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 a small, but interesting update today. Enjoy!

Summary to follow:

29 January

RUSSIA
Vympel (Rybinsk) has delivered new project 1496M1 tug MANATEE to the Border Guard Service at Vladivostok. (rmks: press statement gives “serial number 904”, associated image shows 604. Slight error, but we're all comrades here)


30 January

CHINA
A North Sea Fleet task group with destroyer QINGDAO and frigates YANTAI and YANCHENG departs Qingdao for exercises in the West Pacific … to operate in Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea, Miyako Strait, Bashi Channel and east of Taiwan … conduct “more than 20 types of exercises, including maritime confrontation, open-sea mobile combat, law enforcement missions and open-sea naval commanding” …. prior to sailing for the open Pacific, task group conducted a “four-hour maritime confrontation drill in the Yellow Sea” with another task group. (rmks: At least the
ChiComs are honest about the fact they plan to do some stick-poking ops)

FRANCE
Destroyers FS DE GRASSE (last remaining TOURVILLE class ship) and FS GEORGES LEYGUES will be decommissioned “this year” (rmks: no dates given yet) … to be replaced by first two FREEM frigates FS AQUITAINE and NORMANDIE. (rmks: Depending on their overall age and
condition, they could find their way onto the secondary market. Any guesses on who potential takers may be?)

IRAN
IRGC naval forces (Pasdaran Sea) start three-day exercise “Fath 91” … in third naval zone (northern part of Persian Gulf) … two groups to act as mock enemy and friendly forces … practice rapid deployment in crisis, protecting shipping lanes, and special operations.

RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)
Upon completion of exercises, Black Sea Fleet ships heading for Limassol (Cyprus) for a port visit … Northern Fleet task group (RFS SEVEROMORSK, DUBNA and ALTAI) has entered the Suez Canal, heading for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden … relieve Pacific Fleet anti-piracy task group with destroyer RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV.

SINGAPORE
Local ST Engineering has been awarded contract for designing and building (at ST Marine Benoi yard) of eight new vessels for the Singapore navy. (rmks: 75-m corvettes to replace FEARLESS class from 2015)

THAILAND
Thai navy intercepts two boats carrying nearly 350 illegal Rohingya migrants from Myanmar … provided with food and water, then sent back out to sea
… part of government policy to stem the influx of illegal Muslim Rohingya migrants.

UKRAINE – RUSSIA
Negotiations on sale of Ukrainian SLAVA class missile cruiser UKRAINA to the Russian navy still going on with “no agreement on price” yet. (rmks: This sale is a good indicator of the overall condition of the Ukrainian fleet ... which is sad. They can't upkeep the units, so they are trying to sell-off the overhead)

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.

If everything goes according to plan, I will have employment by day's end. If I do, the publishing of the NNSoTD will switch to an evening version (US Pacific Time) instead of the morning posting it has been. Some interesting news in today installment. Be careful this weekend and go 49'ers. Enjoy!

Summary to follow:

29 January

INDIA
Refurbished KILO class submarine INS SINDHURAKSHAK sails from Russian Zvezdochka shipyard (White Sea) for her home transit … current reporting suggests submarine indeed following the Northern Sea Route (through the Arctic) … accompanied by Russian ice breakers RFS DIKSON and KAPITAN CADAEV.


30 January

CHINA
First of four LUJANG-II class (052C) destroyers built at Jiangnan shipyard commissioned … named CHANGCHUN (150).

RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)
Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN have returned from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean to join final phase of multi-fleet exercise.


31 January

BELGIUM
Procurement of two new patrol vessels (Ready Duty Ships) formally initiated (some data: 52 x 9.3 x 3.38m, 448-tons, 2 MTU 2880 kW, 21 knots, 1 remote controlled .50cal machine gun, 2 RHIB). (rmks: Belgium navy website does not give any details on contracts nor time table). (rmks: Belgium like many European navies, is regressing to a small regional EEZ force)

