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Latest News for our Navy Network Read our November edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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30 November Russian
Navy test-fires hypersonic missile in the White SeaRussia’s Navy has successfully test-fired a prospective hypersonic missile, the military said Monday. The Defence Ministry said the frigate Admiral Gorshkov launched the Zircon cruise missile while in the White Sea, hitting a practice target 400 kilometers (215 nautical miles) away. The launch was the latest in a series of tests of Zircon, which is set to enter service next year. President Vladimir Putin has said Zircon would be capable of flying at nine times the speed of sound and have a range of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). Putin has emphasized that its deployment will significantly boost the capability of Russia’s military. Zircon is intended to arm Russian cruisers, frigates and submarines. It is one of several hypersonic missiles under development in Russia. More..... |
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29 November Surveying
Gascoyne’s successful deploymentHMAS Gascoyne’s return home saw families lining the wharf at HMAS Waterhen to welcome them back after a successful three-month deployment. Gascoyne’s 45 crew left Sydney on 30 August 2021, and spent time circumnavigating Australia to conduct vital route surveys of Australia’s most important and strategic waterways. Commanding Officer of HMAS Gascoyne, Lieutenant Commander Geoff Crane said his crew were upstanding and professional throughout the deployment. “I am proud of the crew who have consistently represented Navy to the highest standard,” Lieutenant Commander Crane said. “This deployment has not only involved a number of port surveys important for both military and commercial vessels, but also a number of community engagements.” More..... |
28 November Sinking
of HMAS Parramatta (II) rememberedNSW Governor Margaret Beazley AC QC and Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Mark Hammond were among the dignitaries who attended a memorial service in Parramatta on the 80th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Parramatta II during World War II. 138 members of the crew were killed in action. The service took place on November 27 in the Queens Wharf Reserve at the Parramatta Memorial which commemorates all Royal Australian Navy ships to carry the name, Parramatta. Captain Simon Cannell, a former Commanding Officer of HMAS Parramatta (IV), delivered the oration. More..... |
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28 November Navy and the Nation Naval Historical Society - Victoria Chapter, Christmas function held at the Waverley RSL, Victoria. Guest Speaker: CDRE Greg Yorke CSC RAN |
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27 November
2021
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26 November RAN Band - Military Band Sounds 2021 RAN Band Melbourne returned to live performance on 05 November 2021 with a live concert of 'Military Band Sounds' at the high-profile Bunjil Place Theatre, VIC. The concert featured the full Royal Australian Navy Band Melbourne Wind Band, conducted by Officer-in-Charge LEUT David Coit. In the spirit of the Navy Band's continuing contribution to an Australian Navy, the performance premiered two brand new compositions by Band members Petty Officer Musician Christopher Palamountain and Leading Seaman Musician Cameron McAllister. |
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26 November Gascoyne
hits the mark with familiesHMAS Gascoyne hunted down an opportunity to thank families for their continued support during a rare port visit to Adelaide. After completing route survey operations off Port Adelaide recently, a number of crew who are Adelaide natives were able to invite their families on board for a cruise from Outer Harbour to Glenelg. Commanding Officer HMAS Gascoyne Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Crane said the cruise was a way to thank families for their ongoing support of their serving loved ones. “It has been almost 20 years since Gascoyne last visited the Port of Adelaide so this family cruise was certainly a rare event and one which took a little more planning to ensure we abided by the local and fleet COVID-19 policies,” Lieutenant Commander Crane said. More..... |
26 November Australia
Needs Asymmetric Capabilities to Counter China in Indo-Pacific,
Former Australian Official SaysAustralian political leaders have refocused Canberra’s attention on developing more asymmetric capabilities necessary to fighting a war far from its shores against “high-end competitor” China, a former senior national security adviser to its foreign minister said Tuesday. John Lee, now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, described the security situation regarding Taiwan and in northeast Asia “a lot bleaker” than they were five years ago when, for the first time, maritime concerns dominated an Australian defense white paper. He added it was “not unrealistic to have a conflict” over self-governing Taiwan in five or six years and any war there would not be confined to the island. China regards the island as a province and has been escalating tensions over its future to include threats of invasion. More..... |
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26 November Policy, Guns and Money: Intelligence collaboration, ASEAN and Myanmar, Pacific cyber capacity |
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25 November HMAS Warramunga In Rough Seas |
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25 November Danish
