May 29, 201214 yr Author After the long weekend, there's lots of naval-related news to update. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 22 May USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Africa Partnership Station 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT arrives at Walvis Bay (Namibia) for a two-day port visit … the first US Navy vessel port-of-call here since 1999. 23 May PIRACY – Source: IMO Update Bab el Mandeb: Three skiffs with probable pirates on board (weapons sighted) approach merchant vessel in the Bab el Mandeb strait … ship manages to avoid being hijacked. (rmks: As usual, no pirates were injured in the reporting of this story) USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) LPD 18 NEW ORLEANS arrives in Hong Kong (China) for a port scheduled visit (rmks: part of MAKIN ISLAND Amphibious Ready Group, on return transit from Middle East deployment to home port San Diego). 24 May AUSTRALIA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Frigate BALLARAT completes a 5-day visit to Shanghai (China) with a “Passex” with Chinese frigate ANQING. BALLARAT now heading for South Korea for first ever joint naval exercises … starting on 27 May off Jeju Island with 10 warships participating … focus on ASW. CHINA – Source: NIPmail Chinese navy training vessel ZHENGHE ends two-day visit to Djibouti to continue around-the-world trip … next stop Taranto (Italy). INDIA (RUSSIA) – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Second TALWAR-mod class frigate, TARKASH, departs Russian Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) for a first round of sea trials. NORWAY – Source: NIPmail The Norwegian government likely will decide the future of its submarine force by 2015 or 2016, when it will either buy new vessels or conduct a second upgrade of the ULA class boats. PORTUGAL – Source: NIPmail Submarine TRIDENTE sails from Lisbon for Norfolk (USA) … to participate in multi-national exercise “War of 1812 – Fleetex” (19-29 Jun) … first ever Atlantic crossing of a Portuguese submarine. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ GEPARD class frigate DAGESTAN has conducted live missile firing (new Kalibr-NK system) during “first stage of sea trials” in the Black Sea … crew is preparing the warship to move to the Caspian Sea for the final stage of the trials. +++ The Russian navy reportedly plans to order a second Project 11711 IVAN GREN class landing ship … only afterwards decide on series production of more. (rmks: Hard to tell if this is legit or the vodka version of the story) USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) +++ SAFE Boats is to build a new class of patrol boats for the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) … intial batch of five 85-ft Mark VI patrol boat with option for another six (ultimately 48 planned) … supplanting and replacing existing craft such as the 68-foot Mark IV and 34-foot SEA ARK patrol boats. +++ Final keel section of CVN 78 GERALD R. FORD lowered into place at Huntington Ingalls - Newport News … ship now more than 75 percent structurally complete … on schedule to launch in 2013 and delivery in 2015. 25 May AZERBEIDJAN – IRAN – Source: NIPmail According to Azeri media, six Iranian navy warships conducted exercises “very close to the Azeri sea borders” … “as if demonstrating a real threat”. (rmks: amid more recent reports on “deteriorating relations”) CANADA – Source: NIPmail Irving Shipbuilding has launched the first of up to 12 new Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels (MSPVs) for the Canadian coast guard. (rmks: Look for add’s to the DB soon (hopefully)) RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail Even though MoD and United Shipbuilding Corporation failed again to agree final terms for five new BOREJ class (Project 955) strategic nuclear submarines, (rmks: preliminary) contracts reportedly signed … more negotiations on final price for the BOREJ boats by 2015. THAILAND (USA) – Source: NIPmail CARAT 2012: Closing ceremony at Sattahip for Thailand phase of this year’s CARAT series. USA – Source: NIPmail Two days after dock landing ship NEW ORLEANS, amphibious assault ship MAKIN ISLAND also berths at Hong Kong (China) for a scheduled visit. (rmks: MAKIN ISLAND Amphibious Ready Group on