Asia Times – China has developed a new algorithm to use low-resolution satellite images to track US warships globally, marking a significant development in maritime surveillance capabilities and military strategy.
Author Archives: Naval Open Source Intelligence (NOSI)
Building Resilient Killchains for the Stand In Force
CIMSEC – As the Marine Corps prepares to contest the regional superiority of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the Indo-Pacific alongside the Navy and the joint force, the service must strengthen its organic killchains and ensure that each new capability acquisition aligns to the concepts that the service must execute.
‘It’s Never Going to Be Easy’
USNI News – Gulf Coast Shipyards Have Plenty of Orders, But Workforce Challenges Persist.
Taiwan Deploys Navy, Air Force As Response To Chinese Drills
Naval News – China announced that it had launched military drills code-named “Joint Sword 2024B” around Taiwan early in the morning on October 14, 2024. In response, Taiwan’s defense ministry revealed that it had deployed warships, fighter jets, UAVs, and mobile anti-ship missile batteries.
China Targets Taiwan in Major Military Exercise, Pentagon Condemns ‘Irresponsible’ Action
USNI News – China launched a large-scale, one-day military drill Monday that simulated a blockade of Taiwan. The exercise, code-named “Joint Sword – 2024B,” involved the People’s Liberation Army Navy, PLA Air Force, PLA Rocket Force and China Coast Guard. The drill was a response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s National Day speech, in which he asserted Taiwan’s independence from China.
“The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other,” Lai said on Thursday and “The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan.”
HEXAGON vs. Kirov: American satellite reconnaissance and the Soviet Union’s most powerful warship
The Space Review – In early 1974, American reconnaissance satellites spotted something unusual on a large shipway at a Leningrad shipyard—the first signs of a new major surface warship. Over the next several years they photographed the ship as it took shape, noting that it would be the Soviet Union’s first nuclear-powered warship. The ship launched in late 1977, sliding down the ramp into the Neva River, where it was moored for additional work. The US intelligence community designated it BALCOM-1, for Baltic Combatant, and it was the largest surface combatant in the world at that time, bigger than any American cruiser. High-resolution reconnaissance images showed that it had large hatches on its bow covering what were obviously big missiles, and intelligence analysts determined that it was intended to attack American aircraft carriers. Other hatches concealed anti-aircraft missiles. The ship’s pagoda-like superstructure was covered with numerous radar and communications antennas. Eventually, the US intelligence community determined that the ship was named Kirov.
Chinese Type 09IIIB Nuclear Powered Attack Submarine Surfaces In Clearest Image Yet
Naval News – A new image circulating on Chinese social media and subsequently on “X” (formerly Twitter) revealed more details on the new Type 09IIIB nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) produced at Chinese shipyard Bohai in Huludao for the Chinese Navy (PLAN). The image shows the new submarine underway, presumably taken from a boat or coastal location nearby. It is only the second ground-based photo of the new generation SSN, with previous imagery being exclusively satellite-sourced.
U.S. Navy Holds First TRAM At-Sea VLS Loading Test
Naval News – The U.S. Navy held its first at-sea test of a new reloading mechanism, beginning a path that the service claims will allow warships to rearm while underway by 2027.
China Maritime Report No. 42: Invasion Plans: Operation Causeway and Taiwan’s Defense in World War II
China Maritime Studies Institute – During World War II, the United States and the Empire of Japan each developed plans and marshaled forces for a climactic battle over Taiwan. Both sides regarded the island as an area of strategic consequence…By revisiting the history of Taiwan-focused war plans, we may better assess current challenges and develop insights that could inform future strategic, operational, and tactical decisions.
France’s Radical-Looking New Frigate Has Gone To Sea
The War Zone – The first of France’s Defense and Intervention Frigates is a new-generation multi-mission warship that features an inverted bow.
Carrier Cavour’s Pacific Deployment Extends Italy’s Reach in the Pacific, Say Admiral
USNI News – The Itatlian Navy’s extended deployment to the Pacific resulted in its sea-based F-35B Lightning II fighter achieving initial operational capability and exercising with partners in the Indo-Pacific deployment, said CSG commander Rear Adm. Giancarlo Ciappina.
Recent deadly strikes on ships in Black Sea could scare away commercial traffic, warn analysts
CBC – After three cargo ships were hit in Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian ports this week, killing at least 10 and injuring several others, maritime analysts are warning that ship operators could start refusing to transit that stretch of the Black Sea due to the increased threat.
