November 27, 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. Several interesting things in today's naval news. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 17 November CHINA In Ukraine, the PLAN has taken delivery of the first ZUBR (POMORNIK) class LCAC … two Chinese crews in Ukraine, starting on-board training. 24 November USA High-Speed Vessel SWIFT (HSV 2) completes training period with the Ghanaian navy as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2012. 26 November IRAN Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) to take over two more GHADIR midget submarines and two BH7 hovercraft on naval day (28 Nov). Additionally, the IRGCN is set to receive new, domestically built missile corvette SINA-7 (reverse-engineered COMBATTANTE class) to be “unveiled” (rmks: Publicly displayed; apparently not yet completed). ITALY Offshore patrol vessel ITS COMANDANTE BETTICA south of Lampedusa intercepts and assists craft loaded with 120 mostly Sub-Saharan migrants. RUSSIA +++ For the past two years Russia has been designing a prospective nuclear-powered aircraft carrier … Admiral Chirkov: design work to be completed by 2020. +++ YASEN class submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK conducts first missile test against land target … in the White Sea successfully fired a supersonic cruise missile (rmks: Likely a Kalibr/Club missile) THAILAND Decommissioned landing ship HTMS CHANG (Type US-LST) sunk as artificial reef off Koh Chang. UNITED KINGDOM In a hand-over in the Red Sea, TYPE 23 frigate HMS NORTHUMBERLAND has relieved sister ship HMS SUTHERLAND in operations “East of Suez” … to join anti-terror operation “Enduring Freedom” but also conduct anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa. SUTHERLAND now heading home. USA Aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN has embarked a Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aircraft … for upcoming first carrier-borne trials of the UAV … extensive carrier deck handling tests ahead of first flying operations later this winter. (rmks: During recent overhaul TRUMAN was fitted with gear and software to operate the X-47B. Will likely be the new DTARPS platform) VENEZUELA Domestic Ucocar shipyard to build seven patrol boats for Venezuelan coast guard … with technology transfer from Netherlands Damen Schelde … two Stan Patrol 4207, five Stan Patrol 2606. 27 November PAKISTAN A Pakistan navy ship (unnamed as of yet) is expected to dock at Port Sudan (Sudan) for a scheduled two-day visit. (rmks: partly overlapping with upcoming visit of two Iranian navy ships – see below) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS IRAN (30 Nov) Two (yet unnamed) Iranian navy ships will arrive at Port Sudan (Sudan) on 30 Nov for replenishment and three day “routine” visit. (rmks: Media speculate on escort for an Iranian cargo ship loaded with new Fajr-5 missile shipment for Gaza Hamas rspv. Islamic Jihad) RUSSIA (01 Dec) +++ New “Arctic” motorized infantry brigade (incl. naval infantry elements) officially to be established with the Northern Fleet … based at Pechenga. (rmks: Boy, there's a name I haven't heard in a long while) +++ Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) now plans launching of Project 22010 oceanographic research vessel YANTAR on 05 Dec. UAE (10 Dec) „Offshore Patrol Vessels Middle East Summit” to be held in Abu Dhabi from 10-12 Dec … discuss piracy and protecting offshore oil assets from terrorist attack and sabotage … senior admirals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, United Kingdom, Ukraine, USA as well as CTF-151 and EUNAVFOR to attend.
November 28, 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 more interesting developments in today's naval news summary. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 22 November PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): Spanish frigate SPS MENDEZ NUNEZ sails from Rota (Spain) for the Horn of Africa … will join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: The pirates are quaking with fear ... NOT!) 23 November RUSSIA Almaz launches 6th SOBOL class patrol boat (215) … delivery in June 2013 to border guard service in Murmansk region. (rmks: One more hull in the water before everything freezes over) 26 November CHILE Submarine SIMPSON arrives at US Naval Station Mayport to take part in the Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI) partnership program with the US Navy. INDIA – RUSSIA India has given end of 2013 as “deadline,” for delivery of aircraft carrier VIKRAMADITYA. (rmks: Talking about your hollow threats. This coming from someone who can't even deliver their own ships on time) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (dittos from 22 Nov): Italian navy dock landing ship ITS SAN MARCO sails from Taranto for Djibouti … flag ship of NATO SNMG-2 (new commander Italian RAdm Antonio Natale) … on 07 Dec, take over anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield” from SNMG-1. (rmks: "Holy crap, the San Marco is coming!" Said no pirates ever) UNITED KINGDOM “Cougar 12”: Response Force Task Group with helicopter carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS leaves the Mediterranean … off Gibraltar ILLUSTRUIOUS conducted more trials with British army Apache combat helicopters … scheduled to arrive back at home port Portsmouth on 30 Nov. (rmks: Why can''t we – the makers of the Apache – develop the platform for the USMC as a replacement of the Sea Cobra, which entered the service right after the earth cooled) 27 November IRAN (related) +++ According to a diagram obtained by the IAEA and “leaked” to a news agency, Iranian scientists have run computer simulations for a nuclear weapon that would produce more than triple the explosive force of the WWII bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. (rmks: Yet the mullah, have absolutely no intention of developing one. If you believe that one, I have a bridge in Brooklyn, I can sell you ... dirt cheap!) +++ While Tanzania stated in August that it would de-register Iranian ships, reports indicate that Iranian NITC vessels have recently been reflagged in Tanzania … partly in a fraudulent ownership and insurance scheme … one such tanker (BAIKAL) currently “quarantined” off Greece while the origin of its load of crude oil is being investigated. (rmks: Don't you just love how the sanctions are working) +++ Iranian Navy Commander RAdm Sayyari: “Upcoming naval drills more massive and cover a vaster area than previous exercises”. RUSSIA +++ Admiral Chirkov reaffirms the first two MISTRAL class helicopters will both be stationed with the Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok … berthing space currently under construction. (rmks: I hate to be skeptical, but iIll believe when I see it) +++ Construction of (first) new aircraft carrier could start in 2018, although Russian navy rejected first draft concept as “completely obsolete”, reflecting technologies of the 1980s (based on former - unfinished - ULYANOVSK) +++ The Caspian Sea Flotilla will get three Project 11770 SERNA class amphibious craft over the next two years. +++ Training ship RFS PEREKOP to be overhauled in Bulgaria … in April/May 2013 … sister ship SMOLNIY already there … part of Bulgarian repayment of debts to former USSR … SMOLNIY reportedly (rmks: unconfirmed) to be stationed in Toulon (France) to provide accommodation for first crews of new MISTRAL class helicopter carriers. SOUTH KOREA The ROK Navy has deployed KDX-III Aegis-destroyers ROKS SEJONG DAEWAN and SEOAE RYU SEONG-YONG south of the Peninsula to monitor and track a space rocket to be launched later this week. (rmks: The third South Korean attempt to send a rocket to space; first two had failed) 28 November USA Frigate USS VANDEGRIFT scheduled to return to home port San Diego, ending a six-month independent deployment to the West Pacific … participated in five exercises supporting CARAT 2012.