CHINA
+++ Update: The North Sea Fleet task group (QINGDAO, YANTAI, YANCHENG) has passed the Miyako Strait, heading into Western Pacific. (rmks: While previous tasks groups used to sail in company with support ships, this time the three combat ships seem to be on their own … could indicate only short deployment or later rendezvous with a support task group, possibly from another fleet)
+++ Guangxi Zhuang Region has ordered three 1,000-ton class fishery law enforcement cutters … contracts apparently to Xiamen Shipbuilding. (rmks: More fodder for sticking-ops)

IRAN (related)
+++ Shipments to Asian customers, namely China and India, seemed to help in rebound of declining oil exports … rose in Dec 2012 to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd), up from .9 million bpd in Sep … still down from average 2.2 million bpd before European sanctions took effect, but likely to encourage Tehran in its belief that it can “tough out” the sanctions.
+++ The US will target companies that help disguise Iranian oil shipments to skirt sanctions.
+++ Iran has officially informed the IAEA that it plans to use more modern uranium enrichment centrifuges at its Natanz plant … could enable Iran to refine uranium faster than it can at the moment.
(rmks: Ain't sanctions great! About the only ones who don't know they have more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese is the current US administration)

MALDIVES
With US assistance, the Maldives has established a Maritime Surveillance System to monitor and identify vessels operating inside territorial waters.

PIRACY
+++ The Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: The Netherlands and Sri Lanka officially agreed to have Netherlands armed vessel protection teams embark/disembark merchant ships at Sri Lankan ports.
+++ Gulf of Oman (Update): Amateur video published on the Internet allegedly depicting recent incident (28 Jan) … shows an Iranian navy armed security team in gun battle … apprehending nine pirates, claiming to have killed another six … state media had reported the VPD action “forced the pirates to flee the scene.” (rmks: Some doubts that video actually shows this incident; state media spoke of VLCC tanker, video footage suggests a smaller container ship … also: why would a VLCC stop to have pirates arrested … video, however, leaves no doubt that Somali pirates were arrested, whenever or wherever that may have been)

UNITED KINGDOM
Britain published a ₤159B long-term (2012-2022) defense equipment spending plan … aimed at reversing decades of mismanagement, but doubts remain … includes all major naval programs (2 aircraft carriers, development of TYPE 26 frigates, completion of TYPE 45 program, 7 ASTUTE class submarines, development of new SSBN, F35 and drone aircraft, Wildcat helicopters … for the first time includes 4.8 billion pounds to cover “cost variations.” (rmks: I wonder what the Brit analogy to the vodka version would be? This is obviously the pre, pre, pre-preliminary version of the plan)

USA
Life on the Reef Update: While minesweeper USS GUARDIAN remains stuck on Tubbataha Reef, the US Navy has decided to scrap and dismantle her on site … “damage beyond economical repair.” (rmks: What a sad end to a fine ship)

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 a small, but interesting update today. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

 

UKRAINE – RUSSIA

Negotiations on sale of Ukrainian SLAVA class missile cruiser UKRAINA to the Russian navy still going on with “no agreement on price” yet. (rmks: This sale is a good indicator of the overall condition of the Ukrainian fleet ... which is sad. They can't upkeep the units, so they are trying to sell-off the overhead)

Ukraine has no need of a 'Slava' with the relatively small coastline that they have, so it makes sense to sell that.

 

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 a small, but interesting update today. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

 

UKRAINE – RUSSIA

Negotiations on sale of Ukrainian SLAVA class missile cruiser UKRAINA to the Russian navy still going on with “no agreement on price” yet. (rmks: This sale is a good indicator of the overall condition of the Ukrainian fleet ... which is sad. They can't upkeep the units, so they are trying to sell-off the overhead)

Ukraine has no need of a 'Slava' with the relatively small coastline that they have, so it makes sense to sell that.

Having visited Ukraine in 2011 and sampling the geo-political climate in Sevastopol, I can see why Ukraine would maybe want something with considerable teeth. They are viewed as redheaded step-children by the Russians and the Russkies consider their fleet as insignificant. Floating the idea of the purchase is more of a face-saving measure. Their reputation is on the line and maybe having a CG could raise their status, regardless of whether they can actually operate the thing. If you know what I mean.

