October 29, 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. Interesting weekend out there, with a hurricane churning off the east coast. Enjoy the news updates. Summary to follow: 25 October CHINA Another Type 056 corvette launched at Wuhan … image shows hull number 585. (rmks: And the ChiCom ships juct keep rolling off the building ways) NORTH KOREA The government has announced a nationwide semi-state of war alert … to last through 31 October … second highest readiness level, just below state of war alert… probably related to one-week South Korean annual exercise, involving 240,000 ROK army, navy, air force and marine corps personnel … and some 500 US soldiers. 26 October CANADA An invitation posted on a government contract site, aimed at firms offering everything from ship design to systems integration and logistical support, is seen as the kick-off for the Canadian surface combatant project, to replace the navy's 1970s-era destroyers and subsequently also the HALIFAX class frigates. (rmks: This will be interesting to watch. Sadly, out of the gate, the program is behind schedule) IRAN (related) +++ Using shadowy middle men, multiple bank accounts and a fleet of ghost ships, Iran's coal trade is quietly booming as the Islamic Republic tries to sidestep Western sanctions. (rmks: And the current administration thinks the sanctions are working. Hey Mr. President, please start listening to your daily briefings in the few weeks you have left in office) +++ Britain reportedly has denied US forces use of military bases in the UK, on Cyprus, Ascension Island and Diego Garcia for build-up of forces in the Gulf … legal advice said that any pre-emptive strike on Iran could be in breach of international law. (rmks: Man, with friends like this, we don't need any enemies) RUSSIA SLAVA class missile cruiser RFS MARSHAL USTINOV in dry dock at Zvezdochka shipyard (Severodvinsk) … major overhaul period … scheduled to be returned to the navy in May, 2013. (rmks: Can't tell if this is the real deal of the vodka version) USA +++ In a precautionary measure, the US Navy ordered all ships in the Norfolk (Virginia) area - incl. aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN - out to sea beyond the reach of approaching hurricane Sandy … “sortie condition Alpha”. (rmks: Batten down the hatches. This is going to be a rough one. The 2012 hurricane season is going out with a terrible bang) +++ The US Navy has test fired anti-armor missiles from a 36-foot inflatable hulled, remote-controlled boat. Six missiles fired by personnel onshore at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station hit floating targets over two miles away. (rmks: Interesting, are we adopting IRGCN boghammer tactics?) +++ During a ceremony in Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), the US Navy has decommissioned PERRY class frigate USS CROMMELIN. The only other frigate based at Pearl Harbor, the USS REUBEN JAMES, is scheduled to be inactivated Aug. 30, 2013. (rmks: Any estimates on who will buy them, now that Pakistan is on the outs?) +++ Already while still at sea in the Atlantic Ocean, heading for Norfolk, aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE transferred all (some 1,700 tons) ammunition and ordnance - other than small arms used for security purposes – to two Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ships (T-AKE2 and T-AKE 9) … final ammunition offload ahead of inactivation on 01 Dec. (rmks: Another sad sign of the impending decomm) 27 October THAILAND The United States has offered to sell Thailand second hand military equipment, among it decommissioned PERRY class frigates. (rmks: This could be the answer to my above question. Although it sounds nice, I don't see the Thai's inking the deal. Their supply chain is long and convoluted already. Adding US tech to the mix will only make things in the RTN worse, before they become better with the added teeth a Perry class platform would add to their fleet) USA +++ Prompted by an Inspector General’s investigation of allegations of “inappropriate leadership judgment”, the US Navy has replaced the commander of the USS JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed to the Middle East. (rmks: What did the guy say or do? Do we now have to fear thought police??) +++ The US Navy christened its newest (10th) VIRGINIA class attack submarine USS MINNESOTA (SSN 783) during a ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding 28 October GREECE Up to eight arms deals signed by the Greek government since the late 1990s are being investigated by judicial authorities for possible illegal bribes and kickbacks to state officials and politicians … including purchase of four POMORNIK class hovercraft from Russia and Ukraine. (rmks: Say it ain't so! I wonder what the statute of limitations on arms deals is) RUSSIA +++ Sevmash shipyard reportedly to claim “penalties” from the Russian MoD for postponing takeover of first BOREJ class submarine RFS YURI DOLGORUKIY … keeping the submarine longer than planned at the shipyard creates additional expenses. Of note: Sevmash alleges delivery postponed due to “unavailabitiy of berthing space at naval bases” (rmks: Don't you just love Russkie politics!) +++ Deployment of LADA class submarine RFS St. PETERBURG for deep water tests to the Barents Sea postponed to 2013 … no reason given … had been scheduled for June, then late September this year. (rmks: Could be a double check of all work during construction. In the past Russkie SUBSAFE standards haven't been the greatest) UKRAINE Black Sea Shipbuilding Plant (Nikolayev) has completed overhaul of MUNA class intelligence collector PEREYSLAV (U-512). Shipyard currently repairing three more Ukrainian navy ships (KONSTANTIN OLSHANSKIY, KIROVOGRAD, DNIPRO) 29 October USA Hurricane Sandy: US Fleet Forces Command has modified guidance for US Navy ships in Hampton Roads/Norfolk (Virginia). Ships currently in port have been directed to remain there. Ships at sea continue to maneuver to clear the path of the storm. (rmks: Godspeed everyone. Stay safe out there!)
