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Australian Strategic Policy Institute – Bill Sweetman on the most spectacular debutant, making its maiden flight on December 26 was from Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group: a stealth combat aircraft that various anonymous commenters on the Chinese internet identify as the J-36. It is the largest combat aircraft designed and developed in China, and the second-largest to fly anywhere in 35 years.
Navy Lookout – In this article we look back at a difficult year for the RN, summarising the key events, achievements and issues for the Naval Service in 2024.
The War Zone – North Korea’s new warship design has emerged and it appears to be the largest the country has yet constructed. The vessel, which looks to be around the size of a typical modern frigate, or at the least a very large corvette, also appears to be designed to accommodate a vertical launch system (VLS) for missiles and a phased-array radar — two advanced items not previously seen on a North Korean design.
The ten most significant naval news stories / trends / themes this year included:
Instead we have repeatedly seen over the last decade:
Are these the actions of a country that is serious about countering the Chinese Navy? The time to act is growing very, very short…
The War Zone – A homegrown airborne early warning and control jet based on the Y-20 cargo aircraft is a big enhancement for China’s current fleet dominated by turboprops.
Naval News – Chinese shipyard Hudong-Zhonghua today, December 27, conducted a launch ceremony for the innovative new Type 076 amphibious carrier, at its facilities on Changxing Island in Shanghai. The event marks a major milestone in a project drawing significant international attention. According to officials statements the new ship will receive the hull number 51 and the name “Sichuan”, after the eponymous province in southwestern China.
Royal Aeronautical Society – On Boxing Day 26 December 2024, pictures and video emerged of a new Chinese stealth aircraft, featuring a unique configuration of three engines, diamond planform and no tail. Veteran aviation journalist and stealth expert BILL SWEETMAN assesses what we know so far.
USNI News – Finnish authorities seized the Russian oil tanker Eagle S after the country’s police opened a criminal investigation into the vessel’s possible involvement in another cutting of undersea power and communications cables in the Baltic Sea on Christmas Day.
LloydsList – Eagle S, the Russia-linked tanker suspected of damaging an underwater electricity cable on Christmas Day, was kitted out with special transmitting and receiving devices that were used to monitor naval activity, according to a source with direct involvement in the ship, which has since been detained by Finnish police.
BBC – Nato has said it will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea, and Estonia has sent a patrol ship to protect its Estlink1 undersea power cable, after Russia was accused of sabotaging its main power link in the Gulf of Finland.
The Diplomat – While maritime militia forces are not playing a major role in China’s multi-pronged pressure campaign against Taiwan, they are not completely absent from the battlespace.
The Tribune – INS Tushil, the latest multi-role warship of the Indian Navy, that was commissioned on December 9 at Kaliningrad, Russia, has been tasked to an operational deployment on its journey to India.
(Thanks to Alain)
NDTV – The Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) created history by delivering two indigenously built, modern Capital Warships ‘Nilgiri’ and ‘Surat’ to the Indian Navy, officials said in Mumbai on Friday.
(Thanks to Alain)
China Military Online – The US littoral combat ship USS Savannah(LCS-28) docked at the port of Sihanoukville in Cambodia on Monday. According to AFP, the US warship docked at a dock kilometers away from a Chinese-renovated naval base, marking the first American military port call to one of Beijing’s closest regional allies in eight years.
(Thanks to Alain)
The War Zone – Ukrainian intel claims the cargo ship was headed to Syria to take Russian materiel out of the country, but Moscow says otherwise.
China Maritime Studies Institute – The construction of the Type 052C guided missile destroyer took a long time, and it was experimental in the sense of “taking small steps for rapid progress” (xiao bu kuai pao). In fact, it was also the engineering prototype of the standard fleet destroyer Type 052D. The first and second Type 052C ships were launched in April and October 2003, respectively. They were the most advanced guided missile destroyers of the PLAN at that time, but the subsequent four ships of the same type were launched in October 2010, July 2011, and January and July 2012, respectively.
The War Zone – The friendly fire incident also came amid a sustained Houthi drone and missile attack targeting the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.
National Interest – James Holmes reflects on the US Navy’s big debate: stick with massive ships or embrace a fleet of smaller, nimbler vessels for the future fight.
Navy News – On 7 December, the Marina Militare has received the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Trieste (L 9890) from Fincantieri. This new generation vessel is one of the most advanced ship dedicated to amphibious warfare, worldwide.
RUSI – This Whitehall Report examines the ways in which the Royal Netherlands Navy can optimise its force structure and planning to meet its obligations under a scenario in which Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty is invoked.
Naval News – At Vietnam’s second ever international defence exhibition –VIDEX 2024, held at Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi from 19-22 December 2024 – the country’s most prominent defence company Viettel showed off its new VCS-01 Truong Son coastal defence missile system now operational with the Vietnam People’s Navy.
BBC – Two Somali fishermen wearing big scarves over their heads to hide their faces glance around furtively as they walk into the room for a secret meeting to tell me why they have recently decided to become gun-wielding pirates – in search of million-dollar ransoms.
BBC – An American fighter jet has been shot down over the Red Sea in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, the US military has said.
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