return transit from Middle East deployment to home port San Diego) 26 May SYRIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Cargo vessel PROFESSOR KATSMAN (owned by a Maltese firm, which itself is owned by a Cypriot company that is owned by Russian firm) reportedly about to arrive at Tartus (Syria) with a major weapons load for the government. (rmks: until now, there is no internationally binding, i.e. UN-declared arms embargo on Syria and the Russkies have never been known to quibble about selling their wares to tinpot dictators in MENA) +++ A Venezuelan oil tanker is returning to Venezuela from Syria with a cargo of naphtha, after delivering badly needed diesel, as Western sanctions have caused shortages. (rmks: Ditto the above for Chavez) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail RFA ARGUS (helicopter/hospital ship) has sailed for the Caribbean for exercises and standby-duty for disaster relief in the upcoming hurricane season. 27 May NIGERIA – Source: NIPmail The Nigerian Navy has successfully completed construction of a locally made vessel, the first of its kind in the West African subregion … the “31-m Seaward Defence Boat” will be commissioned 01 Jun, when also construction of second boat is to start. PIRACY – Source: IMO Update At its latest meeting in London, the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has agreed to an “Interim Guidance” to private maritime security companies … covering professional certification, procedures, selection & training of personnel, deployment, management of arms and ammunition. (rmks: Its about bloddy time. Now authorize the issuance of letters of marque) 28 May AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Patrol boat ARARAT intercepts a suspected asylum seeker boat carrying 88 people north-west of Christmas Island. +++ Police in Sri Lanka have arrested 113 people about to sail for attempting to migrate illegally to Australia. IRAN (sanctions) – Source: NIPmail United Arab Emirates; A pipeline being built by the UAE to pump most of its oil exports from east coast terminals bypassing the Iran-threatened Strait of Hormuz, will become operational in June. ITALY – Source: NIPmail The Italian navy completes annual two-week MCM exercise “Italian Minex 12” … in the Tyrrhenian Sea … NATO SNMCMG2 participating. PAKISTAN – Source: NIPmail Chinese-built, newly commissioned fast missile craft AZMAT arrives Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a scheduled visit on her transit voyage from China to Pakistan. PIRACY – Source: IMO Update +++ Somalia: Police in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland arrested 11 pirates and among them a leading figure. (rmks: By the time your reading this, he probably will have already been released) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Japanese destroyers IKAZUCHI and SAWAGIRI visit Colombo (Sri Lanka) for a last logistic stop enroute the Gulf of Aden … will relieve destroyers MURASAME and HARUSAME, on duty since end of February. (rmks: And the cockaroaches (excuse me, the pirates will quake in fear … not) RUSSIA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Zvezdochka repair shipyard “this year” will complete upgrades/repairs of submarines VERKHOTURYE and NOVOMOSKOVSK (both DELTA-IV) as well as KILO-class submarine KALUGA … KALUGA refloated on 26 May. SOUTH KOREA – AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Both navies begin two-day anti-submarine warfare exercise “Haidoli Wallaby” … off Jeju island … participants include Australian frigate BALLARAT and up to ten ROK Navy vessels, among them destroyer SEJONG DAEWAN. (rmks: part of BALLARAT’s four month deployment through Southeast and East Asia) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA - USA - NORWAY - USA (Aug) – Source: NIPmail Navies of Russia, USA and Norway will hold maritime interdiction operations and search and rescue exercise “Northern Eagle 2012” in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea in August … involve Russian destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, a US Navy ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyer and Norwegian coast guard ship NORDKAPP as well as naval aircraft and helicopters. (rmks: previous “Northern Eagle” held in 2004, 2006, and 2008).
