Naval News – The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group redefined how the U.S. Navy performs its highest level pre-deployment integration exercises, achieving countless ‘firsts’ for naval aviation throughout its time in the Red Sea fighting Houthi drone swarms and anti-ship ballistic missiles.
Japan establishes new Maritime Transport Group with Taiwan contingency in mind
Naval News – On March 24, the Japanese Ministry of Defense established a new Self-Defense Forces Maritime Transport Group, a joint unit of the Ground and Maritime Self-Defense Forces, at the JMSDF Kure Base. The initial number of members at the unit is about 100, according the Ground Staff Office in Tokyo.
In focus: the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine sentry – the Towed Array Patrol Ship
Navy Lookout – In this article, we highlight the work of the Towed Array Patrol Ship (TAPS), the Royal Navy’s frigate specifically assigned to the anti-submarine task in UK waters and beyond.
Donald Trump’s Anti-Houthi Campaign Comes Up Short
National Interest – James Holmes writes that control represents the prime goal of military strategy, and air bombardment—no matter how relentless—cannot replace the power of boots on the ground.
Norway’s coastal rangers eye fresh drones to find threats at sea
Defense News – A team of officers bearing the Norwegian flag on their uniform climb from one moving vessel onto another, a larger Norwegian Coast Guard offshore patrol ship, using a single pole with a hook and flimsy ladder to haul themselves up. They are part of the Norwegian Coastal Rangers, a marine commando unit trained to operate in littoral combat environments. In the context of the NATO exercise Joint Viking 2025, organized earlier this month, they trained for the task of boarding a suspicious vessel.
CMSI Note 14: Bridges Over Troubled Waters: Shuiqiao-Class Landing Barges in PLA Navy Amphibious Operations
China Maritime Studies Institute – Considering these landing barges in the context of other developments related to amphibious operations suggests the PLA may have significantly advanced its timetable to have sufficient capabilities to conduct a large-scale cross-strait operation against Taiwan in accordance with Xi Jinping’s 2027 centennial military building goal.
The hunt for Red October in warmer oceans – Climate change and anti-submarine warfare
NATO – Climate change can have a real impact on interstate rivalry and strategic competition, specifically by affecting water temperatures, currents and salinity, and thus sonar performance – a key asset in submarine and anti-submarine warfare.
10 Russian warships rehearsed battle for Kaliningrad region
Bulgarian Military – On Tuesday, the Russian Navy carried out military exercises in the Baltic Sea, involving about 10 ships, according to a statement from the Baltic Fleet’s press service reported by Interfax, a Russian news agency.
(Thanks to Alain)
Subsea fibre cables can ‘listen out’ for sabotage
BBC – Some companies are trying to monitor what’s going on in the vicinity of any cable – by using fibre optic signals to listen out for surreptitious underwater drones, or hostile vessels dragging their anchors along the seabed.
Russia’s ghost ships haunt Libya
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists – The Kremlin is using vessels from its “ghost fleet” — hundreds of aging commercial ships with obscured ownership — to send military equipment to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar.
(Thanks to Alain)
Frigate in Barents Sea is manned by sailors with battle experience from Ukraine
The Barents Observer – Servicemen on board the Admiral Kasatonov successfully applied their war experiences during a recent exercise in the Barents Sea, the Northern Fleet reports.
Greece bolstering naval capabilities as part of 12-year defense program
Ekathimerini – Greece is preparing to bolster its naval capabilities as part of a broader defense modernization plan, responding to regional security challenges, including Turkey’s recent missile tests.
(Thanks to Alain)
Australia, Canada announce $4B over horizon radar agreement
Breaking Defense – Australia is poised for its largest defense sale ever, exporting its Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) to Canada.
Iceland Coast Guard to Deploy New Submarine for Surveillance
Iceland Review – One way that Iceland will improve its defence capabilities involves the introduction of a domestically manufactured submarine, which are set to soon be delivered to the Icelandic Coast Guard. Produced entirely in Iceland by Teledyne Gavia, the submersible is designed to handle a range of operations and can be adapted to meet different requirements.
(Thanks to Alain)
F-16 Is Getting Massive Anti-Ship Missile Upgrade
The War Zone – F-16s will get stealthy AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles, giving them the ability to attack highly defended ships over great distances.
Is the Royal Navy Indo-Pacific ready, or should the carrier strike group stay closer to home?
Navy Lookout – There has been considerable debate over the prospect of deploying the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the Indo-Pacific region in 2025. Here we look at the outline programme for the deployment and consider the case for and against a change of plan.
No Time to Spare: Irish Defense and Security in 2025
War on the Rocks – Ireland’s leaders should be encouraged and cajoled to spend the required 1.5 percent of real GDP on defense to fund maritime, land, and air forces capable of providing a reasonable military deterrent in relation to Ireland’s size and strategic importance, and in line with the requirements of neutral states.
Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarine comes home after breaking the record for the longest patrol
Navy Lookout – A submarine returned home to the Clyde today following the longest ever patrol by a British nuclear deterrent-carrying boat. This submarine left Faslane in late August and has been away for 204 days. This breaks the record achieved in 2023, an extraordinarily long time for the crew to spend underwater. This submarine was relieved in the last few days by another boat that sailed last week, following significant delays in getting it ready for sea. The length of patrols has been rising sharply over the last few years. The last eight deterrent patrols have all exceeded five months in duration. Today’s homecoming is another epic achievement, even if spending almost half a year underwater is becoming ‘normal’.
Navy Force Planning With a Pertinacious Marine Corps
CIMSEC – The United States Marine Corps has an outsized effect on Navy force planning. While the Navy and the Marines exhibit a sincere and genuine single team spirit conducting global naval operations, they are a fierce team of rivals when determining the requirements for amphibious ships (also known as “amphibs”), which the Navy funds for their construction and operation.
U.S. Air Campaign Against Houthis Continues Into Third Day
The War Zone – The White House put out a stark warning to Iran and said strikes against the Houthis will only stop if their attacks on ships end.
France’s seabed warfare strategy includes offensive means
Naval News – In a recent press conference held at the French ministry of Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Cédric Chetaille – the French Navy’s deputy chief for operations, and director of seabed capability development – revealed that France’s seabed warfare strategy includes offensive means, in addition to defense ones.
Can Europe’s Navies Deter Russia Alone?
CEPA – The prospect of reduced US naval and military support for Europe has raised alarm bells across the continent. In particular, European NATO now needs to think whether it alone can deter or defeat Russia.
CMSI Translations #15: Inscribing Loyalty While Endeavoring to Advance into the Deep Blue
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
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