Submariners practice world-class rescue skills*

The Royal Australian Navy's Submarine Force has exercised responses to the unlikely event of a submarine incident at sea, after completing an intensive four week training exercise which demonstrated the 

submarine escape and rescue capability. 

During Exercise BLACK CARRILLON 15, members of the Navy's Submarine Force transferred crew from HMAS Rankin, utilising the James Fisher Submarine Rescue System submersible, LR5. 

The exercise also involved two six-person teams escaping from a bottomed submarine using fitted submarine escape equipment. The exercise was also attended by experts from 12 different submarine operating nations.

For the first time, the exercise involved the recently acquired Defence Maritime Services operated intervention ship, MV Besant, which was able to demonstrate the significant capability it brings to submarine escape. Besant would be one of the first vessels on scene in the event a submarine crew needs to escape from the disabled submarine prior to rescue.

If the situation in the disabled submarine is stable, Besant will use on board equipment to assess the situation and develop a rescue plan enabling LR5 to commence personnel transfer from the stricken submarine almost immediately upon arriving at the scene. LR5 is currently transferred to the site utilising the larger rescue ship MV Seahorse Standard.

MV Seahorse Standard is due to be replaced by the new rescue ship MV Stoker, which is currently undergoing final fit-out and is due to join MV Besant at Fleet Base West, south of Perth, Western Australia, in 

February 2016. 

Commander Submarine Force, Captain Matt Buckley, hailed the exercise as a success. 

"During the series of exercises we were able to re-affirm that our existing capability can save lives in the unlikely event that we ever experience a submarine incident requiring the evacuation of submariners," he said.

"Key exercise outcomes were achieved, and new equipment was proven, validating the process and procedures we have in place to ensure we get the right equipment on site in a timely manner to enable personnel to evacuate a disabled submarine. 

"Exercising our organic capabilities along with continued close cooperation with international partners in submarines escape and rescue ensures that we continually refine and improve our ability to deploy the submarine rescue system. 

"This is important part of proving we have an effective and seaworthy escape and rescue system and generates confidence across the Submarine 

Enterprise," Captain Buckley said.

* Notícia publicada al web de la Royal Australian Navy. Compartim aquesta notícia per subratllar la importància de la formació del personal en qualsevol força. En el cas de les tripulacions de submarins, els exercicis de escapament/rescat ajuden també a millorar la confiança, un intangible decisiu.

This infographic gives some interesting details about the four NATO exercises taking place in Eastern Europe*

By David Cenciotti

A series of training events is taking place in eastern Europe.

NATO and regional Allies are involved in a series of training events in eastern Europe that go under the name of Allied Shield.

Allied Shield is a series of exercises that includes:

Exercise NOBLE JUMP, the first training deployment of Allied high-readiness units under the new Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) framework.

BALTOPS, a major Allied naval exercise in Poland that sees the involvement of the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command’s B-52 Stratofortress bombers deployed to RAF Fairford, in UK, as well as NATO AWACS, US F-16s used as OPFOR (opposing forces), P-3 and P-8 Maritime patrol aircraft, German Tornados, Swedish Gripen and US KC-135 tankers.

SABER STRIKE, a big land exercise with forces scattered across the Baltic States.

TRIDENT JOUST, a NRF (NATO Response Force) command and control exercise in Romania.

According to NATO, approximately 15,000 troops from 19 different allied countries and 3 partner nations are taking part (or about to) in this series of training events whose purposes are “defensive and are a part of NATO’s assurance measures in response to challenges on NATO’s southern and eastern periphery.”

In other words, these are just some of the measures NATO has taken in the region to reassure local allies threatened by Russia.

Click here to open a larger version of the infographic.

Image credit: de Volkskrant

* Infografia publicada a The Aviationist. No hi trobeu a faltar ningú? Segur? Mireu bé. Pista: surt en la notícia anterior.

Nato partners start anti-submarine warfare exercise off Norwegian coast*

Naval forces from approximately ten Nato allies and Sweden have commenced a large-scale anti-submarine warfare exercise off the coast of Norway.
Code-named Dynamic Mongoose, the annual exercise involves four submarines from Germany, Norway, Sweden and the US, alongside 13 surface ships from Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, as well as the UK and the US.
In addition, two research vessels, one Norwegian and one Nato-owned, are participating in the exercise, which focuses on detecting and defending against submarines.
The drill aims to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare skills.
During the two-week exercise, the participating vessels will conduct a variety of anti-submarine warfare operations, ranging from warships against submarine scenarios, submarine against submarine scenarios and aircraft against submarines scenarios.
The submarines will take turns trying to approach and target the ships undetected, simulating an attack.
"It will allow us to exercise our anti-submarine warfare capabilities in a complex and challenging environment."
Standing Nato Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) commander rear admiral Brad Williamson said: "Exercise Dynamic Mongoose is a great training opportunity for SNMG2 ships that will allow us to further integrate with other Nato forces to enhance our interoperability and ability to effectively respond to potential submarine threats to our Nato allies.
"It will allow us to exercise our anti-submarine warfare capabilities in a complex and challenging environment."
Norwegian fleet commander commodore Ole Morten Sandquist said: "The presence of Nato in Norwegian waters will enhance interoperability and will allow Nato to familiarise with Norwegian waters."
As the host nation, Norway is providing support from the Haakonsvern Naval Base and the Sola Air Base, located near Bergen, while France and Germany have also deployed maritime patrol aircraft for the exercise.
Exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2015 is scheduled to conclude on 14 May.

*Notícia publicada a Naval Technology. Sembla que les sorpreses de la darrera tardor han fet que Suècia s'incorpori als exercicis ASW de l'OTAN. Sigui com sigui, a uns i altres els hi interessa no oblidar aquesta tasca cabdal de la guerra naval.