November 28, 201213 yr IRAN (related) +++ According to a diagram obtained by the IAEA and “leaked” to a news agency, Iranian scientists have run computer simulations for a nuclear weapon that would produce more than triple the explosive force of the WWII bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. (rmks: Yet the mullah, have absolutely no intention of developing one. If you believe that one, I have a bridge in Brooklyn, I can sell you ... dirt cheap!) Worth remembering that Little Boy didn't 'destroy' Hiroshima - about a quarter of the city's buildings survived.
November 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 nuggets continue to be mined concerning the world's navies. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 26 November FRANCE The French navy took delivery of its 4th new EDA-R landing craft. (rmks: With the Russkies now interested in the platform, it looks like the economies of scale principle will come into play) RUSSIA The Russian navy reportedly rejected acceptance of STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS BOYKIY as a subcontractor had failed to deliver the main gun in time. (rmks: They ran acceptance trials without the gun). 27 November USA Modified OHIO class (SSGN) submarine USS FLORIDA arrives at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. 28 November CHINA The East Sea Fleet has begun another “routine training” in the West Pacific … destroyers HANGZHOU and NINGBO, frigates ZHOUSHAN and MAANSHAN and supply ship POJANG HU have passed through the Miyako Strait (south of Okinawa). IRAN +++ On the occasion of “Navy Day”, the Iranian navy commissions two more GHADIR class midget submarines and two hovercraft (one refurbished BH7 and one – smaller – new TONDAR) … launches new SINA class (reverse engineered COMBATTANTE) missile corvette which “finished phase 1” of construction (rmks: Likely meaning hull completed) … showcase new MOWJ missile frigate SAHAND under construction (hull and superstructure completed). +++ Iranian VLCC tanker VOYAGER heading for South Korean port of Ulsan … may carry 2 million barrels crude oil … indicating South Korea still has no intention to join EUJ/US sanctions. (rmks: What the old adage about friends and enemies?) INDIA The MoD will ask the government for additional funding needed to meet cost overrun and complete indigenous aircraft INS VIKRANT, built al Cochin shipyard but already at least four years behind schedule. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): Russian Pacific Fleet anti-piracy task group (RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, IRKUT and ALATAU) arrives at Mumbai (India) for a scheduled port visit until 02 Dec and subsequent PASSEX with the Indian navy. RUSSIA +++ During a ceremony at Makhachkala, the Caspian Sea Flotilla has commissioned GEPARD class missile corvette RFS DAGESTAN. +++ KILO class submarine RFS MAGNITOGORSK has completed two-week return voyage from the Baltic to its parent Northern Fleet. +++ Black Sea Fleet deployment: no word yet that the RFS MOSKVA task group may have passed the Suez Canal (originally scheduled on 27 Nov) … actually, not word at all on the group’s activities … indicating may still be on stand-by in the Eastern Med for “possible Gaza evacuation operations”. 29 November IRAN (related) Greek coast guard is searching for Tanzanian-flagged Iranian tanker BAIKAL which had approached Syros with a shipment of 146,000 tons of - probably Iranian - crude oil … after initial inspection for possible embargo violation, the ship set sail … and switched off its Automatic Identification System. (rmks: Once again, don't you just love how the sanctions are working) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (14 Dec) Almaz (St. Petersburg) is to launch second Project 22120 “ice class patrol vessel” on 14 Dec … the “051” is destined for border guard service.
November 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 nuggets continue to be mined concerning the world's navies. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 26 November FRANCE The French navy took delivery of its 4th new EDA-R landing craft. (rmks: With the Russkies now interested in the platform, it looks like the economies of scale principle will come into play) RUSSIA The Russian navy reportedly rejected acceptance of STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS BOYKIY as a subcontractor had failed to deliver the main gun in time. (rmks: They ran acceptance trials without the gun). 27 November USA Modified OHIO class (SSGN) submarine USS FLORIDA arrives at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. 28 November CHINA The East Sea Fleet has begun another “routine training” in the West Pacific … destroyers HANGZHOU and NINGBO, frigates ZHOUSHAN and MAANSHAN and supply ship POJANG HU have passed through the Miyako Strait (south of Okinawa). IRAN +++ On the occasion of “Navy Day”, the Iranian navy commissions two more GHADIR class midget submarines and two hovercraft (one refurbished BH7 and one – smaller – new TONDAR) … launches new SINA class (reverse engineered COMBATTANTE) missile corvette which “finished phase 1” of construction (rmks: Likely meaning hull completed) … showcase new MOWJ missile frigate SAHAND under construction (hull and superstructure completed). +++ Iranian VLCC tanker VOYAGER heading for South Korean port of Ulsan … may carry 2 million barrels crude oil … indicating South Korea still has no intention to join EUJ/US sanctions. (rmks: What the old adage about friends and enemies?) INDIA The MoD will ask the government for additional funding needed to meet cost overrun and complete indigenous aircraft INS VIKRANT, built al Cochin shipyard but already at least four years behind schedule. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): Russian Pacific Fleet anti-piracy task group (RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, IRKUT and ALATAU) arrives at Mumbai (India) for a scheduled port visit until 02 Dec and subsequent PASSEX with the Indian navy. RUSSIA +++ During a ceremony at Makhachkala, the Caspian Sea Flotilla has commissioned GEPARD class missile corvette RFS DAGESTAN. +++ KILO class submarine RFS MAGNITOGORSK has completed two-week return voyage from the Baltic to its parent Northern Fleet. +++ Black Sea Fleet deployment: no word yet that the RFS MOSKVA task group may have passed the Suez Canal (originally scheduled on 27 Nov) … actually, not word at all on the group’s activities … indicating may still be on stand-by in the Eastern Med for “possible Gaza evacuation operations”. 29 November IRAN (related) Greek coast guard is searching for Tanzanian-flagged Iranian tanker BAIKAL which had approached Syros with a shipment of 146,000 tons of - probably Iranian - crude oil … after initial inspection for possible embargo violation, the ship set sail … and switched off its Automatic Identification System. (rmks: Once again, don't you just love how the sanctions are working) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (14 Dec) Almaz (St. Petersburg) is to launch second Project 22120 “ice class patrol vessel” on 14 Dec … the “051” is destined for border guard service.
