CTV News – China has long sought to intimidate Taiwan with its massive navy, air force and the world’s largest standing army, but it’s mere dinghies that are now causing the most consternation.
Royal Navy warship out of service dates revealed
UK Defence Journal – The Ministry of Defence has provided an update on the planned out of service dates for Royal Navy ships, following a written question from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty.
(Thanks to Alain)
Why Did the Houthis Agree to Peace with America?
National Interest – James Holmes writes that in a narrow, partial sense, air power unaccompanied by a ground offensive may have nudged Houthi calculations toward an outcome agreeable to Washington.
Mold detected in 5 of the 12 Canadian frigates
Radio Canada – The Ministry of National Defense recognizes the presence of mold in several frigates, a problem denounced for years by retired officer Félix Dunn, victim of respiratory complications.
(In French) (Thanks to Alain)
Estonia-Russia ship standoff portends a harsher tone on the Baltic Sea
Defense News – Russia’s detention of a Greek-owned ship that departed from Estonia – days after Estonian forces tried to intercept a Russia-bound tanker – signals Moscow’s willingness to deploy military power more overtly to protect its shadow-fleet, a vital pillar of its war economy, experts say.
Helsing’s AI submarine joins Europe’s growing ocean drone fleet
The Next Web – Helsing, Europe’s best-funded defence tech startup, has unveiled its latest product — an autonomous mini-submarine for underwater reconnaissance.
(Thanks to Alain)
Russian fighter jet protects ‘shadow fleet’ vessel in first such move by Moscow, officials say
CNN – Until last week, a secretive fleet of ships ferrying Russian oil around the world showed no clear links to the Kremlin. That changed when, in a dramatic escalation, Russia used a fighter jet in an apparent effort to protect one of the tankers thought to be in the fleet.
Can Unmanned MUSVs and NOMARS Replace the Troubled FFG-62 Frigate Program?
Naval News – With a price tag approaching $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion dollars each for the USS Constellation (FFG-62) frigate, Naval News asked RAND and CSIS if the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) and the DARPA No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) can replace the troubled FFG-62 frigate program.
Security or Safety: What is AIS Really For?
CIMSEC – Under the present framework and technologies, it is extremely challenging to eliminate AIS spoofing.
Upgraded destroyer hunts submarine in Barents Sea
The Barents Observer – Few weeks after it returned to service after a comprehensive reconstruction, warship Severomorsk takes part in an anti-submarine exercise.
In Details: The Italian Navy’s new ASW-enhanced Bergamini-class FREMM
Naval News – The ninth Bergamini-class Spartaco Schergat (F 598) FRegata Europea Multi-Missione (FREMM) frigate, supplied by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) joint venture between Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%) and delivered to Italian Navy on 15 April as part of the Franco-Italian international cooperation program managed by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement), is the first of two FREMMs in a new configuration for anti-surface (AsuW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) called FREMM ASW-enhanced. Naval News brings you the latest programme details in this feature by Luca Peruzzi.
Fate Of Navy’s F/A-XX Future Fighter Is In Limbo
The War Zone – Major delays could be on the horizon for the F/A-XX stealth fighter, which the Navy wants to replace its aging Super Hornets and Growlers.
Russia’s naval nuclear weapons upgrade nearly completed. Here comes the latest missile carrier for Arctic patrols.
The Barents Observer – The Northern Fleet will with the new submarine significantly strengthen its role in Russia’s naval nuclear deterrence. The Knyaz Pozharsky carries up to 16 Bulava missiles, each armed with four to six nuclear warheads.
Sensors, AI Possible Solutions to Preventing Undersea Cable Sabotage
National Defense – NATO is establishing a center of excellence that will seek to deter, defend and defeat the sabotage of undersea cables and pipelines, a senior alliance leader said at the IT2EC training and simulation conference, held concurrently with the undersea tech conference.
