War Zone – The Sea Baby is claimed to pack a 1,800-pound warhead and is said to have been used in the last drone boat attack on the Kerch Bridge.
First cargo ship leaves Ukraine port since end of grain deal despite Russian threats
The Guardian – A civilian cargo vessel has left Ukraine’s southern port of Odesa, Kyiv has said, despite warnings from Russia that its navy could target ships using the Black Sea export hubs.
Israeli Navy takes possession of its first new US-built landing craft
The Times of Israel – The Israeli Navy on Tuesday received the first of two new landing craft from a shipyard in the United States.
(Thanks to Alain)
Ukrainian naval warfare leaves Russian military in Syria cut off from supplies
Al Alarabiya – Ukrainian Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) attacks on Russian vessels and ships leaves Russian forces in Syria cut off from essential supplies and affects their operations.
(Thanks to Alain)
U.S.-Philippine Coast Guard Patrols: Time To Provoke The Provocateur
1945 – Reality has set in on both sides of the Pacific with respect to Communist China. The Philippine Star is reporting that joint U.S.-Philippine coast guard patrols will take to the sea by year’s end. It’s the feel-good story of midsummer.
USS America, Embarked 31st MEU Elements in Papua New Guinea for Humanitarian Efforts
USNI News – Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) and its embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Bougainville, a region in Papua New Guinea, Thursday, to carry out Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations after volcanic eruptions of Mount Bagana in July displaced numerous communities in the area and cut off access to food and water for them.
Israel Launches New Submarine, First In World With Modern Missiles In Sail
Naval News – The Israeli Navy is known for the secrecy surrounding its submarine force. 5 Dolphin-I/II class submarines are believed to carry nuclear-armed missiles. Now the latest boat, INS Drakon, has been quietly launched in Kiel, Germany. It appears to have new, larger, missiles.
Ships backed up in Black Sea lanes as Russia warning shots raise tensions
Reuters – Merchant ships remained backed up in lanes around the Black Sea on Monday as ports struggled to clear backlogs amid growing unease among insurers and shipping companies a day after a Russian warship fired warning shots at a cargo vessel.
Ukraine Situation Report: Russians Board Ukraine-Bound Ship
War Zone – The Palau-flagged bulk carrier continued on its voyage after a Russian “inspection” but soon fled toward the coastline and Turkish waters.
Russian warship fires warning shots at cargo ship in Black Sea
The Guardian – A Russian warship fired warning shots at a cargo ship in the south-western Black Sea on Sunday as it made its way northwards, the first time Russia has fired on merchant shipping beyond Ukraine since exiting a landmark UN-brokered grain deal last month.
Royal Navy ship boosts West African maritime security
UK Defence Journal – HMS Trent has embarked on a mission to West Africa, aiming to enhance maritime security and curb criminal activities like piracy and armed robbery prevalent in the region.
Land forces now control the sea — and that is vital in the Pacific
Breaking Defense – The US may have the most advanced navy in the world — but as Pentagon officials have openly warned, China’s strategy to counter it has been to load up on land-based anti-ship missiles. Below, Albert Palazzo of the University of New South Wales in Canberra, Australia, warns that the threat will only continue to grow.
Army closes in on fielding of Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon
Breaking Defense – The Army’s new Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is closing in on the initial fielding of two new missile systems while preparing to pass the development and sustainment baton to the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Missiles and Space
How the Navy’s chief engineer sees 3D printing rebuilding the fleet
Breaking Defense – The proliferation of 3D printers, combined with loosened rules on using them, could change the way the Navy fixes its ships at sea.
Spying Targets Point to Chinese Interest in Amphibious Warfare, Experts Say
USNI News – The material two alleged spies for China provided to their handlers point to a sustained interest from the People’s Liberation Army in amphibious operations as threats to Taiwan grow.
Ukraine Opens Temporary Shipping Channels in Black Sea
USNI News – Ukraine announced temporary corridors for commercial vessels to depart Black Sea ports despite ongoing threats from Russia.
Japan’s Military Is Getting Ready To Take On A Rising China
1945 – Japan’s Ministry of Defense uses annual white papers to survey the country’s strategic surroundings and explain how it means to manage them. Its latest such survey shows Tokyo upping its game vis-à-vis China in a major way.
Navy extends service lives of four more destroyers
Defense News – The Navy plans to extend the service life of four guided-missile destroyers that were slated to be retired in the coming years, adding four or five years to each of the warships’ standard 35 years of service.
First Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper Squadron Now Operational
USNI News – Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU 3) introduced its new Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, last week.
Singapore’s first Invincible-class submarine delivered
Navy Today – The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)’s Invincible-class submarine, Impeccable, was delivered in Singapore in a ceremony held at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base on 20 July.
(Thanks to Alain)
US and China spar over Philippine shipwreck-turned-military outpost
The Guardian – Vessel becomes potential flashpoint as Beijing orders Philippines to remove wreck housing marines in South China Sea.
Elon Musk is accused of thwarting a Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian ship off Crimea after ‘refusing them access to the Starlink satellite network’
Daily Mail – Ukraine has been forced to abort several planned drone strikes on Russian targets after Elon Musk refused to grant access to the Starlink satellite network for offensive military maneuvers, a report has claimed.
(Thanks to Alain)
In Australia, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin is at the ‘Cutting Edge’ of Force Design
USNI News – What began with 250 American Marines and sailors at Australia’s “Top End” 12 years ago has grown into a Marine air-ground task force of 2,500 that spends its seven-month rotation spread across Australia and the western Pacific.
Two Senior Israeli Navy Commanders Say They Won’t Serve Due to Judicial Overhaul
Haaretz – Two of the five brigadier generals in the naval reserves who serve at operational headquarters and as deputies to the force’s commander have announced that they will no longer volunteer for reserve duty due to the government’s legal overhaul.
(Thanks to Alain)
Corvettes and the RAN surface fleet debate
ASPI – To meet the Australian defence strategic review’s requirement for an enhanced-lethality surface fleet, minimally armed offshore patrol vessels and patrol boats won’t cut it. Instead, Defence should consider replacing the OPV build with a fleet of much more capable combatants, and a corvette or light frigate option should be seriously looked at.
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
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