Archive January 2000 – June 2000


Wednesday, June 28, 2000

NOSI is on vacation until Tuesday, July 4. See you then!


Tuesday, June 27, 2000

Canadian Navy – The Canadian Navy’s aging Sea King helicopters will fly under restricted conditions, due to several recent losses.

Sri Lanka Navy – Tamil Tiger forces carried out a suicide attack on a government supply vessel, causing heavy damage to it. Sri Lanka Navy vessels which came to its assistance were also attacked by Tamil Tiger forces. The sea route is the only open line of supply the Sri Lankan government has to its forces.


Monday, June 26, 2000

Pakistan Navy – The Pakistan Navy opened a new base today, its second, at Ormara, which is 240 km west of Karachi, its first and heretofore only base.

Pakistan – Background – The education of the next generation of hundreds of thousands of Muslim holy warriors is underway in Pakistan at madrasas, or religious schools. Their narrow interpretation of Islam, coupled with Pakistan’s nuclear capability, makes them a substantive future threat to the West.


Sunday, June 25, 2000

Taiwan Background – A new Pentagon study concludes that it is unlikely that China will attack Taiwan, because it would jeopardize China’s economy.

Royal New Zealand Navy – Further modernization of the Royal New Zealand Navy will be delayed indefinitely under new government plans, which will give priority in funding to the Army.


Saturday, June 24, 2000

U.S. Navy – The submarine U.S.S. Dolphin has demonstrated the ability to send e-mail while submerged using an acoustic modem.

Royal Navy – The trimaran research vessel RV Triton will commence formal sea trials in September. The builder, Vosper Thornycroft, feels the trimaran is the shape of the future.


Friday, June 23, 2000

Indonesia Navy – The Indonesia Navy has begun evacuating Christians from the Moluccan islands in an attempt to quell religious violence.

U.S. Navy – The incoming U.S. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Vernon Clark, draws interesting parallels between today and when he first entered the Navy in the early 1970’s when Admiral Zumwalt was CNO.


Thursday, June 22, 2000

U.S. Navy – the U.S.S. George Washington battlegroup is deploying to the Gulf with a nearly 99% manning rate, a vast improvement over recent deployments which have occured with 90% manning rates.

U.S. Navy – A report submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration concludes that the cause of the strandings of a number of whales in the Bahamas in March was loud underwater noises. Near the time of the strandings the Navy was testing active sonars designed to detect diesel-electric submarines undertaking operations in littoral areas.


Wednesday, June 21, 2000

U.S. Navy – Base consolidation and closing is good???to a point. NAS Oceana is now home to so many units that the airspace has become overcrowded for training purposes.


Tuesday, June 20, 2000

Canadian Navy – The Canadian military is also at the breaking point in terms of too many missions chasing too few sailors and too few ships.

U.S. Navy – the U.S. Navy program to install commercial information technologies to help automate some aspects of its ships and reduce manning levels has passed a new milestone on the USS Ticonderoga.


Monday, June 19, 2000

Israeli Navy – The Israeli Navy has successfully test-fired cruise missiles from its new Dolphin-class submarines in the Indian Ocean. This gives Israel a sea-based strategic nuclear deterrent for the first time.

Indian Navy – The development of the Indian Navy as a blue-water force who is extending its area of operations into the South China Sea has taken Australia by suprise.


Sunday, June 18, 2000

Ukrainian Navy – The Ukrainian Navy is hosting the Cooperative Partner-2000 naval exercise between itself, several former Communist states, and NATO. Russia has been invited but has declined to participate due to jealousy over its loss of influence in the Black Sea region.

Russian Navy – Several Russian sailors were exposed to toxic chemicals while unloading a ballistic missile that had a cracked casing from a ship. The toxic cloud from the missile threatened residents of a nearby village before it dissipated.


Saturday, June 17, 2000

International Naval Review – The International Naval Review will occur on July 2-9 in New York City. Warships from 24 countries will be in New York Harbor and most will be open for public viewing. Reccommended for those who wish to obtain their naval open source intelligence up close and personal!.

Royal Marines – 42 Commando Royal Marines has departed Sierra Leone and returned to HMS Ocean, their mission to restore stability a complete success.


Friday, June 16, 2000

Apologies to being down for two days, but I have caught a bad case of the flu and am temporarily incapacitated???NOSI should return Saturday.


Wednesday, June 14, 2000

Royal Australian Navy – HMAS Tobruk arrived back in Cairns, Australia today with 478 evacuees from the Solomon Islands.

