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.

Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 6

Another week has come and gone, as the navies of the world prowl the seas – with various levels of success and infamy. Hope everyone enjoys this week’s summary of international naval happenings.


09 March

INDIA
Returning from overhaul in Severodvinsk (Russia), KILO class submarine INS SINDHURAKSHAK has visited Cartagena (Spain) … afterwards heading for Alexandria (Egypt) and subsequent Suez Canal passage. (rmks: Before, also had visited Portsmouth, UK)

RUSSIA
Zelenodolsk (Gorkiy) shipyard has launched BUYAN-M (Proj 21631) missile corvette GRAD SVIYAZHSK … second boat UGLICH to follow end of March … both to be delivered to Caspian Sea Flotilla by year end.


11 March

GREECE
VAdm Evangelos Apostolakis (former DepCdrGenStaff) deputy) takes over as Commander Hellenic Navy while VAdm Panagiotis Litsas (former DepCdrNav) assumes command of the Hellenic Fleet. (rmks: What navy and fleet. They’re lucky if they have two Euros to rub together. It sounds like more deck chair shuffling on the Titanic)


13 March

CHINA
First Wuhan-built new JIANGDAO (Proj 56) class corvette has commenced sea trials … shows hull number 584. (rmks: And the ChiComs keep cranking-out the ships like there is no tomorrow. I wonder if that has any significance? Nah, couldn’t be that they’re preparing to activate their string of pearls strategy)


14 March

INDIA
Last of three Russian (Yantar)-built Batch 2 TALWAR class frigates, INS TRIKAND, successfully completed contractor sea trials in the Eastern Baltic. (rmks: Huzzah! I’ve forgotten the number of months it is behind)

RUSSIA
Recent media reports allege the first BOREJ class submarines will be deployed with the Northern Fleet instead of going to the Pacific as originally planned … new Pacific submarine base at Vilyuchinsk not ready in time, and boats nearer to Sevmash manufacturer (warranty works).

SENEGAL (multinational)
US-led, multinational maritime exercise “Saharan Express 2013” … focusing on counter-piracy and maritime security operations … successfully concluded with post-sail discussions and a press conference at Dakar (Senegal).


15 March

AUSTRALIA
The first of eight CAPE class patrol boat built at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia for the Customs and Border Protection Service has been officially named HMAS CAPE ST. GEORGE.

FRANCE
On long-distance test cruise, FREMM type frigate FS AQUITAINE arrives at Cartagena (Colombia).

GERMANY
German armed forces sign deal with Eurocopter providing (a.o.) for 18 NFH90 maritime helicopters for the German Navy.

IRAN (related / non-naval)
The US has imposed sanctions on two Iranian companies providing insurance services to the country's main petroleum shipper, trying to compensate for loss of European insurers. (rmks: Like that’s really going to stop them)

IRAN
RAdm Sayyari: After completing current Asian tour, the Iranian navy will also sail to the Atlantic.

PIRACY
Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: Finnish soldiers take over duties from German marines as vessel protection detachments embarked on World Food Program ships sailing to Somalia … part of EU operation “Atalanta.” (rmks: And the cockroaches (excuse me, pirate) quake with fear … NOT!)

RUSSIA
A new carrier-deck pilot training site under construction at Yeisk (Russian Black Sea coast) will be “ready for operation by fall” … replace Soviet-era Nitka facility on the Crimea (today in Ukraine).

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
+++ The North Korean army test-fired a pair of short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles into its eastern waters (Japan Sea).
+++ US SecDef announces enhancing BMD capabilities for US mainland … up to 14 additional ground-based interceptors to be deployed on the US West Coast … bring the total number of interceptors to 44, returning to the number originally proposed by the Bush administration but reduced by Obama in 2009.

USA
Amphibious assault ship USS BONHOMME RICHARD currently off Okinawa, practicing non-combatant evacuation
(rmks: On West Pacific spring deployment since late Jan)


16 March

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
A North Korean propaganda website has warned of strikes against Southern islands and advised residents to leave … targets to include Yeonpyeong island, attacked by Northern forces in 2010.

USA
+++ More than 250,000 US troops will be denied tuition for classes this year, because of mandatory cuts in federal spending. (rmks: Don’t you just love how the current administration is treating the troops?)
+++ 7th Fleet flag ship USS BLUE RIDGE arrives at Kure (Japan) for a scheduled port visit.
(rmks: makes active participation in ongoing South Korean-US exercises “Foal Eagle”/”Key Resolve” unlikely)
+++ Keel laying ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding for 12th VIRGINIA class submarine … USS JOHN WARNER only VIRGINIA class submarine to bear the name of a person (former Senator) … delivery in 2015.


17 March

FRANCE
Minehunters FS PEGASE and SAGITTAIRE loaded on board special transport ship JUMBO JUBILEE … at Brest … probably heading for Saudi Arabia / the Gulf region.

IRAN
+++ Second JAMARAN class (Project Mowj) frigate launched at Anzali (Caspian Sea) … President Ahmadinejad attending ceremony … to become “operational in six months” … contradictory media reports speak of VELAYAT as well as of DAMAVAND … one report suggests actually two ships, with the second one built at Bandar Abbas and “planned to be launched soon.” (rmks: Could be previously announced VELAYAT now renamed DAMAVAND, but have to wait a bit for clarification)
+++ Frigate SABALAN and supply ship KHARG on return transit from China to Iran … have passed the Strait of Malacca, heading towards Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a scheduled port visit … “warned off” an Australian reconnaissance aircraft approaching for photo taking.

RUSSIA
Navy commander Adm Chirkov reaffirms plans to create permanent Mediterranean task force … made up of “5-6 ships, mostly frigates and cruisers” … protect national security and Russia’s interests in the region, and prevent potential pirate attacks … similar flotillas may be created for the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

SOUTH AFRICA
Copper thefts have put the SA Navy’s Silvermine primary communications center out of action … five kilometers of copper cable stolen from the facility in the past year … secondary station in Durban still working.

USA
+++ “Insider”: The US Navy most likely will not continue to buy both Littoral Combat Ship variants after 2015 … decide for one variant with probably reduced numbers. (rmks: They shouldn’t be buying either one! They’re both overpriced and underperforming white elephants)
+++ Aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER has passed the Suez Canal, heading south into the Red Sea
(rmks: To replace JOHN C. STENNIS in Gulf region deployment)
+++ (Speaking of which) The Aircraft carrier USS JOHN C. STENNIS has completed a visit to Jebel Ali (Dubai) and got underway. (rmks: Should now be heading for the Strait of Hormuz and subsequently – after handover to USS EISENHOWER – back home)


18 March

CANADA
Frigate HMCS REGINA returns to home port Esquimalt (B.C.), completing an 8-month Middle East deployment.

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
+++ Update: A Chinese navy official for the first time admitted that a frigate did direct a fire-control radar at a Japanese destroyer … in international waters in the East China Sea … saying an “emergency decision” had been made by the commander of the frigate. (rmks: You know what the definition of an excuse is? A lie with a reason. This “update” fits that definition)
+++ Current images suggest JIANGWEI-I class frigate ANQING (539) stocking up for a longer deployment.

IRAN
+++ National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) has replaced its director, a former minister and ally of President Ahmadinejad … just over a year after he was appointed.
+++ Following the launch of second JAMARAN class frigate, DAMAVAND (previous VELAYAT), another frigate, (currently called) SAHAND, will be launched “soon” to be operational by March 2014 (“end of next Iranian year”) … according to bloggers some 20-25 percent wider and slightly longer than JAMARAN.

JAPAN
The Japanese navy for the very first time has appointed female officers to command warships … destroyers SHIMAYUKI and SETOYUKI, however, not “front-line” ships but used for training.

RUSSIA
+++ Rubin Central Design Bureau has begun initial design work for future “fifth generation” submarine.
+++ New ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH class (Proj. 11356) frigates will be fitted with latest Kalibr (SS-N-27) land-attack capable anti-ship missiles

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
Media reports suggest partial mobilization in effect in North Korea since 11 Mar … “unlike any in a long time” … as it severely affects food production, it cannot be sustained for longer period … analysts: next two to three weeks critical … end of Chinese National People's Congress removes political constraint on decision making … timeframe (for action) until April when usual spring planting should start.

TURKEY
Commemorating the 98th anniversary of the victory against the Allied Fleet on 18 March, 1915, the Turkish navy conducted a naval parade in the Dardanelles. (rmks: Annual event)

USA
+++ Repairs to fire-damaged submarine USS MIAMI postponed … due to high costs (US$450M) might be scrapped after all.
+++ Budget impasse is causing delays in development of mission packages (modules) for Littoral Combat Ships
+++ Life on the Reef Update: Work to cut up the hull of minesweeper ex-USS GUARDIAN grounded on a Philippine reef expected to begin shortly … weather permitting.
+++ Aircraft carrier USS RONALD REAGAN has completed more than 1-year overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard … leaving Bremerton back to her traditional homeport of San Diego.


19 March

CHINA
A South Sea Fleet task force sails from Sanya (Hainan) to the South China Sea and West Pacific … for a “large-scale, far-reaching” exercise … “three battle groups” to practice mobilization of forces and “simulate actual combat situations” … participants include destroyer LANZHOU, frigates YULIN and HENGSHUI, dock landing ship JIANGGANGSHAN (999), and (naval) aviation. (rmks: Annual event; in May 2012, conducted “three dimensional landing exercise”)

FRANCE
Update: Mine hunters FS PEGASE and SAGITTAIRE, loaded on board heavy transport ship JUMBO JUBILEE, will be brought to French naval base at Abu Dhabi (UAE) … for operations in the Persian Gulf.

PIRACY
+++ KK Update: A Russian Baltic Fleet task group with frigate RFS NEUSTRASHIMIY, tanker RFS YELNYA and salvage tug RFS YEVGENIY KHOROV has sailed from Baltiysk for the Gulf of Aden. (rmks: Will likely replace Northern Fleet task group currently on anti-piracy operations).
+++ KK Update: Swedish navy mine layer HSwMS CARLSKRONA is on her way to the Gulf of Aden … join EU NavFor from 06 Apr until 15 Aug.

RUSSIA
+++ The MoD has decided to - within the next two years - overhaul “all third-generation” AKULA class (Proj 971) attack submarines …”better stealth capabilities and improved electronics” … first boat already at Zvezdochka shipyard. (rmks: statement does not give names nor number of boats slated for this upgrade)
+++ Planned permanent Mediterranean task force will have a command staff of some 25 officers, picked from Black Sea Fleet staff … HQ (command & control facilities) to be established in Novorossiysk or Sevastopol.
+++ A Pacific Fleet task group comprised of destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, ROPUCHA class landing ships RFS ADMIRAL NEVELSKOY, PERESVET and OSLYABYA, tanker RFS PECHENGA and salvage tug RFS FOTIY KRYLOV sails from Vladivostok for the Pacific and Indian Ocean … conduct exercises and subsequently join anti-piracy operations.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)

+++ Unconfirmed reports suggest China has taken some extra security precautions against the ripple effects of an armed provocation … sent aircraft and ground forces to reinforce its border with North Korea and placed border forces on increased alert.
+++ US Pentagon speaker: “During current exercises, B-52 bombers carried out simulated nuclear bombing raids on North Korea … sending a very strong signal that we have a firm commitment to the alliance with our South Korean allies”.

UNITED KINGDOM
TYPE 45 destroyer HMS DRAGON sails from Portsmouth on her maiden seven-month deployment to the Middle East.

USA
+++ Seven US Marines were killed and several others were injured in an explosion during a training exercise (firing 60-mm mortar rounds) at the Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada.
+++ The US Navy will make 2013 the “Year of The Laser Gun” … moving forward beyond mere demonstrators. (rmks: Yet another freaking white elephant)


20 March

CAMEROON (FRANCE)
Former French navy patrol boat FS GREBE, taken from service in 2010 and since laid up in Toulon, is handed over to Cameroon … currently on transfer voyage. (rmks: no information yet on new name/number)

INDIA
A submarine-launched version of the supersonic Brahmos anti-ship missile was "successfully" tested from an underwater pontoon off Visakhapatnam … first such test … currently, the Indian navy has no submarine capable to deploy this missile which requires vertical launch tubes … scheduled to eventually be fitted in planned (and much delayed) Project 75i submarines.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
South Korea raises national threat level (from 4 to 3) after a cyber-attack targeting banks and TV stations led to major computer outages … as of yet, originator unclear although North Korea had been identified in similar action in 2009.

PIRACY
During a ministerial-level meeting in Cotonou (Benin), nearly two dozen West and Central African nations have pledged to combat the growing threat of piracy and maritime crime in their coastal waters … draft agreement (rmks: no details) requires approval of regional heads of state.

RUSSIA
UDALOY class destroyers reportedly to get a service-life extension and upgrade … refitted with Calibr (SS-N-27) anti-ship missiles, Redut air defence system, and a 130-mm gun … detailed requirements to be finalized by year-end … upgrade to first ship (speculated to be RFS ADMIRAL KHARLAMOV) to be completed by 2016.

USA
+++ Sailing from San Diego towards Singapore for her maiden deployment, USS FREEDOM has arrived in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility … currently heading for Guam for a scheduled visit.
+++ Off Okinawa the USS BONHOMME RICHARD Amphibious Ready Group has completed a 10-day certification exercise (CERTEX) with 31st MEU. (rmks: On Spring Deployment to West Pacific)
+++ “Southern Partnership Station 2013” now in Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala.
+++ Aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER has arrived in the Gulf of Aden, continuing enroute the Arabian Sea.


21 March

CYPRUS (RUSSIA)
Not surprisingly, there are speculations that Cyprus might offer “basing rights” for the Russian navy in return for a financial bailout. (rmks: When all else fails (like seizing the savings accounts of it’s citizens), make a basing deal with the Russkies)

INDONESIA (multinational)
The Indonesian government is deliberating multinational naval exercises as part of efforts to improve stability in Southeast Asian waters … invite ASEAN member navies plus “up to ten partners” … pitch the plan during the International Maritime Security Symposium in Jakarta, which is slated for December.

IRAN
On return transit from China, frigate SABALAN and supply ship KHARG arrive at Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a scheduled port visit until 24 Mar.

ISRAEL – GREECE – USA
The three navies have completed trilateral exercise “Noble Dina”

PIRACY
KK Update: 13th and 14th Chinese anti-piracy task group have ended joint operations in the Gulf of Aden. While 14th group now continues anti-piracy mission, the 13th group is heading north in the Red Sea for an excursion to the Mediterranean to conduct a number of port visits (rmks: press statement mentions Morocco and France) before commencing home transit.

RUSSIA
LADA class submarine RFS ST. PETERBURG currently assisting with sea trials of export ships … frigate INS TRIKAND (for India) and a KILO-II class submarine (for Vietnam) … in April/May scheduled to leave the Baltic for a series of trials in the Barents Sea / White Sea. (rmks: Transfer to Barents Sea originally scheduled already last year)

TAIWAN
The Ministry of National Defense has launched another effort to study the feasibility of building indigenous submarines.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
+++ North Korea threatens attacks on US military bases on Japan and Guam … “if provoked” … conducts (unusual) air raid drills.
+++ China reportedly has suspended oil deliveries to North Korea. (rmks: That’s interesting. Let’s see what happens, if and when the candle get’s lit)

UNITED KINGDOM
During a ceremony at the Portsmouth Naval Base, the Royal Navy’s fifth DARING-class (TYPE 45) destroyer HMS DEFENDER will be formally commissioned into the fleet.

USA
Life of the Reef Update: Operations to completely dismantle grounded minesweeper ex-USS GUARDIAN and remove her from Tubbataha Reef will continue into April. (rmks: The US Navy had been confident to finish work by 23 Mar)


UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

TURKEY (07 May)
11th International Defence Industry Exhibition scheduled from 07 – 10 May in Istanbul (Turkey) … Russian navy to send Black Sea Fleet DERGACH class missile corvette BORA.

RUSSIA (Jul)
November 2013, Sevmash will lay the keel for 5th and 6th BOREJ class submarines RFS ALEXANDER SUVOROV and MIKHAIL KUTUZOV.

Something that turned up in my AIR International - Russia is going back to the pre-1970s version of the red star roundel i.e. no border, with a red star outline for camoed jets.

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.

Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 7

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter/Passover celebration. Sorry about being a day late on publishing, but I couldn’t pass up the excellent weather in the PacNorWest over the weekend. The family and I spent the weekend working in the front yard.
Some interesting things happening navy-wise.

BTW, thanks for taking this article over 13K views. Enjoy the summaries!


20 March

INDIA
Cochin shipyard launches the second of 20 fast patrol craft for the Indian coast guard … associated image shows hull with number 237 … contract signed in 2010, with deliveries through 2017.

USA
The US Navy’s first Mobile Landing Platform, MLP-1 MONTFORD POINT, successfully completed builder's sea trials off San Diego.


22 March

CANADA
The Canadian Coast Guard takes delivery of new 14-m inshore fishery patrol boat S. DUDKA.

CHINA
New fishery inspection ship YUZHENG 312 has sailed for the South China Sea (Spratly Archipelago) … maiden-patrol … 40-50-day deployment … largest fishery inspection ship (101m, 4.950-tons).

DENMARK
All three Danish navy ice breakers officially taken out of service as “ice service” is outsourced. (rmks: A really sad day. If we’re not careful, this could be the blueprint for my beloved USN)

FRANCE
First FREMM frigate AQUITAINE continues long-range trials deployment … after visit to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) operated off French Guyana … from 16-20 March at Cartagena (Colombia) … now heading for a scheduled visit to Havana (Cuba) … afterwards proceed north to the USA and subsequently Iceland.

ISRAEL (GAZA)
In response to a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip Israel reportedly has curtailed Palestinian access to fishing waters off the Gaza Strip … “halving” the permitted fishing zone. (rmks: The zone had been extended from 6 to 12 nm as part of a ceasefire agreement that ended an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in November … Israel regards the recent attack as breach of this agreement. Makes sense to me and I don’t have any diplomatic credentials)

PIRACY
Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: Spanish frigate SPS NUMANCIA sails from Rota for the Horn of Africa … to join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”.

RUSSIA
The Baltic Fleet has commissioned two more Project 90600 tugs RB-394 and RB-395 …now total of five in service (incl. RB-20, RB-27, RB-42), with a sixth to be delivered by year end.

UNITED KINGDOM
Sixth and final TYPE 45 destroyer, HMS DUNCAN, arrives at Portsmouth and is officially delivered to the Royal Navy … soon start sea trials.

USA
+++ The USS JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group has concluded operations in the Arabian Sea / Persian Gulf (support of operation “Enduring Freedom”) and commenced home transit.
+++ PERRY class frigate USS KLAKRING decommissioned during a ceremony at Mayport (Florida). (The for the service Klakring!)


23 March

RUSSIA
Baltic Fleet SOVREMENNIY class destroyer RFS NASTOYCHIVIY has completed major refit and a first series of sea trials.

