Patrick Shoup’s Post

Since 2017, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has commissioned a new class of ocean surveillance vessel into its order of battle: the Type 927. Similar in design and function to the U.S. Navy’s Victorious and Impeccable class T-AGOS ships, the Type 927 was introduced to help remedy the PLAN’s longstanding weakness in anti-submarine warfare. The PLAN has likely built six Type 927 ships to date, most based for easy access to the South China Sea. In peacetime, these ships use their towed array sonar to collect acoustic data on foreign submarines and track their movements within and beyond the first island chain. In wartime, Type 927 vessels could contribute to PLAN anti-submarine warfare operations in support of a range of different maritime campaigns. However, their lack of self-defense capabilities would make them extremely vulnerable to attack. #TSIDocuments #TSIWeekly20240324 #TSIChinaPolitics #TSIPLA #ChinaPLAN #ChinaNavy

Food for thought… the proposed FY 2025 Defense budget from the White House calls for procuring 6 Battle Force ships and RETIRING 19! I understand that many of these platforms are reaching their projected service life but how does it make sense to propose such a significant disparity in Naval resources? Is there planning going on to extend the service life of some platforms rather than immediately retiring them? Now the proposal to expand the VLS capability on other vessels or even adding a new vessel to provide this capability. Maybe extending the service life of some of the CG or SSGN platforms and pre positioning them in the Indo-Pacific theater as a stop gap until new platform are available in the Fleet. Given all the geopolitical dynamics in the world today, I don’t understand why other considerations for redeploying and maintaining resources are fully utilized rather than quickly opting to decommission them… Seems like this vessel is “not under command”… red over red… 🇺🇸

Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd have been awarded a £135m contract to fit their Ancilia maritime countermeasures solution to current Type 45 destroyers and future Type 26 & Type 31 frigates. Naval decoy launchers deploy multiple decoys to trick and divert incoming missiles away from their intended target, and according to SEA Ltd the trainable nature of the Ancilia solution allows vessels to effectively defeat an incoming threat without the need to maneuver as is the case with traditional fixed solutions. This is part of a wider effort from the Royal Navy to update surface ship electronic surveillance, electronic warfare command and control, and countermeasures capabilities over the next 20 years. Delivery is expected in late 2026. #defencetech #navaltech #defencejobs #defencecontracts #defencenews

U.S. Central Command (#CENTCOM) On Feb. 9, between the hours of 3 a.m. – 9:40 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes against two mobile unmanned surface vessels (USV), four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and one mobile land attack cruise missile (LACM) that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. CENTCOM identified these missiles and USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

We discussed how the FY24 Defense Spending Bill highlights the U.S. government's commitment to maintaining and enhancing national security through substantial investments in munitions, naval vessels, and aircraft.

Royal Navy Seeks Long-Range Anti-Submarine Weapon The Royal Navy is looking for a new missile system that can launch torpedoes from its Type 26 frigates. This Long Range Anti-Submarine Warfare weapon (LRAW) aims to counter the increasing range of modern submarine-launched torpedoes, exceeding 50km. While the U.S. Navy's Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (VLA) is compatible with the Type 26's Mk41 launch system, its current range of approximately 10km falls short. This means that either the VLA needs significant range improvements, or the Royal Navy must explore alternative solutions, like the Japanese Type 7, to achieve the desired standoff distance. The goal is to out-range enemy submarines, giving the Royal Navy a critical advantage in any future conflict. #RoyalNavy #ASW #SubmarineWarfare #DefenseTechnology #VLA #Type26Frigate #Mk41VLS #DefenseIndustry #MaritimeSecurity #NationalSecurity

U.S. Central Command (#CENTCOM) On Feb. 8, between the hours of 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted seven self-defense strikes against four Houthi unmanned surface vessels (USV) and seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. CENTCOM identified these missiles and USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

Possession of war machines and implements does not confer any advantage without the appropriate systems to qualify crews and sustain these assets. The acquisition of ships, weapons platforms and combat equipment add to the inventory and offer potential to effectively engage in combat. However, it does not bestow outright advantage to a naval force. Besides the technology used, the men behind the machines at the operational and sustainment levels are equally as, or even more important. While it is satisfying and confidence-boosting to have the material assets, their proper and effective operation and upkeep have to be established and made to function effectively to realize the capabilities made possible by these new additions.  

NAVAL GAZING: "China’s People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) is the largest and most highly organised of such forces, although its command and control is opaque and is a key node of Beijing’s hybrid warfare strategy. Analysts believe that the force has potential access to some 700,000 powered fishing vessels, ranging from small coastal craft to large, long-range 'industrial-level' trawlers. "The larger PAFMM craft are classified as Spratly Backbone Fishing Vessels (SBFVs). Some SBFVs are fitted with reinforced hulls and ram bows. A few reportedly have a fixed armament of machine guns or light anti-aircraft guns but most rely upon an arsenal of small arms. "The PAFMM is also constructing a fleet of sturdy, high-powered 'fishing vessels,' intended to take a lead role in its grey zone operations. Many of these new craft, at least some of which are being painted in China Coast Guard (CCG) livery, are being built on Hainan Island. The new paint scheme is leading some analysts to speculate that the force might in due course merge with the CCG." Full article link in comments.

A very useful capability to have. Keen to see how this turns out.