USNI News – French aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91) is preparing to deploy, according to a French Navy release. Meanwhile the Italian Navy Cavour Carrier Strike Group has wrapped up a five-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific, arriving home in Taranto on Oct. 30.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
Chinese Experimental Aviation Platform And Combat USV Emerge In Detailed New Imagery
Naval News – New imagery shared on social media has provided significant new details on characteristics of two new naval vessels at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) at Longxue Island, Guangzhou. The Chinese designs are distinct concepts notionally serving as an experimental carrier for VTOL-drones or helicopters, and as an uncrewed or optionally crewed surface vessel (USV).
The Strategic Defence Review, Britain and sea power
Council on Geostrategy – Similarly to the previous administration, the new Labour government has pledged to embrace a ‘North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)-first’ defence posture. A Strategic Defence Review is now underway to reappraise and determine the shape of the United Kingdom’s (UK) future defences. Given British dependence on the sea for economic growth and prosperity, as well as the Net Zero agenda, the sea power remains central to the national effort. Britain is situated at the centre of the Euro-Atlantic world, a perspective it should embrace and promote. As it looks to boost investment in defence to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and move towards greater integration between the armed forces, the new government should place sea power at the heart of its agenda.
China’s J-15T Enhanced Carrier-Based Flanker Officially Unveiled
The War Zone – Boasting advanced avionics, Chinese-made engines, and catapult launch compatibility, the J-15T will serve aboard all of China’s aircraft carriers.
Next Generation Decoys for the Marine Corps
War on the Rocks – As highlighted in the 2024 Marine Corps tactical publication, Deception, decoy efforts will ensure force survivability and degrade adversary targeting capabilities in the modern battlespace. To succeed, the Marine Corps must disrupt enemy sensors, deny the adversary the ability to engage first, and remain agile in contested environments deep within the enemy’s weapons engagement zone, where our opponents possess significant targeting capabilities. Decoys can be introduced into the force to enhance survivability, create ambiguity in enemy targeting processes, and maintain operational advantage in future conflicts. However, as it stands now, the Marine Corps has not integrated decoy operations into doctrine, training programs, or standardized equipment across the force.
Ukraine Hits Caspian Sea Port For The First Time
The War Zone – Ukraine for the first time struck a target in Russia’s Dagestan region on Wednesday, according to local and Ukrainian officials, eyewitnesses, and Russian and Ukrainian media. The military port at Kaspiysk on the Caspian Sea was attacked by Ukrainian drones about 670 miles from the front lines.
French, UK naval chiefs urge dramatic changes in warship design
Defense News – The pace of change in maritime warfare requires Western navies to innovate faster and work more intimately with industrial partners to defeat evolving threats, the heads of the French and U.K. navies said.
BlackBird, a submarine-deployed UAS from Alseamar
European Defense Review – Capable to perform different types of mission, depending on its payload, the BlackBird, under development by Alseamar, exploits the capabilities of the company X-SUB expendable buoys to increase the boat captain situational awareness
(Thanks to Alain)
CMSI Translations #9: Mine Countermeasure Operations in a Cross-Strait Island Landing Campaign
China Maritime Studies Institute – Sea mines are a type of cheap, easy to produce naval weapon that can be used both offensively and defensively. They have played a huge tactical role and even a strategic role in many wars from ancient times to the present day. Sea mines have low production costs, and they are powerful, simple to use, easy to emplace, and difficult to remove. They are characterized by the long-term threat they can pose to ports and shipping lanes. Countering sea mines is relatively difficult and requires the expenditure of rather large resources by the side conducting mine countermeasure operations.
US jails Fat Leonard in Navy’s biggest bribery scandal
BBC – A Malaysian businessman has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for his role in the US Navy’s biggest corruption scandal and for skipping a previous sentencing hearing.
Full Retirement Of Ticonderoga Cruisers On Hold, Trio To Remain In Service Into 2029
The War Zone – The Navy has backtracked on plans to decommission the last of its Ticonderoga class cruisers by 2027, but their reprieve will be short.
