Regarding piracy, I think it's monsoon season. Also attacks are way down on last year.

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's amazing how fast another weekend has crept up, upon us. Here is some recent updates to hopefully generate some interesting scenarios. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

11 December

 

USA (multinational)

US Navy, British Royal Navy and commercial shipping completed annual naval control of shipping exercise “Lucky Mariner 13” … from 07-11 Dec in the Persian Gulf region … scenario to prepare for the possibility of asymmetric attacks on regional merchant shipping. (rmks: Hmm, I wonder who the probable red aggressor is. I know ... it's the pirates! It couldn't be the Mullahs, they have absolutely no aggressive intentions in the region. Yeah, it's those pesky pirates)

 

 

12 December

 

UNITED KINGDOM

The Devonport Royal Dockyard (Plymouth) has been contracted with a 15-month overhaul/upgrade to helicopter carrier HMS OCEAN. (rmks: While OCEAN is laid up, HMS BULWARK will be taking up all the RN's helo duty slack)

 

 

13 December

 

CHINA

Update: Aircraft entering airspace over Senkaku/Diaoyu islands was Y-12 fixed wing patrol aircraft, belonging to paramilitary (China Marine Surveillance (CMS) … first Chinese violation of Japanese airspace in 50-years … widely regarded as deliberate escalation, albeit still below military level. (rmks: What was that I said about poking your finger in the eye of your adversary)

 

NORWAY

Norway has once again warned NH Industries over delays to delivery of new NH90 naval helicopters … may “face the cancellation of the order” … 14 NH90 ordered in 2001 for delivery by 2008, but so far only one received with a second set to arrive. (rmks: It appears the HN90 may be a lemon. We'll soon see)

 

PHILIPPINES

President Aquino has designated VAdm Jose Luis Alano as new navy chief … take over from retiring VAdm Alexander Pama on 21 Dec.

 

RUSSIA

The Emergencies Ministry plans to carry out a study in 2013 to see if sunken Soviet NOVEMBER (mod) class nuclear submarine K-27 can be recovered from the seabed in Russia's Arctic waters … scuttled in September 1982 in the Kara Sea … lying just 30-meters deep on an even keel. (rmks: If they did it with the RFS KURSK, they should be able to yank up the "Widowmaker")

 

 

UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

 

USA (Apr)

Hospital ship USNS COMFORT to conduct operation “Continuing Promise 2013” … from April to August 2013 … provide medical and dental care, preventive medicine and veterinary consulting, and construction projects in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Jamaica, Nicaragua and Peru.

UNITED KINGDOM

The Devonport Royal Dockyard (Plymouth) has been contracted with a 15-month overhaul/upgrade to helicopter carrier HMS OCEAN. (rmks: While OCEAN is laid up, HMS BULWARK will be taking up all the RN's helo duty slack)

Upgrades to include Type 997 radar and four 30mm guns (presumably DS30M, vice 20mm).

RUSSIA

The Emergencies Ministry plans to carry out a study in 2013 to see if sunken Soviet NOVEMBER (mod) class nuclear submarine K-27 can be recovered from the seabed in Russia's Arctic waters … scuttled in September 1982 in the Kara Sea … lying just 30-meters deep on an even keel. (rmks: If they did it with the RFS KURSK, they should be able to yank up the "Widowmaker")

If she doesn't come apart in little pieces during the salvage operation. 30+ years is an awfully long time to be sitting on the bottom.

I thought K-19 (a "Hotel") was the "Widowmaker" - not to say that the HENs weren't dangerous subs to serve on.

 

RUSSIA

The Emergencies Ministry plans to carry out a study in 2013 to see if sunken Soviet NOVEMBER (mod) class nuclear submarine K-27 can be recovered from the seabed in Russia's Arctic waters … scuttled in September 1982 in the Kara Sea … lying just 30-meters deep on an even keel. (rmks: If they did it with the RFS KURSK, they should be able to yank up the "Widowmaker"

I thought K-19 (a "Hotel") was the "Widowmaker" - not to say that the HENs weren't dangerous subs to serve on.

 

Correct, a widow maker rather than the Widowmaker. K-27 was a one-off of the Novembers.

 

I thought K-19 (a "Hotel") was the "Widowmaker" - not to say that the HENs weren't dangerous subs to serve on.

