China Publicizes Submarine Missile Launch

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Daily on Friday carried a photo on its front page of the Changcheng 200 submarine test-firing a missile. 

The disclosure of the exercise follows the dramatic test flight earlier this month of a new stealth fighter jet that coincided with the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.   

The news was also reported by the official Xinhua news agency, the web edition of the People's Daily, and the Science and Technology Daily the following day. They did not specify when and where the test took place. 

The Changcheng 200, commissioned in 1966, is a large G-class conventional submarine, 98 m long and 8.6 m wide. It is powered by diesel engines and electric motors. The sub first test-launched a missile in 1982, but this was the first time a firing exercise has ever been made public. 

Indian Defence Production Policy: Got the policy, where’s the plan?

Submarine hull sections being readied at Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai.

Comment by Deba R Mohanty, Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation

Sometime during the last DefExpo, held in New Delhi in February 2010, RK Singh, the Secretary of the Department of Defence Production, had announced that the Indian government would soon come out with a defence production policy, a commitment successively pronounced by the defence minister and defence ministry mandarins in various public forums. Most members of Indian defence and security affairs (including from industry chambers CII, Ficci, Assocham, etc.) have been suggesting that the government come out with a ‘roadmap for Indian defence industry’, and the defence minister’s unveiling of the first Defence Production Policy (DPrP) on 13 January 2011 – the first ever written policy document on critical national security issues – has come as a welcome development. 

US Navy Frigates

USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) - Destroyers during Missile Exercise - US Navy 

USS Ingraham (FFG 61) Guided-Missile Frigate 

USS Curts FFG 38 

USS Doyle FFG 39 

USS Halyburton 

USS Simpson (FFG 56) and USS Saipan (LHA 2) 

USS Underwood FFG 36 

USS Boone FFG 28

USS Curts FFG 38 

USS Taylor UNREP with USNS Supply 

USS Jarrett FFG 33 

USS Elrod FFG-55 with a "scarecrow" gun where the SM-1 launcher w 

US pledges help for Philippine navy

The United States said Thursday it would help boost the Philippines' capacity to patrol its waters as part of a larger goal of keeping vital Asian sea lanes open amid the rise of China.

The pledge came from US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell on the first day of an inaugural security dialogue between the two allies.

"One of the subjects for discussions tomorrow will be the bilateral steps that (we) can take to increase the Philippines' maritime capacity," Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said.

This would enhance the Philippine navy's capacity to police its waters, he told a joint news conference.

Russian warship escorts a 9-vessel convoy in the Gulf of Aden

Pacific Fleet (PF) large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov which is currently deployed off the Horn of Africa escorts a convoy of 9 vessels, reports RIA Novosti referring to a spokesman for Russian Navy. 

"At present, the Russian warship is escorting nine civil vessels through dangerous waters. Totally, there are 8 Russian crewmembers on board those ships", said the official. 

He underlined that Russian Navy would keep on patrolling the piracy-risky regions. "Ships of all four fleets will carry out maritime security tasks rotationally", said the interviewee. 

PF task force which takes part in the international anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden recently escorted the fifth convoy in 2011. 

Fifth task force of Pacific Fleet consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov, ocean-going salvage tug, and tanker Pechenga arrived to the Gulf of Aden from Vladivostok on Dec 22, 2010. Admiral Vinogradov has two deck-based helicopters conducting permanent aerial reconnaissance. All ships of the task force are reinforced with PF marine units; all of them had passed special training prior to the mission.

China’s Project 022 Fast Attack Craft

The Chinese Navy's Project 022 class is, despite its innovative hull design, a classic missile-armed fast attack craft. It is designed for the sole purpose of delivering eight anti-ship missiles to a specified naval target and has virtually no capability outside that area. Its design makes it unsuitable for patrol duties, while its short operational radius limits its applicability to maritime policing work.

France-Russia sign Mistral warships deal

France on Tuesday inked a lucrative agreement to sell four Mistral warships to Moscow, with two to be built in Russia, in a move bitterly opposed by ex-Soviet statesin the Baltics.

The deal for the amphibious assault ships will be the first sale to Russia of such technology by a NATO country.

France's NATO allies -- in particular Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia -- have expressed concern about arming Russia with modern Western weaponry.

Leaked diplomatic cables showed that US Defence Secretary Robert Gates also raised Washington's concerns while on a visit to Paris last year.

The deal was announced while President Nicolas Sarkozy was visiting the STX naval shipyards in the western port of Saint-Nazaire where the vessels will be built in partnership with France's state-owned military contractor DCNS.

Navy to Begin Initial Production of P-8A

The U.S. Navy announced today the award of a $1.6 billion contract to Boeing for P-8A Poseidon aircraft Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of six aircraft.

