Alex Luck

@alxluck.bsky.social

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Chinese Military. Bundeswehr/NATO. MA Pol Sci/History. Cats, dogs, motorcycles. Überbringer schlechter Nachrichten. Contributor @NavalNews. Articles @FPRI 🇦🇺 🇩🇪

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What's in a name (change)? My overview of the "Upgraded Mogami", formerly known as "New FFM", shown at Perth's #IODS24, positive remarks by RAN's Navy Chief, prospect of NSM integration and the implications for Tier 2. Via @navalnews.com: www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

"Upgraded Mogami" is the new "New FFM", Looking At Australiawww.navalnews.com Japanese builder MHI redesignates the Mogami FFG successor as "Upgraded Mogami", seemingly positioning the design for Australian contract.

My thoughts on some recent news regarding the F127 next gen AAW frigate for the German Navy. First FMS steps for AEGIS CMS & MEKO A-400 AMD specs from TKMS. Via @navalnews.com: www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

German F127 AAW Frigate Takes Shapewww.navalnews.com The German F127 AAW Frigate takes shape through a contract solicitation by US DoD and builder TKMS publishing their A-400 AMD frigate design.

On occasion of Germany approving related R&D funding I wrote down a bit of an overview on 3SM aka "Tyrfing". An ambitious effort to create a new very long range supersonic antiship- and land attack-missile. Via @navalnews.com. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

New 3SM 'Tyrfing' Missile Receives German Development Fundingwww.navalnews.com Germany approves funding for the supersonic antiship and strike missile (3SM) 'Tyrfing' to be developed in cooperation with Norway.

Some commentary of mine in this TWZ report on the PLAN Type 094 SSBN observed by fishermen performing a surfaced transit of the Taiwan Strait. Thanks Thomas Newdick for reaching out. All in all this IMO isn't an event to get anxious about. www.twz.com/sea/chinese-...

Chinese Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Surfaces In Taiwan Straitwww.twz.com Taiwan said it was monitoring the submarine that was spotted by fishermen when it came to the surface and began moving under escort in the Taiwan Strait around dawn today.

My overview for @navalnews.com on the notional Type 076 LHD for the Chinese Navy under construction at Hudong, Shanghai. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Type 076 Amphibious Carrier Takes Shape, Drone Airwing Emergeswww.navalnews.com The Type 076 Amphibious Carrier takes shape at Hudong, revealing catapult capability and fixed wing combat drones tested for the ship.

My overview on the decision taken yesterday by German Parliament nodding off an additional two F126 frigates for Bundeswehr. If Defence can meet additional requirements on a tight schedule. Via @navalnews.com: www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Two More F126 Frigates Conditionally Approved For German Navywww.navalnews.com The budget committee of the German parliament has approved two more F126 frigates for the Navy, but attached conditions to the decision.

ICYMI: Germany is considering a purchase of eight to ten additional F-35 to equip the TaktLwG 33 in Buechel (nuclear sharing unit). Would bring total fleet to 43-45 AC, with eight remaining in US for training. Cost estimated at 1 bln Euros. www.spiegel.de/politik/deut...

Bundeswehr: Bundesregierung prüft Kauf von acht weiteren F-35 Jetswww.spiegel.de Die Bundesregierung diskutiert, ob sie zusätzliche Kampfjets vom Typ F-35 aus den USA bestellen sollte. Damit könnte Deutschland die nukleare Teilhabe zuverlässiger erfüllen.

Rheinmetall & MBDA show their cooperative effort of integrating "Small Anti Drone Missile" (SADM) into Skyranger 30 mm turret. Nine rounds, 5 km range, likely to be offered for Bundeswehr requirement from 2028. www.hartpunkt.de/small-anti-d...

Small Anti Drone Missile Integration in den Skyranger 30 vereinbartwww.hartpunkt.de Die beiden Unternehmen Rheinmetall und MBDA Deutschland heute im Rahmen der Internationalen Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung (ILA) in Berlin eine Vereinbarung – Letter of Intent (LOI) – über die Integra...

Collins-class life extension goes into next phase, but sheds some key features that were supposed to keep the boats operationally relevant. My article for @navalnews.com: www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Collins Life Extension Goes Ahead, Australia Drops Tomahawkwww.navalnews.com Australia approves next phase of Collins class life extension. Submarines will not receive Tomahawk or new optronic mast.