Navy Frigate Kills 4 Pirates in Gulf of Guinea Anti-Piracy MissionThe Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Esbern Snare (F342) engaged pirates on Wednesday during an anti-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa, killing four pirates and capturing the remaining four. The ship was responding to reports of pirate activity and heading to the scene while sending it’s embarked Royal Danish Air Force MH-60R helicopter in advance to observe the area, according to a Thursday news release from the Danish Armed Forces. The helicopter sighted a speedboat that afternoon with eight men on board in the vicinity of merchant ships in the area and observed that the boat was carrying a number of piracy-associated tools, including ladders. More..... |
25 November China military watch The long-awaited and much-delayed 2021 China military power report, released by the US Department of Defense earlier this month, makes for interesting reading. The report is full of important analyses of myriad developments in the People’s Liberation Army that could occupy several months’ worth of ‘China military watch’. This article considers the significance of PLA nuclear advancements. The starting point must be the report’s observation that China is clearly undertaking a rapid breakout from its minimum deterrence posture and is moving from a total stockpile of 272 deliverable nuclear warheads as of 2020 to 700 deliverable warheads by 2027 and at least 1,000 by 2030. More..... |
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24 November HMAS Canberra back home after South East Asia deployment |
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24 November 80th Anniversary of HMAS Sydney II sinking commemorated in Geraldton |
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24 November Government
protecting veterans' interests following court decisionIn a significant win for veterans across the country, the Morrison-Joyce Government has taken action to ensure no veteran will be made worse off due to a Federal Court decision. The court’s decision in Commissioner of Taxation v. Douglas (the Douglas decision) had meant that invalidity pensions paid under the Military Superannuation and Benefits (MSB) and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) schemes which commenced after 20 September 2007 would be taxed as superannuation lump sums rather than superannuation income stream benefits. The Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said that without a swift response from the Australian Government, the Douglas decision would have had potentially harmful financial implications for some veterans. “The court’s decision had meant that invalidity pensions paid under certain superannuation schemes would be taxed differently,” Assistant Minister Sukkar said. More..... |
24 November Reducing
gender-based violencePersonnel can learn about Defence’s work in reducing gender-based violence and providing support to victims at a virtual seminar on November 25. The seminar coincides with International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Speakers will include Melissa Elfverson, of the Domestic Violence Crisis Centre, the manager of Defence’s Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Program Myra Keating and head of ADF Gender Peace and Security Directorate Captain Jennifer Macklin. This year's theme is “Orange the world: End violence against women now!” Captain Macklin said there were many links between the day and recognising that gender was central to understanding conflict-affected, disaster and fragile settings. More..... |
23 November Joint
Standing Committee on Treaties set to review AUKUS ENNPIThe Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold an inquiry into the agreement between the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) for the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (ENNPI). The ENNPI Agreement aims to provide a mechanism for Australian personnel to access training and education from the UK and US counterparts, necessary for learning how to safely build, operate and support nuclear-powered submarines. Following the signing of the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement by Minister for Defence Peter Dutton and representatives from the United Kingdom and the United States this week, the committee has announced that it is now accepting submissions to the inquiry until Friday, 26 November 2021. According to committee chair Dave Sharma MP, the agreement will help determine the optimal pathway for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy, one of the most important strategic military capabilities for Australia in the decades ahead. More..... |
23 November BAE
transfers warship design data to AustraliaBAE Systems is in the process of transferring two million digital artefacts and 90,000 documents about the UK’s Type 26 frigate to their Australian office to support the construction of the Hunter Class frigate as part of the SEA 5000 project. The transfer of the artefacts and files from the UK’s frigate program in Scotland to BAE’s Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide is expected to support BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s construction of nine Hunter Class frigates, which are based on the Global Combat Ship (GCS) baseline design and the Type 26 reference ship that is currently being built for the Royal Navy out of Glasgow. Among the files include design information, drawings, data, videos, diagrams and tools to support the construction of the Hunter Class and a broader sovereign design capability. More..... |
23 November Philippine
Navy Brings Supplies to Troops in Second Thomas Shoal One Week After
China Coast Guard AttackThe Philippine military undertook a resupply mission for its troops in the Second Thomas Shoal in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on Tuesday, exactly one week after the mission was aborted after two Chinese Coast Guard vessels used water cannons to attack the two civilian boats bringing supplies to the soldiers. The delivery of supplies for the small contingent of soldiers aboard the partly sunken BRP Sierra Madre, which Filipino troops are using as an outpost in securing the Second Thomas Shoal, apparently went along with a scheduled troops’ rotation. “The two civilian resupply boats manned by the Philippine Navy arrived at the Sierra Madre in the Ayungin shoal at 11 a.m. today without any untoward incident,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said hours after the two boats docked beside Sierra Madre. “They are presently unloading personnel and cargo.“ More..... |