 

 

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 a small, but interesting update today. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

 

UKRAINE – RUSSIA

Negotiations on sale of Ukrainian SLAVA class missile cruiser UKRAINA to the Russian navy still going on with “no agreement on price” yet. (rmks: This sale is a good indicator of the overall condition of the Ukrainian fleet ... which is sad. They can't upkeep the units, so they are trying to sell-off the overhead)

Ukraine has no need of a 'Slava' with the relatively small coastline that they have, so it makes sense to sell that.

Having visited Ukraine in 2011 and sampling the geo-political climate in Sevastopol, I can see why Ukraine would maybe want something with considerable teeth. They are viewed as redheaded step-children by the Russians and the Russkies consider their fleet as insignificant. Floating the idea of the purchase is more of a face-saving measure. Their reputation is on the line and maybe having a CG could raise their status, regardless of whether they can actually operate the thing. If you know what I mean.

Although to be honest, you'd have just as enough anti-ship punch with a squadron of missile boats or a batch of Fulcrums.

 

 

 

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 a small, but interesting update today. Enjoy!

 

Summary to follow:

 

 

UKRAINE – RUSSIA

Negotiations on sale of Ukrainian SLAVA class missile cruiser UKRAINA to the Russian navy still going on with “no agreement on price” yet. (rmks: This sale is a good indicator of the overall condition of the Ukrainian fleet ... which is sad. They can't upkeep the units, so they are trying to sell-off the overhead)

Ukraine has no need of a 'Slava' with the relatively small coastline that they have, so it makes sense to sell that.

Having visited Ukraine in 2011 and sampling the geo-political climate in Sevastopol, I can see why Ukraine would maybe want something with considerable teeth. They are viewed as redheaded step-children by the Russians and the Russkies consider their fleet as insignificant. Floating the idea of the purchase is more of a face-saving measure. Their reputation is on the line and maybe having a CG could raise their status, regardless of whether they can actually operate the thing. If you know what I mean.

Although to be honest, you'd have just as enough anti-ship punch with a squadron of missile boats or a batch of Fulcrums.

I know what you're talking about, but you gotta understand something from their perspecive ... We'll have a CRUISER!

Even the PRC hasn't bothered with one of those...

Even the PRC hasn't bothered with one of those...

From a logical perspective, I know. But we are talking small, Slavic country national pride here.

Their pride in having a powerful capital ship is not something that can be diminished by whether it is necessary to the national defense or sustainable by the budget.

Their pride in having a powerful capital ship is not something that can be diminished by whether it is necessary to the national defense or sustainable by the budget.

That's the downside to national pride, it sometimes get costly in the procurment of useless systems.

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. Too bad for the 49'ers. Here are some very interesting naval updates. Enjoy!

Summary to follow:

09 January

BANGLADESH
(Already on 09 Jan) Steel cutting ceremony for two 1,330-ton (90m) corvettes for the Bangladesh navy at Chinese Wuchang shipyard, with Bangladesh navy chief attending. (rmks: Likely to be variant of new Chinese TYPE 056 corvette)


29 January

USA
As part of the USS KEASARGE Amphibious Ready Group´s current COMPTUEX, marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct an amphibious beach raid exercise on Camp Lejeune (Atlantic coast). (rmks: Work-ups for upcoming Mid-East deployment)


01 February

CHINA
Update: The North Sea Fleet task group (QINGDAO, YANTAI, YANCHENG) passed east of Taiwan and entered the South China Sea through the Bashi Channel (Luzon Strait). (rmks: Still no word on support ships)

EGYPT
With unrest continuing at Port Said, Ismailia and Suez, the Egyptian armed forces are maintaining shipping services through the Suez Canal which is a “controlled military zone.”

IRAN (related)
India may barter tea for Iranian crude oil.

SEYCHELLES
India has provided the Seychelles with a Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft … license-built by Indian HAL.

