War Zone – At least 20 Chinese and Russian naval vessels have been tracked sailing around Japan and its outlying islands in the past few days.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
Solving the Royal Navy’s lethality problems
Navy Lookout – There is a growing concern about the RN surface fleet’s lack of offensive power. Here we look at what might be done to remedy the situation in the medium-long term.
Ukraine Attacks Russian-Occupied Oil Platforms, Snake Island Strike Rumors Swirl
War Zone – The northwestern Black Sea is becoming more of a free-fire zone with each passing day and it will only become more-so as new weapons arrive.
Fujian: China’s New Aircraft Carrier Is Important — But No Game-Changer
1945 – James Holmes does not see Fujian as a game-changer in the Western Pacific, chiefly because the carrier will still face geostrategic challenges manifest in a first island chain occupied by potential foes.
The Bay of Bengal Could Be The Key to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific
War on the Rocks – The Bay of Bengal now has considerable — and growing — strategic importance for Asia, and for the world as a whole. In many ways, the Bay of Bengal lies at the core of the Indo-Pacific region — a centerpiece of the broader Indo-Pacific concept and the place where the strategic interests of the major powers of East and South Asia intersect.
China Launches Third Aircraft Carrier as U.S. Wraps Major Pacific Exercise
USNI News – On Friday morning, China launched its third aircraft carrier, named Fujian. The 80,000-ton carrier is China’s first flat deck carrier and uses Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)-powered catapults to launch its aircraft, in contrast to the ski jump of its other two carriers. The EMALS system can launch heavier aircraft, such as the J-35 fighter and airborne early warning aircraft, to operate off its flight deck.
Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Vasily Bekh Rescue Tug With Antiship Missiles
Naval News – Ukrainian Armed Forces struck the Russian Navy’s project 22870 Rescue Tug, Vasily Bekh (SB-739), with two anti-ship missiles while the ship was en route to the Snake Island on June 17, 2022.
Royal Navy’s newest submarine HMS Audacious completes her maiden deployment
Navy Lookout – HMS Audacious has conducted NATO maritime security patrols in the Mediterranean on her maiden operational deployment.
Germany in the Arctic-North Atlantic: Reassessing “Forgotten Waters,” Part 1
CIMSEC – The first part of this two-part series will examine the importance of the GIUK gap and the wider Arctic-North Atlantic region in which it is located.
U.S. Sending Vehicle-Mounted Harpoon Launchers for Ukraine Coastal Defense
USNI News – The United States will be sending two vehicle-mounted anti-ship missile platforms to Ukraine as part of a new $1 billion military aid package to Kyiv.
Construction Of Airbase On Tinian Island In Case Guam Gets Knocked Out Has Begun
War Zone – The alternate airbase facilities now under construction on Tinian would offer an alternative to Andersen Air Force Base if Guam gets attacked.
Analyzing the biggest changes in the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 update
Breaking Defense – Last month’s update to the Marine Corps strategic guidance included many changes from the original document. What shifted, and why it matters.
San Antonio Class Could Be Motherships For Undersea Drones With New System
War Zone – The plan is to prove that large unmanned undersea vehicles can be launched and recovered by the Navy’s well deck-equipped amphibious ships.
The Myth of Maritime Counterinsurgency
USNI Proceedings – “Counterinsurgency is not a substitute for strategy.” – Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-33.5: Insurgencies and Countering Insurgencies
Ukrainian Grain: How To Lift Russia’s Black Sea Blockade?
Naval News – The Ukrainian grain crisis continues as a result of Russia’s blockade of Black Sea ports, which prevents Ukrainian wheat shipments. As the war continues, the stocks of countries that rely on Ukraine for wheat are diminishing. A possible famine is looming. Everyone agrees on the necessity to solve this problem to avoid a major humanitarian crisis. But how?
A naval base in Cambodia supports China’s calibrated aggression
The Hill – China this week vehemently denied a Washington Post report that it is covertly constructing a naval base in Cambodia. How to evaluate assurances of beneficent intent issuing forth from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mouthpieces? Three bits of advice: Look at your map. Study past CCP practice. And remember that all such efforts to placate Asian and world opinion are perishable. They’re expedients, nothing more. A pledge’s shelf-life expires once Beijing decides it has outlived its usefulness.
Ukraine Deploys Anti-Ship Harpoon Missiles to the Edge of Black Sea, MoD Says
USNI News – Ukrainian forces have deployed Harpoon anti-ship missiles to the Black Sea as a counter to Russian surface ships in the region, Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov said.
Australia Was Poised To Get Virginia Class Nuclear Submarines Says Former Defense Minister
War Zone – In controversial statements, Peter Dutton says that plans existed to buy two of the U.S.-made submarines by 2030.
Greening Defence: Transforming the Royal Navy for a Climate-Affected World
RUSI – The latest Greening Defence commentary examines how the Royal Navy is quietly but ambitiously setting the conditions for a greener fleet and support infrastructure, both now and in the future. Longer-term, a sustainable source of fuel must be prioritised.
China’s stealth drone ship wraps up 1st autonomous sea trial
Global Times – China’s first domestically developed 200 ton-class unmanned surface vessel, characterized by its capabilities in stealth and far sea operation, has wrapped up its first autonomous sea trial, with analysts saying that drone ships like this can provide new tactics for naval warfare including distributed operations and swarm combat.
The Death of Gorshkov’s Navy: The Future of the Russian Surface Fleet
RUSI – Constraints on Russia’s shipbuilding industry and its finances mean it is increasingly likely that its surface navy will evolve into a green water fleet based around frigates and corvettes.
Sea Mines Could Prevent Ukraine Grain Shipments For Months
War Zone – Even if a deal is reached to allow grain shipments from Ukraine, sea mines could make doing so impossible for months.
Disputing Chinese Sea Control Through Offensive Sea Mining
USNI Proceedings – The United States should pursue offensive mining capabilities against China in the Yellow Sea and the Pearl River Delta.
Marine Corps Reserve gets new missions, new roles and a whole new design
Marine Corps Gazette – Active duty Marine Corps force planners are, perhaps for the first time, looking to the reserve side to take on operational, experimental and capabilities and roles at a level the component hasn’t faced.
Marines closing down Kuwait gear stockpile to focus on Pacific
Marine Corps Gazette – The Marine Corps is shuttering its combat gear storage program in the Middle East as it shifts attention to Europe and the Pacific.
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