Naval News – Both Russian and Ukrainian media and government sources confirmed an attack on the Laguna-class SIGINT ship Simferopol, a Ukrainian intelligence gathering vessel, that was operating near the mouth of the Danube River.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
South Korea Plans MUM-T Fleet with Drone Carrier for ROK Navy
Naval News – The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy’s transition toward a MUM-T fleet is becoming increasingly defined, with shipbuilders and aerospace firms unveiling platforms and systems to support future unmanned naval operations via a drone carrier project.
U.S. Marine Corps Mulling New Prepositioning Sites in Palau and Australia to Counter Growing Chinese Missile Threat
Naval News – The U.S. Marine Corps is planning to branch out across the West Pacific with new prepositioning sites as the force continues to shape its force design and long term planning goals around restricted mobility and a lack of hardened supply chains, according to documents published by the service last month.
Laughing at China’s Wolf Warriors
National Interest – James Holmes writes that rather than trying to emulate China’s hostile and aggressive communications strategy during disputes in the Indo-Pacific, US Navy leaders should poke fun at it.
CMSI Note 16: Confirmed: ADM Yuan Huazhi Removed as the PLAN’s Political Commissar
China Maritime Studies Institute – An authoritative source has confirmed what many had long suspected: Admiral Yuan Huazhi is no longer serving as the Political Commissar of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). As the chief political officer, the Political Commissar shares responsibility with the PLAN Commander for leading the service.
While the details of ADM Yuan’s departure are unknown, it is very likely that he was a victim of the massive purge within China’s military that began in mid-2023. Unlike other senior PLA officers implicated in the purge, however, ADM Yuan’s status has not been publicly disclosed.
Undersea cables cut in the Red Sea, disrupting internet access in Asia and the Mideast
NBC News – Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea disrupted internet access in parts of Asia and the Middle East, experts said Sunday, though it wasn’t immediately clear what caused the incident.
Japan reportedly deploys large drones to ‘monitor’ Diaoyu Islands; expert says move may provoke corresponding countermeasures
Global Times – Japan is using a large coast guard drone, the SeaGuardian, to monitor the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, according to Kyodo News on Tuesday. A Chinese military expert said that if Japan’s military drones intrude into the airspace of China’s Diaoyu Islands, such new illegal activities will further complicate the situation, and China will take corresponding countermeasures.
Why Defending Taiwan is Difficult: American Credibility and Taiwan’s Military Value
Center for Maritime Strategy – Taiwan, then, is not an especially acute case of the security dilemma. Operationally, Taiwan in China’s control would only somewhat harm American security while significantly improving China’s. Much like West Berlin in the Cold War, the primary significance of Taiwan is as a demonstration of uncompromising American resolve to deter an adversary and prevent allied bandwagoning. With a favorable military balance, that demonstration is easy. The United States’ military advantage in East Asia is eroding, however, and it is safe to assume that China will become increasingly assertive towards the island. Soon, American policymakers will have to make choices with no easy answers. Their decisions will be aided by an informed public that approaches the debate with the sobriety and humility that it deserves.
After dillydallying, Thailand proceeds with Chinese-built submarine
Defense News – Once tempted to ditch its acquisition of a Chinese-built S26T diesel-electric submarine, Thailand has decided the project will now proceed.
Arsenal of Democracy: Myth or Model – Lessons for 21st Century Planning
CIMSEC – A protracted war between the United States and China would demand immense quantities of munitions and would require the industrial base to grow to meet these demands. This is industrial mobilization, a topic the nation has not seriously considered since the end of the Cold War. Given this lapse in focus, it is only natural to look to the nation’s last major mobilization for great power war, World War II, as a model for the future.
North Korea Guided-Missile Destroyer Choe Hyon Moves to Next Phase, Ship Could be Armed with Nuclear Weapons
USNI News – Kim visited destroyer Choe Hyon’s (51) on Monday and was briefed by senior military leaders on the 5,000-ton destroyer’s various systems, a Tuesday report by state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. During the visit, Kim underlined the importance of completing ongoing trials and assessments of Choe Hyon by the scheduled deadlines in August and September to conduct the destroyer’s performance and operational capability assessment in October as planned. KCNA reported the North Korea leader expressed satisfaction that the major tasks for modernizing and arming the destroyer with nuclear weapons is progressing on a stage-by-stage basis as planned. Kim was briefed on the composition of the destroyer’s integrated operations system.
