January 22, 201313 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. Well, it still foggy in the PacNorWest and the Guardian is still stuck on the reef – just another typical Tuesday. Hope everyone has a great day. Enjoy these updates! Summary to follow: 17 January PIRACY West Africa: (rmks: Just when you thought the cocroaches (excuse me) actions were in decline) Pirates seize Nigerian-owned Panama-flagged tanker M/V ITRI … off Abidjan (Ivory Coast) … 16 crew, carrying 5,000t jet fuel … weighed anchor and put to sea where contact has been lost. (rmks: No pirates were harmed reporting this story ... Where are the supposed "Anti-Piracy Forces" when you need them?) 18 January USA Off Norfolk, amphibious assault ship USS KEARSARGE has begun work-ups, ahead of deployment scheduled to begin later this spring. 19 January PIRACY (And speaking of the vaunted "Anti-Piracy Forces") Keystone Kops (KK): 12th Chinese anti-piracy task group (YIYANG, CHANGZHOU, QIANDAO HU) returns to Zhoushan, ending deployment. USA Dock landing ship USS TORTUGA at Okinawa, embarking elements of 31st MEU … for upcoming exercise “Cobra Gold” with Thai forces. (rmks: Part of the USS BONHOMME RICHARD Amphibious Ready Group) 20 January PIRACY +++ KK: The 24th Iranian anti-piracy task group has deployed from Bandar Abbas … composed of frigate SABALAN and supply ship KHARG … operate “at least three months”, with forays announced to the Mediterranean and South East Asia. +++ KK: Netherlands navy frigate HNLMS DE RUYTER sails from Den Helder for the Horn of Africa … support EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” … new naval helicopter NH-90 embarked for first ever operational deployment. (rmks: As usual, they are all talk and ZERO action) 21 January ARGENTINA Decommissioned (2004) missile destroyer APA SANTISIMA TRINIDAD, moored at the Puerto Belgrano naval base, at risk of sinking pier side … “due to a breakdown in the hull". CHINA Chinese websites report Russia has agreed to sell Beijing a total of 36 Tu-22M3 Backfire naval bombers … once in service with the Chinese naval air forces the Tu-22M3 will be known as “H-10? (rmks: It is likely this is the the ChiCom equivalent of the vodka version, as it is currently unconfirmed) GERMANY During a ceremony at the Rostock-Warnemuende naval base, the German navy commissions TYPE 130 corvette FGS OLDENBURG. IRAN – OMAN Iranian and Omani naval forces will hold joint rescue and disaster relief exercise in Iranian territorial waters off Bandar Abbas (Iran) … Omani navy landing ship NASR AL-BAHR already berthed at the port … the two countries signed a security agreement in August 2009. (rmks: What is that old adage about strange bedfellows?) RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment) +++ Exercise continues with two regional focal points in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea … first phase - deployment to specified areas and replenishment - completed … second (two-day) phase focus on force protection (anchorage) and anti-terror operations +++ Overall command by GenStaff (Dep CGS ColGen Alexander Postnikov) … Dep naval commander RAdm Leonid Sukhanov embarked in MOSKVA, operating in the Eastern Mediterranean +++ Participants include 23 ships and three submarines (official: “one diesel and one nuclear sub in the Mediterranean, one diesel sub in the Black Sea”), 25 aircraft and helicopters, aircraft of Long Range Aviation Command, 4th Air Force and Air Defense Command, and Southern Military District. +++ Task force around missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA operating in the Eastern Mediterranean +++ Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS ALEXANDER SHABALIN and KALININGRAD embarked naval infantry at Novorossiysk to prepare amphibious landings at the Black Sea coast near Rajevski. USA +++ Update: Growing anger in the Philippines amid reports that Tubbataha marine park rangers had radioed the USS GUARDIAN to advise it was nearing the reef, but the ship captain just told them to "raise their complaint with the US embassy” … shortly afterwards, the ship ran aground where it has remained solidly stuck. +++ The US Navy has to make do with TICONDEROGA cruisers it wants to scrap (but hasn't been permitted yet) but also can't afford to fix or upgrade because of budget stalemate … USS ANZIO, VICKSBURG and COWPENS currently operating at diminished levels and with minimal staffing, able to do some local tasks, but not suitable for deploying overseas. +++ In its current configuration, the US Navy's future airborne mine countermeasure MH-60S helicopter is unable to tow the minehunting sonar or minesweeping system forming part of the Littoral Combat Ship. (rmks: What has happened to my beloved Navy?) 22 January SYRIA (Related) The Russian government is sending two planes to Beirut (Lebanon) to evacuate Russians who fled from Syria … first such effort since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011. (rmks: It's always a bad sign when the rats start fleeing the ship, as it takes on water)
January 22, 201313 yr IRAN – OMANIranian and Omani naval forces will hold joint rescue and disaster relief exercise in Iranian territorial waters off Bandar Abbas (Iran) … Omani navy landing ship NASR AL-BAHR already berthed at the port … the two countries signed a security agreement in August 2009. (rmks: What is that old adage about strange bedfellows?) The two countries share a maritime border - the southern coast of the Straits is Omani. There's enough potential for a major disaster there even without missiles being fired.