 

RUSSIA

The Emergencies Ministry plans to carry out a study in 2013 to see if sunken Soviet NOVEMBER (mod) class nuclear submarine K-27 can be recovered from the seabed in Russia's Arctic waters … scuttled in September 1982 in the Kara Sea … lying just 30-meters deep on an even keel. (rmks: If they did it with the RFS KURSK, they should be able to yank up the "Widowmaker"

 

I think you're right! One thing is for sure, the Russkies have a lot of submarine salvage experience to draw upon!.

 

FWFS,

Greg

 

 

I thought K-19 (a "Hotel") was the "Widowmaker" - not to say that the HENs weren't dangerous subs to serve on.

 

RUSSIA

The Emergencies Ministry plans to carry out a study in 2013 to see if sunken Soviet NOVEMBER (mod) class nuclear submarine K-27 can be recovered from the seabed in Russia's Arctic waters … scuttled in September 1982 in the Kara Sea … lying just 30-meters deep on an even keel. (rmks: If they did it with the RFS KURSK, they should be able to yank up the "Widowmaker"

 

I think you're right! One thing is for sure, the Russkies have a lot of submarine salvage experience to draw upon!.

 

FWFS,

Greg

 

I wasn't talking about them sinking - I was talking about poorly shielded reactors on those classes...

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.

 

Sorry there was no NNSoTD, yesterday. We lost power due to a severe wind storm – one of the joys of living in the Pacific Northwest. Looks like there is some interesting things happening.

FYI, to celebrate Christmas with the family, this Friday will be the last summary of the year. Don't worry, I'll be keeping my ears to the rails. Any big doings will be posted on the HarpGamer FaceBook page Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

13 December

 

AUSTRALIA

Patrol boat HMAS BATHURST intercepts a boat carrying 59 asylum seekers off the Ashmore Islands.

 

CHINA

New SecGen KPC, Xi Jinping … during his first inspection of armed forces … has ordered the army to adopt “real combat” criteria in military training and intensify such awareness among soldiers. (rmks: Might sound rather bellicose, but what else would you expect during such a visit)

 

INDIA

The Government Committee on Security approved procurement of five new patrol vessels for the Indian coast guard … gave green light for phase two of new coastal radar system.

 

SUDAN – IRAN

The Sudanese government vehemently denied (opposition) reports that it has given the go-ahead to Iran on a Red Sea naval base.

 

 

14 December

 

AUSTRALIA

+++ Patrol boat HMAS PIRIE intercepts a boat carrying 101 asylum seekers north of Christmas Island; patrol boat HMAS MARYBOROUGH another boat with 56 people on board northeast of the island.

+++ An Australian refugee organization expects up to 30,000 asylum seekers (in 2013) … navy at risk of being overwhelmed … demands the government look for alternatives for asylum seekers to safely make it to Australia. (rmks: So they can deluge the social system and make things worse than they already are)

 

CANADA

VICTORIA class submarine HMCS WINDSOR returns to sea at Halifax, officially marking the completion of her major maintenance cycle. (rmks: Considering it is a Victoria class SSK that's a big accomplishment!)

 

CHINA

+++ China provided the United Nations with detailed claims to waters in the East China Sea … submitted documents to prove "geological features” dictated that China's claim extended to the edge of the continental shelf off the Chinese coast, beyond its 200-nm EEZ to about 110nm from Japan's Okinawa island. (rmks: No word yet, if they are providing documentary evidence that they originally created the geographic features in ancient times)

+++ Commander East Sea Fleet, VAdm Su Zhiqian: China will “actively” maintain peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. (rmks: To their preconditions, of course)

 

DENMARK

Cross-party support for defense reform plan and substantial (appr. 10 %) cuts to defense budget … much slimmed-down army, navy and air force which will be restructured into rapid-deployment units, geared to participating in international operations rather than traditional national territorial defense duties … merge the three branches’ command structure into a single command organization to be integrated into the MoD structure. (rmks: A ten-percent cut. Ouch! That'll leave a mark)

 

GREECE

20 illegal migrants (from Iraq) drowned when their small boat capsized while trying to cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece. (rmks: Tells you things ain't all that great in Turkey)

 

PIRACY

Anti-Piracy Forces (aka, the Keystone Kops): Romanian frigate NMS REGELE FERDINAND returns to home port Constanta, completing the first ever anti-piracy deployment of a Romanian warship. (rmks: The pirates stopped quaking in fear ... NOT!)

 

SPAIN

NEWPORT class landing ship SPS PIZARRO decommissioned after 17 years in service with the Spanish navy.

