August 24, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum , with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Enjoy! Tis another Friday. AS the summer wanes, I hope everyone enjoys the sunshine in your neck of the woods. The PacNorWset is returning to SOP weather a little too soon Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 22 August USA The chief of naval operations has established the “LCS Council” … made up of four vice admirals … to oversee continued fleet testing and introduction of littoral combat ship (LCS) sea frames, mission modules, and mission packages. (rmks: … What was that post about the LCS Star Chamber? Personally, I don't think the problems will be fixed, the pig is just going to have a new coat of make-up applied) 23 August BLACKSEAFOR Last at-sea phase for BlackSeaForce completed off Novorossiysk (Russia) with exercise “Doverye 2012” … included units of Russian Black Sea Fleet (RFS KASIMOV, VIZE ADMIRAL ZAKHARIN, GS-402) … practiced search and rescue, interception and detention of a ship with terrorists on board. CHINA +++ Training ship ZHENGHE arrives at Cairns (Australia) for a three-day-long in-port rest and replenishment. (rmks: What's with all the ChiCom round-the-worlds? How many of you think they are succeeding at making a statement about their capabilities??) +++ Upon completion of visits to Iceland, ice breaker XUELONG has commenced home transit, attempting a “shortcut” via the North Pole, exploring a “future Central Arctic Shipping Route” … first non-Russian ice breaker to sail this route. IRAN (related) US SecDef Panetta: “The current two-carrier presence in the Gulf region is not set to end at any particular time … clearly, two carriers ... [are] important to us in order to have the ability to confront any contingency." (rmks: Beltway-speak for there are still plans for dealing with Iran) NETHERLANDS The fourth and final HOLLAND class patrol ship, HNLMS GRONINGEN, arrives at the Den Helder naval base. RUSSIA +++ Zvezdochka has completed a maintenance period for aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV and returned the ship to the Northern Fleet “combat ready.” +++ Baltic Fleet frigates RFS NEUSTRASHIMIY and YAROSLAV MUDRIY, together with Black Sea Fleet tanker RFS IVAN BUBNOV, have begun “naval presence operations” in the Mediterranean. (rmks: Although a shadow of it's former self, the Russkie bear hasn't gone away) 24 August RUSSIA Northern Fleet destroyer RFS VIZE ADMIRAL KULAKOV to arrive at Portsmouth (UK) for a scheduled 4-day visit. (rmks: Return transit from anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa and exercises in the Mediterranean. Who wants to party with the Bear in Portsmouth?) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS EGYPT – GREECE (26 Aug) Egyptian and Greek navies to conduct combined exercise “Alexandria 2012” … 26 Aug – 01 Sep in EastMed and off Alexandria (Egypt) … 26/27 Aug in-port phase Alexandria, 28-31 Aug at sea “dealing with asymmetric threats and to conduct naval operations in multi-threat environment” , 01 Sep PXD … Egypt to participate with frigates TOUSHKA and RASHEED and fast missile boats HETTEIN and BADR … Greek navy to deploy frigate HN PSARA and submarine HN PROTEUS. (rmks: It should be labeled an Egyptian Navy exercise, with Greek participation. With the Greek economy in the bilges, they ain't likely going to do much – the don't have the money for it) TURKEY (29 Aug) Anadolu Shipyard is set to deliver C-158, the final of eight new landing ships (LCT), on 29 Aug, completing the program on time. (rmks: Somebody needs to speak with the Turks. There's a lot the bigwigs form western yards could learn about keeping a project on time and within budget. I think I know what it is ... there ain't very many unions in Turkey)
August 27, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Enjoy! Welcome to another week! The facelift was a surprise to behold this morning. Here's some navy news to start your week ... Enjoy! Summary to follow: 16 August CHINA JIANGHU-I class frigate WUXI (512) officially decommissioned. (rmks: Another likely candidate for resale on the international secondary market – possibly in the A-P region) 22 August PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: US Navy frigate USS TAYLOR ends support to NATO operation “Ocean Shield” and resumes home transit … as part of the multinational maritime force had been deployed with the NATO task force since 07 May. (rmks: No pirates were injured in reporting this bit of news – blast it all!) 23 August BRAZIL The Brazilian navy formally incorporates the first two of six US-made Seahawk helicopters into the 1st ASW Helicopter Squadron … receive another two later this year and will induct a final two in 2014. (rmks: Looks like some more updates to the DB are in order) 24 August BlackSeaForce Activation of BlackSeaForce ends during ceremony in Novorossiysk (Russia) … ships to return to home ports. INDIA Second TALWAR Batch-2 class frigate, INS TARKASH, built by Russian Yantar shipyard, is set to complete state trials … with live air defense missile firing in the Eastern Baltic … acceptance trials in early September ahead of delivery scheduled for November. Third ship, INS TRIKAND, to start pier-side tests in October. RUSSIA +++ (Japan) Pacific Fleet landing ship RFS ADMIRAL NEVELSKOY and salvage tug RFS KALAR sail for “March of Memory” to three of four Kurile islands … disputed with Japan … from 25 Aug – 17 Sep … take part in ceremonies honoring Soviet sailors who died there at the end of WW II. (rmks: Nothing like poking your finger in the eye of your neighbor. Probably learned it in the international relations course at the Academy in St. Petersburg) +++ According to a Russian paper, the Russian navy “for the time being has suspended use” of its Tartus (Syria) logistic base, but thus far there are no plans for an evacuation. (rmks: Things must REALLY be bad in Syria) USA Africa Partnership Station (West) 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT completes a weeklong visit to Lagos (Nigeria), in support of APS (West) 2012. 25 August CHINA (USA) (Paramilitary) maritime patrol vessel HAIXUN 31 sails from Shanghai for its first visit to the US … expected to arrive in Hawaii on 04 Sep for five days to work with the USCG on a series of maritime cooperation exercises. (rmks: Can anybody in the government tell me WHY we are allowing this to happen) 26 August NIGERIA Nigeria's navy had freed 28 local oil workers who were being held hostage by a “criminal gang” (rmks: May well have been MEND rebels) in the oil-producing Niger Delta region. SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) Sri Lanka's navy has arrested 98 boat people in two fishing vessels bound for Australia, taking the total arrested or rescued to 478 in August alone. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (29 Aug) Zelenodolsk (Gorkiy) shipyard on 29 Aug will start construction of fourth (of five) Project 21631 missile boat (larger 75-m variant of BUYAN class corvette) … tentatively named RFS ZELENIY DOL (rmks: Keel-laying ceremony on 80th anniversary of city of Zelenodolsk).