23 November U.S. Begins Exercise Off Japan with Canadian, German and
Australian NaviesAustralia, Canada, Germany, Japan and the United States are conducting naval drills in the Philippine Sea off the southern coast of Japan for the next week. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force exercise, known as ANNUALEX 2021, began on Sunday and will continue through Nov. 30. The exercise is a yearly naval training event led by the JMSDF, with navies from other countries invited to participate in the event. This year’s iteration marks the first time the German Navy is taking part in these drills. The exercise will “include enhanced maritime communication tactics, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations and maritime interdiction maneuvers,” U.S. 7th Fleet said in a news release. More..... |
22 November MMHN November 2021 UpdateSeveral pleasing announcements as we tentatively set sail, caste off and launch into the post Lockdown ‘new normal’. First – an announcement that the new MMHN website is up and running. With a completely new look, the website is easy to use and showcases all our activities. The website was made possible through a grant by the English Speaking Union and we sincerely thank them, and our website designer, Dimity Mapstone. We encourage you to go online and check it out at https://mmhn.org.au/ From the administrative perspective, one impressive advantage of the new website is that it can handle online membership applications and renewals. No more paper forms to fill out or bank transfers to be made – the new process is simple via Paypal. Alternatively, if you wish to fill in a form and make an EFT payment, that is also possible. Memberships are due for renewal by 31 December. More..... |
22 November Australia signs exchange of naval nuclear propulsion
information sharing agreementThe signing of the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement (the Agreement) with our AUKUS partners – the United Kingdom and the United States – is another important step in Australia’s pursuit of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Minister for Defence the Hon Peter Dutton MP said the Agreement will further advance consultations by permitting the United Kingdom and the United States to exchange sensitive and classified naval nuclear propulsion information with a third country for the first time. “This Agreement will support Australia in completing the 18 months of intensive and comprehensive examination of the requirements underpinning the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines,” Minister Dutton said. “The United Kingdom and the United States will be able to share naval nuclear propulsion information with Australia, which they cannot with any other country, in the determination of the optimal pathway to acquire nuclear-powered submarines for operation by the Royal Australian Navy. More..... |
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22 November Australia & Japan conduct Exercise Nichi-gou Trident HMAS Warramunga and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Inazuma are currently conducting Exercise Nichi-gou Trident. The two ships will navigate in-company and conduct a series of Maritime Warfare Serials to build cooperation and interoperability between the two Navies. |
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20 November Lone survivor of 1941 HMAS Sydney sinking finally named and honoured |
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19 November Competition
a chance to tour a submarineSit in a quiet room, pop on your headphones, close your eyes, press ‘play’ and imagine life deep underwater as you enjoy a 3D audio, virtual tour of a submarine. This dream will become a reality for the winners of the Royal Australian Navy’s national submariner competition, which is online now. The lucky winners from each state and territory will be gifted the opportunity to join the Navy team in a Collins-class submarine with an all-expenses paid adventure to Navy’s home of submarines, HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. Former lifeguard, swimming coach and instructor Able Seaman William Candy, 26, from Coromandel Valley, South Australia, entered the competition and won the real-life experience in 2019. More..... |
19 November Gift
marks last visit to ceremonial home portCommanding Officer HMAS Sirius Commander Christopher Doherty said the ship's last visit to Norfolk Island – the ship’s ceremonial home port – was particularly significant for the crew and community. “As Norfolk Island is our ceremonial home port, we have a very strong connection there and it was important for us to visit that community one last time,” CMDR Doherty said, referring to the ship's tour of ports around the country before she decommissions next month. Norfolk Island was selected as the ship’s ceremonial home port following petitioning from the island’s residents, who have a strong historical connection to HMS Sirius, which was shipwrecked off the coast in 1790. To mark the final visit on November 8, the crew gifted a painting of the ship to memorialise the ship’s legacy. More..... |
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19 November HMAS Sirius sails a final lap to farewell Sydney Harbour HMAS Sirius has conducted a final tour of Australia ahead of the ship’s decommissioning in December 2021. The 75 crew on board visited ports around the country, including the ship’s ceremonial homeport of Norfolk Island to commemorate the legacy the 25,000-tonne support ship will leave behind. For 15 years, Sirius has been a steadfast asset to the Fleet, enhancing Australia’s international relationships by conducting fuel transfers or dry hook-ups with ships from the navies of New Zealand, the USA, the UK, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea and Canada. |