 

UNITED KINGDOM

TYPE 23 frigate HMS PORTLAND completes 50-week refit … returns to Plymouth to start operational work-up.

 

USA

Delays to delivery of Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV 1 SPEARHEAD had come eight-month late) likely to continue through at least 2017 … with also substantial cost overruns expected.

 

 

15 December

 

ARGENTINA – GHANA

The Hamburg (Germany) based UN's International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ordered Ghana to immediately and unconditionally release (and resupply as needed) the Argentine navy sail training ship APA LIBERTAD … Ghana government “carefully considering the court order” … Argentine navy crew to be flown to Tema (Ghana) on 18 Dec for home transit … expected to arrive at Buenos Aires around 09 Jan. (rmks: as a reminder, LIBERTAD was impounded 02 Oct in Tema at the behest of private creditors as collateral for unpaid bonds dating from Argentina's economic crisis a decade ago)

 

ITALY

More than 440 African asylum seekers in two boats under escort from Italian coast guard arrive at the island of Lampedusa.

 

PIRACY

+++ Somalia Basin: Belgian frigate BNS LOUISE-MARIE (EU NavFor) intercepts a suspected pirate skiff … five men apprehended, pirate paraphernalia seized … held on board while possibilities for prosecution are assessed. (rmks: The same boat had already been spotted by Swedish patrol aircraft (EU NavFor) on 12 Dec, but then contact was lost. It is likely, they will be granted full citizenship, transported to Europe and allowed to live off the public dole. No pirates were harmed reporting this tidbit of news ... BLAST IT ALL!)

+++ Gulf of Oman: North of Muscat (Oman), a single skiff (launched from a mother ship) attacks a merchant vessel, but breaks off when embarked armed security team fires warning shots. (rmks: The cockroaches (excuse me, pirates) live to pillage another day. Dittos on the above pirating postscript)

 

UNITED KINGDOM

Frigate HMS SUTHERLAND returns home to Devonport Naval Base (Plymouth), ending her six-month deployment “East of Suez”.

 

 

16 December

 

CHINA – JAPAN

Once again a paramilitary China Marine Surveillance ship temporarily (for 50 min) entered territorial waters around disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea. (rmks: After all, they did claim that they did create it – or so they will likely soon say. They were just ensuring they were still in one piece)

 

IRAN

Iranian researchers claim to have developed an indigenous surface drone (USV), however, illustrate their announcement with a dated photo of an Israeli PROTECTOR USV. (rmks: Ahh, leave it to the Mullahs, to provide some comedy in the day's reporting)

 

RUSSIA

New defence minister SHOIGU reportedly has given the order to “thoroughly study a proposal” for the entire Main Naval Staff (rmks: not just Admiral Chirkov) to move back from St. Petersburg to Moscow. (rmks: Only two months ago had moved from Moscow to St. Petersburg. I guess they still require adult supervision)

 

UNITED KINGDOM

VANGUARD class (SSBN) submarine HMS VIGILANT experienced a broken rudder while on trials in the Atlantic off the US coast … managed to make it to US Navy submarine base Kings Bay (Georgia) … damage to be investigated and repaired … boat had just finished a three-year overhaul. (rmks: on 23 Oct test-fired a Trident missile off Florida)

 

 

17 December

 

CHINA

+++ There are suggestions that QING class (043) submarine may be a single boat for test purposes (VLS?) only … speculations on possible replacement for old GOLF class (031).

+++ Navy has approved a new painting design scheme (font, color, size and position) for hull numbers … such as seen on aircraft carrier LIAONING.

 

RUSSIA (SYRIA-related)

The Russian navy is reported to ”urgently” prepare for another deployment to the Mediterranean … two-month contingency mission for possible evacuation of Russian citizens from Syria … (amphibious) task force to include ships from Black Sea Fleet (cruiser RFS MOSKVA, landing ship RFS NOVOCHERKASSK, “others”), Northern Fleet (destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK) and Baltic Fleet (landing ship RFS KALININGRAD) … join Black Sea Fleet task group still operating in the EastMed (with destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY). (rmks: Just in time for Christmas)

 

RUSSIA

+++ Sevmash is prepared to hand over (signature of acceptance documents) BOREJ class submarine RFS YURI DOLGORUKIY to the Russian navy by year end. (rmks: Question remains whether the navy is also prepared)

+++ Pacific Fleet commander RAdm Sergej Avakyants has been promoted Vice Admiral.

