Here is an interview I did with Jonas Kjellèn from FOI about the Russian Baltic Fleet. Jonas recently authored a really good report on the topic. This is part one of the interview. The next ones will be available in the coming weeks.
Navy
The risks of outsourcing merchant shipping to foreign owners
Sal Mercogliano has a thoughtful look in CIMSEC on the grounding of MV Ever Given that blocked the Suez Canal for six days: Today, international corporations, with ships flying the flags of open registries, dominate the world’s oceans but with little means of protection. This is readily apparent to the Indian crew, onboard the Taiwan-based […]
Decarbonization raises capacity questions for shipbuilding and wartime repairs
Benjamin Clark discusses in CIMSEC How the Decarbonization Dilemma Will Impact Shipbuilding and Great Power Competition: A decline in shipbuilding capacity is a clear and troubling trend, especially for those working in the U.S. maritime industry, and it is critical to assess the challenges this decline creates for the country’s ability to wage a protracted […]
How China modernized its fishing fleet in the South China Sea
Ryan D. Martinson in a piece titled Xi likes big boats (coming soon to a reef near you) on War on the Rocks: Photos the Philippine government released in March show nests of Chinese fishing vessels moored in the lagoon of the disputed reef. Aside from the sheer number of craft present, one is struck […]
Russia challenges international law with Black Sea prohibition zones
Analysis of Russia’s decision to close three zones in the Black Sea for foreign warships including the Kerch Strait.
From a Baltic Commanders Conference to a maritime component command in 10 years
Sebastian Bruns and Julian Pawlak on CIMSEC: As early as 2015, the Baltic Commanders Conference (BCC), a consultation format, was launched in response to altered security policy constellations and was intended to strengthen communication and cooperation between the neighboring navies – including non-Baltic state Norway, but without Russia. The German Maritime Forces Staff (DEU MARFOR), […]
Why Small Navies Prefer Warfighting over Counter-Piracy
Small navies face hard choices when forced to prioritize between tasks. This article uses Denmark’s counter-piracy effort in 2008-15 as a lens into the problem.
Russia signs contract for new versatile helicopter carriers
Russia’s new universal landing ships are much more than amphibious assault carriers. They are a multi-tool of giant warships, designed for many different types of operations.
Joint Iran-China-Russia exercise is impressive display of naval diplomacy
A maritime exercise between Iran, China, and Russia has received much attention. It is a very small exercise where China and Russia sent one warship each, so it is mostly a symbolic gesture. But the World response has demonstrated the power of naval diplomacy.
Russia’s A2/AD strategy is a myth
It is time to let go of the idea of impenetrable A2/AD bubbles. Russia does not have the technical capabilities to do it, and politically it is hard to see why they would even want to. We need to start thinking about Russia’s missiles as a layered defense system instead. That is the point of this conference paper.