguing that it could lead to a damaging spike in oil prices. +++ The Iranian oil ministry has given the private Iranian oil products exporting union permission to sell up to 20% of Iranian crude oil as a way of bypassing international sanctions on state oil companies. NETHERLANDS – Source: NIPmail Preparing for future cooperation (rmks: deployment to the Horn of Africa?) a Netherlands air force Apache combat helicopter has conducted first ever deck landings on board dock landing ship ROTTERDAM. PHILIPPINES – CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ The Philippines said that the United States had pledged to protect it from attacks in the South China Sea, a day after China issued a warning over a territorial row in the waters. (rmks: That and a couple of bucks will buy you a cup of coffee) +++ Chinese travel agencies reportedly have cancelled all tourist visits to the Philippines. Anti-Chinese demonstrations scheduled to take place in Manila. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail Rumours that recent leadership changes may precede centralizing command structures with abolishing the services’s main commands. (rmks: Russia centralizing its command structure??? Say it ain’t so. I thought the place was a marvelously free and open workers’ paradise) SPAIN – Source: NIPmail Jane’s: As part of further savings, the Spanish navy is preparing to lay up aircraft carrier PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS and two frigates. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail +++ The British government at a National Security Council meeting reportedly decided to reverse the U-turn it ordered in 2010 and switch back to the F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) version of the JSF to operate from the deck of its new aircraft carriers. +++ After participating in exercise “Joint Warrior”, Royal Marines 45 Commando has conducted week-long exercise “Scottish Lion” in south-western Scotland … supported from helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, dock landing ship BULWARK and amphibious support ship MOUNTS BAY. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ A first Littoral Combat Ship will be sent to Singapore next spring for a roughly 10-month deployment. +++ SecDef Panetta has appealed for lawmakers to ratify the UN convention on the law of sea, saying the country was at a disadvantage because of the Senate's refusal to back the accord. UNCLOS entered into force in 1994 but despite support from successive American presidents from both parties, the US Senate has never ratified the treaty, which requires a two-thirds majority. +++ Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship MERCY arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) for an intermediate stop. 10 May ALGERIA – Source: NIPmail update: contract with China Shipbuilding Trading Company reportedly for three light frigates (2,800ts) to be built either at Guangzhou or the Shanghai Huangpu Shipyard. (rmks: sounds like F22 such as built for Pakistan) CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, warns the Philippines about the Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoals) incident, saying the country's “armed forces will not allow anyone to take the sovereignty of the island away from China”. (rmks: more saber rattling from Beijing) PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Pirates hijack Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged Suezmax oil tanker SMIRNY … 240 nm south of Mazirah (Oman) … no security team on board. (rmks: Typical. This was the same bunch that just attacked it the day before!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: French frigate NIVOSE (based at Reunion) once more joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: and the pirates quake in fear – NOT!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Netherlands frigate EVERTSEN sails from Den Helder for the Horn of Africa … will join NATO forces in operation “Ocean Shield”. (rmks: Dittos) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail The government has officially confirmed it will revert to the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter to equip new aircraft carriers … citing unacceptable cost growth and delays in the plan to convert a carrier to handle the conventional takeoff F-35C variant. (rmks: read that EMALS ain’t all its cracked-up to be) USA Africa Partnership Station 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) … beginning support to APS 2012. (rmks: in recent months had been “touring” the Mediterranean) 11 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Two more boatloads of asylum seekers intercepted within 24 hours, first with 60 people, second carrying 101 people. +++ West of Christmas Island, Patrol boat WOLLONGONG intercepts another boat carrying 84 suspected asylum seekers … 6th boat this week. ESTONIA (multinational) – Source: NIPmail Estonia is hosting this year’s multinational MCM exercise/operation „Open Spirit“ ... participants from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands , Norway, Poland and Sweden … in-port phase (11-13 may) to be followed by mine clearing operations off the Estonian coast until 25 May. RUSSIA – NORWAY – Source: NIPmail Bilateral Russian-Norwegian exercise “Pomor-12” kicks off in Severomorsk (Russia) … until 16 May in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea …will include firing of live artillery rounds at simulated surface and aerial targets, anti-submarine warfare drills, anti-piracy operations, and search-and-rescue missions … Russian Northern Fleet participating destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, a salvage tug and aircraft (Su-33 Flanker, Il-38 May, Ka-27 Helix), Norwegian navy deployed frigate FRITJOF NANSEN to Severomorsk. Exercise will end off the Norwegian coast, with participating ships to enter Bodoe on 17 May for a port visit. FRANCE – UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail France regretted the prospect of reduced cooperation with the British fleet air arm following London's selection of the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter – which means British and French aircraft carriers won’t be compatible. INDONESIA – Source: NIPmail The Indonesian navy has ordered 37 BMP-3F Series 2 light amphibious assault vehicles from Russia… to augment amphibious forces … scheduled for delivery in July. PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Somalia: Off the Somalia coast, Netherlands frigate VAN AMSTEL (EU NavFor) rescues an Iranian fishing dhow hijacked ten days ago for use as mother ship … spotted by the frigate’s Lynx helicopter during routine surveillance flight … 17 Iranian crew freed and sent home with their dhow, 11 suspected pirates detained. +++ Arabian Sea: Turkish frigate GIRESUN (NATO) intercepts and boards Yemeni fishing dhow, hijacked and used as mother ship by Somali pirates … some 190 nm off the Yemeni coast … 7 Yemeni fishermen freed, 14 pirates arrested. Yemeni authorities: the Turkish warship “opened fire onto the fishing boat and held the crew prisoners for eight hours.” (rmks: Absolutely no pirates were injured in the process of reporting this story) TURKEY – Source: NIPmail Anadolu shipyard launches 8th C-151 class landing ship … four delivered thus far. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail TYPE 23 frigate MONTROSE returns to home port Portsmouth, ending a 6½-month deployment to the South Atlantic. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ Keel laying of future VIRGINA class submarine NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784) at General Dynamics Electric Boat-Quonset Point division in North Kingstown. +++ 7th Fleet flagship BLUE RIDGE arrives in Jakarta (Indonesia) for a scheduled port visit. 12 May CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail China has denied reports its military forces are preparing for war amid growing tensions over disputed Scarborough Shoals in the South China Sea. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail A Chinese shipping company has asked an Iranian company to provide insurance for its tankers when carrying Iranian crude. NEW ZEALAND – Source: NIPmail The RNZN plans replacing its five Seasprite helicopters … according to local media with “up to 11 refurbished older Super Sea Sprite rejected by Australia in 2008 because they were considered unsafe and unsuitable”. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Arabian Sea (update): Warships of CTF-151 to intercept and shadow hijacked tanker SMYRNI, heading for the Somalia coast. (rmk: read that – nothing was done to return the vessel to its rightful owners and no pirates were injured in reporting this story) USA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON departs home port Yokosuka (Japan) to conduct sea trials in preparation for the ship's next patrol 13 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ “High ranking source”: Dismissal of Admiral Vysotsky due to “refusing the order” to move the navy’s main staff from Moscow to St. Petersburg. (rmks: From the things that make you go mmmmh file) +++ Amur Shipyard in Russia’s Far East officially laid the keel of (probably NOT modified) STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette GROMKIY … sixth STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette, and the second built by Amur Shipyard for the Pacific Fleet … to be delivered in 2015. (rmks: modules construction already started in Feb) 14 May SPAIN – Source: NIPmail 11 ships of the Fuerza de Accion Maritima (FAM) together with some 15 paramilitary and civilian organizations have begun exercise “Flotex/Marsec-12" … conducted until 25 May in Spanish waters from Canary Islands to the Alboran Sea and the Balearic Islands … 9 different scenarios ranging from maritime security operations to fishery inspection and search & rescue.
