Chinese Maritime Studies Institute – As a part China’s goal to build a fully modernized military by 2035, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is improving its reserve forces through increased defense spending, critical policy changes, and organizational restructuring. Reserve forces (后备力量) encompass the PLA Reserve (预备役部队) and paramilitary forces, such as the militia, which fall under the leadership of the Central Military Commission and can be mobilized by the National Defense Mobilization Department to support combat. The many components that make up China’s fighting force such as active-duty PLA forces, China Coast Guard, and the militia have been studied in depth; however, the PLA Reserve remains an understudied and underreported topic. While the PLA Reserve represents a fraction of the force structure of their active-duty counterparts, recent changes in military reform specific to the PLA Reserve highlight the importance of this relatively small force and the evolving role reservists (预备役人员) may play within the PLA.
Lessons for the Royal Navy’s Future Operations from the Black and Red Sea
RUSI – As the Royal Navy proceeds with its recapitalisation programme, what lessons can it draw regarding future threats from the conflicts in the Red Sea and Black Sea?
Russian Submarine Destroyed, Kyiv Claims
The War Zone – Ukraine claims it struck and sunk the Russian Russian Navy Improved Kilo class diesel-electric attack submarine Rostov-on-Don in an attack on Sevastopol “by units of the missile forces, in cooperation with units of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff claimed on Telegram.
The Calm Before the Swarm: Drone Warfare at Sea in the Age of the Missile
War on the Rocks – We are not yet at a paradigm-shifting moment in the role of autonomous or robotic systems at sea. Nor are we likely to reach a revolutionary precipice within the period in which the U.S. Navy must begin making the transition to a truly hybrid fleet — that is, the integration of autonomous platforms designed to operate as part of an ocean-going battle force. This means the Navy’s approach to acquiring and fielding unmanned systems for deployment at sea should ultimately reinforce and support the maritime domain’s still-dominant weapons system: long-range anti-ship missiles.
Chinese Sea Dragon Commandos Show Off Drones That Look Just Like Birds
The War Zone – Weaponized drones that look and fly like birds may sound like something out of a movie, but they are very real with a long history.
Unmanned Maritime Systems and Warships: Interpretations Under the Law of the Sea
CIMSEC – Treating unmanned vessels as warships requires examining whether they meet the definition of a warship under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The legal status of naval vessels under UNCLOS varies widely depending on whether a navy operates its ships as warships, non-commercial government vessels, or accessories to conventional warships.
This paper discusses whether unmanned systems can be considered warships under UNCLOS, especially with today’s voracious appetite for developing the technology; however, the legal status of unmanned vessels as warships remains uncertain. International agreements on the legal status of unmanned vessels would help establish the legitimacy of naval operations employing them.
Royal Navy frigate strength to get worse before it gets better
Navy Lookout – The RN’s frigates are supposed to be the backbone of the fleet but it has become increasingly difficult to keep the ageing Type 23s going while their replacements are some years away from commissioning. Here we look at the current situation and the implications for future fleet strength.
America’s ‘Air Wing Of The Future’ Takes Shape In The Pacific
Naval News – Making its Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) debut, the USS Carl Vinson’s CVW-2 Advanced Air Wing is bringing unmatched capabilities to the front lines of U.S. Naval Aviation in a way not seen since the Cold War.
US deploys jets and warships as Iran threatens Israel
BBC – The United States will deploy additional warships and fighter jets to the Middle East to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies, the Pentagon said.
Silent Swarm Exercise Accelerates Navy’s Path To Distributed Electronic Warfare Future
The War Zone – The Navy recently experimented with hundreds of electronic warfare technologies mounted on aerial drones and swarms of uncrewed boats.
The US says it has successfully practiced using a low-cost bomb to sink a major surface ship. China is taking note
CNN – A very specialized part of the world’s largest naval drills off the northern Hawaiian island of Kauai is gaining attention on both sides of the Pacific. Earlier this month, the US and allies practiced taking out a large surface ship with long-range weapons, including, for the first time, a US Air Force B-2 bomber.
