Breaking Defense – President Donald Trump today signed an executive order tasking the heads of the defense, commerce, labor, transportation and homeland security departments with developing a “Maritime Action Plan” (MAP) that will invest in the shipbuilding industrial base and disentangle the government’s clumsy procurement processes.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
New Zealand navy receives a boost under 2025 Defence Capability Plan
Naval News – The New Zealand government published its Defence Capability Plan (DCP) on 7 April, a document that had been delayed for many months. The DCP is essentially a blueprint listing investment in the military for the next 15 years, aligning with national strategy. The plan includes much-needed boosts to naval capabilities.
Navy at ‘tipping point’ with Constellation-class frigate: Lawmakers
Breaking Defense – “The question is, are we at a point where we either quickly recover and get back on track with this? … Or do you say maybe we’re too far along with this and we go in a different direction?” said Rep. Rob Wittman.
New Zealand pledges to double defense spending to modernize ships, surveillance, networks
Breaking Defense – New Zealand, the small island state south of Australia, has long spent little on defense, but the conservative government there has decided to double its spending over the next eight years, committing to $9 billion NZD ($5 billion USD) in new spending in the first four years.
Russia’s New Helicopter Carrier Is Taking Shape In Crimea
The War Zone – Work on the first Ivan Rogov class amphibious assault ship is ongoing at a shipyard Ukrainian forces have attacked in the past with long-range missiles.
The evolving role of the Royal Marines Commandos
UK Defence Journal – The Royal Marines Commandos have undergone a pretty remarkable shift in role and public perception over recent decades, one worth taking a closer look at.
Aboard the Ford: What it’s like on a US Navy aircraft carrier preparing for deployment
Breaking Defense – “We have everybody on board getting to know each other and working on that synchronicity that’s required, and that’s really kind of the heart of COMPTUEX. This is a rehearsal, and we’re going to get it right,” says Capt. Rick Burgess, the Ford’s commanding officer.
With Renewed Crisis in the Middle East, Who is Watching the Indo-Pacific?
Jerusalem Strategic Tribune – With all that is happening in the Middle East, it is important that our allies continue to assist with burden-sharing in the Indo-Pacific. Until America rejuvenates its maritime industrial base, there are just not enough ships available to counter all the threats we currently face. Thank you to our allies and partners. Keep up the good work!
Submarine Surveillance System That’s Rapidly Deployable, Unpredictable Unveiled By Anduril
The War Zone – Seabed Sentry aims to make underwater listening networks far more adaptable and affordable, putting enemy submarines and other threats in the crosshairs.
Taiwan’s Evolving Response to China’s Grey Zone Actions
RUSI – This policy brief traces the emergence and defining features of the grey zone concept, looking at China’s actions and Taiwan’s responses.
PLA aircraft carrier groups can block three key lines in east of Taiwan, expert says
China Daily – The involvement of aircraft carrier groups in military deterrence operations around Taiwan can completely cut off the escape routes for “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and the channels for external forces attempting to aid them, a scholar from the People’s Liberation Army said on Wednesday.
Greenland “Absolutely Critical” For Hunting Russian Submarines: Top U.S. General In Europe
The War Zone – General Cavoli testified before Congress that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security, especially for confronting the growing threat of Russian submarines.
CMSI Translations #16: Tracking Their Wake: How Strong Is the U.S. Navy Today?
China Maritime Studies Institute – Nearly 80 years have passed since the end of World War Two, and during this time the U.S. Navy has always ranked as the number one navy in the world, mainly thanks to support from America’s enormous national power. But for the past ten years or so, with the great decline of America’s economy, the U.S. Navy has had to face more and more problems. For example, the service lives of ships have grown longer and longer. There has been a serious lack of repairs and maintenance work. The speed of shipbuilding has noticeably slowed. And [the U.S. Navy’s] newest class of aircraft carrier was not operational for five years after it was launched. These problems indicate that the U.S. Navy is in a state of exhaustion and will find it difficult to handle all manner of potential confrontations and war in the 21st century.
