NAC News – Edition K496
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of January 13th, 2023
Edition: K496 HMCS Tillsonburg (WWII Castle Class corvette)
Quote – “[Putin] has said that alliances limit one’s freedom of maneuver and that there are only a few truly sovereign states, that Russia is one of them and it wants to act without any restraints on what it can do. But this has now backfired on him, because he’s launched this war without any allies or partners, and Russia is very alone in it.”
5 January 2023, Angela Stent, Financial Times, The Rachman Review podcast
Rod Hughes
Editor NAC News rhughes@shaw.ca (Comments welcome to help improve this service.)
Links to keep in touch with the NAC and RCN can be found at the bottom of this email. Contact Kevin Goheen executivedirector-nac@outlook.com if you wish someone to be added to the NAC News email distribution. (Influencer or good candidates to become a NAC member, and note the first year’s NAC & Branch membership dues are waived)
NOTICES
The 2023 Centennial of the Naval Reserves is fast approaching. You can find information on activities planned in all the NRDs on the UNTDA website along with the programme and on-line registration for a major conference and celebration organized by the UNTD in Victoria 9-12 May 2023. Cross Canada listing of Events taking place during the Centennial of the Canadian Naval Reserve in 2023
18 January 2023 13:00 – 15:00 (Halifax Time) RUSI-NS presents Distinguished Speaker Scott Hatcher CCG speaking about the CCG Autonomous Systems and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Program. To register email RUSINovaScotia@gmail.com. As the subject line for your registration email, put: RUSI(NS) Distinguished Speaker 18 January 2023 Registration. In addition to your name, please provide your organization (agency/directorate, unit, association, or company). The event will be done by Zoom. Instructions will be emailed to registrants by end Monday, 16 January.
28 February 2023 ShipTech Forum 2023 8:00 – 18:00 (Ottawa time) The ShipTech Forum is a hybrid conference with virtual access too. It is intended to showcase emerging technologies, address a range of marine and shipbuilding issues as well as ship repair and the advantages they provide for growth and export. To register visit vanguardcanada.com/shiptech-forum-registration/ All serving Naval & Public sector Personnel can register for Free! Other NAC members can access a $50 ticket discount by using ST23_NAC during registration.
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THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES
Canada finalizes agreement to purchase new fighter jets for Royal Canadian Air Force more details Canada and the F-35: What are we buying, and how is it different from last time? (Editor – I wonder if they will buy any anti-ship ordinance?) P.S., what an ugly story explained in an revealing MLI 1:03: 27 hr podcast The F-35 Saga: Richard Shimooka with Christoph Bergs on Military Aviation History
Swedish PM on Stalled NATO Bid: Turkey Wants Things Stockholm ‘Cannot Give’
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CANADA
HMCS Glace Bay, HMCS Moncton depart Halifax for Operation Projection in West Africa
Tin pot navy 2.0 (Editor – forgive me, but it’s always easy to throw stones when you have no responsibility) exhibit B On target: Canadian defence procurement: FUBAR?
More than a decade ago, the army had a plan to rebuild. It went nowhere (Editor – not a maritime article but included for perspective)
Andrew Richter: It’s time for Canada to start pulling its own weight
NAC Ottawa Speaker’s Evening January 2023 (Editor – If you missed the 10 Jan presentation here is the recording of a tremendous Seaspan Corporate Overview lead by Mr. Denis Stevens Vice-president of Government Relations. Well done NAC-O.)
Why Canada should respond to global threats
Weapons makers say Ottawa is leaving them in the dark on its plans to aid Ukraine
Fibre optic cable survey in High Arctic gets review board approval
Canadian military to resume weapons training in Juan de Fuca Strait
Battle of the Atlantic: A U-boat hunter remembers
Book recovered from Franklin ship could show whether other written items are salvageable: historian
PK75: A Peacekeeping Anthology of Personal Peacekeeping Experiences. The year 2023 will mark two peacekeeping milestones – the 75th anniversary of the first United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operation (UNTSO), and the 35th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize for UN Peacekeepers. To that end, the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association (CPVA) is developing PK75: A Peacekeeping Anthology, a collection of the personal experiences of representative Canadian peacekeepers. It will focus on Canada’s historic contributions to peacekeeping through the eyes of individual Canadian peacekeepers. Please see the link above for examples and details.
