Navy Lookout – The war at sea in the Black Sea has entered a new and more dangerous phase, even as Western navies are still debating what the previous phase means for them. Speaking at CNE in May 2026, Cdre Steve Bamfield RN and Cdre Thomas Hanssen of the Norwegian Navy, co-leaders of the Maritime Capability Coalition (MCC) for Ukraine, gave a frank assessment of where the conflict stands and why its hardest lessons have proved resistant to translation into NATO doctrine and procurement.

Navy Lookout – RN hydrographic specialists have completed a second series of at-sea trials of their new towed underwater survey system, this time aboard the Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ship, RFA Proteus, off Portland and in Lyme Bay. The exercises mark a significant step towards integrating the ScanFish containerised Remotely Operated Towed Vehicle (ROTV) into frontline SBW operations.

CIMSEC – Land-based AShMs should be understood not primarily as tactical enablers, but as relatively easy-to-use instruments of controlled strategic escalation. Accordingly, the strategic focus must shift from targeting platforms to shaping the behavior of the actors and networks that employ them.

Defense News – Submarines are among the most secretive of China’s military assets, but a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine – or SSN for short – has shown up in satellite imagery after recently moving to a launch bay at the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao.

Global Times – A new variant of the Type 054A guided missile frigate has entered service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, characterized by a main gun of a larger caliber and an extended flight deck to host a new-type anti-submarine helicopter, official Chinese media reported on Monday.

FPRI – The United States is at a point where it hasn’t designed and built a good surface escort ship since the Arleigh Burke, at a time when its navy needs more and fast. The US Navy decommissioned the last of its previous frigate class in 2015 and is already retiring some of its LCS fleet after considerable operational problems. With no obvious small surface combatant to fill this gap on the horizon, America needs to figure out a new plan before the US Navy suffers from the same want of frigates as plagued Nelson. 

Naval News – China unveiled its AJX002 underwater minelaying drone, signalling a significant expansion and modernization of its capabilities. The dedicated platform enhances blockade potential, particularly around Taiwan, raising strategic concerns as its covert, almost deniable nature increases the likelihood that China will use naval mines.

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.

USNI News – The hull of aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) was pierced above the waterline during a Wednesday collision with a merchant tanker just north of the entrance to the Suez Canal.

National Interest – As the U.S. Navy faces potential conflict with China in the Pacific, leaders must decide when to risk their valuable, hard-to-replace capital ships, such as Ford-class carriers, in battle. In a potential Taiwan conflict, China would likely commit extensive forces, while the U.S. might hesitate due to public opinion and fleet dispersion.

Defense News – The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will study amphibious warship readiness and how the services can get ahead of ship maintenance challenges.

The Maritime Executive – Russian state media has confirmed the dismissal of the Russian Navy’s top officer, Adm. Nikolai Evmenov. He has been removed and replaced by the commander of the Northern Fleet, Adm. Aleksandr Moiseev. 

(Thanks to Alain)

AP – Yemen’s Houthi rebels have escalated attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea during the Israel-Hamas war, raising concerns about the impact on the flow of oil, grain and consumer goods through a major global trade artery.

US Naval War College Review – The European Union (EU) seeks to become a global maritime-security actor, yet strategic challenges influence its maritime-security strategy process. Is there a distinctive and coherent EU approach to global maritime security, and how should the EU address the growing range of maritime challenges, including the intensification of militarized competition in the Indo-Pacific?

USNI Proceedings – “Flexible response” plans can help prevent prolonged fighting and devastation.

Naval News – Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI) has signed a contract with Proteus Advanced Systems Pte. Ltd., a joint venture company of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) and ST Engineering Land Systems Ltd. (ST), to equip the Estonian Defence Forces with Blue Spear (5G SSM) missile systems

Breaking Defense – The Houthi rebels in Yemen have planted sea mines in the southern part of the Red Sea where US Navy and other allied ships are sailing, posing a possibly grave threat to shipping.

CIMSEC – This week CIMSEC is running an interview series on the U.S. Navy’s 1980s Maritime Strategy. Through discussions with those helped conceive and advocate for this historic strategy, important lessons on the maritime dimension of great power competition will emerge.

War Zone – The aircraft’s choice as a replacement for the venerable C-2 Greyhound has been controversial, but its development has been amazingly fast.

Can anyone recommend a modern warship recognition guide for a beginner?

Weyer’s Flottentaschenbuch is a bit too much at this stage.

This Jane’s guide would be perfect but it is 14 years old. Does anyone know of anything newer?

Please let me know through the Contact Form – Thanks!

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