Chinese and Russian Navies to Conduct First Ever Mediterranean Surface Exercises in May

Joint Sea 2015-I will be the first time the two navies have trained in the Mediterranean and is a sign of deepening military-to-military cooperation between Russia and China.

“The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen the pragmatic cooperation between China and Russia and to improve the capabilities of the two navies to deal with maritime threats,” said ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Geng Yansheng on Thursday.

“What needs to be stressed is that, the joint exercise is not targeting any third party and not related to the regional situation.”

The exercises were announced in November following a meeting between Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan in Beijing.

Following the meeting, Shoigu said U.S. rebalance to the Pacific was a primary concern of both countries.

“We believe that the main goal of pooling our effort is to shape a collective regional security system,” according to the Russian TASS news agency.

“We also expressed concern over U.S. attempts to strengthen its military and political clout in the [Asia-Pacific Region].”

China plans to send the Type 54A Jiangkai II frigates Linyi, Weifang and fleet oiler Weishanhu —currently performing merchant convoy duty off of the Gulf of Aden — to the exercise, Geng said.

It’s unclear what assets Russia will send.

“The drilling items in the exercise include maritime defense, maritime replenishment, escort actions, joint operations to safeguard navigation security as well as real weapon firing drill,” he said.

In addition to the Mediterranean exercise, China and Russia committed to a Pacific exercise later in 2015.

Since the forced annexation of Crimea and a souring relationship with the West, Russia has flexed its surface muscle more in the last year sending more ships further afield than it has in decades — including sending the guided missile cruiser Moscow (or Moskva) to conduct live fire drills in the South China Sea.

Likewise, China continues to venture beyond its regional waters conducting anti-piracy missions near Somalia and drilling with the Iranian Navy.

China and Russia began a regular exercise schedule in 2012 and have since drilled in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea.

* Notícia publicada al US Naval Institute. Com us avançavem fa uns mesos, els exercicis conjunts de Rússia i la Xina a la Mediterrància tiren endavant. Una recordatori més que els buits estratègics, sempre acaben omplint-se.

PLA has spent 10 years to build a blue-water navy: US expert*

Christopher Sharman, a former US assistant navy attache to Beijing and a student at National Defense University, discussed the five major steps China has taken to establish a global navy since 2004 in his new article written for the Washington-based National Interest magazine.

Between 2004 and 2006, the People's Liberation Army Navy kept itself within the region known as the First Island Chain in the Pacific, extending from Alaska to the Philippines, to avoid direct confrontation with the United States and its security partners. But the PLA Navy enhanced training in disciplines that enabled it to take steps toward conducting operations further from China's coast into the "blue water" of the open ocean, he wrote.

The PLA Navy then took its initial steps into the Western Pacific between 2007 and 2009, when it expanded its area of training operations into the Philippine Sea beyond the First Island Chain. Holding exercises in this region enhanced the PLA Navy's ability to operate in unfamiliar waters. At the same time, it also helped to develop the logistics and command and control systems necessary for operations further from home, Sharman said.

Next, the PLA Navy took steps to normalize its deployments in the Western Pacific between 2010 and 2012. Sharman said it increased the frequency, complexity and its confidence in executing blue-water operations in the region. While the exercises in the Philippine Sea between 2007 and 2009 appeared to be relatively one-dimensional with surface ship against surface ship, the exercises from 2010 through 2012 became multi-dimensional with the participation of aircraft, warships and submarines.

After that, the PLA Navy integrated land-based fixed wing aircraft into Philippine Sea exercises and executed the first Western Pacific exercise that involved all three naval fleets operating simultaneously between 2013 and 2014. Furthermore, PLA surface combat vessels were for the first time deployed to the Indian Ocean for counter-piracy operations around the Gulf of Aden, Sharman noted.

Sharman concluded by saying that the normalization of the PLA Navy's operations in the Western Pacific and the experience of counter-piracy missions has given China the requisite experience, confidence and proficiency to defend China through the operationalization of far seas defense capabilities. This will also allow China to eventually establish a navy with global power projection, he said.

*Notícia publicada a Want China Times. Una perspectiva concisa del procés d'aprenentatge que ha convertit la PLAN en una "Blue Water Navy".

PLA warships take part in the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the Indian Ocean on April 3, 2014, another example of how PLA vessels are being deployed in different types of operations further from home. (Photo/CNS)

SNMG2 Arrives in Barcelona for a Port Visit*

BARCELONA, Spain – Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) ships arrived in Barcelona today for a port visit and to prepare to join forces with France’s Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group for a short period of combined exercises.

SNMG2 leadership will meet with local Allied authorities to discuss items of mutual benefit. Additionally, the groups’ crew members will enjoy a friendly basketball game with a local police force, and explore the city and surrounding areas.

“This visit is an excellent opportunity to engage with our Allies here in Spain, both on a professional and personal level,” said Commander, SNMG2, Rear Admiral Brad Williamson. “We also look forward to our exercises with the French Navy following this visit.”

Upon departure from Barcelona, SNMG2 will operate in conjunction with Task Force (TF) 473, France’s Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group. TF 473 and SNMG2 will conduct a series of exercises formulated to improve cohesion among NATO maritime forces. SNMG2 will then accompany TF 473 as it sails in the Mediterranean en route to support national tasking.

“We will be doing normal underway operations together such as replenishment at sea, coordinated anti-submarine exercises, and air-defence exercises,” said Lt. Grahame Flint, SNMG2 Staff Anti-submarine Warfare officer. “Operating with Allied forces is always a great learning experience and can make a positive impact on how well we can work together in the future on large scale exercises and operations”

SNMG2 is currently comprised of flagship USS Vicksburg (CG 69), Turkish ship TCG Turgutreis (F 241), and Canadian ship HMCS Fredericton (FFH 337) and is deployed in the Mediterranean serving as NATO’s maritime force dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

For more information about SNMG2, visit "standing NATO Maritime Group 2" on Facebook.