May 30, 201214 yr Author Some interesting stuff bubbling-up out there today. Enjoy the updates! Summary to follow ... 26 May USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship MERCY ends port visit to Guam, now heading for Indonesia for her first mission of PP12. USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Aircraft carrier GEORGE WASHINGTON, together with ships of its Carrier Strike Group, departs homeport Yokosuka (Japan) to begin its 2012 patrol. 28 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail Deep sea research ship XIANGYANGGHONG 09, with embarked manned submersible JIAOLONG, set out from Qingdao for attempt at Mariana Trench 7,000-meter dive. JAPAN – Source: NIPmail Japanese navy training squadron (KASHIMA, SHIMAYUKU, MATSUYUKI) arrives at Subic Bay, Manila (Philippines) for a scheduled visit until 01 Jun. 29 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail Photos suggest another (overall fourth?) TYPE 056 corvette under construction at Huangpu shipyard. (rmks: Another update to the HUCE DB) COLOMBIA – Source: NIPmail Colombian authorities impounded a homemade semi-submersible sea craft capable of transporting up to 5t of drugs … designed to be unmanned and be quietly tugged by another vessel or vessels to its destination … found alongside a go-fast boat capable of carrying another 10t of drugs … just outside Pacific port of Buenaventura. IRAN – Source: NIPmail Iran has completed 4-year domestic overhaul and mid-life upgrade and re-launched KILO-class submarine TAREGH (acquired from Russia in 1992) … all systems repaired with locally-made replacements. (rmks: It will be interesting to see how successful they were on the refit. It will gauge their ability to build something larger than a mini-sub) NORWAY (NATO) – Source: NIPmail (New) NATO ASW exercise “Dynamic Mongoose 12” starts off the south-western Norwegian coast … until 06 Jun … 4 submarines (GER, NDL, NOR), 4 surface ships (FRA, GER, OTC in Norwegian frigate FRITJOF NANSEN) and 11 aircraft . RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Search and rescue vessel IGOR BELOUSOV, under construction at Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg (since 2005), will be equipped with two ARS-600 two-seat submersibles, designed to perform an array of functions, including search, rescue and salvage of submarines in distress. +++ Navy spokesman: “Strategic missile submarines of a new generation (BOREJ class) will join the Pacific Fleet in 2014 … the Northern Fleet in 2012”. (rmks: Obviously the reporter had a rough night of medicinal vodka use before writing the story. Hey its easy to hit the 2-key instead of the 4-key. Earlier plans saw BOREJ first-of-class YURI DOLGORUKIY to join Pacific Fleet in 2012) +++ Black Sea Fleet NANUCHKA (MIRAZH, SHTIL) and TARANTUL (IVANOVETS, R-239) missile boats conduct live missile firing exercise. SOMALIA – Source: NIPmail Al-Qaeda linked al-Shabaab insurgents claim to have fired artillery and anti-aircraft guns at two foreign warships that came in close to the key rebel port of Kismayo … “forcing them to withdraw at speed”. (rmks: NATO nor EU NavFor confirm incident. If it happened, ships were probably on a recce mission (hopefully to apply a dose of raid in the form of a naval gunfire mission). As usual, no pirate were harmed in reporting this story) SYRIA¬ – Source: NIPmail Local Press RUMINT: Russian arms ship PROFESSOR KATSMAN did not unload weapons shipment at Tartus (Syria) but “quietly slipped out of the port”. (rmks: I wonder if the Russkies decided not to supply Assad, for fear of getting political egg on their collective face) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail TRAFALGAR class submarine TIRELESS has returned to sea after completing an 18-month refit … sister boat TRENCHANT has begun similar yard period. USA – Source Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) +++ Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers confident fire-damaged submarine MIAMI can be repaired, but the Navy says it'll be “several weeks” before there's any word. +++ Amphibious assault ship MAKIN ISLAND completes visit to Hong Kong, continues transit for home port San Diego. USA (INDONESIA) CARAT 2012: Frigate VANDEGRIFT moors at the Port of Surabaya (Indonesia) marking the beginning of the Indonesian phase of CARAT 2012. 30 May RUSSIA Zelenodolsk (Gorky) starts construction of new major (“1st rank”, 3,000t) patrol ship OKEAN, built for Border Guard Service to replace KRIVAK-III and IVAN SUSANIN class ships … in Northwest Pacific and Arctic / near Arctic waters. (rmks: Likely to be part of the Russkies Arctic force)
