Marine/Maritime

Iran’s assertion that will establish a naval alliance with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations “defies reason,” says a U.S. Navy officer with the 34-nation Combined Maritime Forces fleet, which includes rotations of Canadian warships and aircraft. “The number one cause of regional instability claims it wants […] to protect the very waters it threatens,” says Commander Tim Hawkins, pointing out that Iran has attacked or seize 15 internationally-flagged merchant ships in the past two years. [node:read-more:link]

Video shot from aboard HMCS Montreal during a recent transit of the Taiwan Strait with a U.S. destroyer shows a Chinese warship cutting close across the destroyer’s bow. Defending the tactic, China’s defence minister Li Shangfu says other countries should “mind your own business.” [node:read-more:link]

Defence Minister Anita Anand, in Singapore June 3 for the Shangri-la Dialogue on intergovernmental security, announced June 3 that Canada is reinforcing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region by deploying a second Royal Canadian Navy warship as well as increasing Canadian involvement in international exercises. The RCN currently has the frigate HMCS Montreal and the support ship Asterix deployed in the region. [node:read-more:link]

HMCS Montreal transited the of Taiwan Strait without incident June 3 in convoy with a U.S. destroyer but drew a sharp rebuke from China for “deliberately provoking risk” even though the passage was in international waters. U.S. warships transit the strait roughly once a month, not usually with allies’ ships. The RCN vessel departed from its Halifax homeport March 26 as part of Canada’s commitment to Indo-Pacific security. [node:read-more:link]

The United Arab Emirates confirmed today its withdrawal from a U.S.-led maritime coalition but that it remains committed to dialogue and diplomatic engagement to advance regional security and stability. Headquartered in Bahrain, the multinational coalition was created to counter terrorism and piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf. [node:read-more:link]

A 33-tonne propellor shaft misaligned by no more than a millimetre took Britain’s newest aircraft carrier, the £3-billion HMS Prince of Wales, out of service after only one day in August 2022. Now the Royal Navy is trying to figure out liability for the massive repair bill, an exercise complicated by the fact that the ship was built by a now defunct consortium [node:read-more:link]

Australia’s national auditor has delivered a highly critical report on the selection of the country’s newest warship, the Type 26 Global Combat Ship. It says “management of this procurement and related advisory processes […] lacked a value for money focus” and transparency in choosing the BAE Systems design over two competitors. [node:read-more:link]

The 21st biennial Northern Edge wargames this month in the Gulf of Alaska, which brings different U.S. commands, is facing criticism from commercial fishers, environmental activists and coastal communities. They say the timing and location of the exercise, which includes live ammunition, is detrimental to local and migratory marine life. [node:read-more:link]

It’s reported that three Russian naval vessels capable of underwater operations were present near the site of explosions which shut down the Nord Stream gas pipelines to European markets last September. Investigations to date indicate that the explosions were sabotage rather than accidental. [node:read-more:link]

The Turkish Navy received its largest vessel April 10, a landing platform dock displaces 25,000 tonnes loaded with a length of 231 metres and beam of 32m. Built locally in partnership with a Spanish company at an estimated cost of US$1 billion, it can carry a battalion-sized unit of 1,200 personnel, eight utility helicopters and three drones as well as 150 vehicles, including battle tanks. [node:read-more:link]

The largest U.S. military shipbuilding company, Huntington Ingalls Industries, has received Navy approval to begin installing some 3D-printed stainless steel fittings on aircraft carriers and submarines. Already proven in limited sea trials, it would enable crews to address issues while deployed. [node:read-more:link]

The Netherlands and neighbouring Belgium plan to acquire two ASW Frigates each. To be built by Damen Group at its Dutch yard, they are expected to enter service by the end of the decade. [node:read-more:link]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that Chantier Davie Canada, based in Lévis, Quebec, has joined the roster of shipyards formally approved for Defence Department and Coast Guard work. The decision evidently was prompted by a decade of CDC lobbying and delivery delays by Seaspan Shipyards of Vancouver and Irving Shipbuilding of Halifax. [node:read-more:link]