1945 – James Holmes writes that the world’s oceans and seas could become transparent to advanced sensors and processing methods. Submariners could find their world turned upside down soon and suddenly.
Irish Airspace and Waters Remain Europe’s ‘Open Flank’
RUSI – Despite a ‘secret deal’ with the RAF, Ireland’s lack of adequate air and maritime defences leaves Europe vulnerable to surprise attacks. Efforts have been made to overcome this, but more can be done by involving neighbouring countries.
First Marine Corps Tomahawk Cruise Missile Unit Has Stood Up
War Zone – The U.S. Marine Corps has formally activated its first unit that will be equipped with ground-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles. The Marines are currently in the process of determining exactly how this unit will be equipped and employed, but the service expects to have a fully operational Tomahawk-armed battalion before the end of the decade.
China Maritime Report No. 27: PLA Navy Submarine Leadership – Factors Affecting Operational Performance
Chinese Maritime Studies Institute – The way the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) selects and manages its submarine officers increases the likelihood of human performance errors onboard a PLAN submarine. First, PLAN submarine officers are selected from applicants with among the lowest college entrance examinations of any PLA educational institution, suggesting that PLAN submariners are among the service’s least talented officers. Second, the Party Committee system at the apex of decision-making aboard PLAN submarines may be less agile than other approaches to command, at least in certain circumstances. Lastly, while the policy of embarking flotilla leaders senior to the submarine captain may reduce some of the negative effects associated with the first two conditions, it could lead to reduced performance when senior leaders are not present. If external events during wartime stressed these factors, the likelihood of human-induced error events in the PLAN submarine force could increase substantially.
Italian special forces storm Turkish cargo ship after attempted hijack
Guardian – Italian special forces have stormed a cargo ship sailing from Turkey to France after about 15 people armed with knives attempted to hijack the vessel.
The New Pirates
Red Team Defense – FICINT from the French government
(In French and in English – 6 different scenarios)
The NightTrain: Unmanned Expeditionary Logistics For Sustaining Pacific Operations
CIMSEC – During a future conflict, the USMC may be operating multiple Expeditionary Advanced Bases (EABs) on dispersed islands across the Western Pacific. Within their respective island groups, the bases may reposition frequently to complicate enemy targeting. These EABs would either be established prior to the conflict while access was open, or they would be forcibly established with the joint support of naval assets fighting their way in. But naval support may not be accessible enough to provide steady logistical support to advance bases. This is an acutely challenging problem for EABs and demands innovation.
Australia To Get One New Build Virginia Class Submarine, Two From U.S. Navy
War Zone – New details about Australia’s plan to transition to an all nuclear submarine fleet have emerged during intense questioning in Canberra.
Japan Kicks Off New Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Project
War Zone – Japan has kicked off a project to field a new coastal, anti-ship cruise missile as part of the country’s Defense Buildup Program. The “new SSM [surface-to-ship missile]” represents one of many new missile projects, including hypersonic missiles, recently announced by Japan’s Ministry of Defense specifically for “island defense.” It’s likely the new missile will be used on Japan’s southern islands, including around the Senkakus, to deter Chinese military aggression against what is known as the First Island Chain.
TRANSCOM looking for more tankers to move fuel in shallower water between Pacific island chains
Breaking Defense – The commander of US Transportation Command says her agency is working on finding and recruiting 10 additional tanker vessels, especially those that can operate in shallower water, as part of a congressionally authorized program to boost the Defense Department’s ability to move fuel in and around the Indo-Pacific.
US Marine Corps gives update on drone, ship needs for amphibious ops
Defense News – The U.S. Marine Corps is examining what unmanned systems and disruptive technology will benefit the force during amphibious operations in the coming decades, and which combination of ships would best serve future missions.
Unseen Threat: Russia Adds Unusual Defenses To Secretive Navy Base
Naval News – In a new move, the Russian Navy has started building defenses at a secretive submarine base in the Arctic. The floating barrier is similar to what they have deployed in Crimea to protect against Ukrainian attacks. This is highly unusual.