Mauritius One Step Closer to Diego Garcia Sovereignty
War on the Rocks – After almost 59 years of controversial existence, the last vestige of the British Empire in the Indian Ocean, the British Indian Ocean Territory, is set to be wound up. On Oct. 3, Britain and Mauritius released a joint statement detailing a historic agreement via which sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, will be transferred to Mauritius. The sun is setting on the British Indian Ocean Territory and borders in the Indian Ocean are set to shift.
German Navy Asserts Freedom of Navigation During Pacific Deployment, Says Admiral
USNI News – The German Navy anticipated China’s reaction to its ships operating in the East and South China seas, Chief of the German Navy Vice Adm. Jan Christian Kaack said last week. Frigate FGS Baden-Württemberg (F222) and Frankfurt am Main – the ships that comprised Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024, – arrived at Changi Naval Base the day before. In a press conference marking the occasion, task force commander Rear Adm. Axel Schulz said that while the German Navy task force operated in the East China Sea and transited through the Taiwan Strait, People’s Army Liberation Navy warships shadowed the German ships.
Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter test-fires Sea Venom anti-ship missile for first time
Navy Lookout – A Wildcat Helicopter has conducted a single successful test-firing of the Sea Venom missile at a barge anchored off the Aberporth Range in Wales. This trail marks a major step forward in the much-delayed integration of this important capability onto the Wildcat. Sea Venom has been in development since the late 1990s as the replacement for Sea Skua light anti-ship missile which was retired in 2017. It was supposed to go into service in 2023 but instead this capability has been gapped for almost a decade with FOC due in 2026.
Signs Point To North Korea Building A Nuclear-Powered Submarine: South Korean Intel
The War Zone – North Korea appears to have started building a new submarine, which may feature nuclear propulsion, according to a South Korean official. The development would be in line with previous reports and follows the launch, last September, of a reworked Cold War-era Romeo class diesel-electric submarine designed to carry ballistic missiles.
First Royal Navy attack submarine to put to sea in 3 months sails to join exercise Strike Warrior
Navy Lookout – An Astute Class submarine left HMNB Clyde this afternoon and is likely to be involved in the carrier strike group exercise Strike Warrior. She is the first Royal Navy SSN to go to sea since HMS Triumph returned to Devonport on 3rd July this year.
HMNZS Manawanui: What we know about the ship’s sinking
Radio New Zealand – What caused the crash, what’s next and how much will the ship cost to replace? Here’s what we know.
(Thanks to Alain)
RFA Fort Victoria to be placed in long-term lay up
Navy Lookout – The sole UK solid stores support ship RFA Fort Victoria is being prepared to be laid up for at least a year, joining RFA Tiderace and RFA Wave Ruler in Seaforth Docks, Liverpool in long-term reserve.
CMSI Translations #8: U.S.-Philippine Military Cooperation in the South China Sea: Challenges and Responses
China Maritime Studies Institute – With the new generation of Philippine government taking office, U.S.-Philippines relations have rapidly warmed, and the depth and breadth of their military cooperation have increased. This has brought new challenges and threats to China’s national security. How to deal with these challenges will be a difficult problem before us.
China’s Monster Amphibious Assault Ship Has Twin Island Superstructures Optimized For Aviation Ops
The War Zone – The first of China’s new class of big-deck amphibious assault ships is rapidly taking shape and we can now get a much better look at the vessel’s twin-island configuration. The design choice is typically made to simplify air operations and is very likely another indicator of this class of vessels being tailored, at least in part, for going to sea with enhanced air wings that include larger types of drones.
Does China now have a permanent military base in Cambodia?
BBC – The Cambodian government has repeatedly denied such a possibility, citing its constitution which bans any permanent foreign military presence, and stating that the naval base at Ream is open to use by all friendly navies.
Interview With The Chief Of The Colombian Navy
Naval News – Vice Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón, Chief of the Colombian Navy, shared his insights on the strategic vision and future prospects of the Navy in an exclusive interview with Naval News.
New Zealand Navy Hydrographic Ship HMNZS Manawanu Sinks Near Samoa
USNI News – Royal New Zealand Navy hydrographic dive and survey ship HMNZS Manawanui (A09) sank on Sunday after running aground off the southern coast of the island of Upolu, Samoa. The ship ran aground on Saturday evening while on a survey mission in the area. All aboard were rescued.
“Red Light, Green Light” Faraway from the Beach
Wavell Room – What can you do with amphibious forces given current area denial, especially sea denial, measures; particularly in Europe? Those tools of sea denial mean that fouling the waters is easy but clearing them is hard. Because of this, sea denial is easier today and sea control is growing more challenging. Threats to large landing ships make traditional amphibious assaults—called forcible entry operations in the American vernacular—riskier. Simply using amphibious forces to do ground operations in a new patch of land is too hazardous. On the other hand, a divergent model has promise to contribute to sea control.
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