– BBC – Japan says it may release evidence to prove a Chinese naval frigate locked its fire-control radar onto a Japanese ship near disputed islands.
US Navy – Sailors across Navy will feel impact of carrier change
– Virginian Pilot – With less than 48 hours to spare, defense officials decided Wednesday to axe the cruise of the USS Harry S. Truman – the first in an expected wave of defense cuts tied to a federal budget squeeze.
US Navy – Truman deployment canceled in light of budget woes
– Virginian Pilot – The Pentagon halted the upcoming deployment of a Norfolk-based aircraft carrier Wednesday two days before it was set to ship out – the strongest indication yet that looming budget cuts are forcing the military to change the way it operates. The Harry S. Truman had cleared all its training and certifications and was gearing up for deployment Friday. But the Navy, faced with a budget crisis that could mean more than $8 billion in cuts this year alone, asked Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to cancel a requirement that the United States keep two carriers in the Persian Gulf, Pentagon officials said. Panetta acquiesced and, in a sharp turnaround for a ship the size of a small city, about 5,000 sailors learned Wednesday afternoon that the deployment had been cancelled.
US Navy – Solving the Navy’s carrier shortage
– Washington Times – The U.S. Navy, operating with too few carriers, now has a forward-deployment dilemma. Keeping two carriers deployed to the Middle East with only nine deployable strike carriers is not sustainable, even with their deployment time increasing by 50 percent. This is having debilitating consequences for fleet readiness. An immediate relaxation from the two-carrier commitment would provide much-needed forward deployment flexibility. This can be accomplished by utilizing operational alternatives, including modified U.S. Air Force Air Expeditionary Forces, along with U.S. Marine Corps Air Wing, to provide the required close air support mission in Afghanistan.
Russian Navy – French Warship for Russia 'Won't Work in Cold' – Minister
– RIA Novosti – Two amphibious assault ships bought for the Russian Navy from France in a 1.2 billion euro deal will not be able to operate in temperatures below seven degrees centigrade, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin admitted on Saturday, in critical comments about the contract.
Chinese Navy – Japan protest over China ship's radar action
– BBC – A Chinese vessel has locked its weapon-targeting radar on a Japanese ship, Tokyo says, amid mounting tensions over a territorial row.
US Navy – Stuck Minesweeper to Be Cut Into Pieces
– ABC – Unable to tow the minesweeper USS Guardian off a reef in the Philippines, the Navy has decided that the only way to free the ship without causing further damage to the reef is to cut the ship into pieces.
South Korean Navy – South Korea, US begin naval drills amid nuclear tensions
– BBC – South Korea and the US have begun three days of naval exercises in what is being seen as a show of force aimed at North Korea.
Indian Navy – Russia Hands Over Refitted Indian Sub
– RIA Novosti – An Indian Navy diesel-electric submarine was handed back to the service in an official ceremony following a major refit at Russia’s Zvezdochka shipyard on Saturday.
Russian Navy – Eyewitness: Tragedy of Soviet nuclear submarine K-27
– BBC – The Russian authorities are investigating whether a sunken Soviet nuclear-powered submarine, the K-27, can be safely raised so that the uranium in its reactors may be removed.
US Navy – Powering the Pacific “Pivot” With Leon and Chuck
– Time – Winslow Wheeler critiques Air Sea Battle…
US Navy – Mighty ZUMWALT Is Coming Together
– Defense News – One of the most striking warships ever built is coming together in the little coastal town of Bath, Maine. The major components of the 610-foot-long ZUMWALT (DDG 1000) — a “destroyer” in name only — have been assembled this winter at the General Dynamics shipyard of Bath Iron Works, and the ship’s stark, tumblehome hull and superstructure is now together.
Ground Warfare – The Guerilla Myth
– Wall Street Journal – Unconventional wars are our most pressing national security concern. They’re also the most ancient form of war in the world. Max Boot on the lessons of insurgency we seem unable to learn.
French Navy – French Navy Dixmude LHD sails off with a full load of reinforcement for Serval operation in Mali
– Navy Recognition – French Navy Dixumde LHD (Mistral class) sailed off on alert from Toulon naval base. With a record (for the class) load of French Army troops, vehicles and equipment belonging to a battalion task force (JTF-battle group) the amphibious vessel contributes to the strengthening of the French military deployed in Operation Serval.
US Navy – Navy can't scrap ships, but can't fix them either
– Virginian Pilot – The Navy is stuck with a number of poorly performing ships it wasn’t permitted to scrap but can’t afford to fix because Congress hasn’t resolved its budget stalemate.
Philippine Navy – Philippines 'to take South China Sea row to court'
– BBC – The Philippines says it will challenge Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea at a UN tribunal.
Afghanistan – Which Way Did the Taliban Go?
– New York Times Magazine – Digging out roadside bombs, running into ambushes and dancing with deranged informants — a week in the life of an Afghan National Army battalion, on its own in the wilderness.
US Navy – Secret Nuclear Redesign Will Keep U.S. Subs Running Silently for 50 Years
– Wired – The U.S. Navy is betting the future of its submarine force on a secret and revolutionary nuclear drive system that aspires to be more efficient and quieter than anything under the water today.
French Navy – DCNS Lorient Shipyard Visit and FREMM Frigates Program Update
– Navy Recognition – Navy Recognition was recently invited by DCNS to visit their Lorient (Brittany) based shipyard. The Lorient site specializes in surface vessel. It was the birthplace of many French Navy vessels such as Aviso type ships, the La Fayette class of frigates (and its export derivatives) and even several classes of cruisers before and after World War II. We also took this rare opportunity to sit down and ask a few questions to Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, FREMM Programs Manager.
Chinese Navy – The drums of war
– Chinese Navy – The drums of war – Armed clashes over trivial specks in the East China Sea loom closer.
Chinese Navy – Dangerous shoals
– The Economist – The risks of a clash between China and Japan are rising—and the consequences could be calamitous.
Chinese Navy – This Simple Ship Could Let the Chinese Navy Circle the Globe
– Wired – The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy now has an aircraft carrier, new jet fighters to fly off the flattop and even new submarines and guided-missile destroyers able to protect the refurbished Soviet carrier. And with the successful first sea trials of two new, 590-foot-long fleet oilers — tanker ships designed to keep other vessels fueled, or “replenished,” while sailing long distance — the PLAN could soon be able to deploy all this new hardware beyond coastal waters.
Piracy – World sea piracy falls to five-year low in 2012
– Associated Press – World sea piracy fell to its lowest level in five years in 2012, thanks to a huge reduction in Somali piracy.
Editorial Note – New Appearance for NOSI
Some time recently, NOSI’s WordPress Web hosting software was compromised with some malware. Thanks to Fred for bringing it to my attention! NOSI’s content was transferred last week by my hosting service to a new clean version of the WordPress Web hosting software. As part of that NOSI got a new template, so I will thank you in advance for your patience while I come to grips with it…
Geopolitics / Afghanistan – Afghanistan’s improving ways
– Washington Post – David Ignatius’ interesting take on the future of Afghanistan – “Who can say what the future holds for Afghanistan? Surely, the country’s turmoil and suffering won’t end when U.S. troops depart; the situation may get much worse. But it’s a mistake to assume that nothing changed during America’s years of struggle there, or that many of those changes weren’t for the good.”
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
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