No. 344 February 2024

February 2024

Front cover

The Russian Navy diesel-electric submarine RFS Krasnodar in the Baltic. See P38/40.

Photo by Michael Nitz

Contents

WAR IN THE RED SEA

NAVIES RIDE SHOTGUN – P2/3 & P14
Western warships take action to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea.

ODIN’S EYE – P5
The Houthi drones and missile blitz shows slow West is way behind the curve.

URGENT NEED FOR DRONE-SWARM DEFENCE – P12/13
A cutting edge response is required.

FRENCH NAVY SCORES A FIRST – P14
Frigate FS Languedoc makes a historic shoot-down.

KEEPING A LID ON THE CAULDRON – P41/42
Part one of a look at the history behind Iran versus the West in Middle East seas.

 

NEWS

P4 & P6
• Russian landing ship obliterated.
• Romania receives first Sandown MCMV.
• China’s carrier force aims for South China Sea dominance.
• Arrowhead frigate proposed for Royal New Zealand Navy.

NAVIES NEWS IN FOCUS – P7

BLACK SEA SPECIAL OPERATORS – P10

ANGLO-JAPANESE CARRIER CO-OPERATION – P16

FRANCE ORDERS NEW PATROL SHIPS – P20

 

FEATURES

GREEN LIGHT FOR SALE OF US NAVY SSNS – P8
Approval given for Australia to buy attack boats.

A WORLD IN PERIL CHALLENGES OPTIMISM – P18/19
The head of the UK Armed Forces makes a major speech.

GIVING THE HUNTER MORE PUNCH – P22/23
A missiles boost proposed for the RAN’s new frigate.

GREAT DANES ENDURE HOSTILE SEAS – P24/26
On the Arctic patrol in a Danish frigate.

ESCAPING THE DEFENCE SPENDING BLACK HOLE – P27/29
The UK’s defence budget is in a right old pickle.

POWER PROJECTION PRINCE – P30/33
The second part of our visit to a UK carrier at sea.

A RENAISSANCE ON THE HORIZON – P34/37
Our big interview with the Belgian Navy boss.

KILOS OFFER A MODERN WARFARE CASE STUDY – P38/40
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet submarine force has been fragmented and under assault in the Ukraine War.

A MARATHON WAR PATROL – P43/44
The obituary of a notable 1980s submarine captain.

HMS BELFAST – P45/46
Royal Navy warships named Belfast, past, present and future.

BOOK REVIEWS – P47/48