No. 317 September 2021

September 2021

Front cover

The Akula II nuclear-powered attack submarine RFS Vepr in the Baltic on the way to the same Navy Day fleet assembly. See P19/21.

Photo by Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service.

Contents

NEWS

US NAVY ESCORTED TANKER AFTER DRONE STRIKE – P2

CHINA BRISTLES AT UK CARRIER & GERMANY SENDS FRIGATE TO INDO-ASIA-PACIFIC – P3/4

NAVIES-IN-BRIEF – P6/7 & P27
• Russia changes its Syrian naval guard.
• First Taiwanese stealth corvette.
• Turkey starts building Ukrainian warships.
• India receives Seahawk ‘copters.
• Norwegian frigate tropicalised.

US NAVY SEALS TRAIN WITH SSNS – P8/9

POMPEY PORT CALL FOR PAKISTAN NAVY – P13

PRINCE ROCKS UP IN THE MED – P18

IRANIAN SPECIAL FORCES SHIP VISITS EUROPE – P21

ON THE HUNT IN THE ARCTIC – P24

LIFE ABOARD A NORWEGIAN SUB – P25/26

HMAS PERTH STAGES A COMEBACK – P38

HMS BELFAST EXPLODES INTO LIFE – P44/45

 

COMMENTARIES

ODIN’s EYE – P5
Germany and Biden deliver a blow to Western security via Baltic pipeline blunder.

THE UK NEEDS TO RAISE ITS GAME – P32/33
The war of perceptions and the RN’s Carrier Strike Group global deployment.

 

FEATURES

JAPAN WEATHERS THREAT OF ATTACK – P10/11
China warns it might use nukes on its neighbour.

TRIMARAN WARSHIP COULD SURVIVE CULL – P14/15
The US Marines may save an unloved LCS type.

BUSY LIZZIE EAST OF SUEZ – P16/17
Latest on the UK Carrier Strike Group.

RUSSIA’S BALTIC MISSILE BOAT MESSAGE – P19/21
An unprecedented nuclear sub presence.

MARITIME CHOKEPOINTS THREAT – P22/23
The recent blocking of the Suez Canal illustrates the Achilles heel of global trade.

CHINA SNOOPS ON BIG EXERCISES – P28/31
Beijing sends two spy ships to loiter off Australia.

1970S-STYLE GLOBAL DEPLOYMENT – P34/36
Even without a carrier the RN projected power.

NEW ANGLES SURFACE ON THRESHER LOSS – P39/40
A fresh twist in on a Cold War tragedy.

SUPPORT VESSELS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE- P42/43
No glamour, no glory but they did their bit.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – P46

BOOK REVIEWS – P47/48