This week’s visit by People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to the Russian port of Novorossiysk comes amid reports Russia is considering a purchase of PLAN Type 054A frigates. Unthinkable just ten years ago, it’s a reminder of how far China’s domestic arms industry has come since the West imposed an arms embargo. Read More
Chinese frigate 547 Linyi passing through Bosphorus on May 4, 2015. Photo by Nurderen Özbek via Bosphorus Naval News
Two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) guided missile frigates entered the Black Sea on Monday in a first for the PLAN, according to photos of the ships crossing the Bosporus Strait obtained by USNI News. Read More
(120427) — QINGDAO, April 27, 2012 (Xinhua) — Chinese marines attend the farewell ceremony for Russian navy in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, April 27, 2012. The Chinese and Russian navies announced on Friday the conclusion of a six-day joint naval exercise. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming) (zkr)
Six Russian and three Chinese naval ships will meet in the Mediterranean next month to conduct a series of surface exercises to include live fire drills, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday. Read More
USS Roosevelt (DDG-80) left,the guided missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) on Feb. 19, 2014. US Navy Photo
Rapid growth in the capability and quality of guided missiles — mostly Chinese in origin — is causing the U.S. Navy to rethink the number of surface ships it needs to effectively fight a high-end war. Read More
The following is 2015 report, The PLA Navy New Capabilities and Missions for the 21st Century from the Office of Naval Intelligence on Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s operations and shipbuilding programs. Read More
Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, walks with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Cmdr. Kazutaka Sugimoto on Feb. 6, 2015. US Navy Photo
The incoming U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) commander, Adm. Harry B. Harris, testified before Congress late last year that “China’s rise as a regional military and global economic power, and in particular, its rapid military modernization and assertive behavior toward regional neighbors present opportunities and challenges that must be managed effectively. This is our most enduring challenge.” Read More
Two US F/A-18E/F Navy Super Hornets fly in formation over Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Viraat on Sept. 7, 2007. US Navy Photo
CORRECTION: In a previous version of this post, the planned name of India’s indigenous aircraft carrier-II (IAC-II) program was incorrect. It is Vishal, not Vishnal.
The Indian Navy is accelerating the design and construction of its second domestic carrier as its oldest carrier leaves service next year, according to several local press reports. Read More
USS George Washington (CVN-73) and its strike group in 2013. US Navy Photo
The Pentagon has no plans to send a nuclear powered aircraft carrier (CVN) to mainland China this year, a Defense Department spokesman told reporters on Friday. Read More
The following is the Dec. 23, 2014 Congressional Research Service report, China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
A 1980s vintage Hai-lang submarine, built in the Netherlands and operated by the Republic of China Navy. ROC Photo
After waiting on the U.S. to make good on plans to develop a diesel electric attack submarine (SSK) for almost 15 years, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence announced it was kicking off its own domestic attack submarine construction program this week, the agency told Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan. Read More