This first LRIP contract also includes spares, logistics and training devices. Production of the first LRIP aircraft will begin this summer at Boeing’s Renton, Wash. facility.

“In 2004, the U.S. Navy and the Boeing Company made a commitment to deliver the next generation maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to support a 2013 Initial Operational Capability (IOC),” said Capt. Mike Moran, PMA 290 Program Manager. “This contract and these aircraft keep that commitment on track.”

SEA KINGS RETURN FROM QUEENSLAND FLOOD OPERATIONS

Two Sea Kings return to HMAS Albatross this afternoon from Queensland following their commitment to JTF 637, Operation Queensland Flood Assist.

Both helicopters have completed search, resupply, reconnaissance, aero medical evacuation and rotary lift tasks as part of the Joint Task Force. Members of the aircrew will be available for interview.

For more information and imagery on Operation Queensland Flood Assist go to http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opqldflood/index.htm

Singapore Naval Helicopters to Enhance Seaward Defense

With the return of all six Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters to Singapore in October 2010, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) reached a significant milestone in its transformation into a 3rd Generation fighting force.

At a ceremony marking the inauguration of the naval helicopters into 123 Squadron (SQN) on 18 Jan, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen expressed confidence in the squadron's ability to "build on its tradition of cross-service integration as it embarks on a new chapter of air-sea operations."

Set up in 1979, 123 SQN initially operated as a basic training wing for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). In 1992, the squadron was restructured to support the Singapore Army, with the introduction of Singapore's first dedicated armed helicopter, the AS550 Fennec (which has been retired from service).

Gulf War 20th: The War at Sea

Most observers think of the Gulf War as a land and air campaign; surely the naval aspect was secondary. In fact it was primary: Without the seapower, the war could not have been fought at all. For the United States, seapower is, above all, about access to the world beyond our shores. In an age of air transportation, it is too easy to forget that most heavy goods still travel by sea, because that is by far the easiest way to move them. It still only pays to move very valuable lightweight cargo – such as people – by air. It would, for example, be unimaginable to try to move an air base, with its airplanes and its resources, along a highway or through the air. Yet an aircraft carrier is exactly that, a moving air base.

Ships of Task Force 155 during Operation Desert Storm, including the carriers Saratoga, America, and John F. Kennedy. DoD photo.

Britain wants to cooperate with India in Navy ship building

NEW DELHI (PTI): Britain Friday said it wanted to extend cooperation with India in the field of naval ship building.

"There is a considerable scope. There are common things like the way we build ships in the UK. The way we operate is common with the way India does. We do think that naval area is one where there are immense opportunities," British High Commissioner to India Richard Stagg told reporters here.

India and the UK have had a long Navy-to-Navy relationship as both the aircraft carriers which the Indian Navy has operated were earlier in service with the British Navy.

India, which has embarked on a major modernisation plan for its armed forces, has emerged as a favourite with various defence equipment-manufacturing countries with its plan of spending over USD 100 billion on defence in the next ten years.

Pirates took Danish sailors hostages

All six crewmembers of Danish cargo shipLeopard attacked by pirates on Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden were captured and brought to pirate mothership which is a former Thai trawler. That was reported on Thursday by Danish news agency Ritzaus Bureau. 

The crew consists of two Danish and four Filipinos. Danish foreign ministry refused to comment the incident, probably for reasons of the hostages' safety, reports the agency. 

According to various sources, Turkish marines from NATO joint naval force boarded MV Leopard on Thursday but found neither the crew nor pirates. 

The vessel is operated by Shipcraft. According to the company's website, four ships of its fleet are used for transportation of hazardous, military, and nuclear cargoes. 

On Wednesday Somali pirates hijacked Indian-flagged fishing vessel Al Musa. The assault was carried out in the Arabian Sea near Oman. All 14 crewmen were taken hostages. According to Indian Navy, the ship sailed from Gujarat (India) to the Persian Gulf. Totally, in 2010 pirates attacked 130 commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea which is twice as large as in 2007, reports ITAR-TASS.

Global Maritime Crime Update: 6 – 14 January 2011

PERU:

• Vehicle carrier was robbed 9 Jan at Callao anchorage, Peru.

NIGERIA:

• Chemical tanker robbed and hijacked 11 Jan 15NM off  Lagos, Nigeria.
• Two fishing trawlers were attacked and boarded on 10 Jan 11 while at the Fairway Buoy off of Bonny, Nigeria
• Chemical tanker was boarded and robbed 9 Jan while at anchorage 7NM off Lagos, Nigeria.

RED SEA:

• Bulk carrier (ORIENT CRUSADER) was fired upon 10 Jan approximately 31NM NE of Al Hudaydah, Yemen.

