Navy Lookout – The RN’s first full-sized remotely-piloted helicopter has completed its initial ground tests. Proteus, a technology demonstrator aircraft developed by Leonardo in Yeovil, is intended to help define the future shape of uncrewed rotary aviation for the fleet.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
Sudan offers Russia Red Sea base for 25 years in exchange for arms
The New Arab – Sudan’s government has offered Russia its first naval base in Africa, in exchange for arms, as the military continues to battle the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a renegade militia that Moscow initially supported.
(Thanks to Alain)
Taiwanese Drone Firm Pitches Unmanned Surface Vessels for Coastal Defense
USNI News – A Taiwanese drone firm held sea trials with six unmanned surface vessels last month ahead of a roughly $1 billion project that aims to procure up to 1,350 sea drones for coastal defense purposes against a potential Chinese invasion.
Romania to boost its Black Sea fleet with Turkish-made patrol ship
Defense News – Romania’s plan to acquire a Turkish-built Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) has entered its final phase, with the Romanian Ministry of Defence confirming that contract signature is imminent following unanimous parliamentary approval in September. The deal would deliver one vessel to the Black Sea city of Constanța within six months of signing. For Romania, the acquisition fills a critical near-term gap. The country’s Black Sea fleet remains constrained by aging platforms—many dating from the late Cold War — and persistent delays across several major procurement ventures.
(Thanks to Alain)
Russian Oil Tanker Struck In Aerial Attack Hundreds Of Miles From Ukraine
The War Zone – Russian-owned oil tanker was attacked in the Black Sea about 80 miles north of the Turkish city of Sinop, according to Turkish and Russian authorities. The strike was “highly likely” carried out by aerial drones, according to the Ambrey maritime security firm. The attack on the Midvolga-2 was the third against Russian-connected ships in the Black Sea in the past three days and came a day after Turkish President Recep Erdogan issued a stark warning that the war in Ukraine was spilling over and endangering navigation.
Germany unveils long-endurance Greyshark underwater drones
Defence Blog – EUROATLAS, the German advanced defense technologies company, has announced the launch of its new GREYSHARK family of autonomous underwater vehicles, introducing two multi-mission platforms designed for long-range underwater intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
(Thanks to Alain)
The Royal Navy’s next-generation radars
Navy Lookout – We visited BAE Systems’ facility on the Isle of Wight, the primary site in the UK for naval radar design and manufacture, for a briefing on progress. In the first of two articles, we focus on the work underway to develop new radar technology for the RN.
Ukrainian naval drones strike two Russian oil tankers in Black Sea
The Guardian – Ukrainian naval drones hit two tankers operating under sanctions in the Black Sea as they headed to a Russian port to load up with oil destined for foreign markets, an official said on Saturday, as Kyiv tries to pile pressure on Russia’s vast oil industry.
The USS Gerald R. Ford Can’t Overthrow Nicolas Maduro. It Might Not Need To.
National Interest – James Holmes writes that the purpose of the aircraft carrier’s visit to the waters near Venezuela is still unclear—but it makes for a powerful warning to Caracas about what might follow.
Japan to Procure New Anti-Landing Craft Missiles for Island Defense
USNI News – The Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) will procure the next generation of Japanese anti-landing craft missiles next year as Tokyo prioritizes coastal defense systems to defend its southwestern islands.
Revival of Inchgreen dry dock could offer the Royal Navy additional support options
Navy Lookout – Inchgreen dry dock on the Clyde is set for significant redevelopment under a £20 million government-funded investment, aiming to restore one of the largest docks in Europe to modern standards and strengthen Scotland’s ship repair and maritime industrial base. The work is planned for completion in 2027 and includes both infrastructure renewal and the construction of a new training and skills centre.
