Defense Technology International – Russia and the Mistrals: Will They? Won’t They?

Fortunately for their nerves, many senior managers of French military shipyard DCNS have been on holiday for most of August because the Russians have been blowing hot and cold over what appeared to be exclusive talks to purchase up to four Mistral-class helicopter carriers worth an estimated 1.5 billion euro ($1.9 billion) from them.

Christian Science Monitor – China warships dock in Burma, rattling rival naval power India

China and India have overlapping ambitions in the Indian Ocean. So as China flexes its naval reach, India is left debating how to assume leadership in the Indian Ocean.

Defense Technology International – Royal Navy To Get F-35Cs -Why?

Following the Times report that the UK is looking seriously at Boeing’s upgraded international F/A-18E as a substitute for the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, the Daily Telegraph now reports that the UK will acquire the catapult-arrest F-35C instead, as part of the current defense review. According to the Telegraph, the F-35C is expected to cost less than the F-35B.

Daily Telegraph – Jump jets to fall victim to spending cuts

New jump jets for the next generation of Royal Navy aircraft carriers will be cancelled to save money.

Associated Press – Chinese navy to hold drills in Yellow Sea

China said Sunday its navy will stage live-ammunition drills in the Yellow Sea this week, after it condemned U.S.-South Korean joint naval exercises in the region and vowed to respond in kind.

Daily Telegraph – Russian subs stalk Trident in echo of Cold War

Russian submarines are hunting down British Vanguard boats in a return to Cold War tactics not seen for 25 years, Navy chiefs have warned.

Virginian Pilot – Kearsarge group deploys early for Pakistan mission

The Navy dispatched a second wave of ships Friday to support relief efforts in Pakistan, although the vessels may not reach the flood-ravaged country until October.

BBC – Somali pirate admits attacking US warship

A Somali man has admitted attacking a US warship in April after mistaking it for a merchant vessel.

Los Angeles Times – Marines in Afghanistan prepared for a long haul

A year since the U.S. troop buildup began with battalions descending on the Helmand River Valley, optimism about a quick defeat of the Taliban has given way to more sober assessments.

Aviation Week and Space Technology – Tight Budgets, Needs Alter USN Unmanned Efforts

Fiscal constraints will be a major driving factor in the capabilities that the U.S. Navy will seek in unmanned vehicles in the coming years, says the chief of naval operations, Adm. Gary Roughead. However, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) will be called upon to fill what he calls a “capability gap” in the Navy’s ability to collect intelligence in the maritime domain.

Aviation Week and Space Technology – US Navy Envisions Many Unmanned Platforms

The U.S. Navy’s ambitious pursuit of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) was, if anything, simply a glimmer in the eye of a few rogues in the service just a decade or so ago. Fast forward to the present, and the Navy has emerged with funded programs, a cohesive vision and a procurement corps aggressively engaging industry—three things that any U.S. project needs to garner support, and money, from Congress.

Daily Telegraph – Royal Navy underfunding has left it ‘inadequate’ for vital tasks, report finds

Britain must to invest in large numbers of cheaper warships if the “dangerously weak” Royal Navy is to guarantee the country’s maritime security, an academic paper has said.

Daily Telegraph – Royal Navy may need to borrow US fighter jets

Britain could be forced to “borrow” American warplanes for its new aircraft carriers as the Armed Forces’ core capabilities are eroded by budget cuts.

University of Sydney – The Gathering Storm: China’s Challenge to US Power in Asia

Transcript of the fourth annual Michael Hintze Lecture in International Security, delivered by Professor John Mearsheimer.

(Thanks to Cris for the link!)

RIA Novosti – French warships for Russia to be armed with Ka-52 helicopters

Mistral-class helicopter carriers, which Russia plans to buy from France, will be armed with Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopters.

Express Tribune – With ‘enemies’ like these, who needs friends?

Aboard the USS Peleliu, off of Pakistan.

Defense Technology International – USMC Digs In To Save EFV

Secretary of Defense Gates may have met his match when taking on the U.S. Marine Corps and its expeditionary fighting vehicle (EFV), which Gates has started to speculate – quite publicly – might not be worth the risk and cost.

Defense Technology International – Bulava to Resume Test Launches

The test launches of Russia’s new Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile will resume at the end of August or beginning of September.

Defense Technology International – From Mine Sweeping to Swat Valley Rescues

The MH-53E Sea Dragon helos of Navy Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM-15) Detachment 2 – which arrived in Pakistan seven days ago – normally tow a mine-sweeping sled at sea level. For the fuel-eating flight from Pakistan’s Ghazi Air Force Base and the climb over the mountains, they can safely take on only about 10,000 pounds of cargo or 80 people.

Associated Press – Russia leases nuclear sub to India

The Nerpa submarine manned by an Indian crew has sailed to India.