*Notícia publicada al NATO Maritime Command. Considerem una bona notícia el retorn progressiu de vaixells de guerra als ports catalans, tot un símptoma de normalitat.

Russia and China to Hold 2015 Naval Exercises in Mediterranean, Pacific*

By: Sam LaGrone

Russia and China have committed to a pair of 2015 naval exercises as a sign of growing military cooperation between the two countries, Russia’s minister of defense said this week.

“We plan to conduct a regular joint naval exercise in the Mediterranean next spring,” said Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, according to the Russian TASS news agency.
“Another joint naval drill is planned in the Pacific.”

The announcement from Shoigu follows a Beijing meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan in which the two countries pledged greater military-to-military cooperation against the backdrop of the so-called U.S. rebalance to the Pacific.

“We believe that the main goal of pooling our effort is to shape a collective regional security system,” Shoigu said.
“We also expressed concern over U.S. attempts to strengthen its military and political clout in the [Asia-Pacific Region].”

Shoigu did not specify the nature of the exercises but Russia and China completed a bilateral exercise in May.

Joint Sea Exercise 2014 was the third between the Russian Navy and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) since 2011 and featured 14 surface ships, two submarines, nine fixed wing aircraft as well as helicopters and special operation forces (SOF), state controlled Xinhua news service wrote in May.

The new exercises are part of a trend that, “has visibly expanded and gained a systemic character,” Shoigu said.

Russian president Vladimir Putin indicated the same earlier this year.

“It would be no exaggeration if I said that the cooperation between our two countries is at its highest level in history,” he said in May.

Russia has stepped up its surface presence in Asia in the last few months.

Earlier in October, the Black Sea flagship — guided missile cruiser Moscow (or Moskva) — conducted rare live fire drills in the South China Sea.

Russia also sent a flotilla of four surface ships off of the territorial of Australia ahead of the G-20 summit in Brisbane.

For its part, China has also ventured further abroad.

In late October, Chinese and Iranian military leaders pledged greater cooperation following limited bilateral naval exercises in September.

Shoigu said Russian deepening military ties with China was essential for regional security.

“Amid a highly volatile world situation, it becomes particularly important to strengthen reliable good-neighborly relations between our countries,” Shoigu said.
“This is not only an important factor for security of states but also a contribution to peace and stability on the Eurasian continent and beyond.”

Rear Adm. Du Xiping (front right), deputy commander of China’s Beihai Fleet, shakes hands with Capt. 1st Rank Sergei Yuriyevich Zhuga of Russia’s Pacific Fleet during a welcome ceremony at a naval base in Qingdao, in east China’s Shandong Province, on April 21, 2012. Xinhua Photo

* Notícia publicada al US Naval Institute. Per algú ho havia oblidat, el buit estratègic acostuma a omplir-se

Navy ship ordered back to Canada after misconduct by sailors*

The head of the Royal Canadian Navy has taken the rare step of ordering one of its ships to return from an international exercise because of misconduct by its sailors.

Vice Admiral Mark Norman issued the message Monday, citing three incidents involving the crew of HMCS Whitehorse that took place during Exercise RIMPAC 2014.

The message, leaked to the Ottawa Citizen, also noted that Norman was appointing a senior officer to look at what is behind recent incidents involving the breakdown of professional and personal conduct in the navy.

RIMPAC is the world’s largest multinational naval exercise and takes place mainly in Hawaii. But some aspects of the exercise are conducted off the coast of California and on July 1, HMCS Whitehorse was docked in San Diego.

Whitehorse arrived early Monday at its home port of CFB Esquimalt, B.C., navy officials confirmed Monday night.

Norman didn’t provide details about the incidents in question.

Navy officials, however, told the Citizen that two occurred on board the ship. The other involved the arrest of a Canadian sailor by U.S. police.

In his message, Norman said he recently reflected with tremendous satisfaction about the many recent accomplishments of navy personnel, both at home and abroad.

“And so, it is with great disappointment that I must now signal why I took the difficult decision to return HMCS Whitehorse to Esquimalt from Exercise RIMPAC 2014, following three incidents of personal misconduct ashore,” he wrote in the navy-wide message to sailors. “While the actions of a few sailors in Whitehorse was the trigger for my decision, I recalled her home because I am troubled that across the RCN a small number of our personnel have fallen short of the timeless expectations of naval service and have failed in their roles as ambassadors of their navy and country — no matter where they serve.”

Norman said in his message he is satisfied that when incidents of personal misconduct occur, they are addressed by individual commanders quickly, firmly and fairly.

But he wrote that when such incidents are considered collectively, they raise a deeper concern. Norman noted that such incidents could distract the navy from operational excellence and put the health and safety of individuals at risk.

Because of that, Norman said he is appointing a senior officer to conduct a review of “policies and procedures that underpin the hands-on leadership of our personnel.”

That reviewing officer will “ensure that we are doing everything we can, and should, to provide clear expectations and direction for all personnel as it relates to professional conduct and responsibility, both on and off duty,” he added.

Norman noted that the actions of sailors reflect not only on themselves but as well on the navy and Canada.

Norman will receive the preliminary findings from the review in September.

He noted that the vast majority of sailors are “exemplary ambassadors” for Canada but the navy must go further in reinforcing what is and is not acceptable conduct.

There have been other high-profile incidents of misconduct recently. In May a Royal Canadian Navy officer was given a severe reprimand and a $5,000 fine for deserting his post on a supply vessel after alleging he faced harassment and ridicule.

