News Report: India, Japan Expected to Increase Maritime Activity Aimed at China

Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — India and Japan, anxious to keep Asia’s dominant power Beijing in check, may send patrols into the contested South China Sea or sell arms to rival states following a pair of high-level meetings this month, experts say.

Both Asian countries could sell or donate more weapons to China’s rival maritime claimants, such as Vietnam, so they can build a defense against Beijing. Japan may also use coast guard or naval ships to patrol the sea to show it’s open despite China’s claim to some 90 percent of it.

India will probably continue joint exploration with Vietnam for oil and gas under the 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea, analysts say.

“Delhi and Tokyo have both been stepping up their capacity-building efforts in the region, with Japan focused mainly on providing patrol vessels and training for Southeast Asian states and India selling arms to and training the Vietnamese navy,” said Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the American think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies.

News Story: Philippine Coast Guard to beef up patrol fleet beginning 2018

Japanese made patrol boat for Philippines Coast Guard

MANILA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will beef up its patrol fleet with more brand new and modern patrol boats, a helicopter and weapons beginning next year as it plans to further strengthen its maritime patrol capability, a lawmaker said on Sunday.

Rep. Johnny Pimentel, a member of the House appropriation committee, said the government has set aside 6.7 billion pesos (130.1 million U.S. dollars) of its 3.767 trillion pesos (73.15 billion U.S. dollars) budget for 2018 to build up the PCG with a fleet of new boats, helicopters and weapons.

"The fresh funding will help pay for the acquisition of 10 newly built 44-meter patrol boats from Japan, of which five have already been delivered to the PCG," said Pimentel in a statement.

He said the PCG is also acquiring four 24-meter fast boats for delivery in 12 months, an 82-meter boat for delivery in 2019, and two 94-meter, high-endurance boats for delivery in 2020 and 2021.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: South Korean Navy Holds Naval Training After N. Korea's Latest Nuclear Test

Incheon-class frigate (Image: Wiki Commons)

South Korea's Navy has conducted a massive live-fire exercises after the latest North Korea's nuclear test.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — South Korea's Navy has conducted a massive live-fire exercises in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) after the latest North Korea's nuclear test, local media reported on Tuesday, citing the navy.

A 1,000-ton patrol ship, 400-ton guided-missile vessels, 2,500-ton Gangwon frigate and 130-ton high-speed boats were among the assets mobilized in the drills, the Yonhap news agency reported.

"If the enemy provokes anywhere, whether on or under water, we will immediately hit back and bury them at sea," Capt. Choi Young-chan, commander of the 13th Maritime Battle Group, said as quoted by the agency.

Pyongyang's presumed sixth nuclear test since 2006 was held Sunday, just days after North Korea launched a ballistic missile over the territory of Japan. North Korea has been carrying out its missile and nuclear tests in violation of the UNSC resolutions.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: Multinational search for missing US Navy sailors expands in Asia

USS John S. McCain (Image: Wiki Commons)

By: Mike Yeo

MELBOURNE, Australia – The multinational search and rescue for sailors missing from the U.S. Navy destroyer USS John S. McCain following a collision with an oil tanker near Singapore has expanded, even as remains of some of the missing have been located inside the flooded compartments of the ship.

Both Singapore and Malaysia have increased the number of assets taking part in the SAR operations for the 10 sailors initially reported missing following the collision, while Indonesia has also started scouring the waters off its islands closest to where the collision occurred. Australia has also offered an aircraft to assist in the search, according to a media statement from Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority on Tuesday.

The new, expanded search area covers more than 1,100 square miles, with Singapore and the U.S. covering the center of the identified search area while Malaysian and Indonesian assets are covering the north and south.

The collision occurred in waters where there is an unresolved maritime boundary dispute between Singapore and Malaysia, and both have said the collision occurred in their respective territorial waters and have laid claim to leading the search operation. That said, the disagreement has not interfered with the search operation so far.

