Combat firing of the S-400 air defense system at the Telemba training ground in Buryatia

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Vietnam Launches Second Indian High Speed Patrol Boat

 

One more high-speed patrol vessel built with Indian assistance launched

The Ministry of National Defense Monday launched one high-speed patrol boat built with India technical and financial assistance and held the keel-laying ceremony for another.Using a $100-million line of credit extended to Vietnam in October 2014 by India, five vessels are being built at the Larsen & Toubro shipyard in Chennai, India, and seven at the Hong Ha Shipyard in Hai Phong under the company’s supervision.The 12 high-speed patrol vessels are meant for the Vietnam's Coast Guard.

Speaking at the launching ceremony on Monday, Indian ambassador to Vietnam, Pranay Verma, described the project "as an icon of India-Vietnam defense partnership" and reflecting India's commitment toward building the capacity of the Vietnamese military.He expressed confidence that the comprehensive strategic partnership and defense relations between the countries would continue to grow as an important factor of stability in the Indo-Pacific region.The vessels are meant to strengthen security, detect illegal activities like smuggling and assist search and rescue.Despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the project has progressed at a rapid pace, the Indian embassy said.

In December last year India handed over the first of the 12 vessels to Vietnam.

HMAS Supply Welcomed to Fleet

HMAS Supply (II) was welcomed into Royal Australian Navy service on April 10 during a commissioning ceremony at Fleet Base East in Sydney.The first of two new Supply-class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, Supply is a welcome boost to the fleet’s operational support capability.

Commanding Officer Captain Ben Hissink said the 173 crew members were proud to serve on such a strategically important new platform.“We celebrated the commissioning of a critical support capability that will help extend the endurance of our task groups and Navy’s ability to protect all Australians,” Captain Hissink said.“We follow in the footsteps of Supply (I) that fuelled our seafarers with good oil in good spirit, but now we do so again with additional logistics and combat capabilities.”

Supply and her incoming sister ship, NUSHIP Stalwart, will carry fuel, water, food, parts and dry cargo for the replenishment of Australian and regional partner ships while under way at sea, and to aid in humanitarian and disaster relief when called upon.They also have a combat management system, advancing capability over the previous support ships, HMA Ships Success and Sirius.Supply’s youngest crew member Seaman Claire Lissimore, who cut the commissioning cake with Captain Hissink, said she was excited to serve in Navy’s most contemporary ship.“I feel proud to have been an active part of the ceremony and to be posted to a first-of-class ship,” Seaman Lissimore said. 

“Experiencing the commissioning process with a progressive crew has been very exciting, especially coming straight out of a small town high school to join the Navy and subsequently Supply just last year.”At the ceremony, Captain Hissink said the valiant effort of the crew to bring together Navy and Australian histories had progressed a culture of confidence that would ensure they effectively met the needs of those they serve. “This commissioning day signifies a joining of history and our vision of ‘one ship many stories’,” Captain Hissink said.“Connecting Supply (I)’s legacy with the stories and history of our First Nation's people has prepared our crew to take on our duties as drifting protectors – providing for and protecting our families, our community and our nation.

“As we face our first-of-class sea trials we take these histories on: the Navy traditions that ground us, and the community and protection ideals instilled through our ship’s Indigenous artwork and main passageway, The Bundian Way.“These two legacies, combined with the power of our new capabilities, strengthens us in all we do and creates a bright future to move together into.”

Now commissioned, Supply will begin the next phase of first-of-class sea trials and integration into the fleet. 

 

North Korea’s new target ship

https://www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1211465/a-boat-only-a-missile-could-love/

 

Now that we are all looking at Sinpo for signs of further activity involving the TULP (Towed Underwater Launch Platform) and the collocated floating drydock at the semi-refurbished construction hall, I wanted to bring your attention to an interesting vessel I have been following for a few months.  Its purpose is not entirely understood and it has been moving between at least three different naval bases on North Korea’s east coast since September 2020. While this is a bit speculative, I think we might be looking at a target ship for future cruise missile testing.The ship has been moving around over the past year.  The earliest I pinned the ship on satellite imagery was between September and October 2020 at the Chaho Naval base just north of Sinpo.  It was near this location where Kim Jong Un observed an SLBM test in April 2016, and at the naval base where he received the submariners after the test. Sometime before November 20th, 2020, the ship moved to the Yoho-ri Naval Base. Then it stayed until it was caught in a Planet Labs SkySat image on December 22nd being brought to the shipyard at Mayang-do, opposite the Sinpo South Naval Shipyard. Tarao Goo has identified the construction location at Chongjin, where the vessel was modified sometime after May 1st 2020.

Taiwan has achieved a major breakthrough in developing its own Vertical Launching System (VLS) for arming naval warships