Lieut. Derek de Jong told his court martial that prior to deserting on Sept. 17, 2012, he was subjected to behaviour that at one point involved a female colleague urinating in his cabin. HMCS Preserver was docked at Key West, Fla., when he left the ship.

The navy later said it would investigate the urination incident.

Canada is contributing a frigate, submarine, aircraft and maritime coastal defence vessels to the RIMPAC 2014 exercise, which ends in August. HMCS Whitehorse is a maritime coast defence vessel.

Twenty-two nations, 49 surface ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC, according to the U.S. Navy.

* Notícia publicada a Ottawa Citizen. El fet que el Canadà faci tornar una de les seves naus per un cas d'indisciplina, lluny de preocupar-nos, és una bona mostra de que la marina d'aquell país es preocupa molt del seu personal. Qui mínimament conegui la RCN, no se'n estranyarà. Aplaudim la brevetat i la discreció amb que l'almirallat canadenc condueix aquest afer.

NATO Tested Submarine Capacities in Dynamic Mongoose-14*

21/02/2014 Exercise DYNAMIC MONGOOSE 14
NATO Tested Submarine Capacities in Dynamic Mongoose-14

BERGEN, Norway - NATO’s submarine warfare Exercise DYNAMIC MONGOOSE 2014 (DMON 14) concluded today off the coast of Norway, as the ships, submarines, aircraft, and personnel from eight participating Allied nations wrapped up the simulations and began to take stock of the lessons the exercise provided for future operations.

Rough weather provided a challenging environment for the participants, who were given the opportunity to train for a variety of high end maritime warfighting skills. During the exercise, the participating surface ships also had the opportunity to conduct the difficult manoeuvres involved in replenishment-at-sea (RAS) training.

Submarines from Portugal, Norway and France, under operational control of Commander Submarines NATO (COMSUBNATO), and surface ships from Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Poland under the command of Standing NATO Maritime Group ONE (SNMG-1) Commodore Nils Andreas Stensønes simulated combat against one another in a stressful multi-threat environment.

The increasingly challenging exercise scenario incorporated several warfighting areas, including submarine detection, tracking and engagements of surface units and other submarines, aircraft detection, tracking and attacking of submarines, as well as naval task groups escorting high value units and protecting them from the submarine threat. The exercise challenged participants’ ability to seamlessly integrate multinational forces, including submarines, ships and aircraft into a coherent fighting force.

“During this exercise, SNMG-1 has grown from two to a task group of ten vessels. This demonstrates how the group can seamlessly integrate vessels from Allied nations and expand in accordance with the demands of the current situation,” said Commodore Stensønes. “The contributions from all the nations have been outstanding. I believe we have made a significant step forward in anti-submarine warfare capability, as single units, as an integrated task group with ships and aircraft and as a task force.”

Maritime Patrol Aircraft and helicopters operating from Sola Air Base under operational command of NATO Maritime Air Command (COMMARAIR) added to the complexity and realism of the training by incorporating the air element of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

“We appreciate the excellent host nation support Norway provided for ships, submarines, and aircraft from Haakonsvern Navy Base in Bergen and Air Station Sola in Stavanger. This is an ideal venue for such exercises, and our Norwegian Allies are superb hosts,” said Rear Admiral Bob Kamensky, COMSUBNATO. “Moreover, the contribution of all participating units and personnel from Norway, Portugal, Poland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States provided a great opportunity for all units to test and hone their skills, equipment and tactical procedures in such a complex war environment.”

* Notícia publicada al web de l'OTAN. Els exercicis seriosos, especialment de submarins, són tota un bon fonament de dissuasió.

Italian warship training Mozambican Navy*

by Dean Wingrin, February 10, 10:04 am

The Italian Navy vessel Borsini is in Mozambican waters for the next two months as it trains the southern African nation's small navy, following the signature of a maritime collaboration agreement between the two countries.

The 30th Naval Group of the Italian Navy, comprising the aircraft carrier Cavour (CVH550), frigate Bergamini (F590), patrol ship Borsini (P491) and supply ship Etna (A5326), left Italy on 13 November on a circumnavigation of the African continent. Commanded by Rear Admiral Paolo Treu, the Naval Group arrived in Maputo, Mozambique, on 27 January.

Titled "A Country on the Move", the Naval Group is a joint Italian Navy and industry campaign involving multiple objectives, such as training, maritime security operations, confidence building, naval diplomacy, humanitarian assistance and the promotion of Italian industry.

The technical agreement for collaboration with the Mozambique Navy was signed by the Italian Chief of Navy during his visit to Maputo between 28 and 30 January.

In terms of the agreement, the Italian and the Mozambican navies will carry out naval cooperation activities in Mozambican waters for two months. In particular, training will be organized at sea and on land with specific emphasis placed on anti-piracy and patrolling in Mozambican territorial waters. Other areas of cooperative training include protection of commercial shipping, the fight against trafficking and rescue at sea.

The Italian Navy has experience with anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean, being a participant in Operation Atalanta, the European Union's counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia.

As a result of the cooperation agreement, the patrol ship Borsini detached from the Naval Group on 1 February and will remain in Mozambican waters for the next two months.

Speaking to defenceWeb, Treu said that the Borsini will be helping the Mozambican Navy to grow. "It's a small navy, so we are trying to provide them (with) our experience in maritime security operations, in particularly in anti-piracy activities and protecting the ships from terrorist attacks," he said.

In light of the recent natural gas deposits discovered in Mozambique, Treu noted that the country has to learn how to protect its resources.

"We are there just to help them grow as a navy, providing them with our experience," he explained. "We will show them how to perform operations (like anti-piracy patrols). If there is a real event going on, of course we could be tasked to do a real operation to fight piracy in case of need," he continued.