May 14, 201214 yr Author Hope everyone had a great weekend. Here is your NNSotD, to start your week off right. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 04 May CHILE – Source: NIPmail The Chilean navy took delivery of two Eurocopter AS332L Super Puma medium-lift helicopters. 05 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail VAdm Chirkov: even though money is provided, Russian shipyards are incapable of fulfilling ship repair orders placed by the navy … lack of spare parts (rmks: not said is the abysmal conditions of their naval support infrastructure) 07 May USA – Source: NIPmail Amphibious assault ship IWO JIMA in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled visit. 09 May PIRACY – Source: IMO Update Arabian Sea: Pirates in two skiffs attack a tanker (Aframax) 250 nm southeast of Salalah (Oman) … firing AK47 and RPG … ship hit and damaged by up to 7 RPG, yet manages to escape … mothership with up to eight skiffs seen in vicinity. (rmk: This could have been prevented by allowing merchants to arm themselves) USA – Source: NIPmail Off Hawaii, cruiser LAKE ERIE successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system … first successful live-fire intercept test of the new SM-3 Block IB interceptor and the second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1 weapon system. 09 May – A busy Navy Kind of Day! ANGOLA – Source: NIPmail Netherlands Damen Schelde daughter Galati (Romania) set to launch a second FISV 6210 type fishery inspection vessel … to be named NIZINGA MBANDI … part of a regional program of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) through which Angola, Namibia and South Africa are working together for the protection of fishing grounds. AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Major defence budget cuts announced, but navy least affected … no lowered sights on major acquisition projects. CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ Chinese South Sea Fleet task group conducts exercises southeast of Taiwan, in international waters about halfway between Taiwan and the main Philippine island of Luzon … participants include destroyers GUANGZHOU and WUHAN, frigates YULIN and CHAOHU and dock landing ship KUNLUN SHAN … PLA Daily also reports of major amphibious exercise “recently held in the South China Sea”. +++ The first-ever deep-water drilling rig produced in China is now in operation in the South China Sea … semi-submersible CNOOC 981, owned by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, has begun drilling in the South China Sea, 170 nm southeast of Hong Kong. +++ Training vessel ZHENGHE arrives at Kochin (India) for a four-day good will visit. +++ Huangpu shipyard launches another JIANGKAI-II class frigate … should get hull number 574 (rmks: according to china-defense.com the 8th built at Huangpu and 14th overall) (Endnote: My goodness, the ChiComs have been busy!) CHINA – THAILAND – Source: NIPmail Naval infantry from both China and Thailand start bilateral anti-terror exercise “Blue Commando-2012” … until 29 May in south China's Guangdong province … first such exercise held in 2010. INDIA – Source: NIPmail DefMin Antony: the first SCORPENE class submarine will roll out of Mazagon Docks in June 2015. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail +++ Britain reportedly is seeking to persuade fellow European Union members to postpone by up to six months a ban on providing insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil, arguing that it could lead to a damaging spike in oil prices. +++ The Iranian oil ministry has given the private Iranian oil products exporting union permission to sell up to 20% of Iranian crude oil as a way of bypassing international sanctions on state oil companies. NETHERLANDS – Source: NIPmail Preparing for future cooperation (rmks: deployment to the Horn of Africa?) a Netherlands air force Apache combat helicopter has conducted first ever deck landings on board dock landing ship ROTTERDAM. PHILIPPINES – CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ The Philippines said that the United States had pledged to protect it from attacks in the South China Sea, a day after China issued a warning over a territorial row in the waters. (rmks: That and a couple of bucks will buy you a cup of coffee) +++ Chinese travel agencies reportedly have cancelled all tourist visits to the Philippines. Anti-Chinese demonstrations scheduled to take place in Manila. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail Rumours that recent leadership changes may precede centralizing command structures with abolishing the services’s main commands. (rmks: Russia centralizing its command structure??? Say it ain’t so. I thought the place was a marvelously free and open workers’ paradise) SPAIN – Source: NIPmail Jane’s: As part of further savings, the Spanish navy is preparing to lay up aircraft carrier PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS and two frigates. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail +++ The British government at a National Security Council meeting reportedly decided to reverse the U-turn it ordered in 2010 and switch back to the F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) version of the JSF to operate from the deck of its new aircraft carriers. +++ After participating in exercise “Joint Warrior”, Royal Marines 45 Commando has conducted week-long exercise “Scottish Lion” in south-western Scotland … supported from helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, dock landing ship BULWARK and amphibious support ship MOUNTS BAY. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ A first Littoral Combat Ship will be sent to Singapore next spring for a roughly 10-month deployment. +++ SecDef Panetta has appealed for lawmakers to ratify the UN convention on the law of sea, saying the country was at a disadvantage because of the Senate's refusal to back the accord. UNCLOS entered into force in 1994 but despite support from successive American presidents from both parties, the US Senate has never ratified the treaty, which requires a two-thirds majority. +++ Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship MERCY arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) for an intermediate stop. 10 May ALGERIA – Source: NIPmail update: contract with China Shipbuilding Trading Company reportedly for three light frigates (2,800ts) to be built either at Guangzhou or the Shanghai Huangpu Shipyard. (rmks: sounds like F22 such as built for Pakistan) CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, warns the Philippines about the Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoals) incident, saying the country's “armed forces will not allow anyone to take the sovereignty of the island away from China”. (rmks: more saber rattling from Beijing) PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Pirates hijack Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged Suezmax oil tanker SMIRNY … 240 nm south of Mazirah (Oman) … no security team on board. (rmks: Typical. This was the same bunch that just attacked it the day before!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: French frigate NIVOSE (based at Reunion) once more joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: and the pirates quake in fear – NOT!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Netherlands frigate EVERTSEN sails from Den Helder for the Horn of Africa … will join NATO forces in operation “Ocean Shield”. (rmks: Dittos) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail The government has officially confirmed it will revert to the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter to equip new aircraft carriers … citing unacceptable cost growth and delays in the plan to convert a carrier to handle the conventional takeoff F-35C variant. (rmks: read that EMALS ain’t all its cracked-up to be) USA Africa Partnership Station 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) … beginning support to APS 2012. (rmks: in recent months had been “touring” the Mediterranean) 11 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Two more boatloads of asylum seekers intercepted within 24 hours, first with 60 people, second carrying 101 people. +++ West of Christmas Island, Patrol boat WOLLONGONG intercepts another boat carrying 84 suspected asylum seekers … 6th boat this week. ESTONIA (multinational) – Source: NIPmail Estonia is hosting this year’s multinational MCM exercise/operation „Open Spirit“ ... participants from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands , Norway, Poland and Sweden … in-port phase (11-13 may) to be followed by mine clearing operations off the Estonian coast until 25 May. RUSSIA – NORWAY – Source: NIPmail Bilateral Russian-Norwegian exercise “Pomor-12” kicks off in Severomorsk (Russia) … until 16 May in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea …will include firing of live artillery rounds at simulated surface and aerial targets, anti-submarine warfare drills, anti-piracy operations, and search-and-rescue missions … Russian Northern Fleet participating destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, a salvage tug and aircraft (Su-33 Flanker, Il-38 May, Ka-27 Helix), Norwegian navy deployed frigate FRITJOF NANSEN to Severomorsk. Exercise will end off the Norwegian coast, with participating ships to enter Bodoe on 17 May for a port visit. FRANCE – UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail France regretted the prospect of reduced cooperation with the British fleet air arm following London's selection of the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter – which means British and French aircraft carriers won’t be compatible. INDONESIA – Source: NIPmail The Indonesian navy has ordered 37 BMP-3F Series 2 light amphibious assault vehicles from Russia… to augment amphibious forces … scheduled for delivery in July. PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Somalia: Off the Somalia coast, Netherlands frigate VAN AMSTEL (EU NavFor) rescues an Iranian fishing dhow hijacked ten days ago for use as mother ship … spotted by the frigate’s Lynx helicopter during routine surveillance flight … 17 Iranian crew freed and sent home with their dhow, 11 suspected pirates detained. +++ Arabian Sea: Turkish frigate GIRESUN (NATO) intercepts and boards Yemeni fishing dhow, hijacked and used as mother ship by Somali pirates … some 190 nm off the Yemeni coast … 7 Yemeni fishermen freed, 14 pirates arrested. Yemeni authorities: the Turkish warship “opened fire onto the fishing boat and held the crew prisoners for eight hours.” (rmks: Absolutely no pirates were injured in the process of reporting this story) TURKEY – Source: NIPmail Anadolu shipyard launches 8th C-151 class landing ship … four delivered thus far. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail TYPE 23 frigate MONTROSE returns to home port Portsmouth, ending a 6½-month deployment to the South Atlantic. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ Keel laying of future VIRGINA class submarine NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784) at General Dynamics Electric Boat-Quonset Point division in North Kingstown. +++ 7th Fleet flagship BLUE RIDGE arrives in Jakarta (Indonesia) for a scheduled port visit. 12 May CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail China has denied reports its military forces are preparing for war amid growing tensions over disputed Scarborough Shoals in the South China Sea. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail A Chinese shipping company has asked an Iranian company to provide insurance for its tankers when carrying Iranian crude. NEW ZEALAND – Source: NIPmail The RNZN plans replacing its five Seasprite helicopters … according to local media with “up to 11 refurbished older Super Sea Sprite rejected by Australia in 2008 because they were considered unsafe and unsuitable”. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Arabian Sea (update): Warships of CTF-151 to intercept and shadow hijacked tanker SMYRNI, heading for the Somalia coast. (rmk: read that – nothing was done to return the vessel to its rightful owners and no pirates were injured in reporting this story) USA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON departs home port Yokosuka (Japan) to conduct sea trials in preparation for the ship's next patrol 13 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ “High ranking source”: Dismissal of Admiral Vysotsky due to “refusing the order” to move the navy’s main staff from Moscow to St. Petersburg. (rmks: From the things that make you go mmmmh file) +++ Amur Shipyard in Russia’s Far East officially laid the keel of (probably NOT modified) STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette GROMKIY … sixth STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette, and the second built by Amur Shipyard for the Pacific Fleet … to be delivered in 2015. (rmks: modules construction already started in Feb) 14 May SPAIN – Source: NIPmail 11 ships of the Fuerza de Accion Maritima (FAM) together with some 15 paramilitary and civilian organizations have begun exercise “Flotex/Marsec-12" … conducted until 25 May in Spanish waters from Canary Islands to the Alboran Sea and the Balearic Islands … 9 different scenarios ranging from maritime security operations to fishery inspection and search & rescue.
