War on the Rocks – Understanding how Venezuela might respond to U.S. military action requires an accurate assessment of the capabilities, readiness, and doctrinal approach to external intervention of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana). The country’s government under President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) adopted that name to honor Simón Bolivar, the 19th-century liberator who fought for South American independence and whose ideals form the basis for modern Venezuelan nationalism, known as Bolivarianism, linking the military to his revolutionary legacy.
The Atlantic Bastion
RUSI – This research paper explores the strategic concept of the Atlantic Bastion, a key element of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review 2025, designed to bolster NATO’s maritime deterrence against Russian submarine threats in the North Atlantic. The authors assess the Bastion’s current deterrent value and propose refinements to enhance its effectiveness in countering Russian naval strategies.
Royal Navy recruitment up but trained strength goes down
Navy Lookout – Quarterly figures released by the MoD show the number of trained sailors and marines in the RN declined by about 1.1% in the last 12 months. Although this sounds insignificant, this amounts to about 220 people, equivalent to the crew needed for two Type 31 frigates. Recruitment is improving, but the legacy of shortages continues to impact the frontline.
Carrier USS Nimitz Returns to Bremerton, Wraps Final Deployment
USNI News – USS Nimitz (CVN-68) returned for what may be the last time to Bremerton, Wash., concluding its final deployment after nearly nine months at sea.
Aftermath Of Ukraine’s Underwater Drone Attack On Russian Submarine Seen In Satellite Imagery
The War Zone – Ukraine’s submersible drone navigated into a protected harbor and detonated very close to the targeted submarine.
As the Undersea Grows More Contested, U.S. Navy Subs are the Right Response
Defense Opinion – Once again, the undersea domain is growing contested, as it was during the Cold War. Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) promise to enhance the combat reach and responsiveness of existing U.S. nuclear submarines. They remain, however, a complementary capability, and not a substitute for the irreplaceable advantages of manned nuclear submarines. The U.S. Navy should pursue the concept of teaming manned units — like attack submarines — with unmanned units as the best method to maximize combat potential.
Thales develops modular sonar for uncrewed anti-submarine and seabed warfare
Navy Lookout – Thales has unveiled its Sonar 76Nano prototype developed in response to a growing recognition within the Royal Navy that traditional approaches to anti-submarine warfare are no longer sufficient. While the system draws lineage from the highly effective Sonar 2076 submarine sonar, its true significance lies in how it has been conceived for uncrewed operations, rapid deployment and roles extending well beyond classic ASW.
Decline of Operational Art: The Story of A Strategic China Wargame
War on the Rocks – Planners today struggle to properly apply operational art in large scale war — and they don’t fully realize why. It takes something like firsthand experience in a strategic level wargame against a human red team to fully realize how much understanding of classical military art has been lost.
US wargames played out scenarios for Maduro’s fall. None of them ended well for Venezuela
The Guardian – Venezuelan politicians battling to end Maduro’s rule reject claims his downfall would thrust their country into maelstrom of bloodshed and retribution.
Philippines and Taiwan Explore Coast Guard Cooperation
Naval News – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) held a meeting in Manila this week to discuss potential lines of cooperation – including intelligence sharing and capacity-building efforts – in the face of increasing tensions in the South China Sea and Luzon Strait.
Fiction Week 2025
CIMSEC – 15 FICINT stories that examine the future of maritime security and war at sea. Authors creatively envision emerging threats and technologies through novel scenarios and narratives. These stories can help us gaze into the future and flesh out the possibilities of future conflict.
New Zealand’s frigate choice: Mogami or Type 31?
Navy Lookout – New Zealand is approaching a pivotal decision on the future of its surface combatant fleet as the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) looks to replace its Anzac-class frigates in the mid-2030s. Two designs have emerged as the most likely contenders: Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class and the British Type 31 frigate.