 

 

UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

 

CHINA (18 Dec)

Frigates YIYANG and CHANGZHOU together with support ship QUIANDAO HU expected in Sydney (Australia), for a four-day port visit. (rmks: Former 12th anti-piracy task group, on return transit from the Gulf of Aden)

 

USA (18-20 Dec)

The USS EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group is scheduled to arrive back home at the Norfolk naval base on 19 Dec. The ships of the USS IWO JIMA Amphibious Ready Group will return to Norfolk/Little Creek between 18 and 20 Dec.

 

INDIA (22 Dec)

Newly built frigate TARKASH scheduled to visit Salalah (Oman) on 22/23 Dec … on maiden voyage from Kaliningrad (Russia) to Mumbai (India).

 

RUSSIA (25 Dec)

New Project 11982 salvage ship SELIGER to be commissioned on 25 Dec in Novorossiysk.

 

USA (31 Dec)

The US Coast Guard looks set to decommission ice breaker USCG POLAR STAR on 31 Dec … no funding of repairs/upgrade for continued operations. (rmks: Another fine example of bureaucratic kicking the can down the road. Now we are losing one of our primary Pacific icebreakers)

 

IRAN (March 2013)

The IRGCN is planning for a “major exercise in/near the Strait of Hormuz” … at the end of the Iranian year … exact dates to be announced later.

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 few nuggets to report today. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

13 December

 

RUSSIA

Black Sea Fleet commander RAdm Alexander Fedotenkov promoted Vice Admiral.

 

 

18 December

 

ARGENTINA

Ghana's government says it will comply with a United Nations court order to release Argentine navy sail training ship APA LIBERTAD that's been held since October.

 

CHINA

Frigates YIYANG and CHANGZHOU together with support ship QUIANDAO HU arrive in Sydney (Australia) for a four-day port visit. (rmks: Former 12th anti-piracy task group, on return transit from the Gulf of Aden)

 

NIGERIA

The helicopter that crashed on 15 Dec, killing a number of high ranking politicians, was a Nigerian navy Augusta 105 … navy strongly rejects allegations is was “unairworthy”.

 

PIRACY

+++ Gulf of Aden: Reports that a merchant vessel has been pirated from anchorage off Bosaso. (rmks: No further details yet. The Keystone Kops must have been on the maritime version of a doughnut break)

+++ Anti-Piracy Forces (And speaking of the erstwhile Keystone Kops): Russian Northern Fleet task group with destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK, tanker DUBNA and salvage tug ALTAI sails from Severomorsk for a several-month deployment to the Gulf of Aden. (rmks: Departure was originally scheduled only on 20 Dec; ships might – temporarily – join other Russian naval forces heading for the Mediterranean in a Syria-related contingency operation; see below. No pirates were injured reporting these news items ... BLAST IT ALL!)

 

RUSSIA (SYRIA)

Med-Deployment - Update: As MoD “confirms” deployment, a group of five Baltic Fleet ships has sailed from Baltiysk … incl. frigate RFS YAROSLAV MUDRIY, landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN, tanker LENA and salvage tug SLIVA SB-921) … statement does not mention Syria, however, “sources” speak of contingency operation for possible evacuation of Russian citizens. Of note: Black Sea Fleet cruiser RFS MOSKVA and landing ship RFS NOVOCHERKASSK not mentioned in MoD statement. (rmks: Consular lists reportedly have some 5,300 Russian nationals in Syria and you can just about bet ol' Bashar won't turn down a ride if it's offered to him)

 

USA

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completed its first at-sea test phase (rmks: handling, not yet flying) aboard aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN

 

 

19 December

 

PHILIPPINES

In a change-of-command ceremony, VAdm Jose Luis Alano takes over as new navy chief from retiring VAdm Alexander Pama.

 

 

UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

 

UAE (17 Feb)

The 2013 IDEX international defense exhibition scheduled at Abu Dhabi from 17-21 Feb, 2013

 

MALAYSIA (26 Mar)

The 2013 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition will be held from 26-30 Mar, 2013.

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.

 

Another rainy PacNorWest day and one more day of updates. FYI – Tomorrow will be the last day of updates until 03 January 2013. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

17 December

 

FRANCE

First FREMM class frigate FS AQUITAINE has officially been declared “ready for operations”.

 

UNITED KINGDOM

The Disposal Services Authority (DSA) is offering decommissioned TYPE 22 frigates HMS CHATHAM, CAMPBELTOWN, CUMBERLAND and CORNWALL for “further use, sinking for an artificial reef, or recycling”.