USA – CHINA
The Chinese navy has accepted invitation for participation in next year’s (biennial) US-led multinational exercise “RIMPAC 2014” … but contradictory media reports whether ships/aircraft will be deployed to Hawaii. (rmks: Had taken part as observer in the 1990s. Man, that’s like asking the foxes to assist with guarding the chicken coop. Makes absolutely ZERO sense)

USA
Amid ongoing budget woes the US Navy has cancelled upcoming deployments for frigate USS RENTZ and LOS ANGELES class submarine USS JEFFERSON CITY … frigate USS THACH will cut short its current anti-drug deployment and return home in April … at Key West, the Navy’s “Blue Angels” did their last public performance for a while.


24 March

CHINA (RUSSIA)
According to state media, China will procure four LADA class submarines from Russia … two to be built in Russia, the other two with technology transfer in China … agreement signed just before president Xi’s visit to Russia … no further details (price, timetable) given thus far.

IRAN (related / non-naval)
India plans to set up a fund to back local insurers providing cover for refiners processing Iranian oil after companies warned they would be forced to halt imports.

THAILAND – AUSTRALIA
Seventh iteration of biennial bilateral exercise “AUSTHAI” conducted off Thailand … Thai Navy contributed frigates HTMS RATTANAKOSIN and PHUTTHAYOTLA CHULALOK plus some naval aircraft; Australian navy joined with visiting frigate HTMS PARRAMATTA.

USA
Aircraft carrier EISENHOWER arrives in the Northern Arabian Sea, starting flight operations in support of “Enduring Freedom” (Afghanistan).


25 March

AUSTRALIA
Two people died when an asylum seeker boat loaded with 95 people capsized off Christmas Island; all others picked up by Australian navy vessel … after a lull, numbers arriving there are picking up again … only on 23/24 Mar at least four boats taken to Christmas Island, one carrying 128 people.

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
+++ With Vietnam: Chinese officials “vehemently deny” reports that a Chinese patrol vessel fired signal munitions at Vietnamese fishing boats (setting one on fire) in order to drive them out of disputed waters near Paracel Archipelago in the South China Sea. (rmks: I wonder how many people will by the spontaneous combustion defense?)
+++ The South Sea Fleet task group has arrived in the Spratly Archipelago … practice combined assault (on an island) with support of land-based aircraft (bomber, fighter, early warning) … remain in the area for a few more days to continue “three-dimensional cruise” (rmks: phrase could indicate submarines involved as well).

INDIA (RUSSIA)
Russian media claim repairs to boilers of aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADITYA at Baltic Plant “well behind schedule” ... officials denying: ”India very pleased with progress”.

INDIA
Plans for “Project Varsha” substantiated … new (nuclear) submarine base to be established “in the coming decade” on the east coast, near Rambilli, some 50 km from Visakhapatnam … will have “hardened underground” facilities (rmks: submarine tunnels?).

PIRACY
KK Update: British Royal Navy frigate HMS KENT is to sail from Portsmouth for a six-month deployment focusing on anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean.

RUSSIA
+++ Pacific Fleet (former anti-piracy) task group with destroyer RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, tanker RFS IRKUT and salvage tug RFS ALATAU arrives at Langkawi (Malaysia) … to participate in LIMA-2013 arms exhibition (scheduled to kick off on 26 Mar).
+++ Baltic Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ships KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN once again entered the Black Sea through the Turkish Straits. (rmks: have been deployed to the Mediterranean region since 18 Dec … and rust shows).
+++ The Russian navy plans acquisition of a special reconnaissance submarine optimized for hydro-acoustic surveillance … locating and tracking submarines, surface vessels and even low flying aircraft over distances of up to 600 km.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
+++ North Korea (I) once more threatened strikes on US (Hawaii) … Kim Jong-un busy visiting troops and “supervising” training, having himself depicted as a “superb military leader”.
+++ North Korea (II) staged a “large scale” combined army and naval (amphibious) exercise on the coast near Wonsan (Sea of Japan), involving hovercraft and multiple rocket launchers … watched by leader Kim Jong-un.
+++ South Korean navy corvettes and missile boats, on third anniversary of sinking of corvette ROKS CHEON AN, conduct exercises in the Yellow Sea.

UNITED KINGDOM
TYPE 23 frigate HMS SOMERSET has successfully completed sea trials, following completion of her refit.

USA
More deployments scheduled in April cancelled due to budget woes … hospital ship USNS COMFORT (“Continuing Promise 2013” humanitarian mission to Central and South America), salvage ship GRASP (European command), frigate USS KAUFFMAN (Southern Command).


26 March

AUSTRALIA
Two more boatloads of asylum seekers arrived at Christmas Island, bringing the total to 11 in the last five days … end of the monsoon season brings unprecedented surge in irregular immigration by sea …. 3028 asylum seekers have arrived in Australia this year, compared with just 1302 in the three months to April last year.

CHINA
+++ Former 13th anti-piracy task group (frigates HUANGSHAN and HENGSHAN, supply ship QINGHAI HU) arrives at Valetta (Malta) for a scheduled 5-day visit … more visits announced to Algeria, Morocco, Portugal and France. (rmks: Upon completion of anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden conduct Mediterranean cruise before heading home)
+++ A four-ship South Sea Fleet task group has reached Zengmu Reef, the “southernmost part of China's territory” (rmks: In Spratly Archipelago)

INDIA
GRSE at Kolkata launches 3rd Project 28 (KAMORTA class) ASW corvette, named KILTAN (after an island). (rmks: Photos show no hull number yet)

INDONESIA
The Indonesian navy reportedly has decided to buy three British BAe Systems F 2000 (NAKHODA RAGAM class) corvettes originally built for Brunei but not accepted.

MALAYSIA
2013 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition kicked off … run through 30 March.

PIRACY
West Africa: The US and some of its allies are considering plans for anti-piracy operations off West Africa … concerns that money from the attacks is funding a Nigerian-based insurgent group that is linked to one of al-Qaeda’s most dangerous affiliates.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
North Korea has ordered its strategic rocket and long-range artillery units “combat ready”, targeting U.S. military bases on Guam, Hawaii and mainland America … still, no sign of imminent military action. (rmks: Is this tinpot little schmuck serious?)

UNITED KINGDOM
HUNT class mine hunter HMS CHIDDINGFOLD returns to sea after completion of 18-month upgrade.

USA
+++ Life on the Reef Update: Dismantling and sectioning the hull of grounded mine countermeasures ship ex-USS GUARDIAN progressing well … bow section cut off and safely lifted to an awaiting barge.
+++ The USS JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group has left the 5th Fleet area of responsibility … heading home to San Diego / Bremerton.
+++ After a short stop-over at Rota (Spain), the USS KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group passes the Strait of Gibraltar, entering the Mediterranean enroute its scheduled Middle East deployment. (rmks: To relieve the PELELIU ARG deployed since Sep, 2012)


27 March

CHINA – TANZANIA
Adding to its "string of pearls" in the Indian Ocean, China now ready to build / develop a new port at Bagamoyo (Tanzania) … Chinese state-owned company, China Merchants Group, will lead the port construction. (rmks: Well ain’t that peachy keen)

CHINA
After “landing exercises” at James Shoals and “patrolling the Meiji Reef” (in most southern Spratly Archipelago) the South Sea Fleet task group now headed for the West Pacific … will sail the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines.

CHINA – RUSSIA
Russian officials deny arms deal with China which reportedly includes four AMUR (LADA) class submarines.
(rmks: Wording suggests deal “not signed” yet” but still could be in the making. This could be the vodka version. Only time will tell)

EGYPT
The Egyptian navy has arrested three scuba divers trying to cut undersea communication / Internet cable off Alexandria.

IRAN (related / non-naval)
Chinese VLCC tanker YUAN YANG HU berthed at Kharg Island … obviously to load up to 2 mn barrels Iranian crude … first confirmed visit to an Iranian port by a Chinese-owned crude oil carrier since the beginning of EU/US sanctions … Norwegian-based insurer: “hauling Iranian oil automatically invalidates the ship’s insurance”. (rmks: Don’t you just love how the sanctions are working?)

JAPAN
Kawasaki Heavy Industries delivers the first two P-1 next-generation antisubmarine patrol aircraft to the Japanese navy (JMSDF) … will conduct two more years of tests before becoming operational. (rmks: Program delayed by more than one year after fuselage cracks found on prototype aircraft).

RUSSIA
Baltic Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ships KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN as well as tanker LENA arrive at Novorossiysk (Black Sea) … for replenishment and maintenance.
(rmks: deployed to the Mediterranean region since mid-Dec, 2012)

SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA)
The Sri Lankan navy arrested 97 Australia-bound illegal migrants off the east coast.

TAIWAN
Taiwan is on track to take delivery of 12 refurbished P-3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft from the US by mid-2015.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
+++ North Korea now also cut off the military hot line … “when a war may break out any moment, there is no need to keep the military communications”
+++ The US Air Force reportedly has deployed B-2 stealth bombers over South Korea.

USA
+++ VT Halter Marine's Moss Point shipyard launches new oceanographic survey vessel USNS MAURY (T-AGS 66).
+++ Bollinger shipyard has delivered USCGC MARGARET NORVELL, the 5th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the United States Coast Guard.

UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

PAKISTAN (Apr)
The Pakistan Navy is set to receive its fourth F-22P SWORD class frigate, ASLAT(254) … in April … built at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works under a technology transfer agreement.

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.

Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 8

Another busy naval news week. Lots of stuff coming out of the Korean Peninsula. Enjoy the summaries!

26 March

FRANCE:
Mission "Jeanne d'Arc 2013": Training squadron with helicopter carrier TONNERRE and destroyer GEORGES LEYGUES has arrived off Lebanon to conduct amphibious exercise "Cedre Bleu" with Lebanese armed forces.
(rmks: annual cadet training cruise)


28 March

CHINA
To "more effectively cooperate in protecting maritime interests," the military has established new "coordination mechanisms" with the restructured State Oceanic Administration (China Marine Surveillance, Fisheries Law Enforcement Command, China Coast Guard). (rmks: In other stick-poking ops have just become official business)

FRANCE
Frigate FS AQUITAINE arrives at Havana (Cuba) for a scheduled port visit.

PIRACY
Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: Pacific Fleet Task Group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, three landing ships, two auxiliaries approaches the Strait of Malacca heading for the Indian Ocean. (rmks: Force composition suggests exercises with regional navies, such as India, in addition to normal anti-piracy operations)

RUSSIA
+++ The Black Sea Fleet has begun an unscheduled alert exercise involving 36 warships, military aircraft and armored vehicles, and thousands of marines. President Putin personally gave order to alert the Black Sea fleet, as well as the regional Air Force and troops. Ships after sailing from bases conducted live firing exercises. (rmks: Could be part of comprehensive inspection of BSF by Main Naval Staff, started on 16 Mar. BSF in late 2011 miserably failed such an inspection)
+++ A new Project 12150 (MANGUST class) patrol boat has joined the FSB Border Guard in the Kaliningrad region.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "decides the time has come to settle accounts with the U.S. imperialists." Ratifies the plan of the Strategic Rocket Force for firepower strike." Forces ready to strike "if ordered."

UNITED KINGDOM
+++ Destroyer HMS EDINBURGH returns to Portsmouth, ending her final 6-month deployment to the South Atlantic. (rmks: last active TYPE 42 destroyer; to be decommissioned in June)
+++ Search & Rescue service of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force formally outsourced . in a deal amounting to Euro 1.85 bn, US company Bristow Group will take over the operation in 2015

USA
+++ After a six-week delay (due to budget woes), aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN enters Newport News Shipbuilding to begin a four-year overhaul (RCOH) period . Navy "shifted" funds to keep LINCOLN's mid-life refueling and overhaul on schedule. (rmks: Costs given as US$2.6B)
+++ Cruiser USS CHANCELLORSVILLE has completed major upgrade (part of Cruiser Modernization program) which began in April, 2012 . included Aegis upgrade (Baseline 9) for improved BMD capabilities . will next undergo combat system ship qualification trials beginning in April . expected to rejoin the fleet in June 2014.


29 March

CHINA
Update: The South Sea Fleet task group has passed the Bashi Channel, heading for the West Pacific . practice deep-sea precision striking, integrated air defence and open-ocean interception as well as maritime law enforcement, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy operations.

FRANCE
HORIZON class destroyer FS CHEVALIER PAUL has returned to Toulon, ending her 4-month maiden deployment to the Middle East. (rmks: Had been temporarily integrated in US Navy USS STENNIS Carrier Strike Group)

LATVIA
Naval vessels and helicopters rescued more than 200 people from drifting ice floes in the Gulf of Riga.

LEBANON - SYRIA
Local Lebanese media report a Syrian frigate (rmks: might apply to a PETYA-III class ship) "entered Lebanese territorial waters off Al-Arida and opened fire on a fishing boat (injuring one fisherman)." (rmks: Unconfirmed, but there have been similar incidents before in this "somewhat disputed" area)

RUSSIA
+++ Update: Landing force comprising four landing ships (RFS AZOV, SARATOV, NOVOCHERKASSK, NIKOLAI FILCHENKOV, marines embarked), escorts, and auxiliary vessels operating near Novorossiysk . a second "diversion" landing force includes Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN. Practice transit to amphibious objective area under mine and air threat, President Putin arriving to observe ongoing exercises.
+++ As part of current sea trials, RFS STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette BOYKIY conducted live missile firing in the Eastern Baltic . two SS-N-27 fired at floating target . in the next days continue weapons tests with live firing of torpedoes and guns.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
+++ North Korea declares State of War: the "armed forces have entered into an actual military action." "All issues arousing between the north and the south will be dealt with according to wartime regulations." "Stage a do-or-die final battle." Still threat of action remains conditioned on a provocation started by the Allies.
+++ South Korean intelligence notes increase in personnel and vehicle movement at the North's mid- and long-range missile sites.

USA
LCS-1 USS FREEDOM arrives at Guam for scheduled port visit over the Easter weekend . enroute Singapore in first operational deployment. (rmks: I am truly amazed it’s made it this far without a tow)


30 March

ITALY
More than 500 illegal migrants - mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa - have arrived at the Italian island of Lampedusa in recent days after crossing the Mediterranean from Libya and Tunisia . at least two people died from exhaustion or hypothermia.

SYRIA (IRAN)
+++ Syrian opposition sources claim a Lebanese-owned, Tanzanian-flagged ship loaded with 8,500 t of weapons from Iran for the Syrian regime "about to enter the Suez Canal enroute the Mediterranean."
+++ Update: Suez Canal authorities searched the ship but did not find any arms nor forbidden cargo. (rmks: Looks like one of those fabricated stories typical for the Mid-East)

USA
+++ Life on the Reef Update: Salvage teams removed the last piece (the stern) of mine hunter ex-USS GUARDIAN from Tubbataha Reef. Salvage ships will still remain on site for another three days to make sure that no debris is left.
+++ Aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ departs its homeport of Everett (Wash) for a scheduled Sustainment Training Exercise (SUSTEX) in preparation (certification) for an upcoming West Pacific deployment.
+++ Following a (final) port visit to Dubai, amphibious assault ship USS PELELIU has left the Persian Gulf, passing the Strait of Hormuz to the Arabian Sea. (rmks: Prepping to hand over to approaching KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group)


31 March

CHINA
Polar research ship XUELONG ("Snow Dragon") has completed a six-month scientific expedition to Antarctica. On home transit to arrive at Shanghai on 09 Apr.

NEW ZEALAND
The RNZN is set to (by May) take delivery of two small "Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA)" boats . HMNZS TAKAPU and TARAPUNGA. Can be towed on a trailer, carried aboard the RNZN's OPVs and MRV CANTERBURY; also be transported by an Air Force C-130 Hercules.

PIRACY
KK Update: British supply ship RFAS FORT VICTORIA sails from Bahrain. New flag ship to CTF-151, hosting Singapore's Rear Admiral Giam Hock Koon and his command team for the next three months.

USA (PHILIPPINES)
US Navy dock landing ship USS TORTUGA departs Okinawa for the Philippines to participate in upcoming annual (29th edition) exercise "Balikatan".


01 April

CHINA
+++ Territorial Disputes: With Japan: Three Chinese (paramilitary) government ships temporarily entered territorial waters of disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.
+++ Update: After two-day training in West Pacific east of Taiwan, which included live gunnery exercises, the South Sea Fleet task group once more passes the Bashi Channel, returning to the South China Sea.

ISRAEL
After first natural gas has started flowing from offshore fields, the Israel navy is contemplating an "entire new defensive envelope." Currently "underequipped to protect these strategic assets, within rocket range from Gaza."

RUSSIA
The Black Sea Fleet has completed its exercises with live-firing at sea; ships now heading back to port.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)
+++ North Korean "Supreme People's Assembly" passed a new "nuclear weapons consolidation law," which makes nuclear weapons non-negotiable (without a change of this law). Will be a crime for North Korean diplomats to consent to nuclear negotiations of any kind. (rmks: Typical move for a whack-job tinpot dictator)
+++ Indications that tensions are easing, with soldiers returning to barracks. Farmers prepare planting as winter training cycle ended. USA: No troop movements or preparations that could signal military action imminent.
+++ the US Navy has positioned BMD-capable destroyer USS McCAIN (rmks: Other source claims USS FITZGERALD) to waters off the Korean peninsula (rmks: Pentagon speaker: "routine deployment"). Also moving the SBX-1 sea-based radar platform closer to the region to monitor possible missile launches.
+++ South Korean President Park Geun-hye appeared to give her country's military permission to strike back at any attack from the North, "without further word from Seoul."

URUGUAY
The Uruguay navy plans to domestically (Tsakos, Montevideo) build two offshore patrol vessel of Portuguese NPO-2000 (VIANA DO CASTELLO) design. Contracts expected by end-2013 with construction to start in 2014 and delivery in 2017/18.

USA
Aircraft carrier USS JOHN C. STENNIS arrives at Singapore for a scheduled port visit. (rmks: On return transit from Middle East deployment. You’ll know something is up in Korea, if it turns it’s bow North, instead of East)

YEMEN
French Couach has begun construction of two PLASCOA 2200 patrol boats for the Yemeni navy/coast guard . delivery planned in Feb and Mar 2014 (22m x 5.6m; built from fiberglass and Kevlar; 2 MTU 8V200 diesel; 30 knots; machine gun)


02 April

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
With Japan: Japanese government members release five-year maritime plan to be ratified "in the next few weeks." strengthen maritime security around Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea – monitor and protect area.
Deals with incursions under domestic law and deploys ground forces to Yonaguni island (Okinawa prefecture) and install mobile radars there. Exploit natural gas from sea-bed deposits with three-year survey and "commercialization around 2018". (rmks: Me thinks this will have a similar effect, as kicking a hornet’s nest)

CHINA
Former 13th anti-piracy task group (frigates HUANGSHAN and HENGSHAN, supply ship QINGHAI HU) arrives at Algiers (Algeria) for a scheduled four-day visit.