August 29, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Enjoy! Kind of a quite Navy news day. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 27 August CHINA Series production of new Project 056 corvettes is in full swing … overall 6th set for launch at Huangpu shipyard (2nd there) … Hudong (Shanghai) launched its 2nd on 19 Aug … another one each at Wuchang shyd (launch 03 Aug) and a yard in Dalian (launched also August). (rmks: The ChicComs obviously are not suffering ANY economic woes) 28 August COLOMBIA At the Kiel naval yard, the Colombian navy takes over and commissions two former German Navy Type 206A submarines … U23 and U 24 … re-named INTREPIDO and INDOMABLE. Another two same type ex-German submarines to provide spare parts. (rmks: Looks like there is more work that needs to be done on the HUCE DB – a never-ending story) INDIA RAdm G. Ashok Kumar has taken over as the Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command (Kochi) … before, Flag Officer, Sea Training, Kochi. PHILIPPINES “Final” negotiations with Italy on take-over of two Italian navy MAESTRALE class frigates (set to be decommissioned) …MoD requested allocation of US$ 60 million. (rmks: Depending on what they can work out, these older FFs will give the RPN a little more "teeth," in dealing with the maritime claims issue with China. Not much but hey, bad breath is better than no breath at all!) PIRACY West Africa: Pirates went aboard a Greek tanker anchored 17 nm off Lome (Togo) … temporarily taking the 24 crew hostage … flee the scene after short gunfight with approaching navy patrol boat. (rmks: Cockroaches always scurry away, when an exterminator is coming. No pirates were injured in reporting this news piece – DRAT!) UNITED KINGDOM Dock landing ship HMS BULWARK off Portland, to serve as security hub for Paralympic games. USA (multinational) 10th annual Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise commenced at Changi naval base (Singapore) … Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, USA … until 02 Sep evolving from Malacca Strait via Sulu Sea to Subic Bay (Philippines) … three-day command post exercise and a four-day field training exercise at sea … focus on tracking contacts of interest in a maritime interdiction scenario with USNS SAFEGUARD serving as a simulated vessel of interest to be tracked by liaison officers on land, at sea, and in the air.
August 29, 201213 yr PHILIPPINES “Final” negotiations with Italy on take-over of two Italian navy MAESTRALE class frigates (set to be decommissioned) …MoD requested allocation of US$ 60 million. (rmks: Depending on what they can work out, these older FFs will give the RPN a little more "teeth," in dealing with the maritime claims issue with China. Not much but hey, bad breath is better than no breath at all!) If they're coming with the Otomats intact (and not time expired), then it will be a lot more teeth than they are used to having.