October 30, 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. Another day of interesting morsels of Navy News. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 26 October NETHERLANDS While on international anti-drug operations “Martillo” in the Caribbean (off Curacao), frigate HNLMS VAN AMSTEL intercepts a speedboat carrying 840 kg of cocaine. RUSSIA Astrakhan Ship Repair Plant has delivered new Project 705B harbor tug RB-259 to the state acceptance board … destined for Caspian Sea flotilla. USA USS PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group has entered the Indian Ocean … enroute scheduled Mid-East deployment. (rmks: Godspeed, guys and gals) 29 October AUSTRALIA Frigates HMAS ARUNTA and SYDNEY placed in "extended readiness" due to shortage of technical sailors … blamed on the mining boom's high wages for cornering the market in highly qualified technicians. (rmks: Is this a sign the Aussie navy is struggling?) INDIA About to complete overhaul/modernization at Russian Zvezdochka shipyard (Severodvinsk), KILO class submarine INS SINDHURAKSHAK begins two-week sea trials in the White Sea. IRAN Iranian navy corvette SHAHID NAQDI and supply ship KHARG dock at Port Sudan (Sudan). (rmks: Anti-piracy task group currently employed in the Gulf of Aden, diverted for a “political visit,” in the aftermath of the - Israeli - attack on Sudanese arms factory. I restrain myself from making any comments on the supposed religion of peace. I'd hate to have a fatwah cast upon me) JAPAN – CHINA +++ Japanese Fisheries Agency arrested the captain of a Chinese fishing boat engaged in unauthorized fishing in Japan's exclusive economic zone off Kyushu … released after paying fine. (rmks: And the soap opera continues) +++ A group of former senior US officials (incl. former DepSecState, Richard Armitage) … during a visit to Beijing … have “made clear” to Chinese officials that the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands are covered by America's bilateral security treaty with Japan. (rmks: It's nice that somebody is beginning to show some intestinal fortitude) PHILIPPINES Second former US Coast Guard HAMILTON class patrol ship BRP RAMON ALCARAZ (ex-USCG DALLAS) scheduled to arrive in the Philippines in February, 2013 … currently still in the US for overhaul and modification (incl. re-arming). RUSSIA By year-end, experimental submarine B-90 SAROV is scheduled to start testing a new air-independent propulsion system based on hydrogen fuel. (rmks: I'm not surprised the Russkies went that route. A hydrogen-based AIP is the lower tech flavor of the propulsion system. It's also the more economical route, as it gets the hydrogen right from the sea water. The drawback is masking the cavitation of the oxygen in the exhaust, in order to keep the boat quiet) UNITED KINGDOM +++ Loaded on to a huge sea going barge, an 11,000-ton section of future aircraft carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH has begun a 600-mile journey from Govan around Scotland to Rosyth. +++ VANGUARD class ballistic missile submarine HMS VIGILANT test-fired an unarmed Trident II ballistic missile … in the Atlantic … Britain’s first ballistic missile launch in three years. USA +++ Hurricane Sandy: Off North Carolina’s Outer Banks, tall ship BOUNTY (replica of historic vessel also used in the famous movie) had to be abandoned by her crew of 16 after losing propulsion and taking on water … later sank … US Coast Guard rescued 14, 1 missing, 1 body recovered. +++ The US Navy is reported to be testing Israeli-built (Rafael) remote-controlled PROTECTOR unmanned surface vehicle. (rmks: Old news, the USN has been using Protector, for several years. I guess the cat is now officially out of the bag) +++ Amphibious assault ship USS BONHOMME RICHARD arrives at Hong Kong (China) for a scheduled port visit. VENEZUELA President Hugo Chavez has appointed navy chief Admiral Diego Molero (former head of naval intelligence) as his new defense minister.
November 1, 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 safe and happy halloween. Lord willing, no one is suffering from a sugar hangover. Some interesting things happening in naval-related news. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 26 October VIETNAM Two Russian (Vladivostok)-built SVETLYAK class patrol boats commissioned as HQ-266 and HQ-267. (rmks: Both of these units were delivered earlier this year. It will be interesting to watch how the VPN employs them) 29 October ISRAEL SA’AR-5 corvette OHH EILAT and SA’AR 4.5 corvette OHH KIDON pass the Suez Canal, southbound toward the Red Sea … no further information. (rmks: Likely they are headed for Sudan, to show the flag in the face of the Mullah's navy) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): Danish navy frigate HDMS IVER HUITFELDT has passed the Suez Canal southbound … officially joined NATO SNMG-1 in anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield.” (rmks: The pirates likely ain't worried about this development) RUSSIA Admiral Nikolai Maksimov (former Northern Fleet Commander) “relieved as Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander Western Military District and dismissed from the military” … by decree of President Putin. (rmks: No further details given, however at age 56, he's certainly not yet up for regular retirement. Likely he got caught with his fingers in some kind of cookie jar) USA Aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON departs Manila (Philippines), to continue her West Pacific Patrol. 30 October AUSTRALIA Frigate HMAS SYDNEY arrives at Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), for a scheduled six-day visit. (rmks: Correction to yesterday’s report: Besides HMAS ARUNTA not SYDNEY, but “Sydney-based” ANZAC class frigate HMAS STUART placed in extended readiness) BRAZIL New river hydrographic research vessel RIO TOCANTINS (H-12) conducts first mission … first of class built by INACE, commissioned on 27 July, 2012. CHINA +++ Aircraft carrier LIAONING has ended another round of sea trials and returned to Dalian. (rmks: Still no word on flight ops) +++ Research vessel / icebreaker XUELONG ("Snow Dragon”) sails from Shanghai for the China's 29th scientific expedition to Antarctica … intermediate stops at Guangzhou and Australia to embark more scientists and equipment … expected to return home in early April, 2013. +++ Shuffle of the military’s top brass ahead of the 18th Communist Party Congress continues … media report “Admiral” (?) Fang Fenghui to take over as chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army. (rmks: Rather unusual to have a navy officer head the PLA) IRAN (related) Iran has banned the export of around 50 basic goods. (rmks: Likely preserving supplies of essential items, in the face of tightening Western sanctions) JAPAN – CHINA Four China Marine Surveillance (CMS) ships and two Chinese fishing boats are reported to have entered "Japan's territorial waters," near disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. (rmks: As the sands slip through the hour glass, so another day passes in the WESTPAC version of this soap opera) RUSSIA +++ Helicopter manufacturer Kamov will assemble first Ka-52K combat helicopters, destined to operate from new MISTRAL class helicopter carriers already in 2013; well ahead of delivery of first ship. +++ Project 10830 research submarine RFS LOSHARIK (titanium hull) reportedly participated in recent (September) Arctic mission … collected geological data and samples from the seabed, to support Russian claims that Mendeleyev ridge is part of Russian continental shelf. +++ Seven years after starting construction, Admiralty Shipyards launches submarine rescue ship RFS IGOR BELOUSOV … navy chief Adm Chirkov attending