GEORGIA
With US (financial) assistance Georgia has established a maritime operations control center in Supsa (south of Poti), to more effectively combat trafficking and maritime crime.

PIRACY
+++ Somalia Basin: Pirates in one skiff attack a merchant vessel off the Somalia coast, near Mogadishu. They backed-off when embarked security team returns fire. (No pirates were harmed reporting this piece – BLAST IT ALL!)
+++ Bay of Bengal: The Bangladesh navy recovered 20 bodies of fishermen who were tied up and thrown into the sea in an apparent pirate attack. Pirates in the Bay of Bengal routinely kidnap and extort money from fishermen working along the coastline. (rmks: Why are we playing Pattycake with these scumbags)
+++ KK Update: Russian Northern Fleet task group with destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK has completed anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden . now conduct "a number of exercises" in the Red Sea before proceeding north toward the Suez Canal.

RUSSIA
+++ Nerpa shipyard has begun scrapping OSCAR-II class submarine RFS KRASNODAR (laid up since 1999, but officially decommissioned only in 2012). Currently unloading spent nuclear fuel, with to be completed by 2014.
+++ Contracts for resumption of suspended construction of second LADA class submarine (RFS KRONSHTADT) expected to be signed "this summer".
+++ Black Sea Fleet repair ship RFS AMUR PM-138 set to deploy from Sevastopol to Tartus (Syria), replacing sister ship PM-56 as Tartus station ship. (rmks: Usually a six-month deployment; PM-56 had sailed on 20 Oct, 2012)

TAIWAN
Taiwanese coast guard commissions two new ships (a 2,000-ton frigate and a 1,000-ton patrol boat) into service. First ships of a total of 37 ships, to be built under a 10-year plan.

THE KOREAS (also related /non-naval)
+++ North Korea announces restart of Yongbyon reactor (enrichment/plutonium production facility) shut down, mothballed and disabled in 2007. (rmks: Will take quite a while to become operational again)
+++ US Navy destroyer USS DECATUR currently near the Philippines has been ordered to proceed to waters off the Korean Peninsula. (rmks: Joins sister ship USS JOHN S McCAIN – both BMD-capable)

UNITED KINGDOM - LIBYA
Royal Navy frigate HMS KENT has arrived at Tripoli (Libya) for a scheduled port visit first visit of a UK warship in 40-years and will be hosting a number of UK defense and security firms, offering services and training to Libya. (rmks: Man, that’s gotta be some quality liberty … NOT!)

VIETNAM
Russian Zelenodolsk shipyard is to build two more GEPARD 6.9 (Proj 11661E) frigates for the Vietnamese navy. Construction of first ship to start in June this year; deliveries in 2016 and 2017.


03 April

CHINA
A South Sea Fleet four-ship task group has completed 16-day exercises in the South China Sea and the West Pacific and returned to Sanya home base (Hainan).

PIRACY
KK Update: German frigate FGS AUGSBURG has arrived at Djibouti, relieving sister ship KARLSRUHE in EU operation "Atalanta".

RUSSIA
President Putin has rejected a defense ministry's proposal to have Russian warships repaired at foreign shipyards. (rmks: I wonder if this would apply to Black Sea Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ship RFS TSESAR KUNIKOV, which was to start a major overhaul at Varna, Bulgaria, in March . but seemingly did not go there).

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ North Korea: "(nuclear) attack plans on South Korea and the USA now formally ratified." US SecDef Hagel: "clear and real danger" (rmks: Ya’ think!)
+++ North Korea: Has closed border crossings to the Kaesong joint industrial zone. South Korean workers reportedly will be allowed to leave. From South Korea: "Military action an option if citizens threatened."
+++ The US is deploying a land-based, mobile missile defense system to Guam.
+++ Possibly related: US destroyer USS CHUNG HOON sails from Pearl Harbor for an "independent deployment and integrated operations with partners/allies to the Asia-Pacific region."

UNITED KINGDOM
Survey ship HMS SCOTT returns to Plymouth, ending a four-month deployment for survey work to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

USA
Life on the Reef Series Finale: In the aftermath of the grounding of minesweeper USS GUARDIAN, the US Navy has "relieved from duty and reassigned" the commanding officer, the executive officer and navigator, the assistant navigator and the officer of the deck. Findings indicate all four "failed to adhere to standard navigation procedures" at the time of grounding. (rmks: Like duh!)


04 April

EGYPT
At the southern entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba the Egyptian navy has intercepted and detained a Togo-flagged ship … enroute from Eilat (Israel) to Togo … loaded with reportedly more than 60,000 weapons … conflicting reports on both origin and destination of cargo … most media claim weapons for security company involved in protecting merchant ships from pirates. (rmks: Conflicting reports, however, 60,000 guns would seem to be pretty much for a private security company)

FRANCE
Mission Jeanne D’Arc 2013: French navy training squadron with helicopter carrier FS TONNERRE and destroyer FS GEORGES LEYGUES completes 4-day visit to Aqaba (Jordan) which included bilateral special forces exercise “Mercy”, conducted inland some 60 km north of Aqaba

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ Next round of talks with 5+1 Group scheduled to start in Almaty (Kazakhstan) … conciliatory offer: Iran reduce output of Fordo facility, but not close it.
+++ Frigate SABALAN and supply ship KHARG arrive back home at Bandar Abbas, ending their tour to China and Sri Lanka.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ Intercepted communication indicates North Korea planning a missile test
+++ The Philippine navy has placed two logistic vessels and an escort ship on standby for possible evacuation of Filipinos from South Korea … an estimated 40,000 Filipino workers in South Korea.
+++ North Korea reportedly (rmks: unconfirmed) has moved a Musudan medium-range (estimated 3,000 - 4,000 km) ballistic missile to a launching site on the east coast. (rmks: Moving a single missile should be nothing more than a propaganda stint, however, could also point to an imminent "test firing," which might just be the "spark" to a military escalation)
+++ National holiday in North Korea … state media have not published any new threats nor official statements since yesterday.


USA
+++ The US Navy considers adding more offensive capability to its Littoral Combat Ships … replace the 57-mm gun on with larger caliber … after current order of 24 ships completed.
+++ The USS PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) has left the 5th Fleet area of responsibility, heading home (San Diego) while replacement USS KEARSARGE ARG still in the Mediterranean Sea.


UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

BLACKSEAFOR (05 Apr)
Next (routine) activation of multinational Black Sea Force scheduled from 05 - 23 Apr. This time under Turkish command, with visits to Varna (Bulgaria), Constanta (Romania) and Sevastopol (Russia/Ukraine). Participants to include RESITELNY (Bulgaria), SOKHUMI (Georgia), HORIA MACELLARIU (Romania), RFS NOVOCHERKASSK (Russia), TCG HEYBELIADA (Turkey, flag), CHERKASY (Ukraine).

FRANCE (19 Apr)
Noumea (New Caledonia)-based BATRAL class landing ship FS JACQUES CARTIER scheduled for retirement. Will leave Noumea on 19 Apr for Brest and arrive there on 08 Jul, for subsequent decommissioning. (rmks: Could be a candidate for the secondary market)

RUSSIA (Jun)
Third BOREJ class strategic submarine RFS VLADIMIR MONOMAKH scheduled to start trials in the White Sea in June.

AUSTRALIA (03 Oct)
A Chinese warship will join the Australian navy's international fleet review planned in Sydney from 03-11 Oct, 2013.

THE KOREAS (related / non-naval)

+++ the US Navy has positioned BMD-capable destroyer USS McCAIN (rmks: Other source claims USS FITZGERALD) to waters off the Korean peninsula (rmks: Pentagon speaker: "routine deployment") ... US Navy destroyer USS DECATUR currently near the Philippines has been ordered to proceed to waters off the Korean Peninsula. (rmks: Joins sister ship USS JOHN S McCAIN – both BMD-capable) ... Possibly related: US destroyer USS CHUNG HOON sails from Pearl Harbor for an "independent deployment and integrated operations with partners/allies to the Asia-Pacific region."

 

That would make potentially four Burke destroyers in the area: McCain, Decatur, Fitzgerald, and possibly now Chung-Hoon. It will indeed be interesting to see what Stennis does when she leaves 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.

Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 9

Things have been extremely busy in the Emerson household and I wasn’t able to post last week’s edition. Additionally, my news source was on vacation this week, so There has been nothing to report. Here is all the news I have. Enjoy the summaries!

04 April

FRANCE
FREMM class frigate FS AQUITAINE arrives at Norfolk (USA) for “integration training/certification” with the US Navy. (rmks: Man things have gotta be bad for my Navy, when we call in the French)

PIRACY
Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: The Iranian navy’s 25th anti-piracy task group sails from Bandar Abbas for the Gulf of Aden … frigate ALBORZ and landing ship/logistic support ship LARAK.


05 April

BELGIUM
Eurocopter “successfully“ conducted maiden flight of first NH90 NFH helicopter for the Belgium navy … Belgium has ordered eight NH90, four of which are naval variant NM90 NFH … replace Sea King.

BLACKSEAFOR
Seasonal routine activation of BlackSeaFor … at Varna (Bulgaria) … this time under Turkish command … visits to Constanta (Romania) and Sevastopol (Russia/Ukraine) … participants include RESITELNY (Bulgaria), SOKHUMI (Georgia), HORIA MACELLARIU (Romania), NOVOCHERKASSK (Russia), HEYBELIADA (Turkey, flag), CHERKASY (Ukraine).

BRAZIL
British BAe Systems has begun sea trials for third Brazilian navy AMAZONAS class OPV, ARAGUARI (P-122). (rmks: Last of three ships originally built for Trinidad & Tobago coast guard which then backed out of contract)

CHINA
Since August, 2012, Indian and US sonars spotted a total of 22 unidentified submarines operating in the Indian Ocean to the south of Sri Lanka … strong indications that they were Chinese navy. (rmks: Either that or the Indian sonar guys need hearing exams. I’m wagering of the need for hearing exams)

GUINEA-BISSAU
Former Guinea-Bissau navy chief, RAdm Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto, has been arrested from a boat in international waters (“set-up”) near Cape Verde … transferred to the US on drug related charges.

INDONESIA
The Indonesian navy opened new naval base in Palu (Central Sulawesi) … with immediate access to deep sea, will serve as the navy’s submarine base.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ Expecting a North Korean missile launch, the South Korean navy deployed two KDX-III Aegis-destroyers east and west of the Korean peninsula.
+++ North Korea has asked a number of countries (incl. Russia) to “consider evacuating their embassies” as security might not be guaranteed “after 10 Apr” … “if war breaks out.”
+++ North Korea now deployed two mobile medium-range missiles on the east coast for probable “demonstrative” test launches.

TURKEY
The Turkish coast guard officially commissions new patrol ships TCGS DOST and UMUT into service … first and third ships in a new class; second ship GÜVEN obviously delayed (for unknown reasons).

USA
+++ Frigate USS GARY returns to home port San Diego, ending a six-month deployment to Central and South American waters for a.o.t. anti-drug operation “Martillo.”
+++ The USS KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group (KEARSARGE, SAN ANTONIO, CARTER HALL, 26th MEU) completed transit of the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea. (rmks: replacing the PELELIU ARG in a scheduled routine deployment to the Middle East)


06 April

EGYPT
Update: Togo-flagged small coastal freighter COMR intercepted by the Egyptian navy on 04 April off the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula and initially reported to be “loaded with 45 tons of arms and ammunition (some 60.000 rifles)” in the end has become a “security vessel owned by an international security company carrying 64 rifles and 28 pistols and security personnel for anti-piracy operations” … and was allowed to proceed.
(rmks: so much for Middle East media reporting …)

NIGERIA
Militants in the Niger Delta ambushed a group of police officers as they sat stranded in a boat in the region’s winding creeks, leaving at least 12 “missing” (presumably dead) … most serious attack in months.

PIRACY
+++ KK Update: During a change-of-command ceremony in Djibouti Portuguese navy Cdre Jorge Palma assumes command of the EU NavFor from Spanish navy RAdm Pedro Garcia De Paredes … Portuguese frigate ALVARES CABRAL relieves Spanish frigate MENDEZ NUNEZ as flag ship.
+++ KK Update: In Djibouti Swedish patrol ship CARLSKRONA has joined EU NavFor in support of operation “Atalanta”.
+++ KK Update: Spanish frigate SPS NUMANCIA has joined EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”

RUSSIA
Unclear whether a Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, currently in the Indian Ocean, will have anti-piracy operations as its main task … may operate off the Horn of Africa for a couple of weeks, but latest press statements suggest main purpose connected with establishing permanent Mediterranean presence … group “in May” will pass the Suez Canal and enter the Mediterranean, with two of the three accompanying ROPUCHA class landing ships (RFS ADMIRAL NEVELSKOI, PERESVET) to proceed to Tartus (Syria) to offload “cargo” brought along.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
The US military will advance (first ever) deployment of a Global Hawk long-range reconnaissance drone to the US airbase in Misawa (Japan) to boost “regional” surveillance capabilities … originally planned only in summer.

USA – PHILIPPINES
The Philippines demand US$1.4M from the US Navy to compensate for damages to the Tubbataha Reef resulting from the grounding of minesweeper ex-USS GUARDIAN.

USA
SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24) commissioned during a ceremony at the Norfolk naval base.

07 April

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
+++ With Vietnam: China is to open disputed Paracel islands (South China Sea) up to tourism this month, a move likely to inflame a long-running territorial row with Vietnam.
+++ With Philippines: Two suspected Chinese Sukhoi fighter jets intruded into Philippine airspace over the Kalayaan Island Group (South China Sea), in Palawan province. (rmks: Now they have their fighters doing stick-poking ops. That could be a bad sign)

FRANCE
The last two BATRAL class landing ships FS DUMONT D’URVILLE and GRANDIERE will remain in service until 2015 … originally planned to pay off in 2014 … wait until orders for planned successors (batiment multi-mission) are formally placed.

RUSSIA
+++ Repairs to SLAVA class missile cruiser RFS MARSHAL USTINOV at Zvezdochka “on schedule to be completed in 2014”.
+++ Update: Besides proceeding to the Mediterranean (Syria), Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV will also conduct port visits to Iran and - during return transit - Vietnam. Only two landing ships (RFS PERESVET, ADMIRAL NEVELSKIY) with the group; third landing ship OSLABYA reportedly had been scheduled, but was “not required” and therefore stayed behind.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ The USA has postponed planned test-firing of a Minuteman-3 ICBM from Vandenberg (California) by one month … test at this time could send a wrong signal to North Korea.
+++ “Recent activities” at North Koreas Punggye-ri nuclear test site could indicate preparations for another (overall 4th) nuclear test.
+++ Japan deploying a BMD-capable Aegis destroyer to the Sea of Japan … DefMin: “There is not a high possibility that a North Korean missile would target Japan, but we should prepare for any contingency” … armed forces ordered to prepare for shooting down ballistic missiles in the event that any are launched (towards Japan).


08 April

AUSTRALIA
In the past four days, four boats carrying a total of more than 340 asylum seekers have been intercepted off Christmas Island.

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
With Philippines: A Chinese fishing vessel has entered Philippine territorial waters and run aground at Philippine Tubbataha Reef (rmks: where three months ago also US Navy minesweeper ex-USS GUARDIAN shipwrecked. Hey, if the USN can do, so can the ChiComs. It’s likely they will use the ship as a base, instead of breaking it up – like the GUARDIAN) … the Philippine Coast Guard has sent search and rescue vessel ROMBLON (SARV-3503) to investigate.

EGYPT
Supply ship SHALATEIN, employed as training ship, arrives at Toulon (France) for a scheduled visit during a Mediterranean cadet training cruise.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ To defend against possible North Korean missile attacks, Japan has deployed a number of Patriot missile batteries, some in centre Tokyo.
+++ With North Korean workers not showing up for work, North Korea has factually shut down the Kaesong Industrial Zone.
+++ South Korean officials appease: another North Korean nuclear test “not imminent.”

TURKEY
The Turkish Energy Ministry by mid-April will deploy research vessel BARBAROS HAYREDDIN PASHA to the eastern Mediterranean to conduct seismic surveys for hydrocarbon deposits.
(rmks: most probably also in contested waters off Cyprus and in the Aegean Sea).

USA
+++ The US Navy is preparing to deploy a new solid state laser weapon that in countering asymmetric threats can disable a hostile boat or destroy a surveillance drone overhead … in 2014 (FY), two years ahead of schedule, a prototype weapon will be installed for at-sea demonstrations on board mine warfare control ship USS PONCE (currently deployed to the Persian Gulf region).
+++ An F-18 Super Hornet, operating from aircraft carrier USS EISENHOWER, has crashed into the Northern Arabian Sea after engine failure … both crew safely ejected and plucked from water.
+++ Missile cruiser USS MONTEREY departs Norfolk for a deployment to the 6th and 5th Fleet area of operations.

VIETNAM
Ba Son shipyard (Ho Chi Minh City) has put the first two of six (plus optional another four) domestically built Project 12418 MOLNIYA class missile boats to water. (rmks: Built with assistance and materiel packages from Russian Vympel shipyard)


09 April

CHINA
Former 13th anti-piracy task group (two frigates, one supply ship) arrives at Casablanca (Morocco) for a scheduled 5-day port visit

PIRACY
KK Update: French frigate FS GUEPRATTE sails from Toulon for the Horn of Africa … will join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”.

TAIWAN
All Hsiung Feng I anti-ship missiles (derivative of Israeli Gabriel II), were officially decommissioned from the ROC Navy late last year.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ North Korea has advised South Korea to “prepare measures for evacuating foreigners.” (rmks: Likely psychological warfare)
+++ Observed “loading activities” have British media speculating that North Korea has begun evacuating its London embassy … which North Korea denies. (rmks: Cleaning out embassies widely regarded as one of the indicators to “imminent war”)
+++ North Korea has completed preparations for test firing mobile ballistic missiles from its east coast, however, no “danger areas” (mariners warning) announced yet.

UNITED KINGDOM
Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope formally stands down as First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff as Admiral Sir George Zambellas takes over.

USA
+++ Due to sequester, the US Navy has cancelled all remaining 2013 performances of its Blue Angels aerobatic squadron. (rmks: Well that sucks! No Blues for SeaFair this year)
+++ Littoral Combat Ship USS FREEDOM arrives at Manila (Philippines) for a scheduled port visit. (rmks: enroute first operational deployment to Singapore).


10 April

FRANCE
+++ Offshore patrol vessel FS L’ADROIT, on long-distance deployment since January, has left Reunion (Indian Ocean) heading for Singapore … for participation in upcoming IMDEX Asia to be held there from 14 – 16 May.
+++ On board a special cargo vessel, mine hunters FS PEGASE and SAGITTAIRE arrive at Abu Dhabi (UAE) to be offloaded.

