No. 331 December 2022

December 2022

Front cover

Front cover: The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and Spanish Navy frigate ESPS Alvaro de Bazan (astern) steam in formation in the Atlantic Ocean last month. See P36/39.

Photo by MCS2 Jackson Adkins/US Navy

Contents

NEWS

THE FREEDOM OF THE SEA IS “A CAUSE WORTH FIGHTING FOR” – P2

NAVIES-IN-BRIEF – P4, P6, P29
HMCS Margaret Brooke commissioned.
• French Navy carrier strike group lets fly with missiles.
• LPD for Taiwan. • New UK Royal Yacht dead in water.
• Egyptian frigate makes delivery voyage.
• Major defects found in South Korean subs.
• Chinese assault carriers ready.
• Ghana’s SBS graduates • Indian missile test.

NAVIES NEWS IN FOCUS – P11/12

NORTH KOREAN PROVOCATION PROMPTS BMD EXERCISE – P16

AUSTRALIAN NEWS FOCUS – P18/21

PRINCE AT ROSYTH FOR REPAIR – P40/41

WILDCAT MISSILE TRIALS – P44

 

RUSSIA v. THE WEST

NEWS ROUND-UP – P3
• Moscow claims Royal Navy blew up Nordstream pipelines.
• Cable repair ship calls at Devonport.
• German seabed survey mission.
• Barents Sea patrol by RNoN and RN.

ODIN’S EYE – P5
A ‘dark fleet’ is being used to fuel Russia’s war in Ukraine.

CHANGE OF VENUE FOR MOCK COMBAT – P22/23
The latest Joint Warrior Ex was in waters latterly frequented by Russians.

 

FEATURES

VENETIAN SUMMIT FOR NAVAL CHIEFS – P7/9
‘Dangerous Challenges’ are discussed in Venice.

GROUNDHOG DAY WITH A NEW TWIST – P13
Lawmakers contest USN plans to cut amphib ships.

SPEEDY POWER PROJECTION TESTED – P14/15
UK Littoral Response Group (North) in the Med.

SWARMS OVER THE SEA – P17
Part three of our look at aerial drones and navies.

VOYAGE INTO THE HIGH NORTH – P24/28
We sail in icy seas aboard HMCS Margaret Brooke.

VESSEL NAMED AFTER SCIENTIST – P30/31
Experimental ship aims to put UK fleet on cutting edge.

SUB-SAHARAN FLEET HITS HARD TIMES – P33/35
Lack of funding hampers the South African Navy.

ATLANTIC CRUISE FOR NEW USN CARRIER – P36/37
First operational foray for world’s biggest warship.

GERALD R. FORD IN HALIFAX – P38/39
We go aboard the ship during a Canadian port visit.

CATAPULTING INTO A NEW ERA – P42/43
A major refit for the UK’s Fleet Air Arm Museum.

OBITUARY – P46

BOOK REVIEW – P47