Daily Telegraph – Japan to build fleet’s biggest helicopter destroyer to fend off China
Japan is set to commission the largest destroyer to join its fleet in response to a Chinese military buildup.
US Marines – Marines in Afghanistan hear a plea: Don't leave too soon
Los Angeles Times – Marines in Afghanistan hear a plea: Don’t leave too soon
Others in Helmand would like them to leave immediately. And frustrating to most involved, the work of U.S. forces to instill a sense of security and confidence in the government is going slowly.
Geopolitics / Cold War – The Fall of the Wall
The Atlantic – The Fall of the Wall
Robert D. Kaplan says we may have gained victory in the Cold War, but lost Europe to apathy and decadence in the process.
Air Warfare – Air Defense Push Inspired by 9/11 Gets a 2nd Look
New York Times – Air Defense Push Inspired by 9/11 Gets a 2nd Look
The US may not be able to afford the cost of defending its skies…
Royal Navy – UK 'sorry' for shooting at 'Spanish flag' buoy
BBC – UK ‘sorry’ for shooting at ‘Spanish flag’ buoy
The UK has apologised to Spain after the Royal Navy used a buoy with the Spanish colours for target practice.
Royal Navy – Astute Move
Defense Technology International – Astute Move
The first of the Royal Navy’s Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines has finally made it to its home base only four year behind the original in-service date. The navy now intends accept HMS Astute into service in 2010.
Nonlethal Weapons – Maersk Alabama: Should ships use armed guards to stop Somali pirates?
Christian Science Monitor – Maersk Alabama: Should ships use armed guards to stop Somali pirates?
Lethal or nonlethal weapons? The attack on the US-flagged Maersk Alabama reignites the debate over how to stop Somali pirates.
Christian Science Monitor –
Five new weapons the Maersk Alabama could use to foil pirates
US Navy – Hot Hot Hot
Defense Technology International – Hot Hot Hot
US Navy amphibious ships operating MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotors will need major structural repairs after less than half their planned service lives, according to a newly released Navy document, unless a new Deck Thermal Management System (DTMS) can be developed to protect the decks from exhaust heat. The only other alternative identified so far is a heavy structural modification to the deck. The JSF is considered likely to cause similar problems.
Piracy – Maersk Alabama repels 2nd pirate attack with guns
Associated Press – Maersk Alabama repels 2nd pirate attack with guns
Somali pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama on Wednesday for the second time in seven months, though private guards on board the U.S.-flagged ship repelled the attack with gunfire and a high-decibel noise device.
Geopolitics / Arctic – Cold Call
Ottawa Citizen – Cold Call
Security specialist says nuclear sub’s northern exposure sends a message that Canada should heed: Take Arctic claims seriously.
(Thanks to Justin for the link!)
US Navy – Drones scour the sea for pirates
BBC – Drones scour the sea for pirates
Sleek and sinister-looking, the latest weapon against piracy could have flown directly out of a science fiction film.
US Marines – Defusing the threat
Sand Diego Union Tribune – Defusing the threat
The Marines are getting critical info and training to help them defeat improvised bombs.
Indian Navy – What the Tourists in the Maldives Don't Know
Defense Technology International – What the Tourists in the Maldives Don’t Know
“Asia Sentinel” an independent website, reports that now India is preparing to reopen the former RAF base in the Maldives islands to surveillance aircraft, helicopters, and possibly ships, to monitor Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean. Under a deal signed in August, India is also installing radar across the Maldives, linked to its coastal command.
US Navy – Keel laid for new carrier Gerald R. Ford
Associated Press – Keel laid for new carrier Gerald R. Ford
Construction of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford got its official kickoff Saturday with a keel-laying ceremony at the shipyard where the $7 billion nuclear-powered ship is being assembled.
US Navy – USS Texas pays icy visit to Arctic
Honolulu Advertiser – USS Texas pays icy visit to Arctic
After a dearth of news since it left its base on the East Coast bound for Pearl Harbor, the submarine USS Texas finally resurfaced — near the North Pole. The 7,800-ton attack submarine, with a crew of about 134, last month completed a historic exercise in the Arctic when it became the first of the new Virginia-class submarines not only to operate in the region, but also to surface through the ice.
Royal Navy – Royal Navy failed to open fire as pirates seized Britons
The Times – Royal Navy failed to open fire as pirates seized Britons
The Royal Navy failed to open fire as Somali pirates seized two British hostages and, instead, watched helplessly as the couple were taken prisoner.
Russian Navy – Russian Defense Industry In Crisis
Defense Tech – Russian Defense Industry In Crisis
Norman Polmar writes that the Russian defense industry may not have long to survive.
South Korean Navy – SKorea troops on high alert after navy skirmish
Associated Press – SKorea troops on high alert after navy skirmish
South Korea warned it was ready to deter any retaliation by North Korea following the two countries’ first naval clash in seven years, reportedly deploying two warships to the disputed sea border Wednesday.
Royal Navy – Boomer Bust
Defense Technology International – Boomer Bust
While hardly an auspicious start, a couple of months delay in concluding the concept phase for the UK’s future deterrent program is – in the UK Defense Ministry scheme of things – almost on time.
South Korean Navy – Korean naval ships clash at sea
BBC – Korean naval ships clash at sea
A South Korean warship has exchanged fire with a North Korean naval vessel.
Saudi Navy – Saudi navy blockades north Yemen coast
Associated Press – Saudi navy blockades north Yemen coast
A Saudi Arabian government adviser says the kingdom has imposed a naval blockade on northern Yemen’s Red Sea coast to try to prevent weapons and fighters flowing to Shiite rebels in the area.
Russian Navy – 'Lost' cargo ship Arctic Sea gives up its secrets
The Times – ‘Lost’ cargo ship Arctic Sea gives up its secrets
The crew at the centre of the hijacked cargo vessel tell of their ordeal for the first time.
US Navy – US launches 'Twin Towers' warship
BBC – US launches ‘Twin Towers’ warship
A warship built with steel salvaged from the World Trade Center has been put into service in New York.
Russian Navy – Russian military plane crashes, killing 11
AFP – Russian military plane crashes, killing 11
A Russian Tu-142 anti-submarine warfare aircraft crashed into the sea during a training exercise in Russia’s Far East region, leaving all 11 crew members missing and presumed dead.
US Navy – DDG 1000: On Target
Defense Tech – DDG 1000: On Target
Norman Polmar writes that amidst the Navy’s leadership attempt to explain — some would say rationalize — the massive cost increases and delays in several major shipbuilding programs, the Zumwalt (DDG 1000) program appears to be on cost and on schedule.
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
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