November 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. Here's a few updates to get you through the weekend. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 23 November RUSSIA There have been conflicting numbers; some media reporting Almaz launched the “6th” SOBOL class patrol boat (215), others claim the 16th boat of this class … delivery in June 2013 to border guard service in Murmansk region. 27 November PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): The 12th Chinese anti-piracy task group (YIYANG, CHANGZHOU, QIANDAO HU) has completed handover to 13th group (HUANGSHAN, HENGYANG, QINGHAI HU) … groups parted after short joint escort mission in the Gulf of Aden … 12th group now leaving for home, probably with some port visits enroute. (rmks: Intel collection complete, time to head home and process it. Oh, I almost forgot ... the pirates breathe a sigh of relief – NOT!) 28 November PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (dittos from above): Belgium navy frigate BNS LOUISE-MARIE has joined EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” … until February. (rmks: "Holy crap, here come the Belgians!" Has never been said by a pirate.) 29 November AUSTRALIA +++ An intruder overpowered the duty member of an HMAS ARMIDALE class patrol boat moored inside the naval base in Darwin, accessed the vessel’s armory, removed a number of weapons and departed with them … regarded as “breach of national security.” (rmks: That's an understatement!) +++ Netherlands Damen Schelde has been contracted with building a “Rescue Gear Ship” (RGS 9316) … to support the Australian navy submarine fleet … design similar to British SD VICTORIA … to be built at Damen facility in Vietnam … delivery in 2016. (rmks: This will likely help to keep the COLLINS SSKs held together with bubblegum and bailing wire until a final solution for a replacement is reached) CANADA After passing a “critical dive test” submarine HMCS WINDSOR may be “only months” from becoming fully operational … at long last providing the Atlantic coast with an operational submarine. (rmks: With all the trouble our northern cousins have been having with their SSKs, here's hoping they can finally light this candle!) CHINA +++ As of 01 Jan, Chinese police (Hainan province) will “board and seize control of foreign ships,” which enter into what China considers its territorial waters in the disputed South China Sea. (rmks: It remains to be seen where exactly and how this “order” would be implemented. Additionally, I can see this going over real well with the neighbors!) +++ Photos published on the internet seem to suggest development of a carrier-based AEW aircraft which bears a “striking resemblance” to the US Navy’s E-2C Hawkeye. (rmks: Could be a hoax. If true, wonder if it would manage ski-jump take-off from LIAONING …) IRAN +++ (Related) The United States has set a March deadline for Iran to start “cooperating in substance” with an IAEA investigation, warning Tehran the issue may otherwise be referred to the U.N. Security Council. +++ (Sudan) The announced visit of two Iranian warships to Port-Sudan, initially scheduled to start on 30 Nov, has been delayed to 07 Dec. ISRAEL Unconfirmed media reports that Germany “recently” has agreed to Israel navy plans for modification of the DOLPHIN class submarines’ torpedo tubes, to launch cruise missiles. (rmks: These very same media outlets have claimed for some ten years the DOLPHINS already have been carrying such missiles. Go figure) NETHERLANDS In “solving various obsolescence issues” all 16 Goalkeeper CIWS operational with the Netherlands navy will receive an update. PIRACY (Cockroaches on Parade) +++ Arabian Sea: A possible Pirate Attack Group comprising two skiffs sighted south of Masirah (Oman) +++ Arabian Sea: A possible pirate mothership (whaler) observed in central Arabian Sea (some 500 nm east of Hobyo). (rmks: Where are the Keystone Kops when you need them?) TURKEY In planned acquisition of four air-defense frigates, feasibility studies have been completed and a “project model” will now be devised … expect domestic shipyard to build the ships with foreign assistance … no time-table yet. USA At Patuxent River, the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator successfully completed its inaugural land-based catapult launch. 30 November UNITED KINGDOM “Cougar 12”: the RN Response Group Task Force (et al helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS and dock landing ship BULWARK) is returning to home ports … ending the two-month “Cougar 12” deployment to the Mediterranean.
December 3, 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 week begins. Lots of navy-related happening occurred over the weekend. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 28 November EGYPT (GREECE) Egyptian navy chief RAdm Osama Ahmed Ahmed El-Gendy conducts official visit to Greece. SPAIN Aircraft carrier SPS PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS seems to be heading for decommissioning (and subsequent scrapping) in early 2013 … no money for modernization nor for continued operations. 29 November NORWAY During exercise "Flotex Silver Rein“, the Norwegian navy has lost a REMUS 100 autonomous underwater vehicle … had been employed on 14 Nov in bottom survey in port Tromsoe when contact was lost … probably sunk at port entrance and then was carried by current out to open sea. (rmks: That's gotta suck! Those toys cost a pretty penny) PAKISTAN (SUDAN) A Pakistan navy warship has arrived at Port Sudan (Sudan) for a scheduled two-day “routine visit”. Local media report that the “SHASHMIR” (most likely meaning frigate SHAMSHEER) has left anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa (probably with CTF-151), for a short foray into the Red Sea. 30 November AUSTRALIA (Air force-operated) Australian AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft have ended 10 years of continuous service in the Middle East … as part of “Operation Slipper” had operated in the Arabian Gulf, North Arabian