January 23, 201313 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. Hope everone has an enjoyable hump day. Enjoy these updates! Summary to follow: 21 January FRANCE (MALI) Although the conflict in Mali is landlocked, far from any coast, the French navy is involved in operation “Seral” … Atlantique-2 MPA flying reconnaissance / targeting missions … helicopter carrier FS DIXMUDE sails from Toulon with embarked elements of a “Joint Tactical Group” (incl. battle tanks and armored vehicles) … likely to unload in Abidjan (Ivory Coast). (rmks: Holy crap! Head for the hills, the French are coming ... said no Muslim extremist, EVER!) FRANCE FREMM type frigate FS AQUITAINE sails from Brest for a four-month operational trials cruise around the Atlantic (North Africa, Latin America, Caribbean, USA and Canada) … initial exercise off the French coast with destroyer FS GEORGES LEYGUES and support ship FS SOMME. LEBANON (UNIFIL) Brazilian frigate COSTITUICAO takes place of sister ship LIBERAL with UNIFIL Maritime Task Force (MTF), while LIBERAL has arrived back home in Rio de Janeiro. RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment) Two landing ships (rmks: Probably Baltic Fleet FS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN) conduct amphibious assault landing (with combat helicopter support) in the Black Sea, near Novorossiysk … afterwards, ships heading for “their bases.” (rmks: If it was a question of logistics or operability, the ships could have pulled into Sevastopol. Obviously the 'dump-and-run' indicates a lack of total mission commitment by the Baltic Sea Fleet in the overall operation) 22 January CHINA (Territorial Disputes) After “exhausting almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful negotiated settlement with China,” the Philippines plans to bring its maritime dispute with China (rmks: In the South China Sea) to the United Nations’ international tribunal for arbitration. (rmks: That's how to take care of the situation, bring it to the UN. Hey, let me kow how that works out for you guys. In the meantime, the ChiComs still continue to push their weight around, because they know the UN will do NOTHING) NETHERLANDS During ceremony at Den Helder, HOLLAND class patrol ship HNLMS FRIESLAND officially commissioned into service … next week begin first operational deployment to the Caribbean. PIRACY West Africa: Pirates release Nigerian-owned Panama-flagged tanker M/V ITRI, hijacked on 17 Jan off Abidjan (Ivory Coast) … entire cargo of 5,000 t jet fuel discharged while crew had been locked-up. (rmks: I wonder how much the cockroaches (excuse me, pirates) got for all that JP-5? Oh, I almost forgot ... No pirates were harmed reporting this story. BLAST IT ALL!) RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment) First phase of “largest naval exercise in decades” saw Black Sea Fleet missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA and destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY in port Limassol (Cyprus) for “replenishment, cultural program and exercise serials’ planning” … only today heading back to sea. SYRIA (related) Russian Dep. Foreign Min: “No full scale evacuation of Russian citizens from Syria planned.” TAIWAN The ROC Navy conducted a “readiness exercise” off its southern port of Kaohsiung and into the Taiwan Strait … practicing ASW and lead-through … participants included three frigates, a submarine and two former US Navy OSPREY class minehunters. USA +++ Update: Minehunter USS GUARDIAN remains stuck on Tubbataha reef, with “conditions worsening” … expect surge of northeast monsoon with stronger winds and heavier seas … Philippine authorities have fined the US Navy for “unauthorized entry” of the vessel into the protected marine preserve. +++ Huntington-Ingalls is proposing a variant of the SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship as new multi-mission platform for e.g. ballistic missile defense and other “specialized missions.” (rmks: Why the heck are we building BMD LPD's? What the heck are the Arleigh Burkes we shell out a couple of billion each for? Would somebody please STOP this flipping madness)