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19 November Artificial
intelligence to improve decision-makingDefence and national security agencies have enlisted the services of Australian researchers to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve military decision-making. Thanks to funding through the ‘Artificial intelligence for decision-making’ initiative, researchers across the country are exploring how to exploit the power of AI and machine learning to enhance the decision-making of military commanders and national security analysts. According to the Office of National Intelligence (ONI), intelligence is a highly data-driven business where appropriately harnessed AI and machine learning has great potential to support the important work of the National Intelligence Community’s world-class analysts. More..... |
19 November Unknown
HMAS Sydney II sailor named after 80 yearsEighty years after the Australian warship HMAS Sydney (II) sunk off the West Australian coast, the only body recovered from the tragedy has now been identified. New DNA evidence has confirmed Able Seaman (AB) Thomas Welsby Clark from New Farm in Brisbane as the previously unidentified sailor. The Sydney sank on 19 November, 1941 following an intense battle with the disguised German merchant raider HSK Kormoran, about 120 nautical miles (222 km) west of Steep Point, WA. AB Clark is believed to be the only sailor to have made it to a life raft after the ship went down. Despite surviving the battle and the sinking, he tragically died at sea in the life raft. His remains were found near Rocky Point on Christmas Island nearly three months later. More..... |
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18 November HMAS Stalwart Commissioning The Royal Australian Navy’s newest ship HMAS Stalwart was commissioned at a ceremony at Fleet Base West on 13 November 2021. Stalwart is the second of two Supply class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships built for Navy and will be homeported at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia. The Supply Class AORs’ primary role is to provide logistics replenishment to naval combat units while at sea. |
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17 November 10 years of shared commitment to the US-Australia alliance |
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15 November HMAS
Sirius begins farewell tourAfter participating in her final exercise, Exercise Malabar, HMAS Sirius left the latest Regional Presence Deployment task group to embark on a decommissioning tour. With the ship due to decommission in December, the crew has organised a commemorative tour around Australia, fitting of the ship’s legacy. Commanding Officer Sirius Commander Christopher Doherty said the crew planned the tour with the intent of celebrating the ship’s achievements with as many of the people it serves as possible. “Sirius has proudly represented the Royal Australian Navy in a significant amount of exercises and operations throughout the past 15 years,” CMDR Doherty said. More..... |
14 November Navy
welcomes Stalwart into the fleetThe Royal Australian Navy commissioned its latest ship into service on November 13 at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia. HMAS Stalwart, the second of the Supply-class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, will provide logistics replenishment to ships at sea, while also having the ability to support the Joint Force on a wider scale. Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan said the auxiliary oiler replenishment ships bring a significant capability to Navy and Australia’s regional partners in terms of providing at-sea support. “These ships represent a generational shift from the capability provided by previous support ships in that they are equipped with a combat management system that improves information sharing with other ADF and allied assets,” Vice Admiral Noonan said. More..... |
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12 November A look at Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE) is Australia’s annual flagship regional engagement activity. Deployed in late August, HMA Ships Canberra, Sirius and Anzac journeyed more than 32,000 kilometres through Southeast Asia, strengthening partnerships, building relationships and cooperating with eight countries in our immediate region. Centred on a maritime task group, IPE 21 involved approximately 700 people, including ADF and civilian defence personnel, plus sea riders from partner nations. Engagements were modified in response to COVID-19. |
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12 November HMAS Canberra feasts on the flavours of Indonesia HMAS Canberra prepared a feast of Indonesian cuisine in preparation for its port visit to Jakarta during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 (IPE21). The galley cooked up dishes including Nasi Goreng, Beef Rendang, Chicken Satay, and Indonesian spiced fish which proved extremely popular in the ship's dining rooms. |
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12 November RAN Band - Once Navy, Always Navy - NAA Centenary Throughout 2020/21, the Royal Australian Navy Band has engaged with the Naval Association of Australia (NAA) in a variety of events in celebration of its centenary year. The centenary year comes to a close on 19 November 2021. |
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12 November ADF personnel deployed in the Middle East introduce their podcast Two information systems technicians are ensuring all ADF members deployed on Operation Accordion in the Middle East are regularly enjoying a good belly laugh. Not taking themselves too seriously, Navy Petty Officer Mark ‘Butts’ Butler and Army Signaller James ‘Devs’ Devlin produce a weekly podcast central to morale and the casual dissemination of information across Joint Task Force 633. |