Secretive Guided Missile Submarine USS Florida’s Leadership Talks About Their 727-Day Deployment
The War Zone – The 41-year-old prized submarine traveled more than 60,000 miles while packed with special operators and fired Tomahawk cruise missiles at Houthi targets.
July Red Sea recap: Houthis continue to target commercial vessels
Defense News – U.S. forces took down dozens of Iran-backed Houthi drones in the Red Sea and in Yemen this month, as Houthi rebels continue to target civilian and commercial vessels in the region.
Russia Launches New Variant Of Tarantul-Class Corvette
Naval News – On July 29, the Stupinets missile corvette, formerly known as a large missile boat (Bol’shoy raketnyy kater), was launched for the Russian Navy. This vessel of Project 12418 Molniya (Lightning) showcases a design distinct from its export variant, the well-known “Tarantulas,” despite sharing the same design number. Notably, the first Project 1241 ship was commissioned into the Russian Navy in 1979, marking a continuation of this class of vessels in the Russian Navy.
Australia Inks $2.2B Deal to Extend Collins-class Submarines into 2030s
USNI News – The Australian government signed a $2.2 billion four-year contract with national submarine builder ASC last week to keep Canberra’s existing Collins-class submarines in service through the 2030s.
Explosives-Packed Jet Ski Drone Appears Off Turkish Coast
The War Zone – A highly-modified jet ski loaded with explosives has been found off the Turkish coast near Istanbul. The uncrewed vehicle is likely part of a growing armada of Ukrainian kamikaze drone boats that have been notably effective in disrupting Russian Navy activities in the Black Sea and have sunk or damaged multiple warships.
(Thanks to Alain)
Nuclear submarine Knyaz Pozharsky begins sea trials in White Sea
Army Recognition – According to information published by Sputnik on July 29, 2024, the Borei-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Knyaz Pozharsky has commenced sea trials in the White Sea.
(Thanks to Alain)
China’s Latest Submarine Features X-Shaped Stern
The War Zone – With a longer hull and possible vertical launch cells, the new design is further evidence of China’s rapid submarine developments.
INS Brahmaputra Severely Damaged In Fire, Lying On Its Side; Sailor Missing
NDTV – The fire broke out on board the multirole frigate INS Brahmaputra while she was undergoing refit at the Mumbai naval dockyard, the navy said, adding the ship is lying on its side.
(Thanks to Alain)
Russia Deploys Three Submarines Armed With Cruise Missiles To Sea For The First Time
Naval News – According to Ukrainian Navy spokesmen Dmytro Pletenchuk, Russian Navy deployed three submarines armed with cruise missiles at the same time in the Black Sea. He posted the news on social media.
The Puzzle of Chinese Escalation in the South China Sea
War on the Rocks – Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated dramatically in recent months around Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the eastern Spratly Islands…But while China has been escalating with the Philippines at unprecedented levels around Second Thomas Shoal, it has exercised striking restraint toward Vietnam’s far larger and more militarized expansion of its South China Sea outposts.
The evolving approach to maximising Royal Navy warship availability in Portsmouth
Navy Lookout – BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business is responsible for looking after 19 vessels based in Portsmouth. We were invited to see how the company is working to improve its methods, upgrade facilities and develop its people to maximise warship availability and provide greater choice to fleet planners.
Australian admiral warns AUKUS effort may be ‘at risk’ if dry dock issue not solved soon
Breaking Defense – The Royal Australian Navy admiral in charge of readying military facilities for a key port call by nuclear-powered submarines, including the future SSN AUKUS boat, warned this week that Australia’s generational effort to buy and deploy nuclear powered submarines is “at risk” if the government does not take quick, decisive action on infrastructure.
The threat from China and Russia’s space-based SIGINT satellites
The Space Review – China and Russia have extensive space-based sigint capabilities, which can geolocate transmissions from the radars of UK and NATO allies’ navies. This tracking information is then linked to land and naval-based missiles to ensure that they can target the UK and US Navy.
UK First Sea Lord: Joint Crewing Of SSN-AUKUS Submarines Likely
Naval News – The United Kingdom and Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS (SSN-A) submarines will probably be operated by an integrated crew made of Australian and British sailors, the UK’s First Sea Lord said at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference in Perth.
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