Archive January 2001 – June 2001


Saturday, June 30, 2001

US Coast Guard – The Coast Guard is recallling its port security forces which were sent to the Gulf after the Cole bombing because the Pentagon will not reimburse them for their efforts; they will be replaced by Naval Reserve Inshore Boat Units.

US Navy – Mothballed ships are being turned into artificial reefs.

Background – US Defense Review – Neither US political party is happy with the route the defense review is taking.

Background – New Zealand – A further review of New Zealand’s plans for disarmament.


Friday, June 29, 2001

Taiwanese Navy – The Taiwanese Navy is investigating the recruitment of Russian submarine designers to help it design and manufacture its own attack submarines.

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy’s Triton trimaran is exercising off Norfolk. Preliminarily, it appears to provide a steadier, smoother and faster platform than single-hull designs.

US Navy and Marine Corps – More on the high tech amphibious exercise Kernel Blitz Experimental.

Royal Australian Navy – The Australian task force that was sent to East Timor in September 1999 was aggressively probed by Indonesian aircraft and submarines; the task force was often at battle stations; and Australian F-111’s were bombed up and ready to bomb Indonesian communication centers in Jakarta to ensure the safety of the task force.


Thursday, June 28, 2001

US Navy – The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Scranton has recently surfaced at the North Pole.

Royal Navy – HMS Beagle, is on its third and final survey mission of Sierra Leonean waters.

Indian Navy – Russia would like India to take over its naval base at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.


Wednesday, June 27, 2001

US Marines – The US Marines are adapting new camouflage uniforms, with high tech camouflage patterns.

Royal Australian Navy – The Australian landing ship Kanimbla is standing ready in Vanuatu to help in further relief efforts following last week’s eruption of Lopevi volcano.

Indian Navy – INS Nirghat, a missile boat of the Indian Navy, sunk the wreck of the MT Hengsen, the Singapore tanker which had broken up on June 12, near Goa Harbor.


Tuesday, June 26, 2001

Russian Navy – The US and Russian navies have agreed to hold joint exercises together.

South Korean Navy – South Korea is calling for a maritime pact with North Korea to cover passage of North Korean commerical ships though South Korean territorial waters.

US Navy – President Bush will live aboard the USS Enterprise while attending the G8 summitt in Italy, for security reasons.


Monday, June 25, 2001

US Navy and Canadian Navy – A US Navy intelligence officer and a Canadian helicopter pilot are both claiming that while observing a Russian intelligence gathering ship near Puget Sound which monitors Trident missile submarines, they were attacked by a laser weapon from the ship and suffered visual damage. The US officer is suing the Russian civilian company that owns and operates the ship; the Canadian pilot has been discharged from his service.

Chinese Navy – The Chinese are placing anti-ship cruise missiles on Woody Island, in the Parcel Islands, in the South China Sea. The missiles will be within range of important sea lanes.

US Marines – The V-22 Osprey is not likely to return to the air until 2002.


Sunday, June 24, 2001

US Navy – The US Navy is on high alert in the Gulf for possible terrorist activity against it after the verdict against the Khobar Towers bombers in Saudi Arabia, and all of its ships were sent to sea.

Royal Navy – The UK confirmed that it will indeed purchase two new aircraft carriers

Royal Navy – The UK purchase of the Joint Strike Fighter will replace both Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Harriers.


Saturday, June 23, 2001

Malaysian Navy – Piracy, as a form of for-profit hostage taking, is on the rise in Malaysia.

Columbian Marines – Columbian Marines are fighting a riverine operation against drug traffickers.

US Coast Guard – A day in the life of the US Coast Guard.


Friday, June 22, 2001

US Navy – Life aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt .

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy’s continued quest for Russian-built nuclear powered submarines.

Background – US Defense Review – The two war strategy is on the way out, the new defense strategy should be released by the end of the summer and will revolve around long-range precision warfare.


Thursday, June 21, 2001

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy is to get its two aircraft carriers, an announcement is expected soon.

US Navy – So where will the US Navy do it’s pre-deployment training, now that "irreplaceable" Vieques is going away? Florida is lobbying to pick up some of the load???

US Marines – Exercise Kernel Blitz Experimentation 2001 is underway in the Pacific, with a focus on testing new information technology.


Wednesday, June 20, 2001

US Navy – 16 navies are involved in the inaugural Western Pacific Mine Counter Measure Exercise and Diving Exercise off Singapore and Indonesia.

Canadian Navy – Canada appears to be compromising excellence in its choice of helicopters to replace its 40 year old Sea King helicopters, in order that it not choose today the same helicopter it ordered and then canceled as being too expensive in 1993 – the EH-101.

Canadian Navy – ???meanwhile the Sea Kings will have to be kept aloft, at greater and greater prices???while they continue to suffer accidents due to their age???


Tuesday, June 19, 2001

Background – Piracy – More stories of piracy, with the theme that ultimately the Indonesian Navy is most responsible for allowing this to occur as 25% of all piracy attacks occur off Indonesia. With Indonesia descending into anarchy, the situation is bound to worsen.

US Navy – F/A-18’s from the USS Constellation have struck anti aircraft targets in Southern Iraq again.

Russian Navy – Vietnam will not renew the Russian lease on the base at Cam Ranh Bay, and instead will use it for civilian purposes.


Monday, June 18, 2001

French Navy – A French Navy patrol boat has rescued survivors from a ship that sunk off Madagascar.

US Navy – The DD-21 program is in jeopardy, as it did not win the approval of the ongoing defense review.

US Marine Corps – The US Marines are considering moving some of their training off of Okinawa.


Sunday, June 17, 2001

Russian Navy – The Russian Navy has begun work on a new class of fast attack craft – the Scorpion.

US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard – The US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have just completed a large riverine exercise.


Saturday, June 16, 2001

Background – Caspian Sea – There are continued fears of an arms race beginning in the Caspian Sea.

Royal Navy – Why the Royal Navy will probably get the two aircraft carriers it needs, and what the British will have to sacrifice militarily to do so.

South Korean Navy – South Korea wishes to discuss with North Korea the large number of recent territorial water incursions.


Friday, June 15, 2001

Chinese Navy – Another analysis that argues the Chinese military is a paper tiger.

Russian Navy – The Russian Navy deployed a ballistic missile submarine to the Pacific Ocean for the first time this year.

Russian Navy – More on the new nuclear attack submarine Gepard.


Thursday, June 14, 2001

US Navy – The first part of the US defense review was made public yesterday. It calls for the creation of "Global Joint Response Forces" capable of intervening in a hostile environment within 24 hours. The review recommended acceleration of the Joint Strike Fighter program, but did not recommend continuation of the CVX and DD-21 programs.

Royal New Zealand Navy – The recent New Zealand Defence Review has effective taken New Zealand out of the Five Power Defence Arrangement with Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Britain.