Indian Navy – The Italian cargo ship MV Medstar has been hijacked by stowaways who are seeking political asylum in Europe. The Indian Navy is standing by to assist the Indian Coast Guard who has the ship under surveillance.

Royal Navy – RAF Harriers that were operating in Sierra Leone alongside their Royal Navy counterparts have returned home. The deployment to Sierra Leone marks the first deployment of Joint Force Harrier.


Tuesday, June 13, 2000

Royal Australian Navy – HMAS Manoora, the former Newport-class LST, has arrived off the Solomons. It is carrying an infantry company, SAS personnel, and Blackhawk helicopters. Although Australia denies it is going to intervene militarily, it may become part of a multinational peacekeeping force.

U.S. Marines – the Marine Corps Chemical Biological Incident Response Force is continuously exercising for the day when a terrorist attack occurs on U.S. soil using chemical or biological weapons.


Monday, June 12, 2000

Indian Navy – a plea for jointness between India’s armed forces on the eve of them potentially seeing action in Sri Lanka.


Sunday, June 11, 2000

Canadian Navy – The Canadian Navy is converting the 4 former Upholder-class diesel submarines for its use. The first, HMCS Victoria, should arrive in Halifax in the fall; the remaining 3 will follow over 15 months. One of the submarines is to be stationed in Vancouver and used for training with U.S. Navy battlegroups deploying to the Gulf who are now encountering more and more diesel powered submarines on station.

U.S. Navy – Somewhere in the Persian Gulf, the U.S.S. John Stennis has been enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq for the past several months???


Saturday, June 10, 2000

Royal Australian Navy – HMAS Tobruk is about to depart the Solomon Islands, with 500 refugees aboard. In the meantime, HMAS Manoora, a Newport-class landing ship, is being sent with 200 troops, 3 Blackhawk helicoopters and 6 amoured personnel carriers to the Solomons to assist in the evacuation.


Friday, June 9, 2000

Royal Australian Navy – HMAS Tobruk, anchored off the capital, Honiara, is undertaking an evacuation of foreign nationals from the Solomon Islands. The New Zealand frigate Te Mana will arrive on Saturday. Aside from the crew of the Tobruk, no other Australian troops are involved; the evacuation is occuring with the agreement and cooperation of the local militias.

Royal Navy – After the Royal Marines leave Sierra Leone next week, the frigate Argyll and the support ship Sir Percivale will stay behind to support the 200 British soldiers left behind who will take over training of the Sierra Leone Army.


Thursday, June 8, 2000

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – As the Japanese and Chinese navies expand in size, missions, and operational areas, they are beginning to encounter each other more often at sea, as illustrated by events of the past month.

Taiwanese Navy – the Taiwanese Navy has received the U.S.S. Pensacola, an Anchorage class dock landing ship, from the United States.

Turkish Marines – Turkish Marines are exercising with the Greek armed forces in Greece during NATO exercise Dynamic Mix 2000.


Wednesday, June 7, 2000

Canadian Navy – HMCS Calgary sets sail for a 5 month deployment to the Gulf, to help enforce U.S. sanctions against Iraq.

Sri Lankan Navy – It is now claimed that of the two Dvora-class patrol vessels lost in combat recently, one was destroyed by Tamil Sea Tigers through ramming, and the other was destroyed by the Sri Lankan Air Force which mistakenly identified it as an enemy vessel.

Suriname Navy – The Suriname Navy, over the weekend, forced the removal of an offshore oil platform from its territorial waters, at gunpoint.

Royal New Zealand Navy – The New Zealand Anzac frigate HMNZS Te Mana is standing by to evacuate New Zealanders from the Solomon Islands where a coup is underway, if necessary. Henderson Field, the country’s international airport (which dates to the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942) is not considered to be safe to fly into currently.


Tuesday, June 6, 2000

Sri Lankan Navy – Two more Sri Lankan Dvora-class gunboats were sunk in a battle against the Tamil Tigers, who are said to have lost 4 boats of their own.

Royal Navy – HMS Sutherland and HMS Newcastle are visiting India during a round-the-world cruise, the first in 13 years for the Royal Navy. Eight vessels are taking part.

U.S. Navy – The Pacific Fleet is saving money by cutting short time at sea for its ships, including deployments and exercises, in order to have money for maintainence. The Atlantic Fleet on the other hand is simply deferring maintainence???


