IN THE MAY 2012 ISSUE – OUT NOW!

• PUTIN’S ‘COLD WAR LITE’
• THE RISK OF WAR REMAINS
• SUDDEN DEATH CUTS THREAT
• FOCUS ON FRENCH NAVY
• ONE FINAL SURGE OF GLORY
• PIRACY FIGHT TO GO ASHORE
• AUSTRALIA NEEDS MORE NAVY MUSCLE
• LONG ‘LEGS’ REQUIRED
• CYCLONES TO ENSURE IRAN REAPS WHIRLWIND
• CAMERON’S BIG BANG THEORY

PUTIN’S ‘COLD WAR LITE’

In part two of our consideration of whether or not the world faces a new Cold War,

Iain Ballantyne & Dr Dave Sloggett take a look at prospects for an East-West face-off after Vladimir Putin’s return to Presidential power.

Photo: Russian Navy.

THE RISK OF WAR REMAINS

To kick off our Falklands War 30 special section, Dr Duncan Redford weighs up the Falklands War three decades on and potential for a new conflict in 2012. He ponders the lessons provided by the conflict and wonders if they have been taken to heart in the nation that won a slim victory. Elsewhere Rupert Butler tells the story of the war at sea, in the submarines, and also ashore with the British commando forces. Santiago Rivas and Francis Beaufort debate whether or not an Argentinean air attack successfully targeted HMS Invincible.

Photo: Nigel Andrews.

SUDDEN DEATH CUTS THREAT

Dr Robert Farley reports on a looming doomsday scenario for American naval forces, highlighted due to an angry broadside against Congress by the US Defense Secretary.

Photo: US Navy.

FOCUS ON FRENCH NAVY

Reports and images on developments in Europe’s leading naval force, including the strike carrier Charles de Gaulle back in action, joint exercises off the Lebanon and a drugs bust in the Caribbean.

Photo: French Navy.

ONE FINAL SURGE OF GLORY

Editor-at-Large Jonathan Eastland sailed through the Irish Sea aboard the destroyer HMS Liverpool, from Glasgow to her namesake city on the Mersey. It was one leg on the Libya War veteran warship’s final voyage before she was retired from service. Jonathan talked to members of the Ship’s Company and gathered their thoughts on HMS Liverpool’s passing into history.

Photo: Jonathan Eastland/AJAX.

PIRACY FIGHT TO GO ASHORE

Dr Dave Sloggett reports on moves to send in maritime forces to stamp out the piracy menace emanating from lawless Somalia. Previously EU Naval Forces (EU NAVFOR) Somalia had restricted itself to anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Now, however, it is to tackle the problem at source.

Photo: French Navy.

AUSTRALIA NEEDS MORE NAVY MUSCLE

Special Correspondent Charles Strathdee wonders if there is any serious likelihood of Australian naval forces facing down the rising Chinese naval threat the Pentagon seems determined to tackle. To do so, he suggests, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will have to invest in more war-fighting muscle.

Photo: RAN.

LONG ‘LEGS’ REQUIRED

Chief Analyst Usman Ansari continues his multi-part survey of world naval replenishment ships by taking a look at those of Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Photo: Canadian DND.

CYCLONES TO ENSURE IRAN REAPS WHIRLWIND

Many observers of naval affairs thought their time had come and gone, but the US Navy’s Cyclone Class vessels are to enjoy a new lease of life, facing down the Iranian threat. Special Correspondent David Axe studies the reasons why the Cyclones sail again.

Photo: US Navy.

CAMERON’S BIG BANG THEORY

Speaking in Plymouth earlier this year Prime Minister David Cameron claimed the Royal Navy “is going to pack a huge punch in the future”. Pete Sandeman examines just what sort of punch the RN of tomorrow is likely to offer, testing Cameron hubris against possible reality, including a consideration of how powerful future carrier strike groups will probably be.

Photo: US Navy.