Defense News – Steps by Lockheed Martin to virtualize its Aegis Combat System are helping underpin the U.S. Navy’s vision for its future integrated combat system as well as the Pentagon’s vision for joint all-domain operations.
Israel’s Submarine Secret: New Dolphin-IIs Could Have VLS
Naval News – The Israeli Navy maintains a high level of secrecy surrounding its submarine capabilities. And the latest boat, the INS Dragon, is more secretive than most. This may be driven by new weapon capabilities, possibly including a vertical launch system.
Nuclear-powered submarines for Australia: what are the options?
The Strategist – The political and strategic ramifications of the AUKUS pact involving the US, UK and Australia continue to reverberate, but the details of how Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) have often been overlooked. There are daunting technical, industrial and financial challenges on the long road to joining that club.
With blade issues resolved, Navy seeking four Ship to Shore Connectors a year
Defense News – The U.S. Navy’s program office for amphibious connectors is confident it can get its Ship to Shore Connector production line up to the desired four-a-year delivery rate in 2022 — despite past technical problems that led to production line slowdowns.
China Maritime Report No. 18: Chinese Special Operations in a Large-Scale Island Landing
China Maritime Studies Institute – PLA special operations forces (SOF) would likely play important supporting roles in an amphibious assault on Taiwan. Their capabilities and training are geared towards several missions undertaken during the preparatory and main assault phases of the landing, including infiltration via special mission craft and helicopter, reconnaissance and targeting, obstacle clearance, strikes and raids, and extraction missions. While PLA SOF have made progress in recent years, several longstanding challenges could affect their performance in an island landing: integrating advanced special mission equipment for complex and dangerous missions, coordinating their operations with non-SOF supporting and supported forces, and overcoming the Chinese military’s penchant for centralized command. Even if PLA SOF are only partially effective, however, their support to the main assault force could diminish Taiwan’s ability to defend itself from a large-scale invasion.
Choosing to make a choice: Canada cautiously steps into the Indo-Pacific
Breaking Defense – Media reports indicate a major Canadian investment in the Indo-Pacific is coming, and it’s not a moment too soon.
Our First Look At Israel’s New Dakar Class Submarine Reveals A Very Peculiar Feature
War Zone – Concept art of the Dakar class reveals an unusually long sail, which may indicate an upgrade to Israel’s second-strike nuclear deterrent.
(Thanks to Alain)
Japan And Australia Strengthen Security Cooperation
Naval News – Since the signing of the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation in 2007, Australia and Japan have grown closer through joint training exercises between the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF). And the Australia-Japan relationship has entered a new chapter in recent years.
The presence of a Spanish military ship in Melilla arouses indignation in Morocco
Bladi.net – A Spanish Navy military ship is currently carrying out a mission in the Melilla region. Its presence in the enclave has not been viewed favourably by Morocco.
(Thanks to Alain)
Russia announces sweeping naval drills amid Ukraine tensions
AP – Russia has announced sweeping naval drills in several parts of the world this month, and claims the West is plotting “provocations” in neighboring Ukraine where the Kremlin has been accused of planning aggressive military action.
Navy wants to lure retired sailors back to service
Irish Examiner – The Naval Service is hoping to get permission to alter its regulations to entice more retired sailors back into the fold on a part-time basis to help alleviate the critical shortage of personnel.
(Thanks to Alain)
New Zealand, Australian Navies Deploy for Tongan Disaster Relief
USNI News – Australia and New Zealand have deployed ships and aircraft for humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano on Saturday.
Top Iranian commander arrives in Pakistan to discuss maritime cooperation
Daily Pakistan – A delegation led by Iranian border police commander Brigadier General Ahmad Ali Goudarzi arrived in Karachi on Wednesday to discuss cooperation on maritime and regional security issues Pakistani officials.
(Thanks to Alain)
More Russian Landing Ships Leave The Baltic Sea Amid Growing Fears Of Invasion Of Ukraine
War Zone – A trio of Russian amphibious warfare vessels has left the Baltic Sea region, a day after three other similar landing ships departed the area. These ships’ final destinations are unknown, but concerns are swirling that these naval movements could be linked to the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
Taiwan Approves Extra $8 Bln Budget For Weapons Procurement
Naval News – On January 11, Taiwan’s parliament approved a special budget for weapons procurement including cruise missiles for sea, shore and air and surface to air missiles.
Taxed Out: The Sacrifice of American Sea Power to the Joint Force
USNI Blog – As 2020 ground to a close, the Air Force’s Deputy Chief of Operations, Lieutenant General Joseph Guastella, made the case for American sea power: “If you want airpower, if you want space power, then you have to be able to defend [it]. . . . What requirement does the Air Force levy upon the Joint Force? I’ll tell you, it’s called protection.” What in the world does the general’s call for protection have to do with sea power? The answer lies in America’s atrophied naval capabilities.
Amphib ship requirements study could spell bad news for Marines, industry
Defense News – A study on amphibious warship requirements that will help inform upcoming budgets is looking less likely to yield the results the U.S. Marine Corps wants.
Marine ACVs Team with Japanese AAVs at Sea in Iron Fist Exercise
USNI News – About 200 soldiers with the JGSDF’s 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment are training with I Marine Expeditionary Force and Amphibious Squadron 5 for the bilateral exercise that began in 2006.
First aid shipments leave for Tonga, amid fears aid workers could bring ‘tsunami of Covid’
The Guardian – Australia and New Zealand dispatch naval vessels carrying material to help provide temporary shelter and clean drinking water after volcanic eruption
Russian Landing Ships Leave Baltic Sea Raising Concerns That Ukraine May Be Their Final Destination
War Zone – Three Russian Navy amphibious warfare ships departed the Baltic Sea, headed toward the Atlantic Ocean, as tensions continue to surround Moscow’s build-up of troops and equipment around its borders with Ukraine. A separate flotilla of three Russian landing ships had previously been the cause of recent alarm in Sweden, which sent additional forces to the island of Gotland, in the Baltic, in response to the increased Russian maritime activity in the region.
Better, Faster, Cheaper, Ship Maintenance—Now!
USNI Proceedings – Augment sailors with predictive maintenance and virtual reality tools.
Navy’s New Shipboard Electronic Warfare System Is Being Shrunk Down For Smaller Ships
War Zone – The new system is capable of making pinpoint electronic attacks but it’s so big that it requires major alterations to a destroyer’s superstructure.
U.S. Navy’s Constellation-Class: New Frigate To Start Construction This Year
Naval News – U.S. Navy program manager of the Constellation-class frigate provided the latest updates on the program, during the Surface Navy Association 2022 National Symposium.
The Seventh Cornerstone of Naval Operations
Marine Corps Gazette – James Holmes reminds us that the home team has the advantage
Unseenlabs Launches Fifth Maritime Surveillance Satellite
Naval News – Unseenlabs, the European leader in satellite-based radio frequency (RF) geolocation of ships at sea, has successfully deployed BRO-5, the fifth satellite in its fleet.
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