Expeditionary Power
Russia is discussing the purchase of a French Mistral-class amphibious assault ship worth between 300 and 400 million euros ($430-580 mln), a high-ranking source close to the talks said Tuesday.It isn't just the Russians though. In the 21st century we have seen a number of nations either expanding or looking to expand expeditionary capabilities. It is noteworthy that most of the top global economies are looking to develop expeditionary capabilities for military forces, while in the US we are discussing how much we can draw down our own expeditionary forces. Are we on the right side of this trend?
"Such talks are being held at the level of experts; the Russian side is represented by the Navy, the United Shipbuilding Corporation, and plants' representatives. In September we will provide a final conclusion for the Russian Defense Ministry," the source told RIA Novosti.
Earlier a French business daily, La Tribune, said Russia is planning to purchase a Mistral class assault ship from France. The purchase, if successful, would be the first large-scale arms import deal concluded by Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Underwater Capabilities
Russian defense industry sources report that Iran, fearful of an Israeli attack, is thinking of buying advanced Russian submarines to add to its flotilla of three Kilo-class diesel-electric boats it acquired a decade ago from Moscow.This article doesn't even mention Saudi Arabia, which is very odd. Add the activity of Pakistan, India, Taiwan, Australia, and Turkey in regards to movement on submarines, not to mention the fact that Indonesia is simply delaying their purchase, not canceling it, and the number of submarines globally is on a drastic upswing. Meanwhile, we can't build them for less than $2 billion a piece. Are we on the right side of the submarine trend?
The focus is on Project 636- and Amur 1650-class submarines being developed by Russia. State-owned arms export agency Rosoboronexport said the fourth-generation diesel-electric boats, considered to be among the stealthiest in the world, could be exported by 2015.
Iran and Algeria appeared to be among the leading prospects. According to sources in Moscow, Algeria agreed in 2006 to buy Project 636 submarines, advanced versions of the Kilo-class Type 877EKM currently in service with Algeria and Iran.
Jane's Navy International reported July 8 that Algeria will take delivery of the first of two Project 636 subs in December from Admiralty Shipyards of St. Petersburg.
Auxiliary Ships
The Rescue tug “Altay” from Russia’s Northern Fleet will visit the Cuban capital Havana in the first week of August.It isn't just in Cuba, Russia has been deploying Auxiliary ships with everyone of their task forces, and while they don't get the same publicity as the main warships in Russia, they are making significant impacts. The rumors of Russian auxiliary ships doing work in Yemen ports is there, although what they are doing is unclear. It isn't just the Russians though, there is a remarkable, yet silent, logistics effort supporting a rather large international naval force off the coast of Somalia. China is building hospital ships, not to mention several high tech surveillance ships. The German Berlin class is a remarkable modular vessel, and the Bay class is one of the most active class of ships in the Royal Navy supporting operations in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the US can't figure out what a Sea Base looks like and has decided on a 30 ship combat logistics force. Are we investing in Auxiliary ships sufficiently to the strategic demand?
The official visit takes place August 3-6, the Russian Embassy in Cuba told RIA Novosti.
This is the second time a Russian naval vessel visits Cuba since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The first visit took place in December 2008, when a unit from the Northern Fleet led by the Destroyer Admiral Chabanenko made a successful trip to Havana.
We bitch and moan surface combatants, while the average age of the surface combatant force is younger than the average age of the Navy's tactical aviation platforms. The Auxiliary and Combat Logistics force is old. Despite the broad flexibility of amphibious ships for both very low and very high end work, we are looking to reduce the total number of amphibious ships. Next year, will we see people on the Hill moaning the spending of $4+ billion annually to build 2 SSNs a year?
The strategic trends point to expeditionary, underwater, and auxiliary capabilities being the most useful for maritime influence in times absent major state power war. It is interesting how decisively the Asian economic powers, the European economic powers, the Russians, and the Chinese all appear focused on developing their naval force structures around these capabilities.
Everyone that is, except the US Navy. The US Navy calls its own maritime strategy an expeditionary strategy, and yet is looking to downsize the expeditionary force. The Navy emphasizes the value of nuclear attack submarines instead of even entertaining the conversation in favor of conventional alternatives, even as we live in a political climate favorable alternative energy solutions. The Combat Logistics force is woefully inadequate to supporting major war operations.
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