Submarine “Riachuelo” reinforces Brazil’s sovereignty in the Blue Amazon

Posted on by

ElSnorkel – The “Riachuelo” is the first of a class of four conventional submarines with diesel-electric propulsion, which will allow greater deterrent power in the 5.7 million km2 of the Blue Amazon, whose rich waters, seabed and subsoil are important for economic, scientific and environmental development. It is in this maritime area where Brazilians carry out fishing activities, where 95% of Brazilian foreign trade passes and where biological and mineral resources are exploited.

(Thanks to Alain)

South Korean SLBM Tests: An Arms Race Heating Up?

Posted on by

Wavell Room – South Korea’s possession and development of ballistic missile capabilities has historically been something rarely featured in mainstream discussions and military profiles of the country. This is owing more towards South Korea’s desire to keep its missile capability and related developments as secretive as possible due to geopolitical sensitivities, than general disinterest in the subject both domestically or in international military circles. It is an undeniable fact however, that given North Korea’s ongoing pursuit of developing nuclear weapons and the relevant ballistic missile capabilities to launch them, South Korea would have to make commensurate investments into similar capabilities for its own national security interests and overall survival.

Russia tests Il-80VKP submarine communication system

Posted on by

Scramble – Russia’s ‘Doomsday’ plane, the Ilyushin Il-80VKP (Il-86VzPU), NATO code Maxdome, is the airborne command post of the Russian President in the event of a nuclear attack, also called the Flying Kremlin. Recently, the Il-80VKP has been tested with an updated system which maintains regular communication with submerged nuclear submarines. For such a task, the aircraft has been updated with a new ultra-long wave communication complex which can set up a connection with an extended submersible communication antenna towed by the submarine.

(Thanks to Alain)

Russia’s Militarization of the Kuril Islands

Posted on by

CSIS – Overshadowed by the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s recent and rapid militarization of a group of islands claimed by Japan has flown largely under the radar. Taken by Russia at the end of World War Two, Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan, and the Habomai islands of the Kuril Island chain, which Japan claims as its “Northern Territories,” have  complicated relations between the two states for decades.

Uncrewed Drones in Naval Warfare: A Force Multiplier?

Posted on by

Wavell Room – In recent years the idea of leveraging on uncrewed drone technologies for use in naval warfare has been increasing in credibility and varieties.  This is in no small part due to the proliferation of such drone technologies driving down costs, as well as maturing technology components and platforms allowing for greater reliability and stability for such platforms.

Tilting at windmills? UK Defence and the Indo-Pacific

Posted on by

Wavell Room – Far from presenting a binary choice between European and Indo-Pacific theatres, UK Defence’s Integrated Review refresh should seek to harmonise these seemingly divergent approaches.  Understanding the different utility of Naval, Air and Land forces in meeting regional challenges and political goals would go some way to squaring the circle.