China’s vertical naval growth
China has sent Australia a message in recent days about the strength of its rapidly growing naval fleet, already the largest in the world...
Profound naval lessons from Ukraine
By H I Sutton*
29th October 2022 marked a turning point in naval warfare. Just eight months after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels...
First Type 31 now due this year
Babcock International Group has confirmed revised timescales for its first two Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates, announcing that HMS Venturer is now expected to...
EU hitting Russia’s shadow fleet in Arctic
The European Union’s 16th sanctions package against aggressor state Russia includes restrictions on several oil tankers operating in the Arctic, the Barents Observer reports.
For...
Decline in UK militarily useful vessels
The number of ‘militarily useful’ British-registered vessels has continued to decline, falling from 495 in 2023 to 475 by the end of 2024, continuing...
Japan favoured in frigate contest
By Nishank Motwani*
It’s not just technical naval capability. Australia has persuasive geostrategic and industrial reasons for choosing Japan over Germany as its partner in...
RN’s helicopter drone used for the first time in the Middle East
At just three metres (10ft) long, yet capable of sorties lasting up to five hours at ranges well over the horizon, Peregrine is the...
Iranian training squadron visits India
On 26 February it was announced by the Indian Navy that the Iranian Navy's training squadron, comprising the amphibious ship IRIS Lavan and the...
Chinese war-games: danger of over-reacting
By Jennifer Parker*
The Chinese naval task group’s deployment in our region is clearly aimed at sending a message and testing Australia’s responses – not...
Minister pushes speedy frigate decision
Defence Minister Richard Marles has clashed with one of his top officials over whether the government will delay a critical decision on a new...