Monday, June 5, 2000

Sri Lankan Navy – The Sri Lankan Navy is to receive patrol boats from Israel, which will help it strike Tamil Sea Tiger bases from stand-off ranges offshore, and thereby help to interdict the Tiger’s supply chain. The number of patrols boats purchased and when they will arrive was not disclosed.

French Navy – The French Navy has a long term committment to help police Tanzania’s exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 miles off-shore, against illegal fishing.


Saturday, June 3, 2000

U.S. Navy – The U.S. Navy is going to spend the funds necessary to upgrade its attack submarine fleet with new intelligence-gathering systems to help the boats fulfil their increasing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

U.S. Military – The inability to utilize information operations assests to their fullest extent during Operation Allied Force, due to political reasons within the U.S. military, was perhaps one of the greatest failures of the campaign in Kosovo.


Friday, June 2, 2000

???seems to be a slow news day so???

Janes’ Fighting Ships


Thursday, June 1, 2000

U.S. Marines – A further discussion of the issues surrounding the U.S. bases on Okinawa. Kadena Air Force Base is called the "Gibraltar of Northeast Asia" and the Marine forward presence there is key to getting them to troublespots as quickly as is possible.


Wednesday, May 31, 2000

Nigerian Navy – The Nigerian Navy will recommission some laid up vessels to help it more aggressively patrol the Niger delta region, to prevent piracy against oil producing installations.

Royal Marines – 42 Commando Royal Marines are agressively patrolling the area around Freetown, having completely replaced 1 Bn The Parachute Regiment.


Tuesday, May 30, 2000

Sri Lankan Navy – The Sri Lankan Navy sank several supply ships of the Tamil Tigers in a gun battle.

Chinese Navy – The Chinese Navy will soon test fire indigeneously produced cruise missiles just north of Taiwan. Japanese and American surveillance ships are reported in the area.


Monday, May 29, 2000

U.S. Navy – Although the U.S. denies it will get directly involved in the conflict in Sri Lanka, it continues to keep a close eye on the conflict, with a task force steaming near Sri Lanka and P-3C Orions keeping watch on the area from their base on Diego Garcia. The Indian Navy remains prepared to assist in an evacuation of Sri Lankan troops, using landing craft, if necessary.

U.S. Navy – Pacific background – The ability of the U.S. to rely on bases in Okinawa will be increasingly challenged in the future.


Saturday, May 27, 2000

U.S. Navy – Elements of a U.S. Navy battlegroup have moved south from the Gulf to the southen Arabian Sea, as a show of solidarity with government forces in Sri Lanka.

Asian Background – In a definite break from the past, the Pentagon is refocusing its war planning from conflicts in Europe to future conflicts in Asia.


Friday, May 26, 2000

U.S. Navy – U.S. Navy, Marine, Air Force and Army forces are participating in Exercise Natural Fire 2000 in Keyna, along with forces from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The exercise is described as a peace operation that stresses how to cope with natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy has finalized plans for the evacation of Sri Lanka troops from Jaffna, when the time comes.

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – A Chinese "Yanbing" class icebreaker, that has a suspected espionage capability, passed legally through the Tsugaru-kaikyo strait for the first time. The icebreaker is being shadowed by the Sawayuki, a "Hatsuyuki" class
destroyer.


Thursday, May 25, 2000

Indonesian Navy – The U.S. has quietly resumed military cooperation with Indonesia, particularly the Indonesian Navy and Air Force.

Royal Australian Navy – The Australian Navy will not purchase Kidd-class destroyers from the U.S. Navy, feeling they are not good value for the dollar.

Royal Navy – Britain has stated her long term plans for Sierra Leone include 1) Stabilization of the country by Paras and Royal Marines in the short term, 2) Provision of a long standing military advisory force to train and lead the Sierra Leone Army, and 3) Small arms and ammunition for the Sierra Leone Army.

Indian Navy – The Indian military is now ready to assist with an evacuation from Sri Lanka, if asked to do so.


Wednesday, May 24, 2000

Royal Marines – Effective immediately, 42 Commando Royal Marines will begin replacing 1 Bn The Parachute Regiment on the ground in Sierra Leone. The paras will be withdrawn to the UK. A UK Military Assistance Training Team will arrive imminently in Sierra Leone to train and equip the army of Sierra Leone. The plan is still to withdraw 42 Commando from Sierra Leone by mid-June.