August 30, 201213 yr Author <p>Updates are graciously provided by Marine"Marine/aa%20href="http://www.marineforum.info/html/daily_news.html"]Naval Today and the
August 31, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Here's some interesting naval news morsels, to start your weekend. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 29 August USA MCM command platform USS PONCE and at least four mine hunters (namely USS PIONEER, DEVASTATOR, SENTRY and DEXTEROUS) at sea in the Persian Gulf, conducting exercises 30 August CHINA +++ Aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG has returned to port Dalian after just three days at sea. (rmks: Still no flight ops. Obviously the plane imaged on the flight deck is for crew training purposes) +++ CHINA (JAPAN) China MoD spokesman: “China's armed forces are capable of safeguarding maritime rights and interests” … referring to the disputed with Japan Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. (rmks: Translation – We will continue to poke our finger in Japan's eye) PIRACY West Africa: Hijacked Greek tanker M/V ENERGY CENTURION released some 60 nm east of Lagos (Nigeria) … all crew unharmed … pirates siphoned off about 3,000-tons of the total 57,000-ton cargo of gas oil. (rmks: Blasted cockroaches! As usual, no pirates were harmed reporting this story – BLAST IT ALL!) RUSSIA +++ Baltic Fleet and Western Military district land/air forces conduct major amphibious / coastal defense exercise at the Khmelevka range near Baltiysk … combined amphibious landing / airborne assault … about 20 boats/ships and 650 coastal defense force soldiers involved. +++ Transfer of final elements of the Main Naval Staff from Moscow to St. Petersburg deferred until the end of the year due to “lack of infrastructure”. Only very recently Adm Chirkov had announced the move to be completed by end of August. (rmks: The Russkie version of the never-ending story) +++ Northern Fleet destroyer RFS VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV arrives at Cork (Ireland) for a scheduled port visit until 02 Sep. (rmks: On return transit from anti-piracy operations off Somalia and exercises in the Mediterranean) SOUTH KOREA Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has handed over the third KDX-III Aegis destroyer, ROKS RYU SEONG-RYONG, to the ROK Navy. (rmks: Another add for the HUCE DB) USA +++ First Joint High Speed Vessel, JHSV-1 SPEARHEAD, successfully completed acceptance trials … second JHSV due to be christened on 15 Sep at Austal’s facility in Mobile, Alabama. +++ The commanding officer of destroyer USS PORTER, which on 12 Aug at the inner exit of the Strait of Hormuz had collided with a Japanese VLCC tanker, has been removed from his job. (rmks: Like it WASN'T going to happen!) +++ For the first time, the US Navy has deployed M18 Mod 2 Kingfish unmanned underwater vehicles to the 5th Fleet … use side scan sonar to search and discover objects of interest. (rmks: Another contingency for possible Iran conflict. Kingfish is a cool toy and is designed to operate in the littorals – like the Persian Gulf) 31 August UNITED KINGDOM Mine hunters HMS MIDDLETON and PEMBROKE return home after spending three years in the Persian Gulf (based at and operating out of Bahrain). 01 September USA Ships of the USS JOHN C STENNIS Carrier Strike Group, among them cruiser USS MOBILE BAY, to depart San Diego to join the carrier (rmks: Go forth and do well, Johnny Reb!) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS CHINA (Sep) Newly built JIANGKAI-II class frigates LIUZHOU (573) and LINYI (574) reportedly to be commissioned in September. (rmks: More DB adds)
September 4, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. With the conclusion of the long, Labor Day weekend summer is unofficially over. Lots of stuff going in the global naval industry. Enjoy the updates! Summary to follow: 16 August CHINA A JIN class ballistic missile submarine successfully test-fired a JL-2 strategic missile, possibly from a danger area established on 16/17 Aug in the Bay of Bohai. 29 August INDIA Indian coast guard commissions patrol boat ICGS RAJKIRAN … third of eight 50m (300-tons) inshore patrol vessel built by Garden Reach (GRSE) 31 August DENMARK – GERMANY (multinational) Danish-German multinational invitational “Northern Coasts / Danex 2012” kicks off … until 12 Sep in Baltic Approaches (Skaw, Kattegatt) and Baltic (Bornholm area) … from 31 Aug in-port phase Frederikshavn (Denmark), from 03 Sep serialized exercises at sea, from 09 Sep scenario phase at sea … 12 Sep hot wash-up … about 50 warships from 15 countries to participate … incl. NATO’s SNMCMG-1, multinational (Baltic States navies’) Baltron squadron, and a Russian Baltic Fleet STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette. (rmks: Russkie participation depends on if the 'Stereg' was not heavily damaged in a fire over the weekend) EGYPT New navy chief, Admiral (?) Osama Ahmed el-Gendy, announces an agreement signed with Germany for procurement of two new German-built Type-209 attack submarines. EGYPT Egypt reportedly declared a “state of emergency” along the Suez Canal after receiving information about an imminent militant attack. (rmks: This is unconfirmed, but could pose a threat to the fragile global economic situation) INDIA Commander Western Naval Command (Mumbai), Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi (an ASW specialist), has