No. 263 January 2017

January 2017

Front cover

The ship’s company of the RNZN frigate Te Mana line the rails during the International Naval Review (INR). See P24/28.

Photo by Trevor Coppock

Contents

  • IS TRUMP’S MUCH BIGGER US NAVY A CASE OF ‘MISSION IMPOSSIBLE’?
  • REALPOLITIK PRESIDENTWILL DRIVE HARD BARGAINS
  • YEMEN ATTACKS ARE A SIGN OF THREATS TO COME
  • MOSCOW’S MISSILES TO GIRDLE THE WORLD
  • INDIAN OCEAN NUCLEAR FACE-OFF
  • KREMLIN UNLEASHES SYRIA BOMBARDMENT
  • ‘THIS IS NO TIME TO TALK THE NAVY DOWN’
  • KIWIS DON’T MIND SOME RAIN ON THEIR BIRTHDAY PARADE
  • MULTINATIONAL FORCE SAILS WITH ALACRITY TO THE RESCUE
  • WORTH OF COSTLY FRIGATE TO BE FOUND IN THE WEAPONS FIT
  • BUILDING THE FUTURE

 

IS TRUMP’S MUCH BIGGER US NAVY A CASE OF ‘MISSION IMPOSSIBLE’?

TRUMP MISSION
Photo: US Navy.

Special Correspondent David Axe kicks off a consideration of the impact of Donald J. Trump’s ascendancy to the post of President of the United States. He looks at the new President’s likely plans for the world’s most powerful navy.

 

REALPOLITIK PRESIDENT WILL DRIVE HARD BARGAINS

TRUMP GLOBAL
Photo: US Navy.

Chief Analyst Usman Ansari examines what the Trump presidency will mean for wider global security.

 

YEMEN ATTACKS ARE A SIGN OF THREATS TO COME

YEMEN ATTACK
Photo: US Navy.

Dr Dave Sloggett explores the implications of recent Anti-Ship Missile attacks on US Navy warships patrolling off the coast of Yemen. He suggests it shows an alarming proliferation of sophisticated ship-killing weaponry that potentially makes the seas unsafe even for major combatants.

 

MOSCOW’S MISSILES TO GIRDLE THE WORLD

RUSSIAN MISSILE SUBS
Photo: US DoD.

Russia’s increasing assertiveness and international activism, particularly its willingness to use military power, are indicative of an ambition to be recognised as a Great Power. This is reflected in ongoing rearmament efforts and Dr James Bosbotinis looks primarily at the submarine element.

 

INDIAN OCEAN NUCLEAR FACE-OFF

INDIAN FACEOFF
Photo: Indian Navy.

Usman Ansari examines how the unveiling of a new Pakistani communication facility means both India and Pakistan now essentially have all the pieces for an operational sea-based deterrent.

 

KREMLIN UNLEASHES SYRIA BOMBARDMENT

SYRIA BOMBARDMENT
Photo: Russian defence ministry.

When the Russian Navy launched another cruise missile blitz of Syria, in the vanguard of the latest bombardment was the new frigate Admiral Grigorovich, which fired up to eight Kalibr-NK missiles from the eastern Mediterranean against targets in Aleppo and Idlib. We report on the naval dimension of the Russian assault.

 

‘THIS IS NO TIME TO TALK THE NAVY DOWN’

NAVY DOWN
Photo: Royal Navy.

As part of our State of the RN reports we relate how, after being confronted with a torrent of bad news, the head of the British fleet issued a rallying call to the Navy and the nation.

 

KIWIS DON’T MIND SOME RAIN ON THEIR BIRTHDAY PARADE

KIWI PARADE
Photo: © 2016 Trevor Coppock Photography (all rights reserved)

Special Correspondent Guy Toremans reports from New Zealand on the International Naval Review staged for the nation’s fleet to celebrate a milestone birthday, which drew in warships from leading navies of Asia-Pacific.

 

MULTINATIONAL FORCE SAILS WITH ALACRITY TO THE RESCUE

NEW ZEALAND QUAKE
Photo: Royal Australian Navy.

Report and photographs on how warships sailed to the rescue when New Zealand was hit by an earthquake just days before the multinational fleet review was staged to salute the 75th anniversary of the nation’s independent navy.

 

WORTH OF COSTLY FRIGATE TO BE FOUND IN THE WEAPONS FIT

COSTLY FRIGATE
Image: BAE Systems.

Amid controversy over the Royal Navy’s current frigates and destroyers lacking key elements of modern naval armament Peter Sandeman asks if the future Type 26 warship will deliver a punch commensurate with the price tag?

 

BUILDING THE FUTURE

BUILD FUTURE
Photo: Guy Toremans.

Special Correspondent Guy Toremans profiles the Servicios Industriales de la Marina (SIMA) shipyards, cornerstone of the Peruvian Navy’s rejuvenation.