China Deploys Aircraft Carrier for Military Drills to Intimidate Taiwan
USNI News – The Chinese aircraft carrier CNS Shandong made its first deployment to the Western Pacific for 2025 and was a major unit in Tuesday’s military drill targeted at intimidating Taiwan Tuesday, according to Beijing officials.
How the Biden Administration Won Tactically But Failed Strategically in the Red Sea
War on the Rocks – As a political project should be judged in a larger context. Measured against the restoration of merchant confidence and traffic in the Red Sea, the mission was unsuccessful.
Attack on Guyana, Exxon Would Be ‘Bad Day’ for Venezuela, Rubio Warns
MarineLink – U.S. Secretary of State warned Venezuela on Thursday that it would be “a very bad day” for the South American country if it were to attack its neighbor Guyana or U.S.-based energy giant ExxonMobil, in comments that threatened unspecified action in such a case.
(Thanks to Alain)
Putin announces new submarines, but the industry is strained
Defense News – Following the withdrawal of Soviet submarines, military officials originally wanted to field 30 Yasen-class submarines and 14 strategic Borei-class boats. Putin’s announcement indicate a shift on objectives, with 10 copies to be built in each class.
Romania to acquire warships to strengthen NATO eastern flank
Reuters – Romania’s Supreme Defence Council on Friday approved a plan to add new small warships to its fleet, part of wider efforts to strengthen its role in the Black Sea and on NATO’s eastern flank.
(Thanks to Alain)
Russia’s first icebreaking patrol vessel for the Arctic arrives north
Barents Observer – Built at the Admirality shipyard in St. Petersburg, the icebreaking patrol vessel sailed around the Baltics and Scandinavia in late March and arrived to the Northern Fleet’s main base on Monday.
Six Iranian ships on their way to the port of Antwerp suspected of espionage
La Libre – Iranian shipping carriers use their trade route to the port of Antwerp as a cover for anti-Western activities, the newspaper De Tijd wrote in an investigation on Friday. Six ships are suspected of espionage, of helping the Houthi rebels in their attacks on Western ships and of transporting weapons to Syria and Russia, among others.
(In French)
(Thanks to Alain)
The rise of the drone carriers
Navy Lookout – There are now at least three navies that have acquired or are developing ‘flat-top’ carriers designed specifically to carry uncrewed air systems. Here we look at some of these projects and the implications of this trend.
Marine Corps to Debut New Philippine Rotational Force at Balikatan 2025 Drills
USNI News – The Marines are set to deploy a new rotational force to the Philippines at a major upcoming exercise. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment will debut the new Littoral Rotational Force-Luzon at the Balikatan 2025 exercise in the Philippines.
Denmark unveils new Fleet Plan for Royal Danish Navy
Naval News – The Danish Ministry of Defence has unveiled their new fleet plan, which include a short-term track to quickly strengthen certain key capabilities, as well as a long-term track looking at the major surface combatants.
China’s Mahanian Naval Strategy – And Why America Needs One Too
Center for Maritime Strategy – China’s naval modernization is no accident—it is the result of a deliberate, Mahanian strategy that converts economic might into maritime dominance. Beijing’s methodical approach to securing trade routes, building a modern fleet, and extending its strategic reach stands in stark contrast to America’s fragmented and reactive posture. The stakes are clear: if the United States fails to reclaim its focus on sea power, it risks ceding its historic role as the guardian of the global maritime order. In the new era of great-power competition, the command of the seas is not merely a military objective; it is the foundation of national power and global stability. The United States must remember that, as Mahan taught, great nations must not only float with the tide of history—they must command the waves.
Coyote, Roadrunner Loitering Drone Interceptors To Arm U.S. Navy Destroyers
The War Zone – When the U.S. Navy’s supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford deploys later this year, its strike group will include Arleigh Burke class destroyers armed with Raytheon Coyote and Anduril Roadrunner-M counter-drone loitering interceptors.
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