ceremony … scheduled to be commissioned in 2014 … first of class, with all fleets to receive one such ship. (rmks: What's the old saying ... good things come to those who wait) UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 45 destroyer HMS DAUNTLESS ends 7-month maiden deployment (Atlantic), returns to home port Portsmouth. (rmks: Welcome home, good Dauntless) USA +++ Frigate USS UNDERWOOD returns to Mayport (Florida), ending her final deployment (190 days “Southern Seas 2012” in 4th Fleet region) … to be decommissioned in March 2013. (rmks: It will be interesting to see who picks her up, from the secondary market) +++ The USS PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrive in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations. (rmks: Probably to replace the IWO JIMA group, deployed since March) 31 October DENMARK New Arctic Command established at Nuuk (Greenland), merging and relocating previous Greenland Command and Faroer Command. IRAN (related) +++ Iran and Syria have arranged a gasoline-for-diesel swap, helping each other overcome international sanctions … Iran delivering diesel to Syria in return for gasoline. +++ Patrol frigate SHAHID NAQDI and supply ship KHARG (rmks: Iranian media call the latter a “Helicopter Carrier”), end their “routine” visit to Port Sudan (Sudan), returning to the Gulf of Aden to resume anti-piracy operations. (rmks: 22nd Iranian anti-piracy task group) PHILIPPINES Coast Guard chief Rear Admiral Luis Tuason: Will buy five new patrol craft from France next year … one 82-m offshore patrol vessel and four 24-m patrol boats. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): Russia plans deploying two Ilyushin-38 May maritime patrol aircraft to Djibouti … to operate out of French air base … France discussing request. (rmks: That's an interesting twist) General: Six suspected Somali pirates, detained on board Netherlands navy dock landing ship HNLMS ROTTERDAM (NATO) after allegedly attacking Spanish tuna fishing vessel IZURDIA (24 Oct), will face trial in Spain … temporarily transferred to Spanish dock landing ship SPS CASTILLA (EU NavFor), now on their way to Spain for prosecution. (rmks: Likely will be sentenced to time-served and then given honorary EU citizenship and then allowed to go on the public dole. Oh, I almost forgot ... as usual no pirates were harmed in reporting ANY of these stories. BLAST IT ALL!) RUSSIA +++ Hoisting the navy ensign above St. Petersburg’s Admiralty building officially completes moving the navy’s high command headquarters from Moscow to St. Petersburg … transfer “smoothly with no impairments to command & control functions”. +++ Pacific Fleet surface ships and submarines “recently” conducted joint missile firing exercise … in the Sea of Okhotsk … nuclear submarine RFS TVER (?) launched one cruise missile while NANUCHKA class missile corvettes RFS INEJ and RAZLIV, fired SS-N-9 against a surface target. SOUTH AFRICA Durban-based Southern African Shipyards has been contracted with overhauling the three remaining WARRIOR class strike craft (converted to offshore patrol vessels) SAS ISAAC DYOBHA, MAKHANDA and GALESHWE … work to be completed by March 2013. USA (Hurricane Sandy) +++ The US Navy is moving the Norfolk-based WASP Amphibious Ready Group (USS WASP, SAN ANTONIO and CARTER HALL) to waters off New York/ New Jersey, in case they might be requested to assist in storm recovery and relief efforts … no such official request yet … WASP already at sea (rode out the storm), now heading north; the other ships ordered to follow. +++ NOAA survey vessels (NOAAS FERDINAND R. HASSLER, THOMAS JEFFERSON, BAY HYDRO II and POTAWAUGH) have begun checking waterways, ports and approaches for underwater debris and shoaling that may pose a risk to navigation.
November 2, 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 has a great weekend. Here are some updates to help you mull over some possible scenarios. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 30 October PORTUGAL Former Portuguese navy vessels NRP OLIVEIRA E. CARMO (F 489) and ZAMBEZE (P 1147) sunk off the Algarve … part of Project “Ocean Revival” to attract tourist divers … planned sinking of two more ships, NRP HERMENGILDO CAPELO (F 481) and research vessel UAM ARMEDA DE CARVALHO postponed due to bad weather. 31 October RUSSIA OSCAR-II class submarine RFS OREL to begin comprehensive overhaul/modernization in 2013. USA Aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE arrives at Mayport (Florida) … embark crew relatives and friends for the ship`s final “Tiger Cruise” to Norfolk … scheduled to arrive there on 04 Nov. (rmks: That will be a TC to remember) 01 November ARGENTINA While sail training vessel ARA LIBERTAD remains stuck in Ghana, the Elliott hedge fund (USA) is trying to have another Argentine navy ship seized … hired a major South African law firm in an attempt to impound frigate ARA ESPORA, which after participating in exercise “Atlasur” is undergoing repairs in Simonstown (South Africa). (rmks: What everybody got against the Argentines?) CHINA The North Sea Fleet has completed a major exercise in western areas of the Pacific Ocean (passing through the Miyako Strait … ”first large-scale action aimed at testing the coordination between different forces” … seven ships participating with destroyer HARBIN acting as flag ship. FRANCE Fiscal outlook for French navy tough; much hangs on the government’s defense white paper, due to be published by the end of the year. (rmks: I'm going to predict it ain't going to be a very rosy picture!) FRANCE Armed civil supply ships are to cover the temporary capability gap resulting from the withdrawal of the BATRAL class amphibious light transports. IRAN (related) +++ Industry sources: Iran has been storing large volumes of fuel oil offshore Fujairah in the UAE and has been selling the product on a cash basis at heavy discounts through a Sharjah-based company, in an effort to bypass sanctions. (rmks: Don't you love this shell game) +++ Iran for the very first time confirmed it has completed installation of uranium enrichment centrifuges at its Fordo plant. NORWAY With a reduced 2013 budget the Norwegian coast guard will have to curtail its at-sea operations … ships to “spend an extra two months pier-side." (rmks: That's interesting news) PIRACY General: Weeklong (until 08 Nov) multinational anti-piracy exercise “Cutlass Express 2012-2” kicks off with simultaneous pre-sail conferences in Djibouti; Port Louis (Mauritius) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) … US AFRICOM) sponsored exercise focusing on coordinated operations among East African navies … participants include Djibouti, Mauritius, Mozambique, Netherlands, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States … in-port portion of training (pier-side workshops) focusing on maritime interdiction operations, vessel boarding drills and communications … followed by at-sea portion in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, using Netherlands dock landing ship HMLNS ROTTERDAM. (rmks; This is the maritime version of the Keystone Kops going to a doughnut stand) SPAIN Spain’s southern coast is experiencing a massive arrival of Sub-Saharan immigrants in open boats … probably due to the good weather in the region … in the last three days, a total of 95 immigrants traveling in 16 open boats have been rescued in the Strait of Gibraltar. 02 November PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka the Keystone Kops): 8th Russian Pacific Fleet anti-piracy task group sails from Vladivostok for the Gulf of Aden … comprised of destroyer RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, tanker IRKUT and salvage tug ALATAU. (rmks: And the pirates quake with fear ... NOT!)