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
Iran exported nearly 18 million barrels of fuel oil in the first quarter, or around 200,000 barrels per day, an increase of nearly 12.5 percent from the previous quarter … the US, however, expects importers of Iranian crude oil to make further significant cuts in their purchases. (rmks: Don’tcha just love how the sanctions are working)

PIRACY
+++ KK Update: Spanish frigate SPS MENDEZ NUNEZ conducts port visit to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) … had ended support of EU operation “Atalanta” on 07 Apr and commenced home transit.
+++ KK Update: After completing operations in the Gulf of Aden, the Russian Northern Fleet task group (destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK, tanker RFS DUBNA, salvage tug RFS ALTAY) has passed the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean … for the next two month will “join the permanent Mediterranean Squadron”, before returning home. Anti-piracy operations to be taken over by Baltic Fleet task group (frigate RFS NEUSTRASHIMIY, tanker RFS YELNYA, salvage tug RFS YEVGENIY KHOROV) which is about to arrive off the Horn of Africa.

RUSSIA
Zelenodolsk shipyard has launched missile corvette UGLICH, second Project 21631 (BUYAN-M) vessel.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ Ahead of anticipated North Korean missile launches South Korean and US forces have raised their alert level … Pentagon wary that two Musudan medium-range missiles positioned at the east coast might be just a diversion from actually planned “multiple-missile launches” from other (covert) positions. (rmks: any North Korean ballistic missile test would be in gross violation of UNSC resolutions)
+++ North Korea preparing for Kim Il-sung birthday celebrations … on 15 April … analysts expect “some military action” such as missile launches to be related with that date. USA
The Department of the Navy released its proposed $155.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2014 … $4.2 billion decrease from last year … includes a $49 billion for operations and maintenance (three percent reduction) ... $43.5B for ship, aircraft, weapons and other procurement for programs.

UNITED KINGDOM
New ASTUTE class submarine HMS AMBUSH suffered a “technical problem” (reportedly “stopped dead” in water) and had to be towed back to Faslane … MoD confirmed incident but declined to give specific details. (rmks: Man that’s gotta suck)

USA
General Dynamics has completed critical design review for Knifefish surface-mine countermeasure unmanned undersea vehicle (SMCM UUV) … essential component of the Littoral Combat Ship mine countermeasure mission package … now begin development of system hardware and software.


11 April

CANADA
Two independent think-tanks recommend the government abandon its project to construct Arctic Patrol Ships … the $4.3-billion plan “has been watered down to the point where it no longer makes much sense” … better build high-speed navy cutters and civilian icebreakers. DefMin outright dismissed the reports.

CHILE
Domestic Asmar shipyard “recently” delivered new fishery and oceanographic research vessel CABO DE HORNOS to the Chilean navy. (rmks: ST-367 design, 74-m ship)

CHINA
During inspection of the South Sea Fleet in Sanya (Hainan), president Xi Jinping urged soldiers “be better prepared for military struggle”.

FRANCE
Destroyer FS LATOUCHE TREVILLE has taken over West African naval presence mission “Corymbe”, relieving helicopter carrier MISTRAL and Aviso LE HENAFF. (rmks: Usually 3-month deployment, which is considered a loonnngggg deployment for the French)

INDIA
Two-day multi-agency maritime security exercise “Sagar Kavach” kicked off in territorial waters (up to 12 nm) along the Goa coast … involves navy, coast guard, state marine police, customs, fisheries, port authorities and other central and state departments.

RUSSIA
+++ Two Baltic Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN pass the Turkish Straits back into the Mediterranean … had spent some two weeks at Novorossiysk (Black Sea) for replenishment and maintenance. (rmks: On Mediterranean deployment since 18 Dec)
+++ STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS BOYKIY successfully completed sea trials in the Eastern Baltic … will now undergo a series of final tests at Severnaya shipyard … join the Baltic Fleet in May or June.
+++ KIROV class cruiser RFS PETR VELIKIY has sailed for the Barents Sea for a number of individual ship exercises … incl. air defense and land attack.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ Indications that North Korea may have started fuelling ballistic missiles and testing telemetry signals. (rmks: If confirmed, launch should occur within a week, preferably sooner, because the fuel is unstable and corrosive … preparations could point to a launch in honor of Kim Il-sung's birthday on 15 April)
+++ US Navy mobile sea-based radar platform SBX-1 now “in position” to monitor any possible missile launches by North Korea.
+++ US DIA thinks North Korea may have (crude) nuclear weapons that could be delivered by ballistic missiles, however, reliability will be low.

USA
+++ Ahead of official announcement (expected in coming days), politicians have disclosed names selected for future US Navy warships … two littoral combat ships to be named MANCHESTER and WICHITA, a Joint High Speed Vessel to get the name USS TRENTON. (rmks: no associated numbers given yet)
+++ The US Navy has cancelled participation in a number of upcoming “Fleet Weeks” … following DoD guidance that “no branch of the Armed Forces can participate in community events that come at an additional cost.”


12 April

AUSTRALIA
Dock landing ship HMAS CHOULES has completed repairs and returned to sea.

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
With Philippines: One year after a standoff between the Philippine Navy and Chinese vessels began at Scarborough Shoals (South China Sea), Chinese ships (currently 2 CMS, 1 FLEC) still have remained in the area.

NEW ZEALAND
After spending eight months alongside at the Devonport naval base for “training and resting key personnel”, offshore patrol vessel WELLINGTON has returned to sea.

RUSSIA
+++ Black Sea Fleet landing ship RFS AZOV has sailed for the Mediterranean … scheduled to visit Messina (Italy) from 23-25 Apr for historic anniversary celebrations.
+++ Baltic Fleet landing ship RFS ALEXANDER SHABALIN (rmks: passed the Turkish Straits on 11 Apr) is headed for Tartus (Syria) … by 17 Apr, deliver supplies and spare parts for AMUR class repair ship and logistic base … then join the Mediterranean Task Group.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ Chinese tanks and armored vehicles conducted live fire drills near borders with North Korea, marking the first military activity in the area since the start of the current crisis … defense official denies “military build-up” near the border. Additionally, the Chinese city of Huichen (near the border with North Korea) staged an air raid drill.

USA
+++ Frigate USS THACH returns to San Diego, cutting short a deployment for anti-drug operations to the 4th Fleet area of operations. (rmks: Called back due to sequester)
+++ The second NEIL ARMSTRONG class research vessel (AGOR) will be named after female astronaut USNS SALLY RIDE.
+++ A small fire occurred aboard new littoral combat ship USS CORONADO during sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico … insulation on the starboard diesel "smoldered, then ignited" … quickly extinguished, no injuries, minor damage.


13 April

CHINA
Former 13th Anti-Piracy Task Group (2 frigates, 1 supply ship) end their port visit to Casablanca (Morocco) … two more visits to Portugal and France to follow.

INDIA
The Indian navy is set to “later this year” order another three TALWAR class frigates from Russia.

IRAN
RAdm Sayyari: “New destroyer SHAHEED BAYANDOR” set to be launched … will officially join the fleet by next month.
(rmks: possibly the old BAYANDOR returning to the fleet after completing an upgrade)

USA
+++ A fourth attack submarine will be sent to Guam and six destroyers will be shifted from the Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific as part of the re-balancing of US forces.
+++ A 34-foot assault boat from Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 (Jacksonville, Florida) during a routine training mission crashed into the jetties about four miles off shore near Charleston (South Carolina) … all six people on board injured and taken to hospital … three released meanwhile, the other three in stable condition.


14 April

AUSTRALIA
Two more asylum-seeker boats with a total of 100 people have been intercepted in Australian waters amid confusion over the over the fate of almost 100 refugees on board up to two vessels that capsized last week … Australia assumes that at least one boat made it to Indonesian waters … a total of 21 boats have successfully made the journey to Australia in the first two weeks of this month.

INDIA
The first of six SCORPENE class submarines built by Mazagon Dockyards with French DCNS assistance “will be rolled out in 2014”.

USA
This year’s New York Fleet Week (to start on 22 May) may not be cancelled but will be significantly scaled back because of sequester … with nearly no US Navy participation at all. Financial woes also will prevent Naval Station Everett (Seattle) from opening its doors to the public during the city’s Fourth of July celebration this year.


15 April

DENMARK
Captain Frank Trojahn takes command of Soeværnets Operative Kommando … with promotion to Rear Admiral already announced.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
Kim Il-sung 101st birthday celebrations in North Korea without – thus far - any missile launches. Actually, the two Musadan missiles deployed to the east coast “have not been seen” for the last two days and no other missile movements have been reported.


UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

FRANCE (end of Apr)
Test-firing of a new M-51 ballistic missile planned off the coast of Britanny … towards end of April.

FRANCE (multinational) (24 Jun)
France will host this year’s multinational naval exercise FRUKUS (France, Russia, UK, USA) … to be held in and off Brest from 24 Jun until 02 Jul … participants: PRIMAUGUET (France), YAROSLAV MUDRIY (Russia), SUTHERLAND (UK), NICHOLAS (USA).

IRAN (18 Apr)
Armed Forces Day in Iran on 18 Apr; a number of new weapon systems, among them an indigenous “mine-sweeping warship” to be displayed at various parades and events.

IRAN (Aug)
Deputy Defense Minister Mohammad Eslami: “… final stages of an indigenous 500-ton submarine’s design and construction currently underway … will be unveiled by August 2013”.
(rmks: 22 August will mark Day of National Defence Industry)

UNITED KINGDOM (multinational) (15 Apr)
Royal Navy and Royal Marines are to host joint multinational exercise “Joint Warrior” … “largest military exercise in Western Europe this year” … 15 – 29 April … exercise areas off Scotland (staging out of Faslane) … scenarios to develop increasing in tension and uncertainty into stimulated operations and potential state on state hostilities … training for NATO Response Force … feature amphibious operations … 49 ships from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. (rmks: US Navy cancelled scheduled deployments of ships due to sequester)

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.

Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 10

Some very interesting developments in this issue, as the saga of ChiCom stick-poking ops continues.. Enjoy the summaries!

18 April

CHINA
China Central TV: Aircraft carrier LIAONING may sail from Qingdao for her, “first long-distance journey within a year.” (rmks: This ought to be fun to track)

FRANCE
+++ After visits to Norfolk (for exercise with the US Navy) and New York, frigate FS AQUITAINE arrives at Halifax (Canada) for a visit until 24 Apr … also support French industry in bidding for future Canadian Surface Combatant.
+++ Four EDA® landing craft officially commissioned into operational service.

INDIA
Russian Yantar-built TALWAR class frigate INS TRIKAND has successfully completed a final round of sea trials which included weapon system tests in the Eastern Baltic … on schedule for handover to the Indian navy in June.

RUSSIA
+++ Baltic Fleet missile forces with NANUCHKA-III class RFS LIVEN and three TARANTUL (RFS KUZNETSK, DIMITROVGRAD, R-2) conduct joint live missile and artillery firing in the Eastern Baltic.

USA
Littoral Combat Ship USS FREEDOM arrives at Singapore … 8-month maiden deployment … in May participate at IMDEX exhibition (Singapore) … then join select phases of exercises CARAT and SEACAT with regional partner navies. (rmks: Looks like I have to eat crow on this one. I truly thought the tinker toy would breakdown)


19 April

AUSTRALIA
Off Christmas Island, a RAN vessel intercepted a boat loaded with 153 asylum seekers.

BAHAMAS
The Government of the Bahamas and Netherlands Damen Shipyards Group signed a Letter of Intent to acquire nine vessels (4 Stan Patrol 4207, 4 Stan Patrol 3007, 1 Stan Lander 5612 roll-on, roll-off landing craft … mid-life upgrade of the BAHAMAS class vessels that entered service in 1999 … construction work for three naval bases.

CHINA
Former 13th anti-piracy task group (2 frigates, 1 supply ship) ends five-day port visit to Lisbon (Portugal).

ESTONIA
The Estonian defense ministry reportedly has decided to decommission its navy’s flag ship ENS ADMIRAL PITKA … defense planning sees three mine hunters (ENS ADMIRAL COWAN, SAKALA and UGANDI) plus command ship ENS TASUJA as sufficient naval combat core.

ITALY
Offshore patrol vessel ITS VEGA rescues 87 people (illegal migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa), shipwrecked with unseaworthy craft south of the island of Lampedusa.

NEW ZEALAND
+++ The government has approved purchase of eight SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopters (upgraded variant) from US manufacturer Kaman … originally built for the Australian navy which then refused to accept them. (rmks: Rather “controversial” decision)
+++ The MoD has issued a request for information for replacement of fleet replenishment tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR by 2018 … new ship should carry a minimum of 8,000 tons of ship fuel and a minimum of 1,700 tons of aviation fuel … should also be able to sustain land forces, and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

RUSSIA
Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Hydromet has prepared specifications for a new research vessel for work in Antarctica … by 2018 … similar to RFS AKADEMIK TRESHNIKOV but “not a full copy”.

USA
USS NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group (USS NIMITZ and PRINCETON) departs San Diego for a “scheduled” West Pacific deployment. (rmks: No word - yet - on Middle East; destroyers USS HIGGINS, STOCKDALE, WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE, SHOUP, making up the CSG’s Surface Action Group, already deployed in Jan)


20 April

INDIA
+++ The Indian Navy has issued an RfP for five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) … capable of transferring all types of stores, ammunition, fuel and personnel to naval units while underway at sea … 60-day mission endurance, 12,000 nm range, helicopter capable … orders not expected before 2016.
+++ With consultants from Spanish shipbuilding partner Navantia leaving Mazagon Dockyards (Mumbai) after contract expired, India’s SCORPENE project faces another 18-month delay … delivery date slipped to end 2016 … Mazagon might ask for more funds to cover costs for technical assistance. (rmks: Initially, SCORPENE had been jointly developed/produced/marketed by French DCNS and Navantia)

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
Iran is considering exporting oil to North Korea … delegation from North Korea's oil ministry currently visiting Iran … has denied a UN report saying the two have exchanged ballistic missiles, components and technology in violation of UN sanctions. (rmks: Don’tcha just love the UN’s “honor” system?)

USA
Christening ceremony for Joint High Speed Support Vessel USS MILLINOCKET at Austal’s facility in Mobile, Alabama.


21 April

AUSTRALIA
Frigate HMAS NEWCASTLE sails from Sydney for a six-month deployment to the Middle East. (rmks: Replaces frigate HMAS TOOWOOMBA deployed since end-December)

CHINA
+++ Another Proj 056 JIANGDAO class corvette about to complete fitting out at Huangpu shipyard … hull number 597, name given as QINZHOU.
+++ JIANGWEI-II class frigate 565 renamed once more; the original YULIN had her name changed to SANYA (with commissioning of new frigate YULIN), now renamed HULUDAO.

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
Iran currently is owed US$4B for oil sales to customers who have been unable to pay because of sanctions targeting the banking system. (rmks: Awe that’s too bad. Could happen to a better group of despots)

PIRACY
Keystone Kops (Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: Russian Pacific Fleet former anti-piracy task group with destroyer RFS MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, tanker RFS IRKUT and salvage tug RFS ALATAU returns to home port Vladivistok, ending a nearly six-month deployment to the Horn of Africa.

RUSSIA
A Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV and ROPUCHA class landing ships PERESVET and ADMIRAL NEVELSKOY arrive at Bandar Abbas (Iran) for a scheduled port visit. (rmks: Ships in May scheduled to proceed to the Mediterranean and to Syrian Tartus which will fuel speculations for transporting Iranian-made military goods for the Assad government)

SENEGAL
French Raidco Marine at Quimper is building one RPB 33 patrol boat for the Senegalese navy … delivery this summer.

SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA)
Off Jaffna the Sri Lankan navy intercepts a boat with 80 illegal migrants headed for Australia.

THAILAND
Bangkok Post: The Thai navy has chosen South Korean Daewoo as manufacturer for two new 3,000-4,000 tons multi-purpose frigates (rmks: such as the DW 3000 design recently shown on exhibitions) … delivery in about two years … European design had been preferred but proved too expensive … Daewoo also to provide new combat management systems for frigates HTMS NARESUAN and TAKSIN. (rmks: Careful here! This is not yet official, and the Thai navy is known for “surprises”. RUMINT has it the ChiComs are still in the race)

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
North Korea moved two launchers believed to be for Scud short range ballistic missiles to the east coast. (rmks: Preparing for multiple-missile test-firings?)

TOGO
French Raidco Marine at Quimper is building two RPB 33 patrol boat for the Togolese navy … delivery in March rspv. June 2014.

USA – VIETNAM
US destroyer USS CHUNG HOON and salvage tug USS SALVOR arrive a Da Nang (Vietnam) for a five-day visit which includes training in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, diving, rescue and underwater medicine. (rmks: Annual “Naval Exchange Activity”, equivalent to CARAT series)


22 April

RUSSIA
Pacific Fleet flag ship, missile cruiser VARYAG, completed maintenance period … preparing for longer cruise “this year” with a number of visits to foreign ports in the Asia-Pacific region. (rmks: No dates nor details yet)

TAIWAN
The MoD has rebutted a media report that navy commander Adm Tung Hsiang-lung will be replaced due to glitches (missile/gun malfunctions) during last week's Han Kuang live-fire exercise.

THAILAND
Three servicemen, including a senior bomb disposal expert, were killed when a bomb they were inspecting exploded inside the Narathiwat naval base. An explosives team had previously worked to disarm the bomb and had declared it safe to handle.

USA
+++ The US Coast Guard has repatriated 32 Cuban migrants who were recently picked up in waters off South Florida and the Keys.
+++ The JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group arrives at Hawaii … on return transit from 8-month Middle East deployment.

USA - QATAR
Dock landing ship USS SAN ANTONIO (rmks: part ofUSS KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group) off Qatar supporting exercise “Eagle Resolve 2013” … annual, multinational naval, land and air exercise designed to enhance regional cooperative defense efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council and US CentCom.


23 April

BLACKSEAFORCE
Spring Activation of BlackSeaFor formally ended during a ceremony at Sevastopol (Russia/Ukraine) … next activation scheduled in August this year.

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
With Japan: While a “flotilla” of Japanese nationalist activists seems to be headed for the disputed Senkaku / Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, Chinese paramilitary maritime forces in the area are being augmented …up to eight vessels reportedly enroute … Japan said to have summoned Chinese ambassador. (rmks: The current version of the neverending story)


24 April

CHINA
Bloggers insinuate the Chinese navy will soon establish a fourth fleet … centered around aircraft carrier LIAONING … responsible for deep sea combat missions … as “strategic force” be directly subordinate to the Central Military Commission … be based at Sanya (Hainan) and ultimately consist of two aircraft carrier groups. (rmks: This is likely the ChiCom edition of the Vodka Version. Thie RUMINT has been floating around for quite a while)

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
Struggling with Western sanctions Iran is storing millions of barrels of oil on tankers in its territorial waters … oil revenues have fallen by about 50 percent since EU and US measures were imposed last year. (rmks: That’s too bad ain’t it)

IRAN
Iran said to have begun equipping Air Force fighter jets with airborne variants of anti-ship missiles Nour (range 120 km; dubbed: Qaem) and Qader (range 200 km).