January 24, 201313 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. I don't know what is happening at your abode, but in the PacNorWest, the cold season is full bloom at the Emerson Clan's humble abode. Some very interesting tidbits today, enjoy these updates! Summary to follow: 22 January PAKISTAN Contracts signed with Turkish STM for construction of a logistic support ship (fleet tanker) … STM to provide design and material kits for ship to be assembled at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works … no further details given. (rmks: It seems SSM (the Turkish Defense Materiel Ministry and parent organization of STM) can boast of another feather in its cap. It would be interesting to see a scenario series where MENA is being led by Turkey, against Europe and the west) 23 January ARGENTINA Decommissioned (2004) missile destroyer APA SANTISIMA TRINIDAD, moored at the Puerto Belgrano naval base, which a few days ago had been reported taking on water, now has capsized and sank pierside … “burst pipe” said to have flooded the ship. (rmks: Okay, they've known about the flooding for several days and they did squat. I think this may be an indicator of how well the Argies conduct DC and upkeep ... which ain't great!) BANGLADESH US PacFlt Commander, Adm Haney, on recent visit: the US will transfer recently de-commissioned USCG cutter JARVIS (HAMILTON class) to the Bangladesh navy later this year … 16 more DEFENDER class security craft about to be handed over to Bangladesh coast guard. (rmks: Man, does it seem to you, that little Bangladesh is on a major build-up? They are procuring ChiCom gear and now they are purchasing US ships off thesecondary market) IRAN The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN) has designed a standard vessel for relief and rescue operations … the vessel will be mass-produced in next Iranian year (which starts on March 21). (rmks: Its likely to be a small craft to operate in coastal waters within the Persian Gulf and will likely be capable of supporting other IRGCN ops like minelaying and other various and sundry Islamic "relief" operations. By the way, the sanctions have to be working stupendously well, for the Mullahs to be designing yet another ship class ... don't you think?) RUSSIA First three series DJUGON class (Project 21820) hydrofoil landing craft currently under construction at Yaroslavl shipyard … RFS DENIS DAVYDOV due to be launched in Jun/Jul 2013 for delivery in fall; RFS RIMSKY-KORSAKOV to be floated out in Sep/Oct 2013, RFS MICHMAN LERMONTOV to follow in 2014. UNITED KINGDOM Chief Secretary of the Treasury: Britain should reconsider continuous at-sea deterrence when replacing its nuclear-armed VANGUARD class submarines … "like-for-like" replacement not financially realistic. (rmks: Its refreshing to see someone who is realistic about economic situation Britainis in. I wish someone in the US bureaucracy would be as bold) USA +++ With helicopters embarked, amphibious assault ship USS BONHOMME RICHARD now ready to sail from home port Sasebo (Japan) and join the two dock landing ships of her ARG in Spring Deployment to the 7th Fleet area of operations. (rmks: Fair thee well, guys and gals) +++ (Update): Mine hunter USS GUARDIAN remains stuck on Tubbataha reef … has begun to take on water … US Navy salvage ship USS SALVOR to arrive on 24 Jan; civilian Malaysian tug M/V VOS APOLLO en route … salvage operation may last up to two weeks, weather permitting … before trying to lift the vessel from the reef, 56,000 l fuel have to be siphoned off. Analysis of Digital Navigation Charts has found location of the reef given some 8 nm off; more “significant” errors (up to 4 nm) found off the coast of Chile, however, the US Navy now has declared the DNC “safe.” (rmks: Boy I'm relieved the Navy has made such a bold command decision. I wonder if they are going to exonerate otherOODs and COs when they run aground someplace else? Or does everyone now have to do mental math,to compensate for the 4 to 8nm gap. As I said before, oh how the mighty have fallen) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS BANGLADESH (Mar) Two German Dornier Do 229NG surveillance aircraft will be delivered inMarch 2013.
