War Zone – Ports, other logistics hubs and command and control centers would be heavily targeted in any conflict with China.
Yearly Archives: 2022
Ukraine Symposium – The Attack on the Vasily Bekh and Targeting Logistics Ships
Articles of War – On June 17, Ukrainian forces successfully used a U.S.-supplied Harpoon anti-ship cruise missile to attack and sink a Russian resupply ship that “almost certainly” carried weapons and reinforcements bound for Snake Island in the Black Sea. Two weeks later, on June 30, Russian troops evacuated the small outpost. Moscow had claimed the retreat from Snake Island was a “gesture of goodwill” in advance of recognizing a humanitarian corridor to permit the safe export of grain from Ukraine. But Ukraine said the Russians were forced out as their position on the barren rock had become untenable without logistical support. Ukraine raised its flag on Snake Island on July 4.
Six questions with the head of US Fleet Forces Command
Defense News – Maintenance issues are hindering the East Coast fleet’s readiness, according to Adm. Daryl Caudle, who leads U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
What is a ‘Stand-In Force’? Look at the Marines in Norway, Berger says
Breaking Defense – The concept, published in December, was put to an early test in Europe in the early days of the war in Ukraine.
At War With The Lights Off
USNI Proceedings – As the Ukraine conflict makes plain, the costs of full-scale war can be high and unpredictable. This could reinforce Beijing’s preference for the tactics of insurgency—some of which the United States may need to adopt.
Priti Patel’s plan to end Channel crossings in disarray as navy threatens to ‘walk away’
The Guardian – The Royal Navy is threatening to “walk away” from Boris Johnson and Priti Patel’s plan to stem the number of boats carrying asylum seekers across the Channel as official data shows how spectacularly the policy has backfired.
‘Doomsday’ Submarine Armed With Nuclear Torpedoes Delivers to Russian Navy
USNI News – A Russian Navy submarine armed with a strategic nuclear torpedo the size of a school bus was delivered to the Kremlin this week, according to an announcement from the shipyard.
Beyond the Gulf: U.S. Maritime Security Operations in the Mena Region
CIMSEC – Despite rumors to the contrary, the United States is not interested in disengaging from the Middle East. The Indo-Pacific is the new focal point of U.S. foreign policy, but the Middle East remains essential for U.S. interests. However, current patterns of interaction between the United States and its Middle Eastern partners are tied to routines that were hardened during the Global War on Terror. While these routines have proven difficult to escape and a source of political divergence at times, the reality today is that U.S. priorities are more disparate globally—and U.S. presence in the region should not remain locked within previous formulas.
U.K. Royal Navy Announces Seizure of Iranian Missile Parts with American Assist
USNI News – A U.S. destroyer assisted the U.K. Royal Navy to seize smuggled Iranian weapons in early 2022, the U.K. announced on Thursday.
Taiwan’s First Indigenous LPD Starts Sea Trials
Naval News – Taiwan’s naval shipbuilder China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) started the official sea trials of the country’s first ever indigenous landing platform dock (LPD) named “Yu Shan” (玉山 named after the tallest mountain in Taiwan) on July 6, 2022.
PLA naval activities around Japan intensify amid Tokyo provocation, ‘to become routine’
Global Times – Over the past month, the Japanese Defense Ministry has posted more than a dozen reports on Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval activities around the island country, as the last ship in the PLA Navy task force led by the Type 055 large destroyer Lhasa reportedly returned to the East China Sea on Tuesday, wrapping up its voyage that went round Japan almost entirely. The growing capabilities of the PLA Navy will mean that such activities become routine, and their significance goes beyond just sending Japan warnings amid its right-wing provocations, as the PLA Navy aims to become a blue-water navy that will operate farther in distant waters to safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, experts said on Wednesday.
Russia Seems To Be Preparing The Vital Kerch Bridge For Missile Attacks
War Zone – Deployment of decoy barges and smokescreens implies Russia is preparing for a possible attack on its highly prized Kerch Strait Bridge.
Ukraine Is Turning The Tide Against Russian Navy In Black Sea
Naval News – Russia’s navy is, by any measure, more powerful than Ukraine’s. But the war is not going all their way. At sea, the Russian Navy is finding itself retreating from a large swathe of the Black Sea.
Elusive Narco Drone Submarines Surface In Spain
Covert Shores – Money is a strong motivator. Drug smugglers continue to innovate, finding sensible and often ingenious ways to traffic their narcotics undetected. Spanish police seized three of a new kind of smuggling vessel on July 3 2022.
(Thanks to Alain)
Royal Navy changes course on interim anti-ship missile for a second time
Navy Lookout – The acquisition of anti-ship missiles for the RN took another twist yesterday when it was revealed that the project to procure the weapons has been resurrected after it was cancelled in November 2021.
Submarine B-588 “Ufa” went to factory sea trials
BMPD – It is reported that on June 25, 2022, a large diesel-electric submarine B-588 “Ufa” (factory number 01617) of project 06363, built for the Russian Navy in St. Petersburg at JSC “Admiralty Shipyards” (part of JSC “United Shipbuilding Corporation” – USC) for the first time entered the factory sea trials. This is the fourth of six project 06363 submarines under construction for the Pacific Fleet. (In Russian)
(Thanks to Alain)
New details emerge about the 2020 Bonhomme Richard fire, ahead of censure of three-star
Defense News – The initial response to the July 2020 fire that destroyed the multibillion-dollar amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard was uncoordinated and hampered by confusion as to which admiral should cobble together Navy and civilian firefighters, according to new information from the then-head of Naval Surface Forces.
The Black Sea blockade – can Ukraine resume exports by sea?
Navy Lookout – Before Russia invaded Ukraine it was considered the ‘breadbasket of Europe’ responsible for about 13% of global grain exports. Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea is preventing this grain from reaching markets all over the world causing global food shortages and price hikes. Various politicians have called for naval intervention and here we look at the situation and the options for resolving this crisis.
You Have to Be There
USNI Proceedings – Countering China’s gray-zone tactics starts with a simple but challenging premise: the U.S. Sea Services have to be there.
The Maritime Counterinsurgency Project Begins
USNI Proceedings – Leading strategists examine China’s insurgency in the South China Sea and offer ways for the United States and its allies and partners to push back.
Ukraine Sinks Russian Supply Ship With Harpoon Missile
USNI News – Ukrainian forces used a Harpoon missile to sink a Russian resupply ship headed to Snake Island.
Russia Has Been Driven From Snake Island By Ukraine
War Zone – Following heavy Ukrainian bombardment, Russian forces have now performed a “tactical withdrawal” from the strategic outpost in the Black Sea.
Potential New Stealth Missile Boat Under Construction In Iran
USNI News – A new vessel has been observed under construction in Iran, according to satellite imagery. The unidentified catamaran is characterized by a clean-angled form, appearing stealthier than earlier types, and could be a missile boat.
PLA Navy transport aircraft hold simulated landing on carrier, ‘indicate 3rd carrier to be equipped with cargo planes’
Global Times – The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently held simulation training for transport aircraft to land on aircraft carriers, with military analysts saying on Wednesday that the move indicated that China is now developing fixed-wing transport aircraft and special mission aircraft including early warning aircraft for its third aircraft carrier, thanks to the latter’s electromagnetic catapults.
Wars Studies Primer
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