U.S. Navy Destroyers, Submarine, Amphibious Ships Being Sent Toward Venezuela
The War Zone – The White House calls Venezuelan ruler Maduro a “narco-terrorist” and is deploying ships, planes and Marines in a major show of force.
12-hour Fire Aboard USS New Orleans Extinguished, 2 Sailors with Minor Injuries
USNI News – A fire that burned for 12 hours aboard the amphibious warship USS New Orleans (LPD-18) off Okinawa, Japan, was declared extinguished early Thursday morning local time, U.S. 7th Fleet announced.
Russia plans new blue-water warship
Defence Blog – Russia is moving ahead with the design of a new ocean-going warship, according to Admiral Alexander Moiseev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy.
(Thanks to Alain)
Azerbaijan unveils armed naval droneZ
Defence Blog – Azerbaijan’s Navy has for the first time publicly showcased its Turkish-made “Salvo” unmanned surface vessel (USV), signaling a new phase in Baku’s maritime capabilities amid growing regional security concerns in the Caspian Sea.
(Thanks to Alain)
Admiral Tirpitz’ Lesson for China
National Interest – James Holmes writes that Tirpitz’ “risk-fleet theory” was a debacle for Imperial Germany. But it could work for China—now playing the role of the United States during its turn-of-the-century rise to hemispheric eminence.
Repurposing the US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers with hypersonic strike capability
Navy Lookout – The US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyer programme appeared at one stage to be a technical over-reach leading to an expensive dead end. Instead, they are now being repurposed to carry the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missile system. Here, we examine the progress, challenges, and strategic implications of equipping these futuristic warships with hypersonic strike capabilities.
US Navy takes next steps for new LSM medium landing ship class
Naval News – The US Navy has revealed the latest steps in its effort to fast-track the build of a new fleet of Medium Landing Ships (LSM) vessels based on off-the-shelf blueprints.
Nuclear powered battle cruiser sails again for the first time since 1997
The Barents Observer – The Admiral Nakhimov will be the largest operational warship in the Russian Navy. It will also be one of the oldest.
What The World Is About To Learn About China’s Extra-Large Underwater Drones
Naval News – China’s naval expansion continues to surprise onlookers. Less visible, until now, have been developments in underwater drones. That is about to change with an upcoming military parade in Beijing in September. Two new extra-large drone submarines (XLUUVs) will be showcased.
Navy Moving Away from ‘Optionally Manned’ Vessels as Service Mulls Unmanned Future
USNI News – The Navy is placing less weight on optionally manned surface vehicles as it refines requirements for a new type of vessel that will support the surface fleet.
HMS Tyne demonstrates enduring value of Royal Navy Batch one OPVs
Navy Lookout – HMS Tyne has already steamed more than 32,000 nautical miles in 2025 on operations close to the UK. Here we look briefly at the activity of the ship and the value of the OPVs
Super carriers, smaller carriers rise across the Indo-Pacific
Breaking Defense – Amid debate over aircraft carriers’ vulnerability, analysts told Breaking Defense global interest is strong.
Our Best Look At DARPA’s Defiant Uncrewed Surface Ship
The War Zone – The USX-1 Defiant is getting closer to embarking on a key long-endurance cruise that could have important ramifications for the U.S. Navy.
China Maritime Report #49: The PLAN Corruption Paradox: Insights from the 1st Destroyer Flotilla
China Maritime Studies Institute – Like all organizations led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the People Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) suffers from endemic corruption, defined as the personal abuse of power for selfish ends…Due to the approaches adopted by units such as the 1st Destroyer Flotilla, individuals in positions of power have less leeway to engage in corrupt behavior, thereby increasing the probability that the most capable officers (commissioned and non-commissioned) will be selected for leadership positions.
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
You must be logged in to post a comment.