CNAS – In the Department of Defense’s priority scenarios—a “defense by denial” of China and homeland defense—dedicated airborne sensing and battle management aircraft and their crew generate indispensable connective tissue and flexibility for the Joint Force.
Ports of Power: China’s Growing Maritime Network of Ports, Bases, and Dual-Use Facilities
Center for Maritime Strategy – “Ports of Power” chronicles China’s meteoric
rise in the maritime domain over the last two decades. The study presents a cautionary tale of how a rising power that once yielded to American sea power is now able to flex its muscles outside the first and second island chains while simultaneously expanding its global reach. Unlike many other studies written on this topic, “Ports of Power” is not content to simply identify and admire the problem. Rather, this study o!ers solutions to mitigate the risk of a Chinese monopoly in maritime infrastructure around the world and a strategy to compete with Beijing in this domain.
Foundry, Fleet, and Fight: Hedging the U.S. Navy
War on the Rocks – The U.S. Navy got some serious nautical miles under its belt during the first year of this administration, with combat operations from the Caribbean to Iran to Nigeria alongside its more regular duties. With no sign of President Donald Trump slowing down on global interventions and a tense geopolitical atmosphere, the United States remains in need of a navy that can fight and win wherever it is called to do so.
The new chief of naval operations, Adm. Daryl Caudle, has now published his response to this challenge: the U.S. Navy Fighting Instructions.
Future French Ballistic Missile Submarines will be named Invincible-class
Naval News – Speaking from the Île Longue ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) base in Brittany, French president Emmanuel Macron revealed that the first of the next generation SSBNs will be known as “Invincible”. The announcement came as part of a highly anticipated address during which the head of state outlined new parameters for the French nuclear deterrence in response to the evolving strategic context.
Boeing Christens Second Extra-Large Orca Submarine Drone
Naval News – Revealed in a LinkedIn post by Christine Clark, Boeing’s Supplier Program Manager, the second Orca Extra Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) dubbed the XLE2 has been commissioned.
Ukraine Intensifies Strikes on Russian Naval Assets Across Black Sea Region
Naval News – Ukrainian forces have conducted a series of large-scale attacks on Russian Black Sea Fleet assets in recent weeks, striking targets in both occupied Crimea and the Novorossiysk naval base in successive operations.
‘Quiet Death’: A U.S. Navy Nuclear Attack Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship And The World Took Notice
1945 – The sinking of the IRIS Dena on March 4, 2026, by a U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarine is more than a tactical footnote in Operation Epic Fury; it is a profound disruption of the global maritime order. As Dr. James Holmes, J. C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College, observes, this “quiet death” off the coast of Sri Lanka marks a radical geographical escalation that challenges the long-dormant “Indian Monroe Doctrine.”
Britain wakes up to the condition of its Navy
Navy Lookout – For years, warnings about the declining strength of the Royal Navy have been largely ignored. The crisis in the Middle East has placed the size and readiness of the RN in the spotlight, with various politicians and sections of the mainstream media describing Britain’s naval position as “weak”, “embarrassing” and “a disgrace”. Here we consider those claims, how it came to this, and a roadmap for change.
Royal Navy Crowsnest airborne surveillance helicopter deployed to Cyprus
Navy Lookout – A Merlin helicopter equipped with the Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) system took off from RNAS Culdrose today for the long journey to Cyprus. Equipped with radar and specialist operators on board, the aircraft is ideal for tracking drones flying over water.
Italy, allies send warships to protect Europe’s southeastern edge from Iran strikes
Defense News – Italy will send a naval vessel or vessels to protect Cyprus from further Iranian attacks “in the next few days,” Italy’s defense minister said on Thursday.
French Navy Pledges 10 Additional Warships to Middle East, Escorts for Strait of Hormuz
USNI News – The French Navy will send eight frigates and two amphibious assault ships to the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, joining aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91), following an Iranian drone attack on a Cyprus-based joint operating installation.