Indian Navy – the Indian Navy Southern and Western Naval Commands have been placed on alert, to possibly assist in the evacuation of Sri Lankan government forces from the Jaffna peninsula.


Tuesday, May 23, 2000

U.S. Navy – The Cyclone-class patrol craft Firebolt along with its sister ship Chinook, is off on a six month cruise to South America. The purpose of the cruise is primarily anti-narcotics, with a secondary diplomatic role.


Monday, May 22, 2000

U.S. Navy – The U.S. Navy has retired its tugboat fleet, and contracted the work out to civilian tugs.

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy is also strapped for funds for training, with Sailors "pretending" to fire during live-fire exercises.

Indonesian Navy – Pirate attacks in the Straits of Malacca continue to increase. The Indonesia Navy, under an arms band following the situation in East Timor, is ill-equipped to combat the pirates.

NATO – NATO naval forces just completed Operation Linked Seas off Portugal, designed to simulate naval operations in a humanitarian crisis such as Kosovo. The exercise turned into reality midway through its course when HMS Illustrious and HMS Ocean were detached from the exercise to intervene in Sierra Leone.


Sunday, May 21, 2000

U.S. Navy – A day in the life of the U.S.S. Houston, a Los Angeles class attack submarine, and the interesting insights her crew have into their lives.


Saturday, May 20, 2000

Royal Marines – Royal Marines from 42 Commando aboard HMS Ocean have carried out exercises to demonstrate they can rapidly reinforce 1 Bn Parachute Regiment ashore in Freetown, if needed.

Chinese Navy – Russia has supplied China with new SSN-22 Sunburn cruise missiles for use on China’s new Sovremenny-class destroyer.


Friday, May 19, 2000

U.S. Navy – A day in the life of the U.S.S. Kentucky, a Trident class ballistic missile submarine. The submarine service, particularly the ballistic missile submarine force, have the highest re-enlistment rates in the Navy. This article points out some of the reasons, including pay and benefits, but even more importantly sense of purpose and esprit de corps.


Thursday, May 18, 2000

East Asian Naval Background – In a forward to it’s 2000-2001 edition, Jane’s Fighting Ships stated that the potential exists in East Asia for sudden and violent military activity due to the multiple tensions that exist between countries in the region and the fact that most have rising naval budgets.


Wednesday, May 17, 2000

U.S. Coast Guard – The U.S.C.G. has its resources stretched to the breaking point, and is facing severe readiness problems. Given too many tasks from too many masters, and being severely underfunded, the U.S.C.G. faces tough choices in the near future.

U.S. Navy – the U.S. Navy has categorically denied allegations that its sonar systems were responsible for the death of marine mammals during exercises in the Bahamas in March.


Tuesday, May 16, 2000

Royal Navy – A complete list of Royal Navy ships operating off Sierra Leone.

Nigerian Navy – The German Navy, Royal Navy, and U.S. Navy are all interested in helping Nigeria to revive its Navy. The German Navy ships Brandenburg and Emden, which previously were exercising with the South African Navy, are paying a port visit to Lagos. Their next port of call is Senegal.


Monday, May 15, 2000

Royal Navy – HMS Ocean and HMS Illustrious have arrived off Sierra Leone. 42 Commando is remaining embarked, for the time being. Her Majesty’s Government states that mission creep will not set in???

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy and Coast Guard are exercising and maintaining a high state of readiness off Sri Lanka. The Indian government has so far ruled out intervention in the crisis in Sri Lanka.


Saturday, May 13, 2000

Taiwan Background – An analysis of open source satellite imagery by the Federation of American Scientists concludes that the Chinese Air Force is less of a threat to Taiwan than the U.S. states.

U.S. Navy – Coming to the defense of Taiwan, if attacked by China, would be a difficult task for the U.S. for logistical and interoperability reasons.


Friday, May 12, 2000

Royal Navy – Mission creep sets in for the British forces in Sierra Leone – they will apparently be used to "stabilize" the situation until more UN peacekeepers arrive. 1 Bn The Parachute Regiment is now dug in around the Freetown airport. SAS units and the Paras’ Pathfinder reccee unit are agressively patroling the area around Freetown to gather intelligence on the rebel forces. 42 Commando should arrive this weekend.

Chinese Navy – The Chinese government announced that last month the Chinese Navy conducted extensive naval exercises in the East China Sea.

Taiwanese Navy ???while Taiwan held naval exercises this week to simulate an invasion of Taiwan from the mainland???