Sea, Afghanistan, Iraq and off Somalia … flown maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions … also in support of anti-piracy operations. CHINA Hudong shipyard seems to have launched another JIANGKAI-II frigate … reportedly to be 575 QINZHOU. IRAN (SUDAN) While state media report announced Iranian navy visit to Port Sudan (Sudan) postponed by one week (to 07 Dec), Iranian navy commander RAdm Sayyari claims frigate JAMARAN will arrive there as originally planned on 30 Nov. (rmks: Looks like the old usual game of deliberate disinformation) update: by 02 Dec no media info that ship may have arrived at Port Sudan. ITALY The Italian navy has conducted 10-day amphibious exercise “AMPHEX 12-2” in the Ionian Sea … 16 ships (incl. aircraft carriers ITS CAVOUR and GARIBALDI), two submarines, 28 aircraft and San Marco regiment naval infantry … fictional scenario (believe-it-or-not – United Nations backed intervention) … “project power from sea to shore”. (rmks: Although the plot seems interesting, the thought of the UN backing a naval intervention in today's koombay-ya mentally seems a little preposterous) PIRACY General: Pirate attacks on merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean fell 81 per cent this year … Likely due to EU NavFor (rmks: What, the Keystone Kops did something – I think not) Use of armed security guards on ships a "game-changer." (rmks: Ah, there's the real reason. The cockroaches ain't stupid folks. They obviously don't like the idea of being shot at for some reason) RUSSIA +++ Defense ministry spokesman: First YASEN-class submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK will not be put in service this year but only in 2013 … still has to complete state acceptance trials in the White Sea. (rmks: What was that i previously said about deliberate disinformation?) +++ Nerpa shipyard has begun dismantling decommissioned OSCAR-II class submarine K-148 KRASNODAR. (rmks: The Russkie version of new razor blades) 01 December AUSTRALIA Update: Police have arrested a man who had robbed 2 shotguns and 12 handguns from ARMIDALE class patrol boat BATHURST, berthed at Coonawarra (Darwin) naval base … all stolen weapons recovered. No details yet on the culprit (rmks: Who was likely an insider – read that a member of the crew) CHINA +++ East Sea Fleet task group (4 destroyers/frigates, 1 supply ship) conducts search & rescue training in the Western Pacific … based on the scenario of “local law-enforcing vessels being confronted by foreign warships while carrying out their duties.” (rmks: Task group had sailed the Miyako Strait on 28 Nov) +++ Huangpu shipyard has launched a second catamaran survey/research ship (given as NAN CE 429 class). +++ Photo shows two Chinese navy ships transferred to paramilitary China Marine Surveillance … YANBING class ice breaker HAI BING 723 became HAI JIAN 111, WOLEI class mine layer 814 (LIAOYANG) now HAI JIAN 112. IRAN The Iranian National Institute for Oceanography (INIO) is to get a new “oceangoing research vessel” … construction of 50-meter ship began in spring 2011, currently 35% complete … ready for delivery by end of spring 2013. (rmks: A civilian ship, which during deployments also will fulfill military tasks / collect military data. Another outstanding example of the sanctions doing their job!) NORTH KOREA North Korea is set to launch a long-range missile … “peaceful, scientific mission aimed at placing a polar-orbiting earth observation satellite into space” … suspected as disguised tests for an ICBM capable of carrying a nuclear warhead … Unha-3 rocket is a three-stage variant of the Taepodong-2 ICBM that Pyongyang has been developing for years but has never tested successfully … will be second long-range rocket launch this year following a failed attempt in April. (rmks: Japan, South Korea and USA likely to deploy Aegis-ships to monitor launch and/or intercept missile if that should become necessary.) PIRACY Somalia: Somali pirates release four South Korean sailors … abducted in April 2011 with Singapore-flagged product tanker GEMINI … 21 Malaysian crew already released after seven months, but pirates then held back the Koreans … South Korean destroyer (CTF-151) has taken the four men onboard. (rmks: No cockroaches (excuse me, pirates) were harmed in reporting this piece ... BLAST IT ALL!) USA +++ During a ceremony at the Norfolk naval base, aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE has been retired from active service. SecNav Mabus announces third GERALD FORD class aircraft carrier (CVN 80) will be named USS ENTERPRISE. (rmks: A truly sad day. Fair thee well, good ship) +++ Although already deployed on operations to meet urgent needs, the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned surveillance helicopter has reliability and sustainability problems … both the initial operational capability and the full-rate production decision have been delayed by about two years until May or June 2014. 02 December IRAN (related) Turkey’s national oil company will further cut its purchases of oil from Iran by 20%, in a bid to obtain another six-month exemption from the United States’ sanctions against Iran. (rmks: Once again, with friends like this, who needs enemies) PHILIPPINES Commissioning of 2nd former USCG HAMILTON class ship delayed … BRP RAMON ALCARAZ to arrive in the country in late March/early April (vs. February) … ongoing repairs and refitting (at Charleston, USA), incl. installation of new main engine. 03 December RUSSIA For the record: For the past nine days, Russian websites/media/officials have not mentioned whereabouts/activities of the Black Sea Fleet task group (with MOSKVA) … remark by fleet commander RAdm Fedotenkov suggests ships still in the Eastern Med … on standby for “possible contingencies”. As Gaza does not make much sense anymore, Syria comes to mind. (rmks: I think the Russkies are getting antsy about the thought of a vanishing presence in Tartus, if the Assad regime collapses. Wow, that's a good idea for a scenario based in the East Med!)