January 24, 201313 yr UNITED KINGDOM Chief Secretary of the Treasury: Britain should reconsider continuous at-sea deterrence when replacing its nuclear-armed VANGUARD class submarines … "like-for-like" replacement not financially realistic. (rmks: Its refreshing to see someone who is realistic about economic situation Britain is in. I wish someone in the US bureaucracy would be as bold Unlikely to have any influence - Chief Sec to Treasury is a Lib Dem - the Tories and Labour both favour new SSBNs. The main decision is not until after the next election... when Danny Alexander will be lucky if he's still a MP.
January 25, 201313 yr Author Hi Silent, Thanks for the input. What's the overall shape of the Vanguards? Obviously they are not war-weary or worn-out. Much like the Ohios, they have been properly cared for. What's your ballpark on how much longer they could last.
January 25, 201313 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's amazing how fast the week passes. Lots of interesting updates today. Hope they are able to tide you over until Monday. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 23 January USA Life on the Reef Update: Chartered Malaysian tug M/V VOS APOLLO has arrived at grounded mine hunter USS GUARDIAN … attempts to rig lines to defuel the vessel failed due to rough sea. 24 January AUSTRALIA HMAS OCEAN PROTECTOR intercepts suspected asylum seeker boat with 106 people onboard … southeast of Ashmore Islands … about 350 asylum seekers since the start of the year. BANGLADESH Prime minister attending commissioning of first domestic (Khulna shipyard) patrol boat BNS PADMA (P-312) … announces upcoming procurement ofsubmarine(s) but gives no number nor origin. (rmks: Said to be negotiating with China) CHINA Paramilitary China Marine Surveillance (CMS) reportedly to receive an additional 11 decommissioned vessels of Chinese navy (modified or rebuilt intoocean surveillance ships) and – over the next five years – may expect up to 36 newly built ships. (rmks: The ChiCom motto like the old Soviets ... Reuse and Recycle – Never Reduce) DENMARK The Danish navy abandons its three ice breakers HDMS DANBJOERN, ISBJOERN and THORBJOERN … put up for sale … private companies to take care of ice breaking in Danish waters. (rmks: Once again, oh how the mighty have fallen) INDIA Aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA has had her malfunctioning boilers fixed … new sea trials scheduled in June. ITALY The Italian navy completes three-day exercises … 22-24 Jan in the Gulf of Taranto … 12 ships incl. aircraft carrier ITS CAVOUR, (re-designated)helicopter carrier ITS GARIBALDI and both new HORIZON class destroyers ... focus on maritime air operations, helicopter-borne amphibious assault, and maritime security operations. LIBYA French Sillinger will deliver up to 50 fast patrol craft / interceptors to the Libyan armed forces … a variety of RHIBs ranging from 3,8 to 12 m, amongthem 12 type 1200 RIB UM (11.6m). NORWAY Kongsberg Defence Systems plans development of an encapsulated submarine-launched variant of its Joint Strike Missile. (rmks: That will be interesting to see) RUSSIA New STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS BOIKY - with support of an icebreaker - relocated from Northern Shipyard to Kronshtadt … eventually move on to Baltiysk for second round of sea trials … had completed initial sea trials in Nov 2012. RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment) Exercise in the EastMed continues with participating ships practicing defense against small high-speed craft (anti-terror), boarding and searching ships, rescue operations and transfer of humanitarian aid … air defense exercises with missile and artillery firing to follow. THAILAND The government has formed a committee to negotiate with China on purchase of three frigates … Beijing reportedly has offered three Type 054T(variant of 054A JIANGKAI-II?) frigates “at a very low rate.” (rmks: It's interesting the Thais are going back to the ChiCom trough for a secondtime after being burned on the last deal they had with them on the Naruseans, which were pieces of junk. Obviously they don't abide by the old business adage "fool me once, shame on you –fool me twice, shame on me") USA +++ Life on the Reef Update: Minehunter USS GUARDIAN remains stuck on Philippine Tubbataha reef … has “several breaches in the hull” … too badly damaged to be towed … "will have to be lifted off onto another ship or barge to leave the area" … two contracted heavy-lift ships from Singapore scheduled to arrive around 30/31 Jan. +++ Amphibious assault ship USS BONHOMME RICHARD sails from home port Sasebo (Japan) for Spring Deployment to 7th Fleet area of operations … will include exercise “Cobra Gold” with Thai forces. (rmks: Third ship from the ARG to sail … will meet up with USS GERMANTOWN and TORTUGA, already underway) VENEZUELA For the record: A photo circulated in the Internet allegedly shows new Venezuelan coast guard vessel PG-61 PAGAN (Damen Stan Patrol 4207).This image is a fake (!), “photoshopped” from Wikipedia image of British Customs vessel VIGILANT. (rmks: Say it ain't so! Hugo's boys would NEVER fake something. Said I with my tongue firmly implant in cheek) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS UNITED KINGDOM (Apr) Admiral Sir George Zambellas will take over as First Sea Lord from April, replacing Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.