U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopters and Marine Corps MV-22 tiltrotors from the amphibious assault ship USS America are also involved in the search, while the Republic of Singapore Air Force has deployed a C-130 transport and a Fokker 50 maritime patrol aircraft to join two patrol vessels each from the Singapore Navy and police coast guard already on scene. A Singaporean Super Puma helicopter had earlier evacuated four of the five sailors injured in the collision to a hospital on Monday morning.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

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: Chinese investments may lead to greater military purchases

Security analyst says it is no different to western countries selling arms but suggests parliamentary oversight be made compulsory for huge military purchases.

Robin Augustin

PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya may be more inclined to purchase arms from China given its “over reliance” on Chinese money for multi-billion ringgit mega-projects.

A retired brigadier-general said this in the wake of reports that China was seeking to supply weapons and other military equipment to Malaysia.

Speaking to FMT, Mohd Arshad Raji said the reports should come as no surprise.

“Given the increasingly warm ties and influx of Chinese money in the country, it would be natural for the government to buy more arms and military equipment from Beijing,” Arshad said.

Chinese investments in mega-infrastructure and property development projects, such as the RM55 billion East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and the RM43 billion Melaka Gateway among others, have raised questions about Malaysia’s security and neutrality in a region which is being closely watched by the world’s superpowers.

Arshad said traditionally, Malaysia bought weapons and military equipment from western countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, and he believed that a shift towards buying arms from China could affect Malaysia’s bilateral trade with the US and UK.

“But my biggest concern is that a pivot towards China in terms of defence could affect our neutrality and military ties with our traditional western allies.

“China is adopting an aggressive and dominant stance, particularly in the South China Sea, where it is increasing its military presence.”

Arshad also voiced concern that a greater dependence on Chinese arms and military equipment could open the doors for China to spread its military doctrine in Malaysia.

“Malaysia, being a Commonwealth country, has been more inclined towards a western military doctrine.

“In essence, a military doctrine acts as a guide to help us standardise our operations. It represents our central beliefs and principles on how war should be waged.”

Arshad said he wasn’t sure China’s military doctrine was suited for Malaysia.

Read the full story at Free Malaysia Today

News Report: India Begins Major Overhauling of Country’s Coastal Security

With a coastline of more than 7500 kilometers, India aims to equip its coast guards with 175 ships & 110 aircraft in next five years.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – After a delay of more than a decade to fill the gaps in coastal security, India has finally expedited the process to add more ships, aircraft, and high-speed interceptor boats to Indian Coast Guard, the country’s smallest armed force.

On Thursday, private defense firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T) delivered two more high-speed interceptor Ships (C-433 and C-434) to Indian Coast Guard near Chennai, seven months ahead of contractual schedule. The boats are part of a $200 million deal under which the company has to deliver 54 interceptors.

“Made of aluminum alloy hull with waterjet propulsion, these ships have a speed of over 45 knots with excellent maneuverability and are ideally suited for the high interception,” L&T said in a statement.

News Story: Japan to provide $500 mil. for Indo-Pacific maritime security

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Japan will provide a total of $500 million in aid for coastal states in the Indo-Pacific in the three years to 2019 to help boost maritime security there, Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Thursday.

The measure was apparently in response to China's aggressive pursuit of extensive maritime claims.

Kono made the announcement during a joint news conference after a meeting of the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States in Washington.

A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said separately that aid recipients include the Philippines and Vietnam, both of which are embroiled in territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea.

Read the full story at The Mainichi

News Report: North Korea Loads Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles on Patrol Boat – Reports

A North Korean Anti-Ship Missile launch (File Photo)

North Korea has loaded two anti-ship cruise missiles on a patrol boat off the country’s east coast, US media reported on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the Fox News channel, citing US officials, two Stormpetel missiles were loaded on a patrol boat at Toejo Dong at the eastern coast of the country several days ago, where the East Coast Fleet’s headquarters is located.