Thursday, May 11, 2000

Royal Navy – A summary of UK forces off Sierra Leone. HMS Illustrious will arrive within 24 hours, HMS Ocean by the weekend.

Indian Navy – The upcoming joint naval exercises between India, Vietnam, and Japan which are designed to coordinate anti-pirate efforts in the South China Sea are felt by U.S. analysts to be interpreted by China in a negative light as they will be held in the region of the Spratly Islands, which China claims. This exercise should be seen as a counterbalance to China’s setting up naval and intelligence bases on Burma’s Coco Islands off the northern tip of India’s Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Indian Ocean.


Wednesday, May 10, 2000

U.S. Navy – U.S. Navy SEALs are said to be operating off Sierra Leone, observing the events in that country as they unfold.

Royal Navy – The evacuation of British and European nationals has been completed successfully. HMS Illustrious has also been dispatched to the theater of operations. British troops may extend their stay in-country.


Tuesday, May 9, 2000

Royal Navy – 1st Bn The Parachute Regiment have begun evacuation of foreign nationals from Sierra Leone. The task force led by HMS Ocean has yet to arrive.

Japanese Navy – Two ships, TV Kashima and DD Yugiri are on a global goodwill training cruise and have called at Mumbai in India. The goal is to strengthen Indian – Japanese naval cooperation.


Monday, May 8, 2000

Royal Navy – A task force consisting of the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean and 3 support ships containing 42 Commando Royal Marines along with the frigate HMS Chatham are being deployed off Sierra Leone in the event British nationals require evacuation in the near future. The task force will arrive in a few days. They are being joined by the 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment who been positioned for action if needed in Senegal.


Friday, May 5, 2000

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy will launch this Saturday an experimental trimaran ship called Triton, that will be used as a developmental platform for its Future Surface Combatant programme. Triton is built by Vosper Thornycroft Holdings Plc in Southampton, England.

Royal Navy – The Ministry of Defence has been criticized by a group of MPs over its initial response to the humanitarian crisis in Mozambique in which it was accused of trying to charge the UK government an excessive amount of money to supply relief helicopters. The MOD was praised in the report for its later actions during the crisis with the ship RFA Fort George.

U.S. Navy – The U.S. Navy was upset as it was not notified of a test of the Jericho ballistic missile by Israel. During the test, the missile impacted the the sea 44 km from a U.S. Navy cruiser in the Mediterranean, causing it to assume it was under attack — reviving memories of the attack on the U.S.S. Liberty during the 6 Day war in 1967.

U.S. Coast Guard – The Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star has returned from a 6 month deployment to the Antarctic in Operation Deep Freeze 2000. She will soon be deploying to the Arctic.


Saturday, April 29, 2000

Australian Navy – the Australian Navy investment in expeditionary amphibious forces will become completely operational by the end of the year.

Indian Navy – the Indian tanker carrying water to Gujarat has arrived.

Royal Navy – the Royal Navy’s Lynx helicopter fleet will be effectively grounded for 2 years except for operational emergencies due to a defect in the rotor head, which must be replaced.

U.S. Marines – U.S. Marines will soon be participating in a multinational peace keeping exercise in eastern Africa involving troops from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

NOSI will be next updated on Thursday.


Friday, April 28, 2000

NOSI has been down for several days due to problems with its ISP which are hopefully resolved.

Chinese Navy – Chinese naval and air forces are exercising off Taiwan, as a form of psychological warfare before Taiwan’s new President is sworn in.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy has been ordered to ship 8,000,000 gallons of water to the Indian state of Gujarat which is currently in a severe drought. The ship INS Shakti will be used.

U.S. Navy – A Russian tanker chartered by Royal Dutch/Shell was found by the U.N. to be carrying Iraqi oil on April 5 in violation of the international embargo against Iraq. The company was fined $2 million after it was determined that some of the the 78,000 metric tons of oil aboard the tanker came from Iraq.


Monday, April 24, 2000

Phillipine Navy – The Phillipine Navy is currently engaged in joint operations against rebels on the southern island of Basilan.


Saturday, April 22, 2000

Russian Navy – A Russian patrol boat fired on and then captured a Japanese fishing boat, north of Japan in disputed territorial waters. The Russians claim the fishing boat was in their territorial waters, the Japanese claim it was not.