May 31, 201214 yr Author Ah, another Thursday is upon us. Som good news items out there today. Enjoy the NNSotD! Summary to follow ... 25 May USA (PERU) – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Southern Seas 2012: At Callao (Peru) frigate UNDERWOOD completes exercise “UNITAS Pacific” (with warships from Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru) … immediately afterwards opening ceremony for bilateral three-day “Silent Forces Exercise 2012” … focus on US and Peruvian surface and air asset training with the Peruvian submarine fleet. 30 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail Taiwanese media report on development / begun construction of Project 081 helicopter carrier (LHD) … claim 22,000ts (211m) ship “inspired by French MISTRAL class” … flight deck holding eight helicopters; LCAC in well deck … could be launched as early as 2014. (rmks: It looks like the ChiComs are moving forward with a program that dates back to 2007. The concept appears similar to the US Navy LHD with an island that bears a close resemblance to that of the Varyag) FRANCE – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE and ships of her carrier strike group (FORBIN. MONTCALM, JEAN BART, SURCOUF, COURBET, MEUSE) sail from Toulon for six-week operational training period PEAN 12.1 … with visits com exercises (with local armed forces) to Cartagena (Spain) and Rabat (Morocco) … when back in the Mediterranean will join the US Navy’s EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group for further exercises. MALTA – Source: NIPmail 65 irregular migrants (most from Eritrea) rescued, as they were taking in water on board the rubber dinghy they were travelling on … located by Italian coast guard vessel SAETTIA some 74nm south of Malta, then picked up by Maltese patrol boat. PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ General: Due to the arrival of the South-West monsoon between May and September, sea conditions in the region are expected to become generally unfavorable for small boats such as skiffs. (rmks: However, the cockroaches (excuse me the pirates) will likely continue to operate closer to shore and at the anchorages where security remains woefully inadequate) +++ India: An Indian court granted bail to two Italian marines accused of fatally shooting two Indian fishermen they mistook for pirates. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Selected air units of the Western military district will return to abandoned Arctic airfields on Novaya Zemlya and in Naryan-Mar … extensively used in the Soviet era, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 generally mothballed. (rmks: This helps to illustrate the importance of the Arctic region in the coming years) +++ Severnaya shipyard (St. Petersburg) floated out fourth Project 20380 (STEREGUSHCHIY class) corvette STOYKIY … expected to join the Baltic Fleet in Nov 2013. (rmks: Mozeltov! Another HUCE DB add) +++ President Putin has tasked the MoD with developing a new “Plan for the Development of the Armed Forces” … by Dec 2016. (rmks: As usual the vodka version will be the most interesting one to read) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail +++ Support ship FORT ROSALIE has docked in Havana (Cuba) … mark the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Havana. +++ Portsmouth-based mine hunter ATHERSTONE sails for a three-year deployment to the Gulf region. USA - Source: NIPmail Third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV-3) will be named MILLINOCKET. (rmks: Named for a small hamlet in the state of Maine and has absolutely nothing to do with hand-held weaponry the other members of the class were named for)
May 31, 201214 yr +++ President Putin has tasked the MoD with developing a new “Plan for the Development of the Armed Forces” … by Dec 2016. (rmks: As usual the vodka version will be the most interesting one to read) I like it . Now if we can get back to writing some WWIII books instead of spy books or the recent tempting spy + skirmish books I'll really be happy. Got that Clancy, Bond, ...?