This points to a possible missile test in near future, the officials said, as cited by the media, adding that the last time such deployment happened in North Korea was in 2014.

On Saturday, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2371, tightening sanctions against North Korea after the latter’s recent missile tests. The new restrictions target coal, iron, iron ore, lead and seafood imports from North Korea to UN member states.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Report: India Launches Two Naval Patrol Vessels Built by Private Indian Defense Company

For the first time, the Indian Navy has launched two naval offshore patrol vessels (NOPVs) built by a private Indian defense company. The NOPVs were built by the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited at its Pipavav shipyard in the western state of Gujarat.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The two NOPVs are part of five ships under the P-21 project being constructed for the Indian Navy by RDEL at a cost worth $375 million. The two ships will be known as Shachi and Shruti in the Indian Navy.

"The launch is a significant and milestone event as these two NOPVs are the first warships to be launched by a private sector shipyard in India," Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command said.

News Story: S. Korean Navy to have four new NLL patrol ships

SEOUL, June 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Navy announced a plan Wednesday to replace its naval patrol ships operating near the tense inter-Korean sea border with upgraded ones.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the country's arms procurement agency, said it has signed a 256-billion-won (US$ 223 million) agreement with Hanjin Heavy Industries, a local shipyard, for four 200-ton high-speed patrol boats.

The Gumdoksuri (golden eagle)-class ships will be delivered to the Navy in 2020 to replace existing 170-ton Chamsuri (sea eagle)-class ones operating in waters near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de-factor maritime border between the two Koreas, it said.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Story: Hijacked Thai oil tanker returns safely from Malaysia

BANGKOK, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Thai navy on Monday confirmed that a Thai oil tanker which was hijacked by a pirate vessel in Malaysian waters had returned to Thailand.

"The hijacked oil tanker C.P. 41 is safe now," said Thai Navy spokesman Admiral Jumpol Lumphikanont.

Jumpol said the oil tanker were sailing on the right route when it was attacked and Thai navy sent patrol boat HTMS Takbai there to save them after being informed.

C.P. 41, carrying 17 crew and some 3,800 tons of diesel oil, was attacked by six armed pirates, while en route from Singapore to Songkhla Friday night.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Key lawmaker wants US to defriend Pakistan

By: Joe Gould

WASHINGTON — A key House lawmaker is sponsoring legislation to downgrade Pakistan’s status as a major U.S. ally and limit its access to American-made weapons, just as President Donald Trump intends to take a harder line toward Islamabad.

Texas Republican Rep. Ted Poe has proposed a bill that would take away Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally, or MNNA. The move comes amid multiple reports the Trump administration will press Islamabad to crack down on Pakistan-based militants like the Haqqani network, which launched attacks in Afghanistan. 

“Pakistan must be held accountable for the American blood on its hands,” Poe said while introducing the bill on Thursday. “For years, Pakistan has acted as a Benedict Arnold ally of the United States. From harboring Osama bin Laden to backing the Taliban, Pakistan has stubbornly refused to go after, in any meaningful way, terrorists that actively seek to harm opposing ideologies.” 

Poe said the U.S. must make a clean break with Pakistan or at least stop providing it with sophisticated weaponry and treating it like a close ally. 

Poe chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade Subcommittee, and he has offered similar legislation several times over several years. This bill, co-sponsored with Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., is more likely to make a statement than to become reality, and it faces a long legislative road if the administration doesn't beat it to the punch. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Japan, Vietnam to bolster maritime security cooperation

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan and Vietnam agreed Tuesday to bolster their security ties through Japanese-funded projects including the upgrading of Vietnamese coastal patrol capabilities, defense equipment and technology transfer amid concerns about China's increasingly assertive activity in regional seas.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, held talks in Tokyo and shared "deep concern over the complex developments" involving China in the South China Sea. They urged China -- without referring to it by name -- to avoid taking actions to change the status quo and escalate regional tensions.

China claims virtually all of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by several other countries in the region including Vietnam.