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12 November Naval News Monthly Recap – October 2021 There was a lot going on in the Indo-Pacific region in October: Multiple CSGs operated together in the Pacific, Japan launched its second Taigei-class submarine and started sea trials of its first FFM frigate, exercise MALABAR 21 took place in the bay of Bengal, Russian and Chinese ships patrolled together in the Pacific for the first time and naval forces from Australia, Japan, UK and the US conducted a large exercise in the Indian Ocean. |
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12 November Joint
show of force in WAThe effects of joint-force firepower have made a good impression with the Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price during a triservice live-fire demonstration at Lancelin Training Area on November 8. The interoperability exercise showcased the joint capability of Defence in Western Australia, demonstrating how the three services can successfully coordinate and deliver effects on ground-based targets. The exercise was supported by No. 79 Squadron Hawk 127 aircraft, which provided air cover, while HMAS Anzac provided naval gunfire and 3rd Battery, 9th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (9th Regt, RAA), was responsible for the coordination of joint assets as well as ground-based fires and an unmanned aerial system. More..... |
12 November Sailboat Collides with French Aircraft Carrier Charles de
GaulleThe French Navy announced that a sailboat collided with aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle this morning. No injuries were reported, damages are limited to the sailboat which dismasted. According to the Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean (Préfecture Maritime de la Méditerranée), the flagship of the French Navy (Marine Nationale), aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, was at sea for training off Toulon naval base when the collision occurred with a 10 meters-long sailboat flying the flag of Poland: While on a training sortie off Toulon, the Charles de Gaulle was late to detect a ten-metre sailing boat (flying a Polish flag) at a very short distance, shortly before 07:30 AM. In spite of an emergency maneuver to avoid this sailboat and in the absence of reaction from the latter, a collision occurred around 07:30 AM between the sailboat and the hull of the Charles de Gaulle. More..... |
12 November HMAS
Anzac strengthens partnership with IndonesiaHMAS Anzac trained with two Indonesian Navy ships this month during Exercise New Horizon, a key biennial maritime high-end warfare engagement. The exercise was conducted in the waters off Surabaya, Indonesia, as the final international activity of Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE21). Anzac’s navigating officer Lieutenant Dean Ryan said New Horizon was a great opportunity to train with Indonesia. “It allowed the bridge and operations room teams to practise various warfare and navigational exercises, all of which greatly improved our interoperability with our nearest partner nation,” Lieutenant Ryan said. More..... |
12 November$4.35 million additional support for veteran groups across
Australia 127 veteran groups around Australia will benefit from more than $4.35 million in additional funding through the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said the funding would help ex-service organisations (ESOs) continue to deliver the highest quality advocacy services and support. “This additional funding will help these groups provide local veterans even greater transition support, assistance with claims and entitlements, and access to services such as rehabilitation and wellbeing programs,” Minister Gee said. “This is an extra investment in the health and wellbeing of our veterans and their families, and will make a real difference to those on the ground, providing critical support and resources. More..... |
11 November Royal
Navy and French Navy combine to test new support shipOne of Britain’s biggest warships, HMS Albion, was towed through the Channel to help the French test the power of a new specialist ship, according to a Royal Navy press release on 11 November. The FS Garonne hauled huge assault ship HMS Albion past the coast of Devon to assess its pulling strength and abilities – as well as hone Anglo-French naval co-operation and the Royal Navy’s own emergency procedures. The Garonne is one of four new specialists Loire-class support ships built for the French Navy designed to provide a multitude of services, from supporting diving operations and dealing with pollution in the aftermath of spillage at sea, to assisting submarines and surface ships, including salvage operations. More..... |
11 November RAN
wraps up multinational subs exerciseThe Navy has completed submarine search and rescue exercises alongside Indo-Pacific partners. The Royal Australian Navy’s submarine abandonment, escape and rescue system was put to the test as part of Exercise Black Carillon 21 — an annual training exercise aimed at ensuring personnel are equipped to respond to emergency scenarios. The submarine search and rescue team operates within the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office, with member nations called upon to respond to incidents around the world. This year, the RAN was joined by counterparts from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, who earned ‘Commander Rescue Forces’ qualifications. More..... |
11 November Veteran
submariner honoured on 99th birthdayThe remarkable contribution of a 99-year-old submarine commander was honoured by the Royal Australian Navy ahead of Remembrance Day. Born on October 17, 1922, Lieutenant Commander (retd) Michael Timothy Hickie joined with family and friends at the RSL Anzac Village in Narrabeen to celebrate his birthday. It was here that he received a hand-delivered letter from the Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mike Noonan. According to his son, Tim, the submariner proudly read his birthday message to an eager audience, without glasses and barely an error. “It was a significant occasion for Dad, shared with three generations of his family and some very dear friends with whom he shared career highlights,” Tim said. More..... |