Labour of Love: Cloverdale’s Yvon Lehoux builds replicas of Canadian warships
Trident: Monday, 9 January Volume 57, Issue 1
Lookout: 9 January 2023 Volume 68, Issue 1 and HMCS Regina sailors play Santa to Victoria General Hospital children’s ward
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USA & AMERICAS
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 9, 2023
CNO Gilday to Shipbuilders: ‘Pick Up the Pace’ then To shipbuilders who think they can build more, CNO says: ‘Prove it’ and SWO Boss Sets Goal for 75 Mission-Capable Surface Warships Ready to Deploy plus Navy frustration building over late weapons, ship deliveries
U.S. Defense Primer: Procurement (Editor – startling numbers in US$ Billions!) but despite this there are articles like this US Navy: a looming threat and a hollow force
USNI News Interview: Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan
Report to Congress on Hypersonic Weapons
Raytheon SPY-6 Radar at SNA 2023 (Editor – a wow 5:57 min video)
Saildrone USVs, U.S. Destroyer Test How Drones Could ID Objects for Warships Crews and DARPA’s NOMARS Program Looks to Chart a Course for Future Uncrewed Vessels
Shipbuilders near and far line up for Latin American naval upgrades
HII Wins Advanced Planning Contract For Zumwalt-Class Ships
A model battleship moves on wheels as Navy plans new flagship museum
Maximum Depth Can Nuclear Submarine Launch Their Missiles #shorts (Editor – 53 sec video)
How Did The Port Of Los Angeles Go From Boom To Bust?
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INDO-PACIFIC
CSIS: The First Battle of the Next War: A US-China Conflict over Taiwan (Editor – sobering introductory 2:22 min video) and here is the thought-provoking 1:31:35 hr long panel discussion (starts at min 5:21, blank before that) Report Launch―The First Battle of the Next War: Wargaming a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan (Editor – this is the warfighting – ponder the effect to trade, commerce, and the global economy? P.S., hard to believe it wouldn’t go nuclear, at least tactically…)
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Operates in South China Sea
It is never too early to start planning for our next destroyers
China’s coast guard patrols site of Indonesian gas field
Japanese Destroyer Disabled and Leaking Oil After Hitting Rock
PLAN Surface Action Group Operating in East China Sea; Japan and U.S. to Hold Security Talks and further afield Chinese Navy warship spotted in South Pacific may have been on high seas resupply trial run: analysts
US senators’ AUKUS N-sub reservations yet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ‘very confident’ AUKUS deal will benefit all three countries, despite concerns raised in US
U.S. Marines to set up unit in Okinawa for defense of remote Japanese islands
India seeks to speed up plans in Indian Ocean amid growing Chinese presence in region, say experts
Anti-Russian sanctions block transportation of submarine back to India after refit — daily
Indian adventure begins for HMS Tamar in Andaman Islands
Singapore to splash $1.8 billion on four Invincible-class submarines
Makin Island and John P. Murtha Arrive in Singapore for CARAT/MAREX Exercise
China Coast Guard achieves fruitful results in maritime drug control in 2022
DRDO to make 4 variants of NASM-MR missile, will boost Indian Navy against China
Pakistan Navy to receive two more Type 054A/P frigates from China in 2023: Pakistani naval chief
The ‘Silent Service’ is Still the Future of Pakistan’s Navy
Indian Navy may Repeat Kalvari Class Submarine Order
Indian Navy Awaits Budget for Deck-Based Fighters
Japan dives into rare earth mining under the sea
OOCL’s new eco-friendly 24,000 TEU giant hits the water and Chinese Shipbuilding Makes Progress with Ultra-Large Boxships
Increased Chinese Crude Buying Spooks European Oil Traders
China Eases Australian Coal Ban to Bolster Energy Security
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EUROPE
Ukraine:
Sudden Surge in Russian Navy Ships and Submarines In Black Sea
U.S. Sending Ukraine Sea Sparrow Missiles in Latest Aid Package
Canada to purchase U.S. missile defence system for Ukraine (Editor – National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS))
Civilian death toll, Russian war crimes soar in Ukraine
Report: Russia is Losing $170M a Day Due to Oil Price Cap
General:
Russia completes tests of Poseidon drone on Belgorod submarine
Dutch Navy hands over SNMG1’s command to Germany
CIMSEC: the Swedish navy in nato: opportunities and challenges
Royal Navy tracking Russian warship in the North Sea
German frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern joins Nato’s VJTF
The Royal Navy’s Astute class submarines: Part 1 – development and delivery
Portuguese Navy tracks Russian oceanographic research vessel Akademik Aleksandr Karpinskiy
SNA 2023: Thales CAPTAS-4 for FFG-62, Lockheed Martin navalized Patriot, L3Harris SPEIR (Editor – very impressive kit and an enclosed VDS deck! in a 11:22 min video)
Details emerge on new Type 32 Frigate, to sail in 2032
Shocked The world, Russia Tests Its Newest Nuclear Submarine (Editor – 3:07 min video)
France’s New Submarine Suffren Completes First Operational Deployment
UK: Royal Navy receives its final AW101 Mk4/4A Merlin helicopter from Leonardo
Russia grants funding for Arctic nuclear waste ship
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MIDDLE EAST
Thousands of Iran assault rifles bound for Yemen seized: US Navy
IMSC completes three-day exercise in Arabian Gulf
Navy Wants Independence LCS in Bahrain for Mine Countermeasure Mission
If You Think the Ever Given Was Bad, Wait Until You See the Safer
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GLOBAL INTERESTS
Global recession warning as World Bank cuts economic forecast (Editor – dangerous times – way too many things going wrong at the same time)
International Exercise Obangame Express 2023 Set to Begin
EU Extends Naval Operation Combating Piracy off Somalia Through 2024
French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle makes port call in Djibouti
Moroccan Patrol Boat Is Still Unfinished Following Diplomatic Strains with Spain
USS Hershel “Woody” Williams was in Tanzania for Christmas
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SCUTTLEBUTT
The Dark Secret Building Germany’s U-Boat (Editor – 11:12 min video)
Admiral Chester Nimitz – Master of the Pacific (Editor – intriguing 1:04:34 hr video)
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THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
