CIMSEC – NATO’s return to its core mission of deterrence and the defense of the Euro-Atlantic area has been made only more necessary by Russia’s continued aggressive actions both above and below the threshold of war. Ongoing restructuring of the operational components of the alliance is focusing on regional clusters of mutually supporting states. It is time for the maritime component to evolve in the same way the air and land components are. An SNMG-3 focused on the Baltic would not only allow SNMG-1 to concentrate on its core operational area in the North Atlantic, but it would also send a powerful signal of NATO’s intent to undermine and deter Russian malign actions in the region.
The Carrier Strike Group sails – what it takes to prepare for global deployment
Navy Lookout – The 7½-month CSG25 deployment begins today with the departure of HMS Prince of Wales from Portsmouth. Last week we spoke to the Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group and some of those deploying about the preparations and the early phases of the voyage.
Maritime Security on NATO’s Southern Flank: The Case For a Spanish Coast Guard
CIMSEC – The case for a Spanish Coast Guard is just an example among many others of the debates that European nations in NATO will have to face in order to make the most out of their limited resources, and find the most efficient ways to do so.
U.S. Navy Seeks Large Storage Facility in the Philippines by 2026
USNI News – The Department of the Navy is looking to lease a climate-controlled facility between 19,000 and 33,000 square meters near Subic Bay and Clark for the storage of equipment in the Philippines by 2026 under a ten-year-long lease which could mark the largest prepositioning effort to date between Washington and Manila since 1992.
Parting Ways: A NATO Naval Strategy Without America
CIMSEC – In this era of increasing danger, great power competition, and uncertain loyalties, the time has come for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to declare its independence. As at the time of its founding, NATO’s strategic adversary is Russia. But unlike during the Cold War, the Alliance can no longer count on the military and industrial might of the United States in confronting the threat.
The Propulsion Disabler Will Be a Strategic Weapon
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.
Black Sea Significance to European Security
RUSI – A long-term campaign to constrain Russia must go beyond thoughts of the threat from the North, and consider the influence of the Black Sea on Russia’s strategic and military position.
CMSI Translations #17: Analysis of Problems with Warship Damage Control Plans and Methods for Preparing Damage Control Plans
China Maritime Studies Institute – “Damage control” (sunhai kongzhi, or just sunguan) refers to measures and actions taken by a warship for the prevention, control, and elimination of damage in order to maintain or recover its vitality (shengmingli). If a warship suffers an accident, this could result in major casualties among the crew and cause damage to the ship’s equipment; it might also impact the ship’s vitality. The crew’s normal level of damage control training determines the success or failure of damage control. In order to fully leverage the active role of crew members in damage control and fully leverage the effectiveness of damage control, a scientific and rational damage control plan must be prepared. The damage control plan resolves questions related to the deployment and responsibilities of personnel during the damage control process, according to certain principals and requirements.
Frozen Out: Why the UK Must Step Up in the Arctic
RUSI – The Arctic is set to be a proving ground for the navies of the High North. As warmer temperatures open up shipping routes for longer each year, great resources are at stake, and a determination to exert control is growing evident among the UK’s neighbours in the region.
Pentagon Calls for New Class of Large Autonomous Undersea Vessels
USNI News – The Defense Innovation Unit has released a solicitation for the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform, a large unmanned underwater vessel capable of supporting large payloads at range in contested environments.
How Donald Trump Can Rebuild America’s Naval Strength
National Interest – James Holmes writes that stakeholders in the maritime enterprise must think in grand Mahanian terms about rejuvenating U.S. sea power. Trump’s new executive order charts a path forward—but epoch-making trials lie ahead.
U.S. Deploys Anti-Ship Missiles Near Taiwan in the Luzon Strait
Naval News – The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment’s Medium-Range Missile Battery will send Naval Strike Missile-equipped Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction Systems (NMESIS) to the Luzon Strait during Balikatan 2025, marking the first-ever American anti-ship missile deployment to the strategically located Batanes Island Chain.