11 November An
unknown Australian soldier of the Great War identifiedThe body of a Victorian soldier, killed in action during the First World War, has been identified in an unnamed grave in France, more than a century after his death. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee today confirmed the identification of Lieutenant James Mark Kennedy, 26th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force born 16 April 1879. “Thanks to painstaking research over a number of years, Lieutenant Kennedy’s family now know his final resting place and he can be given the memorial he deserves,” Minister Gee said. “It is pleasing that, as we commemorate Remembrance Day, we have been able to bring some closure to another Australian family whose loved one lost their life fighting for our nation. “Born in Clarendon, Victoria and recruited in Queensland, Lieutenant Kennedy dedicated the majority of his life to service, including fighting in both the Boer War and the First World War. More..... |
09 November Second
U.S. Aircraft Carrier Missile Target Spotted in Chinese DesertA second suspected missile target in the shape of a U.S. aircraft carrier has been spotted in a rural Chinese desert, according to satellite photos obtained by USNI News. The site consists of a single aircraft carrier target, miles from the nearest town in the Xinjiang region, according to photos provided to USNI News by satellite imagery company Maxar. The carrier target is about 300 miles away from a larger suspected missile range in the Taklamakan Desert, first reported by USNI News on Sunday. The two sites share similar characteristics and are aligned on a map with the carriers facing the same direction – as if in a convoy. Like the first, this new target shares the same dimensions as a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Work on the new target started on or before June 25, based on a historical review of satellite imagery. The main task of building it was carried out in October and the target now appears newly finished. More..... |
09 November Australia Ambassador to U.S. Says AUKUS Deal Will ‘Project
Power Further Up’ Through Indo-PacificThe key reason Australia entered into a new security agreement with the United States and United Kingdom that includes building nuclear-powered submarines is “to project power further up” from the homeland, Canberra’s ambassador to Washington said Tuesday. Arthur Simonides, speaking in a Hudson Institute forum, said Australia was also looking at new ways of shaping the security environment in the Indo-Pacific and for a deterrent against China when acting with allies. He noted Canberra is spending nearly 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product on modernizing its security forces. He said the three countries reached the September agreement, known as AUKUS, not because Australia feared an “imminent attack” from China, but because of Canberra’s commitment to the rules-based order that has marked post-World War II international relations. More..... |
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09 NovemberA
call to honour the fallen on Remembrance Day ‘One sits and ponders sadly of those many pals who are “gone to that home from which no wanderer returns.” … The very flower of our manhood have paid the greatest price, not willingly for not one of them but longed to live, return home and forget, yes just forget the horrors of the past … Please God … the sacrifices have not been in vain.’ Lance Corporal Roger Morgan, Second Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, 11 November 1918 At 11am this Thursday, November 11, Australians will once again fall silent to commemorate Remembrance Day, in honour of all those Australians who have suffered and died defending our nation, our values and our freedoms. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said Remembrance Day remained one of the most significant days of the year for Australians. “We must never forget the courage, valour and sacrifice of all those men and women who have served this nation in war, conflicts and peacekeeping operations,” Minister Gee said. More..... |
09 NovemberFunding to help local
communities remember those who served Commemorative services, restoration of memorials and the installation of a new honour roll are among the notable projects sharing in over $800,000 of grant funding provided by the Australian Government under the Saluting Their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants Program. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said communities across Australia are proud of their military history, our local veterans who have served our nation and their families who have supported them. “Our local communities recognise the importance of commemorating and honouring the contribution of our servicemen and women and all that they have done for our nation,” Minister Gee said. “This program helps to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage, providing valuable financial support, highlighting the dedication and sacrifice of our veterans. More..... |
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08 November Policy, Guns and Money: COP26, nuclear submarines and vaccine passports |
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07 November China
Builds Missile Targets Shaped Like U.S. Aircraft Carrier, Destroyers
in Remote DesertThe Chinese military has built targets in the shape of an American aircraft carrier and other U.S. warships in the Taklamakan desert as part of a new target range complex, according to photos provided to USNI News by satellite imagery company Maxar. The full-scale outline of a U.S. carrier and at least two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are part of the target range that has been built in the Ruoqiang region in central China. The site is near a former target range China used to test early versions of its so-called carrier killer DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles, according to press reports in 2013. This new range shows that China continues to focus on anti-carrier capabilities, with an emphasis on U.S. Navy warships. Unlike the Iranian Navy’s aircraft carrier-shaped target in the Persian Gulf, the new facility shows signs of a sophisticated instrumented target range. More..... |
