Global Times – The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently commissioned its last batch of Type 056A corvettes specialized in coastal defense, with the total number of the Type 056 series reaching 72, as analysts predicted on Wednesday that China could then shift focus to produce more larger warships as part of the country’s aim to build a blue-water navy.
PLA destroyer flotilla joins multinational drills in Pakistan with US, Russian navies
Global Times – A Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy flotilla led by a Type 052D destroyer on Thursday started participating in a multinational exercise in Pakistan, a unique platform experts said that provides opportunities for Chinese and Russian navies to come together with their counterparts from the US and other Western countries.
Iran, Russia reportedly launch military drill in Indian Ocean
Defense News – The Iranian and Russian militaries have kicked off a joint naval drill in the Indian Ocean aimed at boosting security of maritime trade in the region.
Indonesian mine hunters feature MAN hybrid propulsion
Marine Log – German shipbuilder Abeking & Rasmussent has begun the construction of two mine hunting vessels for the Indonesian Navy. Each vessel will feature a complete MAN hybrid propulsion package.
China Increases Production Of AIP Submarines With Massive New Shipyard
Naval News – New intelligence confirms that China has ramped up submarine construction at a new site near the city of Wuhan. The Type-039A Yuan class submarines are replacing older types in the Chinese Navy’s (PLAN) order of battle. Together with new nuclear powered submarines they are helping to transform the PLAN into a much more modern and capable navy.
Turkey’s Armed USV ‘ULAQ’ Starts Sea Trials
Naval News – Turkish companies ARES Shipyard and METEKSAN Defence announced that the prototype ULAQ armed unmanned surface vessel (USV) has been launched and its sea trials have started.
(Thanks to Alain)
Can the Biden administration break the cycle of marathon naval deployments to the Mideast?
Defense News – After showing signs of improvement following two deadly collisions in 2017, the Navy is again under pressure to provide aircraft carrier presence to the Middle East for the American regional force, U.S. Central Command, despite what experts say is limited public evidence that such deployments deter the United States’ top geopolitical adversary in the region: Iran.
Navy, Lawmaker Split Over Timeline to Renovate Public Repair Yards
USNI News – The Navy faces a conundrum in renovating its centuries-old public shipyards. On one hand, the sooner the yards are redesigned with more efficient layouts and overhauled to have the latest tools and machines, the sooner yard employees can start repairing submarines and aircraft carriers at a faster pace and dig out of the maintenance backlog that plagued the sea service throughout the last decade. On the other hand, the Navy has to continue working on submarines and carriers while overhauling the yards, and any intrusive work in the public shipyards could mean a halt to maintenance activities.
Analysis: The Future Of The Turkish Navy
Naval News – The presence and visibility of the Turkish Naval Forces have increased considerably within the Blue Homeland doctrine framework for several years. Regional disputes require Turkish naval forces to deploy more at sea. Thus, the Turkish defense industry’s national policy has supported the continuously active Turkish Navy, and a force composition is formed with indigenous weapons and systems.
All You Need To Know About Italy’s F-35 Carrier That Just Arrived In The US
War Zone – The Italian Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier is about to begin operations with the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter off the U.S. East Coast.
The Navy Wants To Get Rid Of Its Nearly Brand New Patrol Boats
War Zone – The Navy is looking to have all of its Mk VI patrol boats, the oldest of which it acquired just six years ago, decommissioned by the end of the year.
Forging 21st-Century Strategic Deterrence
USNI Proceedings – Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Department of Defense (DoD) has not had to consider the possibility of great power competition with a nuclear-capable peer.
It will be at least a decade before Canada sees any of its new frigates
CBC – It will be 2031, at the earliest, before the navy sees the first of its new frigates; a setback brought about partly by the fact Canada, Britain and Australia are still feeling their way around how to build the ultra-modern warship.
Obscure 23-Year Old Navy SAM Was So Ahead Of Its Time That It’s Still In High Demand Today
War Zone – The SM-2 Block IIIB’s dual-mode guidance system is still unique among the missiles the Navy’s fleet uses to defend against aerial threats.
Airbus To Supply ‘SMDM’ Aliaca Fixed-Wing UAV To The French Navy
Naval News – Airbus Defence and Space mini UAS subsidiary SURVEY Copter signed a contract with French DGA Armament general directorate to provide the French Navy with 11 systems, (22 aircraft), of the electrically powered fixed-wing Aliaca maritime version UAS.
RoK Navy Issues New Images Of LPX-II As It Tries To Gain Public Support For Aircraft Carrier Program
Naval News – On 4 February 2021, the Republic of Korea (RoK) Navy held a seminar at the Chungnam National University to actively promote the LPX-II Light Aircraft Carrier program to South Korea’s public.
In the South China Sea, it’s ‘meet the new boss, same as the old boss’
Defense News – The new Biden administration has been reversing many of the Trump administration’s policies in areas such as immigration and energy, but when it comes to confronting China’s actions in the South China Sea, at the highest levels of power the song remains the same.
Early Experiments are Proving Out Tank-Free Marine Corps Concept
USNI News – Ongoing testing and experimentation are proving the Marine Corps can be more lethal even while being lighter and more maneuverable, as the service evolves to support littoral operations under its Force Design 2030 plan.
Gwadar a commercial port, to receive port calls by ships of different navies: Pakistan Navy chief
Global Times – The Gwadar Port is a commercial port that may receive port calls by ships of different navies, said Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, in a recent exclusive interview with the Global Times, in response to media reports claiming the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is mulling to build a naval base in Pakistan.
They’re Back: US Subs To Carry Harpoon Ship-Killer Missiles
Breaking Defense – After a 25-year absence, the Navy will start packing Harpoon ship-killer missiles on its attack submarines as the fleet looks for new ways to counter the growing Chinese navy.
China, Pakistan strength naval collaboration with arms procurement: Pakistan Navy chief
Global Times – Naval collaboration between China and Pakistan is strengthening with a series of arms procurements, as Pakistan is acquiring Chinese-made frigates that will be one of the most technologically advanced platforms of the Pakistan Navy and submarines that would substantially add to the offensive capability of the Pakistan Navy
French Navy Aircraft Carrier Went Through Degaussing Ahead Of Deployment
Navy News – The French Navy announced that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle went through a degaussing procedure. This is important to protect the vessel against mines and will strengthen its operational capacities during its upcoming deployment.
USS Makin Island, Marine F-35s Now in Persian Gulf
USNI News – Amphibious warship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) Amphibious Ready Group and elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit transited the Strait of Hormuz and is now in the Persian Gulf.
Turkey could build its first indigenous aircraft carrier with the help of United Kingdom
Navy Recognition – According to news published by the Daily Sabah and Middle East Eye websites on February 3, 2021, last year, Turkey has launched consultations with the United Kingdom to acquire a new or second-hand aircraft carrier.
(Thanks to Alain)
Two U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Just Teamed Up In The South China Sea
War Zone – The U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which had its deployment extended last month, returning to the Middle East in light of continued tensions with Iran, is now in the South China Sea, where it sailed alongside its sister ship, USS Theodore Roosevelt, today. The two carriers and their respective strike groups operating together send a powerful signal to China, which has been increasingly flexing its military muscles in this hotly disputed region in recent weeks.
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