May 14, 201214 yr Author Hope everyone had a great weekend. Here is your NNSotD, to start your week off right. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 04 May CHILE – Source: NIPmail The Chilean navy took delivery of two Eurocopter AS332L Super Puma medium-lift helicopters. 05 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail VAdm Chirkov: even though money is provided, Russian shipyards are incapable of fulfilling ship repair orders placed by the navy … lack of spare parts (rmks: not said is the abysmal conditions of their naval support infrastructure) 07 May USA – Source: NIPmail Amphibious assault ship IWO JIMA in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled visit. 09 May PIRACY – Source: IMO Update Arabian Sea: Pirates in two skiffs attack a tanker (Aframax) 250 nm southeast of Salalah (Oman) … firing AK47 and RPG … ship hit and damaged by up to 7 RPG, yet manages to escape … mothership with up to eight skiffs seen in vicinity. (rmk: This could have been prevented by allowing merchants to arm themselves) USA – Source: NIPmail Off Hawaii, cruiser LAKE ERIE successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system … first successful live-fire intercept test of the new SM-3 Block IB interceptor and the second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1 weapon system. 09 May – A busy Navy Kind of Day! ANGOLA – Source: NIPmail Netherlands Damen Schelde daughter Galati (Romania) set to launch a second FISV 6210 type fishery inspection vessel … to be named NIZINGA MBANDI … part of a regional program of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) through which Angola, Namibia and South Africa are working together for the protection of fishing grounds. AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Major defence budget cuts announced, but navy least affected … no lowered sights on major acquisition projects. CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ Chinese South Sea Fleet task group conducts exercises southeast of Taiwan, in international waters about halfway between Taiwan and the main Philippine island of Luzon … participants include destroyers GUANGZHOU and WUHAN, frigates YULIN and CHAOHU and dock landing ship KUNLUN SHAN … PLA Daily also reports of major amphibious exercise “recently held in the South China Sea”. +++ The first-ever deep-water drilling rig produced in China is now in operation in the South China Sea … semi-submersible CNOOC 981, owned by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, has begun drilling in the South China Sea, 170 nm southeast of Hong Kong. +++ Training vessel ZHENGHE arrives at Kochin (India) for a four-day good will visit. +++ Huangpu shipyard launches another JIANGKAI-II class frigate … should get hull number 574 (rmks: according to china-defense.com the 8th built at Huangpu and 14th overall) (Endnote: My goodness, the ChiComs have been busy!) CHINA – THAILAND – Source: NIPmail Naval infantry from both China and Thailand start bilateral anti-terror exercise “Blue Commando-2012” … until 29 May in south China's Guangdong province … first such exercise held in 2010. INDIA – Source: NIPmail DefMin Antony: the first SCORPENE class submarine will roll out of Mazagon Docks in June 2015. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail +++ Britain reportedly is seeking to persuade fellow European Union members to postpone by up to six months a ban on providing insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil, arguing that it could lead to a damaging spike in oil prices. +++ The Iranian oil ministry has given the private Iranian oil products exporting union permission to sell up to 20% of Iranian crude oil as a way of bypassing international sanctions on state oil companies. NETHERLANDS – Source: NIPmail Preparing for future cooperation (rmks: deployment to the Horn of Africa?) a Netherlands air force Apache combat helicopter has conducted first ever deck landings on board dock landing ship ROTTERDAM. PHILIPPINES – CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ The Philippines said that the United States had pledged to protect it from attacks in the South China Sea, a day after China issued a warning over a territorial row in the waters. (rmks: That and a couple of bucks will buy you a cup of coffee) +++ Chinese travel agencies reportedly have cancelled all tourist visits to the Philippines. Anti-Chinese demonstrations scheduled to take place in Manila. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail Rumours that recent leadership changes may precede centralizing command structures with abolishing the services’s main commands. (rmks: Russia centralizing its command structure??? Say it ain’t so. I thought the place was a marvelously free and open workers’ paradise) SPAIN – Source: NIPmail Jane’s: As part of further savings, the Spanish navy is preparing to lay up aircraft carrier PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS and two frigates. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail +++ The British government at a National Security Council meeting reportedly decided to reverse the U-turn it ordered in 2010 and switch back to the F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) version of the JSF to operate from the deck of its new aircraft carriers. +++ After participating in exercise “Joint Warrior”, Royal Marines 45 Commando has conducted week-long exercise “Scottish Lion” in south-western Scotland … supported from helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, dock landing ship BULWARK and amphibious support ship MOUNTS BAY. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ A first Littoral Combat Ship will be sent to Singapore next spring for a roughly 10-month deployment. +++ SecDef Panetta has appealed for lawmakers to ratify the UN convention on the law of sea, saying the country was at a disadvantage because of the Senate's refusal to back the accord. UNCLOS entered into force in 1994 but despite support from successive American presidents from both parties, the US Senate has never ratified the treaty, which requires a two-thirds majority. +++ Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship MERCY arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) for an intermediate stop. 10 May ALGERIA – Source: NIPmail update: contract with China Shipbuilding Trading Company reportedly for three light frigates (2,800ts) to be built either at Guangzhou or the Shanghai Huangpu Shipyard. (rmks: sounds like F22 such as built for Pakistan) CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, warns the Philippines about the Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoals) incident, saying the country's “armed forces will not allow anyone to take the sovereignty of the island away from China”. (rmks: more saber rattling from Beijing) PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Pirates hijack Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged Suezmax oil tanker SMIRNY … 240 nm south of Mazirah (Oman) … no security team on board. (rmks: Typical. This was the same bunch that just attacked it the day before!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: French frigate NIVOSE (based at Reunion) once more joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: and the pirates quake in fear – NOT!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Netherlands frigate EVERTSEN sails from Den Helder for the Horn of Africa … will join NATO forces in operation “Ocean Shield”. (rmks: Dittos) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail The government has officially confirmed it will revert to the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter to equip new aircraft carriers … citing unacceptable cost growth and delays in the plan to convert a carrier to handle the conventional takeoff F-35C variant. (rmks: read that EMALS ain’t all its cracked-up to be) USA Africa Partnership Station 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) … beginning support to APS 2012. (rmks: in recent months had been “touring” the Mediterranean) 11 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Two more boatloads of asylum seekers intercepted within 24 hours, first with 60 people, second carrying 101 people. +++ West of Christmas Island, Patrol boat WOLLONGONG intercepts another boat carrying 84 suspected asylum seekers … 6th boat this week. ESTONIA (multinational) – Source: NIPmail Estonia is hosting this year’s multinational MCM exercise/operation „Open Spirit“ ... participants from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands , Norway, Poland and Sweden … in-port phase (11-13 may) to be followed by mine clearing operations off the Estonian coast until 25 May. RUSSIA – NORWAY – Source: NIPmail Bilateral Russian-Norwegian exercise “Pomor-12” kicks off in Severomorsk (Russia) … until 16 May in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea …will include firing of live artillery rounds at simulated surface and aerial targets, anti-submarine warfare drills, anti-piracy operations, and search-and-rescue missions … Russian Northern Fleet participating destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, a salvage tug and aircraft (Su-33 Flanker, Il-38 May, Ka-27 Helix), Norwegian navy deployed frigate FRITJOF NANSEN to Severomorsk. Exercise will end