November 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. Here are some election day naval news updates. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 02 November USA Future USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24) completes acceptance trials, sailing from and returning to Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula (Mississippi) … expected to be delivered later this year and commissioned in April 2013 in Norfolk. 04 November CHINA Military authorities confirm that carrier-based jets have been conducting take-off and landing training (touch-and-go) on aircraft carrier LIAONING. (rmks: Interesting there has been absolute silence in international media over this development) 05 November BANGLADESH Transfer of two former Chinese navy Type 053H2 frigates reportedly “confirmed”, although no details given … handover after necessary refit by mid-2013. (rmks: This was pretty much a no-brainer. The Bangladesh Navy was been looking for international secondary market deals and ex-PLAN ships are a bluelight special) IRAN (related) Iran proposes increased barter trade with Pakistan. (rmks: Another way around the vaunted sanctions) JAPAN – USA In the Philippine Sea (near Okinawa), Japan and the USA have begun 11-day exercise “Keen Sword” … aimed at boosting the defense of Japan’s southwestern island territories … involve more than 37,000 Japanese personnel and 10,000 US forces, including the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Carrier Strike Group. (rmks: The exercise was originally planned to incorporate a mission to simulate the retaking of an island, but that portion has been scrapped in order not to unnecessarily provoke China) NATO NATO’s standing mine countermeasure force SNMCMG-1 has begun a 10-day operation to clear remaining WWII mines in the Somme Bay … operating out of Boulogne-sur-Mer. PIRACY Somalia: Somali pirates have released two Seychellois fishermen they had in captivity for a year … hijacked last November in their boat some 65 miles west of Mahe in Seychelles. (rmks: Good news for their families. No pirates were harmed during the reporting of this piece. Blast it all!) RUSSIA +++ Washington Post: A Russian SIERRA-II nuclear submarine “late last month” identified within 200-miles of the US East Coast … near US Navy submarine base of Kings Bay (Georgia) … additionally, a Russian intelligence-gathering vessel was granted safe harbor in the commercial port of Jacksonville (Florida), to shelter from approaching hurricane Sandy. (rmks: And the Russkies are no longer a threat ... yeah, right!) +++ Construction of 3rd and 4th MISTRAL class helicopters may start in Russia as early as next year … initial funding already included in 2013 budget. (rmks: This was a follow-on of the turnover of technical specs, which were reported yesterday) +++ YASEN class submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK has begun another, reportedly “final”, round of sea trials. (rmks: Conflicting reports whether commissioning this year or in 2013. Typical of Russkie naval media). TAIWAN A domestic shipbuilding company has begun building a prototype 450-ton missile boat for the ROC Navy … expected to complete it by Nov 2014. (rmks: It will likely be a counter-balance to the Chi-Com Houbei class FAC) TURKEY - ISRAEL Turkey puts four former Israeli military commanders on trial in absentia for the 2010 killing of nine Turks on Gaza-bound aid ship MAVI MARMARA. TURKEY (multinational) Update: Exercise “Mavi Balina 2012” actually is a trilateral event … besides hosting Turkish navy and Pakistan navy also US Navy taking part with destroyer USS FORREST SHERMAN and a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. 06 November RUSSIA President Putin by decree has fired defense minister Serdyukov … former Moscow region governor and civil emergencies minister Sergej Shoigu named as successor. (rmks: Serdyukov reportedly involved in major real estate fraud scheme – selling military assets. Likely this is reciprocity for not cutting Vlad in on the deal)
November 7, 201213 yr 06 November RUSSIA President Putin by decree has fired defense minister Serdyukov … former Moscow region governor and civil emergencies minister Sergej Shoigu named as successor. (rmks: Serdyukov reportedly involved in major real estate fraud scheme – selling military assets. Likely this is reciprocity for not cutting Vlad in on the deal) Probably not anything to with Putin being involved in corruption. You can accuse of him of many things from autocratic behaviour to excessive shirt removal, but strangely for Russia, no-one really thinks he's corrupt.
November 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. In times of stress, we find comfort in familiar things. My silver lining in the election results posting my daily NNSoTD. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 02 November USA Boeing delivers a fifth P-8 Poseidon (low rate initial) production new maritime patrol aircraft to the US Navy … final delivery in this year, more aircraft to follow in 2013. 06 November BANGLADESH Update: with regards to upcoming transfer of two Chinese frigates to the Bangladesh navy, bloggers seem to agree on 053HT JIANGHU-III class (vs. previously mentioned JIANGWEI) … focus on WUHU (536) and ZHOUSHAN (537). (rmks: Waiting for a confirmation) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): The Finnish navy is preparing for another mission in support of EU anti-piracy operation “Atalanta” … in 2013 … recruiting supplementary personnel. (rmks: It's pretty sad when you have to beat the bushes for recruits, just to mount a deployment) RUSSIA +++ Decommissioned Baltic Fleet KRIVAK-II class frigate RFS NEUKROTIMIY has sunk at her berth at the Baltiysk naval base … rusted through … taken from service three years ago … had been up for sale. (rmks: Obviously no one is interested now) +++ RUSSIA – IRAN: Caspian Sea Flotilla ships might conduct (historic) visit to an Iranian port in 2013. (rmks: I'm sure that'll be great liberty) SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) The Sri Lanka navy intercepts a trawler with 47 migrants illegally bound for Australia. TURKEY (multinational) Another update to ongoing exercise “Mavi Balina”: Three Turkish navy submarines and also NATO SNMG-2 participating. USA Despite increasing reconnaissance/intelligence requirements, the US Navy will phase out four of its 16 EP-3 Aries II SIGINT planes (by Sep 2014) and one of its six “special projects aircraft”, another P-3 variant (by Sep 2013) … filling the gap with unmanned aircraft.
