The War Zone – The Navy is interested in quickly enhancing its ships’ ability to down drones, reflecting concerns over what’s happening in the Red Sea.
Navy’s SM-6 Missile Used In Combat
The War Zone – The use of the multi-purpose SM-6 missile in the ongoing battle with the Houthis would mark a major milestone for the versatile weapon.
Drone Boat Swarm Vision Laid Out By DoD
The War Zone – A new program envisions swarms of drone boats autonomously finding and chasing down target ships, and maybe even attacking them directly.
U.S. Approves Potential $3.9B MQ-9B Sea Guardian UAV Sale to India
USNI News – The State Department greenlit a potential $3.9 billion deal of General Atomics MQ-9B drones to India today, marking the latest move between Washington and New Delhi as the two strengthen their defense and security cooperation.
Ukraine ‘hits Russian missile boat Ivanovets in Black Sea’
BBC – Ukrainian forces say they have destroyed a Russian missile boat from the Black Sea Fleet in a special operation off Russian-occupied Crimea.
US and UK strikes fail to slow Houthi attacks
BBC – Repeated US and UK air strikes against the Houthis in Yemen have failed to slow their attacks on ships in the region, BBC Verify has found.
Does The Navy’s New Constellation Class Frigate Have Enough Vertical Launch Cells?
The War Zone – Recent events in the Red Sea again raise questions about whether 32 vertical launch cells is adequate for the Constellation class frigates.
Phalanx CIWS Downs Houthi Missile Dangerously Close To Destroyer
The War Zone – For the first time since they began swatting down Houthi missiles and drones fired into the Red Sea region, a U.S. warship had to use its Mark 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) against an incoming threat, CNN reported. Taken at face value, this is a very unsettling revelation as Phalanx’s engagement envelope is very close to the ship and is seen as a ‘last ditch’ point defense system. How the missile managed to penetrate the Aegis destroyer’s defenses is unclear at this time.
Pentagon Puts Out Call for Swarming Attack Drones That Could Blunt a Taiwan Invasion
USNI News – The U.S. military has taken the next step in building thousands of lethal sea-borne attack drones that could be key to deterring a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
US Navy works on war response plan amid Red Sea ship surge
Defense News – The U.S. Navy is working on a new wartime response plan that would affect how ships and crews prepare and deploy for combat, according to the head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
Denmark Sends Frigate To The Red Sea
Naval News – Denmark sends the frigate Iver Huitfeldt on a mission as part of the international maritime coalition in and around the Red Sea to strengthen maritime security. The frigate is also expected to be missioned in a future EU-led naval mission in the area.
German navy pegs Indian Ocean, Baltic Sea as top destinations in 2024
Defense News – The German navy’s priorities for 2024 will focus on increasing its presence in the Baltic Sea and Indian Ocean, top service officials said this month, while a deployment to the Red Sea to protect trade ships recently targeted by Houthi rebels in Yemen also is on the horizon.
Russia commissions new ultra-silent submarine
Barents Observer – The diesel-engined Kronshtadt is designed for destruction of enemy ships and infrastructure, and is likely to serve in the Northern Fleet.
India’s Navy Has Arrived
National Interest – True to its tradition of nonalignment, India has declined to join the U.S.-led effort to keep open shipping lanes in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels have pummeled merchant traffic indiscriminately with drones and antiship missiles. At the same time, though, New Delhi has dispatched ships of war to the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden to protect Indian-flagged merchantmen while succoring ships of any flag that suffer damage from Houthi strikes. Ten Indian Navy warships now patrol waters to the subcontinent’s west.
Sweden’s Submarine Fleet Ready to Set Off in Baltic Sea to Deter Russia
Japan News – With Sweden’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization nearing, a jet-black submarine, which will be on the front line of efforts to deter Russia, is quietly ready for departure from the naval base in Karlskrona, southern Sweden.
(Thanks to Alain)
India navy rescues two hijacked vessels off Somalia coast in two days
BBC – Indian naval forces have rescued two hijacked vessels off Somalia’s coast as fears grow over a possible resurgence in piracy in the area.
Mystery Vessel Seen In San Diego Likely U.S. Navy ‘Narco Sub’ Transport
Covert Shores – A mysterious vessel observed in San Diego harbor appears to be a prototype low-profile transport drone (USV – uncrewed surface vessel). The design is strongly reminiscent of many so-called “narco submarines”. Like so much in this field, most of it is hidden below the surface.
(Thanks to Alain)
Greece Expresses Interest In Co-Production Of Constellation-Class Frigates
Naval News – The Greek Minister of Defence Nikolaos Dendias has officially announced Greece’s ambitious plan to construct seven Constellation-class frigates, showcasing the nation’s commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities.
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Trends in Maritime Challenges Indicate Force Design 2030 is the Proper Path
War on the Rocks – We are concerned about the quality of thinking, data, analysis, and synthesis that informs the decisions to reorganize the Marine Corps to meet its fundamental statutory obligations. It is because of that concern that we see that Force Design is indeed improving, not diminishing, the effectiveness of the Marine Corps to respond to the crises of today’s and tomorrow’s security environment. The current events impacting modern security challenges are providing empirical evidence to bear that observation out. We anticipate these real-world indicators will positively support the Force Design 2030 decisions when they are included in the congressionally directed report in the coming year.
Greece Closer Than Ever To Procure LCS From The U.S.
Naval News – The Hellenic Navy is closer than ever to procure Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships following a letter from US Secretary of State allocating four vessels to Greece.
Amid high-tech talk, US and European navy chiefs bemoan the people problem
Breaking Defense – Western naval leaders gathered in Paris to present their priorities — and agree that recruiting and retention are among the chief challenges of the digital age.
When will the Type 45 destroyers leave Royal Navy service?
Navy Lookout – In answer to a recent Parliamentary question, Defence Minister James Cartlidge said that: “on current plans, the last Type 45 Destroyer will retire from service by the end of 2038”. In this short piece, we consider the reasons to be highly sceptical about this schedule.
China’s PLAN Exercises With YJ-62 Anti-Ship Missile
Naval News – A regiment of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy)’s Northern Theater Navy (also known as “North Sea Fleet”) has deployed land-based YJ-62 anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs) in a drill that took place in the coastal city of Haiyang in Shandong province in China. The move is likely a first and has implications for the strategic Yellow Sea.
‘Back to the ‘80s’ as French navy prepares for new threats
Defense News – Western navies are preparing for wartime scenarios where they may face degraded operational conditions, including a loss of satellite communications, navy commanders from the U.S. and France said at the Paris Naval Conference this week. The French navy includes two or three days of drills under “back to the ‘80s” conditions whenever it deploys its carrier strike group, which means operating without satellite communications, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Nicolas Vaujour said at the conference.
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