CIA Has Secret “Nonviolent” Way To Disable Large Ships
The War Zone – The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency reportedly has at least one mysterious system capable of “covertly (and nonviolently)” disabling ships, including very large ones. The secret system is said to have been considered for use against fuel tankers sailing between Venezuela and Cuba during President Donald Trump’s term in office.
German Navy Confirms Its Supersized Frigate Will Avoid The Red Sea
The War Zone – Strictly limited air defense armament has long been a puzzling feature of the German F125 class frigate.
In focus: France’s future aircraft carrier
Navy Lookout – Here we look at the French Navy’s ambitious project to construct a 75,000-tonne nuclear-powered, conventional aircraft carrier for delivery in the late 2030s.
The Voyage of the Meishan and Xiushan – China’s Template For a Blue Water Coast Guard
War on the Rocks – The voyage of the Meishan and Xiushan marked another breakthrough, that, while less obvious, may be even more important. It was the first time the China Coast Guard had ever conducted a “blue-water” paranaval operation. The composition of the task force (modified naval frigates), its leadership (a career naval officer), and the secrecy that attended its activities all differed from out-of-area coast guard patrols of the past. These facts, combined with Chinese framing of the mission, suggest that Beijing regarded the deployment as an operation to defend and advance its overseas interests, making it more “gray” (that is, naval) than “white” (coast guard).
Martlet missile gives Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter proven air-air capability
Navy Lookout – During a recent trial, a Wildcat helicopter of 815 Naval Air Squadron shot down a Banshee target drone. The is the first time a Wildcat has detected, tracked, and engaged a drone without outside assistance, giving the aircraft an important air-air capability.
Japan Launches First Amphibious Ship for New Unit
USNI News – The Japanese Self-Defense Force launched a new class of amphibious vessels on Tuesday to serve a new unit focused on maritime logistics to resupply and reinforce its southwestern islands.
French Navy’s Carrier Strike Group About To Set Sail For Indo-Pacific Deployment
Naval News – The French Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is set to depart for a major and long deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Dubbed “Clemenceau 25”, the mission is expected to set sail this month.
‘Alarming’ but ‘not surprising’: Australia reportedly left with 1 operational sub amid repairs, upgrades
Breaking Defense – Five of Australia’s six aging Collins-class submarines are undergoing repairs or are awaiting upgrades, according to a new report here, leaving only one fully operational boat to prowl the Pacific. It’s a development that could hobble Canberra’s ability to project power in the region and one that analysts said was “alarming” if not predictable.
US to deploy B-52s, warships to Middle East as aircraft carrier departs
Reuters – The United States said on Friday it will deploy B-52 bombers, fighter jets, refueling aircraft and Navy destroyers to the Middle East, in a readjustment of military assets as the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group prepares to leave the region.
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Two New Versions Of China’s J-15 Carrier Fighter Now Appear To Be Operational
The War Zone – The new Chinese jets appeared during unprecedented dual-carrier operations in the strategically important South China Sea.
Navy Extending Service Lives of 12 Flight I Arleigh Burke Destroyers
USNI News – Twelve Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers will remain in the fleet past their initial service lives, the Navy announced on Thursday.
India boosts submarine fleet as region’s warship traffic picks up
Defense News – As India eyes the prospect of more Chinese and Pakistani warships and submarines traversing the Indian Ocean, Delhi is boosting its nuclear-powered submarine fleet. India is now working on a new class of attack submarines (SSN) after the government approved 400 billion rupees (US$4.8 billion) for the construction of an initial two 6,000-ton boats.
Portugal’s First Under-Ice Patrol Demonstrated Importance For NATO Of Conventional Submarine Operations In Arctic
Naval News – The Portuguese Navy’s first deployment of a submarine to the Arctic – and under the Arctic ice – earlier in 2024 demonstrated the key contribution diesel-electric submarines (SSKs) can make to NATO underwater operations in the region, the navy has told Naval News.
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