China Maritime Studies Institute – Endeavoring to advance into the deep blue, in each thrilling and important mission, the Nanchang’s Party Committee team is always ensuring that “The ship is maneuvered by us, and we listen to the guidance of the Party,” leading the officers and sailors as they repeatedly overcome risks and challenges faced. The leaders of the Nanchang’s Party Committee told reporters, “only a combat formation that is loyal to the Party while being tough and powerful can route all enemies and prevail in all engagements.”
HMS Lancaster makes major drugs bust in Arabian Sea assisted by Peregrine RWUAS
Navy Lookout – Royal Navy Type 23 frigate, HMS Lancaster has intercepted a shipment of class A drugs worth approximately £5.4M during an operation in the northern Arabian Sea. Initial detection of suspicious activity was made by the newly acquired Peregrine Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System (RWUAS) remotely controlled from the ship’s operations room.
Our Best Look Yet At China’s New ‘Invasion Barges’
The War Zone – New imagery has appeared of one of China’s new ‘invasion barges,’ which involves a temporary pier that can be connected to other vessels via a barge, or series of barges, with jack-up supports for more stability. The development of jack-up barges is widely seen as part of preparations for a possible invasion of Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China. At the same time, they also reflect the growing use of ostensibly non-military maritime assets to support amphibious operations by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy
CMSI Note 13: PLA Navy Enhances Realistic Combat Training: Observations of PLA Navy Operations Around Taiwan
China Maritime Studies Institute – Chinese activities around Taiwan in the first two months of 2025 indicate that the PLA is strengthening realistic combat training around the island. This trend aligns closely with the PLA’s emphasis in recent years on using peacetime interactions with foreign forces to achieve training outcomes, a practice it calls “using the enemy to train the troops.”
Deciphering French Strategy in the Indo-Pacific
War on the Rocks – Why is France interested in the Indo-Pacific? First of all, the Indo-Pacific is also France’s home. And second, France has a vested interest in the region’s security as a whole.
Houthis Renew Threats on Israeli Ships Sailing in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden
USNI News – The Houthis announced this week that they would attack any Israeli ship that sails in the vicinity of Yemen, including the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Tomahawk Cruise Missile Fired By Dutch Navy Frigate For First Time
The War Zone – For the first time, the Royal Netherlands Navy has launched a Tomahawk cruise missile from one of its De Zeven Provinciën class frigates. The test launch makes the Netherlands only the fourth country to have fired one of the weapons, which it’s adding to its inventory as part of a wider portfolio of long-range weapons acquired primarily in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Pay ‘Number One Issue’ in Growing U.S. Shipbuilding Workforce, Panel Tells HASC
USNI News – Increasing wages for shipyard workers is the top challenge when attracting and retaining everyone from pipefitters to naval architects, a naval analyst told the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
China, Iran and Russia hold joint naval drills in Mideast
Defense News – China, Iran and Russia conducted joint naval drills Tuesday in the Middle East, offering a show of force in a region still uneasy over Tehran’s rapidly expanding nuclear program and as Yemen’s Houthi rebels threaten new attacks on ships.
New Taigei-Class Submarine Joins JMSDF for Surveillance and Patrol
Japan Forward – A ceremony was held on March 6 to mark the handover of the submarine Raigei to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Raigei will be deployed to the JMSDF Kure Base in Hiroshima Prefecture for surveillance and patrol missions.
(Thanks to Alain)
Ukraine’s Winning Cards Against Russia In The Black Sea
Naval News – The war in the Black Sea is often characterised as the surface drone’s arena. Ukraine has gained the upper hand, against the odds, and now denies Russia sea control. It is an aspect of the war where Ukraine holds the cards.
Spanish Navy Monitors Transit of Russian Attack Submarine
Maritime Executive – The Spanish Navy is reporting that it tracked a Russian attack submarine entering the Mediterranean and accompanied for part of the trip by a Russian tug. It was a part of the regular NATO efforts in the region where activity by Russians has been watched more intently this year as more ships were entering the Mediterranean as the political situation in Syria unfolded.
(Thanks to Alain)
The future of UK strategic sealift
Navy Lookout – Work to replace the ships that carry British military equipment around the globe is at an early stage. Here we look at the background and requirements of the Strategic Sealift – Future (SSL-F) programme.
