February 2, 201214 yr The first of two French-built MISTRAL class helicopter carriers – to be named RFS SEVASTOPOL and RFS VLADIVOSTOK - was laid down at STX shipyard in St. Nazaire … Admiral Vysotsky: will be put in service in 35-months. (rmks: Interesting naming selections. Obviously the Lada class is truly dead, because one unit was to be named Sevastopol). The fate of the Lada class aside, the Russkies have never been shy about changing the names of their vessels. Planned Mistral class names noted for the next DB update.
February 6, 201214 yr Author Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. Congrats to all the NYG fans out there, on yur team's Superbowl victory. I didn't get a chance to watch it - life was occuring in the Emerson household. Its a new week, with new possibilities! Here's what's with the major navies around the world! Summary to follow ... 01 February USA For at least the fourth time in its young history, San Diego-based littoral combat ship FREEDOM has developed a serious mechanical or structural problem … while operating off Southern California "suffered a failure of the port shaft mechanical seal" which caused some (minor) flooding. (rmks: Told ya so. The LCS is a white elephant program. The USN shold have listened to the Danish on "multipurpose, do-everthing" platforms). Source: NIPmail. INDIA (multinational) Hosted by the Indian navy, biennial exercise “Milan” has kicked off at Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar islands) … delegations of 14 Asia-Pacific Region nations (Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Philippines, Singapore, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam) participating … focus on search and rescue, terrorism, piracy, poaching … most activities ashore (seminars, discussions) … only few participants also sent ships or boats which will do some related small-scale exercises. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: German Navy frigate RHEINLAND-PFALZ sails from home port Wilhelmshaven for the Horn of Africa … will join NATO SNMG-1 in anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield”. +++ General: Four of the 25 suspected pirates detained on board Danish warship ABSALON since 07 January have been taken by the Seychelles after all for prosecution … search continues for other countries willing to prosecute the remainder 21 men still held on board the ABSALON. 02 February IRAN Source: NIPmail. +++ US media: “SecDef Panetta believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June - before Iran enters a 'zone of immunity' to commence building a nuclear bomb”. (rmks: with no outright denial from Panetta, looks like deliberate leak to increase pressure on Iran). +++ According to an annual budget proposal by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented to parliament, Iran plans to more than double military spending over the coming 12 months. (rmks: To do so, Iran would become the MENA version of North Korea. Current estimates indicates Iran spends about 5% of its GDP on defense. Ramping-up to more than 10% in such a short time would wreck the economy. Heck, if the people revolt - which is likely to happen - the could do our job for us! Go Ahmaddinajad, go!). +++ Up to five ships carrying grain to Iran have been diverted to new destinations as European Union sanctions hold up payments. PIRACY Source: IMO Update +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: For the first time ever, India, China and Japan have begun coordinating their naval patrols / convoy escorts off the Horn of Africa. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Russian and NATO navy officials had a meeting to discuss cooperation of their naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden … Russian destroyer ADMIRAL TRIBUTS and tanker PECHENGA, Turkish frigate GIRESUN, Spanish supply ship PATINO and US destroyer HALSEY conduct short joint exercise, incl. replenishment at sea. RUSSIA +++ The ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV carrier task force has left the Mediterranean, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Atlantic … planning for some more tactical exercises including flight operations enroute home ports. Source: NIPmail. +++ Rogozin: To fill a gap before all eight planned BOREJ class submarines are in service (by 2020), decommissioning of strategic nuclear submarines currently in service is being deferred … subs will get another upgrade to extend service life time from 25-years to up to 35-years … TYPHOON class submarines to be upgraded with their electronics and weapon systems replaced (rmks: refitting TYPHOON for Bulava missiles is likely to occur) +++ Rogozin: “By 2013, production capacity at Russian shipyards will allow us to build six submarines and an aircraft carrier every year.” (rmks: careful here: wording applies to capability, not intentions). UNITED KINGDOM +++ TYPE 45 destroyer DARING has passed the Suez Canal southbound. Source: NIPmail. +++ TYPE 23 frigate LANCASTER has begun sea trials off the South Coast after a 16-month overhaul and upgrade. Source: NIPmail. USA +++ Frigate SIMPSON concluded a three-day port visit of training and senior staff talks in Casablanca, Morocco … on a several month deployment to conduct theatre security cooperation and maritime security operations in the Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility. Source: NIPmail. +++ Preparing for upcoming exercise “Cobra Gold” in Thailand, dock landing ship GERMANTOWN in Okinawa embarks nearly 500 Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and their equipment. Source: NIPmail. CANADA STX Canada Marine is awarded contract to design the future flagship polar icebreaker of the Canadian Coast Guard … to be named JOHN G. DIEFENBAKER … delivery to coincide with decommissioning icebreaker LOUIS ST. LAURENT in 2017 … able to operate autonomously for 270-days in the Arctic. Source: NIPmail. CHINA Chinese navy task group enroute the Western Pacific Ocean … for a “regular training exercise” … four frigates reported to have sailed (in international waters) between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako. Japan's coast guard monitoring the situation. (rmks: Likely more saber-rattling). Source: NIPmail. COLOMBIA The Colombian navy has taken over patrol ship 20 DE JULIO, the first of four OPV-80 patrol ships built by local Cotecmar shipyard. Source: NIPmail. IRAN Ship owners have become increasingly reluctant to call at Iranian ports over fears about being properly insured and because of the likelihood of additional US sanctions targeting shippers. Source: NIPmail. JAPAN Japanese Navy ships participated in massive citywide emergency drill (assumed 7.3-magnitude earthquake) in Tokyo … evacuating Japanese government employees … US Navy joined with destroyer LASSEN. Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA +++ UDALOY class destroyer ADMIRAL KULAKOV has become the first Northern Fleet surface warship to be manned only by contract sailors … no conscripts on board. Submarines already earlier started using 100-percent contract personnel. (rmks: CV32 reported on this earlier in the week.) Source: NIPmail. +++ Admiral Vysotsky to navy officers: “On June 1 or a bit later we will resume constant patrolling of the world’s oceans by strategic nuclear submarines.” (rmks: basically, the admiral concedes they have been of regular patrols in recent years). Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM Helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS sails from from Portsmouth for two-months of training culminating in NATO’s large-scale Arctic exercise Cold Response in Northern Norway. Source: NIPmail. USA +++ Reflecting the new strategic focus on the Pacific region, the US Navy plans to assign as many as 16 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) to San Diego, up from previously 12. +++ Campaigning has reached the navy: Presidential candidate Mitt Romney vows to “build 15 warships annually” … although this would be tough to pay for and require cuts from other parts of the military. (rmks: somehow “read my lips” comes to mind …) 03 February RUSSIA Pacific Fleet task group with destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV has ended a four-day visit to Manila (Phipippines). (rmks: former anti-piracy task group returning home from deployment to the Gulf of Aden). Source: NIPmail. 04 February IRAN +++ Iran has begun “mass production” of Zafar anti-ship missiles … small short-range missiles to be mounted in speed boats and other light vessels for attacks on small to medium-size targets. Source: NIPmail. +++ Some media report the IRGC has begun “naval maneuvers near the Strait of Hormuz”. This seems to be NOT the case. Only verifiable exercise takes place some 200 km inland by IRGC land forces. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: The 18th Iranian anti-piracy task group, comprised of frigate NAGHDI (Type US PF 103) and supply ship KHARG (deployed since 21 Jan), has arrived at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled port visit. +++ Coinciding with the Iranian task group’s visit, also British frigate SOMERSET has berthed at Jeddah for a visit (rmks: ended participation in operation “Enduring Freedom”, about to return home. Temporarily also had been employed in anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa) UNITED KINGDOM Amid heightened tensions with Argentina over the disputed Falkland Islands (and the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Falkland War), the Royal Navy reportedly is deploying a TRAFALGAR class nuclear-powered submarine to the South Atlantic. (rmks: Interesting way of calming things down - deploying an SSN into the region.) Source: NIPmail. 05 February FRANCE (IRAN?) After three more days of sea trials off Toulon, aircraft carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE has embarked its air group … for a one-week work-up towards an “upcoming deployment” (rmks: Some weeks earlier than originally announced; could indicate that rumours of an impending deployment to the Arabian Sea vs. Iran may indeed have substance). Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update Bab el Mandeb: Iranian navy claims to have foiled an attack by “35 pirate boats” on an Iranian oil tanker close to the Bab el-Mandeb strait. (rmks: most probably just drove harmless fishermen out of the way when the tanker’s captain got nervous. MSCHOA: “no pirate activity within the last 24 hrs”) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS DENMARK (06 Feb) During a ceremony scheduled at the Korsoer naval base, the Danish armed forces’ Materiel Command will formally hand over frigate IVER HUITFELDT, the first of three new ships, to the Danish navy. Two remaining ships to follow next year. IVER HUITFELDT to achieve full operational readiness by 2014. Source: NIPmail. NATO (14 Feb) Exercise “Proud Manta 12”, NATO's largest Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise this year, scheduled in the Mediterranean (Ionian Sea to the southeast of Sicily) from 14-26 Feb … eleven NATO nations (Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey, UK, USA) will provide 5 submarines, 15 aircraft (including shore and ship based helos) and 12 surface ships (including 2 Auxiliary ships from Italy and 1 NATO Research Vessel). Source: NIPmail.
February 7, 201214 yr Author Ahhh, another day to excel! I hope everybody is enjoying their Tuesday. Lots of interesting things happening, so let's get right to the update. Sumary to follow ... 04 February PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: Greek frigate HYDRA has joined EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: And the pirates quake in fear! (not)). Source: IO Update. 05 February RUSSIA The KUZNETSOV carrier task group has reached waters southwest of the British Isles … conducting replenishment … while passing west of Portugal and through the Bay of Biscay, had conducted helicopter operations (25 sorties Ka-27) on both the aircraft carrier and destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO. (rmks: The Red-K is putting a lot of rpm's on the screws! I reckon their making-up for lost time.) Source: NIPmail. THAILAND (multinational) Multinational exercise “Cobra Gold” kicked off … to run through 17 Feb … co-hosted by Thailand and the US Pacific Command … seven nations to participate (incl. Thailand, USA, Japan, South Korea) with another nine countries, incl. Russia and China, to send observers. Activities to begin with “humanitarian action”, followed by a command post exercise, a three-day landing drill and a tactical exercise for a week … conclude with maritime transportation and tactical manoeuvring exercises in the Gulf of Thailand. Source: NIPmail. USA Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN departs Bahrain, following a four-day port visit. Source: Naval Today - http://navaltoday.com/2012/02/07/uss-abrah...eparts-bahrain/ 06 February DENMARK During a ceremony at the Korsoer naval base, the Danish armed forces’ Materiel Command formally hands over frigate IVER HUITFELDT, the first of three new ships, to the Danish navy. Two remaining ships to follow next year. IVER HUITFELDT to achieve full operational readiness by 2014. Source: NIPmail. FRANCE Although no official decision has been made yet, there reportedly is consensus to not acquire a second aircraft carrier … mainly for budgetary reasons … for “at least 15 coming years” make do with single carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE. Source: NIPmail. INDONESIA TYPE 209 submarine NANGGALA completed overhaul and modernization at Daewoo (South Korea) and returned home to Surabaya naval base. Source: NIPmail. JAPAN The JMSDF has purchased (from US Northrop-Grumman) four helicopter-mountable, Airborne Laser Mine Detection Systems (ALMDS) to help protect its coastline and maritime traffic. Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA +++ The KUZNETSOV carrier task group continues return transit to Northern Fleet, reportedly sailing through the Irish Sea (quote: “east of GBR and Ireland”). (rmks: reported position would require confirmation). Source: NIPmail. +++ Russia is developing a comprehensive “30-year shipbuilding plan” … to be completed by June this year. First indications point to procurement of ten BOREJ class vs. previous eight … and six large Project 11711 IVAN GREN class landing ships. (rmk: I wonder if the will issue a sober version and a vodka version). Source: NIPmail. +++ Black Sea Fleet commander, RAdm Fedotenko, reaffirms plans to acquire six new submarines (Project 636.3 improved KILO-II) for his fleet by 2017. (rmks: Me thinks I see a scenario here!) Source: NIPmail. +++ Northern Fleet “Severomorsk-1” air base to be overhauled and modernized … runway lengthened to 3,500m to accommodate large aircraft such as Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers … first phase to be completed by end May, 2013. SPAIN The Spanish navy has taken delivery of third METEORO class patrol ship, RELAMPAGO (P-43). Source: NIPmail. USA +++ The BATAAN Amphibious Ready Group returns to home ports Norfolk / Little Creek, ending an 11-month deployment. (rmks: Welcome home guys!) Source: NIPmail. +++ The Office of Naval Research's Electromagnetic Railgun program will take an important step forward in the coming weeks when the first industry railgun prototype launcher is tested at a facility in Dahlgren, Va. (rmks: Enough with the 'golly-gee' toys. Concentrate on reliability and fixing the freaking fleet! I will remove myself from my soapbox now.) Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS INDIA (10 Feb) Leased AKULA (mod) class submarine NERPA / CHAKRA to depart Russian Bolshoi Kamen submarine base (near Vladivostok) for its transfer voyage to India “by Feb 10”. Source: NIPmail.
February 12, 201214 yr Author Sorry for the delay. Lost internet connectivity for a couple of days and then I was off on Friday. Here's your NNSotD. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 06 February USA Exercise “Bold Alligator 2012”: Following a week at sea practicing all facets of amphibious operations, amphibious craft and thousands of US Marines and British and Canadian commandos deployed from multiple ships to the beaches of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina … ahead of the landing, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command conducted a synthetic underwater mine-clearing exercise … BA-12 will continue until 12 Feb afloat and ashore, in and around North Carolina and Virginia. Source: NIPmail. (rmks: Of course, some media regard BA-12 as "final rehearsal" for an Iranian attack – notwithstanding that this would imply such an attack has been in planning for more than a year). 07 February ARGENTINA For the fifth time, Russian ice breaker VASILIY GOLOVNIN has been chartered to conduct annual mission to deliver equipment, fuel and food to Argentina’s Antarctic stations. Has sailed from Buenos Aires … to return by mid/end May … stands in for Argentine navy ice breaker ALMIRANTE IRIZAR which five years after a fire still is inoperable but scheduled to return to service by late 2012. (rmks: Whose forces are actually hollow – the USN or the Argentinain Navy?) Source: NIPmail. ARGENTINA – UNITED KINGDOM Argentine president Kirchner announces an “official protest” at the United Nations ahead of the upcoming deployment of British TYPE 45 destroyer DAUNTLESS and possibly also a TRAFALGAR class submarine to the Falkland Islands. Source: NIPmail. (rmks: Man, I knew this would happen! This is a mere populist move ahead of 30th Falkland War anniversary, not backed up by international law). INDIA Russian Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) has completed final trials for new frigate TEG (first ship TALWAR Batch 2). (rmks: About time). Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA Update: as it turns out (and already has been suspected), the authors of Russian navy.ru website have got their bearings wrong. (rmks: No! Tell me it ain’t so.) The KUZNETSOV task group has been passing west of Ireland (and not through the Irish Sea) … closely watched by British Royal Navy destroyer LIVERPOOL, which southwest of England had taken over “escort” duties from French Aviso LV LE HENAFF. Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA +++ President Medvedev: “Extra measures needed to protect Russian interests and reinforce its borders in the Arctic.” Already announced to deploy by 2020 a combined-arms force to in the Arctic, including military, border and coastal guard. (rmks: The artic is going to generate a lot of naval coverage over the next several years. Keep an eye on it!) Source: NIPmail +++ Shipbuilding plan until 2020 reportedly provides for 16-new combat and auxiliary vessels for the Caspian Sea Flotilla. (rmks: This is likely part of the Vodka-version. We need to wait for the Duma to sober-up and release the real deal.) Source: NIPmail. +++ Fire at a Murmansk Shipyard floating dock … holding SORUM class border guard patrol vessel URAL for repairs … four people hospitalized (smoke inhalation) … no information on possible damage to the URAL. (rmks: Here we go again. Another drydock fire.) Source: NIPmail. USA – JAPAN The United States and Japan are discussing a plan to transfer nearly 5,000 Okinawa-based US Marines to Guam. Source: NIPmail. 