CIMSEC – The Moskva-class represented the largest and most obvious failure of the helicopter cruiser concept. Their weapons were inflexible and their air group too small, compounded by horrible seakeeping. Beyond the failings of the design itself, their doctrinal role was made obsolete before the first ship commissioned. While the proposed ‘Modern Moskva’ avoids these failings, the concept does not address the problems which doomed all helicopter cruisers. Efficiently operating large numbers of aircraft requires as much flight deck as possible. Surface combatants require deck space for weapons and sensors. Trying to combine the two requirements yields a ship that does neither well. A ‘Modern Moskva’ finds itself in a position of being larger and more expensive than a normal surface combatant, but wholly worse than a carrier at flight operations.

War Zone – Zircon missiles and Russia’s super quiet Yasen class submarines could be a significant combination, but questions remain about the weapon’s maturity.

USNI News – The Russian Navy continues to develop how it intends to deploy its latest strategic weapon – a bus-sized torpedo tipped with a nuclear warhead.

AP – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday launched the construction of new nuclear submarines and other warships, part of a sweeping military modernization effort amid tensions with the West.

Naval News – Russia’s secretive special survey ship Yantar raises eyebrows when she appears off Western shores. She has previously been noted conducting operations off Syria, in the Persian Gulf and off Americas. And elsewhere. Now she is off the coast of Ireland, loitering in the vicinity of underwater internet cables.

RUSI – Projections indicate that the coming decade will see more Russian submarines capable of carrying more cruise missiles, while NATO’s corresponding capacity will be constricted.

Naval News – Russia is rapidly modernizing its cruise-missile submarine fleet. At the same time, the U.S. Navy is building larger and more capable versions of the Virginia Class which carry more missiles. How do the latest submarine classes compare in terms of weapons load?

War Zone – The Danish Navy described the situation as “dramatic” as the submarine Orel drifted towards its territory following an unknown propulsion malfunction.

CIMSEC – A variety of factors, including the long range capabilities of modern artillery, the evolution of drones and missiles, together with the need for stand-off and distributed lethality, have combined to make space in the world’s navies for a great comeback of helicopter cruisers.

1945 – James Holmes asks how to make sense of this flurry of air and sea activity?

BMPD – It is reported that on June 25, 2021, for the first time, a large diesel-electric submarine B-602 Magadan (factory number 01616) of project 06363, built for the Russian Navy in St. Petersburg at Admiralty Shipyards JSC (part of United Shipbuilding Corporation JSC – USC), was released for factory sea sea sea. This is the third of six Project 06363 submarines under construction for the Pacific Fleet. (In Russian)

(Thanks to Alain)

Naval News – Belgorod will bring new capabilities to the Russian Navy. To be operated on behalf of the secretive Main Directorate of Undersea Research (GUGI), the submarine may be central to Russia’s intelligence gathering capabilities. Yet she also carries a new strategic weapon, known as Poseidon.

Military Informant – (Thanks to Alain)

War Zone – Russia has provided more details about its recent sea and air drills conducted in the central Pacific, which included mock attacks on a simulated aircraft carrier strike group.

War Zone – The head of U.S. Northern Command says that Russia’s Yasen class submarines are set to present a “persistent proximate threat” to the United States.

Barents Observer – Coastal flotilla, submarines, and aircraft will over the coming days conduct a tactical exercise to protect Russia’s Arctic borders.

TASS – Sudan will review its naval base agreement with Russia, because some of its provisions are harmful for the country’s interests.

USNI News – A Russian Navy surveillance ship has spent the last several days lingering off the coast of the western coast of Hawaii.

War Zone – In a throwback to the days of the Cold War, the Russian swing-wing bombers will fly maritime missions in NATO’s “backyard.”

War Zone – The clips show the wake detection gear, escape pod, and sauna on Sierra II class submarines, and also explores force protection measures ashore.

BBC – BBC Moscow correspondent Sarah Rainsford was given rare access to the Russian base, known as Arctic Trefoil.

Barents Observer – Russia’s Defense Ministry has decided that at least one of the next Borei-A class strategic submarines will be delivered to the Northern Fleet instead of the Pacific Fleet.

BleepingComputer – Hackers suspected to work for the Chinese government have used a new malware called PortDoor to infiltrate the systems of an engineering company that designs submarines for the Russian Navy.

Naval News – The Russian Navy is reinforcing its mine countermeasures (MCM) capabilities.

Barents Observer – Kazan is the first of eight modern nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines to be delivered from the shipyard in Severodvinsk.