off the Norwegian coast, with participating ships to enter Bodoe on 17 May for a port visit. FRANCE – UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail France regretted the prospect of reduced cooperation with the British fleet air arm following London's selection of the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter – which means British and French aircraft carriers won’t be compatible. INDONESIA – Source: NIPmail The Indonesian navy has ordered 37 BMP-3F Series 2 light amphibious assault vehicles from Russia… to augment amphibious forces … scheduled for delivery in July. PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Somalia: Off the Somalia coast, Netherlands frigate VAN AMSTEL (EU NavFor) rescues an Iranian fishing dhow hijacked ten days ago for use as mother ship … spotted by the frigate’s Lynx helicopter during routine surveillance flight … 17 Iranian crew freed and sent home with their dhow, 11 suspected pirates detained. +++ Arabian Sea: Turkish frigate GIRESUN (NATO) intercepts and boards Yemeni fishing dhow, hijacked and used as mother ship by Somali pirates … some 190 nm off the Yemeni coast … 7 Yemeni fishermen freed, 14 pirates arrested. Yemeni authorities: the Turkish warship “opened fire onto the fishing boat and held the crew prisoners for eight hours.” (rmks: Absolutely no pirates were injured in the process of reporting this story) TURKEY – Source: NIPmail Anadolu shipyard launches 8th C-151 class landing ship … four delivered thus far. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail TYPE 23 frigate MONTROSE returns to home port Portsmouth, ending a 6½-month deployment to the South Atlantic. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ Keel laying of future VIRGINA class submarine NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784) at General Dynamics Electric Boat-Quonset Point division in North Kingstown. +++ 7th Fleet flagship BLUE RIDGE arrives in Jakarta (Indonesia) for a scheduled port visit. 12 May CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail China has denied reports its military forces are preparing for war amid growing tensions over disputed Scarborough Shoals in the South China Sea. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail A Chinese shipping company has asked an Iranian company to provide insurance for its tankers when carrying Iranian crude. NEW ZEALAND – Source: NIPmail The RNZN plans replacing its five Seasprite helicopters … according to local media with “up to 11 refurbished older Super Sea Sprite rejected by Australia in 2008 because they were considered unsafe and unsuitable”. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Arabian Sea (update): Warships of CTF-151 to intercept and shadow hijacked tanker SMYRNI, heading for the Somalia coast. (rmk: read that – nothing was done to return the vessel to its rightful owners and no pirates were injured in reporting this story) USA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON departs home port Yokosuka (Japan) to conduct sea trials in preparation for the ship's next patrol 13 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ “High ranking source”: Dismissal of Admiral Vysotsky due to “refusing the order” to move the navy’s main staff from Moscow to St. Petersburg. (rmks: From the things that make you go mmmmh file) +++ Amur Shipyard in Russia’s Far East officially laid the keel of (probably NOT modified) STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette GROMKIY … sixth STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette, and the second built by Amur Shipyard for the Pacific Fleet … to be delivered in 2015. (rmks: modules construction already started in Feb) 14 May SPAIN – Source: NIPmail 11 ships of the Fuerza de Accion Maritima (FAM) together with some 15 paramilitary and civilian organizations have begun exercise “Flotex/Marsec-12" … conducted until 25 May in Spanish waters from Canary Islands to the Alboran Sea and the Balearic Islands … 9 different scenarios ranging from maritime security operations to fishery inspection and search & rescue.
May 14, 201214 yr Author Hope everyone had a great weekend. Here is your NNSotD, to start your week off right. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 04 May CHILE – Source: NIPmail The Chilean navy took delivery of two Eurocopter AS332L Super Puma medium-lift helicopters. 05 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail VAdm Chirkov: even though money is provided, Russian shipyards are incapable of fulfilling ship repair orders placed by the navy … lack of spare parts (rmks: not said is the abysmal conditions of their naval support infrastructure) 07 May USA – Source: NIPmail Amphibious assault ship IWO JIMA in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled visit. 09 May PIRACY – Source: IMO Update Arabian Sea: Pirates in two skiffs attack a tanker (Aframax) 250 nm southeast of Salalah (Oman) … firing AK47 and RPG … ship hit and damaged by up to 7 RPG, yet manages to escape … mothership with up to eight skiffs seen in vicinity. (rmk: This could have been prevented by allowing merchants to arm themselves) USA – Source: NIPmail Off Hawaii, cruiser LAKE ERIE successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system … first successful live-fire intercept test of the new SM-3 Block IB interceptor and the second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1 weapon system. 09 May – A busy Navy Kind of Day! ANGOLA – Source: NIPmail Netherlands Damen Schelde daughter Galati (Romania) set to launch a second FISV 6210 type fishery inspection vessel … to be named NIZINGA MBANDI … part of a regional program of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) through which Angola, Namibia and South Africa are working together for the protection of fishing grounds. AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Major defence budget cuts announced, but navy least affected … no lowered sights on major acquisition projects. CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ Chinese South Sea Fleet task group conducts exercises southeast of Taiwan, in international waters about halfway between Taiwan and the main Philippine island of Luzon … participants include destroyers GUANGZHOU and WUHAN, frigates YULIN and CHAOHU and dock landing ship KUNLUN SHAN … PLA Daily also reports of major amphibious exercise “recently held in the South China Sea”. +++ The first-ever deep-water drilling rig produced in China is now in operation in the South China Sea … semi-submersible CNOOC 981, owned by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, has begun drilling in the South China Sea, 170 nm southeast of Hong Kong. +++ Training vessel ZHENGHE arrives at Kochin (India) for a four-day good will visit. +++ Huangpu shipyard launches another JIANGKAI-II class frigate … should get hull number 574 (rmks: according to china-defense.com the 8th built at Huangpu and 14th overall) (Endnote: My goodness, the ChiComs have been busy!) CHINA – THAILAND – Source: NIPmail Naval infantry from both China and Thailand start bilateral anti-terror exercise “Blue Commando-2012” … until 29 May in south China's Guangdong province … first such exercise held in 2010. INDIA – Source: NIPmail DefMin Antony: the first SCORPENE class submarine will roll out of Mazagon Docks in June 2015. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail +++ Britain reportedly is seeking to persuade fellow European Union members to postpone by up to six months a ban on providing insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil, arguing that it could lead to a damaging spike in oil prices. +++ The Iranian oil ministry has given the private Iranian oil products exporting union permission to sell up to 20% of Iranian crude oil as a way of bypassing international sanctions on state oil companies. NETHERLANDS – Source: NIPmail Preparing for future cooperation (rmks: deployment to the Horn of Africa?) a Netherlands air force Apache combat helicopter has conducted first ever deck landings on board dock landing ship ROTTERDAM. PHILIPPINES – CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ The Philippines said that the United States had pledged to protect it from attacks in the South China Sea, a day after China issued a warning over a territorial row in the waters. (rmks: That and a couple of bucks will buy you a cup of coffee) +++ Chinese travel agencies reportedly have cancelled all tourist visits to the Philippines. Anti-Chinese demonstrations scheduled to take place in Manila. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail Rumours that recent leadership changes may precede centralizing command structures with abolishing the services’s main commands. (rmks: Russia centralizing its command structure??? Say it ain’t so. I thought the place was a marvelously free and open workers’ paradise) SPAIN – Source: NIPmail Jane’s: As part of further savings, the Spanish navy is preparing to lay up aircraft carrier PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS and two frigates. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail +++ The British government at a National Security Council meeting reportedly decided to reverse the U-turn it ordered in 2010 and switch back to the F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) version of the JSF to operate from the deck of its new aircraft carriers. +++ After participating in exercise “Joint Warrior”, Royal Marines 45 Commando has conducted week-long exercise “Scottish Lion” in south-western Scotland … supported from helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, dock landing ship BULWARK and amphibious support ship MOUNTS BAY. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ A first Littoral Combat Ship will be sent to Singapore next spring for a roughly 10-month deployment. +++ SecDef Panetta has appealed for lawmakers to ratify the UN convention on the law of sea, saying the country was at a disadvantage because of the Senate's refusal to back the accord. UNCLOS entered into force in 1994 but despite support from successive American presidents from both parties, the US Senate has never ratified the treaty, which requires a two-thirds majority. +++ Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship MERCY arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) for an intermediate stop. 10 May ALGERIA – Source: NIPmail update: contract with China Shipbuilding Trading Company reportedly for three light frigates (2,800ts) to be built either at Guangzhou or the Shanghai Huangpu Shipyard. (rmks: sounds like F22 such as built for Pakistan) CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, warns the Philippines about the Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoals) incident, saying the country's “armed forces will not allow anyone to take the sovereignty of the island away from China”. (rmks: more saber rattling from Beijing) PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Pirates hijack Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged Suezmax oil tanker SMIRNY … 240 nm south of Mazirah (Oman) … no security team on board. (rmks: Typical. This was the same bunch that just attacked it the day before!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: French frigate NIVOSE (based at Reunion) once more joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: and the pirates quake in fear – NOT!) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Netherlands frigate EVERTSEN sails from Den Helder for the Horn of Africa … will join NATO forces in operation “Ocean Shield”. (rmks: Dittos) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail The government has officially confirmed it will revert to the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter to equip new aircraft carriers … citing unacceptable cost growth and delays in the plan to convert a carrier to handle the conventional takeoff F-35C variant. (rmks: read that EMALS ain’t all its cracked-up to be) USA Africa Partnership Station 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) … beginning support to APS 2012. (rmks: in recent months had been “touring” the Mediterranean) 11 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Two more boatloads of asylum seekers intercepted within 24 hours, first with 60 people, second carrying 101 people. +++ West of Christmas Island, Patrol boat WOLLONGONG intercepts another boat carrying 84 suspected asylum seekers … 6th boat this week. ESTONIA (multinational) – Source: NIPmail Estonia is hosting this year’s multinational MCM exercise/operation „Open Spirit“ ... participants from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands , Norway, Poland and Sweden … in-port phase (11-13 may) to be followed by mine clearing operations off the Estonian coast until 25 May. RUSSIA – NORWAY – Source: NIPmail Bilateral Russian-Norwegian exercise “Pomor-12” kicks off in Severomorsk (Russia) … until 16 May in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea …will include firing of live artillery rounds at simulated surface and aerial targets, anti-submarine warfare drills, anti-piracy operations, and search-and-rescue missions … Russian Northern Fleet participating destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, a salvage tug and aircraft (Su-33 Flanker, Il-38 May, Ka-27 Helix), Norwegian navy deployed frigate FRITJOF NANSEN to Severomorsk. Exercise will end off the Norwegian coast, with participating ships to enter Bodoe on 17 May for a port visit. FRANCE – UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail France regretted the prospect of reduced cooperation with the British fleet air arm following London's selection of the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter – which means British and French aircraft carriers won’t be compatible. INDONESIA – Source: NIPmail The Indonesian navy has ordered 37 BMP-3F Series 2 light amphibious assault vehicles from Russia… to augment amphibious forces … scheduled for delivery in July. PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ Somalia: Off the Somalia coast, Netherlands frigate VAN AMSTEL (EU NavFor) rescues an Iranian fishing dhow hijacked ten days ago for use as mother ship … spotted by the frigate’s Lynx helicopter during routine surveillance flight … 17 Iranian crew freed and sent home with their dhow, 11 suspected pirates detained. +++ Arabian Sea: Turkish frigate GIRESUN (NATO) intercepts and boards Yemeni fishing dhow, hijacked and used as mother ship by Somali pirates … some 190 nm off the Yemeni coast … 7 Yemeni fishermen freed, 14 pirates arrested. Yemeni authorities: the Turkish warship “opened fire onto the fishing boat and held the crew prisoners for eight hours.” (rmks: Absolutely no pirates were injured in the process of reporting this story) TURKEY – Source: NIPmail Anadolu shipyard launches 8th C-151 class landing ship … four delivered thus far. UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail TYPE 23 frigate MONTROSE returns to home port Portsmouth, ending a 6½-month deployment to the South Atlantic. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ Keel laying of future VIRGINA class submarine NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784) at General Dynamics Electric Boat-Quonset Point division in North Kingstown. +++ 7th Fleet flagship BLUE RIDGE arrives in Jakarta (Indonesia) for a scheduled port visit. 12 May CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail China has denied reports its military forces are preparing for war amid growing tensions over disputed Scarborough Shoals in the South China Sea. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail A Chinese shipping company has asked an Iranian company to provide insurance for its tankers when carrying Iranian crude. NEW ZEALAND – Source: NIPmail The RNZN plans replacing its five Seasprite helicopters … according to local media with “up to 11 refurbished older Super Sea Sprite rejected by Australia in 2008 because they were considered unsafe and unsuitable”. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Arabian Sea (update): Warships of CTF-151 to intercept and shadow hijacked tanker SMYRNI, heading for the Somalia coast. (rmk: read that – nothing was done to return the vessel to its rightful owners and no pirates were injured in reporting this story) USA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON departs home port Yokosuka (Japan) to conduct sea trials in preparation for the ship's next patrol 13 May RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ “High ranking source”: Dismissal of Admiral Vysotsky due to “refusing the order” to move the navy’s main staff from Moscow to St. Petersburg. (rmks: From the things that make you go mmmmh file) +++ Amur Shipyard in Russia’s Far East officially laid the keel of (probably NOT modified) STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette GROMKIY … sixth STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette, and the second built by Amur Shipyard for the Pacific Fleet … to be delivered in 2015. (rmks: modules construction already started in Feb) 14 May SPAIN – Source: NIPmail 11 ships of the Fuerza de Accion Maritima (FAM) together with some 15 paramilitary and civilian organizations have begun exercise “Flotex/Marsec-12" … conducted until 25 May in Spanish waters from Canary Islands to the Alboran Sea and the Balearic Islands … 9 different scenarios ranging from maritime security operations to fishery inspection and search & rescue.
May 14, 201214 yr Arabian Sea: Pirates in two skiffs attack a tanker (Aframax) 250 nm southeast of Salalah (Oman) … firing AK47 and RPG … ship hit and damaged by up to 7 RPG, yet manages to escape … mothership with up to eight skiffs seen in vicinity. (rmk: This could have been prevented by allowing merchants to arm themselves) Or, rather, have more merchants arm themselves, as some have certainly done so. Overall, the fight needs to be taken ashore. Not necessarily with boots on the ground, but with at least eyes and talons overhead.
May 15, 201214 yr Author Overall, the fight needs to be taken ashore. Not necessarily with boots on the ground, but with at least eyes and talons overhead. Your right, the cockroach nests and support bases needs to be eliminated as well. Overall, these two-bit thugs need to be taught a costly lesson. I am reminded of Kurt Russell in the classic movie, "Tombstone": "I see a red sash, I kill the man wearin' it! So run, you cur... RUN! Tell all the other curs the law's comin'! You tell 'em I'M coming... and hell's coming with me, you hear?" Somebody needs to step-up and play Wyatt Earp with the pirates.
