USA: Search efforts continue for USS John S. McCain Sailors

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sits along the pier at Changi Naval Base, Aug. 21. (U.S. Navy/Grady T. Fontana) >>

SINGAPORE - Aircraft from the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) will continue search efforts today for 10 missing Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56).

Ships and aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy joined search efforts yesterday and continue to provide assistance.

Search efforts are focused on an area east of the Strait of Malacca and Singapore where McCain was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC early in the morning on Aug. 21 (as reported 6:24 a.m. Japan Standard Time) while transiting to Singapore for a routine port visit.

During the collision, John S. McCain sustained significant hull damage that resulted in flooding to nearby compartments, including crew berthing, machinery, and communications rooms. Damage control efforts by the crew halted further flooding at sea.

USA: America pulls into Changi Naval Base to support USS John S. McCain

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

USS America (LHA 6) file photo. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Justin A. Schoenberger) >>

SINGAPORE - Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) arrived Aug. 21 at Changi Naval Base and is moored across the pier from the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56).

While in Singapore, America will provide messing and berthing services to McCain crew members and to support damage control efforts on board. America will also support ongoing searches for 10 missing Sailors. Ship Repair Facility divers are on scene as well to assess the damage to the hull.

McCain was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Strait of Malacca and Singapore early in the morning on Aug. 21 (as reported 6:24 a.m. Japan Standard Time) and arrived at Changi Naval Base in the afternoon.

Significant damage to the hull resulted in flooding to nearby compartments, including crew berthing, machinery and communications rooms. Damage control efforts by the crew halted further flooding.

News Story: 3 locally made gunboats join Navy fleet

By Jaime Laude

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy yesterday commissioned three missile-capable multi-purpose attack craft (MPACs), the first-ever gunboats with high littoral combat capabilities to join the Philippine Fleet.

After the commissioning rites of the locally produced MPACs at Sangley Point Naval Base in Cavite City, the three gunboats were immediately dispatched to Davao City.

Navy spokesman Capt. Lued Lincuna said the three brand new MPACs were sent to Davao for the Navy’s 119th founding anniversary naval parade on May 31 at the Sasa Wharf.

The Subic Bay-based Propmech Corp., the shipbuilder that built the Navy’s logistic and supply ship BRP Tagbanua, constructed the MPACs for P270 million. The fund was sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act Trust Fund.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Navy’s warship to patrol Benham, says AFP chief

BRP Tarlac (File Photo)

By Jaime Laude

MANILA, Philippines - Vessel (SSV) BRP Davao del Sur will be deployed to patrol Benham Rise once the vessel is delivered by the Indonesian defense contractor next month, Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año said.

The BRP Davao del Sur will be the second SSV of the Navy. The military is also expecting the delivery of two missile-firing Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) by November.

“BRB Lanao del Sur will also be deployed in Benham Rise. With our naval assets we could now conduct regular maritime security patrols,” Año said.

Aside from the two ships, additional fast crafts and other assets are being planned for the Navy, part of the ongoing AFP Modernization Program.

The BRP Davao Del Sur is now undergoing sea trial.

The vessel is the sister ship of the BRP Tarlac that is currently the Navy’s largest operational warship.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Taiwan to upgrade F-16 jets, seek stealth capability

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan is planning to upgrade its F-16 fighter jets and will seek cutting-edge stealth aircraft from the United States in the face of a growing military threat from rival China, the Defense Ministry said Thursday. 

The announcement follows the release of this year's $11.4 billion defense budget, an increase of less than 1 percent from last year, reflecting strains on the government's finances resulting from a heavy entitlements burden and slowing growth in the high-tech, export-oriented economy. 

That compares to China's 7 percent rise in defense spending, announced this week, bringing its defense budget to about $151 billion, the world's second largest after the United States. 

In response, Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan told lawmakers that Taiwan is focusing on inexpensive but effective "asymmetric warfare" techniques to combat threats in the air and seas.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Alternative Navy Study Bets Big On Robot PT Boats & LCS

US Navy WWII PT boats underway (Image: Wiki Commons)

By SYDNEY J. FREEDBERG JR.

WASHINGTON: Light carriers. Robot PT boats. Unmanned subs. A congressionally chartered study, the Alternative Future Fleet Platform Architecture Study, “does not represent any official Navy position,” but offers a surprisingly bold vision for the future of the US Navy.

