Russia’s new frigates now have a laser dazzler that can blind an opponent. The 5P-42 “Filin” system works in dark conditions against both human eyes and electronic sensors. It is mostly intended as a short-range self defense weapon.
Navy
Russia develops bigger Kalibr missiles and Gorshkov-class frigates
A bunch of frigate related news out of Russia. They want more Gorshkov-class frigates, increase the number of missile launchers, develop a larger frigate design, and build a bigger version of Kalibr missiles.
Posters of Russian warships constructed 2016-19
These two amazing posters of new Russian warships are produced by militaryrussia.ru.
Russia’s first Karakurt-corvette enters service in the Baltic Fleet
The Karakurt-class corvette Mytishchi has been commisioned by the Russian Navy and joined the Baltic Fleet. It is the first ship in this new class of smaller Russian warships.
Unmanned technology will soon be cheap enough for small countries
Prices for unmanned technology and artificial intelligence drop quickly, and soon it will be a realistic option for smaller countries. That was the topic of the Finnish Naval Defense Day 2018, which Corporal Frisk covered nicely.
Two Russian ships also collided when Ukrainian tug was rammed
When a Russian coastguard vessel struck a Ukrainian tug in the Kerch Strait this week, they also hit their own partner. In fact, it looks like he damaged his countryman badly.
U.S. Navy wants more submarines but cannot maintain the number they have
The U.S. Navy wants to increase the number of attack submarines from 56 to 66. But a new government report documents that their shipyards cannot maintain even the ones they have already.
Poland begins sea trials on OPV “Ślązak”
Poland’s new offshore patrol vessel “Ślązak” will be delivered next year. It is a capable platform, which in size resembles the German “Braunschweig-class”.
Assessment of the radio traffic before “Helge Ingstad” collided and sank
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.
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.