NATO
Annual SAR (search and rescue) exercise “Dynamic Mercy” kicked off in the Baltic … SAR units from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the UK participating … two independent at-sea phases: 24 Apr: Baltic Central-North (east of Bornholm to the Gulf of Riga, Gulf of Bothnia and Gulf of Finland); 08 May: Baltic South (western Baltic to the east of Bornholm)

NEW ZEALAND (VIETNAM)
Frigate HMNZS TE MANA docks at the sea port of Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) for a five-day visit.
(rmks: on four-month deployment with visits also to Australia, Singapore, China, and South Korea … return home in June).

RUSSIA
+++ LADA class submarine RFS ST. PETERBURG “preparing” to sail from the Baltic to the Northern Fleet … for deep-sea tests … date of departure yet undetermined; deliberations that she should first participate in IMDS exhibition, scheduled in July in St. Petersburg. (rmks: Barents Sea / White Sea tests originally already planned last year but then deferred with no reasons given)
+++ Nishniy Novgorod to build sixteen 28-m Project 23040 diving tenders / salvage vessels for the Russian navy.
+++ Mediterranean Squadron: Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHALALIN together with Northern Fleet tanker DUBNA reportedly once again berth at Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.

SRI LANKA
The Sri Lanka Navy intercepted 55 persons illegally bound for Australia in a trawler

UNITED KINGDOM
TYPE 23 frigate HMS MONMOUTH handed over Gulf Patrol duties TYPE 45 destroyer DRAGON and commenced home transit. (rmks: Deployed since 19 Oct, 2012)

USA
The US Navy is considering a new deployment plan for Carrier Strike Groups (CSG)… today, a CSG deploys every 36 months … new plan would see it sail twice every 36 months …cycle made out of one pre-deployment workup period to prepare for two seven-month deployments, with seven months at home in between the two cruises, and a maintenance period afterwards.


25 April

CHINA
The Neverending Story (aka, Territorial Disputes): With Japan - Japan is to send a senior defense official to China over the Senkaku Islands dispute. (rmks: Fat lot of good that’ll do)

26 April

CHINA
Recent photos suggest Huangpu-built JIANGDAO class (Proj 056) corvettes 596 and 597 about ready for delivery.

INDIA
Although Spanish Navantia consultants left Mazagon Dockyards (Mumbai), French DCNS insists the SCORPENE submarine project remains “very much on track”.

PIRACY
KK Update: Next Japanese navy anti-piracy task group with destroyers JDS AKEBONO and HAMAGIRI bound for the Gulf of Aden arrives at Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a two day logistic stop.

RUSSIA
French STX will provide four landing craft to be carried on board MISTRAL class helicopter carriers … decision reportedly for conventional type, NOT the new EDA-R design currently acquired by the French navy.

SENEGAL
French Raidco Marine has been contracted with building a 45-m Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV 45) for the Senegalese navy .. delivery in Sep 2014.

SWEDEN
German Peenewerft (Wolgast) delivers KBV-034 HSwMS HELSINGBORG, the final of four 52-m patrol vessels, to the Swedish coast guard … will remain in Wolgast for a few weeks of crew training … in June head for future home port of Helsingborg in southern Sweden.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
North Korea has decided to permanently close the Kaesong industrial zone

USA
+++ Coast Guard cutter USCGC GALLATIN intercepted a fishing vessel and seized 2,200 pounds of cocaine worth about US$27M while on patrol in the western Caribbean Sea.
+++ The US Marine Corps is establishing a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), specifically tailored for crisis response in Africa.

27 April

CHINA (UKRAINE)
First of two POMORNIK (ZUBR) class LCAC built in Feodosiya (Ukraine) for the Chinese navy loaded on board Hansa Heavy Lift transport ship. (rmks: No hull number discernible; weapon systems still missing, Chinese might install their own)

CHINA
The Neverending Story: With Japan - China seems not prepared to make any concessions on the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea … official foreign ministry statement for the very first time regards the islands “as China’s core interest”.

EGYPT (CHINA)
An Egyptian-Chinese agreement on the “Suez Canal Corridor Development Project” has been signed … overhaul the northwest area of the Gulf of Suez to “transform it from just a waterway to a mega national project”.

RUSSIA
Black Sea Fleet missile boats (RFS SHTIL, MIRAZH, R-60, IVANOVETS and BORA) conduct live missile firing exercise “in a tactical environment” … observed by navy commander Adm Chirkov.

RUSSIA (SYRIA)
Black Sea Fleet AMUR class repair ship PM-138 passes the Turkish Straits enroute Tartus (Syria) … regular 6-month deployment to replace sister ship PM-56 as Tartus station ship. (rmks: PM-56 at Tartus since late October, 2012)

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
South Korean has withdrawn all remaining 175 South Korean workers from the Kaesong industrial zone.
(rmks: With an unpredictable partner and the financial losses involved, there won’t be any more business investments in the foreseeable future)

28 April

BRAZIL
Inace Shipbuilding held keel laying ceremony for new 55-m (530 tons) Brazilian navy oceanographic research vessel RIO BRANCO … delivery in late 2014. (rmks: had been ordered in Dec, 2012)

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
The Neverending Story: With Vietnam - A ship with Chinese “tourists” has set off from Hainan for a four-day cruise to the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea (also claimed by Vietnam). (rmks: Very first “tourist trip” had been announced a few weeks ago)

CHINA
Hudong shipyard launches the overall 17th JIANGKAI-II frigate.

NIGERIA
Suspected renegade militants kidnap nine workers of two oil servicing companies operating in the Niger Delta.

PIRACY
KK Update: Private British security company’s armed vessel DEFENDER (former Omani 172ft warship, built in the 1970s) is being held by Spanish authorities as Santa Cruz (Tenerife) …over “security issues relating to its lifesaving equipment” and “administrative irregularities” …has been enroute the Horn of Africa for anti-piracy mission (vessel protection) with eight former Royal Marine Commandos embarked.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
North Korea appears to be gearing up for a major military exercise … preparations under way near the western port of Nampo for a combined live-fire drill involving artillery units and air force jets … also missile tests expected.
(rmks: provocation to South Korea not excluded)


UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

LIBYA (+/- 26 Apr)
The Libyan navy will take delivery of two RPB 20 patrol vessels built by French Raidco Marine, Lorient.

PHILIPPINES (Jul)
Second former USCG HAMILTON class patrol ship, BRP RAMON ALCARAZ, now scheduled to arrive in Manila in July … currently still in Charleston (South Carolina, USA) for crew training

FRANCE (07 May)
Frigate FS DE GRASSE scheduled for decommissioning on 07 May.

RUSSIA (end May)
STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS BOYKIY to be delivered to the Russian navy end May/early June.

The US Marine Corps is establishing a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), specifically tailored for crisis response in Africa.

The MV-22B Osprey component of this deployment went through here (St. John's) 23-24 April.

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.

Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 11

Well, it’s been two-weeks since my last post – so I better get busy with this one, as there is now a sufficient about of news to talk about. FYI – I will be taking a break from Navy News Summary in the summer, to spend time with the family. I will pick it up again in September.

29 April

CHINA
+++ Bloggers speculating on a total of 40 JIANGDAO class (Proj 056) corvettes to be built. (rmks: Obviously the ChiCom building ways are not going idle anytime soon)
+++ Estimated transport capacity of one YUZHAO class dock landing ship: 4 x Z-8 helicopters (with a marine special force platoon of 40-50); 4 x Type-726 LCAC's (with up to 12 amphibious tanks or AFV's and up to another 320 marines); Up to another 16 amphibious tanks, AFV's, or SP artillery pieces. (rmks: This will be good info for the next HUCE DB update)

FRANCE
White Paper published … perfunctory “glimpse” shows for the navy:
+++ No second aircraft carrier
+++ Submarine force: Retain 4 SSBN and stick to six new BARRACUDA class
+++ Destroyers/frigates: By 2019 just 15 vs. previously 18 frigates to be in service; only 8 FREMM to be built; the two FREDA will be forgone and compensated by upgrading air defense capabilities of two regular FREMM. LA FAYETTE class to be modernized.
+++ Amphibious forces: No 4th MISTRAL; no replacement for dock landing ship SIROCCO; successors to the three BATRAL class ships without “beaching” capability
+++ Patrol forces: Just “a dozen units”, at that by 2025 … probably meaning project BATSIMAR delayed by five years.
Days at sea reduced; more cuts to personnel.

ISRAEL
Second DOLPHIN-II (AIP) submarine, HYS RAHAV, christened and handed over to the Israel navy at German HDW shipyard (Kiel) … with Israel navy commander RAdm Rotberg attending. (rmks: “Non-public” event)

NORWAY
South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has emerged as the preferred bidder for Norway's re-competed logistics and support vessel program.

PHILIPPINES
MoD has earmarked some Euro 350 million (Peso 18 bn) for the procurement of two new frigates … a number of international shipbuilders incl. from South Korea, Spain and Singapore expected to respond to tender to be issued “once the navy has forwarded its final requirements”.

RUSSIA
Black Sea Fleet commander, VAdm Fedotenkov: First of six Project 11356 frigates, RFS ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH, will join the Black Sea Fleet in 2014 … gives names of other ships as RFS ADMIRAL ESSEN, ADMIRAL MAKAROV, ADMIRAL BUTAKOV, ADMIRAL ISTOMIN and ADMIRAL KORNILOV.
USA
The USS JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group arrives at San Diego, effectively ending a MidEast deployment begun in August 2012. (rmks: Carrier still has to continue for home port Bremerton).

30 April

AUSTRALIA
Budget cuts mean Australia might not be able to fund planned major acquisitions, including 12 new submarines to replace its COLLINS class boats

DJIBOUTI
The US has donated two small (8.5 m) patrol craft Metal Shark 28 DEFIANT to Djibouti to improve its maritime security.

KAZAKHSTAN
Domestic “Ural Plant” (Zenith) has launched 2nd KAZAKHSTAN class 250-ts patrol vessel (“rocket artillery ship” … to be named ORAL.

PIRACY
+++ Somalia: Somali pirates release the six crew (2 Danes, 4 Filipinos) of Danish cargo vessel LEOPARD, hijacked in Jan 2011 off Somalia … had been held hostage on mainland … Danish officials deny any ransom paid.
West Africa: In the Gulf of Guinea, appr. 100 nm off the Niger Delta, pirates board German container ship CITY of XIAMEN and abduct five crew members.

RUSSIA
+++ OSCAR-II class submarines K-410 RFS SMOLENSK (Northern Fleet) and K-150 RFS TOMSK (Pacific Fleet) as well as AKULA-II class submarine K-419 RFS KUZBASS scheduled to return to operational service this year … after completing repairs/overhauls.
+++ Mediterranean Squadron: Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN pass the Turkish Straits southbound, returning to the Mediterranean after a short visit to Novorossiysk (Russia).

SINGAPORE
Second ARCHER class (former Swedish VAESTERGOETLAND class) submarine, RSS SWORDSMAN, has been declared operational and commissioned into service with the Singapore navy.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ Bilateral South Korean – US exercises have ended as scheduled. (rmks: “endex” usually sets the stage for easing tensions, although this year may prove different)
+++ North Korea reportedly has stopped preparations for the launching Musadan medium-range ballistic missiles, deployed to the east coast in early April.
+++ North Korea still holds seven South Korean workers at Kaesong, demanding payment for wages, corporate taxes, electricity, water etc. … South Korea: “not yet” a hostage situation. USA
The US Navy is proceeding with a life extension programme for the Trident II D5 submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM)

USA
+++ Missile cruiser USS CHOSIN to sail from Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) for Western Pacific deployment.
+++ US Army officials are exploring the potential to operate from maritime platforms during various contingencies in the Pacific region.


01 May

AUSTRALIA
With 184 asylum seekers and two crew, the largest boatload this year has made it to Christmas Island.

CANADA
Fresh from a refit, submarine HMCS WINDSOR has been “restricted in range of operations and endurance” due to a broken diesel generator.

RUSSIA (ISRAEL)
Black Sea Fleet landing ship RFS AZOV arrives at Haifa for a scheduled three-day visit … the first ever visit of a Russian warship to Israel.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
North Korea reportedly is "putting the external finishing touches on" an experimental light water nuclear reactor at Yongbyon … probably will become operational in 2014.

USA
+++ High speed vessel HSV-2 USS SWIFT completed testing of the TIF-25K Aerostat (unmanned blimp) and a Puma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) … now commences anti-drug operation “Martillo” in the US 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
+++ Huntington Ingalls has been contracted with building the sixth LEGEND class National Security Cutter for the US Coast Guard … to be named USCGC MUNRO (WMSL 755).

02 May

COLOMBIA
Sail training vessel GLORIA departs for 73rd training cruise … across the Pacific to Asia / South East Asia with 12 visits scheduled to foreign ports, incl. Honolulu (Hawaii, USA), Guam (USA), Hong Kong (China), Busan (South Korea), Tokyo (Japan), Port Klang (Malaysia), Bangkok (Thailand), Balboa (Panama) … return to Cartagena on 06 Dec.

FRANCE – ALGERIA
Annual bilateral exercise “Rais Hamidou” kicks off at Toulon (France) … until 16 May in the western Mediterranean, evolving from French waters to Algerian waters, ending at Algiers (Algeria) …maritime security operations (smuggling, illegal migration); pollution control … participants include French destroyer FS DUPLEIX, Algerian landing ship KALAAT BENI HAMMAD and an Algerian coast guard vessel … surveillance aircraft and helicopters.

IRAN
Navy commander RAdm Habibollah Sayyari: upon receiving an “order” Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian navy has defined its primary area of operations as the “golden triangle” between the strategic straits of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Malacca … area will be the navy’s “point of concentration”.

USA
At Naval Air Station North Island (near San Diego) the US Navy inaugurates a first squadron that combines MH-60 Romeo naval helicopters with MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicles … Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 35 (HSL-35) "Magicians" … to operate off Littoral Combat Ships. (rmks: The choppers will be about the only offensive capability these tinker toys have)

03 May

AUSTRALIA
Government media release (2013 Defence White Paper) on shipbuilding plans:
+++ Remain committed to acquiring twelve Future Submarines to be assembled in Adelaide (formal release of “Future Submarine Industry Skills Plan”)
+++ The Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance will reallocate construction of four AWD steel hull blocks from the Forgacs shipyard in Newcastle to the BAE Systems shipyard in Melbourne.
+++ At the earliest opportunity replace Australia’s supply ships HMAS SUCCESS and SIRIUS … examine options for local, hybrid and overseas build or the leasing of an existing vessel.
+++ Brought forward the replacement of ARMIDALE class patrol boats, to be assembled in Australia.
+++ Give consideration to bringing forward the replacement of the current ANZAC class frigates with a new Future Frigate to be assembled in Australia. This will include further investment in the Australian-developed phased array radar technology already in service in the ANZAC class frigates.

CANADA – USA
Canadian Maritime Forces Pacific-hosted biennial joint exercise “Trident Fury” kicked off … until 19 May … off the Canadian Pacific coast west of Vancouver Island … air and surface joint operations including live air and surface weapons firing, anti-submarine warfare training, maritime jurisdiction, and surveillance … include assets from the Royal Canadian Navy (HMCS ALGONQUIN, OTTAWA, NANAIMO, SASKATOON, EDMONTON, submarine HMCS VICTORIA), Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Army, US Navy (USS FORD, SPRUANCE, CARL BRASHEAR), US Air Force, US Air National Guard, US Coast Guard (RUSH, ORCAS).

CHINA
JIANGKAI-II class frigate YUEYANG (575) commissioned into South Sea Fleet at Sanya (Hainan) naval base.

INDIA
KILO class submarine INS SINDHURAKSHAK arrives at home port Mumbai, ending her long transfer voyage after comprehensive overhaul and upgrade at Russian Zvezdochka shipyard (Severodvinsk) … meanwhile, Zvezdochka assisting with overhaul/upgrade of KILO class submarine INS SINDHUKIRTI at Visakhapatnam (India).

IRAN (incl. related / non naval)
The US DoD announces it has redesigned its biggest "bunker buster" bomb with more advanced features intended to enable it to destroy most heavily fortified and defended underground sites … subtly hinting to Israel that the US has the capability for an effective pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, and that Israel's military can't do that on its own. (rmks: Haven’t our enlightened leaders ever heard of telegraphing and the consequences it has to future operations? What a bunch of lamebrains)

SOUTH PACIFIC (multinational)
During South Pacific Defence Chiefs of Defense Force meeting in Nuku’alofa (Tonga), Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga agree on new exercise series “Povai Endeavour” … to develop and maintain regional skills in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, amphibious operations, and peacekeeping and stabilization.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non naval)
The last seven South Korean workers have left the Kaesong industrial zone which now has been closed for good.

USA
+++ Frigate USS REUBEN JAMES will return to her homeport in Hawaii from her final deployment … scheduled for decommissioning in August.
+++ The NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group (now comprised of USS NIMITZ, PRINCETON, MOMSEN and PREBLE) has entered the 7th Fleet area of responsibility … conduct a number of exercises and port visits in the West Pacific region.
+++ Aircraft carrier USS JOHN C STENNIS returns to home port Bremerton, ending a nearly 10-month deployment to the Middle East.
+++ Returning from a Middle East deployment, the PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group arrives at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii).
+++ An X-47B combat drone (UCAV) performed its first carrier-style landing … short-range "arrested landing" (tailhook) on an airstrip at Patuxent River Naval Air Station … “key milestone”


04 May

IRAN
Navy Commander RAdm Sayyari: “This week we will bring into operation a mine-sweeping system.” (rmks: Since when have the Mullahs ever cared about minesweeping? I wonder if they think something is up.)

IRAN – INDIA
In an obvious attempt to counter Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean region, India will upgrade infrastructure of the Iranian port of Chabahar … expert team soon to visit for assessment … project estimated at US$100M. (rmks: Man, with allies like the Indians, who needs enemies)

RUSSIA
The Russian navy introduced the first of a planned eight Antonov An-140-100 twin turboprop transport aircraft at the Ostafievo naval air station.

USA
+++ The US Navy commissioned SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship USS ANCHORAGE (LPD 23) into service.
+++ The US Navy plans to more than double the number of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to be based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station … 49 aircraft, up from previously planned 24. (rmks: No word on “when” they plan to do it, as we are smack-dab in the middle of sequester)


05 May

AUSTRALIA
Defence minister Smith: acquisition of German submarines (rmks: such as Type 212A/214 with air independent propulsion) no option … “won`t buy commercial-of-the-shelf” but develop proprietary design. (rmks: He obviously didn’t receive the press release about the budget woes)

CANADA
Marking the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, on 05 May, the Canadian navy introduced a new naval ensign … on an all-white background incorporates the national flag in the upper left hand corner and the naval badge … national flag will be new naval jack.