US Navy – The US Navy will cease using the Vieques range in 2003, and will seek alternative ranges for use after that time.


Wednesday, June 13, 2001

Russian Navy – The Russian Navy is conducting operational testing of its new Improved Akula II submarine, the Gepard.

Royal Navy – Further evidence of the financial difficulties facing the Royal Navy.


Tuesday, June 12, 2001

Royal Navy – A memo written by the First Sea Lord states that budget cuts are preventing the Royal Navy and Royal Marines from meeting their operational committments.

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – The new Japanese government appears to be willing to allow its self defense forces to play a more active military role; Japan – who has the second largest navy in the Pacific – could be an important counterbalance to China.


Monday, June 11, 2001

US Navy – How maritime pre positioning ships can enhance US security.

US Navy – Has the vaunted US defense review run into a brick wall?


Sunday, June 10, 2001

US Coast Guard – An editorial that makes the case for funding for the Coast Guard’s Deepwater program, given the importance of its mission.

US Navy – The US Navy has formally requested to lease the Norwegian Navy’s prototype of the Skjold-class fast attack craft for use with special forces.


Saturday, June 9, 2001

Indian Navy – The third Talwar class frigate, INS Tabar, was launched last week in Russia.

US Navy – An essay that calls for a naval treatyómuch like the 1972 Soviet-American Incidents at Sea Agreementóto outline a formal set of standards by which ships and aircraft of China and the US would be expected to behave.


Friday, June 8, 2001

South Korean Navy – South Korean forces chased North Korean cargo ships out of South Korean territorial waters.

Chinese Navy – A Chinese destroyer and replenishment ship are making a port call in Mumbai, after making a similar port call in Pakistan.


Thursday, June 7, 2001

Chinese Navy – The Chinese Navy is improving its underwater warfare skills.

US Navy – A large joint riverine exercise involving the US Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Army is about to take place off Jacksonville, North Carolina


Wednesday, June 6, 2001

US Coast Guard – The cutter Sherman, on a goodwill visit to South Africa while returning from service in the Gulf, rescued a stricken car carrier off of South Africa’s coast which was in danger of running aground.

Royal Australian Navy – The Collins-class submarines have received high praise from the US Navy after its stellar performance in exercise Tandem Thrust.


Tuesday, June 5, 2001

Chinese Navy – The Chinese Navy is exercising in the Taiwanese Strait; the USS Carl Vinson battlegroup is on its way to monitor the situation.

Russian Navy – The Russian Navy may abandon its base at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam; both the US and China are interested in using it.


Monday, June 4, 2001

US Navy – Although the DD 21 teams are showing off their designs, the competition has been formally put on hold by the US Navy, pending the results of the current defense review.

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy’s program for 2 large deck aircraft carriers is being called unfeasible given fiscal realities.


Sunday, June 3, 2001

Royal Navy – The current state of the Royal Navy’s nuclear attack submarines – none are at sea.

US Navy – What’s it’s like to operate the EA-6B Prowler ECM aircraft in Operation Northern Watch in Turkey.

Royal Australian Navy – Australian shipyards face an overcapacity situation resulting in a struggle for survival.


Saturday, June 2, 2001

Sri Lankan Navy – The Sri Lankan Navy is not getting its money’s worth out of the patrol vessel it purchased from India last year.

Russian Navy – Russia has opened a Web site dedicated to the salvage of the Kursk.

US Coast Guard – Excessive cost may stall the US Coast Guard’s Deepwater program before it is launched.


Friday, June 1, 2001

US Navy – The USS Harry S Truman battlegroup and USS Nassau amphibious ready group have returned to port after a successful 6 month cruise to the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean.

Indian Navy – The Indian and French navies will hold anti submarine warfare exercises together in November.

US Navy – An essay on how the US defense agencies have acquired too much power over military affairs.


Thursday, May 31, 2001

US Navy – More on the debate over low frequency active sonar (LFAS).

US Navy – US forces in the Gulf, including the 5th Fleet, have been placed on high alert after the verdict in the US African embassies bombing case.

Indian Navy – French firms are attempting to sell the Indian Navy stealth frigates and new-generation attack submarines.


Wednesday, May 30, 2001

US Navy – A strategic look at the EP-3 incident, from naval analyst Norman Friedman. Was the EP-3 the victim of a deliberate attack?

US Navy – The USS Inchon has been refused a previously scheduled portcall in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, an agreement has almost been reached to disassemble the EP-3 and fly it home in an AN-124 airlifter.

Uruguayan Marines – The Congo River in Congo is being reopened to traffic after being closed for years by warring parties. The UN is patroling the river, using marine forces from member nations.


Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Swedish Navy – Tales of the bizarre: Swedish warships are to spend most of the rest of the year moored in port because of an overtime ban on the country’s defense forces.

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy is defending the safety record of the EH-101 Merlin helicopter.

US Marines – Blunt talk from General Anthony Zinni on what the US military really needs today.


Monday, May 28, 2001

Phillipine and Malaysian Navies – The Phillipine and Malaysian Navies are searching for 20 tourists who were kidnapped from a Phillipine island resort by Muslim rebels and taken away via the sea.

South Korean Navy – Another North Korean patrol boat has penetrated South Korean waters.

US Navy – Can "network-centric warfare" really work in the US Navy, or will it be undermined by how the Navy really operates?


Sunday, May 27, 2001

US Navy – The US Navy is involved in tapping undersea fiber optic cables on behalf of the National Security Agency. This apparently will be one of the key missions of the USS Jimmy Carter, the Seawolf-class nuclear attack submarine that is being extensively modified for clandestine operations. Interestingly, the problem of tapping the cable pales in comparison to the problem of analysing all the data on the cable once it is obtained.


Saturday, May 26, 2001

Background – World Naval Affairs – Hot-off-the-press, mandatory reading! The Jane’s Fighting Ships Market Review for 2001-2002 by its new editor, CDR Stephen Saunders RN. This is a long essay of the highest caliber that should be read by all serious students of naval affairs.


Friday, May 25, 2001

Royal Australian Navy – Parts of Australia are facing a fuel crisis due to Exercise Tandem Thrust.

US Navy – The USS Eisenhower begins a 4 year long overhaul and mid life nuclear refueling.

US Navy – The US Navy is evaluating floating barriers to protect its ships in port.

US Navy – US military satellite systems are highly vulnerable to attack.


Thursday, May 24, 2001

Israeli Navy – Israeli gunboats are participating in attacks against Palestinian targets in the Gaza Strip.

Background – Middle East – Could we be heading towards open war in the Middle East?

US Navy – A skeptical view of what will really be the ultimate product of the US defense review.

Taiwanese Navy – The Taiwanese Navy has returned from its overseas exercises.