INDIAN OCEAN:

• Vessel (LEOPARD) was fired upon and boarded 12 Jan approximately 263NM ESE of Salalah, Oman
• Tanker (ALPINE PERSEFONE) was attacked 11 Jan approximately 380NM west of Goa, India
• Tanker (BARBAROSA) was fired upon 11 Jan approximately 290NM east of Salalah, Oman.
• Bulk carrier (HONG OCEAN) was chased 8 approximately 115NM SE of Salalah, Oman
• Tanker (BW BAUHINIA) was attacked 7 Jan approximately 180NM ESE of Ras al Hadd, Oman
• Bulk carrier (ACHILLEAS) was fired upon 6 Jan approximately 220NM ESE of Ras Al Hadd, Oman.
• LPG Carrier (BW AUSTRIA) was fired upon 6 Jan at approximately 205NM ESE of Ras Al Hadd, Oman.
• Tanker (FRONT WARRIOR) was fired upon 6 Jan approximately 503NM NE of Mumbai, India.

GULF OF ADEN:

• Oil supply ship (BOURBON HESTIA) was chased 12 Jan approximately 50NM SW of Aden, Yemen
• Oil supply ship (BOURBON HECTOR) was chased 12 Jan approximately 50NM SW of Aden, Yemen

Further details can be found in the ONI Report posted in the Forum.

US able to destroy North Korea missiles

WASHINGTON — The United States would be able to destroy North Korea’s long-range missile capabilities if it decides they pose too great a threat, the top US general in South Korea said in an interview released Thursday.

The comments come after US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, on a visit this week to North Korea’s main ally China, warned that Pyongyang was expected to be able to hit the continental United States within five years.

“What we have to be prepared to do is to be able to, number one, deter. But if deterrence doesn’t work, be prepared to respond,” General Walter Sharp, commander of the US forces in Korea, told the “PBS Newshour” on US public television.

Asked if the United States could destroy North Korea missile sites if it chose to, Sharp said: “The alliance has that, that capability to be able to do that.”

Iran commissioned new coastal defense missile systems

New coastal defense missile systems were commissioned in Iran, report Iranian news agencies. 

Iranian defense minister Ahmad Vahidi and naval force commander Admiral Habibollah Sayari attended the commission ceremony held on Jan 3, reports ITAR-TASS. 

"New systems are products of the national defense industry. They are equipped with state-of-the-art radar systems and are capable to detect, track, and hit several targets at once", said the defense minister at the press conference. He reminded about Iran's long sea border which needs reliable protection. 

There was not reported about operational range of new Iranian missiles. 

When on June 9, 2010 UN Security Council adopted a resolution introducing additional sanctions against Iran, Russia canceled obligations of contract signed in 2007; that contract provided deliveries of Russian SAM systems S-300 to Iran. Afterwards, Iranian military officials said they would apply all energies to develop their own long-range air defense systems.

Photo Release: First Vertical Landing For BF-2

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Fred Schenk pilots F-35B test aircraft 

BF-2 for its first vertical landing in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode on January 6,

2011. The F-35B is undergoing testing and evaluation during the program’s system design 

and development phase at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Photo courtesy Phaedra Loftis

(Lockheed Martin).

Japan to hold naval drills in East China Sea

TOKYO (BNS): Japan will hold a naval drill involving US warships in the East China Sea on Monday, the Defence Ministry has said.

The exercise to be held to the west of the Kyushu Island will involve USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), a US Navy Nimitz class super carrier capable of carrying 90 fighter jets and helicopters, and US destroyers, it said.

According to media reports, the drills are aimed at deterring possible naval operations by North Korea and China.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high following the shelling of South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island by the North in November last year.