taken over as the new Indian navy chief … succeeds Admiral Nirmal Verma, who retired after 43 years of service. VAdm Shekhar Sinha (a former fighter pilot) takes over as new chief of the Western Naval Command. INDONESIA (AUSTRALIA) Update: Search & rescue operations for an asylum seekers’ boat, shipwrecked shortly after sailing for Australia’s Christmas Island, concluded off Java … 55 people pulled from the sea, nearly 100 unaccounted for. RUSSIA +++ Russian defense industry has been tasked with “developing a sea-based missile defense system similar to the US Aegis system”. (rmks: This would be VERY interesting. Will they develop their own system or will they fall back onto the 'old ways' of relying on espionage methods) +++ While some final Main Naval Staff elements may come at a later time, navy commander Adm Chirkov has moved his working place from Moscow to St. Petersburg. +++ Final decision on refurbishment / modernization of laid-up KIROV class missile cruiser RFS ADMIRAL NAKHIMOV to be made “in September” … about Euro 125 million already assigned for the project. (rmks: That's quite a chunk of change to just write-off. Likely, it will be in upkeep for an eternity (i.e, the foreseeable future)) UNITED KINGDOM The sixth and final Type 45 destroyer, HMS DUNCAN, sails from BAe System Scotstoun facility for her first stage of sea trials. (rmks: Go forth and do well) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (The Keystone Kops): Spanish navy frigate SPS REINA SOFIA returns to home port, ending her deployment in support of EU operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: The pirates breath a sigh of relief (not) at her departure) 01 September PIRACY (i.e., the comics) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces (read that – The Keystone Kops): New Spanish navy METEORO class patrol ship SPS RELAMPAGO joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: I'm sure the cockroaches are going to quake in fear over another OPV joining the force) +++ Somalia (Cockroach Central): Somali pirates reportedly killed a Syrian crew member of UAE-owned Panama-flagged cargo vessel ORNA hijacked off Seychelles in 2010 … because of delayed ransom payment … threatening more killings to follow. (rmks: No pirates were harmed reporting this story – BLAST IT ALL!) USA – ISRAEL Due to “budget restrictions” the US reportedly will scale down participation in bilateral missile defense exercise “Austere Challenge 12”, scheduled in Israel for October … deploy just one instead of two BMD-capable Aegis ships and cut troops from 5,000 planned to mere 1,500. Some US and Israeli media speculate Obama and Netanyahu at odds over Israel's threats to launch a pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. (rmks: Say it ain't so) 02 September AUSTRALIA +++ Patrol boat HMAS WOLLONGONG intercepts a boat carrying 48 suspected asylum seekers northwest of Ashmore Islands. +++ (multinational) Fifteen ships from seven Pacific nations (Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand) sail from Darwin for sea phase of Exercise “Kakadu 12” … until 14 Sep … in-port phase already started 29 Aug … RAN’s principle multilateral exercise in Australia for 2012. RAN participating with frigates HMAS DARWIN, PERTH, WARRAMUNGA, mine hunters GASCOYNE, HUON, tanker SIRIUS. RAAF maritime patrol aircraft and strike fighter aircraft also take part. CHINA Hull number 16 painted on aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG … leads to more speculations because use as training ship would have suggested an 8x number. (rmks: Likely an AIR training ship – it still a freaking AIRCRAFT CARRIER! For pity sake. When is the media going to stop molly-coddling the ChiComs?!) IRAN (related) Iranian official (Read that A Mullah): Oil exports are at their normal levels and unaffected by Western embargoes. New IAEA report: repeated efforts by the IAEA have not led to any meaningful progress in resolving the nuclear weapons issues. (rmks: A fat lot of good the sanctions are doing. The Mullahs are fat, happy and continuing to develop missile programs and nukes. Why else develop a missile program?) RUSSIA Developing story: Fire in the engine room of corvette RFS SOOBRAZITELNIY … extinguished after one hour … initial reports suggest some injuries on board … reported drifting without propulsion in the Western Baltic due to water damage to electric installations. STEREGUSHCHIY class ship was en route Frederikshavn (Denmark) for joining multi-national exercise “Danex/Northern Coasts 2012” … exercise participation cancelled. (rmks: Thought so) TUNISIA A Tunisian naval vessel fired upon Egyptian fishermen (ten boats) illegally fishing within Tunisian waters, killing two and wounding two others … had failed to comply with orders to stop, instead engaged in “dangerous maneuvers”. (rmks: So much for the vaunted Muslim brotherly love) USA Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship USNS MERCY arrives in Pearl Harbor, nearing the end of her five-month deployment. 03 September CHINA Third YUZHAO class dock landing ship, CHANGBAISHAN, starts sea trials. RUSSIA +++ Update: No crew members injured in fire on corvette RFS SOOBRAZITELINIY. Fire started when ship at anchor at Frederikshavn (Denmark) roadstead. Current location unclear; some media report ship has been towed into port (naval base) Frederikshavn for make-shift repairs (rmks: Russian navy officials as usual keep silent or deliver contradictory information – depending on the day of the week and level of sobriety). +++ Official “flag raising ceremony” for new patrol boat RFS GRACHONOK … at Novorossiysk. 04 September BRAZIL New Brazilian navy OPV AMAZONAS expected at Lagos (Nigeria) for visit and small exercises (Passex) with Nigerian navy … until 07 Sep … before, had stopped at Cotonou (Benin) (rmks: on maiden voyage from UK to Brazil) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS IRAN (Oct) Nation-wide air defense exercise scheduled “in second half of October” … to include both regular forces and IRGC. (rmks: Hmmmm, right before the US elections)