08 February BELGIUM Defence minister has given “priority” to (in the long-term) replace the navy’s two KAREL DOORMAN class frigates with two coastal patrol ships. (rmks: No details nor time table). Source: NIPmail. CHINA Second YUZHAO class dock landing ship, JINGGANGSHAN, has conducted first operational training in the South China Sea. Source: NIPmail. ERITREA – YEMEN Eritrea's “navy” has seized five Yemeni fishing boats near the Red Sea’s Hanish Islands … part of a territorial dispute between Yemen and Eritrea over water rights around the islands. An international court gave Yemen sovereignty over some of the archipelago's islands, but the two countries have disagreed on interpretations of the ruling regarding fishing rights. Source: NIPmail. IRAN Danish shipping and oil company A.P. Moller-Maersk has suspended “all new fixtures involving Iran and all carriages of products with Iranian origin” due to European Union sanctions. “Spot fixtures, single voyages, and other obligations entered into before 23 Jan 2012 will continue to be performed within the framework of the exemption set out in the decision of the EU Council”. Source: NIPmail. KENYA Kenya has confirmed that final preparations for the long-delayed delivery of the offshore patrol vessel JASIRI are underway. Source: NIPmail. NEW ZEALAND Frigate TE KAHA and fleet tanker ENDEAVOUR sail for Australia for three-month system tests and crew training. Source: NIPmail. PAKISTAN Pakistan navy group with frigate ZULFIQUAR, research vessel BEHR PAIMA and submarine HAMZA arrives at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for a scheduled several-day port visit. Source: NIPmail. PHILIPPINES The US will “soon” transfer a second former US Coast Guard HAMILTON class patrol ship (namely DALLAS) to the Philippine navy. First ship GREGORIO DEL PILAR (former HAMILTON) has begun patrolling waters off Palawan in the South China Sea waters, staging out of Puerto Princesa. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY (rmks: Every good newspaper has to have a comics page, right!) Source: IMO Update. +++ Somalia: Somali pirates released Iranian fishing dhow AL-KHALIIL … hijacked on 25 Jan for use as mother ship … no ransom paid … reportedly “found” another vessel (rmks: no details) better suited for their purposes. +++ Indian Ocean: Skiff with 5 armed men on board approaches merchant ship appr. 240 nm east of the Seychelles … ship manages to escape. +++ East Africa: Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa in Dar-es-Salaam signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on maritime security cooperation … to ensure security and the free flow of goods along the east coast of Africa from Tanzania, Mozambique through to South Africa. (rmks: And what good will this do? Likely this is just another useless piece of paper.) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: South African navy frigate ISANDLWANA currently deployed with anti-piracy patrols (operation “Copper”) in the Mozambique Channel. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Japanese destroyers MURASAME and HARUSAME call at Kochi (India) on their way for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. (rmks: replacement for destroyers TAKANAMI and OONAMI, on station since Nov 2011). RUSSIA +++ At the Sevmash shipyard (Severodvinsk), construction of third BOREJ class submarine, VLADIMIR MONOMAKH, proceeds as planned, with launching scheduled this year. (rmk: This will likely be pushed-back). First BOREJ class submarine, YURI DOLGORUKIY, may join the Pacific Fleet in June 2012. (rmk: Now that Bulava testing has been completed.) Second boat ALEXANDER NEVSKIY also to be commissioned this year. Source: NIPmail. +++ (Admiral Vysotsky) Construction of a “prospective” new aircraft carrier may “begin after 2020” … initial designs to be completed by 2014. (rmk: Once again, if pigs had wings they would fly.) +++ Two LADA class submarines currently under construction may be equipped with a newly developed air-independent propulsion system … could start testing in 2014. +++ All DELTA-IV class strategic submarines currently in service will be refitted with new SS-N-23 variant “Lijner”. (rmk: No telling how much this will cost.) SPAIN The Spanish Navy is working on a new surface combatant project - codenamed F-110 - to replace its ageing SANTA MARIA class. Source: NIPmail. UKRAINE President Yanukovich has sacked defence minister Mikhail Yeshel (a retired admiral who from 1996-2003 had commanded the Ukrainian) … following accusations that he was not only corrupt but had “ruined” the armed forces. (rmk: Corruption in Ukraine! Say it ain’t so!) Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM Dock landing ship BULWARK has cancelled planned port visit to Hamburg “due to ice on the Elbe river”. (rmks: there’s a nice twist here: bound for Arctic exercise “Cold Response” in Northern Norway, BULWARK can’t proceed to Hamburg due to ice …). Source: NIPmail. USA +++ Frigate SIMPSON arrives at Dakar (Senegal) for a logistic stop … conducting theatre security cooperation and maritime security operations in the Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility. Source: NIPmail. +++ In 2017, the US Navy's frontline force will consist of 16 fewer ships than was originally planned. (rmk: No! I didn’t realize that!) Source: NIPmail. 09 February NATO NATO mine countermeasure group SNMCMG-2 arrives at Tunis (Tunesia) for a scheduled visit until 13 Feb. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS Source: Various and sundry chatters NORWAY (multinational) (05 Mar) Invitational military exercise “Cold Response 2012” scheduled in northern Norway’s Troms and Nordland provinces … practise multi threat operations during cold weather conditions … Crisis Response Operations (CRO) related to a fictive UN mandate according to the UN Chapter VII … 16000 participants from 15 nations (both Nato and PfP) to take part with main international forces from Canada, France, Netherlands, Sweden, UK and USA. 05 – 12 Mar – preparation and Forces Integration Training 12 – 21 Mar – main phase, incl. amphibious and special forces operations 21 – 23 Mar –Evaluation and withdrawal of national and international forces. USA (02 Jun) Commissioning for new VIRGINIA class submarine MISSISSIPPI scheduled on 02 Jun in Pascagoula. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 42 destroyer LIVERPOOL scheduled for decommissioning on 30 March in Portsmouth.