FRANCE
Test launch of new M51 missile (SLBM) failed … missile (without warheads) launched from SSBN FS LE VIGILANT, off the coast of Brittany (Bay of Audierne) self-destructed shortly after launch, during first propulsion phase.

RUSSIA
Mediterranean Squadron: Black Sea Fleet ALLIGATOR class landing ship NIKOLAI FILCHENKOV and repair ship AMUR PM-56 (rmks: former Tartus/Syria station ship) pass the Turkish Straits towards the Black Sea.


05 May

FINLAND
The Finish navy’s materiel command has offered four decommissioned naval vessels for sale: multi-purpose support vessels (AP) VAHAKARI and VALAS, diving tender MURSU, cable layer PUTSAARI.

USA
AVENGER class mine hunter USS PIONEER was off-loaded from heavy lift ship M/V SUPER SERVANT 3 at Naval Base San Diego, ending an 11-month deployment to Bahrain.


06 May

AUSTRALIA
Frigate HMAS SYDNEY arrives at Yokosuka (Japan) … for the next three months will embed with the US Navy’s USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Carrier Strike Group … conduct a number of regional exercises and port visits.

CHINA
+++ The US Pentagon’s latest annual Report to Congress sees “China investing considerably in capabilities for naval operations” … robust program for undersea warfare, developing submarines that are both conventional, diesel-electric powered, air- independent propulsion and nuclear-powered … building two new classes of missile submarines … particular concern is the deployment near Taiwan of a precision-guided DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile. (rmks: Hmm, I wonder what they plan on doing with all that hardware?)
+++ An East Sea Fleet task group (frigates HUAIHUA and FOSHAN, supply ship QIANDAO HU) sails for “routine training” in Western Pacific.

IRAN
Iranian naval forces begin several-day minesweeping exercises in the Gulf of Oman and east of the Strait of Hormuz … the “newest and most advanced minesweeper, designed and manufactured by Iranian experts” to be unveiled during the war games.

SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA)
Sri Lankan Navy nabbed at least 65 suspected illegal immigrants to Australia shortly after sailing from the island.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ South Korea and the US launch a five-day “routine” naval exercise in the Yellow Sea … one focus on anti-submarine warfare … no official statements on participants; local media, however, report on “US aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ, Aegis destroyers (of both navies) and naval air assets”.
+++ North Korea has taken two Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missiles off launch-ready status and probably returned them to storage from their position on the country's east coast (rmks: Had been deployed since 05 Apr)… has terminated high level combat alert for the armed forces since 30 Apr (end of South Korean – US exercises) … units in the southwest (Yellow Sea coastal zone), however, remain on high alert.
+++ North Korea threatens “retaliation by missile forces” if ongoing South Korean - US anti-submarine warfare and island artillery exercises in the Yellow Sea “violate its territorial sovereignty”.

USA
+++ Internal, confidential 2012 report (recently leaked to media) warned that “Littoral Combat Ships can’t meet their promised mission because they are too lightly manned and armed” … “failure to adequately address requirements and capabilities will result in a large number of ships that are ill-suited to execute warfighting needs.” (rmks: Who needed to leak that info? It’s been public knowledge for anyone with two brain cells to rub together)
+++ Launch of new aircraft carrier USS GERALD R. FORD delayed from July to November this year, with delivery date already deferred from contracted Sep 2015 to early 2016.
+++ Update IMCMEX 13: Representatives from 41 nations incl. from shipping industry have assembled in Bahrain for US CentCom-hosted International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 13 … until 30 May … will exercise a wide spectrum of defensive operations designed to protect international commerce and trade; mine countermeasures, maritime security operations, and maritime infrastructure protection … 35 ships/boats, 18 UUVs and more than 100 EOD divers … three phases: 3-day symposium on maritime infrastructure protection; afloat operations phase; re-integration phase to discuss lessons learned for future exercises.


07 May

CHINA (The neverending story – aka Territorial Disputes)
With Philippines: A Chinese fishing fleet composed of 30 vessels has sailed from Hainan for “40-day operation” for the Spratly islands in the South China Sea … fishing close to or even within Philippine waters anticipated … Philippine coast guard closely watching.

CHINA
Latest US DoD report officially uses class name JIANGDAO for Type 056 corvettes … two new names for such ships: JI’AN (586) and SANGRAO (587)

FINLAND – ESTONIA
Finland hosting bilateral naval air defence/anti-air gunnery exercise “Baltic Shield” conducted in the Gulf of Finland … six Finish naval vessels participating; Estonia deployed mine hunters ENS SAKALA and UGANDI as well as support/command vessel TASUJA.

FRANCE
Following a final short (1-day) day at sea, with nine former commanding officers embarked, destroyer FS DE GRASSE has been taken from active service during a ceremony at Brest … will be replaced by first FREMM frigate FS AQUITAINE … crew now prepare ship for scrapping, scheduled to begin in autumn. (rmks: last remaining TOURVILLE class destroyer)

TURKEY
11th International Defence Industry Exhibition opens in Istanbul (Turkey) … until 10 May… Russian navy sent Black Sea Fleet DERGACH class missile corvette TCG BORA.


IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
Foreign container shipping lines are suspending Iranian business ahead of new US sanctions in July, dealing a further blow to Iran’s seaborne trade.

IRAN
Update: new minesweeping system unveiled … consists of (modified) CH-53 helicopters towing mine sweeping sledge through the water. (rmks: These 53’s are ancient. It’s highly unlikely they are in operable condition for extended flight periods)

RUSSIA
+++ Upcoming (09 May) Victory Day Celebrations: US Navy destroyer USS LASSEN arrives at Vladivostok; Norwegian frigate HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD berths at Severomorsk.
+++ Zelenodolsk (Gorkiy) scheduled to lay the keel for 6th GRACHONOK class (project 21980) patrol boat.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
+++ Update: There has been “some movement” at the east coast site where two Musadan IRBM had been deployed since 05 Apr, however, unclear whether the missiles have actually been “withdrawn” as had been reported … possibly just relocated to another site.
+++ Chinese state-run Bank of China has notified the Foreign Trade Bank of North Korea that its account or accounts were being closed and that all financial transactions were being suspended. (rmks: Latest sign of Beijing’s displeasure with its former ally)


08 May

BELGIUM
Support ship BNS GODETIA returns to home port Zeebrugge, ending a 3-month to West Africa which included support to the US Navy’s Africa Partnership Station mission.

CANADA
Vancouver Shipyard is to build both a new ice breaker (CCGC JOHN G. DIEFENBAKER) and Joint Support Ships … both urgently required, but according to local media the shipyard can only handle one project at a time and the government may be forced to declare priorities which would delay one of them.

CHINA (The Neverending Story)
With Japan: Official Chinese newspaper “People's Daily” reportedly published an article advocating a review of Japanese sovereignty over the Ryuku Islands which include Okinawa … claiming they were a tributary state of China before Japan annexed them in the 1879 … “problems relating to the Ryukyu Islands have reached the time for reconsideration.” (rmks: have not seen the original article yet)

PIRACY
Keystone Kops (aka Anti-Piracy Forces) Update: Netherlands navy dock landing ship HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT prepares for Horn-of-Africa deployment “this summer” … will support EU operation “Atalanta”, with boarding team from Malta armed forces embarked.

RUSSIA
New Proj. 21300 submarine rescue ship RFS IGOR BELOUSOV, currently under construction at Admiralty Shipyards (St. Petersburg), scheduled to enter service in 2014.


09 May

AUSTRALIA
Australian shipbuilder ASC has teamed up with South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and UK design house BMT Defence Services in a bid to build new afloat replenishment ships as replacements to HMAS SUCCESS and SIRIUS.

FRANCE
First FREMM frigate FS AQUITAINE returns to Brest, ending a several-month deployment for systems tests in subtropical/tropical waters (et al visited Morocco, Brazil, Carribbean, US, Canada).

INDIA
Indian coast guard commissions second of five 50-m Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV, built by Hindustan Shipyard), INS RANI AVANTIBAI.

RUSSIA
Victory Day celebrations throughout Russia with the usual parades, wreath laying ceremonies and military demonstrations also at all major naval bases … in Sevastopol joint parade with Ukrainian navy … US Navy destroyer USS LASSEN participated in Vladivostok; Norwegian frigate HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD at Severomorsk (Murmansk) naval base.

RUSSIA
Mediterranean Squadron: Baltic Fleet task group with frigate RFS YAROSLAV MUDRIY, tanker RFS LENA and salvage tug RFS SLIVA SB-921 berth at Piraeus (Greece) for a scheduled visit.


10 May

UNITED KINGDOM
Ice Patrol Ship HMS PROTECTOR returns home to Portsmouth marking an end to her 9-month deployment to Antarctica.


11 May

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
US Navy aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ scheduled to berth at Busan (South Korea) for a weekend port visit. (rmks: Participating in bilateral ROK-US naval exercises in the Yellow Sea)


UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

RUSSIA (15 May)
Mediterranean Squadron: Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, landing ships PERESVET and ADMIRAL NEVELSKOY, tanker PECHENGA and salvage tug FOTIY KRYLOV to pass the Suez Canal and enter der Mediterranean “around 15 May” … for “a couple of months” Mediterranean naval presence operations … 17 May begin port visit to Limassol (Cyprus).

PIRACY (19 May)
Anti-Piracy Forces: Immediately after completing bilateral exercise “Pomor 13” with the Norwegian navy, on 19 May, Russian Northern Fleet destroyer VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV is scheduled to sail for the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations.

USA (May)
Annual humanitarian mission “Pacific Partnership” to commence in May … four-month mission to Samoa, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and Solomon Islands … US Navy to deploy dock landing ship PEARL HARBOR (rmks: not hospital ship USNS MERCY this time), Australia to join with landing ship TOBRUK, New Zealand with multi-purpose ship HMZNS CANTERBURY … for the first time partner nations will lead individual phases (Australia in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand in Kiribati and Solomon Islands). (rmks: Similar mission to the Atlantic region cancelled due to sequester)

RUSSIA (end May)
STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS BOYKIY to be delivered to the Russian navy end May/early June.

LIBYA (Near Future)
The Libyan navy will take delivery of two RPB 20 patrol vessels built by French Raidco Marine, Lorient.

PHILIPPINES (Jul)
Second former USCG HAMILTON class patrol ship, BRP RAMON ALCARAZ, now scheduled to arrive in Manila in July … currently still in Charleston (South Carolina, USA) for crew training

RUSSIA (28 Jul)
Severnaya shipyard plans keel laying ceremony for another STEREGUSHCHIY-mod (Proj 20385) class corvette on the eve of Navy Day (28 Jul) (rmks: some confusion here; only recently there were reports that the STEREGUSHCHIY program has been terminated for good)

RUSSIA (Aug)
New YASEN class type submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK scheduled to conduct trials with Onyx (Yakhont variant) supersonic, land-attack capable anti-ship missile system in August … success said to be “critical” for commencing YASEN series production.

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.

Navy News Summary – Volume I, Edition 12

Well, this is my last naval news update for the summer. I will be peaking at the headlines each day I will post a NewsGram and make everyone aware of it on the HarpGamer forum on FaceBook. Enjoy your summer. See you in September!

09 May

PHILIPPINES – TAIWAN
A Philippine navy vessel reportedly opened fire at Taiwanese fishing boat GUANG TA HSIN 28 … in disputed South China Sea waters some 160 nm south of Taiwan … killing one crew member … Philippine navy denies … later turns out the Philippine coast guard had been involved in the “unfortunate incident” … 11 coast guard personnel suspended from duty. (rmks: This would an interesting “what-if” scenario)


10 May

CHINA
The Chinese navy formally establishes a “carrier-borne aviation force” comprising carrier-borne fighter jets, jet trainers and ship-borne helicopters for ASW, search & rescue and maritime surveillance … stating “aircraft carrier's capabilities have entered a new phase.” (rmks: Maybe the ChiComs are finally going to actually consider flight ops)

NEW ZEALAND
Frigate TE MANA arrives at Shanghai (China) for a scheduled 5-day visit … just came from Hong Kong, afterwards head for Inchon (South Korea). (rmks: on a 4-month Asia/South East Asia tour, from Feb to Jun)

PIRACY
+++ Keystone Kops (aka Anti-Piracy Forces (KK)) Update: Danish frigate HDMS IVER HUITFELDT (NATO) completes 183 days of anti-piracy operations off Somalia … commences home transit. (rmks: The pirates breath a sigh of relief … not!)
+++ KK Update: Estonia will end participation in EU operation “Atalanta” this month … since 2010, had deployed vessel protection detachments (VPD) with other EU-navies’ warships … future plans are to base VPD ashore, which would require more soldires, a shore support system and diplomatic representation in regional states … too complicated and expensive.

RUSSIA – NORWAY
Bilateral annual exercise “Pomor 13” kicks off at Murmansk (Russia) … run through 16 May, evolving from the Barents Sea to the Norwegian Sea to be completed at Bergen (Norway) … focus on anti-terror and anti-piracy operations, interception of fast-speed boats illegally crossing the state borders, search and rescue operations but also include joint maneuvering, live artillery firing, anti-aircraft defense and detection of submarines … Participants: destroyer RFS VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV (Russia), frigate HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD and coast guard ship HNoMS SENJA (Norway) as well as aircraft of both nations and elements of the Russian Northern Fleet’s naval infantry brigade and the Norwegian Coastal Ranger Command.

SUDAN – IRAN
Sudanese navy chief, General Dalil al-Daw Mohamed Fadal-Allah, on official visit to Teheran (Iran) …
Iranian navy chief, RAdm Habibollah Sayyari, voices “enthusiasm” for stronger naval cooperation” … Iranian navy prepared to train Sudanese naval forces.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Second FALAJ-2 patrol vessel built by Italian Fincantieri, SALALAH (P 252), begins transfer voyage from Italy to the UAE.

UNITED KINGDOM
TYPE 23 frigate HMS NORTHUMBERLAND returns to Plymouth, ending a 7-month deployment to the Middle East which included anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa.


11 May

INDIA
On its “Day of Naval Aviation” the Indian navy commissioned Naval Air Squadron 303 (INAS 303) “Black Panthers” … at Hansa naval air base in Goa … first squadron of MiG-29K (Fulcrum-D) naval fighters … will operate 16 single-seat MiG-29K and four twin-seat MiG-29KUB trainer aircraft … to be deployed on board aircraft carrier INS VIKRAMADTIYA.

MALAYSIA
Former navy chief Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor claims the RMN would need at least three, preferably six more submarines to effectively fulfill its mission.

PIRACY
Nigeria: Nigerian pirates have released five crewmembers kidnapped from German-owned (flag: Antigua & Barbuda) container ship M/V CITY OF XIAMEN nearly three weeks ago about 100 nm off the coast in the Gulf of Guinea … unclear if ransom paid. (rmks: Likely it was)

TURKEY
Contract with Italian Alenia Aermacchi on procurement of ten ATR-72 maritime patrol aircraft amended … Alenia now to deliver six ATR 72-600 TMPA maritime patrol aircraft plus two ATR 72-600 TMUA maritime utility aircraft.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
US Navy aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ arrives at Busan (South Korea) for a scheduled weekend port visit which North Korea denounces as an “extremely reckless provocation”.


12 May

CHINA
JIANGHU-I (053H) class frigate ZHENJIANG (514) decommissioned. (rmks: It will likely be sold on the secondary market to Bangladesh or another third rate power in the region)

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
Defence ministry officials announces fitting paramilitary Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) boats with new advanced anti-ship missiles with a range of 300km.

PIRACY
KK Update: Netherlands navy frigate HNLMS VAN SPEIJK sails from Den Helder for the Horn of Africa … join NATO task group in operation “Ocean Shield”.

RUSSIA
Admiral Chirkov: Besides 5 – 6 combat ships and some support vessels, the Mediterranean Squadron may also include (nuclear-powered) submarines.

PHILIPPINES – TAIWAN
Update: Following public outrage over the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Filipino coastguards, Taiwan has deployed four coastguard and naval vessels to strengthen patrols in waters near the Philippines … “determined to protect our fishermen”.

RUSSIA
+++ October Revolution Shipyard (Blagoveshchensk) launched the first project 14157 diving tender (80 tons) for the Pacific Fleet.
+++ Work on new carrier pilot training site at Yeisk (Russian Black Sea coast) “proceeding on plan” and nearly completed … aircraft may start flying there by August or September. However, official opening, earlier announced for autumn this year, postponed to 2014. (rmks: To replace former Soviet navy Nitka training site which today is on Ukrainian territory)

VIETNAM
The crew of the first KILO class submarine (built by Russian Admiralty shipyard and scheduled for delivery this year) has completed theoretical classes and commenced sea training in the eastern Baltic.


13 May

CHINA
During a ceremony at a South Sea Fleet minesweeper squadron in Guangdong, the seventh Type 081 minesweeper 843 is named CHANGSHOU.


DENMARK (multinational)
Denmark is hosting multinational search & rescue exercise “Baltic Sarex” … until 18 May in the Central Baltic around the island of Bornholm … 30 ships and 10 aircraft/helicopters from nine European countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden).

ISRAEL
One year after “formal delivery” (04 May,2012) the first DOLPHIN-II (AIP) class submarine, INS TANIN, has commenced sea trials off Kiel (Germany).

JAPAN
A Japanese P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft on 12 May spotted and tracked an “unidentified foreign” (media: Chinese) submarine off Okinawa, just outside territorial waters … no indication that it had entered them …on 13 May left the area to the southeast. (rmks: most likely Chinese; not the first one to be spotted there)

NATO (FRANCE)
NATO naval forces have begun exercise “Spontex 2013” … until 21 May in the Bay of Biscay … focus on anti-submarine warfare and protection of shipping lanes … warships and naval aviation from Belgium, Canada, France (BNS PRIMAUGUET, FS L’HERMINIER, FS SIROCCO), Germany (FGS EMDEN, FRANKFURT AM MAIN), Poland (ORP KOSCIUSZKO), UK, USA. (rmks: None of NATO’s standing naval groups involved)

NETHERLANDS
The MODNL Defence Materiel Organization signed a contract with Imtech Marine Netherlands to begin a life-extension program for the navy’s WALRUS class submarines.

PIRACY
Somalia Basin: Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel SPS RAYO (EU NavFor) intercepts skiff with six men some 320 nm off the Somalia coast … pirate paraphernalia found and seized … men brought back to the Somalia coast. (rmks: no crime committed yet, yet they are carrying pirate gear. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!).