Secretive AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Live-Fire Testing Surged Last Year With Navy Help
The War Zone – Members of the U.S. Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 (VX-31) contributed to an important increase in live-fire testing of the secretive AIM-260A long-range air-to-air missile last year, it has emerged.
Exposing China’s Legal Preparations For a Taiwan Invasion
War on the Rocks – China is systematically building a legal framework for a potential invasion of Taiwan. How can Taiwan’s friends, partners, and allies push back?
When It Comes To Submarines, Australia Is Going To Be Left High And Dry
War on the Rocks – As the new American president shook allied capitals all over the world, a Virginia-class submarine — the USS Minnesota — arrived at a port in western Australia for the first of many routine Australian port visits slated for American submarines this year. It seemed like a positive signal for the U.S.-Australian alliance. And, despite uncertainty over America’s commitments, officials in the Trump administration have praised the AUKUS security compact. Still, these are the only sorts of Virginia-class submarines Australians should expect to arrive on their shores anytime soon: visiting American submarines crewed by Americans. Despite the promises of the first and core pillar of the AUKUS security compact, the United States simply won’t have enough Virginia-class submarines to spare. To make matters worse, the SSN AUKUS — meant to be Australia’s long-term solution — is likely to encounter significant delays and issues, similar to Britain’s past submarine programs, due to challenges in design maturity, production capacity, and technical complexities, making it an unreliable solution for Australia’s submarine needs. Faced with a stark reality, it is time for Australia to reconsider its options.
Large, Crewed Sixth-Generation Aircraft Have Unique Value in the Indo-Pacific
RUSI – Outsized combat aircraft built for stealthy long-range supersonic flight may be worth the cost for the US and China, but countries in Europe may be better off pursuing other capabilities.
The USS Gettysburg Shootdown Through Chinese Eyes
National Interest – James Holmes asks what takeaways will Chinese military observers draw from USS Gettysburg’s accidental downing of a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet in the Red Sea last December? You can bet that Beijing is poring over the incident and figuring out how to put the insights it gleans to work in the Taiwan Strait, in the South China Sea, or on some other future battleground. People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers, not to mention Chinese think-tankers and scholars of military affairs, are attentive people. They are perpetually on the lookout for strategic advantage. They do their homework.
Royal Navy deepens Aster 30 air defence missile stocks
Navy Lookout – Reports in the French media say that an additional 220 Aster 30 missiles have been ordered under a tri-national procurement. Aster 30 is the RN’s primary air defence missile, the effector used in the Sea Viper system that equips the six Type 45 destroyers.
French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Wraps First Pacific Deployment
USNI News – The French Carrier Strike Group has completed its first deployment in the Pacific and deepened ties with U.S. and Japanese forces.
RUSI Maritime Sanctions Taskforce: Second Meeting Report
RUSI – In January 2025, the RUSI Maritime Sanctions Taskforce met for the second time. This report presents findings from the meeting, which was held to examine the evolving strategies of the shadow fleet and provide operational recommendations to enhance collective enforcement efforts.
F-35 Set to Receive Critical Upgrades in 2025 Production Lots
Naval News – Between the addition of new anti-ship cruise missiles and the delivery of new F-35 jets with Sidekick compatibility, the U.S. Navy is pushing forward to a new standard for the Joint Strike Fighter program that will peak with the rollout of various Block 4 lethality upgrades later this decade.
US support to maintain UK’s nuclear arsenal is in doubt, experts say
The Guardian – Britain’s ability to rely on the US to maintain the UK’s nuclear arsenal is now in doubt, experts have warned, but working with European states to replace it will be costly and take time.
We’re here to stop Russia taking the Black Sea’: with the Ukrainian Navy as they battle for supremacy on the waves
The Guardian – Captain Oleksandr put his hand on the throttle and nudged it forward. His patrol boat roared into action and zipped through the waves. Behind him was the Ukrainian port of Odesa. In front – beyond a grey expanse of water, and 180km (112 miles) away, was occupied Crimea. “We’re here to stop the Russians from taking the Black Sea,” Oleksandr said, as his boat – travelling at a nippy 30 knots – rolled up and down.
Venezuelan Navy intrudes Guyana’s EEZ
Naval News – Tensions between Venezuela and Guyana continue to rise with the Venezuelan Coast Guard recently making incursions into Guyana’s exclusive economic zone.
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