Wednesday, May 23, 2001

Malaysian Navy – There are three competitors to sell the Malaysian Navy its new attack submarines, but the real question is not who will be chosen, but instead whether Malaysia can afford them.

US Navy – The defense review is expected to emphasize a focus on the Pacific over Europe and long range weapons over forward bases.

US Navy – Is the US Navy considering reestablishing a naval base in Vietnam?

US Navy – The US Navy is carrying out a humanitarian mission in Indonesia, the first such exercise with Indonesia since 1999. The ships are the landing ship USS Rushmore and guided missile frigate USS Wadsworth.


Tuesday, May 22, 2001

US Navy – The EP-3 pilot’s account of what occured off the Chinese coast and why the aircraft could not be ditched at sea.

Chinese Navy – The Chinese Navy boarded a fishing trawler suspected of smuggling that was in Taiwanese waters.

US Navy – A preview of the contentious process behind the defense reform to be unveiled this week.


Monday, May 21, 2001

French Navy – The nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle was formally accepted last week by the French Navy.

Royal New Zealand Navy – More on the New Zealand decision to scrap their combat aircraft. Meanwhile the opposition has stated their support in reconstituting the combat aircraft if they are reelected, perhaps in a joint force with Australia.

US Navy – In a bid to improve aircraft carrier survivability, the US Navy intends to install the Cooperative Engagement Capability on all its ships.


Sunday, May 20, 2001

US Navy – Good, pensive reading for a Sunday: the summary of a meeting held to help determine what US ASW efforts should be today and in the future. The concern is that ASW is not receiving enough emphasis today, with the Soviet threat essentially gone; but that there is a new, equally important threat today and in the future – non-nuclear attack submarines operated by developing nations which could play a key role during major regional conflicts. In our next major regional conflict, will SCUD hunting be replaced by ASW hunting?


Saturday, May 19, 2001

US Navy – The LPD-17 San Antonio-class ships will be key to the US Navy’s expeditionary warfare capabilities.

US Navy – Dominance of the seas today requires dominance of space???

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – Japan is tired of being bullied by China. The bullying includes sending spy ships into the waters around Japan and China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea which are important trade routes for Japan.


Friday, May 18, 2001

Iranian Navy – The Iranian Navy will acquire advanced Yakhont cruise missiles from Russia.

US Navy – If "smart ships" with reduced crew are to survive they must be able to automate many aspects of damage control. Here is an example of how they may do it.

US Navy – The US Navy is developing small robotic craft that mimic marine animals to perform functions such as mine clearing.


Thursday, May 17, 2001

Indian Navy – A cruise through the International Fleet Review, by one who was on the President of India’s yacht.

US Navy – The threat from sea mines, the weapon that waits, is greater than ever — so the US Navy is exploring the use of robotic vehicles to help clear them.

US Navy – The US Navy appears to be getting its money’s worth out of its Cyclone-class patrol coastal vessels.


Wednesday, May 16, 2001

Egyptian Navy – The Egyptian Navy has purchased two vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) for use in aerial surveillance. The UAVs will be used on Egyptian frigates.

Indian Navy – The fast attack craft INS Tillanchang has been christened.

Taiwanese Navy – The Taiwanese military has lost its reason for being – reconquest of the mainland – and is so short on trained personnel it may not be able to operate the naval ships the Bush administration has promised it.


Tuesday, May 15, 2001

Russian Navy – The salvage of the Kursk will begin in June.

Malaysian Navy – Malaysia continues to shop for new submarines, to counter those obtained last year by Singapore.

Chinese Navy – The Chinese Navy is sending two ships on a port visit to Mumbai. They may exercise with the Indian Navy afterwards. Meanwhile the Indian Navy continues to send its vessels on goodwill visits.


Monday, May 14, 2001

Israeli Navy – The Israeli Navy has captured a fishing boat that was attempting to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip.

Taiwanese Navy – The Taiwanese mull over whether or not it would be a good idea to accept those Kidd-class destroyers after all???

US Navy – Northrup has also bid for Newport News, challenging General Dynamic’s previous offer.


Sunday, May 13, 2001

Pakistani Navy – More on the significance of the recent exercises between the Pakistani and Myanmarese Navies.

US Marines – An analysis of the advantages of the MV-22 Osprey, illustrated by showing how it would have been employed over the last decade if it had been available.

US Navy – The US Navy ELF communications system for communications with ballistic missile submarines was put out of action for 24 hours last year by 2 anti-nuclear activists with a chainsaw???


Saturday, May 12, 2001

Background – Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles – An update on UCAV’s, including what their projected capabilities will be in USAF and USN versions.

Royal Australian Navy – The Royal Australian Navy, in concert with the US Navy, has launched Exercise Tandem Thrust off the Great Barrier Reef.

Malaysian Navy – The Malaysian Navy continues to intercept fishing trawlers fishing illegally in its territory.


Friday, May 11, 2001

Chinese Navy – The Chinese Navy has purchased 2 more Sovremenny-class guided missile destroyers from Russia.

Taiwanese Navy – The downside of Taiwan’s accepting the Kidd-class destroyers – are they too big a drain on the Taiwanese Navy’s resources?

Asian Navies – Background – A preview of the IMDEX Asia 2001 show.


Thursday, May 10, 2001

Royal New Zealand Navy – New Zealand has released a new defense policy. The ANZAC frigates will be retained, the P-3 Orions will be upgraded, and the A-4 Skyhawks will be scrapped.

Background – Undersea weapons – A review of the state-of-the-art in undersea supercavitating weapons, including supercavitating torpedoes such as the Shkval .

US Navy – The US is rethinking how it goes about enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq — as the Iraqi’s increase their chances of downing a patroling aircraft.


Wednesday, May 9, 2001

Royal Australian Navy – More on the Global Hawk’s pioneering flight to Australia, and the role it could play in maritime surveillance.

US Navy – A description of the US global signals intelligence gathering capabilities.

US Navy – A succint description of why the US Navy wants to keep using Vieques – for realistic training.


Tuesday, May 8, 2001

US Navy – The US has resumed ELINT missions off China yesterday, using a RC-135 this time. There was no response from the Chinese. Meanwhile, a US team has examined the EP-3 and determined that it could be fixed and flown home from China.

Royal Navy – The nuclear attack submarine HMS Tireless, stranded at Gibraltar for nearly 12 months while undergoing repairs to its nuclear reactor, has set sail, presumably for home.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy has purchased the Barak anti-missile defense system from Israel. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Indian Navy is visiting Israel to inspect the system.


Monday, May 7, 2001

US Navy – A possible future for the US Navy that is being pushed by some elements within the Pentagon – smaller and more numerous ships using unique hull forms.

Indian Navy – An interview with the Indian Naval Chief, at the time of the International Fleet Review held in February.