November 9, 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. Yesterday was a busy day of Veterans Day assemblies. Some interesting news items today. Hopefully, they generate some thought towards interesting scenarios. Have a wonderful weekend. Summary to follow: 05 November CHINA The deputy chief designer of China's aircraft carrier project suggests China is building its own carrier …. “LIAONING is only a start … more good news will come.” (rmks: Isn't that peachy-keen news to start your day) USA The USS IWO JIMA Amphibious Ready Group has left 5th Fleet area, passing the Suez Canal toward the Mediterranean (rmks: home transit to complete deployment started in March; relieved by USS PELELIU ARG) 06 November FRANCE Frigate FS DUPLEIX completes three days of exercises with Indian navy … in the Arabian Sea … Indian navy provided frigate INS GANGA, patrol vessel INS ABHAY (PAUK class) and a maritime patrol aircraft. 07 November BANGLADESH About 50 people are missing after an overcrowded fishing boat carrying some 70 illegal migrants to Malaysia capsized off the Bangladesh coast … 23 rescued. (rmks: Some of the migrants are Rohingya Muslims, but many just Bangladeshi trying to earn a living in Malaysia) CHINA +++ Photos show a first new Type 056 corvette has begun sea trials … at least eight ships (built by four shipyards) already in water. +++ Chinese admiral claims new 052D (LUJANG-III class) destroyers will have a VLS to carry newly developed 3.5 Mach supersonic anti-ship missiles “more advanced than Indian/Russian Brahmos”. (rmks: Although this could be mere propaganda, it could mean that the Chi-Coms are developing a hypersonic missile to counter the "carrier killing" anti-ship cruise missile being developed by Taiwan) IRAN (related) “In retaliation for western sanctions” Iranian parliamentarians have prepared a draft law to reduce the country's crude exports by up to a third this year. (rmks: Although this could slightly effect US gas prices, once again the real victims will the European consumer and the Iranian populace themselves) ITALY Italy's provisional defense budget for 2013 will rise 5.8 percent over 2012 spending, suggesting the huge cuts made this year will not be repeated despite a continuing recession in Italy. (rmks: If the US economy sours (which is likely to happen), these increases could be moot as Europe may be plunged into a deeper financial crisi) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka the Keystone Kops): Belgium navy frigate BNS LOUISE-MARIE sails from Zeebrugge for the Mediterranean… after short work up in Crete continue for the Horn of Africa… on 29 Nov join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: Holy smokes! The pirates are really scared now, the Belgians are coming. I think NOT) RUSSIA +++ Expedition „Arctic 2012“ … conducted by civilian ice breakers DIKSON and KAPITAN DRANITSIN (with support of research submarine LOSHARIK) … allegedly “has proven” Russian claims that the Lomonosov Basin and the Mendeleyev Plateau are integral part of the Russian continental shelf. (rmks: Although it still needs to be verified by international authories, this tidbit once again shines light on the growing Arctic claims issue. Then again it could be just another wild Russkie claim, like those that always occurred during the bad old days of the Cold War) +++ First YASEN class submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK successfully conducts live cruise missile firing … in the White Sea … fired Club-family variant Caliber. (rmks: Sounds like fodder for another DB update) USA L-3 has delivered its first refurbished Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft back to the US Navy under the sustainment, modification and installation program (SMIP). 08 November CANADA The Canadian coast guard has received (first of three) new near-shore fishery research vessels CCGS VLADYKOV … built at Meridien Maritime (Quebec). (rmks: Although it's taken awhile for the NSPS to get rolling, the units have finally begun to roll off the ways. However, this ship is a glorified commercial vessel. There is still no news on the RCN units being planned. Each day that passes, puts those programs further behind schedule) CHINA +++ In a move to “strengthen law enforcement capacity” (read that, tighten their stranglehold) in the South China Sea, three provinces and one autonomous region (Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan) will jointly patrol region … first such patrol started with ships including large HAIXUN 31. +++ President Hu Jintao to 18th CPC National Congress: “We should enhance our capacity for exploiting marine resources, resolutely safeguard China’s maritime rights and interests, and build China into a maritime power.” (rmks: Layman's translation – We are planning to amass sufficient naval resources to complete our plans in the pacific and beyond. No surprise there) IRAN (related) +++ An Iranian Su-25 Frogfoot fighter bomber aircraft shot at a MQ-1 Predator US reconnaissance drone conducting surveillance over the Persian Gulf “near Iranian airspace” (Pentagon Speaker: in international airspace 60 nm from the Iranian coast) … drone returned to its base unscathed. (rmks: The mullahs boys claim they shot it down. Man if you can't hit a drone from a bird like a Frogfoot, you REALLY have got to suck as a combat pilot) +++ Iranian armed forces and IRGC announce air defense exercise Velayat-4 “about to begin” … focus on eastern Iran (rmks: Initially scheduled in October, this could be the Mullahs response to the re-election of President Obama) ITALY – RUSSIA Italian and Russian navies begin at-sea phase of exercise “Ionex-12” … in the Ionian Sea … participants include Italian frigates ITS AVIERE and ZEFFIRO as well as Russian Black Sea Fleet destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY and salvage tug MB-304. RUSSIA +++ Black Sea Fleet task group with missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA and landing ships RFS SARATOV and NOVOCHERKASSK preparing for Mediterranean deployment … will be joined there by destroyer SMETLIVIY (currently in bilateral Italian-Russian exercise) … after exercises in the Mediterranean possibly pass the Suez Canal toward the Indian Ocean region. +++ The Russian navy will have to wait at least three more years for ship-based new Pantsir-M air defence systems … as of now, unclear whether MoD has even ordered development of naval variant yet. SOUTH KOREA DSME (Daewoo) reportedly has been selected to assemble (the first) two new KSS-III 3,000 ton class conventional submarines … construction could start as early as next year … to be completed by 2018. (rmks: If these boats are successful, they could be exported to Austalia, who is seeking a replacement for their aging COLLINS class SSKs) 09 November INDIA (RUSSIA) Russian Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) hands over second of three TALWAR Batch 2 frigate INS TARKASH (woefully behind schedule) to the Indian navy … third ship INS TRIKAND (currently on dock trials) to follow in summer 2013. RUSSIA Chief of General Staff, Gen Nikolai Makarov, has handed in his resignation … no reasons given … reportedly “sacked” by new defense minister Shugoi. (rmks: It is probable that some form of graft was involved) SPAIN - AUSTRALIA Defense ministers sign (finalize) bilateral arrangement for the deployment of Spanish navy supply ship SPS CANTABRIA to Australia … from mid-February until November 2013 … augment Australian HMAS SUCCESS and SIRIUS in providing support to the RAN during domestic and international training and exercises.
November 9, 201213 yr IRAN (related) +++ An Iranian Su-25 Frogfoot fighter bomber aircraft shot at a MQ-1 Predator US reconnaissance drone conducting surveillance over the Persian Gulf “near Iranian airspace” (Pentagon Speaker: in international airspace 60 nm from the Iranian coast) … drone returned to its base unscathed. (rmks: The mullahs boys claim they shot it down. Man if you can't hit a drone from a bird like a Frogfoot, you REALLY have got to suck as a combat pilot) Not sure I would take it quite that far. The Su-25 Grach (NATO Frogfoot) is a ground attack jet, so it would not surprise me in the least if the Iranian pilots did not get much training in air to air gunnery. Moreover, taking 'warning' shots would seem to be more in line with Iran's politics lately rather than outright hostile action.
