Defense News – On Nov. 15, the New Zealand Defense Ministry closed a request for information about replacing nearly the entire naval fleet. The Navy’s flagship — its 568-foot replenishment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa — has been in service for three years, but the remaining eight ships — two frigates, two inshore and two offshore patrol vessels, a sealift ship, and a dive and hydrographic ship — will reach the end of their service lives in the mid-2030s.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
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Admiral Hu to the Helm:China’s New Navy Commander Brings Operational Expertise
China Maritime Studies Institute – China’s Navy, the world’s largest by number of ships, has a new leader. On 25 December 2023, Commander-in-Chief Xi Jinping, in his capacity as Central Military Commission (CMC) Chairman, promoted Vice Admiral Hu Zhongming (胡中明) to Admiral and appointed him Commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) (海军司令员). Hu’s predecessor Admiral Dong Jun (董军) attended the promotion ceremony, suggesting this is an orderly and expected transition—unlike recent removals of the PLA Defense Minister and the former Commander of China’s Strategic Rocket Forces.
Surface navy emphasizes frigates in its latest modernization plans
Defense News – The U.S. Navy’s recent force structure study puts even greater importance on small combatants, the director of surface warfare said, a shift in priorities that could require the surface navy to rebalance its ongoing modernization plans.
Japan Puts Helicopter Carrier Kaga On Sea Trials After Major Modifications To Operate The F-35B Fighter Jets
Naval News – The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has begun sea trials of its helicopter carrier JS Kaga after undergoing major modifications of the vessel to operate the F-35B fighter jets,
Hunting submarines with drones
Navy Lookout – In this article, Kamil Sadowski considers how Medium Rotary-Wing Uncrewed Air Systems could be employed in anti-submarine warfare operations.
Chinese Submariner Appointed Head of People’s Liberation Army Navy
USNI News – China’s President Xi Jinping appointed a new Chief for the People’s Liberation Army Navy in a Monday ceremony in Beijing while the post of China’s top defense minister remains vacant.
U.S Destroyer, Super Hornets Splash Red Sea Attack Drones and Missiles
USNI News – A U.S. guided-missile destroyer and fighters from aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) interdicted a dozen suicide drones and anti-ship missiles on Tuesday.
Japan’s new VLS sub designed to hem in China
Asia Times – Taigei class sub features vertical launch systems to counter possible Chinese preemptive attack and reenforce Ryukyu Island chain chokepoint
(Thanks to Alain)
US Air Force to reclaim Pacific airfield that launched atomic bombings as it looks to counter China
CNN – The US Air Force plans to bring the Pacific island airfield that launched the atomic bombings of Japan back into commission as it tries to broaden its basing options in the event of any hostilities with China.
Indian Navy Bolsters Arabian Sea Forces After Attacks
VOA – India’s navy said it is deploying three warships and reconnaissance aircraft in the Arabian Sea to “maintain a deterrent presence” after a string of recent shipping attacks.
Russia confirms damage to warship in Black Sea
BBC – Russia’s Ministry of Defence said the large landing ship Novocherkassk was struck by Ukrainian aircraft carrying guided missiles.
Is the South China Sea Warming Up, or is it Just Business as Usual?
RUSI – A recent spate of incidents in the South China Sea involving the US, China and the Philippines points to the risks of escalation, even if a larger-scale conflict is unlikely in the short term.
Guyana: UK to send warship to South America amid Venezuela tensions
BBC – The UK is preparing to send HMS Trent to Guyana in a show of diplomatic and military support for the former British colony
Tanker hit off India coast by drone from Iran
BBC – The US said the Chem Pluto was hit by “a one-way attack drone fired from Iran”. It is believed to be the first time the US has publicly accused Iran of targeting a ship directly.
Into the Cold: Special Operations in the Arctic
Wavell Room – Strategic competition has superseded the Global War on Terrorism as the central organizing principle for America’s military. Conflict has returned to the European continent with Russia’s expanded invasion of Ukraine. The accession of Finland to NATO, and hopefully Sweden soon, the Arctic environment has taken on new importance in strategic calculus. As the defence enterprise writ large shifts to this new environment, so must Special Operations Forces.
The UK must prepare for a rapidly changing Arctic
Wavell Room – The UK is the Arctic’s nearest neighbour, and developments in the Arctic significantly impact the UK’s environment, security, and energy supply.
Australia’s anti-submarine frigate program sails rough seas
Defense News – The shipbuilder for a $30 billion Australian program is pushing back against criticism over the design and capabilities of the anti-submarine warfare frigate.
Red Sea Task Force Grows, How It Actually Will Work Remains Unclear
War Zone – As the Houthis hurled threats at the U.S. Navy, more than 20 nations are set to participate in Operation Prosperity Guardian in some manner.
Austal USA Wins U.S. Navy Contract For Expeditionary Medical Ship
Naval News – Austal USA received an $867.6 million undefinitized contract award for final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships from the U.S. Navy today.
South Korean CVX Aircraft Carrier Program In The Mist
Naval News – In the 2024-2028 Mid-term Defense Blueprint released by the South Korean Ministry of National Defense on December 12th, detailed plan for the CVX aircraft carrier was nowhere to be found.
Spain Orders 16 Airbus C295 In Maritime Patrol And Surveillance Configurations
Naval News – The Spanish Ministry of Defence has ordered 16 Airbus C295 aircraft in Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) configuration and Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) configuration.
Orca Drone Submarine Delivered To Navy
War Zone – Orca, which Is set to perform a variety of missions for the Navy including mine laying, has suffered significant delays prior to delivery.
Chilean Navy Deploys Submarine To Monitor Fishing Activity
Naval News – The Chilean Navy recently deployed one of its Scorpène-class attack submarines to the Juan Fernández islands in the Eastern Pacific, to “verify and control the transit of foreign fishing vessels through the region.”
Netherlands to boost North Sea surveillance to deter seabed threats
Defense News – The Netherlands plans to spend as much as €250 million (U.S. $274 million) on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in the North Sea to protect the cables and pipelines that crisscross the seabed off its coast.
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