Chilean Navy – The Chilean Navy is monitoring the passage of a British ship off its coast which is carrying nuclear waste from France to Japan.

• CNN:
  Chilean Navy monitors ship carrying nuclear waste

Turkish Navy – Exerercise Reliant Mermaid III is occurring in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, between the Turkish, Israeli, and US navies. The exercise shows the strong alliances that exist between the 3 countries.

• Washington Post: Naval exercise builds Mideast ties

US Navy – The US Navy is set to limit port calls, to protect against terrorism.

• US News and World Report: Port calls or naval gazing

Royal Navy – The controversy over depleted uranium ammunition continues, with the Royal Navy phasing out its use as the ammuntion is no longer made for its Phalynx Close In Weapons Systems.

• BBC: Royal Navy phases out DU ammo
• BBC: Call for further action on DU ammo

Background – Depleted Uranium (DU) weapons – A historical background on DU weapons – why they were developed and what their side effects are.

• Washington Post: The Department of Depleted Uranium

Royal Australian Navy – The US Navy has taken a keen interest in the Collins-class attack submarines, now that the bugs in them are being ironed out. Meanwhile, their Swedish designer has lodged a protest with Australia, claiming the Australians are improperly sharing the boat’s secrets with the US.

• Sydney Morning Herald: Subs once mocked now valued by US
• Sydney Morning Herald: Sweden goes to war: Australia blasted over submarine secrets

US Navy – The next mission of the stealth test ship Sea Shadow – to test new technologies for the DD-21 class.

• San Diego Union Tribune:
  Ship comes out from shadow for new mission

US Navy – A description of the mission of the Acoustical Research Detachment in Idaho, which develops techniques for submarine quieting

• Spokesman-Review: Tour of installation satisfied curiosity, provided facts

Russian Navy – The Russian Navy will cruise to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and Mediterranean Sea this year.

• Associated Press: Russian Navy returning to Atlantic
• The Hindu: Russian warships to resume ocean patrolling

Background – Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) – A cogent description of what LFAS is, and why it may be harmful to marine mammals.

• Feed: Now Hear This

Canadian Navy – The Canadian Navy was attempting to purchase Squall high speed torpedoes from the Russian Navy, on behalf of the US. It appears that this may have involved Edmond Pope.

• Ottawa Citizen: Canadian connection in spy drama
• National Post: Torpedo travels through water like ‘lightning stab of a dagger’
  

Indian Navy – The Indian defence minister states that India must devote more resources to its navy, to help it defend its sea borders.

• The News International, Pakistan: Indian sea borders vulnerable, says Fernandes

Now that last year’s bookeeping is out of the way, it’s time to return to the news???

???except, I’d like you to take a moment to think about NOSI, what you like about it, what you dislike about it, and how it can be improved. Then drop me a brief e-mail with your thoughts to: thedalessandros@hotmail.com

Your feedback is much appreciated as it helps to immeasurably improve this site.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy has been criticized for delaying modernization of its sole aircraft carrier INS Viraat.

• Janes: India under fire over delay in carrier upgrade

US Navy – How the US Navy is convincingly making the case it needs to increase the number of nuclear attack submarines it has.

• Air Force: Submarine salesmanship

World Naval Operational News Highlights for 2000

1. Several recurring themes were identified in this year’s naval news stories:
• Iraq’s successful attempts to circumvent the United Nations
  economic sanctions on the exporting of oil.
• The crisis in readiness, especially in the navies of the United
  States, United Kingdom, Russia, and Canada.
• Piracy in the South China Sea.
• The standoff in the Taiwanese Straits between Taiwan and China.
• Ship handling accidents in the United States Navy.
• The ascendency of Indian Navy.
• Territorial disputes over islands in the South China Sea, such as the Spratly Islands.
• Support for Operations Other Than War including the Royal Navy and French Navy in Mozambique
  and Madagascar, the Royal Navy in Sierra Leone, and the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy in the Solomon Islands.
2. The most professional combined arms operation of the year was the deployment of British forces to Sierra Leone to attempt to restore stability to the country.
3. The only ship-to-ship combat of the year was between the Sri Lankan Navy and the Tamil Tigers.
4. The most intriguing naval news story of the year is whether or not Israel has developed a sea based nuclear deterrent in the form of nuclear tipped cruise missiles on its new Dolphin-class submarines.
5. The most strategically significant naval news story of the year is the possibility that the US may have to turn its base on Diego Garcia back over to the native Chagos islanders who were unlawfully evicted from the island in the 1960’s.
6. The most narrowly averted naval disaster of the year was the serious problem found in the cooling system of the nuclear reactor on the Royal Navy’s nuclear attack submarines.
7. The most tragic naval news stories of the year was the sinking of the Russian nuclear attack submarine Kursk with the loss of all hands, and the terrorist attack on the guided missile destroyer USS Cole with heavy loss of life.
8. The most bizarre naval news story of the year was the construction of a midget submarine in the mountains of Columbia, to be used by drug smugglers, with assistance from Russian nationals.
9. The most humorous naval operation of the year was the sight of the Canadian Navy undertaking an operation to recapture Canadian Army equipment from a transport ship’s crew which was holding it hostage in order to be reimbursed for its transport from Kosovo to Canada.
10. And finally, the naval news story of the year with the most potential long term significance was the unsuccessful attempt of Argentinians to sue the British government over the sinking of the cruiser General Belgrano in the Falklands War. Will the wars of the future be refought in the court room, rather than in the simulator room?