June 1, 201214 yr Author Is everyon ready for weekend liberty??? Here's your daily NNSotD. See y'all on Monday. Summary to follow ... 29 May INDIA – Source: NIPmail Destroyer RANA and frigate SHIVALIK arrive at Busan (South Korea) for a visit and subsequent (02 Jun) short exercise with the ROK Navy … on two-month Asian goodwill tour … next stop Japan. (rmks: Something for the ‘And Now For Something Completely Different’ file. Who’da thunk?) 31 May AUSTRALIA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Frigate BALLARAT arrives in Kure (Japan) … final stop in Asian deployment … will conduct bilateral exercise “Nichi Gou Trident 2012” from 4–6 Jun … with Japanese destroyer SHIMAKAZE, a Japanese submarine, and an Australian P3-C Orion. FRANCE – Source: NIPmail Helicopter carrier TONNERRE returns to Toulon, ending a three-month deployment to West Africa, for Operation “Corymbe.” INDIA¬ – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Vice Admiral Satish Soni takes over as Commander Southern Naval Command in Kochi. (rmks: First Indian bubblehead, in that posting) NIGERIA – Source: NIPmail President Goodluck Jonathan personally commissioned first indigenously-built patrol boat into the Nigerian navy … 31m Seaward Defence Boat named ANDONI … construction started in Dec 2007, but had been temporarily suspended due to lack of funds. (rmks: Better later than never) PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail Commander Philippine fleet: need more larger warships to enhance capabilities for effectively protecting sea borders and economic zones. (rmks: They have some pretty big hopes, dreams and aspirations) PIRACY – Source: IMO update Anti-Piracy Forces: Turkish frigate GEMLIK sails from Aksaz for the Gulf of Aden … six-month deployment in support of multinational CTF-151 … Turkish navy to take command of CTF-151 from Sep - Dec. (rmks: The cockroaches (excuse me pirates) quake in fear … not. As usual, no pirates were injured reporting this story) POLAND (multinational) – Source: NIPmail Annual exercise “Baltops” kicks off In Gdynia … until 16 Jun … over 20 surface ships and some 20 aircraft from NATO and PfP navies (incl. Russian Baltic Fleet landing ship KALININGRAD) … variety of training missions, including anti-submarine warfare, sea rescue and counter-terrorism. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail Black Sea Fleet destroyer SMETLIVIY and tanker IMAN have completed Mediterranean deployment (patrols off Syria) and returned to home port Sevastopol. SOMALIA – Source: NIPmail Update: Kenyan navy spokesman confirms that warships which on 29 May had fired at al-Shabaab positions near Kismayo were Kenyan navy vessels … not EU NavFor / NATO as al-Shabaab had claimed. (rmks: Six of one, a half dozen of another. Its obviously a slow news day in the SSA region) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail +++ Update: Besides mine hunter HMS ATHERSTONE (from Portsmouth), also mine hunter HMS SHOREHAM has sailed (from Clyde), for a three-year deployment to the Gulf region with an estimated six-week transit time. (rmks: This is more than an effort to temporarily beef-up regional MCM capabilities. Three-years is lengthy commitment) +++ New QUEEN ELIZABETH class aircraft carriers will require special coating of flight deck to protect against F-35B engine heat. (rmks: More cost overruns. Don’t ya’ just love procurements) USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) +++ After conducting a “special trial” for LCS-1 FREEDOM, the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) has found the ship “fit for service and on an appropriate readiness glide slope" … some deficiencies remain but are fixable and would not prevent her from deployment next spring. +++ The US Navy awards Huntington Ingalls a $2.38 billion contract for the design and construction of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship TRIPOLI (LHA-7). (rmks: Second ship of the new LHA-6 AMERICA class. Praise God, it will have a well deck) +++ A T-45C navy training jet crashed on remote South Texas ranchland … both occupants ejected safely. 01 June USA Frigate CURTS sails from San Diego for her final deployment … spend six-months in 4th Fleet area (anti-drugs operation) … scheduled for decommissioning in 2013.