Japan and Vietnam reaffirmed the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact and agreed to pursue it despite the United States' withdrawal. The two leaders agreed to cooperate in discussions among the 11 remaining TPP members to bring the agreement into force, according to a joint statement.

Read the full story at The Mainichi

News Story: Vietnam, Japan defence cooperation to grow further

Tokyo (VNA) – Vietnam and Japan will exchange experience in UN peacekeeping activities and join hands to handle post-war consequences as well as promote cyberspace and maritime security.

Deputy Minister of Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh and his Japanese counterpart Ro Manabe reached the agreement during their meeting on June 5 as part of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Japan and attendance of the 23rd International Conference on the Future of Asia.

This year, Japan receives 12 trainees from Vietnam’s Ministry of Defence to pursue BA, MA, PhD in information and technology, telecommunication-electronics engineering, international relations and strategy research.

The Japanese side is working with the Vietnamese defence ministry to test dioxin settlement technology. In addition, the two sides have strengthened collaboration in sea search and rescue.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: U.S. Delivers Patrol Boats, Cutter to Vietnam

Six new military patrol boats built by Louisiana, USA-based shipbuilder Metal Shark have been delivered to the Vietnam Coast Guard.

The welded-aluminum Metal Shark 45-foot Defiant pilothouse patrol vessels were provided to Vietnam by the United States in a historic move that underscores the increased security cooperation between the two nations. The vessels were officially handed over by U.S. Ambassador Ted Osius to the Vietnam Coast Guard on Monday in the province of Quang Nam.

The boats will be employed by the Vietnam Coast Guard on law enforcement missions focused on smuggling, illicit trafficking, piracy and illegal fishing, according to a statement by the U.S. Embassy. The move comes amid on-going tension in the disputed South China Sea.

“Vietnam’s future prosperity depends upon a stable and peaceful maritime environment,” said Osius at the handover ceremony. “The United States and the rest of the international community also benefit from regional stability, which is why we are here today, and it is why we are very pleased to be working together with the Vietnam Coast Guard.”

Read the full story at MarEx

News Story: Vietnamese Forces Block Indonesian Coast Guard

On Tuesday, Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries claimed that a Vietnamese coast guard vessel aggressively interfered with the arrest of a group of Vietnamese fishermen near the Natuna Islands. 

On Sunday, an Indonesian patrol boat detained five Vietnamese fishing vessels on suspicion of illegal fishing, and it got under way to bring the arrested fishermen back to shore. According to the Indonesian account, a Vietnamese coast guard vessel approached and blocked the patrol boat’s path.

Three more Vietnamese coast guard vessels approached the scene, and one of them rammed one of the detained fishing vessels, causing it to sink. Indonesian servicemember D. Gunawan Wibisono was on board the stricken vessel, and he was rescued and allegedly detained by a Vietnamese coast guard crew. 

After capturing Wibisono, the Vietnamese forces demanded the return of all of the fishermen and the four remaining fishing vessels. The Indonesian patrol crew gave up 44 of the fishermen, but the Vietnamese coast guard did not release Wibisono. 

Read the full story at MarEx

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: Vessel from Japan to be used vs piracy

BRP Tubbataha: “Parola” (lighthouse) class MRRV (File Photo)

By Evelyn Macairan

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard’s fourth brand new multi-role response vessel (MRRV) from Japan has arrived and would soon be deployed to conduct anti-piracy patrols at the newly opened sea route between the Philippines and Indonesia.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said the vessel arrived last Tuesday and would be named BRP Capones, after the Capones lighthouse in Zambales.

Capones would join the “Parola” (lighthouse) class ships of the PCG, namely BRP Tubbataha, BRP Malabrigo and BRP Malapascua.

Balilo said Capones would be deployed to patrol the newly opened roll on-roll off (RORO) sea route from Davao City-General Santos City to Bitung in Indonesia.

President Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo jointly inaugurated the new sea route last April 30 in Davao City

Read the full story at PhilStar