Warship Design, Build, Modernisation and Repair

BMT Defence Services
The Aegir® family of naval support vessel designs enables navies to replenish ships at sea while complying with IMO environmental regulations; designed to commercial rules, they may be built in any large yard. Aegir® image © BMT Defence Services 2008, Image Credit: DefenceImaging.com.	BMT is a partner in the UK SSMG, maintaining and upgrading all in-service RN nuclear submarines; we also designed, and managed the introduction of the RN's first dry deck hangar. Submarine and DDH image © NAVYPIX	BMT spends double its sector average on research. Caimen 200 is a recent BMT design for a fast Landing Craft Tank (LCT), capable of achieving a transit speed of more than 16 knots fully laden with up to three Main Battle Tanks (MBT). Caimen® image © BMT Defence Services 2008, Image Credit: DefenceImaging.com
Verifiable independence means BMT can be a customer friend to governments or work for any defence prime from concept through to disposal or as a critical partner where we actively transfer knowledge and expertise. Vidar®-36, our design for a large, ocean-going SSK, demonstrates we know what we advise others about. Vidar® image © BMT Defence Services 2008, Image Credit: DefenceImaging.com	Assessing how technologies mature is a familiar activity at BMT, supported by our technology watch programmes and the integration knowledge of our systems engineers (supported by tools such as TeMAP® developed by our own software solutions experts). Image © BMT Defence Services, Image Credit: Criterion
DCNS Group
As a prime contractor for integrated warships, DCNS draws on extensive in-house expertise in naval architecture, warship systems engineering, ship assembly and integration, and equipment design and production.	DCNS offers a vast portfolio of naval systems, subsystems and equipment.	DCNS is applying existing know-how to new areas of energy with strong prospects, including civil nuclear energy and marine renewable energy.
FHS
German Frigate 124 with FHS helicopter handling system.	Our helicopter handling system fixes the main gear and our landing grid fixes the helicopter.	Reliable technology.
German support supply vessel EGV 702 with FHS hangar door.	We provide a comprehensive range of doors and hatches for the marine industry.
Intermarine
The Gaeta Class, built for the Italian Navy, is a class of mine countermeasure vessels with unique technology built and supplied in a number of customised variants.	The new MCMVs under construction for the Finnish Navy are equipped with a wide range of fully-integrated mine countermeasures equipment and hydrographic sensors, as well as autonomous underwater vehicles.	28 units of the CP25 25m aluminium patrol boat have been built for the Italian Coast Guard; they have three diesel engines, two lateral fixed-pitch propellers and one central booster waterjet.
The Aretusa, the first of the hydro-oceanographic ships built for the Italian Navy.	The MV115, which is built in composite material and in three variants, is especially suitable for law-enforcement duties and for patrolling missions in blue waters.
J+S Ltd
J+S offers a comprehensive mix of engineering disciplines to address customer problems.	By applying the full breadth of our system, mechanical, software, electronic and acoustic engineering skills we are able to provide innovative solutions to a range of naval sensor, weapon system, communication, test and simulation requirements.	J+S Ltd combine comprehensive in-house engineering development skills with equipment support solutions and bespoke production capabilities to deliver cost effective, capable and robust solutions to a range of customer requirements.
Navantia
Navantia designs, builds and repairs a wide range of ships for navies all over the world.	Navantia also specialize in vessel energy and propulsion systems, weapons systems, and platform control systems.	Navantia design and build some of the most high-tech vessels in the world.
NAVDEX 2011
NAVDEX - the dedicated naval defence and coastal security exhibition launches in February 2011.	Live on-water and amphibious demonstrations will take place daily at the marina beach.	Co-located with IDEX the largest tri-service defence exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa.
NAVDEX will attract high profile visitors and official delegations.	Visiting naval vessels will attend NAVDEX 2011.
Sener
Navantia is building five Nansen Class anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy (Courtesy of Navantia - formerly Izar).	Ship design for Norwegian Coast Guard (Courtesy of Langsten Aker Yards).	FORAN was used in the design of the Scorpene Class Submarine (Courtesy of Navantia formerly Izar).
Hull form example of a SWATH vessel.	FORAN is the leading edge CAD / CAM / CAE technology in shipbuilding (Courtesy of Severnoye DB).
SSPA
The design of the Visby class corvette is one example of the long and successful tradition of co-operation between SSPA and the Swedish Defence Material Administration and the Royal Swedish Navy.	The hydromechanics design work of the IZAR P650 submarine included extensive model tests, development of propeller geometry, manoeuvring simulations and speed power predictions carried out by SSPA.	Design and model experiments on pumpjets for submarine designs have been conducted by SSPA.
The 65-knots fast 36m motor yacht 118 Wally Power was a milestone in yacht design: the SSPA predictions based on model tests were fully proven at sea trials.	Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations of wave pattern signature and pressure distribution on a 60m generic submarine travelling at 8 knots in shallow water; SSPA utilises the CFD codes SHIPFLOW and FLUENT.
STX Canada Marine
PV50 “Hamina” class coastal patrol Vessel for the Finnish Navy	PV62 – 30kn fast attack craft developed for the Taiwanese Navy.	PV75 offshore patrol vessels CGS “Vigilant” for the Mauritius Coast Guard.
PV80 offshore patrol vessel L.E. “Niamh” for the Irish naval service	PV85 offshore patrol vessel RNZS “Wellington” for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Western Boat Builders
Western Boat Builders are able to manufacture a wide range of military and paramilitary vessels.	Western Boat Builders have the maritime boat design resources available through naval architect and maritime design firms such as Southerly Design.	Whatever the final design you select we are able to manufacture your military vessel to the highest standards.