RUSSIA
+++ Deputy Commander Northern Fleet, VAdm Alexander Vitko, “presented” as new Black Sea Fleet commander … VAdm Alexander Fedotenkov to become Deputy Chief of Navy … official transfer of command “within the next days”.
+++ Admiral Chirkov: New base at Novorossiysk will augment Black Sea Fleet infrastructure but not replace Sevastopol as main base. (rmks: Obviously banking on “permanent” basing agreement with the Ukraine)
+++ Mediterranean Squadron: Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, two ROPUCHA class landing ships and two support vessels has entered the Red Sea, heading north for Suez Canal passage. (rmks: Scheduled to join Mediterranean Squadron on 15 May)

TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES
Update: Following incident on 09 May, when a Philippine coast guard vessel opened fire on Taiwanese fishing boat “in overlapping economic zones” south of Taiwan (in the Bashi Strait), the ROC Navy initially deployed a KNOX class frigate to support three coast guard ships in the region … on 12 May augmented forces with a CHENGKUNG class frigate … on 13 May sent another CHENGKUNG class frigate and a KIDD-class destroyer … all ships plan naval exercises in the area, set to start on 16 May.

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has dismissed defense minister General Kim Kyok-sik (appr. 70, only installed in Nov last year), replacing him with younger (50-60) General Jang Jong-nam … no reasons given.
(rmks: had been in office only since Nov, 2012)

THE KOREAS (incl. related / non-naval)
The US Navy’s USS NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group sails from Busan (South Korea) for two-day bilateral exercises with ROK navy destroyers ROKS SEJONG DAEWAN and CHUNGMUGONG YI SUNSHIN in the Japan Sea … focus on anti-submarine warfare and air defense. (rmks: earlier media-reports spoke of 5-day exercises in Yellow Sea)

USA
+++ Preparing for the upcoming hurricane season, US Fleet Forces Command and Navy Installations Command conduct exercise “Hurrex/Citadel Gale 2013” … three simulated storm systems threatening the Caribbean Islands, East Coast and Gulf Coast regions … no US Navy ship movements associated with this exercise.
+++ The US Navy will permanently relocate another five US-based CYCLONE class patrol boats to the Persian Gulf … USS TEMPEST, SQUALL, THUNDERBOLT to leave Virginia Beach on 14 May to arrive in Manama (Bahrain) this summer … two more boats to follow by spring 2014 … total force in Bahrain then to comprise 10 of the 13 CYCLONE, with only three staying in US.

JAPAN
Update: “Unidentified foreign” submarine spotted off Okinawa reportedly Chinese YUAN class.

NATO (ICELAND)
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG-1) begins four-day exercises with the Icelandic Coast Guard … off Reykjavik conduct basic maneuvering, communications and survey of port approaches


14 May

FRANCE
Both MoD and DCNS reportedly “prepared” building a total of 11 FREMM type frigates (as previously planned), notwithstanding the recent white paper calling for only eight such ships …unclear whether the additional three would be for the French navy or a foreign customer. (rmks: Greece comes to mind)

PAKISTAN
Chinese-built SWORD class frigate SAIF arrives at Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) for a scheduled visit until 17 May.

SINGAPORE
International Maritime Defence Exhibition IMDEX Asia 2013 opened at the Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore … biennial event, until 16 May.

SPAIN
After nearly five years of research (by main contractor Navantia), development of a remote-controlled naval mine-sweeping system (Project “Siramicor”) has been frozen due to lack of funding.

TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES
Update 09 May incident: Taiwan reaffirms intention to hold military exercises (on 16 May) near Philippinee islands in disputed waters south of Taiwan …if the Philippines do not officially apologize (and pay compensation for killed fisherman) … include a KIDD class destroyer, a PERRY class frigate, fighter jets and a number of coast guard vessels … local media: drills for the very first time would depict the Philippines an enemy.

USA – ISRAEL
Amphibious assault ship USS KEARSARGE arrives at Eilat (Israel) for a scheduled visit until 18 May
(rmks: said to be first visit of US Navy ship to Eilat in 14 years)

USA.
+++ Off Norfolk X-47B UCAS drone launched by catapult from aircraft carrier GEORGE H.W. BUSH … conducted two simulated landing approaches (slow and low passes) to the carrier before successfully landing after 65-min flight at Patuxent River naval air station. (rmks: First ever unmanned craft to complete a catapult launch from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier)
+++ 800,000 civilian DoD employees face 11-day “forced holidays” to pay for budget cuts under sequestration.
+++ The USS PELELIU Amphibious Ready Group returns to home port San Diego, completing a Middle East deployment begun on 17 Sep, 2012.

INDIA
Aircraft carrier VIKRAMADTYA has been put in a dry dock at Russia’s Sevmash shipyard for “cosmetic” repairs ahead of final sea trials and delivery to the Indian navy later this year.

MYANMAR
A boat carrying 150 - 200 Rohingya Muslim refugees capsized off Myanmar’s coast … nearly all on board killed.

RUSSIA
The Caspian Sea Flotilla commissions new (roadstead) tug RB-396 into service … third such vessel for the flotilla; first entered service in Nov 2010, second in Jun 2012.

TURKEY
Turkish Roketsan and German TKMS and Diehl have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop and produce submarine-based IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines) missile system.
(rmks: small missile to defend against air threats such as ASW-helicopters, but also can be employed against surface/land targets)

USA
Dock landing ship USS PEARL HARBOR departs San Diego for annual humanitarian mission “Pacific Partnership” … four-month mission to Samoa, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and Solomon Islands …Australia to join with landing ship HMAS TOBRUK, New Zealand with multi-purpose ship HMNZS CANTERBURY … for the first time partner nations will lead individual phases (Australia in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand in Kiribati and Solomon Islands). (rmks: This year’s mission does not involve hospital ship MERCY)

USA
The US Navy accepted delivery of its first Mobile Landing Platform, MLP-1 USNS MONTFORD POINT, from General Dynamics-NASSCO in San Diego.


15 May

GERMANY
6th (and final) TYPE 212A submarine, U-36, christened at HDW shipyard in Kiel … to be commissioned in 2014.

INDIA
The Indian navy has inducted its first of eight Boeing P-8i Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft … at the Rajali naval air station.

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
10th round of negotiations between Iran and the IAEA on resumption of nuclear site inspections (suspended five years ago) ended without results … Iran still stalling on any verification of its “purely civilian” program … further talks agreed.

OMAN
The Omani MoD has contracted Netherlands Damen Shipyards with building a new sail training vessel … STV-2630 design, 87-m square rigged, three-masted steel clipper … keel laying ceremony already in March at Damen’s Romanian Galati subsidiary … delivery in Aug 2014, to replace current Omani navy’s (smaller) sail training vessel SHABAB OMAN.

PIRACY
+++ KK Update: French navy training squadron with helicopter carrier FS TONNERRE and destroyer FS GEORGES LEYGUES end support operations for EU NavFor to continue their annual training cruise “Mission Jeanne d’Arc 2013”.
+++ KK Update: Norwegian frigate HNoMS FRITJOF NANSEN sails from Haakonsvern (Bergen) naval base for the Horn of Africa … to become flagship of NATO SNMG-1 which in mid-June is to relieve SNMG-2 in anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield” off Somalia.

RUSSIA
+++ Mediterranean Squadron: Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, two ROPUCHA class landing ships and two support vessels passed the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean … initially proceed to Limassol (Cyprus) for a scheduled 17-20 May port visit … rotation of forces: Baltic Fleet landing ships RFS KALININGRAD and ALEXANDER SHABALIN as well as Black Sea Fleet RFS AZOV withdrawn from Mediterranean to spend “several weeks” at Novorossiysk for repairs/maintenance and crew rest … afterwards return to Mediterranean to resume duties. (rmks: Baltic Fleet landing ships deployed since December, 2012).
+++ Defence minister Shoigu and navy chief Adm Chirkov visit Black Sea Novorossiysk naval base.

TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES
+++ Update 09 May incident: A KIDD class destroyer departs from Zouying naval base (Kaohsiung) for announced exercises south of Taiwan … “in waters overlapping with Philippine territory” …joint exercise with Taiwanese coast guard; will not include live firing … media embarked.


16 May

AUSTRALIA
+++ Australia looks set to spend up to $3 billion on procurement of US-made MQ-4C Triton long-range maritime patrol drones. (rmks: Global Hawk variant. This has some potential for some cool scenarios in the South Pacific)
+++ The DoD released a Request For Tender to CEA Technologies for the development of a High Power Phased Array Radar concept demonstrator … based on CEAFAR radar currently being fitted to the ANZAC frigates … support future naval acquisitions such as the Future Frigates (Project SEA 5000)

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
South China Sea: China announced the start of its annual 10-week fishing ban "in most parts of the South China Sea" for rehabilitating marine resources … " will strengthen monitoring efforts to prevent any foreign boats from entering the area."

RUSSIA
+++ Five Northern Fleet KILO class submarines are scheduled for major (2-year) maintenance period at Zvezdochka (Severodvinsk). Already nearly completed for RFS KALUGA (sea trials scheduled in June); RFS VLADIKAVKAZ at shipyard (completed by 2015); RFS YAROSLAVL, MAGNITOGORSK and LIPETSK to dock in 2015 to 2017; RFS NOVOSIBIRSK and VOLOGDA not yet mentioned in schedule.
+++ During a ceremony at the Baltiysk naval base, STEREGUSHCHIY (Proj 20380) class corvette RFS BOYKIY is handed over to the Baltic Fleet.
+++ Repairs to STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette RFS SOOBRAZITELNIY (damaged in fire off Denmark in Sep 2012) completed … ship to participate in 310th Baltic Fleet anniversary celebrations (18 May at Kronshtadt), then return to home base Baltiysk.

TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES
Update 09 May incident: While the circumstances behind the 09 May shooting remain shrouded in controversy, Taiwanese navy and coast guard held their announced exercise close to the spot of the incident … closely watched by Philippines, but went smoothly without incident.

UNITED KINGDOM
After failing two safety exercises (response to simulated submarine accidents) in March and April, Royal Navy submarines for the time being have been banned from navigating Scottish waters in Loch Goil (noise testing range near Faslane), and in Loch Ewe (Wester Ross). Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) is demanding a satisfactory rerun of the exercises before ban be lifted.

USA
Cruiser USS LAKE ERIE and Missile Defense Agency successfully conducted another Ballistic Missile Defense test off Hawaii … intercept of a separating ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean … Flight Test Maritime-19 (FTM-19) was the third consecutive successful intercept test of the latest Aegis BMD 4.0 Weapon System and the SM-3 Block IB missile.

INDONESIA
Netherlands Damen Schelde confirmed contract for now two (rmks: option taken) SIGMA 10514 multi-purpose frigates for the Indonesian navy …assembly (with Netherlands Damen Schelde to supply large modules) at PT Pal in Surabaya.

JAPAN
Three Japanese navy ships arrive at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii, USA) for a port visit … also embark several-hundred Japanese army ground troops to be flown in … then continue for San Diego (California) for US-hosted, multinational amphibious exercise “Dawn Blitz”, scheduled to begin on 11 Jun off Southern California.

TAIWAN – PHILIPPINES
Update: Taiwanese navy/coast guard exercise in Bashi Channel near Batanes Island (Philippines) included KIDD class destroyer MA KUNG, LA FAYETTE class frigate CHEN DE, some smaller vessels and four coast guard vessels … Taiwanese air force deployed two Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft and E-2K reconnaissance aircraft … exercise aim given as “scanning the area for possible enemies in the air and the sea” and search and rescue.

UKRAINE
ROPUCHA class landing ship KONSTANTIN OLSHANSKY completed 9-month overhaul and started sea trials.

USA
One Navy SEAL died and another seven servicemen were injured when their Humvee vehicle overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox (Kentucky).


16 May

PIRACY
KK Update: Italian navy frigate ZEFFIRO sails from Taranto for the Gulf of Aden … will join EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”.

17 May

CHINA (Territorial Conflicts)
With Japan: Three Chinese maritime surveillance vessels (HAIJIAN 26, 50, 66) entered Japanese territorial waters (some sources: contiguous zone adjacent to territorial waters) near disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

FINLAND
RAUMA class missile corvette FNS NAANTALI completed overhaul and has returned to the operational fleet.

SWEDEN
Estonian “Baltic Workboats” delivers KBV-315, fourth of five KBV-312 class patrol boats to the Swedish coast guard.
(rmks: plate reads FURUSUND, but unclear whether this is name or –officially designated - homeport)

SYRIA
Media reporting on delivery of Russian S-300 air defence missiles and Yakhont supersonic coastal defence missiles to Syria. (rmks: Yakhont are fulfillment of longstanding contract on 72 missiles, dating back to 2007; initial batch of unknown number already delivered in 2011)

THAILAND
Frigate HTMS NARATHIWAT arrives at Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) for a scheduled weekend port visit.

UNITED KINGDOM
TYPE 23 frigate HMS MONMOUTH arrives back to its homeport of Plymouth from a 7-month deployment to the Persian Gulf region.


18 May

CHINA
JIANGDAO class (Proj 056) corvette DATONG (580) commissioned.

IRAN
The Iranian has deployed frigate JAMARAN to closely watch US-led multinational mine-warfare exercise “IMCMEX-13”, currently held off Bahrain.

ISRAEL
Israel Shipyards announces new SA’AR-72 multi-purpose corvette design … 72m / 800 ts, 30+ knots with extended endurance, modern weapons, operate medium-sized helicopter, optimized for support of special forces operations … also be offered for export as missile corvette or mere OPV.
(rmks: unclear yet, if it will be ordered by the Israel navy).

NORTH KOREA
North Korea test-fired three short range ballistic missiles (probably KN-02, derived from Soviet SS-21, range 120km) from its east coast towards the Japan Sea.

PIRACY
+++ KK Update: German parliament has extended German navy participation in EU anti-piracy operation “Atalanta” by another year.
+++ West Africa: The Nigerian navy at its Eastern Naval Command has inaugurated a new intelligence centre, equipped with “state-of-the-art digital gear” … enhance capabilities to monitor both the open sea in the Gulf of Guinea and the inshore areas of the Niger Delta.

RUSSIA
+++ “Source”: MISTRAL class helicopter carrier RFS SEVASTOPOL to become flag ship to new Russian “Mediterranean Squadron” … after entering service by 2017. (rmks: Unconfirmed; only in Nov, 2012, navy chief Adm Chirkov had stressed both MISTRAL will be stationed with the Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok where berthing space is currently under construction)
+++ Baltic Fleet celebrates 310th anniversary with parades at Kronshtadt and the Baltiysk main naval base. SOVREMENNIY class destroyer RFS NASTOYCHIVIY deployed from Baltiysk to Kronshtadt (flag ship).
+++ STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette (Proj. 20380) RFS STOYKIY scheduled to join the Baltic Fleet in 2014.

SRI LANKA
A small Sri Lankan Navy boat capsized during a naval parade off the coast of Bambalapitiya … one sailor drowned … about 50 naval vessels took part in the parade held to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the war victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels.

USA
During an underwater mine detection training exercise off San Diego, a US Navy dolphin discovered a 19th century “Howell” brass torpedo and “notified” its trainers of the find.


19 May

ISRAEL
The Israel navy is set to introduce a new unmanned surface vessel … enhanced (extended range and endurance) PROTECTOR had been on trial for two and half years.

JAPAN
A Japanese P-3C maritime patrol aircraft spotted an unidentified submarine – thought to be Chinese – south of Minamidaito Island (Okinawa Prefecture), travelling just outside the contiguous zone.

NORTH KOREA
+++ North Korea has test-fired another three short-range missiles (“projectiles”) from its east coast into the Sea of Japan …possibly from a new multiple round rocket launcher system (MRL) with a very large caliber and long range.
(rmks: tests of short-range missiles may send a political signal but do not violate any UN resolutions)
+++ With a Chinese fishing boat (16 crew) confirmed to have been hijacked by North Korea, anti-North Korea sentiment in China is mounting anew. (rmks: In the immortal words of Forrest Gump – Stupid is, as stupid does)

RUSSIA
After port visit to Bergen (Norway), following exercise “Pomor 13”, destroyer VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV is heading for the North Sea / Norwegian Sea … rendezvous with tanker VYAZMA to fulfill “more tasks in North-Eastern Atlantic”:
(rmks: earlier announcement spoke of anti-piracy deployment to the Horn of Africa region)


20 May

ISRAEL (GAZA)
Israel has returned outer limit of fishing zone off Gaza from 3 to 6 miles … had been reduced for a couple of months following rocket fire from Gaza.

JAPAN (PIRACY?)
Destroyers JDS SUZUNAMI and KIRISAME arrive at Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) for a three-day goodwill and supply visit.
(rmks: probably enroute the Gulf of Aden for another anti-piracy mission; both ships only in January had completed such a mission).

PHILIPPINES
Patrol frigate BRP RAMON ALCARAZ (former USCG cutter DALLAS) has begun a final round of sea trials off Charleston (South Carolina, USA) … preparing for transfer voyage scheduled to start by mid-June.

PIRACY
KK Update: Spanish offshore patrol vessel SPS RAYO ends operations with EU NavFor … now on “promotion tour” around Africa with visits to Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Gabon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal and Cape Verde … return to home port Las Palmas in late July. (rmks: Belongs to new METEORO class which builder Navantia would like to sell to African navies)

RUSSIA
Mediterranean Squadron: Black Sea Fleet landing ships RFS AZOV and NIKOLAI FILCHENKOV once again deployed to the Mediterranean to join the multi-fleet task force.

TURKEY
The Turkish navy has kicked off its largest annual exercise “Deniz Kurdu” … until 02 Jun in Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean … participants include frigates TCG YILDIRIM, BARBAROS, SALIHREIS and HEYBELIADA plus a larger number of smaller vessels, auxiliaries and naval air assets.

UNITED KINGDOM
Decommissioned aircraft carrier HMS ARK ROYAL leaves Portsmouth for the last time … being towed to Turkey for scrapping. (rmks: A sad ending to a fine ship)


19 May

NIGERIA
The Nigerian navy conducted a “successful” raid against oil theft syndicates in the Niger Delta.


20 May

TAIWAN
The ROC Navy has confirmed intentions to acquire two used PERRY class frigates from the US Navy.

USA
Austal at Mobile (Alabama) laid the keel for Joint High Speed Vessel USNS FALL RIVER (JHSV-4).


21 May

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
With Philippines: The Philippines has formally protested the presence of a Chinese warship, two surveillance vessels and around 30 fishing boats off Ayungin Shoal (Spratly Archipelago), “poaching in Philippine waters” … reports of Chinese (para)military ships increasingly “harassing” Philippine fishing boats and other civilian vessels in the region.

CHINA
An East Sea Fleet task group (frigates HUAIHUA and FOSHAN, supply ship QIANDAO HU) has completed a 16-day training cruise to the West Pacific … returned to home port via Bashi Channel and South China Sea … a.o.t. practiced “island defence”.

CYPRUS
In order to protect offshore exploration (gas fields), the Cypriot government announces plans to acquire two high-sea capable patrol vessels. Reportedly, Israel Shipyards is offering its new SA’AR-72 corvette (OPV variant).

NETHERLANDS
Patrol frigate HNLMS HOLLAND arrives at Willemstad (Curacao) … on a several-month deployment replace sister ship FRIESLAND as Caribbean Station Ship.