‘A step-change’: tech firms battle for undersea dominance with submarine drones
The Guardian – As navies seek to counter submarines and protect cables, startups and big defence companies fight to lead market
Coast Guard’s new cutter program at risk of ‘costly rework’, ‘schedule delays’: GAO
Breaking Defense – A government watchdog is sounding the alarm that a major Coast Guard shipbuilding program is at risk of “costly rework and “schedule delays” due to the service’s choice to begin construction prior to having a stable ship design.
U.S. Navy eyes quick-build heavy torpedo
Defence Blog – The Strategic Capabilities Office released a solicitation for the Rapid Affordable Producible Torpedo, a single-use heavyweight weapon designed for fast production and low cost. The project aims to create a torpedo priced at $500,000 or less, far below the Navy’s current Mk 48 Mod 7 cost listed as $4.2 million.
(Thanks to Alain)
India’s new silent hunter patrols our shallow coastlines
Mathrubhumi – INS Mahe strengthens India’s coastal defence with agile, Indian-built shallow-water anti-submarine capability.
(Thanks to Alain)
Taiwan’s 2025 National Defense Report
USNI News – The following is the Republic of China’s 2025 National Defense Report.
Milestone in the Pacific: Korean submarine KSS-III debuts in “Silent Shark” with the US Navy
El Snorkel – The Korean Navy announced its participation in Silent Shark, a joint anti-submarine warfare exercise between Korea and the United States.
(In Spanish) (Thanks to Alain)
PLA Navy announces Fujian carrier formation’s 1st live-force training; warship becoming combat-ready fast, experts say
Global Times – Less than two weeks after the commissioning of China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy announced on Tuesday that the electromagnetic catapult-equipped warship has already conducted its first live-force maritime training in a carrier formation. This reflected the speed how fast the Fujian is becoming combat-ready, said experts.
Narco subs appear in Pacific amid warnings cartels are ramping up trafficking to Australia
ABC – Three narco subs have been found near the Solomon Islands in the past 12 months. NSW Police say they are finding “enormous” quantities of illicit drugs in the community, despite border seizures up 44 per cent in the last financial year. Police also allege teenagers are being recruited online to carry out criminal tasks.
Carrier Strike – just how full is Full Operating Capability?
Navy Lookout – The MoD declared Full Operating Capability (FOC) for the UK Carrier Strike Group on 17 November 2025. The announcement came during a major NATO exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. Here we consider the implications of the FOC milestone.
Russia’s first major African naval base since USSR suspended, as war against Ukraine drains resources
EuroMaiden – Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service reports that the Kremlin has announced a suspension of agreements to establish a naval logistics base in Port Sudan. The base was intended to become Russia’s first full-scale naval facility in Africa since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The suspension highlights Moscow’s limited resources for expanding overseas military infrastructure, as it focuses virtually all of its capabilities on the war in Ukraine.
(Thanks to Alain)
Japan’s Plan To Put SAMs On Strategic Island 70 Miles From Taiwan Could Be Just The Beginning
The War Zone – Yonaguni Island recently hosted U.S. Marines and now Japan is looking to deploy air defenses there, which could expand to other kinetic capabilities.
How Estonia is rebuilding its navy for a new Baltic reality
Estonian World – Founded on 21 November 1918, the Estonian Navy remains small by traditional standards, yet in a newly volatile Baltic Sea it is being reshaped into a far more capable force than its size implies.
(Thanks to Alain)
Navy kills four ships in Constellation-class frigate program in ‘strategic shift’
Breaking Defense – Navy Secretary John Phelan today said the service will terminate the last four ships in the Constellation-class frigate program, keeping only the two vessels already under construction.
Ukrainian Drone Reportedly Hits Russian Tapir-Class Warship in Novorossiysk
United 24 – Ukrainian defense forces conducted a coordinated overnight drone strike on military and logistics facilities in Russia’s Novorossiysk port, reportedly damaging a large Russian landing ship of the Project 1171 “Tapir” class, according to Hromadske, citing an informed source.
(Thanks to Alain)
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