Sunday, May 6, 2001

Indian Navy – Experts are urging the Indian government to pay more attention to the importance of the Indian Navy.

US Navy – Part one of a series on the Pentagon defense review, which will urge the military to fundamentally rethink their approach to the weapons they buy.


Saturday, May 5, 2001

Canadian Navy – The Canadian Navy continues to hint it will soon retire its Tribal-class destroyers, along with 2 of its supply ships.

Indonesian Navy – The Indonesian Navy assisted in evacuating refugees from the recent ethnic clashes in the province of Central Kalimantan in Borneo.

Pakistani Navy – The Pakistani Navy intends to equip its submarines with nuclear weapons.


Friday, May 4, 2001

Malaysian Navy – the Malaysian Navy recently intercepted 15 Filipinos who entered Malaysia illegally.

Black Sea – background – Members of the newly created Blackseafor have met for the first time.

Taiwanese Navy – How Taiwan uses its Guppy-class submarines.


Thursday, May 3, 2001

Background – US Defense Review – A potential flaw of the current defense review is that it is focusing on the forces needed for common, low and medium intensity conflicts; but not on the forces needed for rare high intensity conflicts.

US Marine Corps – An article advocating that the Marines need to change their assault rifle, and a suggestion on what it should be changed to.

US Navy – the US Navy will expand its Master-at-Arms force, to increase security for ships in port.


Wednesday, May 2, 2001

US Marine Corps – An excellent investigation into what went wrong at Osprey squadron VMMT-204, and why there are so many problems with the Osprey.

Egyptian Navy – The Egyptian Navy will soon be upgrading its fast attack craft and their surface-to-surface missiles.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy again appears to be close to a deal with Russia to lease a nuclear submarine.


Tuesday, May 1, 2001

Royal Navy – The current and projected state of the Royal Navy’s submarine force.

Pakistani Navy – The Pakistani Navy is exercising with the navies of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

US Navy – Continued debate over whether low frequency active sonar harms marine mammals.


Monday, April 30, 2001

US Navy – China will allow the US to inspect the EP-3, as a first step towards returning the aircraft.

US Navy – The final word on the USS Greeneville affair, including questions that remain unanswered.

Royal Navy – The Royal Navy has launched the last of its 12 Sandown-class minehunters.


Sunday, April 29, 2001

Royal Navy – A protester penetrated the Royal Navy’s Trident base as Faslane, and painted the hull of a Trident-class submarine.

Royal Australian Navy – The Chinese Navy has challenged an Australian naval flotilla for "intruding" even though it was in international sea lanes.


Saturday, April 28, 2001

United Arab Emirates – The UAE has purchased four C-295M ëPersuaderí maritime patrol aircraft.

US Navy – Life aboard a Los Angeles-class attack submarine.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy is integrating its war fighting plans with the other Indian armed forces.


Friday, April 27, 2001

NATO – What life is like with NATO’s Standing Naval Force Atlantic.

US Navy – Some interesting things we do not know about the flight of the EP-3???

Royal Navy – The Type 22 and Type 23 frigates are to receive an upgrade to their Seawolf missile systems.


Thursday, April 26, 2001

Taiwanese Navy – It remains unclear just how the US will supply Taiwan with diesel submarines.

US Navy – General Dynamics has made a bid to acquire Newport News Shipbuilding, which would result in the creation of the dominant supplier of ships to the US Navy.

Background – Submarine Rescue – A recap of NATO exercise Sorbet Royal 2000, held last summer.


Wednesday, April 25, 2001

Taiwanese Navy – The US has approved the sale of 4 Kidd-class destroyers, 8 diesel attack submarines, and 12 P-3 Orion patrol planes to Taiwan. Aegis destroyers are not to be sold at this time. Of interest is that the deal is complicated by the facts that US cannot indigenously produce the diesel submarines and will have to seek plans from others (Germany perhaps) and the P-3 production line is currently mothballed and Lockheed may be unwilling to reopen it for a run of only 12 aircraft.

US Air Force – A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) just set a world record for the longest non-stop flight by a UAV, flying from the USA to Australia. In Australia it will participate in military excercises, including its use in a maritime surveillance role.

US Navy – The Captain of the USS Greeneville gives his version of the sinking of the Japanese trawler. He will not be court-martialed, but was found guilty of dereliction of duty and will be reprimanded and will retire from the Navy.


Tuesday, April 24, 2001

US Marine Corps – A USMC investigation into the most recent crash of an MV-22 Osprey casts doubt on whether the aircraft is ready for deployment. Meanwhile, an external review panel will recommend redesigning of several systems before the aircraft should be considered for full production.

Russian Marines – Russian Marines are being moved to positions on the border near Chechnya.

US Navy – The US Navy accepted the first of its new C-40 cargo aircraft for intratheater airlift. The C-40’s will replace its C-9’s.


Monday, April 23, 2001

Sri Lankan Navy – The Tamil Sea Tigers have suffered a defeat at sea and the Sri Lankan Navy is adopting more aggressive patroling techniques.

US Navy – The US is considering using F-15’s based on Kadena, Okinawa to escort future EP-3 and RC-135 flights off China.

US Navy – Human error was the cause of an accidental bombing of allied troops by a US Navy F-18 in March.


Sunday, April 22, 2001

Malaysian Navy – Malaysia is becoming more active in policing the Straits of Malacca, leading to a decrease in piracy.

Background – Submarine Rescue Systems – A review of the state-of-the-art in submarine rescue systems.

Background – China – A well reasonsed essay that draws parallels between Japan in 1941 and China today, concluding that China is a paper tiger.

Background – China – Some interesting suggestions for how to deal with China in a politico-military sense.


Saturday, April 21, 2001

Russian Navy – The CINC of the Russian Navy has recently laid out his short term plan for the Russian Navy,

Taiwanese Navy – The Taiwanese Navy is holding exercises which simulate the invasion of Taiwan by China.

US Marine Corps – Is it time for the Marines to loose their fixed-wing aircraft and abandon the close air support mission? Many analysts think so???


Friday, April 20, 2001

US Navy – Japan and Taiwan are concerned that their datalinks and ELINT sensors may have been compromised by the Chinese inspection of the EP-3.

Royal Australian Navy – The pros and cons of purchasing the new combat system for the Collins-class submarines from the US or Germany.

Royal Marines – Because of the foot and mouth disease epidemic in the United Kingdom, the Royal Marines are temporarily moving their training to the US.


Thursday, April 19, 2001

Taiwanese Navy – The Taiwanese Navy’s data links have been upgraded by the US Navy to allow them to more easily communicate and exchange data with US Navy ships.

Tamil Sea Tigers – The Tamil Sea Tigers bases were attacked by the Sri Lankan Air Force.

