Navy Lookout – Tony Carruthers spent 8 years as an officer serving in Royal Navy minehunters. In this opinion piece, he considers the state of RN mine countermeasures and the decision to extend HMS Bangor in service.
Reviving the Escort Carrier for the Drone Age
Center for Maritime Strategy – Naval and amphibious forces now face a new threat in the form of suicide drones and cruise missiles from traditional adversaries and insurgent groups. Autonomous drones are increasingly becoming an integral part of naval forces, flying reconnaissance, anti-submarine and anti-surface missions. But as current conflicts drive the rapid evolution of warfare, ships and troops are being targeted by unmanned weapons. New mission roles will undoubtably be assigned to naval drones to counter these threats in the air and on the sea. As low-cost drones and cruise missiles saturate defenses, the Navy needs equally low-cost sea-based counters. A new class of ships dedicated to operating drones at sea could provide a cost-effective approach to protecting friendly forces. The answer may look less like an aircraft carrier or destroyer, and more like a converted oilfield support ship.
Navy, Marine Corps pick Dutch company’s design for new island-hopping vessel
Breaking Defense – The Navy and Marine Corps have chosen a ship design by the Dutch company Damen as the basis for a number of new vessels to be part of the Medium Landing Ship program, senior leaders announced today.
AUKUS submarine programme – progress, pressure and realities
Navy Lookout – The House of Commons Defence Select Committee session on 2nd December, considering progress with AUKUS, put the spotlight on issues that will determine successful (Pillar 1) submarine delivery. Although ministers continue to project confidence, the evidence underlined industrial expansion pressures and the implications of forward deploying an Astute-class submarine to Australia.
South Korea’s Hyundai feeds rapid naval upgrades in the Philippines
Defense News – Once reliant on aging, second-hand vessels from the United States, a steady drumbeat of new warships is beginning to enter Philippine Navy service.
Swedish navy encountering Russian submarines ‘almost weekly’ – and more could be on the way
The Guardian – The Swedish navy encounters Russian submarines in the Baltic Sea on an “almost weekly” basis, its chief of operations has said, and is preparing for a further increase in the event of ceasefire or armistice in the Ukraine war.
UK and Norway sign formal naval cooperation agreement
Navy Lookout – The Anglo-Norwegian Lunna House Agreement will be signed today as the Norwegian Prime Minister visits RAF Lossiemouth, representing the most significant deepening of UK–Norway naval cooperation since the early Cold War.
South Korea Is Getting Nuclear Submarines? Good!
National Interest – James Holmes writes that many countries want nuclear submarines for national prestige rather than for security needs. But South Korea is well-positioned to use them effectively.
What the Constellation-class frigate’s cancellation means for Navy, Fincantieri
Breaking Defense – “This is going to be devastating for [Fincantieri’s] workforce. They invested heavily buying the yard in 2009 and invested a lot to win the frigate class competition,” one analyst told Breaking Defense.
Upgrade carrier air wings with F/A-XX or lose to China
Breaking Defense – If the US is to stand a chance against China, the time is now to move out on the Navy’s future next-gen fighter, explains Rebecca Grant of the Lexington Institute.
Unusual Black Trimaran Drone Ship Spotted In Chinese Shipyard
Naval News – Hidden beneath tarpaulins, an uncommon sight at Chinese shipyards, a new trimaran-hulled vessel appears to combine features of both surface ships and submarines. Satellite imagery suggests it may be uncrewed, designed for high-speed operations. Though its purpose remains unknown, the project reflects the accelerating pace and growing sophistication of China’s naval innovation.
Taiwan island’s first ‘indigenous’ submarine revealed to have sea trial without anchor; repeated problems expose boat’s vulnerability
Global Times – The island of Taiwan’s “indigenous” submarine Hai Kun, which the armed forces on the island had confidently claimed would be delivered in November, has not only failed to complete basic underwater navigation tests but has recently been reported to have problems such as “uninstalled anchors” and “unintegrated watertight door systems.” This has drawn sharp criticism within the island for “endangering crew members’ lives.”
(Thanks to Alain)
Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigates Will Be Armed With Stratus Stealth Cruise Missile
The War Zone – The U.K. Ministry of Defense has confirmed that the Royal Navy’s forthcoming Type 26 City class frigates will be armed with the Stratus missile, two discrete versions of which are being developed under the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) program. The missile will provide an important boost to the Royal Navy’s standoff land-attack and anti-surface warfare capabilities from the early 2030s. However, for the time being, the Royal Navy frigates are set to use only the low-observable (stealthy) subsonic version of the missile, rather than the supersonic one.