The South African Navy, supported by the South African Air Force, has maintained a permanent anti-piracy patrol in the Mozambique Channel since early 2011, under Operation Copper. The frigate SAS Spioenkop is currently on station.

Having departed Maputo on 31 January, the three remaining vessels of the Naval Group arrived in Cape Town on 5 February.

Following their departure from Cape Town on 11 February, the Naval Group will continue its circumnavigation of the African continent, visiting Luanda in Angola next.

Mozambique's small navy has only a few serviceable vessels, including two Namacurra boats (donated by South Africa), eight patrol vessels (including RHIBs) and a Conejera class patrol craft (Pebane - donated by Spain). However, last year French firm Constructions Mecaniques de Normandie (CMN) was given a $200 million contract to build three Ocean Eagle 43 patrol vessels, three HSI 32 interceptors and 24 CMN 23.5 trawlers for the Mozambican navy. Deliveries are scheduled to take place by 2016.

* Notícia publicada a Defence News. Un altre exemple de col·laboració en matèria de lluïta contra la pirateria. Caldrà veure si aquesta és efectiva, doncs d'això en depèn que les flotes europees puguin reduïr el nombre d'unitats en desplegament permanent a les aigües orientals de l'Àfrica.

Iranian Warships; Heading Towards US Waters*

Iran has ordered a number of its ships to approach US maritime borders in response to American vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, according to a naval official.

The Fars news agency reported overnight on Saturday that several ships are already in the Atlantic and are making their way to the edge of US territorial waters.

The agency said it was part of "Iran's response to Washington's beefed up naval presence in the Persian Gulf."

Admiral Afshin Rezayee Haddad is reported to have said: "Iran's military fleet is approaching the United States' maritime borders, and this move has a message."

Haddad, described as commander of the Iranian navy's northern fleet, said the vessels had started their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean via "waters near South Africa".

The report could not be confirmed independently.

In Washington, a US defence official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, cast doubt on the claims but added that "ships are free to operate in international waters."

Iran has a small navy, made up mostly of aging vessels at least 35 years old and a handful of home-built newer frigates. Some are fitted with Chinese ship-to-ship missiles.

It came as Iran agreed to start addressing UN nuclear agency suspicions that it may have worked on designing a nuclear weapon.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had agreed during talks in Tehran to take seven new practical measures within three months under a November transparency deal.

On Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated the country's stance towards the US.

In a speech to mark the 35th anniversary of the 1979 revolution,  he said American officials who claimed they did not want to see regime change in Iran were 'lying'.

He accused Washington of having a "controlling and meddlesome" attitude towards Iran.

America and Iran have had no official ties since 1980 when Iranian students occupied the US embassy in Tehran, taking 52 diplomats hostage.

Despite his apparent hostility, Mr Khamenei has given his guarded support to talks on Iran's nuclear programme being led by the new reformist government of President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

The moves are seen as further signs that Iran is determined to exert its influence as an emerging regional economic and strategic power in the Middle East.

*Notícia publicada a Sky News. Curiosa resposta iraniana a la rebaixa de les tensions recentment assolida.

In Eastern Indian Ocean Sends Mixed Signals *

Earlier this week, China held a three-ship naval exercise in the Indian Ocean, conducting a series of exercises including combat simulations. According to the Associated Press, the task force then sailed through to the western Pacific by way of the Lombok Strait near Indonesia’s Bali island, approaching the Philippines. Before conducting a five-day exercise in the Indian Ocean, the ships had additionally patrolled the James Shoal, which is currently disputed between China and Malaysia (although Malaysia military officials are reportedly disputing the idea that China patrolled the area in late January).

The task force consisted of the Changbaishan–China’s largest amphibious landing ship–and two destroyers–the Wuhan and Haikou. According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, the ships carried out counter-piracy, search and rescue, and damage control drills. The ships eventually left the Indian Ocean to continue their drills in the Western Pacific Ocean. The Changbaishan is one of the more advanced ships in the PLAN’s fleet and is capable of launching helicopters and amphibious landing craft.

China has conducted naval drills in the Indian Ocean in the past but has generally focused on restricting these to its western waters, by the Gulf of Aden. For example, an exercise in August 2013 saw the U.S. and Chinese navies jointly practice counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden which is generally a hot region for pirates based off the Horn of Africa.

These exercises by contrast are potentially far more provocative for India, Australia, and ASEAN states (even though Southeast Asia isn’t bereft of pirates by any means). For India, a Chinese approach in the eastern Indian Ocean raises anxieties about the reach of China’s navy. India regards the eastern Indian Ocean–the space between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Sumatra–as its domain. Any Chinese exercises in this area, particularly combat simulations, will not be taken lightly by New Delhi.

Australia is generally content to accept the Indonesian archipelago as a comfortable buffer zone from the busy sea lanes of the South China Sea. By way of this exercise, China demonstrates an operational ability in Australia’s northern waters which could have implications for Australia in the future. Rory Medcalf of the Lowy Institute, an Australian think-tank, notes that “the precise strategic implications of the Chinese navy’s newly-demonstrated ability to operate in Australia’s northern approaches are open to debate.”

For China, the exercises make perfect sense in its bid to field a blue-water navy capable of operating outside China’s proximate waters. Medcalf notes that while these exercises will surely spook some observers in the region, there is “nothing illegal or fundamentally hostile about what the Chinese navy has just demonstrated.”

Indian observers appear to be more concerned by the exercise. One Indian commentator, Srikanth Kondapalli, notes that the exercise sends a signal to India that China “can come closer to the Andaman & Nicobar joint command through Lombok, and not just through Malacca.” He additionally notes that China could be testing the waters in the eastern Indian Ocean, including its ability to operate some distance away from its bases in the region.

