Droxford Maritime – New Alexandrit class mine countermeasures vessels “Afanasiy Ivannikov” and “Polyarny” are scheduled to join the Russian Navy Northern Fleet late 2025.
(Thanks to Alain)
Droxford Maritime – New Alexandrit class mine countermeasures vessels “Afanasiy Ivannikov” and “Polyarny” are scheduled to join the Russian Navy Northern Fleet late 2025.
(Thanks to Alain)
Irish Times – Ireland would find it very difficult to fully secure its maritime area, even with significantly increased naval capabilities, according to a United Nations expert on subsea security.
Indian Defense Research Wing – Satellite imagery from March 2025 shows only two of Pakistan’s submarines to be in the water.
(Thanks to Alain)
Navy Lookout – In this guest article, Kamil Sadowski considers the challenges of protecting the maritime infrastructure which underpins much of Europe’s economic activity and is increasingly seen as a major vulnerability for many NATO nations.
National Interest – Poland is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with South Korean-based Hanwha Ocean that could include investment in Polish shipyards and the construction of three submarines.
(Thanks to Alain)
Center for Maritime Security – The U.S. Navy can learn from the Royal Navy by analysing mistakes it made in educating -or not educating- the British government about seapower. Across all naval, maritime, and wider defense and security debates, the baseline fact is that if education on the relationship between the sea and state is not carefully managed, all the efforts of seapower can be quickly undone. From that sea-state nexus flows political discussion, policy, funding, and direction. In short, why do nations invest in these costly, complex organizations known as navies? Land and land-based air perspectives have always been easy paths for policy; this is perfectly natural, as humans are land-dwellers who cannot see over the horizon. Consider how outer space was and remains such a challenge, maritime in nature but resistant to mastery due to vast distance. Shortsightedness is why the perpetual, pernicious and permanent challenge of ‘seablindness’ exists. It cannot be defeated, nor overcome, but it can be tamed.
War on the Rocks – Modernization as readiness is a journey that requires the Marine Corps to move out now. The service can no longer afford to move at the pace of the future years’ defense plan. The horizon for pursuing advanced technologies is moving ever closer and the Marine Corps can longer afford to innovate at the pace of money. The commandant has been clear-eyed on how the Marine Corps will be postured for near-peer conflict, crisis response, and future warfare. Service efforts to pursue high-end intelligent systems and supporting capabilities will not only make the Marine Corps more lethal but help avoid the false dilemma of modernization versus readiness.
CIMSEC – Washington has many allies and partners across the Greater Caribbean, particularly among the region’s English-speaking nations. Despite having limited budgets and assets, the defense forces of the English-speaking Caribbean are training and increasing their capabilities to carry out missions, which aligns with US diplomatic and military objectives.
Naval News – New destroyer becomes by far the largest surface combatant in North Korean fleet. However, while a second hull appears to be under construction, most technical details and specifications remain highly speculative.
Naval News – The biggest ever defence deal between India and France also marks the first ever export order for the naval variant of the French fighter: The Rafale Marine (Rafale M).
BBC – The Chinese coastguard has seized a tiny sandbank in the South China Sea, state media has reported, in an escalation of a regional dispute with the Philippines.
CIMSEC – To keep the U.S. engaged in the waters around Europe, European NATO members must find areas of common interest with the U.S. The threat of China to both European and American security interests creates many such opportunities. By monitoring China’s activities in the Arctic, becoming more active in the Indo-Pacific, and buying American, Europeans can maintain a strong military and industrial link to the U.S. even if U.S. military presence in and around Europe shrinks in the near future.
Navy Lookout – RN vessels have again been activated in the last two weeks to monitor increased Russian naval activity close to the UK.
The War Zone – North Korea just unveiled its new air warfare frigate and the ship has a whopping 74 vertical launch cells, some of which could launch cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as SAMs.
CIMSEC – France’s resident sovereignty and associated EEZ give France a continuing anchor in the Indo-Pacific, and interests to maintain, that other European actors do not have.
Naval News – Mr. Sébastien Lecornu, French Republic’s Minister of Defense, visited Salamis Shipyards in Greece, where pre‑outfitted blocks for the FDI frigates—among the most advanced warships in the world—are under construction for both the Hellenic and French navies. Through the FDI frigate program, and other programs, such as the reactivation and upgrade of Island-class patrol vessels, Salamis Shipyards are emerging as a key player in the Franco-Hellenic strategic partnership and a driving force in the revitalization of Greece’s shipbuilding industry.
The War Zone – F-35Cs are also striking targets in Yemen, with their stealth being of unique importance as the Houthi air defense threat comes into the spotlight.
CIMSEC – A better understanding of expectations and goals in the Red Sea could generate premises to mend transatlantic fences. Presently, no one has the perfect recipe to bring this crisis to a halt, and a split approach has likely extended the crisis. Not only have the Houthis taken the lead in messaging victory, but the first true victim of this crisis – the Israeli port of Eilat – has fallen under financial pressure. Time has run out for the United States to complain about Europe without a plan. Likewise, time has proven that the European Union is still not a reliable security actor. An integrated NATO strategy that accounts for both US and European perspectives is the only choice for victory. The alternative option spells defeat.
Defense News – Naval tech companies are sensing a new market for their equipment.
Barents Observer – A strike group of Russian warships, including frigates, submarines and anti-submarine hunters, are currently conducting a series of exercises on the east of the maritime border with Norway.
WordPress – This article offers insights and recommendations based on our wargaming experience to help U.S. and NATO naval leaders strengthen operational integration, refine force employment, and better prepare for future maritime challenges in the Euro-Atlantic theater.
Navy Lookout – Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel, HMS Spey has completed a 16-day training exercise in the South China Sea, operating alongside Commonwealth allies to sharpen combined maritime, air and land capabilities under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).
USNI News – Marine Corps Combat Logistics Battalions in Japan and the United States have been employing logistics supply drones inspired by drug-smuggling narco subs in recent exercises and tests.
China Maritime Studies Institute – Collecting and reporting maritime intelligence is a core mission of China’s maritime militia. Militia forces help fill in “blind spots” (补盲) for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and enhance its situational awareness. They are widely dispersed in the waters of greatest strategic and operational importance to Beijing, available in large numbers, extremely familiar with the operating environment, and, the PLA believes, less provocative than other military instruments.
Breaking Defense – Undersea cable cut incidents will eventually spread to the Middle East, retired Vice Adm. Michael J. Connor and JINSA analyst Yoni Tobin argue in this op-ed, so the US must get ready.
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