September 5, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Where has the week gone? It's Wednesday already. Some interesting things taking place. Enjoy the updates! Summary to follow: 30 August VIETNAM The Vietnam Marine Police (VMP) has taken delivery of the first of three Airbus Military C-212-400 light transport aircraft to be modified with a maritime patrol mission kit. (rmks: Likely they will be fitted with the capability to mount light ASuW weapons), to operate in support of the VPN. 31 August CHINA First new Type 052D (LUJANG-III class) destroyer launched from Jiangnan Changxing shipyard. (rmks: They just keep cranking out the ships) 04 September CHINA For the record: names (numbers) of new Type 052C LUJANG-II class destroyers given as CHANGCHUN (150), ZHENGZHOU (151), JINAN (152) and TAIYUAN (153). (rmks: More updates for the DB's, me thinks) IRAN (related) +++ Turkish imports of Iranian crude oil “jumped” in August after hitting a low over recent months … meanwhile even surpassing 2011 import average of 180,000 barrels per day. (rmks: So much for the sanctions – they were a joke anyway) +++ Iran will provide insurance cover for any oil tanker carrying Iranian crude oil or loading oil in an Iranian port. (rmks: Now that's something completely different) KAZAKHSTAN (Bet you didn't know they even had a navy) Kazakhstan's navy recently has commissioned its first locally built patrol vessel … “artillery vessel” KAZAKHSTAN carries a 12-tube, 122 mm multiple rocket launcher system. NEW ZEALAND The Royal New Zealand Air Force has begun regular training sorties with its first upgraded P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft … second and third upgraded Orion to arrive in late September. PIRACY +++ General: Nine alleged Somali pirates go on trial in Rotterdam (Netherlands) … charged with opening fire on Dutch marines (frigate HNLMS TROMP), boarding a hijacked Iranian fishing boat in the Gulf of Aden on April 2, 2011. (rmks: With time served, they'll probably kicked out on the street right after the trial. They will then apply the Netherlands welfare and go on the public dole) +++ West Africa: Pirates hijack a Singapore-owned oil tanker (23 crew) “in” the Nigerian port of Lagos … sailing the ship into the open sea. (rmks: Unloading some of the oil and setting it adrift, to become an environmental hazard when it grounds. Don't you just love these guys) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces (The Keystone Kops): Singapore navy frigate RSS INTREPID sails from Changi naval base for a three-month deployment off Somalia. (rmks: Probably join multi-national CTF-151) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces (aka They Keystone Kops): Ukraine this year will support EU operation “Atalanta” with one aircraft … next year deploy frigate HETMAN SAGAYDACHNIY to support NATO operation “Ocean Shield”. (rmks: And the cockroaches (excuse me – the pirate scum of the SSA coastal regions, quake in fear – NOT! No pirates were harmed reporting these stories – BLAST IT ALL) RUSSIA +++ Baltic Fleet corvette RFS SOOBRAZITELNIY has commenced home transit towards Baltiysk … sailing under own power after make-shift repairs. (rmks: Thought so, fleetex paricipation was canx'd) +++ Returning from overhaul in the Baltic to the Black Sea fleet, submarine RFS ALROSA arrives at Ceuta (Spain) … accompanied by salvage tug SLIVA SB-921 … after short port visit continue transit with Black Sea fleet salvage tug SHAKHTER, while SB-921 will return to the Baltic. +++ (SYRIA-related) Russian media alleges Russian navy landing ships, recently deployed to the Mediterranean, indeed had been poised for an evacuation of the Russian Tartus naval base … operation called off on short notice because it might have been misread as “no-confidence in the Assad government”. +++ Aircraft carrier RFS ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV sails for the Barents Sea … conduct a series of training incl. aircraft operations … prepare for upcoming fleet-level “integrated combat exercise”. SOMALIA Kenyan navy shells port of Kismayo … Kenyan armed forces reportedly preparing ground operation to capture the city from the al-Shabab militia. (rmks: Once again, you've got to love the 'religion of peace') SWEDEN Armed Forces Materiel Command delivers corvette HMS VISBY to the fleet … final of five corvettes completed a comprehensive upgrade. (rmks: Another DB update) TURKMENISTAN The Turkmenistan navy will conduct its first (major) exercise “Khazar 2012” in early September. (rmks: This ought to be truly stupendous) USA 7th Fleet flagship USS BLUE RIDGE returns to Yokosuka (Japan) after concluding its participation in annual exercise “Ulchi Freedom Guardian” with the South Korean armed forces.
