Breaking Defense – Dean Cheng writes that the Chinese PLA has gone through wide-scale restructuring in recent years, leading to questions as to why and what the effects may be.
French Navy dials up stress level in crew drills after Red Sea experience
Defense News – The French Navy is toughening crew drills to better prepare sailors for the stress of coming under fire, following deployments to the Red Sea where Houthi rebels targeted Western warships and commercial traffic with drones and ballistic missiles.
‘Preparing for war:’ At French naval conference, a grim realism
Breaking Defense – France and its allies need to consider the reality that high-intensity conflict is likely in the near future, top officials said this week.
First US warship visit to Chinese-built port in Cambodia cements new drift for Phnom Penh
Defense News – After a U.S. warship visited the Chinese-built Ream Naval Base on the south coast of Cambodia last week, analysts warn the government here should brace for a response from Beijing.
Taiwan to Construct 10 Light Frigates for Air Defense, Anti-submarine Missions
USNI News – Taipei will construct 10 light frigates for air defense and anti-submarine missions between 2028 and 2040, according to recently released procurement documents.
UK threatens to seize Russia-linked shadow fleet tanker in escalatory move
The Guardian – The UK is threatening to seize a Russia-linked shadow fleet tanker in an escalatory move that could lead to the opening up of a new front against Moscow at a time when the country’s oil revenues are tumbling.
America’s Naval Strategy Is Getting a 21st-Century Update
National Interest – James Holmes writes that Chief of Naval Operations Daryl Caudle’s advice on reforming US Navy doctrine is at once prescient and rooted in age-old wisdom.
General Atomics, Anduril Hint at Concepts for New U.S. Navy Unmanned Combat Aircraft
USNI News – Two aviation companies under contract to develop armed, unmanned aircraft and control systems for the U.S. Navy teased what they are working on this week during the Singapore Air Show.
Ukraine’s ‘Kinetic Sanctions’ Change the Game
RUSI – Kyiv’s unprecedented attack campaign on Russian shadow fleet tankers ups the pressure on sanctions-busting shippers and insurers at a time when Russian oil exports are already under strain.
Norway orders two additional Type 212CD submarines
Baird Maritime – The Norwegian Government has approved the procurement of two additional Type 212CD diesel-electric submarines by the Royal Norwegian Navy. This increases the number of Type 212CD boats planned for the Royal Norwegian Navy from four to a total of six.
(Thanks to Alain)
Narco Sub Seized Near Azores with £520m of Cocaine
Small Wars Journal – Portuguese authorities intercepted a semi-submersible vessel near the Azores carrying nearly nine tons of cocaine valued at about £520 million.
(Thanks to Alain)
Dragonship: China builds a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier while satellites watch
The Space Review – In the fall of 2025, China commissioned its first indigenously-designed and built aircraft carrier, Fujian, named after a Chinese province. The commissioning ceremony was photographed from overhead by Western commercial reconnaissance satellites, but of course China proudly released their own photographs of the ceremony. The conventionally powered aircraft carrier is large and impressive. Although not quite as big as the US Navy’s Nimitz-class or Ford-class carriers, Fujian sports modern equipment, such as electromagnetic catapults and arresting gear.
But even as Fujian was formally entering service after an extended period of sea trials, another large carrier was taking shape in China. It too has been photographed by commercial reconnaissance satellites, and Western amateur analysts have been keeping tabs on the progress, trying to assess its size and capabilities. They soon saw indications that this ship, unlike its predecessors, will be nuclear-powered. Satellites are a primary source of information on China’s latest naval developments.
French warships receive Aliaca VTOL uncrewed aircraft
Defence Blog – France’s defense procurement agency ordered a VTOL version of Airbus’ Aliaca uncrewed aerial system, with deliveries to the French Navy set to begin in May 2026 after qualification. The Aliaca VTOL will expand ship-based surveillance and maritime security missions by removing the need for launch-and-recovery equipment while retaining existing sensors and ground stations.
(Thanks to Alain)
CMSI Note 19: China’s Blue-Water Research Fleet: Science in Service of Strategy
China Maritime Studies Institute – Today, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) owns the world’s largest fleet of blue-water marine scientific research vessels. While their operations are largely concentrated in the Western Pacific, an increasing number are reaching across the globe—from the Indian Ocean to the Arctic, and even the Western Hemisphere.
