The misadventures of AUKUS robot AlboGov never cease. I publish on subs, other naval,
nuclear weapons & broad political issues. Aussie sub changes are glacial: talk rather than actual new subs. The 1st Collins LOTE may secretly concern the US Combat System & be ready 2029. Trump may decide to cancel the AUKUS Virginia offer due to USN advice it needs all operational SSNs right through to the 2040s. My colleagues Shawn C and Gessler are excellent writers. Pete.
July 19, 2022
Romanian letter of intent for Scorpene submarines
Romania is very near the Russian invasion of Ukraine War, hence Romania increasingly feels the need for submarines as a deterrent against Russia.
1) Indonesia appears to want to purchase the BrahMos cruise missile system from India. In January this year, another INDOPAC country, the Philippines, placed an order worth $375 million for BrahMos. This missile system seems to be a favourite in the region as an affordable means for island states to build their own Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) network as a hedge against the PLA Navy's increasing encroachments.
2) The US House of Representatives has voted in favour of granting an official waiver to India from the CAATSA sanctions regime with bipartisan support (Democrat & Republican). The sanctions, which would otherwise target countries that buy weapon systems from Russia (such as NATO ally Turkey which bought the S-400). While the provision to grant an Executive waiver (signed by the President) already existed, the new amendment, if it also passes the Senate, will make such a waiver part of law.
It would also grant a further reprieve to countries which are official US allies (like the Philippines) but seek to purchase systems that contain Russian components, as long as they do so via India. Case in point being the BrahMos missiles.
It could also encourage ASEAN states that operate Su-27/30 Flanker fighter platforms (like Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam) to service & maintain their jets via India's HAL (which has localized all the infrastructure to maintain IAF's 270-stronge fleet of Flankers), bypassing direct dealings with Russian companies which could upset the US in the current situation.
3) Boeing & US Navy representatives have successfully completed the trials of F/A-18 Super Hornet from ski-jump (and arrested landing) at the Indian Naval Air Station Hansa in Goa, video link below. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block-III (the current USN standard) is competing with the Dassault Rafale-M for a 26-jet order to provide the definitive aviation complex for India's first domestically-built carrier INS Vikrant. The order could expand to 57 in future. Rafale had completed its trials earlier this year, a decision is awaited.
For https://www.drass.tech/2022/04/29/tvr-news-exclusive/
"Romanian National Defence Minister Vasile Dîncu discusses the opportunity of [Italian designed] DRASS compact submarines for the Romanian Navy as well as international export from Romania to other navies.
A tour of DRASS Timișoara production facilities with Operational Director Cristina Stănciulescu provides further insights into [160 tonne] DG-160 [mini] submarine construction, and the unique advantages and capabilities of these compact crafts."
More at http://www.hisutton.com/DRASS.html
The DG-160 looks like a useful low cost solution for Black Sea nations planning (diver-delivery and maybe limited torpedoing) short term missions against Putin's forces of evil.
Unrelated: Some updates from the Indo-Pacific -
ReplyDelete1) Indonesia appears to want to purchase the BrahMos cruise missile system from India. In January this year, another INDOPAC country, the Philippines, placed an order worth $375 million for BrahMos. This missile system seems to be a favourite in the region as an affordable means for island states to build their own Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) network as a hedge against the PLA Navy's increasing encroachments.
https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/fe-exclusive-indonesia-to-buy-brahmos-missile-from-india-talks-in-advance-stage/2598803/
2) The US House of Representatives has voted in favour of granting an official waiver to India from the CAATSA sanctions regime with bipartisan support (Democrat & Republican). The sanctions, which would otherwise target countries that buy weapon systems from Russia (such as NATO ally Turkey which bought the S-400). While the provision to grant an Executive waiver (signed by the President) already existed, the new amendment, if it also passes the Senate, will make such a waiver part of law.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/us-votes-for-india-specific-caatsa-waiver-to-fight-aggressions-from-china-122071500130_1.html
It would also grant a further reprieve to countries which are official US allies (like the Philippines) but seek to purchase systems that contain Russian components, as long as they do so via India. Case in point being the BrahMos missiles.
It could also encourage ASEAN states that operate Su-27/30 Flanker fighter platforms (like Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam) to service & maintain their jets via India's HAL (which has localized all the infrastructure to maintain IAF's 270-stronge fleet of Flankers), bypassing direct dealings with Russian companies which could upset the US in the current situation.
3) Boeing & US Navy representatives have successfully completed the trials of F/A-18 Super Hornet from ski-jump (and arrested landing) at the Indian Naval Air Station Hansa in Goa, video link below. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block-III (the current USN standard) is competing with the Dassault Rafale-M for a 26-jet order to provide the definitive aviation complex for India's first domestically-built carrier INS Vikrant. The order could expand to 57 in future. Rafale had completed its trials earlier this year, a decision is awaited.
https://youtu.be/wga-hHIYAa0
Cheers
Thanks Gessler
ReplyDeleteI'll turn your Jul 21, 2022, 2:07:00 PM into an article tomorrow.
Cheers Pete
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is also worth to mention the following info in regards to the Romanian Navy. It looks as a clear declaration of the procurement.
https://www.drass.tech/2022/04/29/tvr-news-exclusive/
Thanks Anonymous [at Jul 22, 2022, 4:48:00 PM]
ReplyDeleteFor https://www.drass.tech/2022/04/29/tvr-news-exclusive/
"Romanian National Defence Minister Vasile Dîncu discusses the opportunity of [Italian designed] DRASS compact submarines for the Romanian Navy as well as international export from Romania to other navies.
A tour of DRASS Timișoara production facilities with Operational Director Cristina Stănciulescu provides further insights into [160 tonne] DG-160 [mini] submarine construction, and the unique advantages and capabilities of these compact crafts."
More at http://www.hisutton.com/DRASS.html
The DG-160 looks like a useful low cost solution for Black Sea nations planning (diver-delivery and maybe limited torpedoing) short term missions against Putin's forces of evil.
Cheers Pete