December 6, 201213 yr Author NNSotD - 06 December 2012 I know it's been a couple of days, but searching for a job does take priority! I have some excellent leads that I hope pays off with a couple of major national companies. Here are the updates I have collected from the last few days, with some interesting nuggets. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 28 November NORWAY EH Industries has delivered a second NH-90NFH naval helicopter to the Norwegian navy. 29 November USA Aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER has ended operations in the Persian Gulf/Arabian Sea region and commenced home transit to Norfolk … on 29 Nov reported in the Red Sea. (rmks: After a maintenance break, in February will return to the Gulf region) 30 November BRAZIL In a ceremony at Portsmouth (UK) naval base, BAe Systems hands over APA, the second of three AMAZONAS class Ocean Patrol Vessels. (rmks: Originally built for Trinidad & Tobago coast guard, who reneged on the deal prior to their delivery) 01 December UNITED KINGDOM Submarine HMS ASTUTE has begun first-of-class trials, with a new special forces payload bay / swimmer delivery vehicle … “Project Chalfont” USA +++ Frigate USS KLAKRING returns to home port Mayport (Florida), ending a 6-month (final) deployment to the Caribbean and the east coast of South America … scheduled for decommissioning in March 2013. (rmks: It will be interesting to see who pony's up, to buy this one off the secondary market) +++ Aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER passes the Suez Canal on return transit from the Gulf region to Norfolk. (rmks: For security reasons only reported on 05 Dec). VIETNAM – CHINA Two Chinese fishing vessels “accidentally” ran across and cut cables of Vietnamese survey vessel BINH MINH 02 conducting a seismic survey 43 miles southeast of Con Co Island off Vietnam's Quang Tri province. (rmks: Don't you hate it when things like that "accidentally" happen) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka the Keystone Kops (KK)): Romanian navy frigate NMS REGELE FERDINAND has ended her 60-day mission with EU NavFor, heading for home … first ever anti-piracy deployment of Romanian warship. (rmks: The cockroaches (excuse me, pirates) breathe a sigh of relief ... I think not) USA Aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH has completed a 4-month short-term upgrade and maintenance period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard … now entering training and qualification cycle in preparation for a summer 2013 deployment. 02 December CHINA New paramilitary China MSA ship “22” launched at Wuhan. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (KK): French frigate FS SURCOUF has replaced frigate FS FLOREAL with the EU NavFor … FLOREAL returns to home port La Reunion. (rmks: Yet another sigh of relief ... not) USA Africa Partnership Station: HSV-2 SWIFT now in Gambia 03 December AUSTRALIA Defence Minister Stephen Smith: Still keeping options open on whether to purchase a fourth HOBART class air warfare destroyer INDIA - CHINA Navy chief Adm Joshi: … Chinese naval buildup major concern … Indian navy will protect national interests in the South China Sea … although presence in that maritime region is not on "very very frequent" basis, India has interests like free navigation and exploitation of natural resources there. (rmks: Believe-it-or-not, Indian state-run explorer ONGC has a stake in a gas field in the Nam Con Son basin, off Vietnam's south coast) IRAN (related) The US Senate unanimously approved new sanctions … on people selling or supplying a defined list of commodities to Iran that are relevant to its shipbuilding and nuclear sectors, such as graphite, aluminum, steel, and metallurgical coal. (rmks: Fat lot of good that will do. The Mullahs will just go to one of our "friends" to fulfill their needs) ITALY The Italian navy has reclassified aircraft carrier GARIBALDI as “helicopter carrier” … CAVOUR now only “aircraft carrier” operating fixed-wing AV-8B Harrier (and later F-35B). NORTH KOREA Announcement of closure areas off the west coast from 10 to 22 Dec gives a time-window for the planned launch of Unha-3 rocket which “will carry a polar-orbiting earth observation satellite” but may be nothing less than a disguised (forbidden) long-range missile test. Some analysts judge that the timing of the launch is intended to influence South Korean presidential elections scheduled on 19 Dec. USA Amphibious assault ship USS BONHOMME RICHARD returns to home port Sasebo (Japan), ending her fall deployment to 7th Fleet area. 04 December INDIA The defence ministry’s acquisition council has decided to go ahead with Project P75i … procurement of six submarines with air-independent propulsion systems and land-attack capability … global tender to be floated “soon” … several international companies preparing proposals. (rmks: There ain't many people who play in this ball park. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top) IRAN (related) +++ Iran claims to have intercepted and “captured” a US drone which had “entered into Iranian airspace over the Persian Gulf” … said to be a Scan Eagle, poss. operated from a US Navy ship … no further details yet. +++ The US Navy has denied Iranian claims of capturing a Scan Eagle drone launched from an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf … “all unmanned aircraft fully accounted for”. +++ Iranian state TV shows images of a drone … claims all data decrypted … US Navy: “appears to be a Scan Eagle … possibly fished out of the sea, but not ours”. (rmks: The US in recent years has lost some drones in the region; this may well be one of those). RUSSIA – INDIA Russian Pacific Fleet task group (RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, IRKUT, ALATAU) has ended visit to Mumbai (India) with one-day exercise “Indra” … with Indian navy destroyer MYSORE and frigate TABAR … focus on “joint anti-piracy operations”, however, more or less mere “Passex” with some joint maneuvering, communications and helicopter cross-deck operations … Russian task group now heading for the Gulf of Aden to commence scheduled anti-piracy operations. RUSSIA +++ Acceptance certificate signed for third Project 21630 corvette MAKHACHKALA at Almaz, St. Petersburg. +++ Zvezdochka has begun development of a new deep-diving submersible … “polyspherical” design, made of titanium, smaller than Project 10831 LOSHARIK but with twice its diving depth … will be carried on board modified DELTA-IV class submarine BS-64 (name given as PODMOSKOVYE) UNITED KINGDOM +++ VAdm Phil Jones has taken over as the Royal Navy’s Fleet Commander from Adm Sir George Zambellas, who will continue his NATO role as Commander Maritime Command in Northwood (UK). +++ Final TYPE 45 destroyer HMS DUNCAN has successfully completed her second spell of sea trials off Scotland … returned to Scotstoun … preparing for handover to the navy in spring 2013. USA +++ Frigate USS CURTS has completed her final deployment … anti-drug operations off the Latin America Pacific coast … returns to San Diego for decommissioning in late January. (rmks: This OHP will also be a likely candidate for the int'l sec. mkt) +++ General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego (Calif.) holds keel laying ceremony for future Mobile Landing Platform MLP-2 JOHN GLENN. 05 December COSTA RICA One person was killed and three arrested when a semi-submersible craft loaded with cocaine sank off the coast of Panama while being chased by the Costa Rican Coast Guard. (rmks: Man, don't you just hate it when that happens) FRANCE The French navy has begun testing new naval helicopters NH90 Caiman on board helicopter carrier DIXMUDE. NETHERLANDS Frigate HNLMS VAN AMSTEL returns to home port Den Helder, completing a several-month deployment to the Caribbean which included participation in multi-national anti-drug operations. NORTH KOREA (related) Ahead of planned North Korean space launch, the Japanese navy deploys BMD-capable Aegis destroyers JDS KONGO and MYOKO to the Sea of Japan / East China Sea … dock landing ship JDS KUNISAKI has transported two Patriot PAC-3 systems to Ishigaki (400 km southwest of Okinawa) … more Patriots to be deployed also on Okinawa. PAKISTAN The United States has “expressed willingness” to provide Pakistan with another three to four P3-C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. RUSSIA +++ Black Sea Fleet deployment: Interfax: The RFS MOSKVA task group will not pass the Suez Canal for anti-piracy operations off Somalia … the planned deployment has been cancelled, and the ships will return to Sevastopol in second half of December … probably due to the ships having spent more time than planned in the Mediterranean, on stand-by for poss. Gaza evacuation operations … two of the ships (unnamed) reportedly entered Tartus (Syria) for a short stop “to load fuel and water and make minor repairs." +++ Media quoting ”source”: BOREJ class submarine RFS ALEXANDER NEVSKIY will conduct its first submerged launch of a Bulava missile as part of tests scheduled in early July 2013. MoD spokesman: “sheer speculation out of sync with reality”. UNITED KINGDOM British defense spending is to be cut again over the next two year,s as part of additional austerity measures announced by the chancellor in Parliament. (rmks: No details yet) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS INDIA (Jan) DRDO is planning for a ballistic missile defense test in January … land-based newly developed Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) missile will be launched from Wheeler’s Island to intercept a two-stage version of the Dhanush missile, launched as target missile from a naval vessel (rmks: Should be SUBHADRA which has been serving as Dhanush test bed) 300-350 km distant in the Bay of Bengal.
