HMS ASTUTE Faced Another Problem

It was reported by The Herald of Scotland that the troublesome sub had hit another low when she faced a major hydraulic problem while at sea.

The problem was considered serious as she had to be towed back to her Faslane Home Base due to the failure.

The incident happened just two days after she left Faslane on May the 4th.

TNI-AL - "Live Firing Exercise Was A Success"

Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) Director of Communication released a statement that the Live Firing Exercise conducted in the morning of 20 Apr 2011 was a success climaxed by the YAKHONT missile launched from KRI OSWALD SIAHAAN frigate (as opposed to earlier report, KRI KAREL SATSUITUBUN) hit a de-commissioned LST target 250 km away.

Beside the YAKHONT, the Live Firing involved the launching of the followings:

• 
  
  An MM40 EXOCET from KRI SULTAN HASSANUDIN corvette


• 
  
  A MISTRAL anti air missile from KRI SULTAN HASSANUDIN corvette


• A SEA CAT anti air missile from KRI KAREL SATSUITUBUN frigate


• An SUT Heavyweight Torpedo from KRI CAKRA submarine


• An RBU 6000 anti submarine rocket from KRI CUK NYAT DIEN corvette

With the firepowers unleashed, it is no surprised if the target was sunk.

Unfortunately, there was no photos or videos released by Indonesian Navy of the target being hit by any of the above weapons.

Whatever it is, Congratulations to Indonesian Navy.

TNI-AL To Conduct Live Firing Exercise

It was reported in Indonesian mainstream medias that the Indonesian Navy or locally known as TNI-AL will conduct a series of Live Firing Exercise (LFE) on Wednesday 20th April at 1000 local time.

The LFE will be conducted somewhere in the areas of Selat Sunda and Indian Ocean and will involve the firing of YAKHONT and EXOCET MM40 anti-ship missiles, MISTRAL and SEA CAT anti-air missiles as well as SUT torpedo.

The firing of MM40 and MISTRAL will be done by the SIGMA Class Corvette (KRI HASANUDDIN) whereas the firing of YAKHONT and SEA CAT will be done by an AHMAD YANI Class Frigate (KRI KAREL SATSUITUBUN) and the firing of SUT Torpedo will be done by the submarine KRI CAKRA.

It is highly believed that the firing by the corvette is part of Contractual trials whereas the firing of YAKHONT by the frigate is part of its post modernisation trial.

Whatever it is, we wish them good luck!

Proof we need psychological tests for submariners..

I don't want a mad man next to me, let alone a mad man with an assault rifle.

The unfortunate incident onboard Royal Navy's submarine, HMS ASTUTE, clearly challenged the credibility of RN's psychologists.

The fact that the element of madness in the mind of that young man wasn't detected in the supposedly tough selection process result in a sad death of a father of four.

Where did they go wrong? For submariners wannabe, to be awarded a 'dolphin' is one thing but to serve onboard submarine is another thing.

I wonder if RN has a different set of tests to qualify the dolphin holders to become a submarine crews or are they practising 'just picking up names from the pool of names'?

Whatever it is, RN's psychologists have to ask themselves whether they need to devise new tests in order to identify any 'mad man' as early as possible.

If something like this happened, I would point my finger at them. (No offence).

Shooting Onboard Astute Submarine - Officer Killed

The deadly incident which occured on Friday, April 8th, marked another embarrasing chapter in the history of the Royal Navy's latest nuclear sub, the HMS ASTUTE.

Based on Guardian's news report, the incident involved the sentry on duty and the gun used was an SA80 assault rifle. It was reported that the incident happened in the Control Room (Ops Room).

It is highly believed that the RN will conduct a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to find out the reasons behind the shooting.

RN's submarine force is well known for its high level of standards observed onboard and this incident will surely spark a debate about the actual level of the current submariners corp.

Hopefully the BOI will reccomend new measures which can be shared by the submariners communities worldwide in order to avoid the repeat of this incident.

Thai Navy To Buy 3 Ex German Submarines

Thai's Prime Minister was reported to have approved the navy proposal to acquire 3 ex German submarines.

Based on a UPI news report, the submarines are of Type 206, which is 'quite old' actually although they have been upgraded and known as Type 206A. Anyway, if they are still operational, it could be a good learning platform for the Thai navy.