February 13, 201214 yr Author Hope evryone had a great weekend. It was busy in the Emerson house and on top of all of that, I'm battling a cold I received from my daughter (yipee!) Here's today NNSotD, to start you week. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 07 February PIRACY Arabian Sea: Somali pirates hijack Greek-owned, Liberia-flagged bulk carrier FREE GODDESS (21 Filipino crew) … some 500 nm east northeast of Socotra … carrying a cargo of steel wire from Singapore to Egypt. Source: IMO Update. 08 February JAPAN Construction of first 22DDH helicopter carrier has begun at IHI Marine United's Yokohama facility. (rmk: technically, its an LHD but their WWII treat signature precludes this.) Source: NIPmail. 09 February INDIA Indian navy and air force conduct several-day joint exercise “Tropex” (Theatre-level Readiness and Operational Exercise) off the southeastern coast … “network centric warfare exercise” to test new platforms, weapons sensors, communication systems and tactics … participants include aircraft carrier VIRAAT and new frigate SHIVALIK. Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ The IRGCN has added two more GHADIR class midget submarines to its fleet. (rmks: May now have up to 19 GHADIR in its inventory). Source: NIPmail. +++ New sanctions do not bar firms from selling food to Iran but they make it difficult to carry out the international financial transactions needed to pay for it … sharp rises in the prices of basic foodstuffs … Iran reportedly turning to barter - offering gold bullion in overseas vaults or tanker loads of oil – to pay for goods. (rmk: Tough times in Tehran, for sure.) Source: NIPmail. ISRAEL The Israeli government plans to build a floating liquefied natural gas terminal with a sea-based defence radar system off its Mediterranean coast while forming a naval force to protect its rich offshore Leviathan and the Tamar gas fields against terrorist attack. Source: NIPmail. ISRAEL - NATO Turkey reportedly is blocking the Israel navy’s first ever active participation in NATO anti-terror operation “Active Endeavour” in the Mediterranean. (rmk: Sngle source; unconfirmed although story sounds credible, seeing that Turkey and Israel's relationship is souring.) Source: NIPmail. ITALY – LIBYA The Italian navy is deploying coastal transport vessels GORGONA and TERMITI to Tripoli (Libya) … divers and naval infantry embarked … assist the Libyan navy in salvaging sunken ships and restoring functionality to ports and facilities damaged in recent conflict. Source: NIPmail. NORTH KOREA North Korea is said to have completed a hovercraft base at the western coast near Koampo … can accommodate up to 70 small hovercraft which could be used to attack South Korean islands near the disputed Yellow Sea border. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: EU NavFor is training AMISOM (African Mission in Somalia) soldiers as vessel protection teams … to be embarked on the ships en-route Mogadishu providing logistic support for AMISOM. Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA +++ Sevmash shipyard is to complete building OSCAR-II class submarine K-139 BELGOROD, converting it for “a series of special missions” (rmks: not elaborated). Keel laid in 1992, but construction halted in 2000 after KURSK disaster. Source: NIPmail. +++ Adm Vysotsky: TYPHOON class strategic submarines SEVERSTAL and ARKHANGELSK to remain in service for a number of years … “enough SS-N-20 missiles kept in storage” to arm them. (rmk: This was pretty much a given, now that the Russkies are resuming SLBM patrols). Source: NIPmail. SINGAPORE – INDONESIA Singapore’s Sea Police has donated five coastal patrol craft to neighbouring Indonesian Marine Police (Polair) … in an effort to jointly enhance regional maritime security. Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 45 destroyer DARING has completed a scheduled port visit to Aqaba, Jordan. Source: NIPmail. USA +++ The US Navy has contracted Dakota Creek Industries with detail design and construction of OCEAN class Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research vessels AGOR 27 and AGOR 28 … 238-ft single hull ships … to be delivered in late 2014 and early 2015 … replace older ships. +++ Unconfirmed sources allege OHIO-mod class submarine SSGN 729 GEORGIA (rmks: carrying more than 150 cruise missiles) operating in the “Northern Indian Ocean”, staging out of Diego Garcia. Source: NIPmail.