Taiwanese Navy – To speed up the acquisition of Aegis-equipped ships, the Taiwanese Navy would like to build its own.


Wednesday, April 18, 2001

Phillipine Marines – Phillipine Marines participated in an operation to free an American held hostage by guerillas.

US Navy – an Iraqi tanker that sunk off the United Arab Emirates was smuggling oil for Iraq.

Royal Australian Navy – Australian troops, with the assistance of the South African Navy, and after a very long chase, have captured a fishing boat accused of illegally fishing in Australian waters.


Tuesday, April 17, 2001

US Navy – The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk is steaming towards the South China Sea, to be in position to use its fighters to protect future EP-3 intelligence gathering flights in the South China Sea.

Royal Air Force – RAF electronic intelligence Nimrod R1 aircraft of 51 Squadron have been assisting EP-3’s in their flights off China; they have been temporarily stood down until the controversy subsides.

North Korean Navy – North Korean Navy patrol boats continue to cross into South Korean territorial waters.


Monday, April 16, 2001

US Navy – The Chinese are worried the US may launch a special operations attack to destroy the EP-3 on the ground in China.

US Navy – The pilot of the EP-3 gives his version of the events???

US Navy – The court of inquiry has recommended against court martialling the Captain of the USS Greeneville.


Sunday, April 15, 2001

Information Warfare – Background – Southeast Asian countries are taking a lead in information warfare.

Royal Navy – The commander of the Royal Navy frigate HMS Grafton which ran aground on rocks off the coast of Norway has pleaded guilty to negligence and been severely reprimanded at a court martial.

US Navy – Can unmanned aerial vehichles replace aircraft such as the EP-3? It has happened before, why can’t it happen again?


Saturday, April 14, 2001

Russian Navy – The commander in chief of the Russian Navy still sees a big role for submarines in his fleet.

Indian Navy – A summary of the Indian International Fleet Review, along with a photographic tour of its most interesting participants.


Friday, April 13, 2001

Russian Navy – The Russian Navy is hoping to step up its operational deployments, which have dwindled to almost none in the last few years.

US Navy – A celebration of 90 years of US naval aviation.


Thursday, April 12, 2001

US Navy – The crew of the EP-3 has been released, but there is no word yet on the fate of the aircraft.

US Navy – A US Navy nuclear attack submarine made an unannounced port call in Japan, in violation of a previous agreement with Japan, thus enfuriating the Japanese government


Wednesday, April 11, 2001

US Navy – What exactly was the EP-3 monitoring? The Chinese military buildup in the South China Sea, which China claims, along with all the islands within it. China has increasingly protested such monitoring???

Russian Navy – The destroyer Bespokoiny of the Baltic Fleet will represent Russia in the international naval exercise Baltops-2001 which is organized by NATO’s Partnership for Peace.

French Navy – The navies of France and Quatar are conducting exercise Gulf-Falcon-6 in the Persian Gulf.


Tuesday, April 10, 2001

Taiwanese Navy – A plausible scenario of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

US Navy – An overview of the EP-3 affair, and its possible long-term consequences.


Monday, April 9, 2001

US Navy – More on how the US defense review is likely to meet great opposition. The broad themes will be to shift defense policy focus from Europe to Asia and a focus on longer range weapons.

US Navy – The review’s largest criticism of the Navy is that it is not innovating enough — and this essay argues that the reason for the lack of innovation is the Navy’s high operational tempo — and that for innovation to occur the tempo must decrease.


Sunday, April 8, 2001

US Navy – No real progress on releasing the EP-3 crew. Obtaining access to the EP-3 represents a true intelligence windfall for the Chinese.

Background – Asia – The US military will increasingly focus on the military threats it faces in Asia, but this will not be easy as its bases are far and few between???and to guard against such threats, the US must keep its guard up, hence the reason behind the EP-3 flights that are conducted regularly in the Pacific???


Saturday, April 7, 2001

US Navy – Some progress is now being made towards obtaining the release of the EP-3 crew. Both the US and China have it in their interest to bring this crisis to a swift resolution.

Singaporean Navy – RSS Endurance is underway on a training cruise, with a number of other navy’s sailors on-board as well.

US Marines – US Marines are undertaking a peacekeeping exercise with the Kenyan armed forces.


Friday, April 6, 2001

US Navy – Little progress has been made in releasing the EP-3 and its crew. The pilot of the Chinese aircraft had been photographed on previous intercepts behaving in a reckless manner. Complete overhead imagery has been made of available of the airplane and the airbase it is at.

Royal Australian Navy – HMAS Warramunga is the third of the Anzac frigates to enter service.

US Navy – background – There continue to be leaks about the review of the US military that is currently underway. Carriers seem to be at risk.


Thursday, April 5, 2001

US Navy – Still no progress in the EP-3 standoff. Images in the Chinese press show the damage sustained by the EP-3; overhead imagery by SpaceImaging.com shows the EP-3 still parked on the runway.

Taiwanese Navy – The US Navy has decided to recommend the sale of Kidd-class destroyers, submarines, and the Aegis weapons platform to Taiwan – but most probably only the sale of the Kidd’s will occur.

Black Sea – Background – Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania have set up a joint naval force for humanitarian and environmental operations. The force is called Blackseafor and will be based in Istanbul.


Wednesday, April 4, 2001

US Navy – US diplomats have met with the crew of the EP-3; the plane was said to have been severely damaged by the collision; China refuses to release the crew or the aircraft and is said to be stripping equipment from the plane.

This is the first air-to-air collision between US and Chinese aircraft; but US and Chinese forces nearly came to blows in 1994 which resulted in a Military Maritime Consultation Agreement which was signed between the two countries in 1998.

The commander of the squadron the plane was assigned to says the Chinese pilot must have caused the accident.

Meanwhile, the damage to intelligence collection is potentially huge.


Tuesday, April 3, 2001

US Navy – Further analysis of the EP-3 incident, with the suggestion that the plane may instead be a P-3B/C Iron Clad variant.


Monday, April 2, 2001

US Navy – A US Navy EP-3 signals intelligence aircraft that was on a reconnaisance mission in international waters has collided with a Chinese air force fighter and was forced to land in China on Hainan island. The US is demanding release of the crew and the aircraft. The destroyers USS Hewitt, Fitzgerald and Higgins are standing by. None of the US crew members are reported to be injured, the Chinese pilot is missing. The incident bears a resemblance of the USS Pueblo incident from 1968???


Friday, March 30, 2001

Taiwanese Navy – The US may not want to sell AEGIS cruisers to Taiwan because it may feel that Taiwan may not be able to operate such a complex ship.

US Navy – An author of a recent book on US Navy ballistic missile submarines recalls how a submarine he was cruising on almost collided with a buoy.

NOSI will not publish Saturday and Sunday and will be back on Monday.