January 25, 201313 yr http://theaviationist.com/2013/01/25/backfire-china-denial/ - Rosboronexport denies Tu-22M sale - and they apparently don't issue denials very often.
January 25, 201313 yr Hi Silent, Thanks for the input. What's the overall shape of the Vanguards? Obviously they are not war-weary or worn-out. Much like the Ohios, they have been properly cared for. What's your ballpark on how much longer they could last. Entered service mid-1990s, no major incidents bar that prang with the French SSBN a couple of years back.... roughly 2025 OSD. The decision to firmly order the new ones would have been taken earlier, but the MOD has a budget problem at present and the Lib Dems resolutely oppose a like-for-like replacement. Oh and we seem to be heading for a triple-dip recession.
January 28, 201313 yr Author Yeah, I'm thinking the US economy will be soon following suit. Thanks for the update.
January 28, 201313 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. Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. Minus the clouds and rain, things were really great in the PacNorWest. Here are some naval newsnuggets to jump-start your week. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 25 January INDONESIA The MoD took delivery of third locally made KCR-40 CLURIT class fast missile boat … KRI BELADAU (643) … first two boats KRI CLURIT (641) and KRI KUJANG (642) … 4th will be delivered in November, with 12 more to follow by end 2014. PIRACY Mauritius: French frigate FS SURCOUF hands over 12 suspected Somali pirates to Mauritian authorities for prosecution … apprehended on 05 Janin the Somalia Basin, after failed attack on cargo vessel TUPI MAIDEN. (rmk: They forgot to include – and were immediately released back into society, to continue their pirate ways. No pirates were harmed in any way, reporting this story ... BLAST IT ALL!) RUSSIA Zelenodolsk shipyard has started construction of 5th modified BUYAN class (Project 21631) missile corvette … to be named RFS SERPUKHOV. RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment) Northern Fleet task group with destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK finalizes preparations for anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa … practiceboarding and freeing hijacked ship (role taken by tanker DUBNA) … after end of exercises (rmks: 29 Jan?) proceed towards Suez Canal. TAIWAN Delivery of 12 P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft (from US) to start this year, with the last aircraft to arrive by end 2015. UNITED KINGDOM First gas turbine installed in new aircraft carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, under construction at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard. USA +++ Life on the Reef Update: Malaysian tug M/V VOS APOLLO managed completely defueling minehunter USS GUARDIAN, still stuck on PhilippineTubbataha reef … while originally only its bow was on the reef, waves have now pushed the entire hull onto it … “hull penetrations in several places, and a significant amount of water inside the ship” … use ship-borne cranes and heavy-lift vessels to remove the ship from the reef and put it on transport ship or barge … two special ships contracted, on their way from Singapore. +++ Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013: First phase (four days) of this year’s CARAT kicked off with the Timorese navy atPort Hera naval base (Timor Leste) … focus on in-port training … US sent Fleet Antiterrorism and Security Team (FAST), Coast Guard Maritime Training Branch, and Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion. +++ During a ceremony at San Diego, frigate USS CURTS has been decommissioned. (rmks: Thanks for your service '38-Special'. The ship is a likely candidate for the international secondary market) 26 January ARGENTINA Following the pier-side sinking of decommissioned destroyer APA SANTISIMA TRINIDAD, the defense minister has ordered the navy chief to immediately sack the officer in charge of Maintenance and Arsenal as well as the head of the Decommissioning Group. (rmks: Yeah, its