September 6, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Lots of Cockroach (excuse me) pirate news today. Enjoy the updates! Summary to follow: 02 September PIRACY General: Six suspected pirates (read that cockroaches), captured on 13 Aug during the successful disruption of a hijacked dhow and detained since on board Netherlands navy dock landing ship HNLMS ROTTERDAM (NATO), are handed over to the Seychelles for prosecution. (rmks: Now that they've been wined and dined aboard the Netherlands Navy ship, they've be molly-coddled by the Keystones Kops. Likely, they'll be sentenced to time served and allowed to go back to their cockroach ways. No pirates were harmed (obviously) during the reporting of this story – DRAT!) 05 September AUSTRALIA With a "re-base-lined construction schedule", HOBART class destroyers face further delays … new delivery dates (18-month intervals): HMAS HOBART Mar 2016, BRISBANE Sep 2017, SYDNEY Mar 2019. (rmks: Economic gloom, dispare and agony continues) CHINA For the record: One new Type 056 corvette has painted number 584 to its hull … paint-scheme, however, not consistent with regular appearance, suggesting it’s only temporary (or intended to confuse foreign observers). (rmks: Either that or its was built for foreign sale) IRAN (related) St. Petersburg-based Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), among the top 13 global ship classification societies, had decided to suspend verifying safety and environmental standards for one of Iran's biggest shipping groups (rmks: The Russians are putting on make-up to appear to be in cooperation with sanctions, in case the ballon does go up on Iran) PHILIPPINES (USA) Local media report on plans to establish a “US Marine Corps forward headquarters” on Palawan Island (Philippines), at the South China Sea. Phil. Defence Minister denies. (rmks: This has the makings of a good scenario in the WestPac Battleset) PIRACY West Africa: (Update) Nigerian navy takes control of tanker ABU DHABI STAR, hijacked off Lagos (Nigeria) on 04 Sep … pirates fled when navy vessel approached … all 23 Indian crew unharmed. (rmks: Blasted cockroaches ... they scatter at the first sign of an exterminator. I just wish the exterminators would DO something. Once again, no pirates were harmed in reporting this story – OBVIOUSLY) RUSSIA +++ Northern Fleet conducts search & rescue exercise in the Barents Sea … salvage tugs RFS ALTAI and NIKOLAI CHIKER assist “large ship on fire”, the role of which assigned to missile cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY. +++ First YASEN class submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK to hold a final round of sea trials in November ... official delivery to the navy (State Commission) scheduled for December. +++ Caspian Sea Flotilla preparing task group comprised of frigate RFS TATARTSTAN and salvage tug MB-58 for Caspian Sea cruise … first half of October … conduct exercises with port visits planned to Aktau (Kazakhstan) and Baku (Azerbeidjan). +++ Update: Corvette RFS SOOBRAZITELNIY probably made it safely back to Baltiysk naval base … no statements at all from Russian navy. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS USA (06 Oct) Destroyer USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG-112) to be commissioned during a ceremony in New York City on 06 Oct … afterwards sail for the Pacific Ocean, where its home will be Pearl Harbor (Hawaii).
September 7, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Once again, it's Friday. Rejoice my brothers (and sisters), the weekend is upon us. Enjoy the news bits! Summary to follow: 05 September FRANCE GOWIND offshore patrol vessel FS L’ADROIT has arrived at Cape Town (South Africa) for a visit until 09 Sep … long-range deployment off Africa, providing an opportunity for DCNS to promote GOWIND’s range, operational value and technologies. (rmks: Fat lot of good it's going to do against the cockroaches. They are impressed by sheer force and the flipping thing doesn't even have a gun. In pirate thought – it's either an easy target or it's no threat. Plain and simple) PAKISTAN The Pakistan navy inducted another P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft in its aviation fleet, received from USA under Security Assistance Program. 06 September AUSTRALIA Three more boats with a total of 209 asylum seekers have arrived off Christmas Island / the West Australian coast. CHINA China plans to send as many as eight satellites into space before 2020 to provide ocean data … four observing the colour of the sea, two observing ocean currents and two maritime radar. IVORY COAST Six people including a military officer are believed to have drowned after a navy boat with 15 people on board capsized near a naval base in Abidjan. RUSSIA +++ Reportedly deliberations whether SERNA and DUGONG class landing craft should be procured to be carried on board MISTRAL class helicopter carriers. Russian LCAC (MURENA) obviously too large. (rmks: Oops! Guess they didn't think that one trhough) +++ KILO class submarine RFS ALROSA sails from CEUTA (Spain) for Sevastopol … arrive there on 20 Sep … accompanied by Black Sea Fleet salvage tug SHAKHTER. TURKEY At least 61 illegal migrants (Iraqis, Palestinians, Syrians) died, 46 rescued, after their overcrowded 15-m boat sank at the Turkish coast near Izmir … shortly after sailing across the Aegean Sea for Greece to make it to the European Union. (rmks: Once again it's interesting how people are fleeing from these bastions of Muslim brotherly love)