 

 

19 December

 

ARGENTINA

Sail training vesse l APALIBERTAD has departed Tema (Ghana) for home transit. (rmks: Had been impounded there since October)

 

INDIA

At the Boeing facility in Seattle (USA) the Indian navy has taken delivery of the first of eight new P-8i maritime patrol aircraft … two more to follow by May/June, when the first three will be flown to India … five more to come by 2015 … negotiations on a follow-on order of another four aircraft.

 

INDIA

Construction of indigenous aircraft carrier (future) INS VIKRANT to resume … vessel (hull) will be brought back to the building dock of the Cochin Shipyard in early January.

 

ITALY

Fincantieri at Castellamare di Stabia (near Naples) launches first of two new 3,600-ts OPV for the coast guard (Guardia Costiera) … ITS LUIGI DATTILO (CP 940)

 

PIRACY

+++ Nigeria: Pirates boarded and ransacked German tanker SP BRUSSELS anchoring 40 nm off the Niger Delta … abducted five Indian crew members when leaving … Nigerian navy has launched “rescue mission”.

+++ Gulf of Aden (update): The ship hijacked from Bosaso anchorage is a North Korean freighter which had been impounded there because of illegally dumping cement … the hijackers are a dozen Puntland soldiers tasked with guarding it … said to be returning now to Bosaso accompanied by two Puntland “coast guard” boats.

+++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Russian destroyer RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, part of current Russian Pacific Fleet anti-piracy task group deployed to the Gulf of Aden, has arrived at Bandar Abbas (Iran) for a rare port visit. (rmks: So where are the vaunted anti-piracy forces? They are still on a doughnut break. No pirates were harmed reporting any of these stories ... BLAST IT ALL!)

 

RUSSIA (SYRIA)

+++ A three-ship Black Sea Fleet task group has sailed from Sevastopol for the Eastern Mediterranean … duration of mission dependent on development of situation in Syria. (rmks: No specifics given yet; should include landing ships)

+++ MoD: Three-ship Northern Fleet task group (with destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK) will “if need be” initially also linger in the Eastern Mediterranean before continuing for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

 

RUSSIA

+++ The fifth BUYAN-M (Project 21631) corvette will be named RFS SERPUKHOV. Keel laying at Zelenodolsk expected in early 2013, possibly coinciding with launching of type ship GRAD SVIYAZHSK.

+++ State Acceptance Commission signed the acceptance certificate for new tug RB 395, another Project 90600 vessel built by Pella shipyard.

+++ Adm Chirkov: development of new class of aircraft carriers continues with “series production to start in 2021”.

 

UNITED KINGDOM

+++ MODUK will make a first assessment next year of how to meet future maritime surveillance needs after the cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 patrol aircraft two years ago … study of airborne intelligence needs will deliver initial findings in April to the Military Capability Board … that will lead to some options being investigated further to decide before 2015 whether to initiate a formal program.

+++ Mine hunter HMS PENZANCE arrives at Rosyth for a 5-month overhaul/upgrade … first SANDOWN class vessel to be fitted with an enhanced 30-mm cannon.

 

USA

+++ The USS EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group and the USS IWO JIMA Amphibious Ready Group have completed their Mid-East deployments and returned to Norfolk/Little Creek. (rmks: EISENHOWER to redeploy in February).

+++ Raytheon is to manufacture 252 Tomahawk cruise missiles for the US Navy … 132 for use on VLS onboard surface ships; 120 for use on submarine capsule launch systems.

 

 

20 December

 

RUSSIA

Sevmash (Severodvinsk) has laid down new Project 09852 nuclear-powered deep sea research submarine.

 

 

UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

 

RUSSIA (30 Dec)

Sevmash (Severodvinsk) has scheduled floating out third BOREJ class submarine RFS VLADIMIR MONOMAKH on 30 Dec.

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.

 

How many of your thought the Mayans would be a good excuse for ducking-out on your Christmas shopping, this year? I guess you had better get busy now!

This will be the last NNSoTD for 2012. Thanks for making this a popular thread on the HarpGamer web page. I hope you all have a great Christmas and let's all pray that 2013 will be a better year. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

19 December

 

SPAIN (SOUTH AFRICA)

New Spanish navy METEORO class OPV SPS RELAMPAGO arrives in Cape Town (South Africa) for a port visit until 22 Dec … Spanish Navantia promoting ship as contender for South African navy project “Biro” which seeks procurement of OPV.