US, Iran spar over status of Iranian warship sunk by submarine
Defense News – The United States and Iran have offered sharply different accounts of the sinking of an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean last week, with Washington rejecting Tehran’s claim the vessel was unarmed and Iranian officials insisting it was operating in a noncombat role.
Mission and Weapon Drive Fleet Design
US Naval War College Review – Today, the U.S. Navy’s primary mission is changing from power projection to sea control, and as a result its primary weapon is changing from the aerial bomb to the missile. Those shifts in mission and weapon will inevitably drive the Navy to a new fleet design, one different from the carrier-centric model that has dominated since World War II.
Floating Fortresses—American Carriers’ Extraordinary Resilience to Battle Damage
US Naval War College Review – On the basis of Cold War–era munitions accidents and World War II combat experience, U.S. carriers of today are far more resistant to battle damage than commonly believed.
Neither Confirm nor Deny—The U.S. Navy’s Declaratory Policy on Nuclear Weapons
US Naval War College Review – The reintroduction of the submarine-launched nuclear cruise missile into the U.S. Navy’s arsenal signals a shift in U.S. nuclear policy, challenging long-standing declaratory norms and public statements such as the “neither confirm nor deny” stance on the presence of nuclear weapons on warships.
At the Dawn of a Naval Renaissance—India Takes a Relook at Mahan
US Naval War College Review – Mindful of its Chinese neighbor’s extraordinary naval expansion, India looks to bring Mahanian truths into a naval landscape that Captain Mahan might strain to recognize.
Chinese Navy Inducts Additional Type 903 Fleet Replenishment Ships
Naval News – The Chinese Navy has taken into service two additional Type 903-series fleet replenishment oilers. Imagery circulating on social media service “X”, former Twitter, two weeks ago shows the two auxiliaries, also denoted as AOR, wearing their hull numbers, docked at a PLAN naval base. The Chinese Navy assigned pennant numbers 892 and 893 to the new oilers.
The Deluge, the Paper Cup, and Washington’s Lack of Urgency on Guam
War on the Rocks – Guam deserves defenses built for the storm it faces — not the one we hope arrives more slowly.
U.S., Israel Launch Strikes Against Iran, Tehran Retaliates Across Region
USNI News – U.S. and Israeli forces kicked off an ongoing strike campaign against targets in Iran on Saturday.
Iranian Undersea Options to Disrupt the Strait of Hormuz
Strikepod Systems – Possible Iranian concept of operations for disrupting the Strait of Hormuz
Singapore to acquire three Gulfstream maritime surveillance aircraft
Breaking Defense – Singapore’s defense minister announced today it is acquiring three maritime surveillance aircraft based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet as it continues efforts to strengthen its capabilities in the maritime domain.
U.K. to Meet with Northern European Allies to Discuss Russian Arctic, Atlantic Threat
USNI News – The Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord Gen. Sir Gwyn Jenkins plans to hold a Navy summit in April as he calls on his service to take the lead in uniting Northern European navies against Russia’s growing threat in the Arctic and Atlantic.
Historic first: French Aircraft Carrier ‘Shows the Flag’ in Sweden
Naval News – In a high profile naval diplomacy push by France, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle arrived in Malmö, Sweden on February 24.
Italy moves to transfer Garibaldi aircraft carrier to Indonesia, looking to new programmes
Naval News – The Italian Government has formalized a plan to transfer the decommissioned Garibaldi aircraft carrier to Indonesia. The handover, subjected to parliamentary approval, would strengthen Jakarta’s naval capabilities and deepens the cooperation between the two countries together with other defence programs, in a move to enlarge Rome’s strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific.
Israel delivers first autonomous submarine to Germany
Defense News – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has delivered a “BlueWhale” autonomous submarine to the German Navy, the company announced Feb. 25. The vessel is the first unmanned submarine developed by an Israeli defense company. It is the product of a joint venture with Atlas, a subsidiary of Germany’s TKMS, the manufacturer behind the Israeli Navy’s submarine fleet.
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