USA
+++ As Congress still hasn't passed a Defense Appropriations Bill for this year, the US Navy has to operate on last year’s numbers … dealing with a more than a US$4B shortfall in its operations budget by cancelling ship and aircraft maintenance, and reducing operations.
+++ US Navy officials are directing all ship crews to "exercise caution" when using digital nautical charts supplied by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in coastal areas. (rmks: I thought the digital charts were fine, as was reported soon after Life on a Reef saga began. This is likely the closest thing to a retraction your likely to see)


02 February

AUSTRALIA
Japan reportedly “considers” sharing sensitive submarine technology … namely air-independent propulsion (AIP) system of SORYU class submarines … for Australian navy COLLINS class replacement program. (rmks; It looks like an Aussie Collins replacement program may be firming-up)

BANGLADESH
Bangladesh Navy has begun constructing a submarine base "in the south of the country” … for two (probably Chinese) submarines that will join the fleet by 2016. (rmks: They may join the fleet, but they obviously won't be an integral part for a loonnngggg time)

UNITED KINGDOM
BAE Systems at Portsmouth has completed construction of forward island (Upper Block 07) for future aircraft carrier QUEEN ELIZABETH … ready for shipping to Rosyth.

USA
+++ Life on The Reef Update: Bad weather has delayed the arrival of a craneship from Singapore at Tubbataha Reef for removing USS GUARDIAN … damage to the reef now said to have spread to at least 4,000 square meters … US Navy has briefed the Philippine coast guard on its plans to dismantle the ship on site.
+++ The Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) will be introduced to the fleet in 2017 … to be deployed from Littoral Combat Ships … two main components: an unmanned surface vehicle, and an acoustic and magnetic mine-sweeping system towed behind it. (rmks: What's the old adage about throwing away good money after bad?)
+++ Completing a six-month maintenance period, aircraft carrier CARL VINSON has begun sea trials off California. (rmks: Go forth and do well, Gold Eagle)


03 February

CHINA
The Chinese navy has officially been invited to join US-hosted multinational exercise RIMPAC 2014 … and send warships to Australian fleet review in October … Beijing has not formally responded yet. (rmks: What the heck?! That's like asking the foxes to help guard the hen house)

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
Japan: Japanese government vows “to defend” disputed Senkaku (Diaoyu) islands from threats by China, after a series of confrontations that have raised the risk of an armed clash … endorsed a budget bill partly aimed at beefing up coastal and marine surveillance in the area. (rmks: Here's a scenario for you ... What would happen if China and Japan came to blows after a continued series of Chinese incursion become aggressive AND the US sits it out, primarily because of the amount of debt, China holds over its head. What do you think would happen?0

SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 138 Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationals from a sinking fishing vessel off the island’s eastern coast.

THAILAND
About 145 Rohingya boat people, predominantly male illegal migrant workers heading for Malaysia, have ended up off Thailand when they ran out of food or water.

USA
+++ Life on The Reef Update: According the Philippine Coast Guard, salvage ops of USS GUARDIAN may have to wait until March, due to seasonal weather.
+++ The HARRY S. TRUMAN Carrier Strike Group has ended training exercise COMPTUEX and returned to Naval Station Norfolk. (rmks: Work-up for upcoming scheduled Mid-East deployment to start “this spring”; JTFEX to follow soon)


04 February

PIRACY
+++ Japan: The government will submit a bill to the Diet that would allow foreign security contractors aboard Japanese-flagged vessels to carry firearms … warning shots will be permitted but firing at people will not, unless in self-defense.
+++ The Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: The Russian Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, about to be relieved by approaching Northern Fleet task group with destroyer SEVEROMORSK, will make 5-day port visit to Port Victoria (Seychelles), starting 07 Feb … afterwards proceed to Daressalam (Tanzania) for another visit … then probably head for home.

SOUTH KOREA – USA
South Korean and US forces have begun three-day joint naval exercises … east of the Korean peninsula in the Sea of Japan … one focus on anti-submarine warfare … ROK Navy contributes ten ships incl. submarines, US Navy has deployed cruiser USS SHILOH and submarine USS SAN FRANCISCO.


UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

RUSSIA (FRANCE) (08 Feb)
French STX shipyard at St. Nazaire plans official keel laying ceremony for first of two Russian MISTRAL class helicopter carriers to be held “on Friday” (prob. meaning 08 Feb) … RFS VLADIVOSTOK to be delivered in 2014 … Russian navy chief Adm Chirkov to attend event. (rmks: Construction of modules already began 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.