December 8, 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. Today is Pearl Harbor Day. December 7th, 1941, a day which will live in infamy. Lord willing our Navy wil never see another day like that one. Here are some navy updates to tide you though the coming weekend. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 05 December RUSSIA Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) has launched Project 22010 oceanographic research vessel RFS YANTAR … 5,200 tons (108.1m x 17.2m) … also for open ocean bottom survey. USA The US Navy’s Military Sealift Command accepted delivery of the first joint high-speed vessel, JHSV-1 SPEARHEAD, at Austal Shipyard in Mobile (Alabama). 06 December CHINA – INDIA – VIETNAM China “told” Vietnam to stop unilateral oil exploration in disputed areas of the South China Sea … also warns India to stop oil exploration in the South China Sea in partnership with the Vietnamese government. (rmks: My goodness, the ChiComs are throwing their weight around) INDIA After "positive“ remark by navy chief Adm Joshi on indigenous nuclear-powered submarine (SSBN) INS ARIHANT, it is believed the reactor will go critical “soon”, setting the stage for first sea trials in the first half of 2013 … “harbor acceptance trials” completed. IRAN (related) Mounting evidence that Iranian oil tankers are manipulating identification signals (AIS) … take over identity of other ships … to confuse global tracking systems and conceal voyages. (rmks: More wonderful news on how the sanctions are doing such a wonderful job) NORTH KOREA (related) +++ All three stages of a long range missile assembled upright at Tongchang-ri, on the northwest coast … speculations the rocket will be launched on 17 Dec, death anniversary (2011) of Kim Jong-il. +++ US Navy is moving BMD-capable Aegis destroyers USS FITZGERALD and BENFOLD “into position” (rmks: probably to the East China Sea) to monitor missile flight … two more ships possibly to follow. +++ Japan reportedly has deployed a third destroyer (not named). (rmks: My guess is the candle won't light. Nevertheless, its always safe to err on the side of caution) RUSSIA +++ Construction of a second project 11982 SELIGER class trials ship to start in 2013 … shipyard still to be determined through tender. Type ship SELIGER completed all trials and looks set to be commissioned by year-end. +++ In a “technical launch” Almaz (St. Peterburg) already put the second Project 22120 “ice class patrolship” to water … official launching had been scheduled only on 14 Dec but cancelled due to “adverse weather conditions” (rmks: developing ice? Wouldn't that be funny) +++ After delivery to the Russian navy, corvette RFS MAKHACHKALA has been moved to Kronstadt … spend winter there … feature at St. Petersburg 2013 IMDS (03-07 Jul 2013), then transfer to Caspian Sea Flotilla. +++ Black Sea Fleet deployment: After cancellation of anti-piracy operations off Somalia, the task force is about to return home … missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA already headed for Sevastopol (arrive next week) … two landing ships and two support ships preparing for passage of Turkish Straits … destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY currently off Crete. SYRIA (related) Conservative Israeli DEBKA claims US aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER operating near Syria. US Navy reports the aircraft carrier “in the Mediterranean on transit to homeport Norfolk”. (rmks: DEBKA has a reputation for deliberate disinformation; on the other hand, there has been a 5-day “information gap” on the whereabouts of the Carrier Strike Group) UNITED KINGDOM +++ DefMin: Drones likely to replace cancelled Nimrod aircraft in reconnaissance missions. +++ During a rendezvous in the Red Sea, TYPE 45 destroyer HMS DIAMOND has handed over “East of Suez” duties (Persian Gulf/Arabian Sea) to TYPE 23 frigate HMS MONMOUTH … DIAMOND now on home transit, to arrive at Portsmouth in time for Christmas.
December 10, 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. A whole lot of activity in the last few days - especially in the Eastern Med. Enjoy the updates! Summary to follow: 05 December FRANCE Helicopter carrier FS MISTRAL sails from Toulon for West Africa … relieve dock landing ship FS SIROCO in national naval presence mission “Corymbe.” (rmks: These are usually a three-month deployment. No big deal for the pirates. Heck, it's just the Fench) 07 December NORTH KOREA (related) North Korea has begun fueling its three-stage rocket … should be ready to launch on / from 10 Dec. The Japanese government has ordered its armed forces to shoot down the rocket “if it threatens Japanese territory”. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keysone Kops (KK)): In a ceremony in Djibouti, Italian RAdm Enrico Credendino hands over command of EU NavFor (TF 465) to Spanish RAdm Pedro García de Paredes … with Spanish frigate SPS MENDEZ NUNEZ to become new force flag ship. Anti-Piracy Forces: The Netherlands cabinet has extended participation in anti-piracy operations off Somalia by another year … until end 2013. (the pirates are quaking with fear that the Dutch are extending their presence in the area ... NOT!) RUSSIA “Source” at General Staff: Navy commander Adm Chirkov might return to Moscow … office in the MoD building already being prepared … Chirkov has been forced at least twice a week to travel between St. Petersburg and Moscow, in order to approve documents and attend meetings. (rmks: So much for the Navy setting-up a “permanent” office in St. Petersburg) UNITED KINGDOM With all 13 Sea King Mk7 airborne early warning helicopters to be phased out by 2016 and a successor not in place before 2020, the UK might be facing a four-year capability gap … MoD: other systems could fill the void in the interim. (rmks: What was that adage about proper performance? Oh yeah, Proper planning prevents piss-poor performance – the P6 Rule of the US Navy) USA Ingalls Huntington at Pascagoula (Miss.) delivers SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24) to the US Navy. 08 December IRAN +++ The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy is building a jetty of its own on the Caspian Sea (Gilan province) … upon completion, all IRGC Navy's Caspian Sea vessels to be based there. +++ Two Iranian navy ships arrive at Port Sudan (Sudan) for announced visit … frigate JAMARAN and supply ship BUSHEER. (rmks: They make up 23rd Iranian collections unit (oops, sorry) anti-piracy task group). ITALY (GAZA) Italian police at the port of Naples seized a shipment of weapons … hidden in container … a.o.t. rocket launchers … probably originating from Iran … to be shipped for Egypt with a final destination of Gaza. (rmks: Media allege tip-off from Israeli intelligence. It must have been some pretty good intel) NORTH KOREA (related) +++ North Korea advises shipping that in upcoming rocket launch first stage of rocket will fall 140 kilometers west of Buan while the fairing may hit waters 88 kilometers west of Jeju Island. (rmks: That's if it even launches) +++ The US Navy also deploys cruiser USS SHILOH and destroyer USS JOHN S McCAIN to monitor rocket launch, adding to destroyers USS BENFOLD and FITZGERALD. (rmks: Looks like some serious Aegis coverage) +++ South Korean navy deploys two KDX-III Aegis destroyers. (rmks: No time like the present to test their TBMD systems) SYRIA (possibly related) +++ Russian MoD claims only missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA and two landing ships returning to Sevastopol. Three other ships (destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY, tanker RFS IVAN BUBNOV and salvage tug RFS SORUM MB-304) to remain “on station” in the Eastern Mediterranean … due to “worsening situation in the region.” (rmks: Read that, come to the aid of the Assa government) +++ Russian media speak of “reaction to US Navy aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER in the region”. (rmks: neither the EISENHOWER CSG nor the IWO JIMA Amphibious Ready Group have been mentioned on US Navy websites, for a number of days … absence of “routine information” suggest both task groups indeed on contingency stand-by in EastMed) 09 December CHINA Paramilitary Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC) seems to have ordered construction of a new 3,000 ton ship. (rmks: Likely a new OPV) MAURITANIA Image shows new Chinese-design 60-m patrol boat named AWKAR (no hull number) … built in China for the Mauritanian coast guard … all but complete (possibly even commissioned already). 10 December NORTH KOREA (related) Rocket launch delayed due to technical problems … launch window extended to 29 Dec … media report on replacement of one faulty stage. (rmks: I guess they need to add some more spit and bailing wire) UAE "Offshore Patrol Vessels Middle East Summit” scheduled to kick off in Abu Dhabi … until 12 Dec … discuss piracy and protecting offshore oil assets from terrorist attack and sabotage … senior admirals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, United Kingdom, Ukraine, USA as well as CTF-151 and EUNAVFOR to attend. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS PIRACY (20 Dec) Anti-Piracy Forces (KK): Russian Northern Fleet destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK (UDALOY) reportedly to sail on 20 Dec for a deployment to the Horn of Africa … until May 2013.
December 10, 201213 yr +++ Russian media speak of reaction to US Navy aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER in the region. (rmks: neither the EISENHOWER CSG nor the IWO JIMA Amphibious Ready Group have been mentioned on US Navy websites, for a number of days absence of routine information suggest both task groups indeed on contingency stand-by in EastMed) Both in the East Med as of last report.
December 11, 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. Although there are some interesting news nuggets, it was kind of a quiet Navy news day. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 07 December PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (the Keystone Kops (KK)): German frigate FGS SACHSEN returns to home port Wilhelmshaven, ending a more than 4-month deployment in support or EU anti-piracy operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: The pirates are breathing a sigh of relief that it's gone ... NOT!) 09 December UNITED KINGDOM The MoD has awarded contracts worth a total of Euro 3.3 billion … to complete (with design changes) 4th ASTUTE class submarine HMS AUDACIOUS … commence early work on 5th boat, HMS ANSON … procure long-lead items for the as-yet unnamed boats six and seven. 10 December CHINA Returning from two-week of exercises in the West Pacific, a task group with destroyers HANGZHOU and NINGBO and frigates MA’ANSHAN and ZHOUSHAN has returned to the East China Sea, passing between Japanese islands Yonaguni and Iriomote … arrived “for patrols” near contested with Japan Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. (rmks: Nothing like pokin' your finger in the eye of your adversary. I think this is a modern translation of one Sun Tzu's proverbs) FRANCE After sister ship FS JEAN BART also destroyer FS CASSARD will receive an upgrade with installation of a modern SMART-S Mk2 radar … during next scheduled major maintenance period (2013/2014). PAKISTAN Frigate TIPPU SULTAN and support ship NASR arrive at Simons Town (South Africa) for a scheduled port visit … coinciding with a visit of Pakistan navy commander Adm Sandila. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (KK): On return transit from anti-piracy operations with the EU NavFor (ended on 01 Dec) Romanian frigate REGELE FERDINAND has conducted a three day (08-10 Dec) port visit to Haifa (Israel). RUSSIA +++ One year after fire damaged DELTA-IV class submarine RFS YEKATERINBURG, first repair contracts have been signed at long last … contracts to repair/replace damaged sonar and other devices to be signed “later”. (rmks: The fact that the hulk sat for so long before repairs began, speaks volume about the situation of the Russkie shipbuilding infrastructure) +++ Black Sea Fleet deployment: Landing ships RFS SARATOV and NOVOCHERKASSK arrive at Novorossiysk, ending their deployment to the Mediterranean. USA Off Norfolk, aircraft carrier USS HARRY S TRUMAN has begun first at-sea tests for unmanned combat drone X-47B … remote-controlled taxing on flight deck. USA IWO JIMA Amphibious Ready Group said to be on home transit … to arrive at Norfolk before Christmas … had been operating in the EastMed since 19 Nov for “possible Gaza evacuations”. 11 December AUSTRALIA Landing vessel HMAS WEWAK decommissioned … all BALIKPAPAN class vessels to follow suit … BETANO and BALIKPAPAN this month … BRUNEI, LABUAN and TARAKAN in last quarter 2014 … to be replaced by six new landing craft. (rmks: It will be interesting to see if this happens before or after the Canberra class LHDs roll off the building ways)
December 11, 201213 yr UNITED KINGDOM The MoD has awarded contracts worth a total of Euro 3.3 billion … to complete (with design changes) 4th ASTUTE class submarine HMS AUDACIOUS … commence early work on 5th boat, HMS ANSON … procure long-lead items for the as-yet unnamed boats six and seven. Boats #6 and #7 are reportedly going to be called HMS Agamemnon and HMS Ajax.