New V-22 Mishap Reviews Find Material Issues with Osprey, Poor Communication Between Services
USNI News – Two new reports on the V-22 Osprey, following a series of fatal mishaps that killed 20 people from 2022 to 2024, show years of problems, ranging from faulty parts to poorly understood maintenance procedures and a lack of communication across the services, that led to safety and reliability across the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
U.S. Navy Now Wants A New Frigate And Fast
The War Zone – The U.S. Navy says it is aiming to have the first of a new class of frigates based on an existing American design “in the water” by 2028. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Legend class National Security Cutter is reportedly the basis for the design in question. This all follows a decision to cancel the Constellation class frigate, a program marred by major delays and cost growth, which has now further exposed a highly concerning gap in the service’s future force structure plans.
Russian Retaliation Strike Raises Stakes In Black Sea Shipping War
The War Zone – A Russian Shahed kamikaze drone strike on a ship in the port of Chornomorsk was in retaliation for a recent spate of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea, the Ambrey maritime security firm tells us. The attack on the Turkish-owned CENK-T roll-on, roll-off cargo ship comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned he would “cut Ukraine off from the sea” in response to Ukraine’s stepped-up campaign against Russian commercial shipping.
Creeping Sovereignty? China’s Maritime Structures in the Yellow Sea (West Sea)
CSIS – The United States should flag this activity as another example of China’s grey zone tactics targeting Indo-Pacific partners. Washington and Seoul should consider releasing the coordinates of the Chinese structures for public use and analysis. Washington should support any South Korean claims of unilateral violations of the PMZ agreement by China. In sum, what the new National Security Strategy mandates for the South China Sea is applicable to U.S. and South Korean efforts to maintain freedom of navigation in the Yellow Sea.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors consider strike action again
Navy Lookout – The status of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary has again become an increasing concern. Due to budget constraints, there is renewed discontent over pay and ships laid up for lack of funds.
Navy wants new frigate in 2028, says service’s acquisition head
Breaking Defense – Navy Secretary John Phelan recently told attendees at a private dinner that the new frigate would be a modified National Security Cutter.
What Would Teddy Roosevelt Think of the “Trump Corollary”?
National Interest – James Holmes says that the new “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine echoes a similar set of ideas promoted by Teddy Roosevelt a century earlier—but differs in at least three ways.
Venezuela decries ‘act of piracy’ after US forces seize oil tanker off country’s coast
The Guardian – US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, in a major escalation of Donald Trump’s four-month pressure campaign against the South American country’s dictator, Nicolás Maduro, whose government called the seizure “an act of international piracy”.
Raising the flag on a new Bulgarian patrol boat
Radio Bulgaria – Today is a historic day for the Bulgarian Navy, because after more than 100 years the defense industry of Bulgaria is producing a new combat ship, said Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov at the flag-raisting ceremony on the new patrol boat “Hrabri” (Brave), announces the Ministry of Defense. (In French)
(Thanks to Alain)
Canadian Victoria-class subs to get new U.S.-built bow array
Defence Blog – Delphinus Engineering received a $14.5 million U.S. Navy contract, with options up to $36.9 million, to develop and test a bow array and lift system for Canada’s Victoria‑class submarines.
(Thanks to Alain)
China’s New Underwater Drones Could Threaten West Coast U.S.
Naval News – The vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, over 5,000 nautical miles across, protects the West Coast of the United States against Chinese naval forces in the event of a war. The appearance of new extra-extra-large underwater drones (XXLUUVs) changes this, providing China with low-risk options to directly threaten West Coast ports.
US nuclear missile-carrying 10,200-ton submarine could dock in Australia soon
Interesting Engineering – US nuclear-powered submarines that may carry nuclear weapons could dock at Australian ports without the knowledge of the Australian public or even its government, defense officials told a Senate hearing, reigniting debate over the country’s obligations under nuclear nonproliferation treaties and the long-term risks of the AUKUS security pact.
(Thanks to Alain)
First Sea Lord issues blunt warning: “we need to be ready to fight”
Navy Lookout – Speaking at the International Sea Power Conference in London on 8 December, the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, has given his most direct account yet of how the RN intends to transform for a more dangerous era. He set out an approach that is unapologetically urgent, technologically ambitious and rooted in alliances.
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
You must be logged in to post a comment.