Howdy everyone. Hope your Tuesday is going well. Here are the big naval happenings today. Enjoy!

Summary to follow:

03 February

PIRACY
Gulf of Guinea: Luxembourg-flagged, French-owned tanker GASCOGNE (17 crew) hijacked on roadstead off Abidjan (Ivory Coast) … probably steered towards Niger Delta to have its cargo of 3,000-tons gas oil siphoned off. (rmks: Where are the Keystone Kops when you need them?)


04 February

BANGLADESH
First Chinese-built Large Patrol Craft carries name DURJOY (P 811); second boat currently on transfer voyage, reportedly named BNS NIRMUL.

BELGIUM
French Socarenam has won the tender to build two new 52-m offshore patrol vessels (RDS Ready Duty Ships) for the Belgium navy … to be delivered by early 2015 … improved and larger variant of French customs boat BNS KERMORVAN.

FRANCE
+++ Already in December, Chantier Bernard has delivered the first of four new 12-m patrol craft to French customs … DF-61 based at Lorient.
+++ First FREMM type frigate, FS AQUITAINE, successfully conducts first live Aster 15 missile-firing.

INDIA (RUSSIA)
Russian Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) has completed factory tests of third TALWAR (Batch 2) class frigate INS TRIKAND … ship now to start acceptance trials in the Eastern Baltic, operating out of Baltiysk naval base.

PIRACY
+++ Gulf of Guinea: One sailor reportedly shot as pirates failed in attempt to hijack a ship off Lagos (Nigeria). (rmks: Once again I ask, where are the Keystone Kops when you need them?)
+++ Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: Oh, here they are ... Russian Northern Fleet task group (RFS SEVEROMORSK, DUBNA and ALTAI) arrives at the Gulf of Aden … commence anti-piracy operations with escorting ice breaker VITUS BERING through the Bab el Mandeb. (rmks: As usual, no near any pirate activity. Speaking of which … no pirate were harmed in any of these stories. BLAST IT ALL!)

NORTH KOREA (related)
Ahead of a suspected imminent North Korean nuclear test (possibly two devices), South Korea has placed its armed forces on alert.

RUSSIA
Third STEREGUSHCHIY class (Proj 20380) corvette RFS BOYKY completed main system tests in initial sea trials … moved from Northern Shipyard (St. Petersburg) to Baltiysk naval base, for second-stage sea trials set to commence in March.

RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)
Black Sea Fleet landing ships RFS AZOV and SARATOV as well as tanker IVAN BUBNOV pass the Turkish Straits, returning to the Black Sea.

USA
+++ The US Navy has revised its overall fleet size requirement from 313 to 306 ships … reflecting modified operational requirements, not the ongoing budget crisis … one of the changes is a reduction in the 55-ship littoral combat ship requirement to 52 ships. (rmks: Which are about as useful as screendoors on submarines)
+++ Life on the Reef Update: Civilian crane barge SMIT BORNEO has arrived near Tubbataha Reef to assist in salvage (dismantling) of grounded USS GUARDIAN … another (larger) crane barge expected to arrive “anytime soon” … both coming from Singapore.

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’s hump day once again. Some interesting news in today’s summary concerning the Russkie Mistral deal. Enjoy!

Summary to follow:

28 January

FRANCE (USA)
French destroyer FS CHEVALIER PAUL has joined the US Navy’s USS JOHN C STENNIS Carrier Strike Group, currently operating in the Persian Gulf / Arabian Sea … afterwards, from 16 Feb – 07 Mar, participate in Qatar-hosted multinational exercise “Gulf Falcon”.


05 February

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands: In two recent (19 Jan, 30 Jan) incidents in the East China Sea, Chinese warship(s) “illuminated” a Japanese naval helicopter and a Japanese destroyer with fire control radar … could be first incidents involving regular navy ships of both countries … Japan lodged official protest with Beijing, which (until now) has refused to comment. (rmks: Okay folks this is serious escalation. Painting an active fire control radar at a warship is internationally regarded as “hostile act” and there are a number of navies which instantly would have “responded.” It seems the ChiComs have moved from stick-poking to cattle-prodding, to see what kind of results they get. Let’s hope it not of the anti-ship missile variety)

INDIA
In 2013, the Indian navy may expect delivery of seven carrier-capable MiG-29K/KUB aircraft from Russia … part of 29 aircraft contract placed in 2010; first 4 of which delivered in Dec 2012.

