– ABC – A Japanese submarine has entered Sydney Harbour for the first time since World War II, just weeks before the Federal Government is tipped to announce which country will build Australia’s future subs fleet.
Russian Flyby of USS Donald Cook Highlights International Tension in the Baltics
– USNI News – The fly-by of the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) in the Baltic Sea by Russian Sukhoi Su-24 Fencers on two separate occasions earlier this week serves as a dramatic reminder of the Baltic Sea region as a friction zone between Russia and the U.S. and its NATO allies.
China Outlines Plan for Military Buildup on Disputed Island
– Washington Free Beacon – China’s plan for a new military buildup on a disputed island near the Philippines shows the future deployment of Chinese warships close to where U.S. naval forces will be stationed in the future. Details of the militarization plan for Scarborough Shoal in the Spratly Islands were obtained by U.S. intelligence agencies over the last several months, according to defense officials.
US reveals rare joint navy patrols with Philippines
– BBC – The United States Navy is conducting joint patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Russian warplanes ‘aggressively’ pass US missile destroyer
– BBC – Two Russian planes flew close to a US guided missile destroyer almost a dozen times.
Assured Resolve: Testing Possible Challenges to Baltic Security
– Center for a New American Security – In the report, CNAS senior fellows Julianne Smith and Jerry Hendrix examine possible security challenges in effort to prepare the United States and Europe for future existential threats posed by Russia. Smith and Hendrix note that although Europe’s security situation was largely considered stable for much of the last 10 to 14 years, that premise no longer holds true.
Japan’s Izumi-Class Helicopter Destroyer – An Aircraft Carrier in Disguise?
– CIMSEC – To increase the potency of the JMSDF even further, the acquisition of aircraft carriers (CVs) would be a logical next step. Yet, as CVs can best be described as seagoing airbases with significant offensive capabilities, Japan’s pacifist constitution prohibits their use in its navy. Destroyers (DDs) on the other hand rely on speed and maneuverability and are easily employed in defensive roles, criteria deemed acceptable under the Japanese Constitution. Therefore, to accommodate this unique political limitation, the Japanese have designated one of their latest vessels as a “helicopter destroyer” (DDH) but with capabilities akin to those of an aircraft carrier.
The Undersea K-4 Ballistic Missile was fired from INS Arihant Nuclear Submarine
– IBC – Notwithstanding international pressures India has secretly conducted the maiden test of its nuclear capable undersea ballistic missile, code named K-4, from homegrown submarine INS Arihant at an undisclosed location in the Bay of Bengal.
DSD Work Embraces DARPA’s Robot Boat, Sea Hunter
– Breaking Defense – Sea Hunter‘s size and cost open an intriguing new niche in naval operations. Imagine swarms of small, inexpensive, and above all expendable unmanned craft scouting ahead of or escorting traditional task forces. If the roboats get blown up, it costs no lives and relatively little treasure. If the roboats survive, their sensors provide invaluable intelligence to the fleet, and intelligence can win wars.
The Basics: How the U.S. Marines Fight
– USNI News – The MAGTF (pronounced MAG-TAF) is the soul of how the Marines organize themselves, from the 500 Marine special purpose units forward deployed in Europe, to the Marine Expeditionary Brigades (MEB) built around a 15,000 Marine infantry regiment, to the 40,000 strong Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).
US Navy Study Group Being Dissolved
– Defense News – A small but often influential study group reporting directly to the US Navy’s chief of naval operations (CNO) is to be disbanded, the current CNO directed last week.
4-star admiral wants to confront China. White House says not so fast
– Navy Times – The U.S. military’s top commander in the Pacific is arguing behind closed doors for a more confrontational approach to counter and reverse China’s strategic gains in the South China Sea, appeals that have met resistance from the White House at nearly every turn.
Japan Shifting Amphibious, Coastal Defense Units Closer to China; Australia Boosts its Own Capability
– USNI News – Japan is boosting its amphibious and coastal defense capabilities, shifting security personnel to outer islands and converting ground forces into amphibious units capable of defending those islands from attack.
Falkland Islands left with no Royal Navy warship protection for first time since 1982 conflict
– Independent – The Falkland Islands have been left without the protection of a British frigate or destroyer for the first time since the conflict in 1982.
Marines Ramp Up Cyber & Electronic Warfare: Jammers On ‘Every Airplane’
– Breaking Defense – With the rise of high-tech threats from Russia and China, the Marine Corps plans a major increase in its forces devoted to jamming, hacking, and deceiving enemies.
Patrolling Disputed Waters, U.S. and China Jockey for Dominance
– New York Times – The Navy cruiser was in disputed waters off the Spratly Islands when the threat warning sounded over the ship’s intercom: “Away the Snoopie team. … Away the Snoopie team.”
At Sea Aboard the Zumwalt
– Defense News – This was the third night out for the Zumwalt on her second series of builder’s sea trials, the first “alpha” trials having been carried out in early December. The ship, which will eventually go to sea with a crew of 147, was carrying 388 souls, one of the highest numbers Zumwalt likely will ever carry during a planned service life of about 40 years.
Navy Set to Buy AWESUM Miniature Sub-Launched UAVs
– USNI News – U.S. attack and guided missile submarine are set to field miniature unmanned aerial vehicles that will act as the eyes and ears not only for the boats below water but also help special operations forces and strike aircraft target weapons.
China Defends Deployment of Anti-Ship Missiles to South China Sea Island
– USNI News – Beijing is defending the deployment of anti-ship cruise missiles to Woody Island in the South China Sea.
Why does the Pentagon want to refurbish a base in Iceland?
– Christian Science Monitor – The $21.4 million in upgrades are designed to equip the station with reconnaissance planes that will patrol the North Atlantic for Russian submarines.
Navy Sub Build Strategy: Electric Boat Will Focus On Ohio Replacement While Newport News Delivers More SSNs
– USNI News – The Navy released a Submarine Unified Build Strategy (SUBS) for concurrent Ohio Replacement ballistic missile submarine and Virginia Class attack submarine production through at least 2023, with the plan calling for Newport News Shipbuilding taking on additional responsibilities with the Virginia class to help General Dynamics Electric Boat more efficiently deliver the new class of boomers.
Falkland Islands seek clarity on new ruling expanding Argentina’s sea control
– BBC – The Falkland Islands have asked the UK to clarify the meaning of an international commission judgement that would leave the islands surrounded by Argentina’s territorial waters.
Submarines To Become Stealthier Through Acoustic Superiority Upgrades, Operational Concepts
– USNI News – The submarine community is focused on maintaining access and boosting acoustic superiority after operating in relatively permissive environments for several years.
Taiwan Navy Emphasizing Domestic Shipbuilding Program in Ongoing Maritime Restructure
– USNI News – The Taiwan Navy (ROCN) announced a major overhaul plan that includes indigenous production of four 10,000-ton destroyers and 10-15 frigates in 2014. The intention to build up to eight diesel-electric attack submarines with displacement between 1,200 to 3,000 tons is also part of the 20-year modernization plan. The plan is part of a broader effort to switch from reliance on foreign military sales to domestic production in key areas of Taiwan’s defense needs.
Why does the Pentagon want to refurbish a base in Iceland?
– Christian Science Monitor – The $21.4 million in upgrades are designed to equip the station with reconnaissance planes that will patrol the North Atlantic for Russian submarines.
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
You must be logged in to post a comment.