February 14, 201214 yr Author Happy Valentine's da everyone. I hope you have something planned for that special someone in your life. Here's is today's navy highlights. Summary to follow ... 09 February RUSSIA Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad has begun pier-side tests of new research vessel SELIGER … continue until mid-March, then first sea trials to follow. Source: NIPmail. 10 February THAILAND – USA US Navy dock landing ship GERMANTOWN begins participation in multinational exercise “Cobra Gold” in and off Thailand. Source: NIPmail. USA The US Coast Guard took delivery of its first fast response cutter, the BERNARD C. WEBBER, in Miami. Source: Naval Today - http://navaltoday.com/2012/02/13/us-coast-...rnard-c-webber/ 12 February USA With no own ice-capable vessels available, the US is relying on Russian icebreaker VLADIMIR IGNATYUK to cut a channel through Antarctic sea ice so that Military Sealift Command tanker MAERSK PEARY and GREEN WAVE can re-supply the US McMurdo Station. (rmk: How the mighty have fallen!). Source: NIPmail. 13 February PIRACY Source: IMO Update +++ Arabian Sea: increasing pirate activity in the Northern Arabian Sea, with up to four groups reported lingering in an area some 300 nm east of Salalah, Oman. +++ General: Somali pirates may have begun operating in a new region, away from Northern Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden currently patrolled by international naval forces … especially targeting the Cape to Malacca Strait shipping lane. +++ Somalia: Danish multipurpose ship ABSALON was able to transfer four of the 21 pirates held on board since 06 Jan to Kenyan authorities; the remainder 17 had to be set ashore at the Somalia coast, as no country prepared to accept them for prosecution. (rmk: I won't say what should happen to them, because of Valentine's Day.) RUSSIA Defence minister Serdyukov visits the Baltic Fleet. Source: NIPmail. USA Source: Various news feeds. President Obama presented his budget proposal. Avoiding deep cuts for the US Navy, it plans for an overall battle force ships of 284 in FY13 … fleet size of “more than 280” ships by the end of the five-year plan. +++ Navy will cut about 3,000 sailors and another 2,500 civilian personnel; USMC will lose about 5,000 troops. +++ Aircraft carrier JOHN F. KENNEDY will be ordered as planned, but construction schedule will be moved back two years … to be delivered no later than 2022. +++ remain committed to a 55-ship LCS class, but procurement will be slowed. +++ construction and delivery timelines for LHA 8 AMERICA not affected. +++ early retirement for cruisers COWPENS, ANZIO, VICKSBURG and PORT ROYAL in FY2013, GETTYSBURG, CHOSIN and HUE CITY in FY2014. +++ early retirement for dock landing ships WHIDBEY ISLAND and TORTUGA. +++ Support for SSBN (OHIO) replacement continues, but at reduced levels +++ VIRGINIA class procurement reduced in the FYDP from 10 SSNs to 9 (delayed procurement of 1 SSN from FY14 to FY18). +++ Joint Strike Fighters (F-35 B/C) reduced by nearly 50 percent across the FYDP (21 F-35B and 48 F-35C models reduced). Additional reductions include P-8A, MV-22B, MH-60R, and KC-130J. +++ funding for unmanned aerial vehicles reduced, but remains “robust”. +++ Plans to move an aircraft carrier from Virginia to Florida are on hold for at least five years, but the two states will likely see a shuffling of some other military ships – possibly a larger amphibious ship. +++ The cost of the aircraft carrier GERALD R. FORD has increased by $811 million, or about 16 percent, over its $5.16 billion target price.
February 14, 201214 yr Danish multipurpose ship ABSALON was able to transfer four of the 21 pirates held on board since 06 Jan to Kenyan authorities; the remainder 17 had to be set ashore at the Somalia coast, as no country prepared to accept them for prosecution. (rmk: I won't say what should happen to them, because of Valentine's Day.) Perhaps a 'tough love' program is in order?
February 15, 201214 yr Author Interesting developments taking place in the world's navies. Let's get down to business! Summary to follow ... 13 February PIRACY Source: IMO Update. Nigeria: pirates “chased and boarded” a bulk carrier “drifting” in the Gulf of Guinea, some 110 nm south of Lagos, Nigerian ... kill captain and engineer, while remainder of crew locked up in safe room … when Nigerian coast guard and a nearby French warship arrive, pirates had left already. International Maritime Bureau has warned shipping to avoid Nigerian waters, as pirates are beginning to strike in deeper waters, which is unusual. (rmk: Duh! If you don't interdict them, they are going spread. I don't believe these guys didn't expect something like this to happen!) POLAND 3rd Flotilla begins 5-day joint exercise in the Southern Baltic … focus on sea control with support from air and ashore … will include MCM operations and live artillery firing … participants given as PULASKI, KOSCIUSZKO, KASZUB, ORKAN, MEWA, MACKO, PIAST, BALTYK. Source: NIPmail. 14 February CANADA After photos of submarine CORNER BROOK were published (showing a ripped open bow section), political opposition claims damage to the submarine after its grounding last year to be much bigger than the Canadian navy / government has been telling. (rmk: As I have previously stated, the anthem of the RCN submarine service should be the old Hee Haw number, "Gloom, Despair and Agony On Me"). Source: Ottawa Citizen - http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2012/02/14/...ender-bender-2/ JAPAN The first of four new TYPE 19DD destroyers, AKIZUKI, set to become fully operational in March … three sister ships in various stages of construction. Second ship, TERUZUKI, to be commissioned in March 2013, the next two ships to follow in 2014. (rmk: flattops in all but their name). Source: NIPmail. KUWAIT (multinational) Five-day exercise “Stakenet” completed off the coast of Kuwait … major annual exercise to protect the region’s offshore oil installations … conducted by currently Kuwait-led CTF-152 … participants included Kuwait navy/coast guard patrol craft MASKAN and MUBARAK, British Royal Navy frigate ARGYLL, US destroyers JOHN PAUL JONES and STERETT and US patrol boats CHINOOK and TYPHOON. Source: NIPmail. PAKISTAN Three Pakistan Navy read admirals promoted to the rank of vice admiral: Muhammad Shafiq (deputy chief of naval staff, admin), Shafqat Jawed (deputy chief of naval staff, projects) and Muhammad Zakaullah (fleet commander). Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA In stark contradiction to just recently announced ambitious fleet building plans, there seems to be a pressing need to significantly curb defence spending … Russian media insinuate possible cancelling or postponing major acquisition programs, incl. forgoing of 3rd and 4th MISTRAL class helicopter carriers. (rmk: Standy by for the appropriate government spin to be placed on the story). Source: NIPmail. USA Source: NIPmail. +++ Southern Partnership Station: High Speed Vessel SWIFT arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to receive more than 160 pallets of humanitarian materials in support of Operation Handclasp … will continue for Haiti for distribution of supplies. +++ Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN (together with cruiser CAPE ST. GEORGE) has left the Persian Gulf heading into the Arabian Sea … passed the Strait of Hormuz “routinely watched” by Iranian patrol boats and an aircraft (drone?), but without being harassed. LINCOLN on 16 Feb to commence air operations in support of Afghanistan campaign. +++ Aircraft carrier CARL VINSON repositioned from Arabian Sea to the Gulf of Oman. YEMEN Yemeni authorities seized an Iranian ship … near the Red Sea port of Hodeidah … carrying mortar launchers, anti-armour shells and other weapons destined for Houthi rebels. Source: NIPmail. 15 February UKRAINE – RUSSIA The Ukraine reportedly plans to impose taxes on Russian Black Sea Fleet real assets not used “to purpose” or have them returned to the city of Sevastopol … also tax commodities imported for the Russian fleet. (rmk: This will likely go over as well as breaking wind, during the middle of a church service!). Source: NIPmail.
