ABC – A large torpedo-shaped device was found last week by a fisherman near an island in the Lombok Strait, a strategically important sea lane linking Australia to the South China Sea. It has been identified as a Chinese undersea monitoring system designed to be moored to an anchor on the sea floor while sending data home via communication buoys deployed to the surface.
(Thanks to Alain)
Naval News – The new Spectre unmanned surface vessel (USV) is saildrone’s largest offering yet, standing in at 52 meters (~170 feet) in length, enabling the carriage of a multitude of payloads matching different mission sets. The Medium-size USV was unveiled today at Sea Air Space 2026.
Clio’s Musings – A propulsion disabler (PD) is a small, passive, torpedo-like device that serves as a cheap, non-lethal mine and torpedo warhead. The proposed munition’s purpose is to destroy a ship’s external propulsion or direction-control mechanisms, leaving the vessel stationary. Production of PDs is possible with today’s emerging robotics technologies.Future PD devices could be used in an autonomous swarm that combines the smallest explosive charge with the greatest disabling effect by attacking a ship at its most vulnerable point. Once PDs become widely available, they may well be the weapon of choice by all navies against civilian ships. Similarly, disabling an enemy’s naval ship rather than sinking it will almost always be the superior choice, certainly for the U.S. Navy. The logic that makes this so will compel adversary navies to make the same choice.
Navy Lookout – This is speculation, but it is possible HMS Queen Elizabeth could go into a reduced readiness state until HMS Prince of Wales next maintenance period. Arguably, getting more availability from the RN’s frigates and destroyers is a more pressing need than having a second carrier at readiness right now.
Defense Opinion – Mine warfare is far less mysterious than it appears when one understands the types of mines involved, the ways in which they are deployed, and the methods available to counter them. Iran is certainly capable of laying mines, but U.S. Central Command has spent decades observing Iranian exercises and conducting its own mine warfare training. These efforts have provided planners with substantial insight into seabed conditions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Ready Aye Ready – The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) remains in the competitive bidding phase, with a short extension granted to both finalists to improve their proposals—particularly on economic and industrial benefits to Canada.
USNI News – Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is now operating in U.S. Central Command.
USNI News – U.S. Central Command forces boarded and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, as it attempted to sail into an Iranian port.
Naval News – According to media reports in Taiwan, the Republic of China (ROC) Navy is reportedly considering Japan’s New FFM (also known as Upgraded Mogami-class or 06FFM) design as a possible frigate candidate.
Navy Lookout – A Vanguard-class submarine returned to Faslane today after 205 days away, breaking the previous record for the longest unbroken patrol by a Royal Navy submarine.
Naval News – The commissioning of Tritone (A 5341) marks more than the addition of a new multi-purpose support vessel to the Italian Navy’s fleet; it reflects a notable shift in how the service approaches capability acquisition. By sourcing a commercial platform and adapting it rapidly for naval use, Italy is advancing a more flexible model focused on seabed warfare, operational experimentation, and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure (CUI).
Defense News – Dutch regional broadcaster Omroep Gelderland was able to track the Royal Netherlands Navy air-defense frigate Evertsen in real time by sending a Bluetooth tracker to the ship by military mail. The frigate is part of the carrier strike group around France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier currently deployed in the Mediterranean Sea.
Navy Lookout – Iran has announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. Although far from certain, the conflict has been resolved, the UK and France have committed to leading a multinational mission in the region. The Royal Navy’s mine countermeasures capabilities are being readied for a potential forward deployment.
Defense News – As the United States embarks on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, it could draw on an arsenal of drones, explosive‑laden robots and helicopters to reduce risks, though de‑mining crews could still be vulnerable to Iranian attacks.
Naval News – Even as Australia eyes the heady prospect of operating nuclear-powered attack submarines in the future, it is facing the challenge of keeping six ageing Collins-class diesel-electric submarines in service for many more years.
Reuters – As the United States embarks on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, it could draw on an arsenal of drones, explosive‑laden robots and helicopters to reduce risks, though de‑mining crews could still be vulnerable to Iranian attacks.
Naval News – Faced with the growing threat of sabotage to critical underwater infrastructure and a high-tempo security environment, Sweden is transforming its decommissioned signals intelligence (SIGINT) vessel HSwMS Orion (A201) into a dedicated seabed warfare research and development testbed.
USNI News – The U.S. reserves the right to search any Iranian vessels, sanctioned vessels and ships suspected of carrying a list of contraband items, according to a Thursday notice to mariners from U.S. Central Command. Contraband items include weapons, ammunition, explosives and military equipment, the notice reads. Conditional contraband –meaning contraband for aiding Iran’s military operations – includes crude oil, nuclear material, metals and machinery. A full list is included in the blockade update. To that end, the U.S. will pursue ships outside of the U.S. Central Command area of response, Chief of the Joint Staff Gen. Dan Caine told reporters Thursday.
Covert Shores – This article aims to highlight the sheer scale and momentum of cargo UAV development in China.
RUSI – A blockade striking Iran’s Economy will provide direct leverage in negotiations, but that it provokes questions that are going unanswered should impel caution.
USNI News – North Korea launched anti-ship and cruise missiles over the weekend from first-in-class destroyer Choe Hyon (51) with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the trials.
RUSI – The next three weeks could change western security and the geo-political world forever if the Chagos ‘deal’ passes through UK Parliament.
Global Times – China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, will undergo a full transition from initial to full operational capability in 2026, with far-sea training expected, official media reported on Sunday. Chinese military affairs experts said that the Fujian has moved from construction to launch to commissioning at a fast pace, achieving operational capability in a very short time.
Naval News – An upgraded Coyote Counter-UAS (C-UAS) launcher has been installed on the Pearl Harbor-based USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), marking the first known dedicated shipboard launcher for Raytheon’s combat-proven C-UAS on a U.S. Navy ship.
Global Times – The Type 056 corvette China provided to Cambodia, which has reportedly arrived at the Ream Naval Base, is part of an existing cooperation program between militaries of the two countries, a spokesperson for Chinese Defense Ministry said on Thursday in response to a related question. A Chinese expert told the Global Times that the Type 056 corvette, a light multi-purpose vessel, is expected to enhance Cambodia’s maritime security and rescue capabilities, marking further advancement in China-Cambodia defense cooperation.
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