IRAN (related)
International reinsurers informed Indian insurance companies that US/EU sanctions to not stop at just importing Iranian crude but also apply to facilities processing this crude … could pose serious problems for Indian refineries.
Since the start of 2013, Iran has taken delivery two new VLCC tankers from Chinese shipyards … another three new vessels had arrived in recent months … each with capacity of 2 million barrels of oil.

NIGERIA
Gunmen ambushed an Indian-owned oil barge under military escort in the Niger Delta region, killing two soldiers and one crew member before being repelled. (rmks: Local press is declaring this rebel-related activities; however, one must remember 99% of the rebels are of the cockroach (excuse me, pirate) variety. Just thought you would like to know)

PORTUGAL
With no funding for replacement, the Portuguese navy is planning to retain its Super Lynx Mk95 helicopters in service until about 2030.

RUSSIA
DepPrimeMin Rogozin claims Russian fuel not compatible with French MISTRAL helicopter carriers’ engines. (rmks: Rogozin has turned out to be an outspoken critic of the MISTRAL acquisition project)

USA
The fifth littoral combat ship (LCS 5 MILWAUKEE) will be the first to be driven by new high-power density waterjets. (rmks: Whoopty-freaking-doo. Yet another over-priced add-on to a completely useless naval platform. As you can tell, I’m a big fan of LCS)


06 February

SOLOMON ISLANDS
8.0 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami which – according to initial reports - has caused casualties and damage to infrastructure at the Solomon Islands. (rmks: developing story. The quake occurred near one of the remote Islands in the chain)


UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

QATAR (multinational) (16 Feb)
Qatar will be hosting multinational exercise “Gulf Falcon” scheduled to be conducted from 16 Feb through 07 Mar.

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.

Busy day preparing for a much busier weekend. Hope everyone has a great weekend. NNSoTD will continue during the evening on Monday. Enjoy!

Summary to follow:

01 February

PIRACY
Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: South African navy frigate SAS AMATOLA sails from Simon’s Town to resume anti-piracy operation “Copper” (suspended since Sep 2012) in the Mozambique Channel … initially proceed to Maputo (Mozambique) to conduct training with Mozambique boarding teams. (rmks: As usual, fat lot of good it will do)


05 February

RUSSIA
Eastern Command forces, incl. Pacific Fleet warships, have begun “large” joint exercises at the Kurile islands … one focus on search & rescue.

RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)
Black Sea Fleet destroyer RFS SMETLIVIY returns to home base Sevastopol.


06 February

CHINA
During a visit to the Lanzhou Military Area Command, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for "expanding and deepening" the military's combat preparedness … senior military official: adopt "real combat criteria" in military training. (rmks: Read that more sticking poking exercises)

IRAN (related)
Group-of-Six and Iran have agreed on another round of talks to be held on 26 Feb at Almaty (Kazakhstan). (rmks: Whoppee! Another lovefest, for the religion of peace. They will likely discuss the last planned rounds for jihad)

PIRACY
KK Update: French offshore patrol vessel FS L’ADROIT has joined multinational CTF-151. (rmks: I’m sure the pirates are quaking in their sandals)
West Africa: French product tanker GASCOGNE, hijacked on 03 Feb off Abidjan (Ivory Coast), has been freed ... cargo of 3,000-tons diesel fuel siphoned off somewhere in the Niger Delta … two of the 17 crew sustained injuries during their ordeal … security forces reportedly did “not attempt to locate the ship due to safety concerns for the crew.” (rmks: Once again I ask, “Where are the KK’s when you need them?)

RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)
Black Sea Fleet missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA has returned to home base Sevastopol.