May 15, 201214 yr A couple of related reports out of Information Dissemination: Insurance company funded private navy preparing for pirate wars and, as if on cue ... EU strikes Somali pirate depot
May 15, 201214 yr Author 09 May INDIA – Source: NIPmail Goa Shipyard signs contract for construction of six 105-m (2,400 ts) Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Indian coast guard … first steel cutting expected “within days”. 11 May USA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier CARL VINSON now in 3rd Fleet area of operations … heading for home port San Diego to end deployment. (rmks: Gold Eagle is eastbound and down!) 12 May USA – Source: Naval Today (navaltoday.com) Southern Seas 2012: Frigate UNDERWOOD arrives in Callao (Peru), in preparation for upcoming multinational exercise UNITAS Pacific 53-12. 14 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail New cuts to defense budget will affect the RAN’s optempo, reducing number of days spent at sea. (rmks: Year of the axe continues to reap a bloody harvest) CHINA – Source: NIPmail Paramilitary China Marine Surveillance (CMS) plans adding 36 new vessels in 2013, seven of them displacing 1,500ts, 15 with 1,000 ts, the remainder 600 ts. (rmk: Me thinks I see database updates on the horizon) NEW ZEALAND – Source: NIPmail The RNZN has confirmed it will have to stop using up to two of its four new Inshore Patrol Craft due to lack of personnel. (rmks: Dittos from above) PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ General: A London (UK)-based insurance broker reduces insurance costs to pay ransoms if vessels are hijacked by Somali pirates by up to 75% if ships employ private armed guards … may fall to about $4,500 from $15,000 for a large tanker’s single transit. (rmks: Finally, there are efforts being made at pest control) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Russian destroyer VIZE ADMIRAL KULAKOV starts anti-piracy operations, escorting first convoy from the southern Red Sea through the Gulf of Aden. (rmks: Will the Russians do something to control the problem … probably not) RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Almaz Antei hopes to complete testing of new Poliment-Redut ship-based air defence missile system by the end of this year … derived from land-based S-400 system with 9M96 (SA-21/Growler) missiles. +++ Far East shipyards reportedly to resume construction of large POMORNIK class amphibious air cushion vehicles. +++ Update: another “source” claims dismissal of Admiral Vysotsky due to the fire on submarine YEKATERINBURG (loaded with nuclear missiles). (rmks: Stand by, more such “reasons” to follow, including juggling puppies and punting kittens) SOUTH AFRICA – Source: NIPmail STX Finland (already on 04 Apr) has delivered new Antarctic survey ship AGULHAS II to the Ministry of Environment … serve also as supply ship and ice breaker … paramilitary use. TAIWAN – Source: NIPmail Five out of eight PERRY class frigates thus far have been refitted with new supersonic HF-III anti-ship missiles USA – Source: NIPmail Dock landing ships NEW ORLEANS and PEARL HARBOR (part of the MAKIN ISLAND Amphibious Ready Group) arrive in Phuket (Thailand) for a scheduled port visit. (rmks: on return transit from Middle East deployment) 15 May PIRACY – Source: IMO update Somalia: EU NavFor has conducted a first ever operation to destroy pirate equipment on the Somali coastline … implementing recently expanded rules of engagement … no details given yet. (rms: No pirates were harmed in reporting this story … as usual) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (30 May) – Source: NIPmail Northern Shipyard (St. Petersburg) rescheduled launching for third STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette, STOYKIY, from 21 May to 30 May … for “organizational and technical reasons” (rmks: Ah, ya gotta love that wonderful Russian engineering!) USA (01 Jun) – Source: NIPmail Effective 01 Jun, the US Navy will create a new command that will be responsible for conducting high-level security near ports, providing protection for certain ships operating in coastal waterways and to sometimes take part in offensive combat. So called “Coastal Riverine Force” will be the result of a merger between Riverine Group 1 and Maritime Expeditionary Security Force.
May 16, 201214 yr Author Overall, not a really slow news day. Interesting news in combatting piracy ... Believe-it-or-not, the anti-piracy forces actually combatted piracy - now that's news! (I know its hard for you to believe, heck I was shocked when I saw it, too) Summary to follow ... 14 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Patrol boat GLENELG intercepted another boat carrying more than 120 asylum seekers, bringing the number of illegal migrants caught this month alone to nearly 700. PERU (multinational) – Source: NIPmail At an opening ceremony in Callao (Peru), naval representatives from Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and the United States officially recognized the beginning of UNITAS Pacific (PAC) … will include live-fire exercises, a drone exercise, night time ship evolutions, tactical maneuvering, maritime interdiction operations, flight operations among other events and joint operations. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Somalia (update): attack on pirates’ base was at Handulle village, about 18 km north of Haradhere … destroyed nine speedboats, fuel depots and some arms … conducted by “helicopters operating from two ships” (still no details). (rmks: This from the "And Now For Something Completely Different File) USA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN reported back in the Arabian Sea … having ended a “stint” to the Persian Gulf. 15 May AUSTRALIA – INDONESIA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) The Australian navy (patrol boats ARARAT and LARRAKIA) and the Indonesian navy (patrol boats KAKAP and TONGKOL) completed biennial patrol boat exercise “Cassowary” off Darwin. AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail The navy's two hydrographic survey ships LEEUWIN and MELVILLE reportedly taken off survey work since last year and used to ferry asylum seekers to Christmas Island. (rmks: unconfirmed) CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail In an attempt to defuse stand-off at Scarborough Shoals, both sides deliberate declaring a fishing ban to the area … thus allowing all deployed ships and fishing boats to withdraw without addressing territorial issues. (rmks: Which works in China's favor, as the Philippines don't get to use the area). CHINA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG ends another (6th) round of sea trials and returns to Dalian. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail LADA class submarine ST. PETERBURG completed major repair/maintenance period … conducting mooring tests in St. Petersburg until mid-June, then transfer to Northern Fleet for several-months tests of sonar system and other equipment as well as missile and torpedo firing … results will determine fate. SINGAPORE – Source: NIPmail After week-long fleet exercise, the six new anti-submarine S-70B Seahawk helicopters are declare fully operational. SPAIN – Source: NIPmail The navy has confirmed plans to decommission ANAGA class patrol craft GROSA (on 6 June) and GALERNA class submarine SIROCO (on 29 June). (rmks: Likely candidates for second-hand sale to an African or Asian regional navy) TAIWAN – Source: NIPmail Lung Teh Shipbuilding has been contracted with building the prototype of a new 450-ts stealth corvette … delivery in 2014 … after testing. (rmks: Thus eliminating possible design flaws) Additionally, another 11 ships planned to follow … main weapon systems to include 8 each HF-2 and HF-3 anti-ship missiles. 16 May PAKISTAN – Source: NIPmail During transfer voyage from China, new missile boat AZMAT arrives at Kuantan (Malaysia) for a scheduled port visit until 19 May.