 

 

20 December

 

BELGIUM

The Belgian navy “by the end of this month” is expected to order two new 55-meter patrol boats (rmks: These appear to be OPV's by the size of them. 55m (or 180ft) is pretty big for a PB)

 

CANADA

No deliveries of CH-148 Cyclone helicopters this year, as US manufacturer Sikorsky has missed another deadline … Ottawa, however, confident the first eight helicopters will arrive in 2013. (rmks: The much delayed replacement of ageing Sea King, seems to be hitting a couple more bumps in the production road. Sikorsky may be the manufacturer, but our northern cousins are building them all in-house).

 

CHINA

+++ Russian “Kommersant” reports China and Russia negotiating on four AMUR class submarines … two to be built in Russia, the remaining two under a technology transfer agreement in China … final contracts “not before 2015”. )rmks: “Kommersant” usually is well informed. If confirmed, this could make China the first ever customer for Russian AMUR, export variant of LADA class. Unusual delay with “final contract” might indicate waiting until new propulsion system under development has proven itself. Regardless, this will be an extremely interesting program to monitor in 2013)

+++ Image posted on the Internet suggests launching of new large Maritime Disaster & Rescue Service ship BEI HAI JIU 101.

 

INDIA

Indian private shipyard Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has delivered the first of 36 indigenous high-speed interceptor craft to the Indian coast guard … (aluminum, twin water-jet, 40-knots).

 

IRAN

Defence minister BGen Ahmad Vahidi announces a series of indigenous new submarines to be built for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval force … “different” from currently produced GHADIR class midget submarines.

(rmks: Here is something else to be looking closely at in 2013)

 

IRAQ

During a ceremony at Umm Qasr, two 60-m Offshore Support Vessels (OSV-1, OSV-2) were officially handed over to the Iraqi navy.

 

PIRACY

Anti-Piracy Forces (aka the Keystone Kops): To play both NATO and the EU, the Ukrainian navy plans two anti-piracy deployments for its flag ship, frigate HETMAN SAGAYDACHNIY … first, in 2013, to support NATO operation “Ocean Shield”, second, in Jan 2014, to join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”.

 

RUSSIA

MoD has ordered new “flying command posts” for the commanders of Military Districts and the navy’s fleet commanders … based on Ilyushin Il-476 … replace “worn out” Il-22… construction to start in early 2013

 

RUSSIA (SYRIA)

Black Sea Fleet task group with missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA, destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY, tanker IVAN BUBNOV and salvage tug SORUM MB-304 operating off the Syrian coast … until end Dec when they will be relieved by approaching Baltic Fleet/Northern Fleet task groups … stand-by for possible evacuation of Russian nationals (rmks: to be augmented by landing ships) … also conduct “repeated visits” to Russian logistic base at the Syrian port of Tartus.

 

TURKEY

Local paper reports the Turkish navy deliberating development of a medium-sized frigate dubbed TF 100 … smaller than planned TF 2000 … would replace MEKO type ships “in the next decade”.

 

USA

Structural work of aircraft carrier GERALD R. FORD nearing completion … on track for scheduled launch in 2013 and delivery in 2015.

 

VIETNAM

A KILO-II class submarine built “for export” by Admiralty shipyard “in early December” has commenced factory trials in the Baltic Sea … training of foreign crew to start in January after holidays. (rmks: Vietnam's development of a submarine force in the face of mounting Chinese posturing and saber-rattling, will be another interesting development for 2013)

 

 

21 December

 

AUSTRALIA

"In relation to the theft of weapons” from patrol boat HMAS BATHURST on 30 Nov in Darwin, police have arrested and charged “a serving navy member”.

 

CHINA – JAPAN

Three paramilitary China Marine Surveillance (CMS) ships once again entered territorial waters at disputed Senkaku / Diaoyu islands … this time (reportedly) ignoring Japanese coast guard warnings to immediately leave. (rmks: Another sign the ChiComs won't be awarded the Best Neighbor Award for 2012)

 

RUSSIA

Business daily “Vedemosti”, citing “government sources”, reports Russia has abandoned plans to have two MISTRAL class helicopter carriers built in Russia … concerns about cost and military need … make do with the two French-built ships. (rmks: Me thinks this is the vodka version)

 

UNITED KINGDOM

TYPE 45 destroyer HMS DIAMOND returns to home port Portsmouth, completing her maiden deployment to the Middle East.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!

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.

