China's 'Third Island' Strategy

Analysts have long wondered if the Chinese navy (PLAN) had a third island chain strategy, beyond the publicly declared strategies for the first island chain (centered on Taiwan) and second island chain (extending from Japan to Indonesia). Many American commentators believed that such a strategy would refer to the ability to project power capable of reaching America's bases in Hawaii.

However, China's recent maritime activities -- such as its extended counterpiracy patrols in the Horn of Africa and its involvement in a number of port development projects in Indian Ocean littorals (dubbed the "string of pearls") -- have raised the suspicion in Indian defense circles that the third island chain lies in the Indian Ocean, and specifically refers to the waters surrounding the Indian Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Norwegian submarines need base in Northern Norway

Norwegian submarines are instructed to sail more outside Northern Norway, but lack important support facilities on land, one year after Norway abandoned its Arctic base of Olavsvern.

 

 

The Norwegian submarines are diesel-electric and have batteries that need charging every fourth or fifth week, says Head of the Norwegian Submarine Forces Commodore Erik Bøe to NRK. When the Olavsvern base outside Tromsø was closed, the submarines lost the only possibility for charging batteries in Northern Norway.

Dutch military receives first NFH maritime helicopter

NH90’s naval version sees delivery to first customer

As the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed shortly before Christmas, the Dutch Armed Forces has taken delivery of the first NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), the naval version of NHIndustries’ NH90. However, this first helicopter (designated NNLN03), from a total order of 12 NH90 NFH for the Netherlands, is not yet ready to be deployed in operational service, according to Aviation Week & Space Technology. Rather, it will undergo extensive testing and evaluation by the Dutch project office, which will assess whether the helicopter meets its previously agreed requirements.

As the Dutch MoD explains, NNLN03, which was handed over at the AgustaWestland plant in Italy on 23 December 2009, is a temporary so-called Meaningful Operational Capable (MOC) configuration, meaning is does not meet all contractual specifications of the final version. Nevertheless, it can immediately be used for crew training and basic coastal surveillance operations, while NHIndustries works towards completing development of an operationally ready, production standard aircraft.

Goodrich to Supply Composite Components for Eight Virginia-Class Submarines

Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) has received a $49 million contract from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding to provide a number of composite components for the next eight Virginia Class nuclear fast attack submarines, collectively referred to as Block III.

 

Virginia Block III

Goodrich's Engineered Polymer Products team in Jacksonville, Fla. is building components to support the construction of one ship per year in 2009 and 2010, rising to two ships per year from 2011 through 2013. The components include the bow dome, and sonar and weapons equipment.

S Korea's defense exports hit record high last year

South Korea's defense exports in 2009jumped 13 percent to a record high of 1.17 billion U.S. dollars, helped by the government support and more companies breaking into overseas market, an arms procurement agency said Tuesday.

The record-high sales are slightly short of the original goal of 1.2 billion U.S. dollars but is still a major achievement considering the global economic downturn, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.

The sales were also boosted by diversification of the defense items, with many small firms, whose number local media say stands at 104, entering the industry and faring well, according to the agency.