May 18, 201214 yr Author All Hands Stanby, the weekend is ahead! Some pretty interesting updates taking place, with some fodder for scenarios. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 15 May INDIA – Source: NIPmail With upcoming (2013) arrival of new aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA, the Indian navy is struggling to begin much delayed Phase IIA of expanding the strategic Karwar naval base in coastal Karnataka … now being sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security for the final nod. (rmks: If the Big-V is able to get underway, which will be significant – it will be interesting to see if successfully passes sea trials) IRAN – OMAN – Source: NIPmail The navies of Iran and Oman plan for a joint exercise … to be conducted at Bandar Abbas (Iran) … no details nor dates given. (rmks: This would make an interesting what-if scenario – what-if Oman’s government was overthrown by a pro-Iranian faction and they closed the SoH. What would be the reaction) IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail Japan may seek approval from parliament this month to provide sovereign insurance to tanker operators that import Iranian crude as European sanctions block access to private providers PIRACY – Source: IMO update Gulf of Oman: Pirates attack Panama-flagged cargo ship CRUISER HEILAN in the Gulf of Oman but break off when Iranian navy ship BEHREGAN responded to emergency calls and approaches. (rmks: No pirates were injured in reporting this story) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail TYPE 45 destroyer DARING, currently operating in the Persian Gulf, conducted port visit to Jubail (Saudi Arabia) USA – Source: NIPmail +++ Africa Partnership Station 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT arrives at Point Noire (Dem.Rep. of Congo) for theater security cooperation as part of APS 2012. +++ Aircraft carrier CARL VINSON arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) … on return transit from Middle East deployment to home port San Diego. (rmks: Welcome home Gold Eagle!) 16 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Frigate BALLARAT arrives at Shanghai (China) for a port visit and some low-level exercises with the Chinese navy … on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties with China. FRANCE – Source: NIPmail Mission “Jeanne d’Arc 2012”: Helicopter carrier DIXMUDE and destroyer GEORGES LEYGUES arrive at Cape Town (South Africa) for a scheduled port visit. GERMANY – Source: NIPmail The latest version of DM2A4 heavyweight torpedoes, Atlas Elektronik produced SeaHake mod4 ER (Extended Range) has set a new record range … achieving more than 140 km in a March test firing. MEXICO – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) EADS North America has delivered the fourth and final Airbus Military CN235-300 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to the Mexican navy PIRACY – IMO update General: The Seychelles agreed to accept for prosecution 11 suspect pirates captured by Netherlands frigate VAN AMSTEL (EU NavFor) on 11 May. (rmks: Likely they will get a slap on the hand and things will return to business as usual next week) SOUTH KOREA – Source: NIPmail South Korea has requested Foreign Military Sale of eight MH-60R Seahawk Multi-Mission Helicopters from the U.S. USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) +++ Aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON completes five days of pre-deployment trials and returns to Yokosuka (Japan) to prepare for upcoming patrol. +++ Amphibious assault ship ESSEX and fleet tanker YUKON collide during replenishment at sea, some 120 nm off Southern California … due to an apparent steering malfunction aboard ESSEX … both ships able to continue; one injured, no fuel spill. Initial damage assessment on board ESSEX shows starboard aircraft elevator scraped and dented, railing bowed back the wrong way. A small section of catwalks crumpled, capsules holding lifeboats smashed, some guardrails split open. YUKON suffered structural damage to its flight deck, lifeboats and davits. +++ Aircraft carrier ENTERPRISE reported operating in the Persian Gulf. (rmks: Seems to have swapped stations with aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN) 17 May INDIA – Source: NIPmail The Indian navy thus far inducted 15 Russian-made MiG-29K fighter jets … for carrier-borne operations. (rmks: Total of 45 ordered and will be used on the Big-V, if it ever gets underway) IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail +++ South Korea is considering cutting its exports to Iran - mainly +++ steel, cars and electronics - to reduce the risk of payment defaults Japan's top oil refiner, JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp, is not (yet) facing a problem paying Iran for crude imports, after a major Japanese bank froze transactions with Iranian banks on the order of a U.S. court. +++ OPEC experts: Iranian oil production, the backbone of the economy, fell by 12 percent in the first three months of the year and is likely to fall more. PHILIPPINES – CHINA – Source: NIPmail A fleet of fishing boats are sailing to Scarborough Shoal to reinforce the country’s territorial claim over the rich fishing ground, which is being claimed by China. (rmks: A Red-Sky-at-Morning moment ahead) SPAIN (USA) – Source: Jane’s Defence The planned signing of an accord over basing part of the US ballistic missile defence (BMD) shield for Europe in Spain (rmks: Rota) is being postponed. USA – Source: NIPmail +++ Amphibious assault ship ESSEX returns to San Diego after completing 12 years as forward-deployed ship in Sasebo (Japan) … relieved there by sister ship BONHOMME RICHARD albeit with a crew swap (ESSEX crew still in Japan). ESSEX will participate in upcoming exercise “Rimpac” (29 Jun – 03 Aug off Hawaii, then start an extensive maintenance period at San Diego’s NASSCO. +++ The EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group successfully completed a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX), held since 24 Apr off the East Coast of the United States from Virginia to Florida, in preparation for their scheduled combat deployment later this year. 18 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Patrol boat GLENELG has picked up another boatload of (68) suspected asylum seekers north-west of Christmas Island 19 May USA – Source: NIPmail The Navy will commission the newest SAN ANTONIO class amphibious transport dock ship SAN DIEGO (LPD 22) during a ceremony in San Diego, Calif. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS TAIWAN (Circa July 2012) Two former US Navy OSPREY class mine hunters to be formally transferred to the ROC Navy in July (another source: “second half of the year”), after completing refit. (rmks: Names are as follows - 1310 YUNG JIN, ex-USS ORIOLE, 1311 YUNG AN, ex-USS FALCON)
May 21, 201214 yr Author Hope everyone had a great weekend. Did anyone catch the eclipse yesterday? Sadly, it was raining and cloudy in the Pacific Northwest, so we missed it. Here’s what happened over the weekend. Summary to follow … 17 May USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) The US Navy awarded Raytheon a contract for low-rate initial production of new Standard Missile SM-6. 18 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail A Chinese frigate reportedly photographed operating a small unmanned helicopter that appears to be the Schiebel Camcopter S-100. (rmks: Actually it was likely the X-200, which is a ChiCom knock-off of the Camcopter). INDIA Second of three Russian-built (Yantar shipyard, Kaliningrad) TALWAR-mod class frigate, TARKASH, ready to commence builder’s trials. ISRAEL (Gaza) New pro-Palestinian initiative “Gaza's Ark” plans building a boat in Gaza, using existing resources. A crew of internationals and Palestinians will sail it out of Gaza carrying Palestinian products for trading with international buyers. PHILIPPINES (CHINA) – Source: NIPmail After phone conversation with Philippine President Aquino, protesters abort their plan to sail to disputed Scarborough Shoals (South China Sea). PIRACY – Source: IMO update Somalia: Somali fisherman pleaded for international navies to halt air strikes on coastal villages after the EU Naval Force struck a pirate base for the first time … pirates cannot be easily identified, as they mingle with the fishermen, and some fishing boats were also destroyed in raid. (rmks: Hello, the fisherman ARE the pirates) RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail & RIA Novosti Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad floats out new large landing ship IVAN GREN, under construction since 2004 …to be completed in 2013 … three more ships of this class under consideration. (rmks: Wonder of wonders, they finally got that honking bow door on the IG and it floated-out) THAILAND – USA – Source: NIPmail CARAT-2012: Thailand armed forces and US Navy / Marine Corps / Coast Guard have begun the Thai phase of this year’s CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training), a series of bilateral exercises of US naval forces with Southeast Asian navies … focussing on humanitarian assistance and disaster response. USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Amphibious assault ship MAKIN ISLAND arrives in Sepangar, Malaysia, for a port visit (rmks: They are on their home transit to San Diego, after completing Middle East deployment) 19 May INDIA – Source: NIPmail Frigate SHIVALIK and corvette KARMUK arrive at Haiphong (Vietnam) for a scheduled visit until 23 May. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Arabian Sea: A suspected pirate mother ship (dhow) has been reported operating in the Arabian Sea, approx 150 nm South East of Masirah (Oman). (rmks: No pirates were harmed in reporting this item) 20 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Patrol boat GLENELG intercepts a boat carrying around 175 suspected asylum seekers northwest of Christmas Island. PAKISTAN – Source: NIPmail The Pakistan Navy has inaugurated new Naval Strategic Force Command as the “custodian of the country's nuclear second strike capability” … with VAdm Tanveer Faiz becoming its commander … no info on what naval weapon systems or delivery platforms comprise Pakistan's second strike capability. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Gulf of Oman: Pirates “with several speedboats” attack Philippine cargo ship ROSITA … Iranian warships foil attack, “forcing them to flee the scene”. (rmks: Ditto, my 19 May rmks on the subject) 21 May PIRACY – Source: IMO update Anti-Piracy Forces: Danish multi-purpose ship ABSALON returns home, ending a 6-month deployment in support of NATO’s operation “Ocean Shield”. (rmks: Did the pirates breathe a sigh of relief, I think not) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail The MoD is set to announce initial design contracts for new submarines (SSBN) to carry Trident missiles. 22 May PHILIPPINES (USA) – Source: NIPmail During a ceremony in South Carolina, the US Coast Guard will officially transfer decommissioned High Endurance Cutter DALLAS to the Philippines. RUSSIA – UKRAINE – Source: NIPmail Russian Black Sea Fleet and Ukrainian navy to start bilateral exercise “Fiarwater Mira 2012” … in Sevastopol … until 25 May … command post exercise with live elements … focus on humanitarian assistance and search & rescue.