The Hindu’s Ananth Krishnan notes that the exercises could also reflect China’s desire to hedge its reliance on the Strait of Malacca–a major waterway for Middle Eastern oil and other imports. 80 percent of China’s fossil fuel imports travel via the strait. Beijing has already invested heavily in Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh to better connect itself with the Indian Ocean. Generally speaking, China hasn’t seen the less-trafficked straits of Lombok, Sunda, and Makassar to the south as vital to its so-called “Malacca dilemma,” but this could be changing.

* Article publicat a The Diplomat. Més enllà de l'anàlisi en qüestió, queda fora de qualsevol dubte que la Xina pot realitzar operacions a llargues distàncies, i ja no de forma excepcional

PLA Navy group begins long-distance exercise*

A group of warships from the People's Liberation Army Navy set sail from a port in Hainan province on Monday and started a long-distance patrol training mission.
The group is composed of several surface warships from the South Sea Fleet: the amphibian landing craft Changbaishan and the missile destroyers Haikou and Wuhan, the PLA Navy said in a statement on Monday.
The training operation will involve a range of tasks, including supportive engagement — assisting other ships that are exchanging fire with hostile forces, said the statement.
They will also practice tactical maneuvers in the South China Sea, the Western Pacific Ocean and the Eastern Indian Ocean.
The group carries three helicopters, a hovercraft and a company of marines. The flagship, the Changbaishan, is the most advanced amphibian landing craft in the Chinese navy, boasting a heavy tonnage and cutting-edge weapons.
The Haikou and Wuhan missile destroyers are capable of defending against enemy aircraft and submarines as well as incoming missiles. They have previously taken part in escort missions in the pirate-plagued Gulf of Aden, as well as a joint drill with the Russian military, according to the PLA Navy statement.
Soon after leaving port, the two destroyers set off to join submarines on an exercise simulating the breaking of a hostile blockade.
"The patrol training mission aims to test the combat capabilities of the navy's ships, submarines and aircraft," said Lieutenant Admiral Jiang Weilie, commander of the South Sea Fleet.
"It is also intended to explore effective methods for long-distance training operations, which have become a regular thing for our navy," he said, adding that the mission is the navy's first long-distance voyage of 2014.

* Notícia publicada a ECNS. El seguiment dels exercicis que realitza una flota, en aquest cas la xinesa, ens pot aportar dades interessants sobre el seu estat de forma, així com de possibles intencions futures.

China's Liaoning aircraft carrier completes sea trials*

China's Liaoning aircraft carrier battle group has completed a series of sea trials in the South China Sea and returned to a People's Liberation Army's naval base in Qingdao, in the Shandong province of China.

The Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, left its home port Qingdao on 26 November 2013.

The aircraft carrier was anchored at a naval base in Sanya, Hainan province, it started mission training on 5 December 2013 and carried out tests as well as training exercises off the coast of Hainan Island for 37 days.

The Liaoning's sea trials were performed along with aircraft, naval vessels and submarines.

Xinhua reports the Chinese navy as saying in a statement, that during the mission, the Liaoning conducted over 100 drills and training exercises.

"The drills tested the structure's stress resistance, sailing speeds in deep water, navigational capabilities and weapons and equipment reliability."

"The drills tested the structure's stress resistance, sailing speeds in deep water, navigational capabilities and weapons and equipment reliability," the statement said.

The statement further said the carrier completed its first comprehensive combat training during the mission and performed a formation drill with other Chinese ships and submarines in the battle group, another first for the Chinese navy.

The Liaoning was supported by the navy's two missile destroyers, the Shenyang and Shijiazhuang, and two missile frigates, the Yantai and Weifang, which participated in the mission.

The use of four ships led military observers to speculate that the navy's carrier battle group has taken shape with the Liaoning as its core, according to the news agency.

* Notícia publicada a Naval Technology. Una fita més en el programa xinès de portaavions: la integració dins un grup naval.

Three Japanese warships in Da Nang *

 

Three Japanese warships arrived at Tien Sa port based in the central Da Nang city on Saturday for a two-day visit to help forge closer links with Vietnam’s naval force.
The squadron comprises training vessel Japanese Defense Ship (JDS) Kashima, two destroyers JDS Shirayuki and JDS Isoyuki, and 750 officers and crew members.
The ships belong to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Training Squadron. Rear Admiral Fumiyuki Kitagawa, who leads the squadron, said that this visit is part of activities marking the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.
During their stay in Da Nang, the squadron’s members will meet the city’s leaders, jointly participate in sea rescue training with local naval forces, and visit some tourist attractions.

* Notícia publicada a tuoitree news. Compartim aquesta notícia per com a seguiment de la ruta de l'Esquadra d'Instucció Japonesa, ara al Vietnam.

La Escuadra de Instrucción japonesa en Barcelona

 

La flotilla de instrucción de la Fuerza Marítima de Autodefensa de Japón recaló en la ciudad condal durante su viaje de circunnavegación
  
28/08/2013.- Entre los días 26 y 29 de agosto permanece atracada en el puerto de Barcelona la Escuadra de Instrucción de la Fuerza Marítima de Autodefensa de Japón (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force o JMSDF). La flotilla está al mando del contralmirante Fumiyuki Kitagawa, y se compone del buque escuela «Kashima» y los destructores «Isoyuki» y «Shirayuki», ambos de la clase «Hatsuyuki», éste último fue convertido en buque escuela en 2011.

