First Chinese carrier would possibly join Southern Fleet

The first Chinese aircraft carrier most likely will be commissioned into China's Southern Fleet which is responsible for the South China Sea, reported Chinese news agencies referring to ex-director of Taiwanese Navy's intelligence department. 

"First carrier can join Southern Fleet", stated the expert. As for the Taiwanese expert, with acquiring a capable aircraft carrier Chinese Navy would have an opportunity not only to operate in the Taiwan Strait but to attack poorly-defended east coast of the island. On the other hand, it is still uncertain when the Chinese carrier would become operable, pointed out the expert. 

China's official media sources have recently started to publish photos of the first national aircraft carrier, which had not been officially recognized before

Read more

Philippine Navy to buy Hamilton class patrol craft from the US

Philippine Navy holds negotiations with US military authorities with a view to acquire the first of written-off Hamilton class USCG patrol crafts, reports Jane's Navy International. 

US Coast Guard (USCG) is about to decommission four Hamilton class ships in 2011: USCGC Hamilton, USCGC Chase, USCGC Rush, and USCGC Jarvis. In prospect, those ships will be replaced with eight newLegend class patrol crafts; two of them have already been commissioned into US Coast Guard. 

Hamilton class cutters were offered for sale and Philippine Navy sent a request, confirmed USCG. Officially, the delivery under Foreign Military Sales program will be formally declared in the nearest months. In case of positive decision, the 115-meter long ship will be the most powerful in Philippine Navy. 

Philippines expect the ship to arrive at Manila in the first half of 2011. Supposedly, the ship will replace the flagship Rajah Humabon (American Cannon class patrol craft built in 1943). 

US Navy’s aircraft carrier to take part in military drills with South Korea

SEOUL (BNS): US Navy's Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Ronald Reagan will take part in the ongoing annual military drill in South Korea.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group arrived in the US 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Wednesday. The AOR spans 48 million square miles, from the International Date Line to the Western Indian Ocean.

The carrier strike group (CSG) is comprised of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, which includes USS Preble (DDG 88).

While in the 7th Fleet, the group will conduct exercises and port visits to enhance maritime partnerships and promote peace and stability in the region, the Navy said.

It will participate in the Foal Eagle military exercise with South Korea.

The annual field training exercise which began on February 28 “highlights the longstanding military partnership and enduring friendship between the United States and Republic of Korea,” the US Navy statement said.

Aircraft Carriers Face Growing Threats

On the American ballistic submarine USS Maine in waters off the Florida coast not too long ago, two submariners eyed a U.S. aircraft carrier through their periscope in the roiling sea. “I think it’s the Washington,” one submariner said. “It doesn’t matter — it doesn’t know we’re here,” the other replied, eyeing the carrier through the scope. “Bang,” he said. “You’re dead.”

In the submarine world, carriers, like other surface ships, represent targets. But lately U.S. aircraft carriers have appeared to be growing more vulnerable to threats deployed from under the sea and in the air.

And those threats have to be taken even more seriously, given recent U.S. government reports about the advancements made in some of those weapons and questioning the carrier fleet’s ability to protect itself.