USNI Blog – Here is a plan to counter an invasion of Taiwan by Communist China by placing mines at the entrances to the four primary harbors opposite Taiwan. The suitably sized electric surfboard operating autonomously could transport the mine across the 100 miles of the Taiwan Strait.
Standup of Marine littoral regiment will usher new gear into Pacific theater
Defense News – The U.S. Marine Corps this week will officially stand up its first Marine littoral regiment, a linchpin of its plans to conduct small-unit expeditionary advanced base operations and to move high-end gear into and throughout the Pacific.
Delivery of many critical Royal Navy capabilities still years away
Navy Lookout – On 21 February the MoD published the Defence Equipment Plan (EP) which focuses on procurement for the next decade. Here we take an overview of some of the implications for naval capability.
Turkey Closes The Dardanelles And Bosphorus To Warships
Naval News – Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, revealed that all countries have been warned not to transit warships through the straits. The decision which was made during a Turkish cabinet meeting today closes the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits to all military vessels…
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: What Happened In The Black Sea So Far?
Naval News – The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is now in its fourth day and is still raging. Because of the “fog of war”, it is difficult to see the big picture. While most people’s attention is focused on the battle in the cities, it is worth shedding light on what has occurred in the Black Sea thus far.
French CSG Retasked With NATO Support Role
Naval News – The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its strike group are being retasked to support NATO following the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. The French CSG which is currently deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as part of the “CLEMENCEAU 22” mission began a logistics stop in Cyprus. It will then be reassigned to assist NATO.
What Makes the Black Sea So Strategically Important?
Defense News – There’s only one way in and out of the Black Sea.
Two Civilian Vessels Hit By Russian Missiles Off Odessa
Naval News – Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence just reported that two commercial vessels were hit by Russian fire off the port of Odessa in Southern Ukraine. Panama flagged bulk carrier NAMURA QUEEN (IMO: 9841299) was reportedly struck by a missile while Moldova flagged bunker tanker MILLENNIUM SPIRIT was hit by at least one missile as well. Ukraine dispatched its coast guard to conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations.
Russian Navy Launches Amphibious Assault on Ukraine
USNI News – Russia launched an amphibious assault on Ukraine, bringing in thousands of naval personnel ashore.
Making Allied Interoperability Second Nature
National Interest – James Holmes says the force that gets in its reps in peacetime primes itself for success.
PLA Navy’s corvette transfers to coast guard ‘reflect development of both forces’
Global Times – The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is reportedly transferring a batch of Type 056 corvettes to the China Coast Guard, with the ships now undergoing retrofitting work. Analysts said on Wednesday that this reflects that the navy has developed to a stage where it no longer needs so many coastal defense vessels, and the coast guard will receive a significant power boost in safeguarding key sea regions, islands and reefs.
Can Turkey Close Straits To Russian Ships?
Naval News – Following Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s main cities, Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey, asked Turkey to close the straits to Russian ships in favor of Ukraine. Is it possible to do so in accordance with the Montreux Convention?
Russian Navy Masses 16 Warships Near Syria
USNI News – Two Russian guided-missile cruisers from Russia’s North and Pacific fleets met off the coast of Syria as part of a 16-ship Russian Navy formation, according to satellite photos taken on Thursday.
Russian Navy Has Limited Role in Initial Invasion of Ukraine
USNI News – The Russian Navy acted largely in a supporting role as Russian ground and air assault forces entered Ukraine early Thursday morning in what a senior U.S. defense official called an “initial phase” of the assault against Ukraine.
U.S. Air Force Trains With Japan’s US-2 Flying Boat As It Looks Forward To Its Own Amphibious Plane
War Zone – While plans for an amphibious MC-130 transport take shape, Cope North 2022 provided an opportunity to see the capabilities of the US-2 firsthand.
(Thanks to Alain)
Coast Guard Weathering Cutter Production Delays as More Coasties Head to Sea
USNI News – The top Coast Guard officer remains optimistic at the pace of expanding the fleet of cutters despite delays in design and construction that have pushed back the expected delivery date of the first new polar icebreaker.
Israel successfully tests naval version of Iron Dome
Defense News – Israel on Monday said it successfully tested a new naval air defense system, intercepting a series of threats in what officials called a key layer of protection against Iran and its proxies in the region.
(Thanks to Alain)
Scores Of ‘Dark Vessels’ Belonging To China’s Maritime Militias Are Operating In Contested Waters
War Zone – A large number of China’s “little blue men,” the irregular maritime militia forces that receive support and training from the Chinese government, have gone dark on traditional maritime tracking systems thanks to a new law.
Russian Navy Cruisers Positioned to Counter U.S., French and Italian Carrier Groups in the Mediterranean
USNI News – Three Russian guided-missile cruisers have been arrayed across the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea to counter three NATO carrier strike groups, causing concern in the Pentagon.
Massive Russian Navy Armada Moves Into Place Off Ukraine
Naval News – The naval arm of Russia’s military build-up around Ukraine is in place. Landing ships, major warships, submarines and aircraft effectively dominate the Black Sea. And the visible preparations extend into the Mediterrean. It appears overwhelming.
Navy, Marines Drill with Japanese Forces in Test of New Island-Hopping Concept
USNI News – The U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and Japanese Self-Defense Force teamed up in the Philippine and East China seas to test the ideas behind the Marines’ Force Design 2030 plan.
Australia demands answers from China over alleged laser incident at sea
CNN – Australia is demanding China investigate the alleged use of a laser to “illuminate” an Australian jet in waters off the country’s north coast in an incident that threatens to worsen relations between the two countries.
The Coast Guard Needs Stronger Policy to Prevent Maritime Cyber-Attacks
USNI Proceedings – The Coast Guard needs better tools to effectively prevent and respond to the escalating cyber threat.
Navy Cyber Needs a Refit
USNI Proceedings – The Navy must offer the pay, training, and advancement opportunities necessary to retain its operators.
CNO Gilday: ‘We Need a Naval Force of Over 500 Ships’
USNI News – The U.S. Navy needs a fleet of more than 500 ships to meet its commitments to the soon-to-be released National Defense Strategy, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said on Friday.
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