No. 321 February 2022

February 2022

Front cover

German frigate FGS Bayern beginning a milestone deployment to Indo-Pacific that ends this month (Feb) when she returns home.

Photo by Sascha Sent/Bundeswehr

Contents

NEWS

THE USA AND ITS ALLIES HAVE TO GRAPPLE WITH ‘GREAT POWER COMPETITION’ – P2

NAVIES – P3, P4, P6/7
• Dutch hydrography ship back in action.
• UK ‘interceptor boat’ required.
• Belgian/Dutch mine warfare ship build begins.
• Australia tests amphib AFVs on its ships.
• ASEAN-Russia Exercise.
• South Korea secures carrier programme.
• India tests long-range ASW missile.
• Brazilian SSN makes progress.

JAPAN STOP FOR ‘NEW’ PERUVIAN WARSHIP – P9

US NAVY’S FUTURISTIC LASER WEAPON – P11

ARCTIC TRAINING WITH ASW FOCUS – P24/25

CHINA DEPLOYS CARRIER TASK GROUP – P26

TURKEY’S NEW SURVEILLANCE SHIP – P32

CONFRONTATION BROUGHT TO LIFE – P46

 

COMMENTARIES

ODIN’s EYE – P5
To counter Russia the West must pile on pressure at sea

‘DOMINATOR’ DESTROYER NEEDED – P16
UK should build more (& better armed) warships.

 

FEATURES

UK FORCES BOSS PAINTS PORTRAIT OF A DANGEROUS WORLD – P8
The admiral at the top gives a bleak verdict.

US NAVY GETS A LIFT FROM CONGRESS – P10
Lawmakers help the USN play catch-up with China.

HOME ARE THE WARRIORS – P12/15
The ships of the UK Carrier Strike Group return to their bases to prepare for ops in 2022.

GERMANY’S FRIGATE EVOLUTION – P17/20
FGS Bayern’s global mission was decades in the making.

PREPARING FOR THE FIGHT – P21/23
How the UK’s FOST is keeping pace to offer top quality training to British and NATO forces.

‘WE’RE GOING TO NEED A BIGGER NAVY’ – P28/30
A Parliamentary report calls for RN expansion.

ROCKY ROAD AHEAD FOR USN SSBN PROG – P31
Serious challenges and risks for future ‘boomers.’

ROLL UP, ROLL UP FOR BIG NAVAL SELL-OFF! – P34/36
The UK is getting rid of some still-useful ships.

NEW VESSEL NAMED AFTER SUB C.O. – P37/38
Pakistan honours a legendary submarine captain.

 

BOOKS

THE ENDURING APPEAL OF THE WAR FOUGHT BY ‘THE GREATEST GENERATION’ – P39/44
A look at recently published and other noteworthy books that tell stories about the 1939-45 conflict.

GREAT NAVAL POWERS LOSING THEIR WAY – P47/48
A look at three studies of maritime leadership.