The study, by a “Navy Project Team” of officers, civil servants, and contractors free to brainstorm without being “constrained” by the service’s official plans, calls for a future “battle force” of 321 manned ships. That’s 10 percent smaller than the official Navy program for 355, let alone the parallel studies Congress commissioned from thinktanks CSBA, which calls for 340 manned ships, and MITRE for 414. But while the official 30-year shipbuilding plan submitted to Congress in 2017 only includes 10 large, seagoing unmanned vessels, and CSBA proposes 80, the Alternative Future Fleet would include 138.

That would be a mix of 48 unmanned underwater vessels — designed to supplement traditional nuclear-powered attack submarines — and a whopping 88 unmanned fast attack boats, derived from the Mark V Special Operations vessel or the Mark VI patrol craft. (A Coast Guard patrol boat is a third option). Instead of developing a new purpose-built unmanned boat, like DARPA’s Sea Hunter, this approach would build on ongoing Navy experiments with converting standard small craft for unmanned operations. They’d be launched from shore bases or from the well decks of amphibious assault ships normally used to transport Marines. The Alternative Future Fleet vessels would be about the 80-foot length of World War II Patrol Torpedo boats (remember PT-109?), and like the PT boats, they’d be armed to attack much larger vessels, with “anti-ship cruise missiles, mines or torpedoes with an operating range in the hundreds of nautical miles.”

The PT boats suffered heavy casualties in World War II, and the modern Navy has eschewed such well-armed but fragile small craft. Countries more callous about casualties, such as Iran, have embraced them. Making the expendable attack boats unmanned might make them palatable to the Navy.

Read the full story at BreakingDefense

News Report: Pakistan Builds New Missile Ship to Shield Chinese Trade Routes

Pakistan's 1st Azmat class Fast Attack Craft

Pakistan has officially begun construction of a missile warship that the country hopes will guarantee the integrity of its vital trade corridor with China.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is key to the financial and national security interests of both countries. For Islamabad, Beijing’s capital investment in infrastructure projects offers promise to give the country’s economy a much-needed boost. But Beijing also relies on Pakistan’s navy to ensure the safety of oil shipments from the Arabian Sea and surrounding maritime regions.

In that regard, China is sharing Azmat-class ship technology with Islamabad, including the “latest weapons and sensors,” according to the Pakistani military’s Inter-Services Public Relation media branch.

News Story: Pakistan Builds New Missile Boat to Protect Key Trade Routes

Azmat class Fast Attack Craft

By: Usman Ansari

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has commenced construction of a new type of missile boat as part of efforts to modernize its navy to ensure security for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a trade route linking western China to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan’s deep water port of Gwadar.

Pakistan hopes the CPEC will revive its economy, whereas China’s trade and energy resources will be bypassing the Malacca Strait.

First steel for the boat was cut Dec. 29. Images from the ceremony revealed it to be a development of the Azmat-class missile boat designed for Pakistan by China. Three Azmat boats have been built, one in China and two in Pakistan by state-owned Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW).

A statement by the military’s Inter Service Public Relations media arm revealed that the boat, which is considered the first indigenously designed missile boat, was developed by Maritime Technologies Complex and would have the “latest weapons and sensors.”

Though released images from the ceremony leave some questions unanswered about the new vessels' exact features, notable differences from the base model include new missiles, a redesigned forward superstructure and a possible replacement of the twin 25mm cannon.

The navy declined to provide further details regarding the changes.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Report: India Eyes Indian Ocean, Defense Minister Visits Island Nation of Mauritius

Manohar Parrikar (Image: Wiki Commons)

Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar is visiting Mauritius for three days; the trip holds significance, as India is expected to leverage its position in the region by offering a line of credit to Mauritius for additional defense purchases.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar has arrived in Mauritius, where he will hand over two upgraded Cheetah helicopters to the nation's government during his three-day visit. Sources say Parrikar will also commission an Indian-built fast patrol naval vessel for the country's coast guard. In September, India presented the country a 50+ meter fast patrol vessel. The ship is fitted with a 30mm Close Range Naval-91 gun, 12.7mm heavy machine guns and 7.62mm medium machine guns, as well as state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment. Goa Shipyard, which manufactured the vessel, has claimed that vessel is capable of achieving a high speed of 35 knots.

News Story: International defense show concludes in Karachi

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 9th International Defense Exhibition and Seminar 2016 (IDEAS) concluded in Pakistani city Karachi on Friday. The four-day show witnessed bigger-than-ever participation by Chinese, Russian, and Turkish companies.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif inaugurated the event on Tuesday. The strategic show was organized by the Defense Export and Promotion Organization.

The theme for this year's exhibit was "Arms for Peace" which was spelled out by PM Sharif on the inaugural day.