September 10, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Hope everyone had a good weekend. Some interesting tidbits to report. Enjoy the updates! Summary to follow: 04 September SOUTH KOREA Daewoo has launched first naval rescue and salvage ship, ROKS TONGYEONG (3,500-tons) … delivery to the ROK Navy scheduled in 2013. 05 September JAPAN Training ship JDS KASHIMA arrives at Karachi (Pakistan) for an official five-day visit … upon leaving (09 Sep) short Passex with Pakistan navy units. (rmks: I bet that's a GREAT liberty port (not)) 06 September AUSTRALIA Official keel laying ceremony for first AWD destroyer, future HMAS HOBART, at Techport Australia (Adelaide) … hull to be completed within 15 months. (rmks: Good to see they are finally lighting the candle on the project) 07 September ITALY Italian and NATO rescue crews searched the waters off a small island near Lampedusa for survivors of a shipwrecked migrant boat … 56 people (all Tunisians) and one body recovered, but dozens more missing. PIRACY Somalia: Suspected pirates from a small boat opened fire on an Italian navy helicopter on patrol off the east coast of Somalia, hitting a window and slightly injuring a pilot … did not return fire to avoid endangering any possible hostages … returned safely to Italian dock landing ship ITS SAN GIUSTO (EU NavFor). (rmks: If they opened fire on a naval helicopter, I would imagine that removes any suspicions from the equation. Once again the score stands at Cockroches: 1, the Keystone Kops Extermination Service: 0. Oh and before I forget ... No pirates were harmed reporting this piece. BLAST IT ALL!!!) SWEDEN Mine hunters HMS VINGA and ULVOEN arrive at Baltiysk (Russia) for port visit and short exercise with Russian Baltic Fleet SONYA class mine hunter BT-212 … also plan future exchanges and exercises. SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) The Sri Lanka navy intercepts a trawler which had just sailed with 58 persons illegally bound for Australia. 08 September IRAN (related) +++ Sierra Leone has removed nine Iranian ships from its shipping register. +++ Targeted virus attacks were behind the recent crippling of computer systems at Saudi Aramco and Qatari natural gas producer RasGas … computer disruptions do not appear to have affected oil and gas production, but scope of the attacks appears "extensive”. Iran suspected, but no clear evidence. (rmks: It appears the Mullahs learned something from StuxNet and the worm is turning) RUSSIA The defense ministry has ordered eight Berijev Be-200 amphibious aircraft … to be delivered between 2014 and 2016 (rmks: No info yet who will get them) … also defined requirement for new ASW-capable maritime patrol aircraft, with tender to be placed this year (replacement for Il-38 May, which is antiquated and are about to be phased-out). UKRAINE Within current military reform, Ukraine armed forces will be reduced from currently 193,000 to mere 100,000 men and abolish military draft … to be completed by 2017. (rmks: No details yet on how this will affect the navy. If they can increase the image of the armed forces, a volunteer force could appear to be a great way to start a working career. However, only time will tell.) 09 September AUSTRALIA (INDONESIA) In a coordinated operation with Indonesia's search and rescue agency, two Australian navy patrol boats have rescued 80 asylum seekers from a boat in distress off Java. CHINA Rumors “somewhat solidifying” that aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG may be named LIAONING. (rmks: LIAONING is a northeastern Chinese province that was under the control of Japan from 1939 to 1945. The naming could be a way of poking a finger in the collective Japanese eye) IRAN A senior Iranian defense ministry official announces plans to “in the near future” unveil “highly advanced” cruise missile “Meshkat” … claims a range of 2,000 km … fired from land, air and sea. (rmks: Don't you love the Persians ... they come out with yet another new missile. I wonder what they intend to use it for?) PHILIPPINES Former US Coast Guard HAMILTON class ships GREGORIO DEL PILAR and RAMON ALCARAZ will be refitted with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and more sophisticated radars. (rmks: Now there's something interesting! This could make for some VERY interesting SCS scenarios. The RPN is growing some teeth) SYRIA (related) Unconfirmed media reports allege the Syrian government last month had major stockpiles of chemical weapons transferred to the port city of Tartus. (rmks: The Syrian have WMD stores ... say it ain't so!) UNITED KINGDOM Decommissioned aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL is being sold for scrapping. (rmks: A sad and ignoble end to a grand old lady)
September 11, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Folks, it's 9/11/2012. Never forget what occurred 12-years ago. Summary to follow: 31 August USA – UNITED KINGDOM Key specifications on design and construction of the common missile compartment (“quad packs”) formalized (document signing) for both the United States’ Ohio Replacement and United Kingdom’s Successor Programs. (rmks: Seen as milestone for both projects) 08 September MOROCCO Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (Vlissingen, Netherlands) delivers third SIGMA class frigate, ALLAL BEN ABDELLAH (615), to the Moroccan navy … crew will continue with another three weeks of Sail Safety Training in Den Helder and North Sea before starting maiden voyage to Morocco. (rmks: Yet another DB update) SOMALIA Spanish offshore patrol vessel SPS RELAMPAGO (currently in EU anti-piracy operation “Atalanta”) finds boat loaded with 58 migrants adrift in the Gulf of Aden … with failed engine found to be beyond repair, boat towed to Bosaasso (Puntland, Somalia). (rmks: A good deed by the Keystone Kops) 10 September CHINA Recent photos show two newly built Type 056 corvettes at the Huangpu shipyard pier, fitting out nearly completed … modules for two more ships next to building hall … it seems that all Type 056 ships (even those already in water) have their bow section modified, which is somewhat puzzling as none has been reported to have had any sea trials yet. (rmks: Likely they will test and commission as a set) FRANCE Offshore patrol vessel FS L’ADROIT, currently off southern Africa, will return to Toulon by end October … scheduled for Indian Ocean cruise, incl. anti-piracy operations, in 2013. (rmks: The French are adding a member to the cast of the Keystone Kops ... Woohoo!) ITALY An Italian navy submarine has passed