Yesterday I reread all of NOSI, in preparation for writing a year-end summary. I came across the following two stories, which due to typos were not linked correctly and therefore could not be read. I therefore resubmit them to you for your reading pleasure???

Russian Navy – A fascinating seismic analysis of the Kursk’s explosions from Terry Wallace and Dr. Keith Koper at the University of Arizona, which estimates the force of the explosion to be between 0.5 and 1 ton. I am grateful to Micha Schellingerhout from the Netherlands for sharing this!

• University of Arizona: Forensic Seismology and the Sinking of the Kursk

Royal Navy – it has been discovered that HMS Tireless, the Trafalgar-class nuclear attack submarine currently docked in Gibraltar awaiting repairs, was much closer to a meltdown of its nuclear reactor than was previously admittted.

• Times of London: Nuclear sub ‘came close to meltdown’

NOSI Statistics for 2000
NOSI was launched on February 18, 2000.

In 2000, there were news stories linked to on 208 / 318 days – that is on 65% of the days.

In 2000, NOSI linked to 567 news stories. On December 31, 2000, each link was
checked to see if it was still working. 139 / 567 links, or 25% were
broken.

The news stories linked to covered the operational activities of 32 navies:

United States – 178 stories
Russia – 77 stories
United Kingdom – 74 stories
India – 44 stories
Canada – 22 stories
Australia – 21 stories
China – 16 stories
France – 15 stories
Taiwan – 14 stories
Sri Lanka – 13 stories
Indonesia – 8 stories
Japan – 8 stories
Nigeria – 6 stories
South Africa – 6 stories
Iran – 5 stories
New Zealand – 4 stories
Israel – 4 stories
Columbia – 4 stories
Pakistan – 3 stories
Phillipines – 3 stories
Suriname – 2 stories
Malaysia – 2 stories
Brazil – 2 stories
Ukraine – 2 stories
Mauritania – 1 story
North Korea – 1 story
Portugal – 1 story
Poland – 1 story
Turkey – 1 story
Uruguay – 1 story
Yugoslavia – 1 story
South Korea – 1 story
???and 26 Background new stories

In 2000, 18,205 pages of information were read on NOSI by 8,612 users.

Two good (and long) ways to end the year???

Background – Amphibious Warfare– A rather long-winded essay on the state of the art in amphibious warfare.

• Jane’s: Jane’s Amphibious Warfare Capabilities 2000-2001

US Navy – ???and a four year old report that is still relavent – life aboard the nuclear ballistic missile submarine USS Florida.

• MSNBC: Standing nuclear watch

Indian Navy – INS Sindhushastra, the first Indian submarine capable of firing Klub anti-shipping
cruise missiles, has arrived in India.

• The Hindu: Klub-capable submarines

South African Navy – The South African Navy’s first tactical exercise in many years, performed with the German Navy, has taught it many valuable lessons.

• Jane’s: Valuable lessons for South Africa

South African Navy – The South African Navy will acquire three Class 209 Type 1400 MOD submarines from Germany, to complement the purchase of four Meko A200 patrol corvettes..

• Jane’s: The South African Navy’s new submarine

French Navy – the French Navy has placed an order for 2 multipurpose amphibious warfare ships to replace the Orage and Ouragan. These ships will be similar to US Navy LHAs/LHDs.

• Jane’s: France boosts amphibious capabilities

US Marines Through emerging concepts like Operational Maneuver from the Sea and Ship-to-Objective Maneuver, the US Marines are expanding their expeditionary reach.

• Janes: US Navy and Marines expand their expeditionary horizons

Background: The World in 2015 – A summary of the CIA’s Global Trends 2015 report, on what the world will look like in 15 years, and what threats the US will face.

• Time: The CIA’s stormy crystal ball

Indian Navy – While indigineous attempts to build a nuclear submarine are still a dream, India may attempt to again lease a nuclear submarine from Russia in order to perserve its nuclear know-how.

• Rediff: India’s nuclear sub still a distant dream
• Jane’s: Indian planning to lease Russian SSN

Chinese Navy – A well reasoned essay on why the Chinese can never successfully invade Taiwan.