El Japan Training Squadron zarpó de Tokio el 22 de mayo y tiene prevista la arribada al mismo puerto el 30 de octubre, dando la vuelta al mundo y recorriendo alrededor de 30.000 millas. Visitarán 18 paises atracando en los puertos de Pearl Harbor (EEUU); Manzanillo (México); Panamá (Panamá); Halifax (Canadá); Portsmouth (Gran Bretaña); Helsinki (Finlandia); San Peterburgo (Rusia); Gdynia (Polonia); Kiel (Alemania); Brest (Francia); Barcelona (España); Tarento (Italia); Split (Croacia); Yibuti; Colombo (Sri Lanka); Yangon (Myanmar); Sihanoukville (Camboya) y Da Nang (Vietnam), desde la cual regresarán a Tokio finalizando su viaje de instrucción.

Como dato anecdótico, durante la jornada del lunes 26 la flotilla de la JMSDF compartió muelles en la dársena barcelonesa con otra iniciativa de origen japonés, el denominado Peace Boat o Buque de la Paz, se trata de un buque de crucero auspiciado por una ONG nipona que también se encuentra realizando su vuelta al mundo.

El buque escuela 3508 «Kashima», es una nave especialmente diseñada para su empleo como unidad docente en la flota de la JMSDF. Su construcción fue autorizada en 1991, aunque la situación bélica vivida en aquellas fechas (Guerra del Golfo), retrasó en dos años el inicio de su construcción. Se trata de un buque de 4.050 toneladas de desplazamiento a plena carga; con eslora total de 143 metros, manga de 18 metros y calado de 4,6 metros. La propulsión es CODOG, es decir combinada diesel o turbinas de gas, compuesta por 2 motores diesel Mitsubishi S16U-MTK de 8.000 hp y 2 turbinas de gas Rolls-Royce Spey tipo SM1C de 26.150 shp cada una. Alcanza una velocidad máxima de 25 nudos y cuenta con una autonomía de 7.000 millas náuticas navegando a una velocidad de crucero de 18 nudos.

Tiene una dotación de 220 personas y puede transportar 140 alumnos en camarotes dobles, incluyendo personal femenido. A pesar de su condición de buque docente, dispone de un sistema defensivo compuesto por un cañón bivalente OTO-Melara de 76/62 mm, 2 ametralladoras de 12,7mm y 2 montajes triples de tubos lanzatorpedos antisubmarinos Mk-68 de 324 mm.

En popa cuenta con una amplia cubierta de vuelo para helicópteros aunque en su diseño se pensó también como plataforma multifunción para la realización de instrucción, ejercicio físico, uso ceremonial y actividades similares.

A pesar de su conversión a buque escuela el destructor 3517 «Shirayuki» mantiene el mismo equipamiento que su hermano gemelo 127 «Isoyuki» (Foto: Javier Sánchez García / Revista Naval)
La clase completa se compuso de 12 destructores, una de las numerosas y homogéneas series de la actual flota de autodefensa japonesa, construidos a lo largo de la década de 1980. En la actualidad sólo persisten siete unidades en su función original, habiendo sido convertidos en buques escuela los destructores «Shimayuki» 3513 (ex 133), desde el 18/03/1999; «Shirayuki» 3517 (ex 123), desde el 15/03/2011; y «Setoyuki» 3518 (ex 131), desde el 14/03/2012. Causando baja los «Hatsuyuki» 122 (25/06/2010) y «Hamayuki» 126 (14/03/2012).

Estos buques fueron diseñados originalmente con la superestructura de aluminio, siguiendo los pasos de otras unidades construidas en aquellas fechas, pero al comprobarse los daños sufridos por buques de la Royal Navy durante la guerra de las Malvinas (1982) por el uso de este metal y sus graves consecuencias al inflamarse, se tomó la decisión de sustituirlo en la construcción por el acero clásico, con lo que partir del «Yamayuki» 129 los buques desplazan 100 toneladas más.

Por lo demás,  estos buques tienen un desplazamiento a plena carga de 4.000 toneladas, siendo sus dimensiones de: 130 metros de eslora, 13,60 metros de manga y 4,10 metros de calado. Tienen un grupo propulsor del tipo COGOG (combinación Gas/Gas) compuesto por dos turbinas de gas Kawasaki-Rolls Royce Olympus TM3B y otras dos RR-Kawasaki RM-1C que desarrollan una potencia total de 45.000 hp (TM3B) y 9.900 hp (RM1C), siendo utilizadas para alcanzar una velocidad máxima de 30 nudos o de crucero 16 nudos, respectivamente.

Estos destructores pueden enfrentarse a cualquier tipo de amenaza, para ello cuentan con un sistema defensivo artillero compuesto por un cañón OTO-Melara 76/62 mm y dos cañones de defensa de punto CIWS Phalanx de 20 mm. Un componente misilístico formado por dos lanzadores cuádruples de misiles antibuque Harpoon, un lanzador RIM-7 Mk 29 Sea Sparrow y un lanzador óctuple para cohetes antisubmarinos ASROC. Además cuentan con dos montajes triples HOS-301 de 324 mm ASW y las instalaciones necesarias para operar con un helicóptero ASW SH-60J.

Disponen de un sofisticado equipamiento electrónico dotado con radares de fabricación japonesa OPS-14 exploración/búsqueda aérea y OPS-18 exploración/búsqueda superficie, entre otros. Un sónar antisubmarino OQS-4 (de casco) un sistema OQR-1 TACTASS y los equipos de guerra electrónica NOLR-6C ESM y OLT-3 ECM. También cuentan con un sistema lanzaseñuelos de origen estadounidense SRBOC Mk 36. El sistema de combate OYQ-5 TDPS (LINK-14) es una versión japonesa del estadounidense NTDS utilizado por los buques de la US Navy. La dotación de estos buques de 200 personas.