 

And so begins a new year. I hope everyone had a joyful Christmas celebration and has a Happy New Year. Some very interesting developments taking place in several areas, which could be the source for very good scenarios. see if you can find them. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

27 December

 

PIRACY

Somalia Basin: 400nm from the Somalia coast, Belgium navy frigate BNS LOUISE-MARIE (EU NavFor) intercepts a suspicious skiff with three men on board … spotted by Swedish (EU NavFor) reconnaissance aircraft … as investigation provides no ground for successful prosecution, the men were set ashore at the Somalia coast. (rmks: I'm surprised the Keystone Kops didn't give them honorary Belgian citizenship on the spot)

 

 

30 December

 

RUSSIA

Zvezdochka officially returns DELTA-IV class submarine RFS VERKHOTURIE to the Russian navy … completing an overhaul that began in 2010 and extended life-time by 3.5 years.

 

 

31 December

 

CHINA

Jinglu Shipbuilding (at Penglai, Bo Hai Sea) was awarded contracts for four 1,000-ton class ships for the Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC). (rmks: These new OPVs will likely join the harassment force of the CMS)

 

CHINA – PHILIPPINES

Chinese navy YUTING II class landing ship 995 harassed Philippine government convoy during resupply mission to Philippine station in disputed Spratly Archipelago … threatening direct collision with boats under tow. (rmks: Don't'cha love how well the ChiComs play with their neighbors)

 

INDIA

Indian navy sail training ship INS SUDARSHINI arrives at Da Nang (Vietnam) for a scheduled three-day visit. (rmks: Since 13 Sep, it has been on a training cruise through 13 destination ports in Southeast Asia)

 

INDONESIA

State-run shipyard company PT PAL Indonesia is commencing construction of a small submarine repair facility in the Ujung dock area in Surabaya, East Java

 

IRAN (“Velayat-91”)

A coastal defense exercise continues with “pursuit of repelled enemy” … heavy missile attacks

Live missile (from land and sea) and torpedo firings … press statement mentions Ra’ad medium-range air defence missile (new navalized variant) and Nasr anti-ship missiles … claims that helicopter- and submarine-launched versions of Nasr are being developed. Additionally, simulated air defense operations against enemy aircraft and unmanned drones. (rmks: Obviously this is the Mullahs version of a New Year celebration0

 

JAPAN – CHINA

Once again three Chinese (paramilitary CMS) ships have entered territorial waters around disputed Senkaku / Diaoyu islands … Japanese coast guard calls to leave the area went unheeded, answering they were there “to protect Chinese territory”.

"In a bid to counter China's growing assertiveness at sea”, Japan is considering acquisition of US-made unmanned Global Hawk aircraft by 2015. (rmks: This could be an indication of how well the ChiComs will behave in 2013)

 

MYANMAR

Photos published on the Internet suggest commissioning of new fast missile craft 491 (armed with C-802) and recent launching of new helicopter-capable frigate F 12.

 

RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)

Baltic Fleet task group with frigate RFS YAROSLAV MUDRIY, landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN and two auxiliary vessels has passed the Strait of Gibraltar and arrived in the Mediterranean. Black Sea Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ship RFS NOVOCHERKASSK passes through the Turkish Straits enroute the Mediterranean Sea.

 

TURKEY

The Turkish navy is to procure two logistic support ships, one for the Mediterranean, one for the Black Sea … tenders from 12 national shipyards being evaluated … no details yet.

 

USA

Fiscal year 2013 includes funding for 17 MV22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft for the US Marine Corps … another 18 to follow in FY 2014.

 

 

01 January

 

CHINA

Government order to “intercept and board” any foreign vessel within Chinese territory (rmks: This begs the questions, what do the ChiComs consider 'Chinese territory')

 

IRAN (“Velayat-91”)

+++ Live firing of a variety of anti-ship missiles incl. long-range Noor from both naval vessels (rmks: photos show frigate SABALAN) and coastal batteries.

+++ “Dozens of warnings” issued to aircraft and ships of “extraregional forces” that approached the exercise area.

+++ Tests of new “electronic warfare systems” with which “all ships and submarines have been equipped.

+++ Practice fending off simulated cyber-attack on Iranian navy IT network.