U.S. Navy – The U.S. Navy has stepped up its efforts to stop Iraqi smuggling of oil. In 1999 a total of 19 tankers were found to be smuggling; in the first 4 months of 2000 a total of 15 tankers were found to be smuggling. The Russian tanker seized on April 5th is still undergoing tests to determine the origin of its oil. The Iranians also continue to attempt to halt the smuggling, now that they have learned how much money Iraq was gaining from it.

U.S. Navy – Admiral Jay Johnson, Chief of Naval Operations, signed an agreement in Singapore which will allow U.S. naval forces to use the new naval base at Changi when it becomes available.

Mauritian Coast Guard – The Mauritian Coast Guard’s sole ship has been put back in commission after being overhauled by the Indian Navy. The Coast Guard’s tasks are to patrol the 1.8 million square kilometers of its exclusive economic zone, provide search and rescue and perform coastal security.


Thursday, April 20, 2000

U.S. Navy


Wednesday, April 19, 2000

South African Navy – the South African Navy will be upgraded with new corvettes and submarines from Germany, and will play a bigger role in the future in peacekeeping in Africa, and law enforcement within South Africa, according to a speech given at a naval conference in Durban by Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota.


Tuesday, April 18, 2000

South African Navy – The South African Navy and the German Navy are participating in "Exercise Cape of Good Hope" that will give the South African Navy the chance to study and exercise all aspects of naval warfare.


Monday, April 17, 2000

Indian Navy – An excellent essay on the history of the Indian Navy, and particularly its close relationship with Russia over the previous decades. The essay is by Admiral J G Nadkarni (ret) of the Indian Navy. It begins by describing how the Indian Navy was driven into the arms of the Russians by the U.S. Navy and Royal Navy; how Russian ships compare to British in regards to technology (more favorably) and habitability (more poorly); and how cheap they were for the Indians to acquire. Today, times have changed and with the advent of a market economy in Russia the Indians must pay the full price for their ships.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy will soon begin joint training and exercises with the navies of Japan and Vietnam in order to
counter the increasing menace of pirates in international waters.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy is moving closer to developing its own aircraft carrier, and to acquiring the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier of the Kiev class from Russia. India is currently without an operational aircraft carrier as INS Viraat (former HMS Hermes) is in extended overhaul until next year.


Thursday, April 13, 2000

U.S. Navy – Tests have shown that the Russian tanker seized by U.S. Navy forces earlier this week on suspician of illegally smuggling Iraqi oil was filled mainly with Iranian oil, with some Iraqi oil also present. The disposition of the tanker has yet to be decided.

Canadian Navy – The Canadian Navy’s aging fleet of Sea King helicopters is becoming increasingly unreliable and unable to accomplish the missions they are assigned.

Sri Lankan Navy – A Sri Lankan naval vessel was sunk after being rammed by a rebel suicide craft filled with explosives, during fighting on land and at sea in northern Sri Lanka.


Wednesday, April 12, 2000

Iranian Navy – Iranian Navy patrol boats have seized 10 tankers suspected of smuggling Iraqi oil, in violation of UN sanctions. The seizure is seen as a way for Iran to start to develop a closer relationship with the United States.


Tuesday, April 11, 2000

U.S. Navy – The USS Russell has seized another Russian tanker suspected of smuggling oil out of Iraq. Tests are being performed to determine the origin of the oil. The Royal Dutch Shell Group claims the oil comes from Iran.

Iranian Navy – The Iranian Navy seized an Iraqi tanker that was suspected of smuggling oil out of Iraq. This is the first time that Iran has made such a seizure.

Sri Lankan Navy – 2 Sri Lankan Navy Dvora-class gunboats were sunk by artillery fire from Tamil Tiger rebels near the northernmost part of Sri Lanka in a fierce gun battle.

U.S. Navy – The U.S. Navy has denied allegations by environmentalists that anti-submarine exercises off the Bahamas in March caused 11 whales to beach themselves. During the exercises, revised sonobuoys were tested.

Russian Navy – Russian President Alexander Putin observed Northern Fleet naval exercises, as a show of support for the Russian Navy.


Tuesday, April 4, 2000

U.S. Coast Guard – Vice Adm. John E. Shkor, Commander of the Coast Guard in the Atlantic, states that his forces are working at an unmaintainable operations tempo, and has therefore ordered his forces to reduce operations by 10%, across the board.

Royal Navy – RFA Fort George remains off Mozambique, its 5 Sea King helicopters continuing to assist in humanitarian relief efforts.

