DefenceTalkChina took control Monday of a strategic Pakistani port on the Arabian Sea, as part of a drive to secure energy and maritime routes that also gives it a potential naval base, sparking Indian concern. The Pakistani cabinet approved the transfer of Gwadar, currently a commercial failure cut off from the national road network, from […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-takes-over-pakistan-port-from-singapore-46869/

DefenceTalkChina’s acquisition of a strategic port in Pakistan is the latest addition to its drive to secure energy and maritime routes and gives it a potential naval base in the Arabian Sea, unsettling India. The Pakistani cabinet on January 30 approved the transfer of Gwadar port, a commercial failure cut off from the national road […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pakistan-port-integral-to-china-maritime-expansion-46871/

DefenceTalkThe Navy’s RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) completed its first flight at sea Feb. 10 from the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). The system completed three months of land-based trial flights at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, Calif., before launching from a LPD-class ship. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/rq-21a-small-tactical-unmanned-air-system-completes-first-ship-based-flight-46782/

DefenceTalkCommander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command sent a personal for message to commanders and commanding officers Feb. 8 about how he plans to maintain fleet readiness through fiscal uncertainty. Adm. Bill Gortney sent the message to discuss some of the impacts on the fleet following Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta’s approval to delay the scheduled deployment […]https://www.defencetalk.com/fleet-forces-outlines-fiscal-impact-on-readiness-for-commanders-46755/

DefenceTalkThe aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) will not start due to a lack of funding, the Navy said Feb. 8. Lincoln was expected to move to Newport News shipyard next week to begin the overhaul. However, as a result of the fiscal constraints resulting from the ongoing continuing resolution […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lack-of-funding-affects-uss-lincoln-refueling-and-complex-overhaul-46719/

DefenceTalkThe deployment of the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg to the U.S. Central Command area of operations has been delayed, according to a statement issued today by Pentagon Press Secretary George Little. The Secretary of Defense has delayed the deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uss-truman-uss-gettysburg-deployment-delayed-46696/

DefenceTalkThe Navy’s fifth littoral combat ship (LCS), Milwaukee, will be the first to benefit from new high-power density waterjets aimed at staving off rudder and propeller damage experienced on high-speed ships. The product of an Office of Naval Research (ONR) Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) program, the waterjets arrived last month at the Marinette Marine shipyard […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-waterjets-could-propel-lcs-to-greater-speeds-46676/

DefenceTalkThe coastal missile unit of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla is conducting a series of exercises to practice using the Navy’s only Bal coastal missile system, a representative of the Southern Military District said Wednesday. Participants are learning how to detect and track air- and sea-based targets, organize communications and process and transmit data that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-navy-testing-missile-defense-system-in-caspian-46689/

DefenceTalkRussia does not produce the type of fuel necessary for the French-made Mistral-class amphibious assault vessels it has ordered, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Tuesday. The Mistral class are powered by electric motors supplied by diesel-powered turbo generators, according to naval-technology.com. Diesel fuel can suffer from a condition known as waxing or gelling in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/no-fuel-in-russia-for-french-built-warship-deputy-pm-46672/

DefenceTalkEurocopter Japan successfully handed over the 10th EC135 Training Helicopter (TH135, a variant of Eurocopter’s EC135 T2) to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF) yesterday. The first TH135 was delivered in December 2009, to begin the replacement of their single-engine training helicopter fleet. The TH135s have been used by MSDF helicopter pilots since November […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eurocopter-delivers-10th-ec135-helicopter-to-japan-maritime-self-defense-force-46639/