Indian Navy Set to Commission INS Aridhaman, Third Indigenous Nuclear Submarine
SSB Crack Shop – The Indian Navy is preparing to commission INS Aridhaman, the country’s third nuclear-powered submarine constructed domestically. This announcement was made by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Currently in the final phase of trials, the submarine is anticipated to significantly boost India’s underwater strike capabilities and durability, thereby enhancing the nation’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
(Thanks to Alain)
Royal Navy’s Proteus RWUAS completes ground testing ahead of maiden flight
Navy Lookout – The RN’s first full-sized remotely-piloted helicopter has completed its initial ground tests. Proteus, a technology demonstrator aircraft developed by Leonardo in Yeovil, is intended to help define the future shape of uncrewed rotary aviation for the fleet.
Sudan offers Russia Red Sea base for 25 years in exchange for arms
The New Arab – Sudan’s government has offered Russia its first naval base in Africa, in exchange for arms, as the military continues to battle the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a renegade militia that Moscow initially supported.
(Thanks to Alain)
Taiwanese Drone Firm Pitches Unmanned Surface Vessels for Coastal Defense
USNI News – A Taiwanese drone firm held sea trials with six unmanned surface vessels last month ahead of a roughly $1 billion project that aims to procure up to 1,350 sea drones for coastal defense purposes against a potential Chinese invasion.
Romania to boost its Black Sea fleet with Turkish-made patrol ship
Defense News – Romania’s plan to acquire a Turkish-built Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) has entered its final phase, with the Romanian Ministry of Defence confirming that contract signature is imminent following unanimous parliamentary approval in September. The deal would deliver one vessel to the Black Sea city of Constanța within six months of signing. For Romania, the acquisition fills a critical near-term gap. The country’s Black Sea fleet remains constrained by aging platforms—many dating from the late Cold War — and persistent delays across several major procurement ventures.
(Thanks to Alain)
Russian Oil Tanker Struck In Aerial Attack Hundreds Of Miles From Ukraine
The War Zone – Russian-owned oil tanker was attacked in the Black Sea about 80 miles north of the Turkish city of Sinop, according to Turkish and Russian authorities. The strike was “highly likely” carried out by aerial drones, according to the Ambrey maritime security firm. The attack on the Midvolga-2 was the third against Russian-connected ships in the Black Sea in the past three days and came a day after Turkish President Recep Erdogan issued a stark warning that the war in Ukraine was spilling over and endangering navigation.
Germany unveils long-endurance Greyshark underwater drones
Defence Blog – EUROATLAS, the German advanced defense technologies company, has announced the launch of its new GREYSHARK family of autonomous underwater vehicles, introducing two multi-mission platforms designed for long-range underwater intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
(Thanks to Alain)
The Royal Navy’s next-generation radars
Navy Lookout – We visited BAE Systems’ facility on the Isle of Wight, the primary site in the UK for naval radar design and manufacture, for a briefing on progress. In the first of two articles, we focus on the work underway to develop new radar technology for the RN.
Ukrainian naval drones strike two Russian oil tankers in Black Sea
The Guardian – Ukrainian naval drones hit two tankers operating under sanctions in the Black Sea as they headed to a Russian port to load up with oil destined for foreign markets, an official said on Saturday, as Kyiv tries to pile pressure on Russia’s vast oil industry.
The USS Gerald R. Ford Can’t Overthrow Nicolas Maduro. It Might Not Need To.
National Interest – James Holmes writes that the purpose of the aircraft carrier’s visit to the waters near Venezuela is still unclear—but it makes for a powerful warning to Caracas about what might follow.
Japan to Procure New Anti-Landing Craft Missiles for Island Defense
USNI News – The Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) will procure the next generation of Japanese anti-landing craft missiles next year as Tokyo prioritizes coastal defense systems to defend its southwestern islands.
Revival of Inchgreen dry dock could offer the Royal Navy additional support options
Navy Lookout – Inchgreen dry dock on the Clyde is set for significant redevelopment under a £20 million government-funded investment, aiming to restore one of the largest docks in Europe to modern standards and strengthen Scotland’s ship repair and maritime industrial base. The work is planned for completion in 2027 and includes both infrastructure renewal and the construction of a new training and skills centre.
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