June 5, 201214 yr Author Tuesday is upon us! Here is your global navy news to generate thought on interesting scenarios. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 29 May INDIA – Source: NIPmail Vice Admiral Pradeep K Chatterjee takes over as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) at the Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy) …the first ever submariner to hold this post. 30 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail Chinese navy training vessel ZHENGHE arrives at Taranto (Italy) for a scheduled five-day port visit … on round-the-world trip. 01 June CHINA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier ex-VARAYG has completed 7th phase of sea trials. Still no word on any aircraft/helicopter operations. (rmks: Likely another family day cruise, as a ChiCom aircraft carrier possess absolutely no threat) PIRACY – Source: IMO update (No pirates were harmed in reporting this news) +++ Nigeria: Pirates attacked a Greek-owned oil tanker anchoring off Lagos but abandoned plans to hijack the ship when the crew locked itself up in a safe room and called for help. (rmks: Anybody else wonder why we have “anti-piracy patrols” when this type of stuff still goes on?) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Netherlands submarine DOLFIJN returns to Den Helder, ending a several-month deployment in support of NATO’s operation “Ocean Shield.” (rmks: and the pirates breath a sigh of relief … not!) RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ During a ceremony at Kronshtadt (Baltic Sea), project 90600 tugs RB-20 and RB-27 formally joined the Russian navy … to be based at Lomonosov. +++ Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) has moved new research ship YANTAR (Project 22010) from building hall to slipway … preparing it for launch in August … delivery in 2013 … lead ship of new class. TURKEY – Source: NIPmail The Turkish navy has taken delivery of landing ship C155 … fifth in a series of eight. (rmks: Man, these guys are really cranking-out these things) USA – Source: NIPmail +++ Dock landing ship PONCE, refitted as MCM command ship and floating base for helicopters and patrol boats, sails from Norfolk for the Persian Gulf. +++ Pacific Partnership 2012: An opening ceremony held on board hospital ship MERCY ’in Manado (Indonesia) highlights the start of PP12 mission in Indonesia. 02 June AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Patrol boat ARARAT intercepts boat with 87 suspected illegal migrants northwest of Christmas Island. CHINA – Source: NIPmail Hunagpu at Guangzhou has launched its first (overall second) Project 056 corvette … hull number/name reported (not yet visible) as 596 HUIZHOU … reportedly regarded as lead ship. Hull numbers for other boats said to be 597, 598, 599 … (rmks: More DB update fodder) PIRACY – Source: IMO update (No pirates were harmed in reporting this news) General: Mauritius has said it will receive and try suspected pirates captured by British forces patrolling the Indian Ocean under an agreement with the UK. (rmks: Read that – the cockroaches will be back on the street in no time, plying their trade) USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) +++ SecDef Panetta reaffirms new strategic focus on Asia … by 2020, the Navy will re-posture its forces from today's roughly 50/50 per cent split between the Pacific and the Atlantic to about a 60/40 split between those oceans. +++ VIRGINIA class submarine MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782) commissioned during a ceremony in Pascagoula (Miss.) 03 June PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail Philippine navy and navy reserve start exercise “Pagsamama” … east of Mindanao (rmks: not in contested waters in the South China Sea) … focused on maritime security operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Black Sea Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ship sails from Sevastopol for Messina (Italy) to participate in ceremony remembering 1908-earthquake. +++ “Industry” official: BOREJ class submarines YURI DOLGORUKIY and ALEXANDER NEVSKIY to be commissioned “with Bulava” this year; third boat VLADIMIR MONOMAKH to be launched in 2013 (rmks: yeah, right); construction of three more boats begun. USA – SINGAPORE – Source: NIPmail Singapore has agreed “in-principle” to allow the US Navy basing up to four littoral combat ships on a rotational basis. 03 June USA (VIETNAM) – Source: NIPmail SecDef Panetta visits Cam Ranh Bay (Vietnam) … with T-AKE 4 RICHARD E. BYRD currently berthed there. Visit fuels speculations on possible US Navy plans to use Cam Ranh Bay in expanded Asia presence. 04 June AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail An investigation has uncovered evidence that some experienced people smugglers came to Australia by boat, won refugee status and were released from detention to cities across Australia … to set up lucrative people-smuggling deals from inside Australia. CANADA – Source: NIPmail The Royal Canadian Navy is exploring options for unmanned surface vehicles (USV) … “in the not-too-distant future” FRANCE – Source: NIPmail Aviso CDT L’ HERMINIER has taken over West African naval presence “Mission Corymbe” … arrives at Tema (Ghana) for 4-day stop. INDIA – Source: NIPmail TARKASH (F46), second of three Project 11356 TALWAR-mod class frigates built by Russian Yantar (Kaliningrad), has begun sea trials in the Eastern Baltic. NETHERLANDS – Source: NIPmail Frigate TROMP arrives at Willemstad (Caribbean) to take over duties as Caribbean Station Ship.