the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean towards the Red Sea. (rmks: Fat lot of good a sub will do. Obviously it's a morale booster) MALTA South of Malta a patrol boat intercepts boat with some 40 migrants, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa … 11 brought ashore to Malta, the remainder insisted to continue northwards (for Italy / the EU). PHILIPPINES The defense ministry has shortlisted Indonesian-made CN-235 and Italian C-27J Spartan as probable maritime patrol aircraft. (rmks: Both are good MPA platforms. Likely the Philippines will go with the Indonesian CN-235, as the supply chain is a lot shorter) RUSSIA +++ Project 11982 research ship RFS SELIGER, built by Yantar (Kaliningrad) has begun a final round of sea trials in the Black Sea … until end September … afterwards be delivered to the MoD … will be based at Temryuk on the Sea of Azov. +++ Official: “There are no plans to return (ROGOV class) dock landing ship RFS MITROFAN MOSKALENKO to active service”. (rmks: This shows the mixed-up, pickled nature of Russkie politics. Obviously, it's a sign of too much Vodka) SPAIN A small boat with 42 migrants, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa, is intercepted off the southern coast of Spain. UNITED KINGDOM After intention to scrap aircraft carrier ex-HMS ARK ROYAL became public, government hurries to announce that remaining carrier ILLUSTRIOUS will be preserved as a memorial once she will have been decommissioned. (rmks: Can you say, Face saving? I knew you could) USA +++ The BONHOMME RICHARD Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, begins Certification Exercise (CERTEX) … in the Philippine Sea … currently on scheduled fall deployment to the West Pacific region. +++ The first of the Navy’s new mobile landing platform ships, MLP-1 MONTFORD POINT, is structurally nearly complete at NASSCO in San Diego … scheduled to be launched on 13 Nov, christened in March 2013 and delivered to the Navy in May … fabrication of MLP-2 JOHN GLENN began in April. (rmks: Holy smokes! Something that is either at or near being on schedule. That's almost unheard of) 11 September CHINA – JAPAN Chinese paramilitary CMS reportedly deployed two patrol ships to disputed with Japan Diaoyu / Senkaku islands … official: “China has an action plan to protect its sovereignty“. (rmks: Sounds like the ChiComs are gearing-up for the next act in this ongoing soap opera)
September 12, 201213 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Todayand the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Some interesting little tidbits today, along with some interesting possibilities for future scenarios. Summary to follow: 03 August VENEZUELA Offshore patrol vessel ARBV WARAO (PC-22) involved in collision in Brazil (where it had deployed for bilateral exercise “VenBras 2012”) … possibly considerable damage, as Spanish Navantia (builder) has been tasked with assessing the extent of repair works required. (rmks: That's gotta suck. Warao was one of Hugo's new class of OPV. It will be interesting to see how this one plays-out. It's also interesting how this is coming-out just now.) 11 September CHINA +++ Coming from Indonesia (port visit until 07 Sep), training Vessel ZHENGHE arrives at Port Muara (Brunei) for a four-day visit. (rmks: final stop on round-the-world trip) +++ CHINA – JAPAN: Chinese MoD Spokesman: “The armed forces of China are completely opposed to the Japanese government's move to "purchase" the Diaoyu (Senkaku) islands.” (rmks: I never would have thought that) IRAN (related) The U.N. atomic agency has received “new and significant intelligence” over the past month that Iran has moved further toward the ability to build a nuclear weapon. (rmks: The press fogot to add ... And will do absolutely NOTHING to stop it) NETHERLANDS Official farewell ceremony for Lynx naval helicopters … flyby in Den Helder … after 36-years of service, replaced with NH-90. (rmks: So long old cat, you did good) RUSSIA +++ GEPARD class corvette RFS DAGESTAN will be commissioned into Caspian Flotilla this month … had suffered damage during gale in Novorossiysk in Nov 2011. +++ Aircraft carrier RFS ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV in the Barents Sea … Su-25 and So-33 pilot training period which is to run through October. (rmks: Well, I guess they have carrier-capable frogfeet after all) SRI LANKA The Sri Lanka navy arrested another 53 illegal migrants headed with a boat for Australia … prevented 302 illegal migrants heading to Australia within a week time. UNITED KINGDOM Persian Gulf-based mine hunters in comprehensive 11-day work-up towards upcoming (16 Sep) “International Mine Counter Measures Exercise” IMCMEX 12. USA Huntington Ingalls cuts first steel for future destroyer USS JOHN FINN (DDG 113) … the first ship in the DDG 51 program restart … delivery expected in early 2016. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS USA (multinational) (16 Sep) Update: Large-scale Middle East region “International Mine Counter Measures Exercise” IMCMEX 12 … to start on 16 Sep … aims to test the abilities of different nations to work together to keep the sea lanes open and hunt underwater explosive devices … three distinct exercise areas: one off Bahrain, another in the Gulf of Oman (rmks: Not too far from but not in the Strait of Hormuz), and the third near the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait (Southern Red Sea) LATVIA (Baltron) (21 Sep) Baltic States navies’ Baltron squadron to conduct exercise “Route Survey 2012” … in the Irben Strait … annual event rotating between the three navies, this year Latvia hosting.
September 12, 201213 yr I believe those carrier-capable Frogfoots are unarmed trainers only. Yah, the Su-25UTG. Supposedly has a handful of hardpoints which don't carry any weapons, but I can't see it being terribly hard to rig it up for an iron bomb or cluster munitions container in a pinch. (Of course, why would you want to, when there are other better aircraft available).
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