November 13, 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 an enjoyable Veterans Day. Back to work updating the big naval news stories around the globe. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 08 November CHINA Blogger: second new destroyer Project 052D (LUJANG-III) launched. (rmks: Once again the ChiComs are showing the west how to crank ships off the building ways) USA Marinette Marine (Wisconsin) laid the keel for the US Navy’s seventh littoral combat ship, future FREEDOM class LCS-7 USS DETROIT. (rmks: Alas, another colossal waste of funds and resources) 09 November ARGENTINA Port authorities in Tema (Ghana) would like to move impounded Argentina navy sail training ship ARA LIBERTAD from her current berthing place (desperately needed for commercial container vessels), to a less used part of the port … remaining crew threatens to open fire if any such attempt is made. (rmks: Or they could do the logical thing and just release it to sail home. Nah, that solution contains too much common sense) IRAN (related) +++ US lawmakers are working on a set of new and unprecedented sanctions … bipartisan financial and trade restrictions would amount to a "complete sanctions regime" that could prevent the Islamic republic from doing any business with most of the world. (rmks: Once again stomping on the common man, while the Mullahs use back channels for everything) +++ Saudi Arabia reportedly has sent a stern warning that it will retaliate if Iran continues to intrude on the airspace and waters around its offshore oil facilities in the Persian Gulf … “reserves the right to retaliate” … in several instances Iranian helicopters or speed boats recently crossed the line demarcating the border between the two countries' offshore fields to approach Saudi offshore facilities or even stop ships. (rmks: Despite what we are doing, the Mullahs are still throwing their weight around the region) MALTA A large fishing craft with 246 African migrants in “difficulties” after leaving the Libyan coast … three Malta armed forces patrol vessels intercept boat some 140 nm southeast of Malta and take over all people. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): China’s 13th anti-piracy task group departs from Southern Fleet base Zhanjiang for the Gulf of Aden … JIANGKAI-II class frigates HUANGSHAN and HENGYANG and fleet supply ship QINGHAI HU. (rmks: And the pirates are quaking with fear ... NOT!) RUSSIA GenCol Valery Gerasimov appointed new Chief of General Staff … “clean-up” in MoD top ranks continues with several former Serdyukov confidants dismissed or resigning “out of their own will”. (rmks: Let the sacking begin) SRI LANKA A Sri Lanka navy fast patrol boat intercepts a trawler shortly after sailing for Australia; 83 suspected illegal migrant arrested. 10 November BANGLADESH Blogger: Already back in June this year, the Bangladesh navy ordered two Chinese Project 056 corvettes … to be built in China at Wuchang Shipyard. (rmks: Although unconfirmed, this continues to indicate Bangladeh is increasingly turning to the ChiComs for naval related resources and equipment) CHILE The Chilean navy has begun its “Antarctica Campaign 2012/13” … deploying research vessel CNS OSCAR VIEL and salvage tug LAUTARO … during Antarctic summer until April 2013 conduct research and support/resupply Chilean stations in Antarctica. PAKISTAN A “senior naval official” reportedly confirmed that the China will provide another four frigates F-22P to the Pakistan navy. (rmks: This conflicts with some info that indicates the Paks are seeking a larger class than the Swords) 11 November CHINA Aircraft carrier LIAONING departs Dalian for another round of sea trials, probably to include practicing aircraft operations. INDIA (RUSSIA) DepDir Russian United Shipbuilding Corp.: “… confident to hand over aircraft carrier VIKRAMADITYA already in June, 2013 … “problems identified and taken care of”. (rmks: I'll believe it when I see it) NIGERIA The Nigerian navy has begun “Exercise Farauta” … until 17 Nov in the Niger Delta region (Bight of Bonny) … eight ships, six “gun boats”, three helicopters … Chief of Naval Staff, VAdm Dele Ezeoba, embarked on patrol ship NNS THUNDER (ex-USCG HAMILTON class)… combat illegal maritime activities especially crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and piracy in the Niger Delta. (rmks: Dubbed “fleet evaluation exercise” but its likely just a small training operation) RUSSIA Black Sea Fleet ALLIGATOR class landing ship RFS SARATOV passes the Turkish Straits enroute the Mediterranean … will join missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA (reportedly already passed Turkish Straits on 06 Nov) and tanker RFS IVAN BUBNOV …ROPUCHA class landing ship RFS NOVOCHERKASSK also scheduled to head for the Med. (rmks: Task group to conduct exercises in the EastMed; subsequently - in Dec - deploy to the Indian Ocean.) UNITED KINGDOM “Cougar 2012”: Dock landing ship HMS BULWARK, part of Royal Navy Response Task Group, completes visit to Corfu (Greece) … now heading for Albania for exercise “Albanian Lion”. 12 November ARGENTINA +++ Argentina will ask a U.N. court to order the release of the navy’s sailing training vessel ARA LIBERTAD impounded in Tema (Ghana). (rmks: This legal route is likely to ensure, no progress is ever made, concerning the issue) +++ Patrol ship ARA SUBOFICIAL CASTILLO sails from Mar del Plata naval base to commence seasonal “Antarctic Patrol”. AUSTRALIA Defence spokesman rules out suggestions to consider buying nuclear submarines as replacement for COLLINS-class. (rmks: Told ya so) IRAN +++ New TONDAR class hovercraft unveiled at Bandar Abbas … “domestically designed and manufactured … capable of launching missiles and aerial drones” … photos show unusual missile launcher with triangular cross section. (rmks: My goodness, I se the sanctions haven't affected the Mullahs shipbuilding capablities) +++ Joint air force / IRGC air defense exercise "Modafe' an-e Aseman-e Velayat 4" did not start on 10 Nov as had been announced last week … now reportedly to begin today (12 Nov) … exercise area to include “half of the country”, with focus on eastern Iran (main threat direction for cruise missiles /carrier-borne aircraft). IRAN (related) +++ Hong Kong will stop allowing 19 ships linked to Iranian IRISL shipping line from operating under its flag. That'll show those pesky Mullahs) +++ Saudi Arabia in an official letter to the UN SecGen protested Iranian “incursions into its territory”. (rmks: See above rmks concerning going to the UN for ANYTHING) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): A British Royal Navy Super Lynx helicopter is preparing to deploy on board French frigate FS SURCOUF for EU operation “Atalanta” … ship scheduled to sail from Toulon end of Nov. (rmks: And this is supposed to help what?) RUSSIA After completing bilateral exercise “Ionex 2012”, Black Sea Fleet (BSF) destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY and salvage tug SORUM MB-304 have left Taranto (Italy) and sail for the Easter Med … to join task group with missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA. TAIWAN Taiwan successfully test-fired a long range (250 nm) supersonic (Mach 3.0) Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile … dubbed “carrier killer”. (rmks: Incidentally within a month of China commissioning aircraft carrier LIAONING) USA Next class of amphibious ships already “in the making” … formerly dubbed LSD(X) now called LX®, reflecting a multi-role ship … replacement for today’s LSDs (USS WHIDBEY ISLAND / HARPERS FERRY classes) … current plans call for ordering an initial 11 ships in 2019. (rmks: Currently defining requirements) USA USS WASP, SAN ANTONIO and CARTER HALL have ended relief operations off New York (Hurricane “Sandy”) and returned to Norfolk. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (14 Nov) Northern Shipyard (St. Petersburg) to begin construction (keel laying) of new Project 23120 (ELBRUS) logistic support vessel for the Russian navy on 14 Nov.