obviously a poor statement of your qualifications, if a mothballs unit turtle pierside on your watch) AUSTRALIA Frigate HMAS ANZAC returns to home base in Sydney, completing six-month (started 16 Jul, 2012) deployment to the Middle East (national operation“Slipper”) EGYPT Suez Canal authority says shipping is proceeding as usual, while witnesses reported that staff suspended work at Port Said port. INDIA Ceremony of signing the transfer and acceptance act of refurbished KILO class submarine INS SINDHURAKSHAK at Russian Zvezdochka (Severodvinsk). On 29 Jan, the submarine will start its long journey home … according to Russian sources will sail the “Northern Sea Route”, escorted by Russian icebreakers. Indian paper, however, speaks of “North Sea route” (around Britain) with escort by an icebreaker. (rmks: Northern Sea Route during Arctic winter does not make much sense for non-nuclear submarine with a crew not accustomed to under-ice operations) PIRACY Nigeria: Five Indian sailors kidnapped on 17 Dec from product tanker SP BRUSSELS off the Niger Delta have been released unharmed … probablyafter ransom was paid. (rmks: If the exterminators properly dealt with the cockroach infestation, we would be paying ransoms. The pirates would know that line of work doesn't pay. Once again, no pirates were harmed reporting this story. THIS IS REALLY GETTING FRUSTRATING!) RUSSIA +++ DepPrimeMin Rogozin criticizes MISTRAL acquisition …” won’t be able to operate in temperatures below -7°C”. (rmks: Obviously an indicator of where they want them to operate, as the pacific doesn't usually get that cold) +++ Russia will submit its final Arctic territorial claims to the United Nations by the end of the year. (rmks: This should be an interesting read) 27 January INDIA Submarine-launched medium-range ballistic missile successfully test-fired from submerged (50 m) launch platform in the Bay of Bengal …indigenous Sagarika / K-15, now formally christened BO5 … to become main weapon of nuclear submarine INS ARIHANT. (rmks: India is one step closer to getting boomers) IRAN (related) +++ Some media report a strong explosion occurred at the Iranian Fordo nuclear enrichment facility … “a few days ago” … claim sizable portion of the underground plant destroyed, with some 190 people trapped inside. (rmks: Don'tcha hate it when that happens! Although unconfirmed, this providential accident will likely setback the Mullah's plans for a peaceful nuclear weapon) +++ Iran has officially banned all crude oil and gas exports to the 27 EU states. (rmks: With the EU sanctions (if you want to call them that) already inplace, there will be no practical effect. Purely a symbolic act, designed to reflect anger over economic pressures on Iran) RUSSIA Icebreaker RFS ROSSIYA underway from Murmansk to the Baltic … until April assist shipping in Gulf of Finland … could be “last voyage” ahead ofbeing laid-up. TAIWAN (USA) A US congressional group paid a rare visit to a Taiwan naval base, raising speculation about efforts to revive a US deal to provide the ROC Navywith eight submarines. (rmks: It's likely the US will broker the deal with an international builder, as the United States isn't buildingconventional subs) UNITED KINGDOM The first production-line Wildcat shipborne helicopter to be delivered to the Royal Navy has made its maiden flight at Yeovil (Somerset) …AgustaWestland to supply 62 Wildcats to the MoD in the next two years … to replace Lynx. 28 January FRANCE Nine surface combatants begin this year’s first quarterly readiness exercise “Gabian” … until 01 Feb off Toulon … Italian frigate ITS LIBECCIO toparticipate. USA Life on the Reef Update: Salvage experts are working on reinforcing shipwrecked minehunter USS GUARDIAN’s hull with Kevlar lines … reduce strain on the ship due to wave action and prepare it for later removal from the reef … two contracted heavy-lift ship-borne cranes set to arrive by 01Feb (coming from Singapore). UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS TURKEY (Aug) Turkish navy commander, Admiral Murat Bilgel, set for retirement in August, 2013.