July 19, 201214 yr Author I hoping this is more than just a teaser. Lord willing (and the creek don't rise) - on Monday, I will restart NNSotD! Watch for it.
July 19, 201214 yr NETHERLANDS – Source: NIPmailFrigate TROMP arrives at Willemstad (Caribbean) to take over duties as Caribbean Station Ship. We must think in the Dutch Caribbean Station ships for Caribbean scenarios, but I've never finded a relation of those ships ...
July 20, 201214 yr Author The Dutch Caribbean Station is similar to France's posting of ships to their few remaining far-flung holdings. Your right, these wee little spots can be to basis for some interesting situations. Stay tuned for some BRICS action in the near future! The first two scenarios are done. When I get two more ready, I'll post the set. (or show I send what I have done now - what says the forum).
July 20, 201214 yr When I get two more ready, I'll post the set. (or show I send what I have done now - what says the forum). I'd post them as you go. That way, people are hankering for more! (Also, any adjustments or changes are easier to make in scenarios still in progress).
July 23, 201214 yr Author Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum (http://www.marineforum.info/html/daily_news.html), with additional information from Naval Today (http://navaltoday.com/) and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog (http://nosint.blogspot.com/). The commentary is my own. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 20 July INDIA The Indian coast guard commissions pollution control vessel SAMUDRA PAHEREDAR, the second of the series of three 4,300-tons (95m) ships built by M/s ABG Shipyard … will be based at Visakhapatnam. (rmks: The Saryu class is also being manufactured for export to Sri Lanka and they are currently being fabricated at Goa Shipyard) IRAN (related) About half of the 290 members of Iran’s parliament reportedly backing a bill favoring the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Traders who buy crude for European refineries say they are getting daily calls from obscure private companies offering Iranian crude, sometimes accompanied by the promise of fake paperwork to disguise it as oil from a different origin. China will continue as Iran's top oil buyer … load full contracted volumes of Iranian oil in July … At about 520,000 barrels per day (bpd), China would account for around half of Iran's total July exports. (rmks: Me thinks something may be about to happen) RUSSIA Ships of Northern Fleet, Baltic Fleet and Black Sea Fleet are to rendezvous in the Mediterranean “in early August” for exercises … also in the Black Sea. (rmks: This is very interesting. I think the last time this occurred was during the bad old days of the Cold War) UNITED KINGDOM US Lockheed Martin has delivered a first F35-B Lightning II STOVL aircraft to the UK … to be tested by both Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. (rmks: It will be interesting to see if it can actually fly after all the money that has been dumped into the program) 21 July AUSTRALIA +++ A boat carrying 144 suspected asylum seekers has been intercepted by patrol boat GLENELG and ACV TRITON northeast of Christmas Island after it sought assistance. +++ (INDONESIA) The Indonesian navy has begun deploying ships to the country's southern waters in efforts to stem the flow of asylum seekers to Australia. INDIA During a ceremony at Mazagon Dockyards, Mumbai, the Indian navy commissions its third SHIVALIK class frigate, INS SAHYADRI. (rmks: The milestone is several years behind schedule for the program, thus showing the condition of India naval shipbuilding infrastructure) SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) A Sri Lanka navy patrol boat intercepted another trawler illegally headed for Australia with 53 persons onboard. (rmks: Man, that would be a long haul) SYRIA (related) Russian “sources” claim arms ship ALAED has offloaded three Syrian Mi-25 Hind combat helicopters at the Baltic Fleet main naval base Baltiysk … postponing delivery until “after the situation in the country stabilizes” UNITED KINGDOM A “plan” preferred by Lib Dem coalition partner reportedly would see nuclear warheads fired from existing ASTUTE submarines, eliminating the need to replace the VANGUARD class nuclear boats. (rmks: Troubles on the horizon forecasted with the RN SSBN Successor program. Don't these guys know that would be a violation of one of the