November 14, 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. A couple of interesting notes in today's highlights. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 12 November FRANCE French navy begins regular fleet training “Gabian” … until 15 Nov in Mediterranean Sea (off Toulon) … comprehensive exercise with focus on air defence … 15 French navy surface ships incl. two helicopter carriers FS MISTRAL and DIXMUDE plus Italian navy frigate ITS GRECALE. RUSSIA Contracts with Yantar shipyard for construction of landing ship RFS IVAN GREN about to expire … MoD intent on revised contracts to complete the ship (next year). (rmks: Started already in 2004, the program is woefully behind schedule and its not likely the program will EVER be completed) 13 November JAPAN Some updates: New TYPE 19DD destroyers JDS FUYUZUKI (DD 118) launched on 22 Aug and JDS SUZUTSUKI (DD 117) on 17 Oct. (rmks: Better late than never, right) NORWAY Shipbuilders bidding for the Norwegian navy’s logistics and support vessel (LSV) program have been given until 4 January 2013 to submit their tender responses. (rmks: Since there is not very many capable domestic naval systems houses in Norway, its highly likely they will need to turn to an outside entity, to fulfill their needs) PAKISTAN Navy chief Adm Sandila: … “working on plans to further enhance combat potential of the navy within limited resources” … submarine component “insufficient in view of long Indian coastline”. (rmks: Wow, that's a stunning to say the least. Look for India to begin checking for cracks in the Paks naval capabilities in 2013) PHILIPPINES The Philippine coast guard has ordered four Type FPB 24 patrol boats from French OCEA (such as built for Nigeria) … deliveries from 2014. Negotiating for a larger 82-m OPV with an unnamed French shipyard. RUSSIA Med-Deployment: Black Sea Fleet destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY together with salvage tug MB-304 still in Taranto (Italy) …destroyer requires repairs after technical problem … missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA and landing ship RFS SARATOV to rendezvous with tanker IVAN BUBNOV for replenishment (Aegean Sea or Eastern Med). (rmks: Now I see whey they sortied the tug with the DDG. I wonder if the CO will lose face if the SMETLIVIY has to be towed back to port) SPAIN Polar research ship SPS HESPERIDES sails from Cartagena for Antarctic campaign 2012/13 (XIX Campaña Antártica) … visit Mar Del Plata (Argentina) and Punta Arenas (Chile) … operate around South Shetlands … resupply Spanish stations. UNITED KINGDOM Four new fleet auxiliary tankers (Project MARS) planned to enter service from 2016 will be called TIDE class … ships to be named HMS TIDESPRING, TIDERACE, TIDESURGE and TIDEFORCE. (rmks: Catchy names. Hopefully the RFA will remain solvent in order to see the ships actually enter service) USA General Dynamics NASSCO (San Diego) has launched the first Mobile Landing Platform … future MLP-1 MONTFORD POINT to become operational by 2015.
November 15, 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 very interesting news to start your Thursday. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 13 November CANADA The Canadian coast guard … in November … took delivery of second of nine new HERO class Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel CCGS CAPORAL KAEBLE V.C. 14 November RUSSIA +++ The Russian navy reportedly has decided to put veteran TANGO class (Proj 641B) submarine B-380 RFS SVYATOI KNYAZ GEORGY (former GORKOVSKY KOMSOMOLETS) back to service with the Black Sea Fleet … gap-filler until arrival of LADA class … has been kept at Sevastopol shipyard since 1991 … repairs to start in 2013 (problematic, due to lack of spare parts, especially for batteries). (rmks: Hmmm … must be somewhat desperate … could indicate they expect more delays to LADA class. Its likely they will have to scrounge parts from other boneyards around the country) +++ Northern Shipyard (St. Petersburg) begins construction of RFS ELBRUS, first (of three) Project 23120 new fleet supply/support ships (90m, ice-capable). +++ Construction of two STEREGUSHCHIY class (Proj 20380) corvettes RFS SOVERSHENNIY and RFS GROMKYY at Far East Amur shipyard reportedly delayed due to MoD and shipyard disagreement on financial issues. +++ Med-Deployment: Repairs to destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY completed in Taranto (Italy); together with salvage tug MB-304 now underway for rendezvous with missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA, landing ship SARATOV and tanker IVAN BUBNOV, currently in the Eastern Mediterranean (conduct tactical training and air defense exercises). (rmks: Kinda figured the SMETLIVIY would get fixed, it's always bad form if you have to be towed back to port) USA +++ The DoD has tasked Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) with development of an unmanned surface vessel that autonomously, with only “sparse remote supervisory control”, will be able to continuously track a diesel-electric submarine for months over thousands of kilometers (part of Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel program). (rmks: Saw the concept at SAS in April. Pretty awesome USV!) +++ In 2013, defense contractors will be asked to submit proposals for a next-generation unmanned aerial system that will be deployed from aircraft carriers … Unmanned Carrier-Launched Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) to be operational by 2020. (rmks: Its interesting they are asking for RfP's when UCLASS hasn't been fully tested. I think they are putting the cart before the horse) 15 November CHINA Xi Jinping named chairman of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Military Commission. (rmks: Although Xi seems like a progressive, he carries a lot of ChiCom baggage. I suspect as a result of his selection we will see more weight throwing in the disputed regions and additional saber-rattling) ISRAEL (Gaza) Israel navy corvettes reportedly operating off Gaza, targeting Hamas/Islamic Jihad positions.
November 15, 201213 yr UNITED KINGDOM Four new fleet auxiliary tankers (Project MARS) planned to enter service from 2016 will be called TIDE class … ships to be named HMS TIDESPRING, TIDERACE, TIDESURGE and TIDEFORCE. (rmks: Catchy names. Hopefully the RFA will remain solvent in order to see the ships actually enter service) All excepting Tideforce should sound familiar.