May 22, 201214 yr Author Happy Tuesday! Its another day to excel. On that note, here is your NNSotD. Enjoy!! Summary to follow ... 17 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail During her cadet training cruise, training vessel ZHENGHE has reached the Gulf of Aden … conducts small exercise with frigate YANTAI currently employed in anti-piracy operations. (rmks: Probably looking for future customers for its wares, among the pirates). 21 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ Taiwan’s intelligence chief says that China plans to build two indigenous conventionally-powered aircraft carriers … construction slated to start in 2013 and 2015, respectively, with delivery dates of 2020 and 2022. (rmks: This would contradict persistent rumors that construction already began in 2011 at a new shipyard near Shanghai and of course, like the last CNO said, “We have nothing to worry about China developing an aircraft carrier capability (Navy League Sea-Air-Space, 2011)). +++ Obviously at least two (possbily a third) new 1,500-ts TYPE 056 corvettes under construction … one each at Hudong (Shanghai) and Huangpu (Guangzhou) … launch at Hudong reportedly imminent, with commissioning this year. (rmks: More adds for the DB) INDIA (RUSSIA) – Source: NIPmail Conflicting reports on start of first sea trials of aircraft carrier future VIKRAMADITYA (ex-ADMIRAL GORSHKOV). While some sources claim Russian president Putin to attend first sailing on 25 May, others allege trials postponed by at least one week. (rmks: Me thinks it will be longer, knowing the wonderful quality of Russian naval design engineering) IRAN – Source: NIPmail Iran plans to build an oil terminal at Bandar Jask, outside the Strait of Hormuz, to ensure exports in the event of “Gulf shipping problems” … would be connected to the Caspian Sea port of Neka using a 1 million barrel a day pipeline IRELAND – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) The keel laying ceremony of the first of two PV90 class ocean patrol vessel took place at Babcock Marine’s shipyard in north Devon (previously owned by Appledore) … variant of the ROISIN class. OMAN – Source: NIPmail Oman has ordered eight C295 aircraft, including three for maritime patrol operations, from Airbus Military … first delivery due in 2013. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Anti-Piracy Forces: German frigate BREMEN has joined EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: And the pirates quake in fear … not! No pirates were injured in reporting this news item) QATAR – Source: NIPmail The Emirate’s coast guard (QGC) is seeking to procure 19 multi-role fast patrol craft in three size categories. TURKEY – Source: NIPmail British BAe Systems offer of new TYPE 26 frigate for the Turkish navy TF-2000 project rejected, leaving US Lockheed-Martin as only foreign bidder. (rmks: If BAE or LM is involved it will likely only be for the hull and engineering plant. Turkey will then complete the fitting-out with domestic electronics and weapons. Foot note - while TF-2000 project has returned to the agenda, formal acquisition process has not started yet) 22 May UNITED KINGDOM For the very first time in Royal Navy history, a woman (Cdr Sarah West) takes over command of a major British warship … frigate PORTLAND, currently in Rosyth. (rmks: Nelson is probably rolling over in his grave).
May 23, 201214 yr Author Good Wednesday morning! Ah, its another wonderful work-from-home day for this Naval Analyst (hope that didn't sound like glouting). Here is your NNSotD. Summary to follow ... 21 May LEBANON (UNIFIL) – Source: NIPmail Brazilian frigate LIBERAL has replaced sister ship UNIAO as flag ship of the UNIFIL Maritime task Force. RUSSIA (SYRIA) – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Black Sea Fleet destroyer SMETLIVIY will remain stationed off Syria … to counter “an enhanced presence of NATO warships” (rmks: Read that obvious ship-counting off the coast of an ally by UNIFIL off Lebanon's coast) … additionally Russian Sigint-vessel Kildin (rmks: They are still RUSSIA and what would they be without AGI's slinking around task groups), tanker Iman and repair ship Amur PM-138 deployed off Syria and in port Tartus. 22 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail +++ Training ship ZHENGHE arrives at Djibouti for a two-day-long in-port rest and replenishment. (rmks: Just another liberty stop on their magical mystery tour) +++ Hudong shipyard (Shanghai) has launched the first new Project 056 corvette. (rmks: I sense another DB update coming) INDIA – Source: NIPmail Russian Yantar shipyard confident to be contracted for building another three TALWAR-mod class frigates for the Indian navy … prepared to start construction as early as this year. (rmks: Since the Indians can't do the work themselves, is what was edited out of the story) IRAN – Source: NIPmail The number of Iranian crude vessels passing through the Suez Canal has dropped by 5-6 percent this year … although Egypt has not joined EU/US sanctions and will continue to allow Iranian vessels to use the Canal even after July. (rmks: What was that saying about birds of a feather ...) PHILIPPINES – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) During a ceremony at Charleston (South Carolina, USA) the Philippine navy takes over decommissioned USCG cutter DALLAS … reportedly will be renamed RAMON ALCARAZ … stripped of most weapon systems ahead of transfer. PIRACY (should be renamed the comics section) – Source: IMO update United Arab Emirates: Ten Somalis who hijacked the UAE ship ARRILAH in April last year and were apprehended in a rescue operation, have been sentenced to life in prison by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of First Instance. (rmks: That's gotta suck. I've seen UAE prisons from the outside and they didn't look all that appealing. Wonder what the Emirates time off for good behavior policy is?) RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail The Russian navy has ordered a first lot of modernized antisubmarine helicopters Ka-27M … no details on numbers or delivery dates. USA – Source: NIPmail Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship MERCY arrives at Guam for a last scheduled stop before starting her mission. 23 May USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) The CARL VINSON Carrier Strike Group returns to San Diego, ending its regular 6-month deployment. (rmks: Welcome home GOLD EAGLE)
May 24, 201214 yr Author Greetings everyone. Hope everyone on the board is have a great Thursday. Lots of interesting stuff happening. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 22 May CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIP mail China has deployed more ships to Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea … five Chinese government ships - up from three - and 16 fishing boats now in the area. (rmks: Things are heating-up) 23 May CHINA – Source: NIP mail Aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG departs Dalian to begin 7th phase of sea trials. (rmks: Brad’s analysis yesterday is a very good way to look at this. Check it out … http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?s...t=0#entry36516) CHINA – PHILIPPINES – Source: NIP mail Reportedly (Philippine media) now “79 Chinese fishing boats” at or near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. PIRACY – Source: IMO update Gulf of Oman: Pirates in “several skiffs” reportedly attacked US-flagged cargo ship MAERSK TEXAS … northeast of Fujairah (Oman), just having passed the Strait of Hormuz … onboard security team “returned fire” … Iranian navy and Australian frigate MELBOURNE respond to distress call … pirates fled the scene. (rmks: Spray a little Raid and the cockroaches scatter. Lest I forget, no pirates were harmed in reporting this story. (Drat)) INDIA (RUSSIA) – Source: NIP mail Russian Sevmash has postponed first sea trials (scheduled on 25 May) of future Indian aircraft carrier VIKRAMADITYA (ex-ADMIRAL GORSHKOV) to “early June” … allegedly due to “poor weather”. (rmks: sounds like a good excuse. A long time ago, I learned the definition of an excuse … a lie with a reason) RUSSIA – UKRAINE – Source: NIP mail Russian Black Sea Fleet and Ukrainian navy start bilateral exercise “Fairwater Mira 2012” … in Sevastopol … until 25 May … command post exercise with live elements (11 ships/boats and a number of aircraft participating) … focus on humanitarian assistance and search & rescue. 24 May USA – Source: NIP mail Fire on board LOS ANGELES class submarine MIAMI …while at Portsmouth (Maine) Naval Shipyard for maintenance and upgrade … four people injured (none hospitalized) … reactor not operating and not affected … no weapons on board. (rmks: This has gotta suck)
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