06 November US
Navy Selects First Woman Directly for
F-35C After Earning Wings of Gold in
MeridianThe U.S. Navy selected its first woman to go directly from earning designation as a naval aviator to postgraduate flight training in the F-35C Lightning II. Lt. j.g. Suzelle Thomas, assigned to the “Eagles” of Training Squadron (VT) 7, received her Wings of Gold alongside seven fellow naval aviators and one Italian Navy aviator during a ceremony at the chapel onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, Oct. 29. Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) Rear Admiral Robert D. Westendorff, who oversees all undergraduate flight training for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, said the ceremony was the culmination of a year of advanced training and a lifetime of study and preparation. More..... |
06 November Our
November Navy Hero is:Leading Cook(O) Francis Bassett ‘Dick’ Emms MID Francis Bassett ‘Dick’ Emms was born at Launceston, Tasmania on 28 November 1909 and following his schooling was employed in his father’s tailoring shop. He joined the Royal Australian Navy on 14 March 1928 and undertook his initial training as an Ordinary Seaman at HMAS Cerberus. On completion of his training he joined the heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra in March 1929 and served in her until July 1930. Emms was promoted to Able Seaman in January 1930 and later qualified as a gunnery rating. Although he had been christened as Francis he was known to his shipmates as Richard or Dick, and rarely used his given name. On 19 February 1942, Leading Cook Francis Emms was serving onboard the boom defence vessel HMAS Kara Kara when the Japanese conducted their first air raid on Darwin. During this raid dozens of Japanese aircraft attacked ships in the harbour, the RAAF airfield and indiscriminately bombed the city. During the attack, Kara Kara was singled out by several Japanese aircraft that commenced strafing the vessel. Emms manned one the vessels machine guns and returned fire and continued to do so even after he had been seriously wounded. His mates called to him to take cover, but he stood by his gun as another wave of Japanese zeros and bombers moved in devastating fashion over Darwin. Dick's full story can be found in our Heroes section: https://navyvic.net/heroes/emms.html |
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05 November NSW
government supports development of undersea detection and
communications capabilitiesThe NSW Defence Innovation Network (DIN) Strategic Investment Initiative is expected to commence research into undersea acoustic communications and sensing technologies. NSW Minister for Industry and Trade Stuart Ayres has recently confirmed that the NSW government will support the development of integrated undersea acoustic communications and sensing technologies, aimed at supporting long-distance covert underwater communications. The program, pioneered by the NSW Defence Innovation Network (DIN) Strategic Investment Initiative, was kickstarted with $500,000 in funding from the NSW government and the Commonwealth’s Next Generation Technologies Fund. According to a release from the minister’s office, the project is aiming to develop a prototype built upon orthogonal time-frequency space signalling. More..... |
05 November ADF
collaborates with regional partners to
stop illegal fishing as part of
Operation SolaniaThe ADF partnered with the PNG Defence Force to conduct maritime surveillance to detect and deter illegal fishing in the Pacific. The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Wollongong and the PNG Defence Force’s HMPNGS Rochus Lokinap recently conducted a two-week maritime surveillance exercise in PNG’s Exclusive Economic Zone to detect and deter illegal fishing in the region, Defence confirmed. The mission forms part of Operation Solania, Australia’s contribution to maritime surveillance in the region, and aimed to support the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)’s Operations KuruKuru, Island Chief, Tui Moana and Rai Balang in order to deter illegal fishing. More..... |
05 November Australia
and US wrap up mine warfare exercise in WAThe Royal Australian Navy and United States Navy elements have successfully concluded Exercise Dugong 2021 in Western Australia today. For the past three weeks, specialist Coalition mine warfare units have been exercising in a simulated scenario to test their ability to keep the Port of Fremantle and Indian Ocean accesses open in the event of a hostile action against Australia. Assistant Minister for Defence, Andrew Hastie said Exercise Dugong had tested the Coalition’s ability to integrate emerging and legacy mine warfare systems, technologies and practices. “We live in a region that is at the centre of great power competition, our Indian Ocean approaches are vital sea lanes, and we must be ready to meet our changing strategic circumstances.” Assistant Minister Hastie said. More..... |
04 November USS
Connecticut CO, XO, COB Relieved Over
Collision in South China Sea ‘Due to
Loss of Confidence’The commander, executive officer and senior enlisted sailor for attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN-22) have been fired following the results of an investigation into the Oct. 2 underwater collision in the South China Sea, the Navy announced on Thursday. Connecticut commanding officer Cmdr. Cameron Aljilani, executive officer Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Cashin and Chief of the Boat Cory Rodgers were removed from their positions at the direction of U.S. 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Karl Thomas. The reliefs follow the completion of the investigation into the Oct. 2 collision in which the nuclear attack submarine collided with an uncharted underwater seamount in the South China Sea. The reliefs are “due to loss of confidence. Thomas determined sound judgement, prudent decision-making, and adherence to required procedures in navigation planning, watch team execution and risk management could have prevented the incident,” reads a statement from the Navy. More..... |