• Strategy Page: China and the forgotten anniversary

Russian Navy – The Russian Navy has started shakedown tests on its 13th Akula-class nuclear attack submarine.

• Reuters: Russia Tests New Nuclear-Powered Submarine

Canadian Navy HMCS Charlottetown will join the Truman battle group for its 6 month deployment, the 3rd time a Canadian vessel has served as an integrated member of a US battle group

• Virginian Pilot: Canadian ship to join Truman on deployment

US Navy – A review of Navy Secretary Danzig’s contributions.

• Virginian Pilot: Navy Secretary Richard Danzig – Beyond the status quo

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy will be setting up a Far Eastern Command, to aid its operations within the Indian Ocean.

• The Hindu: Far eastern naval command on the anvil
  

Brazilian Navy – The Oberon-class submarine Tonelero sank at its moorings apparently due to a valve malfunction in the hydraulic system .

• CNN:
  Brazil navy works to lift sunken sub from Rio bay

Royal Navy – It will take 12 months to repair all of the Royal Navy’s nuclear attack submarines which have cracks in their reactor piping.

• The Times: Nuclear sub repairs will last until next autumn

Royal Australian Navy – The US has threatened to downgrade military co-operation with Australia if European companies obtain an ownership stake in the Australian Submarine Corporation.

• The Australian: US threat to sink strategic alliance

French Navy – The French government has confirmed that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle’s propellers were poorly made.

• Agence French Press: France’s jinxed aircraft carrier: propellers badly manufactured

US Navy – US Navy ships have resumed making short port calls in the Persian Gulf.

• CNN: U.S. Navy ships resume port calls in Gulf

US Navy – The USS Harry S Truman canceled a port visit to Naples, Italy after a terrorist threat was made to the base.

• CNN: Port visit for U.S. warship diverted after terrorist threat
• MSNBC: U.S. Navy base put on high alert

US Navy – A review of the accomplishments of departing Navy Secretary Richard Danzig over the last 2 years.

• San Diego Union Tribune: Navy secretary proved an able reformer
  

Israeli Navy – Israel’s 3 new submarines are at sea, on alert for a possible war with Syria. The submarines are rumored to be armed with nuclear tipped missiles.

• Jerusalem Post: Israeli submarines said to be placed on high alert

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy and Coast Guard will receive additional assests to help curb infiltration near Mandapam by Tamil Tigers.

• The Hindu: Coast Guard to be strengthened at Mandapam to curb infiltration
  

Asia-Pacific – Background

• International Herald Tribune: Japan and Australia Expect Gains in Asia-Pacific Security

US Coast Guard – US Coast Guard helicopters rescued thirty-four crew members from the cruise ship Seabreeze 1 off Virginia. There were no passengers onboard.

• BBC: Cruise ship crew survive storm ordeal
• CNN: Cruise ship sinks day after crew rescued
• Virginian Pilot: Risk pays off in Coast Guard rescue

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy is being forced to mothball HMS Invincible because it does not have the funds to operate her.

• Daily Telegraph: Fighting Invincible to be mothballed

Russian Navy – The Russian and US Navies will cooperate on developing joint submarine rescue teams.

• Agence France Presse: Russia and the United States to Cooperate on Sub-Rescue Teams

Royal Australian Navy – Two Collins-class submarines reported for duty today, after being upgraded to limited operational capability. All 6 Collins-class submarines still need completely new combat systems.

• AAP: Subs on duty and on time
  

US Navy – The Chagos islanders, who won the right to return to their homeland last month, will now sue the US for compensation for being illegally thrown off their island home. The US admits it cannot stop them from resettling on their home islands, but will not allow then to return to Diego Garcia itself.

• The Guardian: Diego Garcia exiles to seek £4bn from US

US Marines – After another fatal crash of the MV-22 Osprey, the Marine Corps has grounded the aircraft again.

• Washington Post: Marines suspend Osprey flights after crash

Taiwanese Navy – The Taiwanese Navy states that most of its S-2T Tracker antisubmarine warfare planes are not in flying condition any more and would like to replace them with P-3C Orions.

• Taipei Times: Navy warns planes are falling apart

Nigerian Navy – The Nigerian Navy has been instructed to sink any vessels caught stealing oil from its oil export terminals.

• Reuters: Nigeria tells navy to sink vessels carrying stolen oil

Sri Lankan Navy – The Sri Lankan Navy celebrated its 50th birthday by commissioning 3 vessels – an off-shore patrol vessel and 2 deep sea patrol ships.

• The Hindu: Sri Lankan Navy commissions Indian built patrol vessel

Royal Navy – Security will be beefed up at Faslane for the Trident force stationed there; the Royal Marine Fleet Marine Protection Group will be moving into new headquarters there in the spring.

• BBC: Marines to guard Trident base