14 January 1952 HMCS Uganda is renamed Quebec.
15 January 1942 On 17 October 1941, the SS R.J. Cullen (Atlantic Transportation Co. Ltd. St. John NB), with a cargo of steel and newsprint, departed Sydney, NS in convoy SC-50 (47 ships) bound for the UK. The crossing was uneventful, and convoy arrived in Liverpool on 4 November. After delivering her cargo to local ports, the R. J. Cullen, in ballast, departed Liverpool on 13 January 1943 in convoy ON-57 (39 ships), westbound for Halifax. On the night of the 15th, a violent winter storm with gale force SE winds descended upon the convoy. Fifteen ships abandoned the convoy and returned to British ports. Six ships were wrecked as they were blown ashore, one of them being the SS R.J. Cullen. She was blown ashore near Leanish Point on the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. During a lull in the storm, there were still high seas and swell, but a fishing vessel the St. Margaret (skipper and a volunteer) managed to get under the aft quarter of the R. J. Cullen and rescued the entire crew of 47 men.
15 January 1991 The UN security Council deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait passes and the Persian Gulf War begins.
16 January 1991 The Persian War begins with an American-led coalition offensive against Iraq. Captain (RCN) Duncan Miller became the commander of the Combined Logistics Force (all Logistical support ships and escorts), the only non-American to hold such an important command at sea during the conflict.
17 January 1957 HMCS Bonaventure is commissioned at Belfast, Northern Ireland. She is the first aircraft carrier to be owned outright by Canada and incorporates several post-war technical developments: an angled deck, mirror landing aid, and steam catapult.
19 January 1911 The Royal Naval College of Canada opens in Halifax.
19 January 1942 The passenger ship SS Lady Hawkins (Canadian National Steamships Ltd, Montreal), departed Halifax on 15 January 1942. She was bound for Bermuda via Boston and she arrived in Boston and sailed independently (no escort) for Bermuda on the 16th. The Lady Hawkins took a southerly course along the American coast. When nearing Cape Hatteras, she changed to an easterly course towards Bermuda. On 19 January at 01:13 GMT+2, U-66 sighted shadows of a large freighter and passenger steamer zig zagging on general course 80-90 degrees. The U-boat maneuvered ahead for an attack. Six and half hour later at 07:43, the waiting U-boat fired two torpedoes and sunk the Lady Hawkins about 150 nm from Cape Hatteras with 425 nm remaining to Bermuda. Only three of the six lifeboats were launched successfully. Only seventy-one survivors, in one lifeboat, were rescued five days later by the passenger ship SS Coamo. The 250 casualties included the Master, 86 crew members, one RCNVR DEMS gunner and 163 passengers (including 53 Royal Navy personnel).
19 January 1943 HMCS Port Arthur commanded by Lt Edward T. Simmons, RCNVR sank the Italian Submarine Tritone in the Mediterranean Sea.
20 January 1944 On 17 January 1944 the Canadian built (Burrard Dry Dock Co., Vancouver) but British crewed SS Fort Buckingham departed Bombay (now Mumbai) and was southbound for Durban, South Africa. On 20 January, after stalking the zig-zagging freighter for four hours, U-188 fired a fan of three torpedoes at her…and missed at 07:23 (GMT +2). The lone U-boat then maneuvered ahead, and at 20:39 fired two torpedoes which did not miss. The Fort Buckingham was sunk about 740 nm SW of Bombay. The Master, 30 crew members, and seven DEMS gunners were killed.
SIGNIFICANT RCN DATES – If you see any omissions or errors please inform me, and any more modern significant dates are also welcomed. The list draws primarily from the Directory of History and Heritage’s comprehensive “Significant Dates in Canadian Military History”, the now defunct “Canada Channel”, “Legion Magazine”, The Naval Service of Canada, Its Official History Vol 1-3, NAC member Roger Litwiller’s excellent web site, encyclopedic guidance from NAC member Fraser McKee, the Uboat.net site, and anywhere else I can find credible information. For the merchant ship history, a special thanks to NAC member Bill Dziadyk for his able assistance and detailed work. The RCN lost 1,965 men and 24 ships during the War, most of them in the Atlantic. A comprehensive list of the staggering merchant losses – sunk, damaged, or lost – Canadian Merchant Ship Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1945 by Rob Fisher {Revised June 2001}, and for the loss of individual personnel RCN Ship Histories, Convoy Escort Movements, Casualty Lists 1939-1947)
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