– War on the Rocks – Using relative icebreaker fleet sizes as a key metric for the state of strategic competition in the Arctic is flawed. While they are an important platform, icebreakers do little to create or address the most commonly identified defense challenges in the region. Instead, analysts should focus on the nature of the military risks in the Arctic, the role of allies and partners, and economic interests in a broader geopolitical context rather than comparing specific capabilities.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
Chinese ships and radar boost navies of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
– South China Morning Post – China is reported to be boosting its arms links with South Asian nations, with further supply of an advanced anti-stealth radar to Pakistan as well as frigates to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
China, Russia and South Africa team up for first joint naval drill
– South China Morning Post – The Chinese navy has joined its Russian and South African counterparts in a joint exercise near Cape Town, expanding its reach to the southern tip of Africa for the first time.
The First Narco Submarine Ever Seized Off A European Coast Is A Monster
– War Zone – This is the first time authorities in Europe have intercepted one of these vessels, which have been a staple in Latin American drug smuggling.
US Navy Lab Investigates Innovative Non-Lethal Boat Stopping Technology
– Naval News – Maritime Vessel Stopping Occlusion Technologies, or MVSOT, is a promising non-lethal tool for the warfighter to significantly slow or stop an on-coming target vessel. The MVSOT team specifically focuses on technologies that limit or remove the ability of a propulsion system to provide thrust to a boat, but in a reversible manner.
Warmaking by Remote Control Is a False Choice
– National Interest – So it seems remote war is easy to wage, hard to win, and carries hidden moral hazards. Beware the allure of the latest gadgetry. It cannot exorcise the ghosts of wars past—or present.
Boxer ARG, 11th MEU Wrap Up 5th, 7th Fleet Deployment
– USNI News – After an eight-month deployment to the Middle East and Indo-Pacific, one thing the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit won’t offload this week is a platoon of M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks.
The commissioning of the submarine B-274 “Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky” project 06363
– BMPD – On November 25, 2019, the flag was solemnly hoisted on the large submarine B-274 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky of project 636.3 (serial number 01614) , built by Admiralty Shipyards JSC in St. Petersburg for the Pacific Fleet.
(Thanks to Alain)
Northern Fleet’s 2nd new frigate is ready to test armament in Arctic waters
– The Barents Observer – The Admiral Kasatonov is to be officially included in the Russian Navy in the course of 2019.
Report calls out US Navy for surveillance and targeting shortfalls
– Defense News – The U.S. Navy lacks the necessary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets to support a force plans to operate more spread out and fight at longer ranges.
Read the full report from the Hudson Institute here.
Royal Navy Intends HMS Queen Elizabeth to be Integrated into U.S. Carrier Operations
– USNI News – The U.K. Royal Navy intends its largest, most advanced warship ever built to be considered interchangeable with U.S. Navy carriers.
In First, NATO Ships Share Target Data & Knock Down Ballistic Missiles
– Breaking Defense – Warships from several NATO allies tracked and knocked down ballistic missile targets from the sea for the first time sharing targeting information across a shared alliance network.
Navy Says JO Ship-Driving Skills Show Modest Improvement as GAO Raises Questions on New Training Regimes
– USNI News – Navy ship-driving skills of its junior officers have seen modest improvements over last the two years since the fatal collisions in the Western Pacific that resulted in the death of 17 sailors.
Ohio Guided Missile Submarines Were Designed To Be Drone-Carrying Clandestine Command Centers
– War Zone – The four converted ballistic missile submarines are so much more than Tomahawk slingers and transports for Navy SEALs.
US Navy Secretary Richard Spencer fired over Seal case
– BBC – US Navy chief Richard Spencer has been fired over his handling of the case of a Navy Seal demoted for misconduct.
Toward a Seamless Pacific
– Air Force – Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. spoke with Editorial Director John A. Tirpak on Sept. 3 about the challenges of operating in the Pacific Theater, deterring China and Russia, a new force dispersal strategy, and lines of responsibility between regional commands.
Give Marines and Soldiers Better Antiship Fires
– USNI Proceedings – Land-based weapon systems hold tremendous promise in helping the Navy control the littorals.
American Submarines Are in the Crosshairs of China
– National Interest – China will deploy a force of aerial drones to stalk American submarines in the Western Pacific.
Maritime Strike
– Air Force – Airpower can counter naval threats in the Asia-Pacific.
Blame Over Justice: The Human Toll of the Navy’s Relentless Push to Punish One of Its Own
– ProPublica – Navy Cmdr. Bryce Benson accepted responsibility for the deadly crash of the USS Fitzgerald and was told, “That’s done now.” But when another ship crashed, the Navy decided it wasn’t through with him. Its pursuit nearly destroyed him and his family.
Russian submarine spotted in Israeli territorial waters
– Ynet – A Russian submarine was spotted in Israel’s territorial waters, near central Israel, three months ago.
(Thanks to Alain)
2nd aircraft carrier to test in S.China Sea
– Global Times – China’s second aircraft carrier successfully sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Sunday and headed toward a designated area in the South China Sea for testing and training. Experts said that the trip from Northeast China could be the last step in the trial phase of the warship, which is expected to enter naval service, possibly at a naval base in Sanya, South China’s Hainan Province.
US Navy sends littoral combat ships to ‘bolster attack strength in South China Sea’
– South China Morning Post – The US Navy is strengthening its presence in the South China Sea by deploying two Independence-class ships specialising in nearshore operations.
Chinese PLA Navy uses civilian ship to supply warships
– Global Times – The naval wing of the People’s Liberation Army conducted a drill using a civilian ship to supply warships, which is seen as a new approach to facilitate warship supplies in distant waters.
China’s Coast Guard Enforcing Its Blue Water Territorial Expansion
– USNI News – The rapid expansion of China’s Coast Guard gives Beijing the means to shift its sea expansion aims from aspirational to operational.
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