Navy Lookout – Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan has completed an intensive 72-hour live firing serial off the Welsh coast, facing drone and simulated missile attacks and complex internal emergencies. Exercise Sharpshooter attempts to replicate scenarios that reflect modern maritime combat.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
Taiwan should create drone swarm ‘asymmetric hellscape’ to blunt Chinese invasion: Report
Breaking Defense – Taiwan’s current approach to defense is unlikely to deter Chinese aggression, and it needs a new operational concept that builds mass and provides operational flexibility but yet remain affordable, according to a new report.
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13 Warships, Support Ships Slated for Inactivation This Year
USNI News – More than a dozen warships and support ships will leave the U.S. Navy’s battle force this year, according to the Fiscal Year 2026 ship inactivation schedule released last week.
Navy Fighters, Air Force B-2 Bomber Rehearse Anti-ship Missions off California
USNI News – U.S. naval aviation equipped with long-range air-to-air missiles and a B-2 stealth bomber held an integrated maritime strike exercise off California, the Air Force announced Tuesday.
CMSI Note 20: Flying Higher and Higher: VADM Cui Yuzhong – Moving Up in Complex Times
China Maritime Studies Institute – On 5 November 2025, the aircraft carrier Fujian (福建舰) was commissioned into People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy (PLAN) service. One man was notably absent on this auspicious day—the PLAN Commander himself, Admiral (ADM) Hu Zhongming (胡中明), the leader CMSI profiled in CMSI Note 1.5 Instead, Vice Admiral (VADM) Cui Yuzhong (崔玉忠) was one of the PLAN’s senior representatives attending the ceremony. Cui’s high-profile appearance on the PLAN’s red-letter day may portend that Cui is slated to assume the highest PLAN billet.
Chinese Navy progresses development of new large calibre naval gun
Naval News – A photo circulating on social media service “X” (formerly Twitter) last week serves as an indication that the Chinese Navy (PLAN) is moving ahead with development of a new large naval gun for surface combatants. The photo shows one of PLAN’s Type 910 test and evaluation vessels docked at Liaonan shipyard south of Dalian in Liaoning province.
Stability over speed: Pioneer – a different approach to uncrewed surface vessels
Navy Lookout – In this article, we look at Pioneer, a uniquely stable USV platform developed in the UK capable of deploying serious payloads for naval or commercial applications in sea conditions that would defeat many competitors.
China’s new nuclear submarine breaks cover amid shipbuilding spree
Defense News – Submarines are among the most secretive of China’s military assets, but a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine – or SSN for short – has shown up in satellite imagery after recently moving to a launch bay at the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao.
China Maritime Report #51: The Seafarer Profession in Contemporary China
China Maritime Studies Institute – China’s merchant marine is a foundational economic and national security asset, supporting the country’s multi-decade growth and modernization and military logistics. Thus, Beijing views seafarers as a strategic resource and has prioritized development initiatives to strengthen the quality and quantity of the nation’s professional merchant marine.
Type 32 frigate programme remains in limbo
UK Defence Journal – The Ministry of Defence has again declined to provide clarity on the future of the Royal Navy’s Type 32 frigate programme, saying all platform decisions will be taken as part of the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
(Thanks to Alain)
U.S. Captures Third ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker in Indian Ocean
USNI News – The U.S. has captured oil tanker MT Bertha, a ship allegedly sailing under a Cook Islands flag, in the Indian Ocean, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.
Company Developing Underwater Stealth Drones
National Defense – New York-based drone manufacturer Cardona Marine Group Inc. is developing a new class of stealth maritime drones that can attach to and attack adversary submarines and ships both underwater and at the surface.
(Thanks to Alain)
Philippine Navy commissions new patrol vessel, missile boat
Naval News – Two of the Philippine Navy’s newest ships entered active duty during a commissioning ceremony at the Naval Operating Base in Subic Bay on Tuesday. The offshore patrol vessel BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) was inducted into service alongside the fast attack interdiction craft BRP Audrey Bañares (PG-910).
U.S. Army to Accelerate Fielding of 1000 km Anti-Ship PrSM
Naval News – The U.S. Army wants to accelerate the development of a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) anti-ship variant capable of being fired from the service’s highly mobile rocket launchers and striking maritime targets over a thousand kilometers away, according to a recent notice.
CMSI Translations #27: What is the Significance of the PLAN Type 055 Destroyer Zunyi Task Force’s Distant Deployment to Australia?
China Maritime Studies Institute – In February 2025, a distant-ocean task force led by Chinese Navy Type 055 destroyer Zunyi made its first appearance in Australia’s near seas, conducting live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea. This action not only set a record for the Chinese Navy’s activities in the waters surrounding Australia, but also attracted widespread international attention due to its overwhelming technological superiority and strategic deterrence. This article will analyze the deeper significance of this action from the perspectives of task force composition, deployment process, technical performance, and geopolitical impact.
Sweden prepares to put a foot back in blue water with frigate acquisition
Naval News – The acquisition of air defence frigates will revive a measure of blue water capability for the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) and allow it to better contribute to NATO maritime tasks, the service’s most senior officer has said.
HMS Anson arrives in Australia
Navy Lookout – HMS Anson arrived in Western Australia today to undertake the first-ever maintenance activity on a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine in Australia. The visit marks a significant milestone in AUKUS preparations and Australia’s ambition to operate conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
Donald Trump’s “Maritime Action Plan” Is Sound Policy
National Defense – James Holmes writes that the new plan calls for six fundamental—and badly needed—changes to America’s ailing shipbuilding sector.
RFA Argus to be scrapped
Navy Lookout – After more than 4 decades of service, it was officially confirmed today that RFA Argus will be disposed of.
New Vision To Fill Gaps After AV-8B Harrier And AH-1Z Viper Retirements Laid Out By Marines
The War Zone – The U.S. Marine Corps is aiming to acquire a new single “capability” to fill gaps left by the retirement of its AV-8B Harrier jump jets, AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters, and legacy F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters. Dubbed the Future Attack Strike (FASt) plan, the current vision is to have the ability to attack targets kinetically and non-kinetically, and to work together with future uncrewed aircraft.
U.S., Philippines Commit to Increased Missile, Drone Deployments in First Island Chain
USNI News – U.S. and Philippine defense officials committed to bolstering missile and drone deployments across the Southeast Asian archipelago in support of Washington’s first island chain deterrence efforts against China.
Turkish Navy Demonstrates New Capabilities in Baltic During NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026
Naval News – The Turkish Navy has deployed one of its most capable task groups to the Baltic Sea for NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise, conducting the first operational use of armed drones from a flat-deck ship in Alliance history. The deployment represents Türkiye’s largest naval presence in the Baltic region and demonstrates the fleet’s ability to project power across approximately 8,000 kilometers from its homeland.
Supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford Has Crossed Into The Mediterranean
The War Zone – The carrier’s rush to the Middle East comes as the military build-up in the region appears to be approaching its crescendo.
Lockheed Martin rapidly developed Lamprey drone, new variants on the way
Naval News – Lockheed Martin rapidly developed its new Lamprey multi-mission autonomous undersea vehicle: The company took just 14 months to develop Lamprey, with future plans to field larger variants and another drone by the end of the year.
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