Thursday, March 29, 2001

US Navy – The fate of the DD-21 Land Attack Destroyer hangs in the balance as the Pentagon performs its defense review.

Indian Navy – More background on the Indian arms procurement scandal.


Wednesday, March 28, 2001

US Navy – The US Navy is worried by reports emerging from the ongoing Bush defense review that suggest its carrier force may be trimmed.

Indian Navy – Massive corruption, primarily in the area of procurement, is severely weakening the Indian armed forces.


Tuesday, March 27, 2001

US Navy – A US Navy ship will make a port visit to Changi Naval Base, the new base of the Singaporean Navy. The intent is to strengthen US ties with Singapore and the stability of the region.

US Navy – ???meanwhile US Navy port visits are becoming less popular in Japan???


Monday, March 26, 2001

Sri Lankan Navy – The Sri Lankan Navy has lost another gunboat to the Tamil Sea Tigers.

Singaporean Navy – The Indian and Singaporean navies are holding regular joint exercises off India.


Sunday, March 25, 2001

Russian Navy – A new theory on the Kursk disaster is put forth by Norman Friedman, the distinguished naval analyst. In short, there is evidence to suggest the Kursk was sunk by an antisubmarine weapon accidentally launched from a Russian Navy surface ship???

Italian Navy – The Italian Navy is currently testing a new 127mm rapid fire gun.


Saturday, March 24, 2001

Background – Naval Forces – a thorough review of naval construction programs over the last 12 months by A. D. Baker III, who is is editor of Combat Fleets of the World.


Friday, March 23, 2001

US Navy – The USS Winston S. Churchill, a Flight II-A Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, was placed into commission. There is a permanent billet for a Royal Navy officer onboard.

US Navy – A description of the heroic efforts undertaken to save the USS Cole from sinking after it was attacked.


Thursday, March 22, 2001

South Korean Navy – The President of South Korea has pledged to upgrade its navy with Aegis-equipped destroyers and submarines.

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – A synopsis of how the Japanese handled a situation in 1988 when one of its submarines accidentally sunk a Japanese fishing trawler.


Wednesday, March 21, 2001

US Navy – The captain of the USS Greeneville testified publically at the court-of-inquiry.

Phillipine Navy – The Phillipine Navy continues to observe Chinese activity in the Scarborough Shoal.


Tuesday, March 20, 2001

US Navy – Two reports on the progress of the US Navy court of inquiry regarding the USS Greeneville.

US Navy – An update on the investigation regarding the US Navy F/A-18 that killed several troops in a friendly-fire incident in Kuwait last week.


Sunday, March 18, 2001

Background – Submarine Rescue Technology – A review of the state-of-the-art in submarine rescue technology.

Background – The world in 2015 – Another description of the CIA’s study, "Global Trends 2015" that gives a chilling prediction of the threats US forces will face in 15 years.


Saturday, March 17, 2001

Tamil Sea Tigers – The Tamil Sea Tigers are employing stealth technology in the craft they are using to attack the Sri Lankan Navy.

Background – Taiwan – How the new US administration is changing its policy towards China and Taiwan.


Friday, March 16, 2001

US Navy – An analysis of the recent attack on the Iraqi air defense system by William Arkin. Special attention is paid to the Joint Stand Off Weapon used by Navy F/A-18’s in the attack.

US Navy – What will it take to repair the threadworn US military? Probably something that we are unwilling to do???


Tuesday, February 27, 2001

NOSI is taking its annual 2 week break and will be back on March 16th. See you then???


Monday, February 26, 2001

US Navy – A brief log of the USS Abraham Lincoln battlegroup’s most recent cruise, recently completed.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy continues to negotiate with Russia for the lease of a nuclear submarine.


Sunday, February 25, 2001

Indian Navy – India called for assistance in combating the growing problems of piracy, drug-trafficking and gun-running in the region’s troubled sea lanes. The President of India also stated that "The security of the seas was necessary for the independence and prosperity and security of nations as well as for world peace."

US Navy – The US intends to substantially upgrade air and naval facilities at Rota, in Spain — but there will be local opposition .

NATO – NATO’s annual Dogfish antisubmarine warfare exercise is now underway in the Mediterranean.


Friday, February 23, 2001

US Navy – While it seems less and less likely the MV-22 Osprey will make it into production, the helicopter it is to replace, the CH-46, is becoming less and less useable.

Taiwanese Navy – The Taiwanese task force exercising in the Pacific Ocean will not be allowed to call in the Marshall Islands.


Thursday, February 22, 2001

US Navy – A journalist reflects on the open access she experienced during a cruise on the Trident-class submarine USS Ohio???

US Navy – ???while a crewman claimed that civilians distracted him from doing his job plotting surface contacts on the USS Greenville???

US Navy – ???as the US Navy’s public relations disaster continues???and may impact negatively on the US – Japan defense relationship, specifically in regards to US bases on Okinawa???

Russian Navy – The Russian investigation into the sinking of the Kursk is coming to the conclusion it was caused by a problem with its torpedos.


Wednesday, February 21, 2001

Royal Navy – The newest Trident ballistic missile submarine, HMS Vengeance, has become operational.

US Navy – Another essay on how the abbreviated defense review being undertaken by the Pentagon may have a far-reaching impact on all the armed services.

Canadian Navy – The Canadian air force will ground half of its aircraft due to lack of funds, including its CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft.


Tuesday, February 20, 2001

Indian Navy – The International Fleet Review, hosted near Mumbai (Bombay) was a huge success. The review can been seen as a signal by the Indian Navy that it is now a force to be reckoned with, at least in the Asia Pacific region.

US Navy – The US Navy will take the opportunity to exercise with the French Navy and Royal Australian Navy after the International Fleet Review.


Monday, February 19, 2001

US Navy – The raid against Iraqi command and control centers is claimed to have been successful.

US Navy – The sunken Japanese fishing trawler has been found on the ocean floor; meanwhile a court of inquiry will be convened to investigate the incident.


Saturday, February 17, 2001

US Navy – US and British aircraft have attacked Iraqi air defense command and control facilities. F-18’s from the USS Harry Truman participated in the raid.

Russian Navy – Iran is concerned about the influence of Russian naval forces in the Caspian Sea.


Friday, February 16, 2001

US Navy – More background on the USS Greeneville accident, including interviews with the civilians who were on board the submarine at the time.


Thursday, February 15, 2001

US Navy – The US Navy will soon homeport three attack submarines on Guam, to move them closer to China in case of a conflict.

Taiwanese Navy – A small Taiwanese Navy task force is cruising to Central America, in a diplomatic show-of-force.


Wednesday, February 14, 2001

US Military – Background – the Bush administration has asked one of the Pentagon’s most controversial thinkers, Andrew Marshall, to conduct a review of the US military and report back within weeks to provide a vision for the future. The report is expected to substantially influence future defense policy and is expected to be highly controversial.