(Thanks to Alain)
A Taipei Airlift: Lessons From Berlin
War on the Rocks – Although American naval forces would likely come into play to counter a Chinese blockade of Taiwan, America’s most likely immediate response option is strategic airlift of vital supplies. The successful Berlin Airlift in the earliest phase of the Cold War offers both potential objectives and serious challenges of carrying out such a mission.
Singapore navy orders new submarine and unmanned mine countermeasure assets
Breaking Defense – The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) used the island state’s biennial naval exhibition to announce two important acquisitions: one for unmanned mine countermeasure vessels and the other for new, manned submarines.
(Thanks to Alain)
Ukraine Situation Report: Russian Navy Creating New Drone Regiments In Wake Of Enemy Successes
The War Zone – The Russian Navy is applying lessons learned from Ukraine’s multi-pronged drone campaigns to reinvent parts of its own force.
Navy deploys warships to protect Sulu, Basilan polls
Manila Standard – The Philippine Navy has deployed several warships to support efforts in ensuring the safety and credibility of the upcoming 2025 national and local elections in the southern provinces of Sulu and Basilan.
(Thanks to Alain)
Candid Image Gives First Evidence Of China’s Secretive Armed Underwater Drone
Naval News – China continues to innovate in the underwater arena. A fresh image reveals one of its latest creations, an extra-large underwater drone (XLUUV). The drone is likely armed with torpedoes, mines or missiles, setting it apart from Western types.
With no alternatives, the Argentine Navy considers decommissioning the Super Étendard Modernisé fighters acquired from France in 2019
Zona Militar – Throughout 2025, news regarding the Argentine Navy’s Super Étendard fighters has been scarce, with no mention of them by naval authorities or in the Management Reports submitted by the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers to the National Congress. This situation appears to foreshadow a decision that has been in the works within the Navy’s leadership, concerning the Super Étendard Modernisé aircraft acquired in 2019 which, to date, despite various efforts and testing, have not even completed a single test flight. According to sources consulted by Zona Militar, the decision would involve the decommissioning of these aircraft, a move that has been shared in camaraderie meetings attended by high-ranking Navy officials to provide an overview of the force’s present and future.
(Thanks to Alain)
The survivability of the aircraft carrier
Navy Lookout – Against the backdrop of the ongoing Defence Review and naval air power deployed in the Red Sea, the debate about the viability of aircraft carriers continues. In this guest article, Tim Griffiths considers the remarkable ability of these ships to withstand enemy action and serious accidents.
AI-enabled underwater gliders could enhance Royal Navy ASW capability
Navy Lookout – Helsing has unveiled a new uncrewed system for persistent underwater surveillance being offered to the RN. The Lura software platform and SG-1 Fathom autonomous glider have significant anti-submarine warfare potential using mass deployment and AI-enabled acoustic processing.
Indian Navy Sent to North Arabian Sea to Deter Pakistan, Say Officials
USNI News – The Indian Navy massed naval forces in the Northern Arabian Sea and sent a carrier battle group, surface combatants, submarines and naval aviation to keep their Pakistani adversaries in a “defensive position,” officials said this week. .
Is the Two-Ocean Navy Act of 2025 Finally Here?
National Interest – James Holmes writes that one hopes that Russian and Chinese capability and malevolence have landed a hard enough knock to induce Congress and the White House to persevere with a naval renaissance.
Sea Dragons: Special Operations and Chinese Military Strategy
China Maritime Studies Institute – As China continues to rise as a global sea power, its maritime strategy continues to evolve. Among these critical evolutions is one of the People’s Liberation Army’s naval special operations forces’ most elite units: the Sea Dragons. A small yet highly specialized unit, the Sea Dragons entered the global spotlight and international consciousness with the 2018 film Operation Red Sea, raising several questions for Chinese naval experts. What does Chinese military strategy and doctrine require of special forces, and specifically naval SOF, to be able to accomplish the mission, particularly along the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea? What are their capabilities and limitations? What real-world experience do they have and how might they be employed in the future? This volume attempts to answer those questions and many more regarding one of China’s more enigmatic units and its role in future peacetime and low-intensity conflicts.
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