RUSSIA
+++ DELTA-IV class submarine RFS VERKHOTURIYE has returned to operational service with the Northern Fleet … following overhaul and modernization at Zvezdochka shipyard (Severodvinsk). (rmks: Redelivered to the Russian navy on 30 Dec)
+++ The Caspian Sea Flotilla has been conducting a series of exercises with new mobile coastal missile system “Bal” … at the Adanak (Dagestan) test site … Kh-35 (SS-N-25/Sizzler) missiles with a range of up to 120 km … capable of up to 32 missile salvoes … system entered the Caspian Sea Flotilla in late 2011.

SPAIN
“Farewell ceremony” off Rota marks end of operational life for aircraft carrier SPS PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS … ship now proceed to Ferrol for official decommissioning (and - most probably - subsequent scrapping).

USA
+++ Gloom and Dispair Update: “Facing budget uncertainty”, SecDef Panetta has ordered aircraft carrier presence in the Persian Gulf / Arabian Sea curtailed … deployment of USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, scheduled to start on 08 Feb, “indefinitely delayed” … HST Carrier Strike Group will remain at the US coast, but ready to deploy on short notice if needed. (rmks: Though largely a result of automatic spending cuts, what better provocation do the Mullahs needs to start stirring things up in the region))
Life on the Reef Update: SMIT Salvage (Singapore) has been tasked with salvage operation on the stricken USS GUARDIAN … US$25M contract awarded … while the official contract (probably for administrative purposes) runs through “December”, the US Navy expects the salvage to be completed by April.
+++ The US Coast Guard has exercised a contract option to purchase the service’s 18th HC-144A Ocean Sentry (CN-235) maritime patrol aircraft.

07 February

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
Japan (update): Incidents on 19 and 30 Jan took place some 100-150 km north of the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands, where China has positioned warships as possible back-up for paramilitary China Marine Surveillance vessels intruding into Japanese waters around the islands. Incident on 19 Jan involved a JIANGKAI-I class frigate which trained a fire control radar on a JMSDF SH60 helicopter operating from destroyer OONAMI (111); on 30 Jan a JIANGWEI-II class frigate shone a fire control radar on JMSDF destroyer YUDACHI (103), but did not aim associated gun.
Chinese government outright denies the incidents. (rmks: Of course they do)

CHINA
Update: North Sea Fleet task group (QINGDAO, YANTAI, YANCHENG) concluded “patrols and training missions” in the South China Sea … now set to head out to West Pacific again.

IRAN (related)
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected a US offer to negotiate one-on-one on Tehran's disputed nuclear program “so long as Washington continues to impose sanctions on Iran.”

PAKISTAN
The Pakistan Navy has established a Joint Maritime Information and Coordination Centre (JMICC) … at Qasim Manora naval station (Karachi) … provide “horizontal linkages” between various agencies involved in the maritime sector.

RUSSIA – JAPAN
Two Russian Su-27 fighter aircraft said to have violated Japanese airspace near northernmost main island of Hokkaido for just over a minute … Japan scrambled F-2 interceptor aircraft … Japan protested, Russia denied.
(rmks: Russian Eastern Command forces since 05 Feb have conducted “large” joint exercises at - disputed - Kurile islands)

RUSSIA (Mediterranean Deployment)
Baltic Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN pass the Turkish Straits into the Black Sea … heading for Novorossiysk to offload naval infantry and equipment embarked for the exercises.

TUNISIA – ITALY
Tunisian navy commander, Admiral Mohamed Khammassi, visits Italian naval base Augusta … talks on possible acquisition of two second-hand Italian MINERVA class frigates.

USA
+++ Destroyer USS BARRY departs Naval Station Norfolk for a several-month Ballistic Missile Defense deployment in the US 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
+++ Africa Partnership Station: After completing a 10-month deployment, HSV-2 SWIFT is heading home … since July, 2012, conducted 38 port visits to Africa and 15 to Europe, circumnavigating the African continent.

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 about y’all, but the Emerson Clan had a great weekend. It was good to be refreshed with some wonderful fellowship with likeminded friends. As the new week starts, I am preparing to start work with Boeing. In light of this, NNSoTD will be shifting to an evening edition. Enjoy!