* Notícia publicada a Revista Naval. Encara que l'article ja tingui un parell de setmanes, l'hem volgut compartir per l'acurada descripció de les naus japoneses i llur comesa d'instrucció. Creiem que la seva visita és un gran honor per Catalunya.

http://www.revistanaval.com/noticia/20130828-040839-jmsdf-japan-escuadra-instruccion-barcelona

Piraterie: Interaction franco-américaine en mer méditerranée*

Le 26 août 2013, la frégate Aconit, en transit vers la zone de déploiement de l’opération Atalante, a effectué un exercice de lutte au-dessus de la surface avec deux frégates américaines.

Cet exercice en pleine mer entre la Crète et Chypre avait pour objectif d’entraîner les équipages à échanger leurs savoir-faire. Basé sur un scénario réaliste, les frégates Aconit, USS Gravely et USS Barry (deux frégates type Arleigh Burke) se sont coordonnées pour recueillir des informations sur une menace de surface et mettre en œuvre une réponse adaptée pour la traiter. Une équipe de visite interalliée a également été constituée pour aller appréhender au plus près la menace. Cette équipe a ainsi conduit un raid nautique, embarqué sur le navire identifié comme suspect et lancé l’investigation et les recherche de preuves.

La frégate Aconit a quitté Toulon le 10 août dernier pour rejoindre l’opération Atalante, au large des côtes somaliennes et dans le golfe d’Aden. La France participe à l’opération Atalante avec le déploiement quasi-permanent d’au moins une frégate de la marine nationale. Le dispositif peut être renforcé ponctuellement par un avion de patrouille maritime Atlantique 2 (ATL 2), de surveillance maritime Falcon 50, ou par un avion de commandement et de détection E3F.

* Notícia publicada al web de la Marine Nationale. La cooperació naval franco-americana està ben consolidada, independentment dels governs de torn.

Pacific Fleet Ships Deployed In The Sea Of Okhotsk Amid Snap Drills*

MOSCOW, July 14 (RIA Novosti) - Six naval task forces from Russia’s Pacific Fleet
 were deployed in the Sea of Okhotsk on Saturday evening amid a large-scale surprise combat readiness check, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
The naval task groups are to perform “anti-submarine and air defense exercises” in the area, the ministry said.
A part of Pacific Fleet forces will also train anti-piracy efforts as part of the exercises.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the snap drills Friday evening.
 It is the third surprise combat readiness check since January and follows a major shake-up at the top of a military establishment tarnished by persistent evidence of rampant corruption.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday said that up to 160,000 servicemen are involved in the large-scale exercises
 in the Eastern Military District, double the number initially reported.

* Notícia publicada a RIA Novosti. La Flota del Pacífic inicia una altra sèrie d'exercicis. Res de nou més enllà de la constatació de la importància que el Kremlin dóna a l'Extrem Orient.

Iran, Russia to hold joint naval drills in the Caspian Sea*

ASTRAKHAN, June 28 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian and Iranian navies are planning to hold joint exercises in the Caspian Sea in the second half of this year, a Russian military commander said Friday.
Nikolai Yakubovsky, deputy commander of Russia’s Caspian Flotilla, made the announcement after a meeting with the commander of a group of Iranian guided-missile boats that were visiting the port of Astrakhan.
Iranian navy representatives welcomed the opportunity to take part in the joint exercises, but declined to discuss the plans in more detail.
In 2009, Russia and Iran held their first joint naval exercise in the Caspian, involving about 30 ships.
Caspian Flotilla commander Admiral Sergey Alekminsky said in an interview with Moscow radio station Ekho Moskvy in November that the two navies could strengthen their collaboration in the future.

* Notícia publicada a RIA Novosti.

LCS Freedom underway from Singapore, begins exercises*

Seven weeks after arriving at Singapore, the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) left Changi Naval Base on June 11 to begin a series of regional exercises with navies of friendly nations. The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises take place annually around southeast Asia, but the Freedom's participation is expected to be one of the most-watched events in the history of the maneuvers.
"The opportunity to work side-by-side and interact with regional navies in exercises like CARAT is in large part why Freedom was deployed to Southeast Asia," Rear Adm. Tom Carney, commander of Task Force 73 and U.S. naval forces for CARAT, said before the ship shoved off from Changi.
Although the ship has operated in the Caribbean and western Pacific Ocean since entering service in late 2008, the much-ballyhooed deployment to the Far East is putting the sometimes-troubled Freedom under a spotlight like no other 3,000-ton small combatant has had to endure.
While at Singapore in May, the ship took part in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) and the Singapore Navy's Western Pacific Multilateral Sea Exercise (WMSX), where interest in the ship was high. The intense media scrutiny was expected and will likely continue through the cruise, expected to last through the year.
Commanding officer Cmdr. Timothy Wilke, his 50-sailor Gold Crew, and the surface warfare and aviation detachments aboard have become used to visitors coming aboard, from high-ranking U.S. and foreign officials to more than 5,000 people who toured the ship over a Singapore open house weekend in mid-May.
Since arriving in Singapore on April 18, the list of distinguished visitors to tread the ship's decks is impressive and includes U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel; Navy Secretary Ray Mabus; Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations; Adm. Samuel Locklear, commander of U.S. Pacific Command; and Vice Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. The numerous foreign military and government visitors include Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen and Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of staff of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The CARAT exercises already are underway. The Indonesian phase was completed in May, and exercises in Thailand are winding up. Other U.S. ships taking part in the CARAT exercises include the destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), amphibious ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), salvage vessel USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) with Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, and the supply ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11). The Freedom is headed for Malaysia to begin her participation. Other navies taking part in CARAT include Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
The Freedom will also take part in Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercises.*

* Notícia publicada a Navy Times. Més enllà dels exercicis on participi el USS Freedom, serà interessant veure com responen després de les reparacions fetes el darrer any.