Japan releases image of Railgun installed on naval vessel
Naval News -The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) released an image of its state-of-the-art railgun currently undergoing testing aboard the test ship JS Asuka.
Navy Wants Bollinger to Build First Landing Ship Medium Hull, Seeks Data Package for Dutch Tank Landing Ship
USNI News – The Navy wants a Louisiana shipyard to build the first hull for the Landing Ship Medium program as part of a plan to find an off-the-shelf design to support the Marine Corps’ new island-hopping regiments, a Navy official told USNI News. The Navy also wants the data rights for a Dutch tank landing ship used by international navies.
Storied U.S. Marine Regiment Retooled for New Mission
USNI News – Last month, the Okinawa, Japan-based 12th Marine Littoral Regiment stood up the last of its subordinate units, pulling a storied combat infantry battalion into the fold of a modern front-line Marine Corps force in the Western Pacific.
What a militarized Svalbard would mean for Russia
Navy News – The Russian government recently accused the Norwegian government of militarizing the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Region. According to Russian media, the Russians are concerned that the archipelago might be used in a potential conflict. They claim that that the territory of Svalbard is increasingly being drawn into Norway’s military and political planning together with NATO.
Danish Navy To Get Urgent Upgrade With 25 New Ships & Advanced Unmanned Systems
Maritime Insight – The Danish government plans to modernise the Danish Navy with 25 new vessels, advanced unmanned systems, and a strong focus on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
(Thanks to Alain)
A Russian Navy exercise in the Baltic Sea could mask asymmetric activity
Droxford Maritime – As NATO enters the Easter break, a large-scale Russian Navy merchant ship protection exercise which began today could be the perfect cover for asymmetric activity.
(Thanks to Alain)
Leidos unveils ‘low-cost’ unmanned undersea vessel ‘Sea Dart’
Breaking Defense – Defense and information technology company Leidos this week unveiled a new unmanned undersea vessel called Sea Dart, what the company is advertising as a “low-cost,” versatile maritime weapon.
(Thanks to Alain)
UK carrier strike – full operating capability on final approach
Navy Lookout – The UK Carrier Strike capability is nearing a critical milestone. Full Operating Capability (FOC) for the F-35B should be achieved during the forthcoming CSG25 deployment. Here we look at latest progress with the jet and the wider carrier strike capability development.
Canadian Submarine Returns To Operations After Refit
Navy Leaders – Royal Canadian Navy submarine HMCS Corner Brook has headed out on operations in the Indo-Pacific following an extensive refit and sea trials.
(Thanks to Alain)
An Unmanned Hellscape Needs a 21st Century Hephaestus
CIMSEC – If an unmanned hellscape is to move from fantasy to credible threat in the eyes of an adversary, the U.S. Navy, as part of the Joint Force, must take concrete steps to address weaknesses in its current conceptualizations of unmanned future warfare. To overcome these obstacles, the U.S. Navy can lead the way by appointing a robotics and autonomous systems czar to interface and invigorate industry, develop forward deployed naval robotics formations, and oversee a deeper investment in the forces needed to operate these systems.
Japan starts production of a new fleet of OPV
Naval News – The new offshore patrol vessels (OPV) will be built at a very high pace: The first and second vessels are scheduled to be launched in November this year.
New Frigates, Submarines, Patrol Vessels and Several Upgrade Programs for Greece
Naval News – Greece has announced a 12-year Long-Term Defence Armaments Plan for the Armed Forces, which includes, among other initiatives, the acquisition of new frigates, submarines, and patrol vessels, as well as multiple upgrade programs for the existing fleet.
Japan Stands Up Amphib Unit to Surge Forces to Southwest Islands
USNI News – Japan formally activated on Sunday a new joint maritime transport unit geared towards improving troop deployment capabilities in Japan’s southwest islands.
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