US Navy – How some things never change in damage control???


Tuesday, February 13, 2001

US Navy – Chipping and painting, the bane of sailor’s lives, may come to an end in the US Navy.

Royal Australian Navy – An illustration of the destructive power of a Mk 48 torpedo fired from a Collins-class submarine as it sinks a Leander-class frigate.


Monday, February 12, 2001

US Navy – The search for survivors from the Japanese fishing trawler sunk by the USS Greeneville continues???

Russian Navy – An excellent essay demonstrating the huge gap between hope and reality in the Russian Navy.


Sunday, February 11, 2001

US Navy – The USS Greeneville, a Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine, sunk a Japanese fishing trawler off of Hawaii during an emergency surfacing exercise. Japan has asked for the trawler to be raised. This is not an isolated incident, fishing trawlers are sunk accidentally by submarines on a regular basis.


Saturday, February 10, 2001

Royal Navy – The new Astute-class nuclear submarines under constructions may be modified to allow them to carry women crew members.

US Navy – The contract for the design and building of CVN-77, the last Nimitz-class carrier, has been awarded to Newport News. This ship will serve as a bridge to the next generation aircraft carrier, CVNX-1.


Friday, February 9, 2001

Background – Naval Forces – The sermon from the mount, for 2000-2001, on the naval scene world wide. Please note this is a long essay, but should make for good weekend reading???


Thursday, February 8, 2001

Ghanian Navy – The US will give two patrol ships to the Ghanian Navy, to help it patrol its coastal waters in the Atlantic.

Ukranian Navy – Elements of the Ukranian Navy participated in search and rescue operations last week after a passenger and cargo ship sank in the Black Sea.


Wednesday, February 7, 2001

Malaysian Navy – A Malaysian Navy patrol boat fired on a trawler carrying illegal immigrants. One person was killed.

Southeast Asia – Background – Thailand and Malaysia grow closer together, as evidenced by the resumption of Thai-Malaysian naval exercises this year and the scaling back of US-Thai exercises this year. The result will lead to a shifting of US resources to the Phillipines and Singapore to counterbalance this action.


Tuesday, February 6, 2001

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy has been giving assistance to earthquake victims using converted hospital ships to treat casualties and supply ships to deliver emergency supplies.


Sunday, February 4, 2001

US Navy – Human error aboard the USS Denver was found to be the cause of the collision between the Denver and the USS Yukon last July.

US Navy – The commander of the USS Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group was relieved of his command for using inappropriate language which caused morale problems within his command.


Saturday, February 3, 2001

US Navy – An insightful essay that insists the US Navy needs to overcome a number of post-Cold War myths. Things are not really as bad as they seem, this essay wants us to believe. We need to start focusing not on the two-major- theater-war standard, but instead on clustered responses to failed states.


Friday, February 2, 2001

US Military – Background – A well thought out essay by William Arkin on why Bill Cohen was the worst Secretary of Defense, ever???

US Military – Space Background – A recently conducted government-sponsored war game that focused on warfare in space showed the US miltary is more vulnerable than it should be, with potentially diastrous consequences.


Thursday, February 1, 2001

US Navy – The team lead by General Dynamics has revealed their design for the DD-21 Zumwalt-class land attack destroyer. It is nothing short of revolutionary.

US Navy – The US Navy continues to test its potential anti-ballistic missile system.


Wednesday, January 31, 2001

US Navy – The US Navy will soon commission its last warship with steam propulsion, the USS Iwo Jima.

US Navy – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern E. Clark has issued an explanation of why the captain of the USS Cole was not punished for what happened to his ship.


Tuesday, January 30, 2001

Taiwan – Background – The U.S. and Taiwan are jointly operating a Signals Intelligence gathering facility on Taiwan.

US Marines – 6th Fleet Marines are training Israeli units in combat in urban terrain tactics.


Monday, January 29, 2001

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy is rushing ships and resources to aid earthquake victims in Bhuj and other parts of the Gujarat.

US Navy – US Navy cryptographers have been assigned to the Pine Gap intelligence gathering facility in Australia to monitor more closely naval movements in South East Asia.


Sunday, January 28, 2001

US Navy – A thorough review of the past and future career of the E-2 Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft.

French Navy – The French Navy has developed a new high explosive "insensitive munition" bomb for use on its aircraft carrier, as the weapon’s magazine for these bombs in located near the nuclear reactor on the Charles de Gaulle.


Saturday, January 27, 2001

Taiwanese Navy -The US may be asked by Taiwan to sell it the 4 Kidd-class guided missile destroyers, as replacements for its Gearing-class destroyers. The Kidd’s would help Taiwan counter China’s new Russian-made Sovremenny- class destroyers and Kilo-class submarines.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy has just commissioned a new guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai, and a new guided missile corvette, INS Kirch.


Friday, January 26, 2001

US Navy – The US Navy (and US military) is in for some big changes from the Bush administration — but no one knows just what those changes will entail???


Thursday, January 25, 2001

US Navy – The commission investigating the attack on the USS Cole has issued its report, finding no one to blame for the incident.

US Navy – Newport News Shipbuilding has come under attack for failing to keep costs down on Navy contracts.


Wednesday, January 24, 2001

US Coast Guard – The US Coast Guard is assisting in the clean up of the oil spill off the Galapagos Islands.


Tuesday, January 23, 2001

Russian Navy – Further analysis by academics of seismic data from the Kursk lends credence to the theory that an explosion, not a collision with another submarine, is what sunk the Kursk.


Saturday, January 20, 2001

Pakistan Navy – the Pakistani Navy is looking to acquire nuclear weapons for its fleet to provide a counterbalance against a larger and stronger Indian Navy.

Pakistani Navy – The Pakistani Navy will acquire 1 and construct 3 warships from China over the next decade. They will also develop Gawadar Port on the Makran coast in Baluchistan as an alternatiive to the main seaport Karachi, which is vulnerable to Indian warships.


Friday, January 19, 2001

US Navy – An update on the DD-21 program, which is moving forward towards selection of a final design and builder.

Royal Navy – A breakdown of which ships in the Royal Navy currently use depleted uranium ammunition.

US Navy – A sailor aboard the Trident submarine USS Alaska has been charged with sabotage.


Thursday, January 18, 2001

Russian Navy – Two Russian warships will visit the Indian Ocean for the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union, and visit the International Fleet Review in Mumbai.

East Asian Background – A number of East Asian navies – such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore – are acquiring submarines to guard their coastlines and shipping lanes. The submarine’s stealthy nature and tremendous firepower are its main selling points.

Royal Navy – A look at how the shipbuilding industry in the UK is undergoing a profound change in order to become more efficient.