previous Start treaties? Back in the late-80's we signed a treaty removing all of our sub-launched tac nukes from the inventory. The Russkies are going to scream like stuck pigs over this one, if if comes to pass) 22 July CHINA China plans to establish a military garrison in the disputed Sansha islands in the South China Sea … giving Sansha a “city” status. (rmks: Hopefully their navigation skills will improve around this rock) IRAN (related) A senior Iranian legislator voiced Iran's preparedness to provide insurance cover for all foreign ships and oil tankers carrying Iranian crude oil. Saudi Arabia has deployed more troops in its eastern province and cancelled some military leave. (rmks: Leave cancellations is never a good sign) SYRIA (related) A British Royal Navy task force with helicopter carrier ILLUSTRIOUS and dock landing ship BULWARK, reportedly preparing contingency plans for a mass evacuation of British citizens from Syria and neighboring countries … task force has been scheduled (for some time) for large scale exercises in the Mediterranean (with amphibious landings in Sardinia, Albania and Turkey) … in October … together with French CHARLES DE GAULLE aircraft carrier group. (rmks: This will likely occur after the Olympics, as the RNs dwendling naval air assets are being tasked with providing security for the summer games) USA Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN has completed her visit to Antalya (Turkey) and resumed transit back to the US. (rmks: That would be an interesting liberty port) 23 July AUSTRALIA Patrol boat BROOM intercepts a vessel carrying 123 people off Christmas Island … another boat carrying 36 people found near the Cocos Islands … more than 1200 people have arrived on boats so far this month. PIRACY (aka, the funnies) Anti-Piracy Forces: Chinese navy 11th and 12th anti-piracy task groups have completed handover in the Gulf of Aden … 11th group departing operations area and “embark on a goodwill visit” (rmks: The pirates breathe a sigh of relief (not). No pirates were injured in reporting this piece of news – drat)
July 23, 201214 yr UNITED KINGDOMA “plan” preferred by Lib Dem coalition partner reportedly would see nuclear warheads fired from existing ASTUTE submarines, eliminating the need to replace the VANGUARD class nuclear boats. (rmks: Troubles on the horizon forecasted with the RN SSBN Successor program. Don't these guys know that would be a violation of one of the previous Start treaties? Back in the late-80's we signed a treaty removing all of our sub-launched tac nukes from the inventory. The Russkies are going to scream like stuck pigs over this one, if if comes to pass) Good comment
July 23, 201214 yr UNITED KINGDOMA “plan” preferred by Lib Dem coalition partner reportedly would see nuclear warheads fired from existing ASTUTE submarines, eliminating the need to replace the VANGUARD class nuclear boats. (rmks: Troubles on the horizon forecasted with the RN SSBN Successor program. Don't these guys know that would be a violation of one of the previous Start treaties? Back in the late-80's we signed a treaty removing all of our sub-launched tac nukes from the inventory. The Russkies are going to scream like stuck pigs over this one, if if comes to pass) Good comment START I is no longer valid. The only functioning treaty is New START, which the UK hasn't signed. Also, the warheads on the Tridents are of British design and the tac nuke removal wasn't via treaty, it was unilateral by the US, then followed by the Russians.
July 23, 201214 yr UNITED KINGDOMA “plan” preferred by Lib Dem coalition partner reportedly would see nuclear warheads fired from existing ASTUTE submarines, eliminating the need to replace the VANGUARD class nuclear boats. (rmks: Troubles on the horizon forecasted with the RN SSBN Successor program. Don't these guys know that would be a violation of one of the previous Start treaties? Back in the late-80's we signed a treaty removing all of our sub-launched tac nukes from the inventory. The Russkies are going to scream like stuck pigs over this one, if if comes to pass) Good comment START I is no longer valid. The only functioning treaty is New START, which the UK hasn't signed. Also, the warheads on the Tridents are of British design and the tac nuke removal wasn't via treaty, it was unilateral by the US, then followed by the Russians. Better comment!
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