It is an open secret that the Thai Navy is creating its submarine force considering the facts that her ASEAN's neighbours are becoming active submarine operators.

Well if it is not an arms race..it is just 'normal' for navy to have submarine eh?..

Welcome to the club!

It's Official - NATO Has Attacked Libya

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed that British forces has launched a pre-emptive strikes on strategic targets in Libya.

The moves clearly come as no surprise as UN has backed military action when it declared a No-Fly Zone over Libya.

The strikes involved the use of TOMAHAWK missiles launched from submarines operating in Medditerranean as well as STORMSHADOW missiles launched from the air force's TORNADO jets based in Marham, Eastern England.

TOMAHAWK missile launched from submarine at Persicope Depth

It was also reported that the French and US forces had also launched similar attacks.

Sky news report

If based on the Gulf War, these strikes should have targetted vital Command and Control Centres, air defence units and the surveillance radar sites.

Logically, the Libyan forces couldn't do anything should these strategic assets were destroyed.

One thing for sure, it is a good place to practice your Live Firing Exercise eh.

Somali Pirates At It Again - Indonesian Vessel The Latest Victim!

EU naval anti piracy mission has released a statement that a large group of Somali pirates attacked and captured an Indonesian vessel on Wednesday the 16th.

It is understood that the crews of the unfortunate vessel, SINAR KUDUS (which means HOLY LIGHT in English) managed to send a report saying that between 30 and 50 pirates had taken over vessel.

Greed got the better of the pirates again when they managed to transform the captured vessel as their attacking platform when they attacked another ship, the EMPEROR, on Thursday. This second attack somehow was foiled by the EMPEROR's crew. (AFP Report).

Indonesian Reactions

Indonesian Ministry of Defence meanwhile are assessing the situation and didn't rule out the use of military powers. However, it is understood that no Indonesian naval vessel is in that area at this moment to provide that vital instant reaction.

INDONESIAN NAVAL COMMANDOS - awaiting orders.

Pakistan Navy Plans To Buy 6 More Subs?

Based on various media report last week, Pakistan Navy is understood to have presented to the Defence Ministry that it needs a further 6 submarines to complement its existing fleet of 5 submarines (SSK).

It is believed that the Chinese made submarines are at the top of the list based on the discussion between the two countries' Prime Ministers in 2009 and 2010.

The cooperation with China is not new to Pakistan as it had embarked on joint production of fighter jets as well as as military procurements.

If that is the case, could the new YUAN Class be the interest of Pakistan Navy?



Only time will tell.

The King and the Submarine

The King of Malaysia sailed with the submarine, KD TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN, in the South China Sea, Thursday 10th of Mar 2011.


In a special operation involving all elements of Malaysian Armed Forces, the King flied with a helicopter from RMN's Sepangar Naval Base to a 'mother ship', KD LEKIU. He was then transferred from KD LEKIU to KD TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN by a RHIB.


The King dived for about three hours in the submarine where the submarine' crews demonstrated its warfighting capabilities by engaging KD LEKIU as enemy force.


The King was said to be very impressed with the capabilities of the submarine.


After the sailing, the King was re-transferred to KD LEKIU and later on with a helicopter to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for his departure to Kuala Lumpur.



Daulat Tuanku!

Captured Dutch Navy's LYNX Crews Released By Libya

The Libyan Forces have released the three captured Dutch naval personnel on Thursday.

The three crew arrived Athens in a Hellenic Airforce's C130 aircraft together with some civillians. In a video footage released, the officers include a male LCdr and a female Lt.

There is no news with regards to the seized LYNX anyway. It is believed the captured LYNX will be used as a bargaining chip for the Libyan should the Dutch military getting involved in any military intervention in Libya.

Dutch Navy's LYNX Helicopter Seized by Libyan Forces

Libyan News Agency has released a video footage of the captured Dutch Navy's LYNX helicopter.

The LYNX was captured by the Libyan Forces when they foiled a daring rescue attempt by the Dutch Navy to fly out a Dutch and a European near a Libyan port of Sirte on 27th of Feb 11...but the news of the arrest was only made known to the Dutch public on 3rd of March 11.

The LYNX are ship-borne helicopter and operated from her mothership, the frigate HNMLS TROMP.