February 15, 201214 yr Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN (together with cruiser CAPE ST. GEORGE) has left the Persian Gulf heading into the Arabian Sea … passed the Strait of Hormuz “routinely watched” by Iranian patrol boats and an aircraft (drone?), but without being harassed. The destroyer Sterett (DDG-104) was also reported to have accompanied Lincoln and Cape St George during the Hormuz transit. One escort ahead, one behind.
February 16, 201214 yr Thanks for the add'l info, Brad! USS Russell (DDG-59) was also with this group, together with the Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll (F231) and Georges Leygues destroyer FS La Motte-Picquet (D645), when they went into the PG. I didn't hear whether any of these three came back out with Lincoln et al.
February 16, 201214 yr Author I did some checking, they are still in the region. likely they are operating independently or are loosely associated with the Carl Vinson Battle Group. Hope this helps. Greg
February 16, 201214 yr I did some checking, they are still in the region. likely they are operating independently or are loosely associated with the Carl Vinson Battle Group. Hope this helps. Hopefully helpful to anyone considering a scenario. (Hint, hint, nudge, nudge!)
February 21, 201214 yr Author Hi everybody. I know, I know - its been a while since the last NNSotD. I enjoyed a long weekend. To make up for my absence, here is a nice long one. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 13 February USA The FY13 budget proposal includes funding for an new USCG ice breaker … and expansion of helicopter hangar and refuelling facilities in Alaska. Source: NIPmail. 16 February USA Marinette Marine has been contracted with building another 40 Response Boats, Medium for the US Coast guard … to start delivery in second quarter of 2013 … USCG has a requirement for a total of 250 RB-M, to be built by Marinette Marine and Kvichak Marine … with new contract, 166 of these boats under order. Source: NIPmail. CHILE On her transit voyage from France to Chile, newly acquired dock landing ship SARGENTO ALDEA (LSDH 91, former French FS FOUDRE) arrives at Port-au-Prince (Haiti) for a three day stop … support United Nations contingent with short exercise and loading vehicles. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Arabian Sea: Somali pirates hijack UAE-owned (Panama-flagged)small Ro/Ro cargo vessel LEILA … off the Omani coast … not registered with MSCHOA (no info on crew nor cargo) … given the vessel’s size, age (1973) and probable value, the LEILA is more likely to be used as a mother ship rather than being held for ransom. Source: IMO Update. 17 February BELGIUM The Belgian navy has purchased another two autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) REMUS 100 … part of mine countermeasure capabilities upgrade. Source: NIPmail. IRAN – SYRIA Iranian navy frigate NAGHDI and supply ship KHARG pass the Suez Canal northbound into the Mediterranean. (rmk: Current Iranian navy anti-piracy task group, deployed from the Gulf of Aden). Source: NIPmail. JAPAN (IRAN) The Japanese government reportedly considers dispatching naval forces to escort oil tankers in the event of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and/or conduct mine clearance operations. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ Bab el Mandeb: NATO warns of possible pirate activity in the inner Gulf of Aden and the Bab el Mandeb. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: German combat support ship BERLIN joins EU NavFor in operation “Atalanta”. SEYCHELLES The foreign minister of Seychelles signed agreements with India covering the supply of a Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and a coastal surveillance radar system (rmk: Likely enhancing anti-piracy capabilities) Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM The Royal Navy’s next-generation helicopter, Wildcat, has completed 20 days of trials aboard TYPE 23 frigate IRON DUKE … nearly 400 deck landings by day and night in various weather conditions off the coasts of southern England. Source: NIPmail. 18 February AUSTRALIA Swedish Kockums has been dropped from a list of four European companies being considered for a ''military off-the-shelf'' option for new Australian navy submarines …. “because it does not have a new design in service”. (rmk: The other European companies should be French DCNS, German TKMS and Spanish Navantia). Source: NIPmail. IRAN Iranian navy frigate NAGHDI and supply ship KHARG arrive at Tartus (Syria) for a port visit and a “training mission for the Syrian navy” (rmk: Show them how to operate modern Iranian missile systems, maybe even delivering such?). Source: NIPmail. NIGERIA Suspected rebels attack a Nigerian navy boat patrolling the outer waterways of the Niger Delta … three soldiers killed, two more survived (one in critical condition); boat destroyed. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Somalia Basin: A pirate action group reported some 100 nm to the east of the Seychelles. Skiff approached a merchant vessel which was able to escape. Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA Amur Shipyard in Russia’s Far East has started the construction of (modified) STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette GROMKIY … sixth STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette, and the second built by Amur Shipyard for the Pacific Fleet … to be delivered in 2015. Source: NIPmail. SOMALIA A “missile” of unknown origin hits a beach camp used by al Qaeda linked Shabaab insurgents … some 12 km from Kismayo. Source: NIPmail. SOUTH KOREA The ROK Navy announces plans for establishing a new submarine command by 2015. Source: NIPmail. 