No. 323 April 2022

April 2022

Front cover

Lt Lisa Amble signals to the pilot of an E-2D Hawkeye to launch from the carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean last month.
Inset - the Russian Navy cruiser RFS Moskva firing her main twin-130mm gun during an exercise in the Black Sea just prior to the invasion of Ukraine.

Photo by - Main Photo: MCS3 Bela Chambers/US Navy. Inset: Russian defence ministry image

Contents

 

NEWS

NAVIES – P4, P32/33
• Removing the human risk factor from the minefield.
• Submarine faults undermine South Korea’s deterrent.
• New Chinese submarine makes waves.
• Norwegian missiles for Indonesian boats.
• Australian future frigate review.
• Taiwan FFG missile upgrade.

FIREWORKS FOR DESTROYER’S VISIT – P15

FROM THE TROPICS TO THE ICE FOR RNZN SHIP – P38

 

UKRAINE WAR

COLD RESPONSE AT SEA IN WAKE OF RUSSIAN BLITZ ON UKRAINE – P2/3
Moscow’s naval forces launch a bombardment from the Black Sea while NATO fleets hold the line.

ODIN’s EYE – P5
Invasion heralds ‘new Cold War’ that is years old.

PUTIN’S NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL MANIFESTO – P6/7
The doctrine that helps the Russian leader threaten devastation to prevent NATO intervention.

ANKARA CUTS MOSCOW’S BLACK SEA-MED LINK – P8/9
Warship movements through the Turkish Straits halted.

EUROPE BOLSTERS ITS DEFENCES – P10/11
Western nations are upgrading their naval forces.

LONG VOYAGE FROM COLD WAR’S END TO THE NEW HOT CONFLICT – P41/43
How a confrontation at sea ended but with hints of a new one to come.

 

FEATURES

NEW BOSS VOWS ROYAL NAVY WILL ACCEPT CHALLENGES OF A DANGEROUS ERA – P14
The First Sea Lord outlines his vision for the UK fleet.

LEATHERNECK AVIATORS SEEK TO HIT HARD – P16/17
The US Marines are exploring means to keep fighting.

NOBLE ENDEAVOUR & USN-USMC FUTURE – P18/20
An exercise explores new style strike groups.

‘FIRST STRIKE’ UNDERMINES SECURITY – P21/23
Calls for the USA to change its deterrent policy.

DRONES UNLEASHED IN EXPANSIVE STYLE – P24/26
The Arabian Gulf and further afield see a massive naval exercise.

HYPERSONIC MISSILE THREAT SET IN TRAIN – P27/28
How Tokyo is investing in naval railgun technology.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX – P29/31
Curing the Royal Navy’s lethality problem Pt2.

CHINESE NAVY ACCUSED OF USING LASER – P34/35
Australia is furious at an ‘act of intimidation’ against one of its Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

THROWBACK BOAT AIMS TO BE BOSS – P36/37
A new submersible design from the Russians.

SUPERMARINE FLYING LEGEND – P44/45
A Seafire survivor to soar with Navy Wings.

OBITUARY – P46
A look back at the life of the man who was captain of the WARSHIPS IFR ship.