Chinese, Turkish and Russian companies made their presence felt with an enormous participation. The number of Russian defense manufacturers increased to three this year including the state-controlled arms import and export company Russia Rosoboron export.

Nine Chinese companies including China Aerospace Long-March International, China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation and Poly Technologies Inc. took part in the exhibition.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Indonesia to purchase three more submarines

KRI Nanggala (Image: Wikipedia)

Nani Afrida

After ordering three submarines from South Korea, Indonesia plans to buy three more as part of the country’s minimum essential force (MEF) program.

The Committee for Defense Industry Policy (KKIP) said Indonesia had yet to decide the producer of the submarines.

“The first, second and third submarines were developed in South Korea,” KKIP corporation and marketing department head Rear Adm (ret) Yussuf Sollichien told The Jakarta Post in Jakarta on Thursday.

He said Indonesia had yet to decide whether it would purchase the three submarines from South Korea.

Read the full story at The Jakarta Post

News Story: Malaysia to Sign Contract for China Made Warships

PNS Azmat a China built missile boat (Image: Wiki Commons)

SHAH ALAM: Its confirmed, Malaysia is buying China-made warships. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein speaking at the ministry confirmed today that the contract will be signed on Nov 5.

“On November 5, 2016, the Defence Ministry will sign a contract for the procurement of Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) with SASTIND (The State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense of China), which is an important essence of the official visit of the Prime Minister to China by the end of the month,” Hishammuddin says at a gathering at the ministry.

He did not explained further about the contract but said later on social media that procurement of the LMS means that the RMN’s 15-to-5 plan was going ahead.

Read the full story at Malaysian Defence

News Story: Israel in talks to supply Super Dvora attack crafts to PHL Navy, Coast Guard

Super Dvora (Image: Wiki Commons)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has confirmed ongoing discussions with the Philippine government to provide a number of Super Dvora Mk III-type fast attack craft (FAC) for the country’s navy and coastguard services, an exclusive report of IHS Jane’s.

According to specifications provided by IAI, the Super Dvora Mk IIIi has top speeds in excess of 40 kt, and a standard range of 300 n miles at 30 kt. The 20 m platform can operate up to Sea State 3, with survivability at up to Sea State 5. Customers can also opt between articulating surface drive (ASD) or waterjet for the vessel’s propulsion systems.

Platform weapons include 23 mm, 25 mm, or 30 mm stabilised naval gun systems at the primary position, and a manned cannon of up to 20 mm at the stern position.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Report: US Upbraids Iran for 'Provocative' Naval Maneuvers in Persian Gulf

The head of the U.S. Central Command scolded Iran Tuesday for "provocative" naval actions in the Persian Gulf, following recent close encounters between U.S. warships and Iranian gunboats.

General Joseph Votel spoke just days after the coastal patrol ship USS Squall was forced to fire warning shots to ward off an Iranian gunboat that was closing at high speed on another U.S. vessel nearby. The Pentagon said the Iranian gunboat ignored repeated U.S. warning flares and radio transmissions before turning away.

On Tuesday, Votel called the Iranian actions "very concerning," and said, "We hope to see Iran's naval forces act in a more professional manner." He also said last week's encounter was part of a "recent uptick" in U.S. confrontations with Iranian patrol craft at "choke points" in the Gulf's crowded sea lanes.

Last week, U.S. officials said the Iranian craft came within 182 meters of the USS Tempest, raising the specter of military escalation.

There was no immediate Iranian response to Votel's comments.

But last week, Iran's Tasnim news agency quoted a top Iranian general as saying, "If any foreign vessel enters our waters, we warn them, and if it's an invasion, we confront."

This story first appeared on Voice of America & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: Isreal offered Shaldag Mk V to Philippine Navy

Shaldag Mk V (Image: Wiki Commons)

Israel Shipyards with the assistance of the Israel Ministry of Defense has formally offered Shaldag Mk V fast attack craft to the Philippine Navy (PN). MaxDefense reports.

President Rodrigo Duterte will continue the modernization of AFP but will focus more on internal security. Duterte plans to improve the AFP by purchasing equipment such as helicopter and fast craft.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: Duterte Admin to acquire fast craft armed with anti-ship missiles

The Philippine Navy (PN) will be faster and more capable of intercepting and defeating piracy, terrorism and kidnapping threats once the the decision to acquire more naval fast craft is finalized.

This was stated by PN public affairs office head Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo in a message to the PNA.