NORTH KOREA
16 Chinese fishermen abducted off the North Korean coast two weeks ago have been released … handed over by men wearing military uniforms … reportedly no (demanded) ransom paid. (rmks: Most likely North Korean navy trying to “generate additional income”)

PHILIPPINES
President Aquino approved a $1.82-billion military modernization program that gives priority to upgrading the navy … by 2017, acquire two new frigates, two more AW-109 helicopters capable of anti-submarine warfare (additional to three to be delivered by December), three fast patrol boats, and eight amphibious assault vehicles.

PIRACY
General: In support of a regional maritime security programme to enhance piracy-fighting capabilities, the European Union will provide a total of 37 million Euro to several Eastern and Southern African countries.

RUSSIA
+++ TYPHOON class submarines RFS SEVERSTAL and ARKHANGELSK will be officially withdrawn from the navy’s inventory by year end … to be scrapped by 2018 … too old for active duty and too expensive to retrofit. (rmks: Truly an end to an era)
+++ Mediterranean Squadron: Northern Fleet destroyer RFS SEVEROMORSK rendezvoused with Black Sea Fleet landing ship in the Aegean Sea for “joint maneuvering”. Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV (but without two ROPUCHA class landing ships) completes port visit to Limassol (Cyprus) to start operations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
+++ During a meeting with Russian naval shipbuilders, President Putin sharply criticized inefficiency … “construction of a number of nuclear submarines and surface ships and their delivery to the navy has been unjustifiably delayed".
+++ Pacific Fleet celebrates its 282th anniversary.

SPAIN
Local media: S-80 submarine programme “in severe trouble” after engineers found serious design flaws such as excess weight with the half-finished boats. (rmks: unconfirmed)


17 May

USA
Japan-based aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON has completed a 2-week readiness assessment ahead of an upcoming patrol. (rmks: With Australian frigate HMAS SYDNEY to be integrated in Carrier Strike Group)


21 May

INDIA
The Indian Coast Guard commissioned its third 90-m Offshore patrol vessel, ICGS VAIBHAV (32).

LIBYA
The Libyan navy/coast guard has received 30 new semi-rigid-hulled inflatable fast patrol boats (small boats between 3.5 and 12 m, such as such as1200 RIB UM used by French naval commandos) …first batch of a total of 50 ordered in January this year … expecting delivery of two 20-m Raidco Marine RPB 20 boats on 26 Apr, and of 25 small patrol craft (no details) from South Korea later this year.

USA
+++ LCS-1 USS FREEDOM forced to return (under own power) to port Singapore after sediment discovered in oil lubrication system …only hours before had departed Changi Naval Base. (rmks: On 8-month maiden deployment to Singapore. I’m truly surprised it went this before something broke)
+++ CARAT 13: Destroyer USS MOMSEN and dock landing ship TORTUGA arrive at Jakarta (Indonesia), marking the beginning of the Indonesian phase of this year’s Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training.
+++ Newest VIRGINIA class submarine USS MINNESOTA (SSN 783) successfully completes first round of builder’s sea trials.
+++ Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the USCGC PAUL CLARK, the sixth SENTINEL class Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the US Coast Guard … will be stationed in Florida.


22 May

CHINA
The Chinese navy officially “bid farewell” to JIANGHU-I class frigate HUAYIN (513). (rmks: May have been inactive for quite a while).

FRANCE
BATRAL class landing ship FS JACQUES CARTIER arrives at Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a port visit and logistic stop … transferring from French Polynesia to Brest where she is to be decommissioned.

INDIA
New TALWAR (Batch 2) class frigate INS TARKASH off Goa successfully test-fired a Brahmos supersonic anti-ship missile.

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval
+++ Bahrain - on its territory - has recovered an Iranian drone … no further details given.
Iran has expanded Uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz (500 more centrifuges) and continues “nuclear research” work at Parchin military facility.
+++ Ahead of upcoming presidential elections, the “Guardian Council” has excluded more than 600 candidates from running, incl. some thought to be prepared for negotiating the nuclear program ... only eight candidates “favorable to the religious leaders” have remained on the ballot list.

ITALY
Netherlands Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding has been contracted with building two 50-m Stan Patrol 5509 patrol boats for the Italian customs (Guardia Finanza) … to be assembled at Italian Vittoria shipyard from materiel packages.

RUSSIA
President Putin “has instructed” DepPrimMin Dmitry Rogozin to “take personal control of both military and civilian shipbuilding”.

SPAIN
Research ship SPS HESPERIDES returns to Cartagena, completing her six-month “XIX Campana Antartica“.

USA
Prototype of new MQ-4C Triton naval reconnaissance drone (Northrop Grumman) successfully completed first flight … 90 minutes at Palmdale (California) … more tests there before transferring to Patuxent River (Maryland) … designed to fly missions lasting up to 24 hours (11.500 miles without refuelling) at altitudes greater than 10 miles … US Navy plans anticipate building 68 Tritons under its Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program.


21 May

ITALY
The Italian Navy is seeking to develop a new generation of low-cost vessels with dual-use capability … “simplified FREMM” would displace 4,000ts (125m x 15m), initially carry 127-mm and 76-mm guns, while flexible design will allow later integration of other weapon systems … helicopter hangar … capable of carrying containers (floating hospital) … costs about 2/3 of FREMM … concept still in early stages, but with preliminary general staff approval for six ships … long term replacement of older frigates/corvettes.


22 May

USA
Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) has received approval to enter full-rate production.


23 May

BANGLADESH
During a reflagging ceremony at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, USA officially handed over former HALIMTON class USCG cutter USCGC JARVIS to the Bangladesh navy … renamed BNS SOMUDRO JOY (“Victory at Sea”), no hull number painted yet … sail for Bangladesh “later this year” once crew training completed.

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
With Philippines: Despite diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines, at least three Chinese (paramilitary) ships and 10 fishing boats have remained near Ayungin Shoal (Kalayaan Island Group off Palawan) … Philippines: “not a disputed area but oursand well within our EEZ” …will not send additional ships to the shoal but use an unarmed Navy ship for resupplying the Filipino contingent in the area “s scheduled”. Commentary on China MoD website: „China must adopt unyielding attitude to hold Philippines accountable”.

IRAN (incl. related / non vaval)
The US Treasury Department has placed sanctions on 20 more individuals and entities for their involvement in Iran’s nuclear proliferation networks and attempts to evade restrictive measures. (rmks: Fat lot of good that’s likely to do)

PIRACY
+++ Gulf of Aden: increased reporting of suspicious approaches on merchant vessels along the Western approaches to the Gulf of Aden … possibly skiffs with potential pirates conducting probes to test the responsiveness of merchant vessels (rmks: Duh, ya think?) … at the same time, however, could be interaction between legitimate fishing boats and merchants transiting in close proximity to seasonal fishing areas.
+++ KK Update: 13th Chinese anti-piracy task group (frigates HUANGSHAN and HENGYANG with supply ship QINGHAI HU) arrives back home at Zhanjiang (South Sea Fleet), completing Horn of Africa deployment.
+++ KK Update: Danish navy frigate HDMS IVER HUITFELDT returns to home base Korsoer, ending a nearly 9-month deployment in support of NATO operation “Ocean Shield” off Somalia.

RUSSIA
In order to “attract private funding”, decision on state financing of three new nuclear icebreakers has been deferred, probably resulting in delays for 2nd and 3rd ship (1st to be delivered by 2017).

TAIWAN - PHILIPPINES
Taiwan's coast guard will escort fishing ships on regular basis to protect them from harassment by the Philippines … “will not allow the 09 May incident to occur again”.

USA
+++ SecNav Mabus announced two next ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers to be named USS DANIEL INOUYE and PAUL IGNATIUS … no hull numbers given.
+++ High Speed Vessel HSV-2 USNS SWIFT returns to Mayport (Florida) to officially mark the completion of the Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2013 mission.


25 May

PIRACY
Nigeria: Pirates board oil products tanker MATRIX I off the Niger delta … abducted a number of Nigerian and Pakistani crew.


27 May

RUSSIA
Mediterranean Squadron: Black Sea Fleet landing ships AZOV and NIKOLAI FILCHENKOV have left the Mediterranean … pass Turkish Straits for the Black Sea.


28 May

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
With Philippines: Second Thomas Shoal, part of Reed Bank (80nm west of Palawan/Philippines) could be the next flashpoint in the South China Sea … area believed to be rich in oil and natural gas … in 1999 the Philippines deliberately ran aground an old military transport and have used the wreck since to mark “inhabited territory” … about a dozen Marines stationed there … recent reports indicate China converging (para)military vessels, possibly to block the “garrison” from resupply.

FRANCE
Offshore Patrol Vessel FS L’ADROIT arrives at Hai Phong (Vietnam) for a scheduled 6-day port visit … 40th anniversary of the two countries' establishment of diplomatic relations,

INDIA
The Eastern Fleet task group (INS RANVIJAY, SATPURA, KIRCH and SHAKTI) has passed the Malacca Strait … currently conducting Passex with Singapore navy … about to head for the South China Sea (port visit to Vietnam).

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
Already ahead of new US sanctions to be implemented in July, major international shipping companies (such as Maersk) are abandoning their Iranian voyage routes, no longer berthing at Iranian ports.

RUSSIA
At Nizhny Novgorod state acceptance tests completed for another Project 11770 SERNA class landing craft … boat ready for transfer to the Caspian Sea on inland waterway … to join the Caspian Sea Flotilla by end of summer.

UNITED KINGDOM
+++ Royal Navy and Army have warned military cadets not to wear uniforms on the streets in case they are targeted by terrorists.
+++ TYPE 23 frigate HMS LANCASTER sails from Portsmouth for a 6-month deployment to the North Atlantic and the Caribbean … tasks to focus on security of British Overseas territories, provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief during the core hurricane season and counter narcotic operations with partner nations.


03 June

CHINA
Restricted areas announced in the Bohai Sea from 05-25 Jun. (rmks: Could indicate upcoming operational tests for aircraft carrier LIAONING)

FRANCE
Aircraft carrier FS CHARLES DE GAULLE left dry dock in Toulon (docked since 21 Jan) … about to complete regular maintenance period … preparing for sea trials scheduled to commence mid-June.

INDIA
The Indian navy inducts auxiliary vessel PRADAYAK … small tanker capable of carrying 400 t of fuel and 100 t of aviation fuel … named after a ship decommissioned in 2007.

IRAN (incl. related/non-naval)
+++ The IAEA in unusually strong words criticized Iran for stalling negotiations … ten rounds of talks without any progress … with such behavior, a nuclear arms program cannot be excluded. (rmks: Ooh, don’t use the ‘unusually strong word’, please don’t)
+++ The US has put new sanctions in force, targeting the Iranian currency and its car industry. (rmks: Like all the other sanctions are doing any good, let’s stick it to the Iranian auto industry)

NORTH KOREA (incl. related/non-naval)
North Korea is close to completing restoration of the graphite-moderated reactor at Yongbyon … could be operational within 2 months and may be used to supply weapons-grade plutonium … steady progress also on an experimental light water reactor that is under construction … a year or more from operational status … supply material for uranium enrichment.

RUSSIA
YASEN class submarine RFS SEVERODVINSK has begun another round of sea trials in the White Sea … due for delivery later this year.

USA
In a multi-year contract running through 2017, the US Navy has placed orders for another nine ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers … Huntington Ingalls to build five ships (at Pascagoula), GD Bath Iron Works the other four ships … option for a tenth ship which would be built at BIW.


05 June

NORWAY
In live test-firing off Andoeya, decommissioned OSLO class frigate HNoMS TRONDHEIM has been destroyed by NSM anti-ship missiles … fired from ashore as part of certification process.

USA
Third Joint High Speed Vessel, JHSV-3 USNS MILLINOCKET, launched from the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile (Alabama)


06 June

CHINA
Dinghai navy yard (Zhoushan) launches 600-ts China Marine Surveillance vessel HAI JIAN 7018 … 8th in 14-ship series thus far numbered 1116, 1117, 3011, 4067, 5030, 8003, 8027. (rmks: All ships still sporting the old color scheme)

LIBYA
Two RPB-20 patrol boats JANZOUR and AKRMA (rmks: photo does not show any hull numbers), built by French Raidco Marine, sail from Lorient on their delivery voyage … visits to Tangiers, Morocco and Tunisia before arriving in Tripoli on 18 Jun.

PIRACY
KK Update: Turkish frigate GÖKSU joins multinational CTF-151 … until 06 Dec … for the next three months will serve as flag ship for CTF-151 commander, Pakistani RAdm Muhammad Ihsan Qadir.

USA
+++ Austal at Mobile (Alabama) delivers the second Joint High Speed Vessel, JHSV-2 USNS CHOCTAW COUNTY, to the US Navy.
+++ Aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH has completed at-sea test of new Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) System … combines passive detection (and tracking) capability with a hard-kill capability


07 June

MYANMAR
JIANGHU class frigate UMS MAHAR THIHATHURA arrives at Chittagong (Bangladesh) on a four-day goodwill visit.

PIRACY
KK Update: Italian-led NATO SNMG-2 (RAdm Antonio Natale, flagship SAN MARCO) hands over command of NATO Operation “Ocean Shield” to Norwegian-led NATO SNMG-1 (Cdre Henning Amundsen, flagship FRITJOF NANSEN.

USA (multinational)
US-led (USS MOUNT WHITNEY) exercise “Baltops 2013” kicked off in Roenne (Denmark) and Ventspils (Latvia) … until 22 Jun in the Central and Eastern Baltic Sea… largest annual multi-national naval exercise in the Baltic Sea with participants from 13 countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA), incl. NATO SNMCMG-1.

UNITED KINGDOM
On a six month deployment to the North Atlantic and Caribbean, frigate HMS LANCASTER arrives in Bermuda, joining supply ship RFA WAVE KNIGHT … both form Atlantic Patrol Taskforce (North), ready to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief support to regional countries in upcoming hurricane season.


08 June

AUSTRALIA
Another asylum seeker’s boat has perished on its journey from Indonesia to Australian Christmas Islands … search & rescue operation initiated, with frigate HMAS WARRAMUNGA coordinating … 13 bodies recovered with more than another 40 more missing … renewed criticism of Australia's response to boats in distress … allegedly 46-hour lag from the time the boat was reported ''overdue'' (06 Jun) and the mounting of a search-and-rescue operation. (rmks: Boat had been spotted on 05 Jun, with people waving at passing Australian P-3C Orion; no sign of distress then)

CHINA (Territorial Disputes)
With Vietnam: China and Vietnam have agreed to set up a hotline between their navies amid escalating maritime tensions over the disputed South China Sea islands.

CHINA
Bloggers suggest YANTAI class (073II) transport ship LULIANG SHAN (938) has found a new role as training vessel.

NORTH KOREA
North Korea has declared a restricted area in the Yellow Sea off its central west coast apparently for an artillery exercise …effective for one week.

PIRACY
KK Update: Netherlands frigate HNLMS DE RUYTER returns to home port Den Helder, ending her deployment in support of NATO Operation “Ocean Shield”

RUSSIA
DepPM Rogozin: Former MoD officials forced shipyards to largely underprice BOREJ and YASEN class submarine contracts … putting the entire projects at risk in 2011.


09 June

INDIA
“Grossly mismanaged, with huge time and cost overruns”, construction of SCORPENE submarines reportedly faces more delays … first vessel now to roll out of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) by Nov 2016 at the earliest … while follow-on submarine acquisition Project 75i remains stuck in political apathy and bureaucratic red-tape. (rmks: Just another typical day for the Indian naval shipbuilding industry)

IRAN (incl. related / non-naval)
Iran claims to have set up its first space tracking center to monitor objects passing in orbit overhead.

ISRAEL
The Israel navy is reported to plan installing Barak-8 air defense missiles on offshore gas rigs to protect them against Yakhont missiles (from Lebanon/Syria).

JORDAN (multinational)
Exercise “Eager Lion 2013” kicks off … until 20 Jun … more than 8,000 soldiers and observers from 19 different countries, vast majority from Jordan and US … mostly land/air activities, but US Navy KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group may be involved … US Army CentCom: “unrelated to the conflict in Syria”, however, the US is sending a Patriot missile battery and F-16 fighters, and afterwards may keep them in Jordan to counter the threat posed by the Syrian civil war.

PIRACY
KK Update: Refurbished South African patrol vessel GALESHEWE (former MINISTER class) has replaced frigate AMATOLA in anti-piracy patrols along the Mozambique Channel.


UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS

RUSSIA (Jul)
Zvezdochka shipyard will return KILO-I class submarine RFS KALUGA (B-800) to the Russian navy in July this year … had entered shipyard for overhaul in 2002, but due to lack of funding work only started in 2010.


INDIA (12 Aug)
DefMin Antony on 11 May: Indigenous aircraft carrier INS VIKRANT will be launched on 12 August. (rmks: I’ll believe when I see it)

VIETNAM (Aug)
Third KILO-II class submarine built by Russian Admiralty Shipyards (St. Petersburg) will be launched in August … according to Vietnamese media to be named HA PHONG (184). Names also given for the remainder on order: 4th to be DA NANG (185), 5th to be KHANH HOA (186), 6th to be VUNG TAU (187).


RUSSIA (late summer)
A combined Northern Fleet / Baltic Fleet / Black Sea Fleet task force is scheduled to conduct a several-month “combat training mission” to and across the Atlantic … late summer to October, with visits to several Latin American ports.
(rmks: very preliminary information with no details yet on participants, exact time schedule nor ports to be visited)

PIRACY (Nov)
KK Update: Starting in November, New Zealand navy frigate HMNZS TE MANA for three months will join multinational CTF-151 (CMF) in anti-piracy operations … in mid-2014 a New Zealand P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft will deploy with the CTF-151 (CMF).

ISRAEL

The Israel navy is reported to plan installing Barak-8 air defense missiles on offshore gas rigs to protect them against Yakhont missiles (from Lebanon/Syria).

 

 

Interesting idea, a lot of international players are thinking about to disrupt the Israeli gas rigs ...

+++ Aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH has completed at-sea test of new Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) System … combines passive detection (and tracking) capability with a hard-kill capability

 

 

 

We need a anti-torpedo torpedo hard-kill capability in the DB!!!

 

+++ Aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH has completed at-sea test of new Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) System … combines passive detection (and tracking) capability with a hard-kill capability

 

 

 

We need a anti-torpedo torpedo hard-kill capability in the DB!!!

 

 

If only it were possible in the code. We chatted about some workarounds recently, but probably more trouble than they're worth.

INDIA

“Grossly mismanaged, with huge time and cost overruns”, construction of SCORPENE submarines reportedly faces more delays … first vessel now to roll out of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) by Nov 2016 at the earliest … while follow-on submarine acquisition Project 75i remains stuck in political apathy and bureaucratic red-tape. (rmks: Just another typical day for the Indian naval shipbuilding industry)

Like naval shipbuilding most everywhere on the globe, rather than being endemic to India.

Ok, I can live without torpedo hard-kill capability ...