Summary to follow:

05 February

BELGIUM
Support vessel BNS GODETIA sails from Zeebrugge on a four-month deployment to West Africa … visit Senegal, Benin, Congo and Gambia to support local navies (maritime capacity building) and deliver humanitarian goods … from 22 Feb until 28 Mar join US Navy Africa Partnership Station program.


06 February

INDIA
First test-launch of a submarine-based version of the Brahmos anti-ship missile now scheduled in March … from an underwater platform. (rmks: Initially had been planned in autumn 2012, and then “by year end.” This once again illustrates India’s tendency for making vast claims, but falling flat in the execution phase. Good to know they work though. Looks like there will be some additional updates to the old database in the coming weeks)

PIRACY
West Africa: Suspected Nigerian pirates attack and board British-flagged bulk carrier M/V ESTHER-C while sailing on open sea off the Niger Delta … abduct three (out of 12) crew members and leave the scene. (rmks: The cockroaches (excuse me, pirates) will probably will ask for ransom. This is their usual MO. Here again I ask, where are the Keystone Kops when you need them)

SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA)
A boat carrying 54 illegal migrants heading for Australia was intercepted by a SLN fast patrol boat just 12 nm after departing the coast.


07 February

CHILE
Submarine SIMPSON departed US Naval Station Mayport after a three-month stay to return to homeport in Talcahuano (Chile) … participated in Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI) and bilateral exercise CHILEMAR IV with the U.S. Navy.


08 February

FRANCE
Helicopter carrier FS DIXMUDE returns to Toulon ... had transported troops and vehicles destined for Mali operation “Seral” to Dakar (Senegal).

INDONESIA
The Indonesian navy will build “naval base12” in Sorong, Papua … third base in Papua (base 10 in Jayapura, base 11 in Merauke) … primarily aimed at increasing regional maritime security and curb illegal fishing.

RUSSIA
OSCAR-II class submarine RFS SMOLENSK will complete a refit and be re-commissioned into the Russian navy this year.

USA
+++ Budget Woes: The US Navy has delayed four-year refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) of aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN because Congress has not passed a bill providing the required US$1.5B … had been scheduled to transfer from Norfolk naval base to Newport News Shipbuilding next week. (rmks: We don’t have funds for RCOH, but we do waste money on useless junk for the overpriced tinkertoy program (aka, the LCS program)
+++ The US Navy has “no requirement” to replace its four OHIO class submarines modified to carry cruise missiles and special forces … the boats will patrol until nuclear fuel is spent in the mid-2020s, then be phased out without successors. (rmks: Well, the Burkes can fill the gap for the cruise missiles. I wonder what we’ll use for SpecOps? I know, LCS. It’s the wondership, right!?)


09 February

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
+++ With Japan: Chinese marine surveillance ship HAIJIAN 137 continue patrol in the waters surrounding the Senkaku / Diaoyu Islands.
+++ With Japan: China vehemently denies that its warships locked radar on a Japanese navy helicopter and destroyer. (rmks: On 19 and 30 Jan) … accuses Tokyo of “deliberately spreading information to smear China’s image” … Japan mulls disclosing evidence. The interesting thing about stick-poking ops, the pokee has ESM that does an extremely effective job of recording F/C radar paints)

ITALY
Aircraft carrier ITS CAVOUR, destroyer ITS CAIO DUILIO and tanker ITS STROMBOLI arrive at Turkish navy base Aksaz for a scheduled visit until 12 Feb.

PAKISTAN
The Pakistan navy will deploy submarine KHALID (AGOSTA 90B) and fast missile craft JURRAT to Abu Dhabi … participate in upcoming IDEX / NAVDEX exhibition (17-21 Feb)

PHILIPPINES
The Department of National Defense is looking at equipping three AugustaWestland AW109 naval helicopters, ordered in Dec 2012 and due for delivery in 2014, with anti-submarine gear to further enable them detect intruders in Philippine waters.

USA
Life on the Reef Update: Second SMIT Salvage crane vessel, JACKSON 25, set to arrive on scene from Singapore around 15 Feb … bad weather prevents first crane vessel SMIT BORNEO from finding safe anchorage near stricken USS GUARDIAN … start of salvage work delayed.