Taiwan’s Navy Caught Between Two Strategies to Counter Chinese Threat
USNI News – Taiwan’s Republic of China Navy is facing two looming threats from China and has been struggling to create a force structure to handle both. First, the ROCN must be able to meet the risk of a potential full-scale invasion by the People’s Republic of China. Second, it has to confront the constant grey zone activities carried out by Chinese forces that are harassing Taiwan’s borders on a daily basis.
Germany’s TKMS signs submarine construction pact with Indian shipyard
Defense News – German submarine builder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has signed a pact with Indian shipyard Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. that would secure local manufacturing in the event the Indian Navy taps the German vendor for new boats.
Cold War U.S. Navy Nearly Armed Its Frigates With Mk 48 Heavyweight Torpedoes
War Zone – The Navy once toyed with the idea of putting heavyweight anti-submarine torpedoes on its frigates, an idea that could be relevant again today.
Quarter of Royal Navy’s frigates spent zero days at sea in 2022
Forces Net – A quarter of the Royal Navy’s frigates spent zero days at sea in 2022, it has been revealed.
(Thanks to Alain)
Makin Island ARG, 13th MEU Deployment Marks Amphibious Shift to the Pacific
USNI News – When the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group returns from deployment this week, it will mark the beginning of a shift in how amphibious forces deploy globally – shifting naval resources away from the Middle East to the Western Pacific.
US naval ship activities in Irish waters cause concern for Defence Force officials
Irish Times – An advanced US naval ship which has been operating in Irish-controlled waters for four months with its transmitter turned off is causing concern among Irish defence officials.
(Thanks to Alain)
When the Balloon Goes Up” Naval Mesh Networking with Stratospheric Balloons
CIMSEC – Stratospheric balloons operate well above typical aircraft, but well below LEO satellites, challenging the conventional counters for high-altitude and space-based sensors. By offering a strong combination of high endurance, low cost, small footprints, and modular payloads, stratospheric balloons are poised to make major contributions to mesh networking in the battlespace.
Germany, India near deal for 6 subs: Why this is significant for Delhi
First Post – Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius, who is in India on a four-day visit, said his country is in a ‘good place’ to bag the six-submarine deal worth Rs 43,000 crore. The deal is part of New Delhi’s P-75I project that envisages the construction of advanced underwater vessels.
(Thanks to Alain)
Britain, Germany give update on future Indo-Pacific naval deployments
Defense News – The defense ministers of Germany and the United Kingdom have pledged to keep up their respective military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, while also outlining their plans for military deployments
Procuring Modular Containerships For Flexible and Affordable Capability
CIMSEC – The U.S. Navy should pursue commercial containerships and compatible containerized mission systems. These ships and systems will allow the U.S. Navy to rapidly field new technologies, expand the maritime industrial base, grow the ranks of experienced seafarers, and provide surge capacity in times of national need. Containerships, as well as combination containership/roll-on roll-off vessels (ConRo), would allow the U.S. Navy to affordably procure a large number of hulls compared to typical naval warships, and open options to augment a range of missions. These ships would allow conventional combatants to focus their high-end capabilities on the highest priority missions, while augmenting many of their capabilities with containerized support. Containerships can act as valuable force multipliers and retain a significant amount of modularity in a time when conventional naval force structure is at risk of falling behind the rapidly evolving state of capability.
Marine Corps pushes ‘dramatic change’ for its reconnaissance forces
Defense News – The U.S. Marine Corps’ Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle is undergoing testing throughout this year, cementing a previously debatable requirement that senior officials now believe will be critical in Europe, the Middle East and Africa — though too heavy for Pacific environs.
British and American warships scare off Iranian vessels
UK Defence Journal – British and American naval forces came to the aid of a merchant ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz on June 4, after the vessel made a distress call claiming harassment by Iranian fast-attack boats. The fast-attack boats were identified as belonging to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.
Marines Betting Big On “Critical” Air-Launched Swarming Drones
War Zone – Marines see loitering munitions launched in swarms from many aircraft, including F-35s and MV-22s, as critical to winning a future fight.
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
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