November 16, 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. Another weekend is upon us. FYI, Next week is Thanksgiving here in the US. I will be taking the week off to focus on family and my job search. I'll keep my ears to the rails and report significant highlights the first week of December. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 13 November PIRACY Nigeria: Nigerian navy foils attempt to hijack fishing trawler off the Niger Delta … seven suspected pirates arrested. (rmks: No pirates were harmed reporting this tidbit of news ... Blast it all) 14 November PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): 22nd Iranian task group (frigate SHAHID NAQDI, supply ship KHARG) returns to Bandar Abbas, ending a 75-day mission to the Gulf of Aden and Southern Red Sea (incl. visit to Port Sudan) … no word yet on probable deployment of 23rd task group. (rmks: I'm sure the pirates are breathing sighs of relief ... NOT!) UNITED KINGDOM -ALBANIA “Cougar 12”: The Royal Navy Response Task Group (et al helicopter carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and dock landing ship HMS BULWARK) completes bilateral amphibious exercise “Albanian Lion” with Albanian armed forces … 16-hour “assault” on Sazan Island (off Vlore in Strait of Otranto) to “drive out a hostile occupying force”. 15 November ALGERIA +++ Another KONI frigate and NANUCHKA corvette (source names RAIS CORFU and ALI REIS) reportedly scheduled to arrive at Kronshtadt (Russia) for repairs and modernization … third such pair. (rmks: This trend continues to illustrate the lack of shipbuilding competency in the MENA region. They can modestly operate the ships in their fleet, but they can't fix 'em). +++ The Defence Ministry has requested a 14.2% increase (over last year) to the 2013 defense budget … pay for acquisitions, among them German / Chinese frigates and Italian dock landing ship. (rmks: That is an interesting turn of events. It's likely the DB increase will get eaten up, as their supply chain lengthens) NORWAY Frigate HNoMS THOR HEYERDAHL deploys to Svalbard Islands in “Arctic naval presence” mission. RUSSIA +++ Northern Shipyard (St. Petersburg) will start building fourth GORSHKOV class (Project 22350) frigate “in the nearest term” … may be named after Soviet admiral IVAN S. ISAKOV … meanwhile confident to feature type ship RFS ADMIRAL GORSHKOV at the summer 2013 IMDEX (St. Petersburg) … ship currently in “final stages” of outfitting. (rmks: As the Russian GDP shows signs of slowing, the is no sign of slowing on the building ways around St. Petersburg – even if the contracts are behind schedule) +++ Starting in 2013, AUKLA-II as well as KILO-II class submarines might be (re-)fitted with new Caliber cruise missiles, a Club-family variant with ranges from 300 up to 2,500 km … same missile system also envisioned for YASEN, KILO-III and possibly future LADA class submarines. (rmks: Very interesting. Since the Club didn't take off internationally, it looks like they will be used domestically) UNITED KINGDOM British tabloid reports “design and construction flaws” with new submarine HMS ASTUTE … did not reach top speed, early corrosion, flooding during routine dive, computer circuit boards fail safety standards, concerns over instruments monitoring the nuclear reactor, flaws with periscope, generally poor quality and installation of equipment … MoD confirms "teething problems" during sea trials. (rmks: Bad day for the Brits) USA Two of the four AVENGER class mine hunters deployed to the Persian Gulf this summer, will return to San Diego in February, the other two remain throughout 2013, to keep a total of six boats there … an additional two crews to increase sustainability … more MCM drones (to be) brought to the region. USA LOS ANGELES class submarine USS KEY WEST, in a change of home port, arrives at Guam … replaces sister boat USS BUFFALO which will transfer to Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) in early 2013. 16 November AUSTRALIA – NEW ZEALAND During meeting in Perth (Australia) defense ministers agree to boost ANZAC Defence Cooperation … a.o.t. mutual sealift cooperation program with cross crewing of RAN /RNZN vessels and afloat support to each other’s fleets. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS UNITED KINGDOM (19 Nov) “Cougar 12”: The Royal Navy Response Task Group (et al helicopter carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and dock landing ship HMS BULWARK) will visit Malta from 19-23 Nov. NORWAY (19 Nov) Norwegian armed forces will conduct joint exercise “Flotex Silver Rein II 2012” from 19 – 28 Nov … in Troms and Nordland region … practice and enhance interaction between three services while operating from sea to shore and inland … besides army and air force involve Norwegian navy frigates and one submarine but also some (yet unnamed) foreign naval forces and aircraft.
November 26, 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. Well, this was a welcome sight, when I logged-on this morning ... we've broken the 10K view barrier for NNSoTD! I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday. Back to work, this week. Here are some naval news tidbits to start your week. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 21 November INDIA The Indian coast guard has commissioned hovercraft H-189, third in a series of twelve 21-m air cushion vehicles ordered from Griffon Hoverworks (UK). 23 November FRANCE DCNS delivers first FREMM type frigate, FS AQUITAINE, to the French navy. IRAN (related) In letters to the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council, Iran accuses the US Navy of carrying out “illegal and provocative acts” in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman … “repeatedly violated Iranian airspace.” (rmks: The Mullahs are as clean as the wind-driven snow) NORTH KOREA US satellites reportedly have picked up signs that North Korea has begun preparations for another long-range missile launch. PIRACY Vietnam: Vietnamese police frees a Malaysia-registered tanker hijacked on 19 Nov … 11 pirates arrested … pirates had renamed the ship and given it a different IMO number, indicating not asking for ransom but wanted to keep it for own purposes. (rmks: I wonder how the Vitnamers deal with cockroach infestations?) RUSSIA +++ Black-Sea Fleet deployment: The Russian navy reportedly ordered the MOSKVA task force to for the time being remain in the Eastern Mediterranean near Gaza … in case situation escalates again and evacuation operations should become necessary. (rmks: possibly mere political move to “balance” US Navy deploying its IWO JIMA group. This doesn't look good) +++ Supplementary to MISTRAL class helicopter carriers, the Russian navy wants to acquire new French EDA-R landing craft … no numbers yet. (rmks: Heck, if they're buying the LHD, they might as well get the landing craft that goes with them right?) +++ There are - as yet unconfirmed – reports that the crew of Pacific Fleet DELTA-III submarine K-433 RFS SVJATOY GEORGIY will be “disbanded” on 01 Dec … if true would suggest decommissioning of the submarine imminent. USA The US Navy will “retire” all its mine-detecting dolphins by 2017. (rmks: Score one for the eco-freaks at PETA) 24 November BRAZIL With promotion to Rear Admiral, Director of the Naval Clinic Dalva Maria Carvalho Mendes has become the Brazilian navy’s first female two-star admiral. CHINA A J-15 fighter aircraft (i.e., a Su-33 Flanker “clone”) has made a first successful landing on aircraft carrier LIAONING. (rmks: Still long way to go from first test-pilot landing/take-off to operational deployment of combat aircraft. But the Chinese will attain this capability) IRAN (related) Israeli intelligence allegedly has been tracking an Iranian ship loaded with Fajr-5 missiles … heading for the Red Sea … cargo to be offloaded in Sudan and then via land routes to be smuggled to rearm Gaza Hamas. (rmks: Although unconfirmed, Iranian “violation of UN resolution” could justify intercept at sea. This would make for an interesting scenario) 25 November CHINA China has launched Yaogan 16 observation satellite, believed to fulfill naval surveillance missions. COLOMBIA – NICARAGUA Territorial dispute after The Hague last week ruled that Pacific islands of the San Andres Archipelago belong to Nicaragua … Columbia defies the ruling … president has ordered the navy to remain there and “preserve national sovereignty.” (rmks: Here's another interesting situation)
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