A few comments on the radio traffic before the Norwegian frigate “Helge Ingstad” and the tanker “Sola TS” collided, and the warship sank. This recording will go over in history as an example of how not to avoid an accident.
Navy
Russia still cannot rescue another “Kursk”, despite new diving record
Military divers from the Pacific Fleet have completed a record dive to 416 meters with the new rescue ship “Igor Beluosov”. But the overall status of Russia’s submarine rescue force is still poor.
Sinking dock leaves Russian ship repair industry in misery
It caught headlines when “Admiral Kuznetsov” almost sank along with the floating dock “PD-50”. But the really big news is that Russia no longer has this dock for its ship repair industry. Plus, it is another scandalous story about incompetence in the Russian shipyards.
Norwegian frigate “Helge Ingstad” sinks after collision
The Norwegian frigate “Helge Ingstad” is sinking after a collision with a Maltese tanker. It is a surreal event to observe. Will be interesting to hear more details about what went wrong. Here are a few quick thoughts.
Corruption sends high-ranking naval officer to jail in Russia
The leader of the Department of Navigation and Oceanography in the Russian Defense Ministry faces prison after being found guilty of fraud.
U.S. Navy plans to develop two new classes of submarine
The U.S. Navy plans to develop a new cruise missile submarine and a new attack submarine. It is an expensive solution that comes just days after president Trump’s announcement of defense cuts.
Russia’s new Karakurt-class corvette is an aggressive little warship
Russia’s new Karakurt-class corvette is a potent warship for littoral warfare. It has many improvements over the Buyan-M class and is still equipped with nuclear capable Kalibr missiles.
Second Lada-class submarine launched 13 years after keel laying
Russia’s most modern diesel-electric submarine is the Lada-class, and now the second ship in the series has been launched into the water. Barring further delays, it will be handed to the navy in 2020. It still doesn’t have air-independent propulsion, though.
Russia still plans to build Mistral-class replacement
Russia seems determined to build new large universal landing ships for the Navy. It is obvious that they really wanted the Mistral-class ships that France in 2015 decided not to deliver.
Russia reinforces Baltic Fleet with submarine ‘Alrosa’
The submarine Alrosa will soon join the Baltic Fleet. It has a special pumpjet propulsion system, which makes it even more quiet that other Kilo class submarines. At the same time, Russia is retiring an old submarine from service in the Baltic Sea.