03 November China
Has World’s Largest Navy With 355 Ships and Counting, Says PentagonChina has the biggest maritime force on the globe with an inventory of about 355 vessels, according to a Defense Department report released Wednesday. With 355 ships in its fleet, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is slated to expand its inventory to 420 ships within the next four years, the Pentagon’s annual China military report estimates. By 2030, the PLAN is expected to have 460 ships. The 355 estimation accounts for “major surface combatants, submarines, aircraft carriers, ocean-going amphibious ships, mine warfare ships, and fleet auxiliaries,” according to the report, which covers events in 2020. “This figure does not include 85 patrol combatants and craft that carry anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs). … Much of this growth will be in major surface combatants,” the report reads. More..... |
03 November Musician
trumpets employer's supportWhen Royal Australian Navy Band member Petty Officer Nigel Barrett's civilian employer learnt he had nominated them for an award for supporting his Reserve service, it was music to their ears. But the high note came when that workplace, the Western Australian Association for Mental Health, won the not-for-profit category of the state’s Reserve Employer Support Awards. The annual awards, presented in all states and territories, provide an opportunity for Defence to recognise employers formally for workplace practices that enable reservists to complete their ADF service commitments. Petty Officer Barrett, who is the Western Australian Association for Mental Health’s corporate services manager, said his employer had provided unwavering support of his Naval Reserve service. More..... |
02 November Astute
Class sub visits PerthA nuclear-powered submarine has docked in WA as part of a regional deployment in the Indo-Pacific. A Royal Navy Astute Class submarine is conducting a port visit to Perth, joining HMAS Stirling in Rockingham, Western Australia. The vessel’s arrival in Perth follows its deployment with the UK Carrier Strike Group, led by air craft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. The task group was most recently operating in the Indo-Pacific, conducting exercises alongside a number of Royal Australian Navy units and other multinational partners. Crew of the Astute Class submarine will now take a short period of respite in WA in accordance with COVID-19 protocols. More..... |
02 November Rendezvous
at sea sweet as maple syrupA recent training activity between the Australian and Canadian navies in the Indo-Pacific was particularly significant for one Royal Australian Navy member. Lieutenant Commander Stephen Wall spent 16 years as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy before joining the Royal Australian Navy in 2018. Lieutenant Commander Wall is now HMAS Warramunga’s principal warfare officer and is currently at sea on a regional presence deployment. Along with HMAS Brisbane, Warramunga recently rendezvoused with Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Winnipeg for an in-company transit in the South China Sea, conducting small-boat operations, flying operations and maritime manoeuvres. More..... |
02 November Ship's
final birthday in service celebratedOn September 29, the personnel of Armidale-class patrol boat HMAS Maitland celebrated the ship’s 15th birthday while alongside HMAS Coonawarra. Maitland commissioned on September 29, 2006, and is the first Navy vessel to bear the name Maitland after the City of Maitland, NSW, and the World War II naval training establishment in Newcastle, NSW. This was HMAS Maitland's final birthday in service as the ship is scheduled to be decommissioned in April next year. Commanding Officer Maitland Lieutenant Commander Julia Griffin said the birthday was a fitting time to remind the crew of Maitland’s storied history. More..... |
01 November FlyByA periodical of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. November Edition..... |
01 November ‘Australia’s
sharpest minds’ needed to pull off nuclear submarine planA multi-disciplinary taskforce is recruiting ‘Australia’s sharpest minds’ to tackle the herculean task of providing the Royal Australian Navy with eight nuclear-powered submarines, acquiring the technical skills the nation doesn’t yet have to maintain them, and training highly specialised crews to drive them. Given the immense complexity of this project revealed in September’s bombshell announcement by US President Joe Biden and Australian and UK prime ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson, and the scale of Australia’s strategic shift, those sharp minds will have their work cut out. More..... |
01 November Sailor
tries to save COVID patientDuring a routine mid-morning COVID-19 compliance check in Wellington, NSW, earlier this month, COVID-19 task force member Able Seaman Matthew Mu was faced with a life-or-death situation. When Able Seaman Mu arrived at one of the homes, the concerned family inside asked for help with their relative. A man in the COVID-positive household lay on the floor, struggling for breath. Able Seaman Mu and the NSW Police Force officers he was accompanying immediately put on full personal protective equipment, including gowns and face masks, to help the man who had COVID-19. It was a situation that swiftly deteriorated. More..... |
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| News Archives: For all news articles prior to 01 November 2021 go to our News Archive page | |
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