January 29, 201313 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. How's your week going so far? There are several mighty interesting tidbits in today's news that could be used in scenario design. Enjoy! Summary to follow: 28 January EGYPT Greek-owned ship M/V ISLAND OF RHODES reportedly fired at by unknown persons at the port of Port Said …no injuries … ship immediately left the port … while Greek embassy seems to confirm incident, chief of Suez Canal Authority denies it … “navigation movement in the Suez Canal is normal and is fully secured” … security measures tightened with elements of navy, 2nd and 3rd field armies, border guard and the Ministry of Interior employed. (rmks: Could possibly be a spillover of protests that are occurring throughout the country. It's interesting they are taking place at this critical chokepoint) INDIA The Indian navy is planning to procure more than 120 Naval Multirole Helicopters (NMRH) … total value nearly €5B … already holding a competition for procuring 16 multirole helicopters in which European NH-90 and American Sikorsky S-70 are in the race. (rmks: If they pull it off (an that's a big'IF' due to their current economic condition, I'm betting on the S-70. The NH-90 has been having a lot of problems of late and the Indians are likely to go with a platform that is stable andreliable – which the NH-90 isn't) IRAN (related) +++ Update: Iran hasdismissed media reports of a major explosion at the Fordo underground enrichment plants as “Western propaganda designed to influence the nucleartalks.” (rmks: So far there has been no credible “confirmation of alleged incident. Not saying it didn't happen. It took them quite a while tofinally admit they had been the victim of cyber attacks, when they occurred) +++ State media report Iran “recently” launched space rocket with monkey into orbit “and returned it safely” … US protesting violation of UNSC resolution … technology may be used for military purposes (development of nuclear-capable ICBM). (rmks: This smacks more of propaganda than the above update. However, if it's true (and it could be, because they had previously successfully launched a three-stage missile that made it into space), don't you just love the awesome effect the sanctions are having on the Mullahs – they are able to put a monkey into orbit. I wonder what the animal rights wack-jobs have to say about that one) ITALY Admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi (chief of Italian fleet) replaces Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli as chief of Italian navy. NETHERLANDS New patrol ship FRIESLAND sails from Den Helder for the Caribbean first operational deployment of a HOLLAND class patrol ship. PIRACY +++ Gulf of Oman: Iran navy claims to have rescued an Iranian oil tanker from an attack by two pirate skiffs, appr. 20 nm off Masirah (Oman) …“forced the pirates to flee the scene”. (rmks: Unconfirmed by other sources. For the record: the Iranian navy seems to never ever have pursued nor apprehended pirates, but there are firsts for everything. No pirates were harmed reporting this story ... BLAST IT ALL!) +++ Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: French frigate FS COURBET scheduled to sail from Toulon “next week” for the Horn of Africa … with Estonian navy security team embarked … support EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta” until May. (rmks: Oh my goodness, the French are coming... said no pirate ever) RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment) Ships conduct “combat training in the Mediterranean Sea” … firing artillery, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weapon systems (RFS MOSKVA andSMETLIVIY live missile firing against sea and air targets) … simulated combat with enemy surface ships and submarines … search for and destroy floating sea mines … thwart terrorist attacks … RFS MOSKVA, SMETLIVIY, SEVEROMORSK, AZOV and SARATOV conduct air defense scenarios. (rmks: No word that RFS AZOV and SARATOV had been at Tartus, Syria. No activities whatsoever reported in Black Sea) RUSSIA +++ “Novosti” reports former navy commander Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky (sacked by former DefMin Serdyukov), has been offered the position of Deputy Chief of the General Staff. (rmks: Unconfirmed. He obviously has gotten back into Czar Vlad's good graces) +++ Russian navy in Vladivostok signs acceptance certificate for new hydrographic survey vessel RFS VICTOR FALEEV … will be commissioned into Pacific Fleet “in near future”. YEMEN (IRAN) Yemeni authorities have seized a dhow loaded with a “substantial” quantity of explosives, weapons (incl. Iranian-made anti-air missiles) and money … indications that Iran was smuggling the military contraband to Houthi rebels inside Yemen. (rmks: Once again I say – Don't you just love how he sanctions are working for (excuse me) against the Mullahs) USA +++ Amphibious assault ship USS BONHOMME RICHARD in Okinawa to embark Marines of 31st MEU. (rmks: on Spring Patrol to 7th Fleet area; proceed to Thailand for exercise “Cobra Gold” scheduled from 11-21 Feb) +++ Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade began exercise “Dawn Blitz 2013” aboard amphibious assault USS BOXER in port San Diego… two-phase exercise focusing on an “Amphibious Task Force conducting the planning and execution of Naval Task Force operations in a non-permissive environment and a large scale amphibious assault” … first (synthetic) phase pier-side in port; second (at-sea) phase to take place in June. +++ Life on the Reef Update: After defueling, grounded minehunter USS GUARDIAN had her tanks filled with sea water to keep her stable on the reef … dry food stores and the crew’s personal effects removed. 29 January AUSTRALIA The Navy’s remaining Sea King helicopters (withdrawn from active service in Dec 2011) will be sold to Aerospace Logistics (ASL) … to be used to “sustain and support capability of international military and search and rescue fleets.” (rmks: Should mean ASL will sell them on)
January 29, 201313 yr +++ State media report Iran “recently” launched space rocket with monkey into orbit “and returned it safely” … US protesting violation of UNSC resolution … technology may be used for military purposes (development of nuclear-capable ICBM). (rmks: This smacks more of propaganda than the above update. However, if it's true (and it could be, because they had previously successfully launched a three-stage missile that made it into space), don't you just love the awesome effect the sanctions are having on the Mullahs – they are able to put a monkey into orbit. I wonder what the animal rights wack-jobs have to say about that one) More like sub-orbital (75 miles is a bit too low for orbit). PETA are furious.