HNMLS TROMP

The Dutch government stated that three Dutch Marines were captured and efforts are underway to have them released. If based on that statement, it can be concluded that they are the LNYX's Pilot, Tactical Officer and Quartermaster.

What is interesting to note are that:

• The Dutch Navy has clearly flown into Libyan air space illegally.
• The two people they are trying to rescue must be someone that really really important.
• The Dutch Navy failed to calculate the risk.

What is even funny is that, that two people they are initially trying to rescue have been allowed to leave Libya through the legal route!

Basic rule of thumb on 'decision' -

"Think carefully before you decide"

Libya - US Invasion in the loom?

Two US Navy's amphibious ships have docked in the island of Crete. This is clearly a naval build up to prepare the necessary actions against Libya.

Western diplomats have repeatedly strated that military invasion is an option should Gaddafi turn rouge against the Libyans.

The two ships are the USS KEARSARGE (LHD) and USS PONCE (LPD).

USS KEARSARGE

USS PONCE

Delivery of Indian Navy SCORPENE delayed to 2015

Indian Defence Minister announced on 23rd Feb 11 that the delivery of the first SCORPENE will be delayed to 2015 instead of the planned December 2012 dates.

The delays are believed to be contributed by the difficulties in finalising the contractual terms and disagreements between Mumbai's Mazagon shipyard and DCNS.

With this new development, all six SCORPENEs will be operational with the Indian Navy after 2021, only IF delivery of one boat per year after 2015 is materialised.

Well, with the French, you need write everything down in the Contracts..otherwise, the first two years are only to get a mutual understanding and common agreement to each words in the Contract.

Good Luck Indian Navy.

Captain, would you ground your ship please?

The answer is yes, if national interest is at stake!

That is what happen on 9 May 1999 when the Philippines Navy 'intentionally' grounded its ex WW II era LST, BRP SIERRA MADRE, in one of the reefs in the disputed Spratlys Islands groups.

In principal, it was an occupation which will strengthen the Philippines' claim on the Spratlys.

In theory, it was a low cost action as they don't need to construct a specially designed module on the reef. It is believed that the soldiers stationed on the reef today, are still using the ship for shelter.

Navies and Military Tourism

Countries with excellent port facilities certainly attract naval ships to make port calls.

These visits are not only good for the naval cooperations between countries but also provide that economic boost to the local cities.

So, attention all hands! Go spend your money!

Military Tourism

China Too Sent Its Naval Ship To Libya

China has diverted one of its assets in Gulf of Aden to Libya as part of the mission to evacuate its citizens from Libya.

The 4500 tonnes XUZHAO frigate is currently underway to Libya and will send a message that the ferrying out process of its citizens from Libya to Malta or Crete is very well protected.

Indian Navy deploy ships to evacuate Indians from Libya

India announced on Saturday 26 Feb that it has sent 2 naval ships to crisis-stricken Libya to bring back its citizen.

"INS JALASHWA and INS MYSORE have left Mumbai and will bring back Indians from Libya," a Defence department spokesperson said.

The INS JALASHWA, ex USN's TRENTON, is basically an amphibious assault platform with six medium lift helicopters onboard. She could accommodate 1,500 people and definitely can fit the purpose.

INS JALASHWA

INS MYSORE on the other hand is a 6700 tonnes Indian made destroyer which should act as an escort element.

INS MYSORE

Pirates - what to do with these guys?

Somalia? Gulf of Aden? Indian Ocean? What do they have in common?
Yes, you got it right. The Somali pirates.

They are rich and famous, aren't they?

Even the navies couldn't do anything to curb them.

Only lately there had been some serious successful counter-hijacking by the navies of Malaysia and South Korea albeit with some lost of lives on the pirates' side.

And this operation was sadly followed with the death of four Americans hostages during a stand-off between the hijacked yatch and the US Navy ship shadowing nearby.

For a layman point of view, why can't the navy just smacked them hard..?

Ok, the shipping company paid them millions of dollar, then they released the hijacked ship.. blah blah...they enjoy the millions, buying new weapons, motherships etc...and they at it again..

I say, why can't we track them to their lair, then we blast them off...surely sovereignty is not an issue here..they don't even have a government in the first place.

If we keep on paying ransoms, we are giving them wrong messages..

Why not we give them the RIGHT message after this? Surely they will behave right?

Or how about we do it the Russian way?