Wednesday, January 17, 2001

Chilean Navy – The Chilean Navy is monitoring the passage of a British ship off its coast which is carrying nuclear waste from France to Japan.

Turkish Navy – Exerercise Reliant Mermaid III is occurring in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, between the Turkish, Israeli, and US navies. The exercise shows the strong alliances that exist between the 3 countries.

US Navy – The US Navy is set to limit port calls, to protect against terrorism.


Monday, January 15, 2001

Royal Navy – The controversy over depleted uranium ammunition continues, with the Royal Navy phasing out its use as the ammuntion is no longer made for its Phalynx Close In Weapons Systems.

Background – Depleted Uranium (DU) weapons – A historical background on DU weapons – why they were developed and what their side effects are.


Thursday, January 11, 2001

Royal Australian Navy – The US Navy has taken a keen interest in the Collins-class attack submarines, now that the bugs in them are being ironed out. Meanwhile, their Swedish designer has lodged a protest with Australia, claiming the Australians are improperly sharing the boat’s secrets with the US.


Wednesday, January 10, 2001

US Navy – The next mission of the stealth test ship Sea Shadow – to test new technologies for the DD-21 class.

US Navy – A description of the mission of the Acoustical Research Detachment in Idaho, which develops techniques for submarine quieting


Tuesday, January 9, 2001

Russian Navy – The Russian Navy will cruise to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and Mediterranean Sea this year.

Background – Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) – A cogent description of what LFAS is, and why it may be harmful to marine mammals.


Monday, January 8, 2001

Canadian Navy – The Canadian Navy was attempting to purchase Squall high speed torpedoes from the Russian Navy, on behalf of the US. It appears that this may have involved Edmond Pope.

Indian Navy – The Indian defence minister states that India must devote more resources to its navy, to help it defend its sea borders.


Friday, January 5, 2001

Now that last year’s bookeeping is out of the way, it’s time to return to the news???

???except, I’d like you to take a moment to think about NOSI, what you like about it, what you dislike about it, and how it can be improved. Then drop me a brief e-mail with your thoughts to: thedalessandros@hotmail.com

Your feedback is much appreciated as it helps to immeasurably improve this site.

Indian Navy – The Indian Navy has been criticized for delaying modernization of its sole aircraft carrier INS Viraat.

US Navy – How the US Navy is convincingly making the case it needs to increase the number of nuclear attack submarines it has.


Thursday, January 4, 2001

World Naval Operational News Highlights for 2000

  1. Several recurring themes were identified in this year’s naval news stories:
    • Iraq’s successful attempts to circumvent the United Nations
      economic sanctions on the exporting of oil.

    • The crisis in readiness, especially in the navies of the United
      States, United Kingdom, Russia, and Canada.
    • Piracy in the South China Sea.
    • The standoff in the Taiwanese Straits between Taiwan and China.
    • Ship handling accidents in the United States Navy.
    • The ascendency of Indian Navy.
    • Territorial disputes over islands in the South China Sea, such as the Spratly Islands.

    • Support for Operations Other Than War including the Royal Navy and French Navy in Mozambique
      and Madagascar, the Royal Navy in Sierra Leone, and the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy in the Solomon Islands.
  2. The most professional combined arms operation of the year was the deployment of British forces to Sierra Leone to attempt to restore stability to the country.
  3. The only ship-to-ship combat of the year was between the Sri Lankan Navy and the Tamil Tigers.
  4. The most intriguing naval news story of the year is whether or not Israel has developed a sea based nuclear deterrent in the form of nuclear tipped cruise missiles on its new Dolphin-class submarines.
  5. The most strategically significant naval news story of the year is the possibility that the US may have to turn its base on Diego Garcia back over to the native Chagos islanders who were unlawfully evicted from the island in the 1960’s.
  6. The most narrowly averted naval disaster of the year was the serious problem found in the cooling system of the nuclear reactor on the Royal Navy’s nuclear attack submarines.
  7. The most tragic naval news stories of the year was the sinking of the Russian nuclear attack submarine Kursk with the loss of all hands, and the terrorist attack on the guided missile destroyer USS Cole with heavy loss of life.
  8. The most bizarre naval news story of the year was the construction of a midget submarine in the mountains of Columbia, to be used by drug smugglers, with assistance from Russian nationals.
  9. The most humorous naval operation of the year was the sight of the Canadian Navy undertaking an operation to recapture Canadian Army equipment from a transport ship’s crew which was holding it hostage in order to be reimbursed for its transport from Kosovo to Canada.
  10. And finally, the naval news story of the year with the most potential long term significance was the unsuccessful attempt of Argentinians to sue the British government over the sinking of the cruiser General Belgrano in the Falklands War. Will the wars of the future be refought in the court room, rather than in the simulator room?

Tuesday, January 2, 2001

Yesterday I reread all of NOSI, in preparation for writing a year-end summary. I came across the following two stories, which due to typos were not linked correctly and therefore could not be read. I therefore resubmit them to you for your reading pleasure???

Russian Navy – A fascinating seismic analysis of the Kursk’s explosions from Terry Wallace and Dr. Keith Koper at the University of Arizona, which estimates the force of the explosion to be between 0.5 and 1 ton. I am grateful to Micha Schellingerhout from the Netherlands for sharing this!

Royal Navy – it has been discovered that HMS Tireless, the Trafalgar-class nuclear attack submarine currently docked in Gibraltar awaiting repairs, was much closer to a meltdown of its nuclear reactor than was previously admittted.


Monday, January 1, 2001

NOSI Statistics for 2000

NOSI was launched on February 18, 2000.

In 2000, there were news stories linked to on 208 / 318 days – that is on 65% of the days.

In 2000, NOSI linked to 567 news stories. On December 31, 2000, each link was
checked to see if it was still working. 139 / 567 links, or 25% were
broken.

The news stories linked to covered the operational activities of 32 navies:

United States – 178 stories

Russia – 77 stories

United Kingdom – 74 stories

India – 44 stories

Canada – 22 stories

Australia – 21 stories

China – 16 stories

France – 15 stories

Taiwan – 14 stories

Sri Lanka – 13 stories

Indonesia – 8 stories

Japan – 8 stories

Nigeria – 6 stories

South Africa – 6 stories

Iran – 5 stories

New Zealand – 4 stories

Israel – 4 stories

Columbia – 4 stories

Pakistan – 3 stories

Phillipines – 3 stories

Suriname – 2 stories

Malaysia – 2 stories

Brazil – 2 stories

Ukraine – 2 stories

Mauritania – 1 story

North Korea – 1 story

Portugal – 1 story

Poland – 1 story

Turkey – 1 story

Uruguay – 1 story

Yugoslavia – 1 story

South Korea – 1 story

???and 26 Background new stories

In 2000, 18,205 pages of information were read on NOSI by 8,612 users.

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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