U.S. Navy – Vice-Adm. Charles Moore, commander of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet has stated Iraq continues to smuggle large amounts of oil by bribing Iran to use its coastal waters to avoid detection.


Monday, April 3, 2000

Taiwan Background – A new, classified Pentagon report states that Taiwan is more vulnerable to attack than had been generally thought. The main reason is the Taiwanese military’s isolation from the international community, which has led to them falling behind in the information-based revolution in military affairs.


Sunday, April 2, 2000

NOSI resumes publication, with an updated style.

U.S. Marines – The 1,100 Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are participating in Operation Dynamic Response 2000 within Kosovo until mid-April. Also participating are 900 other troops from the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Argentina. The exercise falls on the 1 year anniversary of the NATO air campaign against Yugoslavia.

U.S. Marines – Meanwhile, 1,400 Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit landed in Kuwait to participate in joint exercise Eager Mace 2000, which will last for 3 weeks.


Tuesday, March 14, 2000

NOSI is on vacation until March 29th – see you then!


Monday, March 13, 2000

Phillipine Navy – Inside China Today: Nine Chinese Boats Allowed To Shelter In Philippine-Claimed Shoal – The Phillipine Navy allows nine Chinese fishing vessels to weather out a storm in a shoal off Luzon.

Polish Navy – Boston Globe: U.S. frigate getting new life in Polish Navy – The U.S.S. Clark (FFG-11) is in the process of being transferred to our new NATO ally.

U.S. Navy – Nando: New Navy sub well-equipped for tradition of secret missions – A description of some of the capabilities the U.S.S. Jimmy Carter may have when it finally sets sail.


Sunday, March 12, 2000

Royal Navy – Daily Telegraph (Registration Required): Marines sent to Mediterranean as fears grow of Balkan flare-up – Royal Marines from 42 Commando will be embarked onboard HMS Ocean, which will depart for a Mediterranean cruise on March 27th. The Royal Marines will carry out routine exercises during the cruise, but will be available if there is trouble during elections in Montenegro this summer.

Royal Navy – BBC News: UK Increases Mozambique Aid – Sea Kings from 820 Squadron embarked aboard RFA Fort Georege are in operation carrying supplies to stranded communities inland.

Russian Navy – Sydney Morning Herald: Townsfolk Take on the Navy – Citizens of Gadzhiyevo, Russia are actively campaigning against the placement of a nuclear waste dump consisting of decommissioned nuclear submarines outside their city.


Saturday, March 11, 2000

Royal Navy – BBC News: Aid Race For Mozambique – RFA Fort George arrives off Mozambique, and its 5 Sea Kings go into action.

French Navy – Sydney Morning Herald: Now Race is on to Help Madagascar – The Helicopter Carrier Jeanne D’Arc is being diverted from Mozambique to Madagascar.

Background – BBC News: Madagascar Left Reeling – Overlooked in the news about Mozambique is that Madagascar was severely hit by the same storm.


Thursday, March 9, 2000

Indian Navy – Rediff.com: Er, is it Dishqooo or Dakkan? – life at sea aboard an Indian Navy frigate.

Russian Navy – BBC News: Iran Buys Kamikaze Dolphins – Russian Navy dolphins, trained for special operations, are being auctioned to the highest bidder.


Wednesday, March 8, 2000

French Navy – Rediff.com: C’est la vie! – interview with a Super Etendard pilot who flew combat missions over Kosovo from the Foch.

French Navy – Rediff.com:Life Onboard Foch – paints a somewhat bleak picture of life in the French Navy.


Tuesday, March 7, 2000

French Navy – Rediff.com: C’est la guerre! – a descriptiong of life on the aircraft carrier Foch, during the recent Indian – French exercises.


Monday, March 6, 2000

Chinese Navy – BBC News: China’s Military Might – an overview from last summer.

Russian Navy, South Korean Navy – Russia Today: Russia and South Korea to Hold First Ever Joint Military Exercises – Two Russian ships will exercise with the South Korean Navy.


Sunday, March 5, 2000

Royal Navy – Reuters: UK Sends Aid Ship to Mozambique – more about the RFA Fort George, which will be provisioned with 5 Sea King helicopters, food, water, medicine and a sickbay. Prime Minister Blair is keen that the UK is seen to be doing its best for a fellow member of the Commonwealth.

U.S. Navy – Washington Post: U.S. Scales Back Mozambique Troops – the deployment of the Navy SEALs has been canceled.