January 30, 201313 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.Once again, hump day is upon us. Some interesting morsels of naval news for your Wednesday. Enjoy!Summary to follow:28 JanuaryCHINANew paramilitary China Rescue ship BEI HAI JIU 101 commissioned at Yantai China Rescue base. (rmks: Three cheers for the ChiComs)FRANCE (MALI)One week after sailing from Toulon, helicopter carrier FS DIXMUDE (escorted by Aviso LE HENAFF) has arrived at Dakar (Senegal) to disembark 500 GTIA (Joint Tactical Group) soldiers with 140 vehicles who will continue over-land towards Mali to join national operation “Serval”.INDIAGoa Shipyard holds keel-laying ceremony for the second of six new OPV to be built for the Indian coast guard.IRANDuring a “special conference on sea mines” held at Bandar Abbas the IRGC displayed its latest achievements in sea mine production, mine-planting and mine-sweeping. (rmks: “International” event with, however, no other participating nations named. Talking about your masturbatory, self-gratification social events. Of course, the cat's out of the bag on the Mullahs mining capabilities)USAIn preparation for a Mid-East deployment scheduled to begin this spring, the USS KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group (KEARSARGE, USS SAN ANTONIO and CARTER HALL) with Marines from 26th MEU kicks off Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the US East Coast. (rmks: Walk softly and carry a big stick, to quote TR)29 JanuaryAUSTRALIAAsylum seeker boat heading from Sri Lanka for Australia shipwrecked off Java (Indonesia) … at least two people drowned; twenty survivors.INDONESIAContracts signed with China for C-705 anti-ship missiles to be installed on the 16 KCR-40 (CLURIT class) missile boats currently being acquired … missile delivery expected in 2014.RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)Final two-day phase of exercise has begun in Mediterranean and Black Sea … no details given.THAILANDUS Lockheed Martin prepared to offer a variant of its Littoral Combat Ship as contender for the Thai navy’s new frigate project. (rmks: This one will be interesting to watch. The Thais got burned by the ChiComs once, let's see if they get taken to the cleaner by LM on their overpriced tinker-toy)TURKEYThales has delivered the first of three CASA CN-235 maritime surveillance aircraft under the Meltem II programme … will be operated by the Turkish Coast Guard from Izmir Air Base.USALife on the Reef Update: Grounded minesweeper USS GUARDIAN looks set to become a complete loss … several compartments flooded, most of the fiberglass cover on port side has delaminated and come off … too badly damaged to be pulled from the reef … to minimize further environmental damage the salvage plan aims to “dismantle the ship, safely remove individual sections without causing the release of harmful materials” … operation expected to take more than a month to complete … destroyer USS MUSTIN on scene as flagship to salvage operation … US Navy salvage tug USS SALVOR arrived on 27 Jan … two floating cranes to arrive from Singapore by 01 Feb. (rmks: As I said last week ... Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Adversaries in the region (read the ChiComs), will see this as another example of how hollow the US Navy is, when it can't even handle getting a ship ungrounde)30 JanuaryRUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)Naval exercises in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea coming to a close ... General Staff: latest activities included flights of long range strategic bomber aircraft over the Baltic Sea and the Norwegian Sea. (rmks: Media coverage of this “largest naval exercise in decades” has been very scarce with rather vague, more often even conflicting official press releases. This is to the Russkies benefit, as it leaves their overall capabilities vieled in the eyes of the general public. Most of the world will still see them as a second-rate naval force, when their capabilities are improving by dribs and drabs)
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