December 12, 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. Happy 12/12/12. Some interesting things happening, to mark this special day. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 10 December PIRACY Somalia: At least 3 alleged cockroaches (excuse me, pirates) were killed in a clash with Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) near the coastal town of Gar’aad … unsuccessful attempt to rescue hostages from pirate held M/V ICEBERG 1, hijacked off Aden in March 2010 … PMPF have the ship surrounded with negotiations going on. (rmks: Maybe the PMPF should assume the duties of the Keystone Kops in the area. Sounds like the locals know what they're doing. Oh, I almost forgot ... pirates were harmed in the reporting story , which is about time) UNITED KINGDOM The Royal Navy has begun to trial a drone (UAV) that could be launched from most of its bigger vessels and used for surveillance operations. (rmks: Since they have no carriers, the Brits might as well use UAVs. Heck, they'll be replacing Neptunes soon) USA Aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER has left the Mediterranean into the Atlantic … heading home for Norfolk. (rmks: Stand-down on the Assad watch. I wonder what kind of black eye the Navy will get if he gases his people and there's no flat top in the area) 11 December CHINA +++ New large fishery patrol vessel, 5,800 tons YUZHENG 206, has sailed from Shanghai on her maiden voyage to the East China Sea … to “protect fishermen's interests and the country's maritime rights”. (rmks: Will soon appear off Senkaku/Diaoyu islands) +++ An East Sea Fleet task group (4 destroyers/frigates, one support ship) has returned to home base, ending a 15-day deployment to the West Pacific. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (speaking of the Keystone Kops): Netherlands navy dock landing ship HNLMS ROTTERDAM has completed her five-month mission in support of NATO anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield” and commenced home transit … expected to arrive in Den Helder on 22 Dec. (rmks: And the pirates breathe a sigh of relief ... NOT!) SINGAPORE Singapore has denied entry to Vietnamese-registered cargo ship NOSCO VICTORY carrying 40 Burmese asylum seekers who were plucked from the sea after their boat sank on 05 Dec in the Bay of Bengal. (rmks: This has the makings of a good ASEAN scenario. Obviously, Singapore is afraid their ally, will drop them on the pier, the the Sing's to deal with) SUDAN – IRAN Sudanese opposition groups claim the government is prepared to allow the Iranian navy establish a permanent base at Port Sudan or even build their own base anywhere at the Red Sea coast. (rmks: Hello, this one has scenario written all over it) 12 December AUSTRALIA Two new tugs HMAS ELWING and WAREE have arrived in Australia to replace BANDICOOT and WALLAROO for which “disposal arrangements have commenced”. (rmks: It you can't build to replace old ones, you can always rent – not a good way to run a Navy. It looks like the Aussie naval shipbuilding infrastructure is in a sorry state as well) NORTH KOREA North Korea successfully launched a space rocket, managing to place a small satellite into orbit … Japanese, South Korean and US naval forces monitored without interfering … UN Security Council to address issue. (rmks: I'm amazed! The candle actually lit. Obviously the earlier announced “delay due to technical problem,” was deliberate disinformation.) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (20 Dec) Zvezdochka (Severodvinsk) on 20 Dec has scheduled keel laying for ice-capable, high-sea support ship RFS AKADEMIK ALEKSANDROV … Project 20183, variant of Project 20180 ZVEZDOCHKA … third in series of six ships … second (ammunition transport ship Project 20181 RFS AKADEMIK KOVALEV) under construction since Dec 2011. VIETNAM (23 Jan) Vietnam has announced that from 25 January 2013 a “specialized force” under its new Fishery Bureau will be activated to conduct patrol and surveillance duties in the hotly contested waters of the South China Sea. (rmks: Gotta outdo the Jones' on the block) NEW ZEALAND (early 2013) Tenders will be sought in early 2013 to upgrade the self-defense and sensor capabilities of the RNZN frigates TE KAHA and TE MANA … 2010 White Paper asked for such upgrade by 2017. (rmks: Since the Kiwi's haven't spent much money on naval systems, they will need these upgrades to keep the frigates operational and capable)
December 13, 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. It looks like we all survived 12/12/12. Hopefully everyone will have an enjoyable Thursday. Here are some naval news nuggets to get your day started. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 10 December USA The USS IWO JIMA Amphibious Ready Group has left the Mediterranean into the Atlantic … heading home for Norfolk. 12 December CHINA – JAPAN Three paramilitary China Marine Surveillance ships temporarily entered Japanese territorial waters around disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea. (rmks: Overall 16th intrusion since Japan purchased three of the five uninhabited islets in September. Once again the ChiComs are throwing their weight around) FRANCE The French navy had planned for taking delivery of two new NH90 Caiman helicopters in 2013, but may well expect to get three or even four. INDIA +++ ABG Shipyard has been formally awarded the expected contract for building a second 110-m cadet training ship … initial contract for two such ships signed in June 2011 … capable of carrying light helicopter, also to be employed in disaster relief, search and rescue operations. (rmks: The ink isn't dry on the contract and its already behind schedule, due to a woefully inadequate shipbuilding infrastructure) +++ The Indian navy is about to order eight Tejas naval fighter aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) … construction to commence in 2013. (rmks: In a much delayed program only one naval Tejas has been built thus far) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops (KK)): French frigate FS DUPLEIX has ended anti-piracy operations with EU NavFor and joined CTF-150 for regional anti-terror operations. (rmks: Are the Kops giving-up and going home? I'm seeing a lot of ships leaving the maritime version of the doughnut stand, with hardly no replacements) RUSSIA Vyborg shipyard ceremonially lays the keel for second Project 21900M ice breaker. SYRIA (related) French defence minister in an interview “confirms” aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE currently operating off Syria in the Eastern Mediterranean. TURKEY After completing procurement of eight (rmks: seems they have made up their mind) HEYBELIADA (MilGem) class corvettes … by 2020 … planning sees building a first batch of four new frigates TF2000, with a second batch of another four likely to follow. 13 December CHINA – JAPAN For the very first time, China deployed a “government aircraft” (rmks: may have been a Y-12 patrol aircraft, subordinate to MSA) over disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea … Japan scrambled fighter aircraft to intercept … launch official political protest. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces (KK): In routine change-of-command, Pakistan is taking over command of CTF-151 from Turkey … until March. (rmks: I'm seeing a lot of pomp and circumstance, but not a whole lot of anti-piracy patrolling) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS FRANCE (Jan) Aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE is scheduled to start a several-month maintenance period in January … may, however, in case of “emergency” be made ready for operations on short notice. (rmks: I guse they won't be off Syria for very long) RUSSIA (Mar) Black Sea Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ship RFS TSESAR KUNIKOV in March will proceed to Varna (Bulgaria) for major overhaul and modernization at the Varna naval arsenal. RUSSIA – UKRAINE (Jul) Annual bilateral Russian-Ukrainian naval exercise “Farwater Mira” scheduled in July 2013.
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