“Acquisition of (more) fast craft will be of great help to our organization since it will provide additional defense and interdiction capability to thwart piracy, terrorism, kidnapping and other dubious activities of lawless elements in the country,” she added.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte vowed to fast-track the procurement of more fast craft for the Navy and attack helicopters for the Air Force to help in the government’s internal security operations.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: Taiwan Anti-Ship Missile Destroys Fishing Boat

Two ROCN Ching Chiang Class Patrol Ships
(Image: Wiki Commons)

Wendell Minnick

Defense Ministry Source Privately Impressed With Weapon's Capability

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s Navy mistakenly fired a supersonic Hsiung Feng III (Brave Wind) anti-ship missile, with a live warhead, striking a Taiwanese fishing boat and killing the captain.

Three others were injured from the missile's collision, which was launched from a 500-ton Ching Chiang-class guided-missile patrol vessel during a missile exercise in Zuoying naval port in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

The PGG-610 Chin Jiang fired the missile by accident at 8:20 a.m. on July 1, after an enlistee on the vessel violated standard operating procedure and switched the simulation mode to combat mode, said a Ministry of National Defense (MND) source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Pakistani Naval Modernization Appears Stalled

Pakistan Navy emblem (Image: Wiki Commons)

By Usman Ansari

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's naval modernization program appears stalled, with no discernible progress being made on efforts to modernize and expand the surface and sub-surface fleet. This comes amid moves ensure the security of the deepwater port of Gwadar, and fears of mass obsolescence vis-a-vis arch rival India.

Gwadar is the start of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to link western China to the Middle East and Africa through Pakistan. It will carry commercial goods and energy resources, slashing the time to ship goods to China via the Malacca Straits and South China Sea.

For Pakistan, ensuring maritime security has been of increased concern. Earlier this month, a newly raised battalion of Marines began protecting Gwadar. Author, analyst, and former Australian defense attache to Islamabad Brian Cloughley says this was probably through extra enlistments due to the Marines "already being stretched in commitments."

Ensuring Gwadar's defense has been the theme of recent exercises. A domestic series of drills, Seapark, was held in November and December.

A series of recent bilateral exercises with China's Navy have also been held, the third of which concluded on Tuesday off the Pakistani coast.

It aimed to protect sea lines of communication and the CPEC by improving coordination and interoperability at operational and tactical levels. Chinese ships consisted of two Type-054A frigates (Liuzhou and Sanya) and a replenishment ship (Qinghaihu).

Pakistan participated with warships, helicopters, patrol and fighter aircraft, plus special forces. Air defense, boarding, communication, and joint maneuver drills were carried out.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Brunei: Royal Brunei Navy welcoms KD Kelantan ans KD Jerong for Exercise Hornbill 25/15

KD Kelantan (175) underway in the Strait of Malacca
(Image: Wiki Commons)

MUARA NAVAL BASE, Friday 13 November 2015 - The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) commenced their seven days bilateral exercise today. The exercise is code-named EXERCISE HORNBILL 25/15, which is in its 25th in this series of exercise. The objective of the exercise is to enhance force interoperability between both navies as well as to foster good working relationship through the practice of standing standard operating procedures. The aims of this exercise are to enhance mutual understanding and agreed procedure as well as to establish camaraderie of both navies. Concept of exercise for this year’s Exercise HORNBILL focuses on Warfare and Maritime Interdiction Operations with ongoing maritime security issues as well as seamanship evolutions.

Today both ships from Royal Malaysian Navy KD KELANTAN and KD JERONG have arrived safely in Brunei Darussalam this morning.

News Story: Submarines on the (Myanmar) Shopping List

While the military continues its attacks on ethnic rebels in Burma’s north, the country’s Commander-in-Chief, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, has been out of the country in recent days. After meeting with his Pakistani counterpart in Islamabad, he toured the offices of Heavy Industries Taxila, a major regional defense contractor. In Serbia, he sat down for discussions with Yugoimport SDPR, a state-owned weapons exporter. Both businesses specialize in the sale of tanks, armored personnel carriers and heavy artillery.

When Burma’s generals consider strategy, they always have one eye on internal opponents and another on their regional neighbors. While the size of Burma’s standing army dwarfs those of both Bangladesh and Thailand, a ban on arms sales from the European Union and United States has severely impeded the combat capabilities of the country’s armed forces. Indeed, Min Aung Hlaing has been outspoken about the need to modernize, to the point of deflecting questions about his political ambitions by insisting he was fully devoted to bringing the military into the 21st century.

This modernization is always foremost in the minds Burma’s military leaders when they take their shopping lists abroad, and the top brass has shown a particular interest in improving the country’s moribund naval fleet.

Read the full story at THE IRRAWADDY