Portugese Navy – Washington Post: More Rain Looms in Mozambique – 45 Portugese Marines have been sent to aid in the relief effort.

French Navy – Times of India: French Navy Invited for Joint Exercise – A French Navy task force exercised last week with the Indian Western Naval Command; this week it will exercise with the Indian Eastern Naval Command. The task force consists of the anti-submarine frigate, Tourville, a light frigate ship Commandant Blaison, and a supply and command ship, Var.


Friday, March 3, 2000

Royal Navy – BBC News: Supply Ship Boosts UK Mozambique Aid – RFA Fort George is being diverted from the Persian Gulf to Mozambique. It should arrive in a week.

U.S. Navy – Washington Post: U.S. Troops Headed to Mozambique – U.S. Navy SEALs will be among the troops???

Taiwanese Navy – Fox News: Threats Abound as China, Taiwan, US Confront Dangerous Period – the Chinese make new threats, and the USS Kitty Hawk has apparently put to sea???

Urkanian Navy – Ukranian Navy: Ukraine Navy to Hold Exercises with Russia, NATO – to foster better relations with both navies???

French Navy – The Hindu: Nuclear Power is a Deterrent, Says French Admiral – who is commanding the task force currently exercising with the Indian Navy???

Indian Navy – Rediff.com: India Takes ‘A Great Step Ahead’ With The French Navy – as the two exercise together in the Indian Ocean.

North Korean Navy – Times of India: North Korea Says Tension Rising in Yellow Sea


Thursday, March 2, 2000

U.S. Navy – U.S. Navy: Status of the U.S. Navy As Of February 28, 2000

Russian Navy – Russia Today: Cash-Strapped Russian Soldiers Pillage Submarines

U.S. Navy – Russia Today: U.S. Navy Inspects, Releases Russian Ship In Gulf

New Zealand Navy – Australian Financial Review: New Zealand Has Its Own Defence Interests

Taiwanese Navy – Inside China Today:

U.S. Navy – Russia Today: U.S. And Russia To Hold Talks on Intercepted Tanker

Russian Navy – Russia Today: Russian Navy to Resume Exercises in Mediterranean

Taiwanese Navy – Inside China Today: Taiwan Vessel With 21 Crew Missing


Wednesday, March 1, 2000

Taiwanese Navy – FOXNews: China Warns US Navy Commander Over Taiwan


Tuesday, February 29, 2000

Taiwanese Navy – Paper War Games

Taiwanese Navy – U.S. Pacific Commander Expresses Concern Over Threats to Taiwan


Monday, February 28, 2000

U.S. Navy – LA Times: ‘Old Economy’ Newport News is Seen Anew


Sunday, February 27, 2000

Indian Navy – Times of India: French Task Force Comes to Mumbai – The French task force includes the aircraft carrier Foch.


Saturday, February 26, 2000

Taiwanese Navy – International Herald Tribune: On Taiwan, the Drumbeat of Military Alarm


Thursday, February 24, 2000

U.S. Marines – Washington Post: US Kosovo Reinforcements Considered – The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked onboard the USS Bataan (LHD5) Amphibious Ready Group, may get the call to go ashore.

Piracy – Sunday Telegraph: Retired Gurkhas enlist to fight pirate attacks


Wednesday, February 23, 2000

U.S. Navy – U.S. Navy: Status of the U.S. Navy as of February 22, 2000

U.S. Navy – Inside China Today: No Plans for Naval Deployment Near Taiwan


Tuesday, February 22, 2000

Royal Navy – MSNBC: Is Britain’s Royal Navy Out of Fuel?

U.S. Navy – BBCNews: Russian Tanker Leaves Oman

Royal Navy – BBCNews: French Debut for Trident Submarine


Saturday, February 19, 2000

Russian Navy – Russia Today: Russia Sends Intelligence Ship To Med, Gulf

Chinese Navy – Inside China Today: China To Get Second Russian Destroyer This Year

U.S. Navy – Washington Post: High Prices Spur Iraq Oil Smuggling

U.S. Navy – Washington Post: Seized Russian Tanker in Oman

U.S. Navy – Washington Post: Russian Tanker Carried Iraqi Oil


Friday, February 18, 2000

Welcome to the first day of NOSI (Naval Open Source Intelligence). NOSI is intended to be a digital library of operational naval news from around the world which is gathered from open source intelligence.

To read news stories from previous months and years, use the calendar in the upper right hand corner of the page or use the Archive.

NOSI is curated by Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.

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