19 February NETHERLANDS Supply ship AMSTERDAM departs home port Den Helder for the Caribbean … will become new “station ship” (anti-drug operations, disaster relief). With ZUIDERKRUIS officially taken out of service last month, the AMSTERDAM currently is the Netherlands’ navy only supply ship. Source: NIPmail. BENIN French Ocea will “soon” deliver three new patrol boats to the Benin navy/coast guard … names to be ALIBORI, OUEME and ZOU … should be similar to the FPB 98 Mk1 built for Algeria. Source: NIPmail. CANADA The head of the Royal Canadian Navy says Canada needs to bolster its military presence in the Arctic to prepare for a boom in human and economic activity resulting largely from climate change. Source: NIPmail. GHANA The Ghana Navy has taken delivery of four lightly armed (machine guns) new patrol boats … ahead of schedule (rmk: No add'l details currently available). Source: NIPmail. IRAN +++ Already ahead of sanctions set to come into effect on 01 Jul, Iran claims to have halted all crude oil sales to French and British companies. +++ The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) land forces have begun new exercises … far inland in Yazd province … still no word on previously announced naval exercises (near the Strait of Hormuz). +++ Iranian navy commander announces another bilateral search & rescue exercise with the Omani navy … to be held in March. Two such exercises conducted to date, in 2009 and in Feb 2011. Source: NIPmail. PHILIPPINES The US has formally offered a second HAMILTON class US Coast Guard ship (namely DALLAS) to the Philippine navy. “If discussions run smoothly”, transfer may be as early as May. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Source: IMO Update. +++ India: Indian police have detained two members of an Italian navy (rmks: naval infantry San Marco Battalion) security team over the fatal shooting of two Indian fishermen from Italian oil tanker ENRICA LEXIE. Will appear in court on 20 Feb. According to some media they might face “murder charges”. +++ India: India's maritime administration may make ‘flag-state endorsement' mandatory for foreign merchant ships entering Indian waters with armed security guards on board. The idea is to make the Government of the country in which the ship is registered (flag-state) also responsible for any action on the part of the armed guards deployed on the vessel. THE KOREAS Ahead of an upcoming South Korean exercise, North Korea has warned the South of possible shelling of islands near the disputed Yellow Sea border … recommended inhabitants to evacuate … "should not forget the lesson" of the of the Yeonpyeong island bombardment in Nov 2010. Source: NIPmail. 20 February THE KOREAS Ignoring threats from the North, South Korean forces have begun exercises … with live firing scheduled … near Yeonpyeong island close to the disputed Yellow Sea border. Also major bilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise with the US Navy scheduled to start today. Source: NIPmail. IRAN Iranian armed forces begin four-day air defence exercise "Sarollah" ("God's vengeance") in Southern Iran … reinforce air defence capabilities (defend nuclear sites) and coordination between regular forces and IRGC … missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, radars and warplanes deployed. (rmk: Although exercise area may extend to coastal areas, naval forces probably not involved). Source: NIPmail. NORWAY Faced with acute personnel shortages, the Norwegian navy reportedly considers hiring foreign officers … especially technicians. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY India: (update ENRICA LEXIE) An Indian court has remanded two members of an Italian navy security team accused in the fatal shooting of two fishermen in custody for two weeks. Italian navy claims, “in full accordance with existing rules of engagement” the men only fired warning shots in the air and into the water, “not hitting the boat at all”. Source: IMO Update. TAIWAN Local media report the Taiwan navy will – within the next two months - ask parliament to fund the purchase of up to eight new submarines … in a bid to revive an acquisition that has been in limbo for over a decade … “not necessarily US submarines”, even proposing “domestic program with delivery of a prototype within three to four years”. (rmk: Rather optimistic time table). Source: NIPmail. USA Amphibious assault ship BONHOMME RICHARD has sailed from San Diego for Japan … replace forward stationed sister ship ESSEX which is to return to the US for a planned major overhaul … first activity will be participation in upcoming bilateral exercise “Foal Eagle” with South Korean armed forces, scheduled to start in March. Source: NIPmail. 21 February AUSTRALIA Patrol boat ARARAT intercepts a boat carrying 143 suspected asylum seekers and four crew … north of Christmas Island. Source: NIPmail. INDIA Newly leased AKULA (mod) submarine NERPA / CHAKRA will arrive in Visakhapatnam only on 30/31 March … boat currently “underway” (rmks: had been scheduled to sail from Russian Bolshoi Kamen naval base “by 10 February”. A seven-week cruise would suggest not a mere transfer voyage but some training enroute). Source: NIPmail. IRAN Jerusalem Post (Breaking News): Two Iranian navy ships (NAGHDI, KHARG) have ended their visit to Tartus (Syria) and re-entered the Suez Canal for southbound transit. Iranian navy views deployment as “proof that sanctions are not working”. (rmk: Very short “training period” for the Syrian comrades). Source: NIPmail. THE KOREAS South Korean forces have ended exercises … with live artillery firing … near Yeonpyeong island close to the disputed Yellow Sea border … no incident nor apparent interference attempt from the North. Source: NIPmail.
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