(rmks: This is one heck of a New Year's celebration. Oh, I forgot to mention this is all taking place right arounf the SoH. Fancy that)

 

RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)

+++ MoD press office announces “large-scale exercises” in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea … to be conducted in late January … involving deployed naval task groups from all four fleets … “practice the issues of establishing a multiservice grouping of forces (troops) outside Russia” … one focus on amphibious operations (at the “rough” Caucasus coast )

+++ There's RUMINT that Baltic Fleet SOVREMENNIY class destroyer RFS NASTOICHIVIY (610) is being prepared for Mediterranean deployment.

(rmks: Although this may be the vodka version if ships from all of the Russkies fleets are involved. If PF ships are involved, they would need to slip away from the Keystone Kops in the Gulf of Aden and head north through the Suez canal)

 

 

THAILAND

A boat carrying about 70 asylum seekers from Myanmar's beleaguered Rohingya minority has been found adrift in the Andaman Sea off the Thai resort of Phuket.

 

2012

Here's a review of the top stories of 2012: http://navaltoday.com/2013/01/01/top-news-of-2012/

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.

 

As the new year is still in its infancy, there are some very interesting developments occuring that could be the grist for some very interesting scenarios. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

01 January

 

INDONESIA (UNIFIL)

Returning from a several-month deployment with UN Maritime Task Force off Lebanon (in support of UNIFIL), SIGMA class frigate KRI SULTAN HASANUDDIN makes a logistic stop at Colombo (Sri Lanka)

 

 

02 January

 

BANGLADESH

Blog: RUMINT that Bangladesh already signed-up for two former Chinese navy SONG class submarines … to be refurbished or upgraded before transfer. (rmks: If this is true,could be very interesting. Although, the Bangers have never operated subs before, so any BN UW program could take months even years to become effective. But the idea of Bangladesh having subs could be rather neat when it come to SEA scenarios)

 

CHINA

+++ Allaying international concerns over a new maritime policing policy implemented by Hainan provincial authorities in disputed sea areas (South China Sea), the foreign ministry has clarified that possible boarding of ships by Chinese authorities would be limited to “a narrow coast zone.” (rmks: That 'narrow coastal zone' will obviously include the disputed areas of the Spratley Archipelago and others odd rocks and reefs poking out of the SCS)

+++ Another YUAN class submarine recently launched … speculations on first boat of a “lengthened” variant.

(rmks: Hmm, a stretch YUAN. I don't have my copy of Jane's in front of me, does the YUAN class have an AIP onboard?)

 

INDIA

Having been given firm clearance by the government, the Indian Navy is now set to "very soon" (rmks: which means sometime within the next millennium for execution sake) issue a request for proposal for six new submarines with air-independent propulsion (Project 75i)

 

IRAN

Iran claims to have shot down two US-made RQ-11 Raven reconnaissance drones in the past 15 months … 1st in Aug/Sep 11, 2nd in Oct/Nov 12 … no details nor location given … drones being “evaluated”. (rmks: Small “model plane” like drone for photo reconnaissance, for launch just thrown into the air by a soldier. Of course the Mullahs also claim a lot of other things as well. Until we see something concrete, I think this can be considered RUMINT)

 

IRAN (“Velayat-91”)

More live missile firing, incl. Nasr and indigenous Ghader coastal defense missiles

 

ISRAEL

The Israeli navy reportedly fired warning shots at a number of Palestinian boats fishing off Khan Younis and Rafah (southern part of the Gaza Strip). (rmks: With Palestinians “testing” the limits of their new somewhat extended fishing grounds off Gaza, there will be more such incidents)

 

RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)

MoD update: The deployment will mark “the largest naval exercise in decades … primary goal is to train issues regarding formation of a battle group consisting of troops of different branches outside of the Russian Federation, planning of its deployment and managing a coordinated action of a joint Navy group.”

(rmks: It increasingly looks like the Russkies are using the situation in Syria as a means flexing muscle and training their forces for contingency ops in the Eastern med)

 

RUSSIA

In addition to eleven ice-capable support ships to be built by 2016, the Russian navy by 2020 plans to start construction of new warships optimized for operations under Arctic conditions. (rmks: Once again Russia is showing that defending their Arctic claims is high on their priority list)

 

SOUTH KOREA

The ROK Navy will purchase eight MH-60R Seahawk multi-purpose naval helicopters from the US.

Another YUAN class submarine recently launched … speculations on first boat of a “lengthened” variant.(rmks: Hmm, a stretch YUAN. I don't have my copy of Jane's in front of me, does the YUAN class have an AIP onboard?)

Yes, that's the belief.

If it already has an AIP, I wonder why they are stretching it? Maybe the ChiComs are developing a sub-launched VLS.