German Navy ships targeted by sabotage attempt, two port workers arrested
Navy Today – Two port workers have been arrested over the attempted sabotage of German naval vessels docked at the Port of Hamburg, the EU’s Eurojust crime agency revealed.
(Thanks to Alain)
Marine F-35C Downs Iranian Drone Near Carrier Lincoln After Forces Attempt to Seize U.S. Flagged Tanker in Strait of Hormuz
USNI News – A Marine F-35C Lighting II fighter shot down an Iranian military drone that approached a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea,
Dual Use Initiative By China Could Exponentially Increase Its Missile Launch Platforms
Center for Maritime Strategy – While containerized weapons systems have been around for years, it is startling to see pictures of them combined in a way that a small cargo ship can easily be transitioned into a lethal naval vessel. Such a transition can be temporary, allowing a return to commercial service in what is the ultimate example of a dual use vessel that results in superior overall cost economics. That China completely outfitted such a vessel in a public area where pictures would emerge indicates a desire for this capability to be seen.
USS Preble Used HELIOS Laser To Zap Four Drones In Expanding Testing
The War Zone – The U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Preble used its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system to down four drones in a demonstration last year, Lockheed Martin has shared.
U.S. Army Quietly Stands Up Rotational Force in the Philippines
USNI News – The U.S. Army has stood up a rotational force in the Philippines, according to recently released defense media. Army Rotational Force-Philippines, a previously unknown formation, was revealed for the first time Thursday following a meeting last month between the ground service and Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia in Manila.
Electronic warfare and the battle to expose illicit maritime activity
Navy Lookout – In this article, Lee Pilgrim considers the seizure of the sanctioned tanker MV Marinera (formerly MV Bella 1) in the context of signals intelligence and electronic warfare in maritime security. The case illustrates how modern naval operations increasingly rely on control of the electromagnetic spectrum to counter vessels operating in legal and operational grey zones.
HMCS Charlottetown departs on Operation HORIZON and NEON
Ready Aye Ready – Today, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Charlottetown set sail from its home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region in support of Operations HORIZON and NEON. Operation HORIZON is Canada’s comprehensive military approach to promote peace and stability in support of an international system based on international law in the Indo-Pacific region. Operation NEON is Canada’s contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea. Both operations demonstrate an enduring defence commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and enhance Canada’s role as a trusted international partner.
Chinese fishing boats have been making some unusual moves lately in the East China Sea, satellite images and shipping data show
Business Insider – Thousands of Chinese fishing boats sailed into coordinated lines in the East China Sea twice in recent weeks. The vessels could be seen in both shipping data and satellite imagery. The anomalous behavior, experts said, is more likely aligned with activities related to China’s Maritime Militia.
Old Ships, Modern Menace: How to Tackle the World’s Shadow Fleets
RUSI – Shadow fleets sit at the centre of maritime hybrid warfare, economic security and environmental risk. Despite this growing recognition, the West lacks the coherence to confront it.
High-Stakes Competition: South Korea and Germany Vie for Canada’s Multi-Billion Dollar Submarine Contract
Ready Aye Ready – In the frigid depths of international defence procurement, a fierce rivalry has emerged between South Korea and Germany as they compete to supply Canada with a new fleet of submarines. The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) aims to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging Victoria-class submarines, acquired in the 1990s, with up to 12 advanced diesel-electric vessels capable of long-range patrols in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans. This multi-decade initiative, valued at up to 60 trillion South Korean won (approximately $44 billion USD), includes not just the initial procurement—estimated at $20-24 billion—but also 30 years of maintenance, repair, and operations. As of January 2026, with proposals due in March and a decision expected by May or June, both nations are pulling out all the stops, blending cutting-edge technology with promises of economic windfalls for Canada.
New variant of Type 054A frigate in service with PLA Navy, features larger gun, extended flight deck
Global Times – A new variant of the Type 054A guided missile frigate has entered service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, characterized by a main gun of a larger caliber and an extended flight deck to host a new-type anti-submarine helicopter, official Chinese media reported on Monday.
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