Navy Lookout – The UK and Norway have launched a joint effort to define a new generation of high-speed armed commando craft, intended to support littoral operations in contested environments.
Ukraine Moves Beyond the Black Sea With New Ocean-Going Drone Fleet, Zelenskyy Says
United 24 – Ukraine is working on a new generation of naval drones capable of operating in open ocean conditions, marking a potential expansion of its unmanned maritime capabilities beyond the Black Sea.
Four Reasons Japan Is Pouring Money into Its Submarine Fleet
National Interest – Diesel-electric submarines like the Taigei class offer Japan a fearsome weapon against China—at a fraction of the cost of cutting-edge American ones.
Navy Juggles Its Aircraft Carrier Plans To Stay Afloat
The War Zone – One carrier was already tired before it had a fire, another saw its service life extended for the second time, while the delivery of a third is delayed.
Australian mine countermeasures approaches minimal viable capability
Naval News – The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has just two of an original six Huon-class minehunters left in service. Plus, two years ago, the service suspended renewal of its mine countermeasures capability that was to be delivered via Project Sea 1905. Looking at this evidence, some analysts believe Australia’s naval mine countermeasures (MCM) capability is atrophying. However, top brass in the RAN are satisfied that the navy will maintain a satisfactory capability against sea mines and underwater threats.
Forty years of Royal Navy mine warfare in the Gulf
Navy Lookout – Tensions in the Gulf have prompted the United States to call on allies to help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian threats, including mines. In this historical overview, Tony Carruthers recalls how the RN responded to a similar request almost forty years ago, deploying a squadron of Hunt-class Mine Counter Measures Vessels.
Navy E-2D Hawkeyes Appear To Be Rushing To The Middle East
The War Zone – The E-2D is America’s most capable platform for spotting drones and other low-flying Iranian threats that are wreaking havoc on Gulf Arab States.
Iran’s Black Hole Kilo-Class Submarines Are ‘Out Of Action’ Against The U.S. Navy
1945 – Defense expert Dr. Brent M. Eastwood evaluates the operational neutralization of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) submarine fleet. During the second week of Operation Epic Fury, U.S. CENTCOM and the IDF established total air superiority, targeting the “Black Hole” Kilo-class boats.
(Thanks to Alain)
UK says it remains in talks over escorting ships through strait of Hormuz
The Guardian – Officials say military planners liaising with US Central Command but situation remains too dangerous for anything to happen soon.
U.S. Navy to increase production of anti-submarine mines
Defence Blog – The U.S. Navy plans to increase production of the Hammerhead anti-submarine mine system through a contract modification with General Dynamics Mission Systems. The Hammerhead system is designed to detect, classify, and engage submarines and could be deployed by unmanned underwater vehicles to counter increasingly capable Russian and Chinese submarine fleets.
(Thanks to Alain)
EA-18G Growlers Carrying Mixed Load Of Old And New Jamming Pods Are Flying Iran Missions
The War Zone – A Pentagon report says the new pods are still having significant teething issues even though they are being used in active conflicts.
If called upon, what assets could the Royal Navy send to the Gulf?
Navy Lookout – Donald Trump has called for allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz (SOH). Here, we consider whether the UK is equipped to make a meaningful contribution and what a realistic Royal Navy response might look like.
The US has several options to counter Iranian mines. These are some key assets
Defense News – The U.S. military possesses several capabilities that it could wield to combat naval mine warfare in the Strait of Hormuz.
Allies Push Back On Trump’s Demand They Send Warships To Strait Of Hormuz
The War Zone – Germany on Monday flatly rejected Trump’s demand that NATO allies send naval vessels to help protect shipping in this strategic waterway.
U.S. Navy Minesweepers Assigned To Middle East Have Been Moved To Pacific
The War Zone – Two of the three Littoral Combat Ships that had taken over the minesweeping role in the Middle East have just appeared in Malaysia.
Guide To Iran’s Naval Mines
Covert Shores – The threat of Iran’s naval mines, together with ASBMs (anti-ship ballistic missiles) and USVs (surface drones), is closing the Straits of Hormuz. The narrows waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf is critical to global economy with approximately 20% of the world’s oil transiting it. Below are the main/relevant types of mines. It cannot be ruled out that Iran may have other types in addition to these.
The Navy’s Latest Is Not a Plan, Not a Strategy, and Not Fighting Instructions
War on the Rocks – Churchill once demanded, “Take this pudding away — it has no theme!” U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle’s new Fighting Instructions presents a similar sort of dish.
Indian Warships Escort Indian LPG Tankers in Gulf of Oman
Naval News – Indian Navy warships escorted Indian LPG tankers in the Gulf of Oman, after they crossed the Strait of Hormuz, on March 14.
With Ferry Strikes, Ukraine Narrows Russia’s Options at Kerch Strait
Maritime Executive – Ukraine has launched attacks on two railway ferries that Russia was using to supplement its rail line from the Russian mainland across the Kerch Strait Bridge to Crimea.
Gulf War III is a Warning About the Effects of a ‘Taiwan Straits War I’
RUSI – Ripples of economic disruption radiating from the attack on Iran by Israel and the US give notice of the effect a war over Taiwan would spread through the world.
Navy Extends USS Nimitz Service Life to 2027, in Line with Carrier John F. Kennedy’s Delivery
USNI News – The Navy’s oldest aircraft carrier will remain in the fleet 10 months longer than expected, according to a Friday contract announcement from the service.
HMS Dragon works up in UK waters on her way to Cyprus
Navy Lookout – There have been complaints in the media that HMS Dragon did not steam straight from Portsmouth to the Mediterranean when she sailed on Tuesday. Here we look why this is the case and the sensible way to deploy a warship.
Iranian Submarine Sunk By ATACMS Short Range Ballistic Missile
The War Zone – ATACMS and PrSM ballistic missiles have played a key role in destroying Iran’s Navy from afar.
Missile Attacks Define Strait of Hormuz Risks, Officials Say
USNI News – Missiles are currently the largest threat to merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf instead of sea mines, defense officials told reporters Friday.
Up close with the Royal Navy’s uncrewed minehunting programme
Navy Lookout – Recent events in the Gulf have put the UK’s mine countermeasures capability in the spotlight. The RN is transitioning from crewed minehunters to autonomous platforms with the Franco-British Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme, moving from demonstration to operational reality. Here we consider this complex system-of-systems and the profound cultural shift now underway in how the RN approaches mine warfare.
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