Barents Observer – After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent halt in cooperation with the other Arctic states, Russia has turned east and south for new partners. At the same time, Russia is messaging actively that the Arctic Council without Russia is illegitimate. What is Russia’s posture in Arctic affairs in the new era of growing instability and geopolitical tensions? And how does China – Russia’s primary choice among potential new partners – react to Russia’s invitations?
Britain will test fire Trident nuclear missile for the first time since 2016 as fears of World War Three grow
Daily Mail – Britain is primed to test a Trident nuclear missile for the first time since 2016 amid growing fears of a global conflict, according to reports.
(Thanks to Alain)
CMV-22B Osprey “Not Operationally Suitable” According To Test Report
The War Zone – Even before the entire fleet of V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft was grounded following a fatal crash of an Air Force Osprey off the coast of Japan in November, the Navy’s version was experiencing serious issues that limited its ability to fully perform its assigned missions. Those findings by the Pentagon’s top testing office come even though the Navy’s former air boss called the CMV-22B a “game changer” after its first operational deployment in 2022. The Osprey grounding has also forced the Navy to resort to using its dwindling fleet of C-2A Greyhounds to perform essential Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) duties.
Indian Navy set to commission new survey vessel
Naval Today – The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest survey vessel Sandhayak, at Naval Dockyard, Vizag on February 3.
(Thanks to Alain)
Australian Sailors to Embed on U.S. Navy Submarine Tender in Guam
USNI News – A team of 37 Royal Australian Navy sailors are heading to Guam to learn how to maintain nuclear submarines. The officers and enlisted sailors will embed aboard USS Emory S. Land (AS-39), the U.S. Navy’s mobile submarine maintenance platform located in Guam.
What is the state of Royal Navy land-attack missile capability?
Navy Lookout – Events in the Red Sea have seen the UK media and politicians waking up to the fact that the RN currently has a very limited land-attack missile capability. Here we round up briefly the options available right now and what might be expected for the future
Philippines Confirm That It Will Acquire Submarines
Naval News – The Philippines has confirmed that it will acquire submarines for its fleet as part of efforts to strengthen its territorial defense amid China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
The U.S. Navy Has Missile Drama
National Interest – The revolution in naval warfare continues. In fact, the revolution has gone into overdrive in this age of inexpensive, plentiful, lethal drones and guided missiles.
German Navy Chief Talks Indo-Pacific Deployment, Round The World-Sail
Naval News – Newest frigate and replenishment ship to conduct one of the longest sails undertaken by the German Navy in the history of the service.
Both HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark safe from being scrapped early, minister confirms
Forces Net – Two Royal Navy amphibious assault ships which the Royal Marines rely on will not be scrapped or mothballed ahead of schedule, a minister has said.
Xiang Yang Hong 3: Chinese ship’s port call in Maldives fans India tensions
BBC – The expected arrival of a Chinese research ship in the Maldives this week has escalated tensions between Beijing, Delhi and Male.
Europe’s Marines in the Future European Littoral Operating Environment
War on the Rocks – A viable concept of littoral maneuver can help reduce the possibility of a growing spatial gap between fleets operating at reach with strategic capabilities such as cruise missiles and other elements of the joint force and ensure that both marines and maritime forces more broadly can contribute to a multidomain deep battle.
An Asymmetric Approach to the Use of Maritime Forces in Competing with Russia
RUSI – The question that this paper seeks to answer is how Allied maritime power can best contribute to competition with Russia.
Mechanical issue prevents HMS Queen Elizabeth from sailing on NATO exercise
Navy Lookout – During last-minute checks ahead of sailing for NATO exercise Steadfast Defender, it has been discovered that HMS Queen Elizabeth has a significant issue with her starboard propeller shaft. The ship will not sail on 4th February as planned and instead, HMS Prince of Wales will be readied to replace her.
Piracy is Back in the Horn of Africa – What’s Behind its Return?
RUSI – While the US and the UK attempt to contain Houthi attacks in the Bab al-Mandab and Red Sea, Somali pirates have made a daring comeback off the Horn of Africa.
Navy to get nearly £2bn of AI and virtual tech to keep warships at sea
The Guardian – Grant Shapps announces 15-year contract for UK arm of defence and aerospace specialist Thales
Top Issues Facing the U.S. Navy: A Compendium From the Madison Sea Power Workshops
CIMSEC – This paper presents the collated opinions from participants in the Madison Sea Power Workshops, an informal gathering of navalists whose purpose is to explore key issues facing American sea power as we shift to an era of great power competition.
Navy Looking For Counter-Drone Systems That Can Be Rapidly Added To Its Ships
The War Zone – The Navy is interested in quickly enhancing its ships’ ability to down drones, reflecting concerns over what’s happening in the Red Sea.
Navy’s SM-6 Missile Used In Combat
The War Zone – The use of the multi-purpose SM-6 missile in the ongoing battle with the Houthis would mark a major milestone for the versatile weapon.
Drone Boat Swarm Vision Laid Out By DoD
The War Zone – A new program envisions swarms of drone boats autonomously finding and chasing down target ships, and maybe even attacking them directly.
U.S. Approves Potential $3.9B MQ-9B Sea Guardian UAV Sale to India
USNI News – The State Department greenlit a potential $3.9 billion deal of General Atomics MQ-9B drones to India today, marking the latest move between Washington and New Delhi as the two strengthen their defense and security cooperation.
Ukraine ‘hits Russian missile boat Ivanovets in Black Sea’
BBC – Ukrainian forces say they have destroyed a Russian missile boat from the Black Sea Fleet in a special operation off Russian-occupied Crimea.
US and UK strikes fail to slow Houthi attacks
BBC – Repeated US and UK air strikes against the Houthis in Yemen have failed to slow their attacks on ships in the region, BBC Verify has found.
Does The Navy’s New Constellation Class Frigate Have Enough Vertical Launch Cells?
The War Zone – Recent events in the Red Sea again raise questions about whether 32 vertical launch cells is adequate for the Constellation class frigates.
Phalanx CIWS Downs Houthi Missile Dangerously Close To Destroyer
The War Zone – For the first time since they began swatting down Houthi missiles and drones fired into the Red Sea region, a U.S. warship had to use its Mark 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) against an incoming threat, CNN reported. Taken at face value, this is a very unsettling revelation as Phalanx’s engagement envelope is very close to the ship and is seen as a ‘last ditch’ point defense system. How the missile managed to penetrate the Aegis destroyer’s defenses is unclear at this time.
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 
You must be logged in to post a comment.