Official statement by Chancellor Scholz at ILA, via "the other site" on GER intending to buy another 20 Eurofighter for Luftwaffe. Bringing the total fleet to around 168 aircraft. Intention is to pass funding before end of term for current parliament, this gives the effort a year and some change.

In developments that will surprise relatively few, the boutique acquisition of five PULS MLRS by Bundeswehr from Israel is hitting difficult waters. Delayed by at least six more months. Also US permission to integrate GLMRS so far not forthcoming. www.hartpunkt.de/puls-raketen...

PULS – Raketenartilleriebeschaffung für die Bundeswehr verzögert sich weiterwww.hartpunkt.de Die Beschaffung der fünf PULS-Mehrfachraketenwerfer (Purpose Universal Launching System), welche der Bundeswehr als Ersatz für die fünf an die Ukraine abgegebenen Raketenartilleriesysteme vom Typ MARS...

My overview on the latest progress at Dalian Shipbuilding constructing more Type 055 and Type 052D destroyers for the Chinese Navy. Via @navalnews.com www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Dalian Shipbuilding launches Type 055, ups work at Dagushanwww.navalnews.com Dalian Shipbuilding has launched a new Type 055 large destroyer and is ramping up production at second facility.

My thoughts on the new Chinese "stealthy" corvette putting to sea earlier this week, courtesy of @navalnews.com: www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Chinese experimental corvette starts sea trialswww.navalnews.com A new Chinese experimental corvette has started sea trials. The ship is designated as a comprehensive testing platform.

The German Navy this week wrapped one deployment abroad, with Hessen returning from the Red Sea, while also kicking off a new one, with one F125 frigate and an AOR commencing a round the world sail dubbed "Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024". My story via @navalnews.com: www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

German Navy Wraps Red Sea Mission, Heads for Indo-Pacificwww.navalnews.com German Navy concludes Red Sea-deployment. Meanwhile two German ships will be heading for the Indo-Pacific region.

The third Chinese aircraft carrier, and first supercarrier equipped with catapults, Fujian, is leaving Shanghai for her first sea trial. Read about the event and the story for the carrier so far, via @navalnews.com. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Aircraft Carrier Fujian Starts First Sea Trialwww.navalnews.com Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian starts first sea trial. Ship has left Shanghai coinciding with anniversary of the Chinese Navy.

Report by TWZ's Thomas Newdick on Anduril's "Ghost Shark XL-AUV" prototype reveal. With some expanded thoughts on the design shown and capabilities aimed for by yours truly.

Australia’s Ghost Shark Uncrewed Submarine Breaks Coverwww.twz.com The Ghost Shark is Australia’s ambitious extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle, but details about its future missions remain scarce.

My thoughts on the RAN Tier 2-combatant as announced back in February, and concerns about the few things we know (and several others we don't), via @navalnews.com.

The Australian Surface Fleet Dilemmawww.navalnews.com Naval News analysis of the Australian surface fleet dilemma and the effort to modernise the RAN with the Tier-2 combatant.

If you're kinda bored this Easter weekend (or dont celebrate it anyway), here's my recap of events in the last few months for Chinese carrier aviation, for @navalnews.com. The next big step will be the first sea trial for Fujian, hopefully soon.

Chinese Carrier Aviation In 2024 - The Year So Farwww.navalnews.com Busy months for the development of Chinese carrier aviation include progress on all relevant programs. Includes AEWC- and fighter-efforts.

New report up on interception of a Houthi USV by German Navy in the Red Sea, for @navalnews.com. The incident is the second intercept of a drone by a helicopter of forces assigned to EUNAVFOR Aspides, and the first such destruction of a USV.

German Navy Helicopter Destroys Houthi Dronewww.navalnews.com A German Navy Helicopter Destroys Houthi Drone In Red Sea. Helicopter operated from frigate Hessen in support of EUNAVFOR Aspides.

Here's a bit of a run-down on the wider situation as I see it relating to Bundeswehr ammunition woes, how they remain an underappreciated & obviously unaddressed problem. Despite repeated media coverage, I should note, & the supposed "Zeitenwende". Cross-posted from "the other" site.

Took some time to write for @navalnews.com about the recent incidents involving "Hessen" in the Red Sea, the concerns about German stockpiles of naval SAM and related operational and readiness implications.

Missile Woes For German Navywww.navalnews.com The German Navy faces missile woes impacting the performance and supply for their air defence frigates used in the Red Sea.

I wrote a thing on German Navy frigate "Hessen" arriving in the Red Sea for EUNAVFOR Aspides for @navalpatel.bsky.social . Also on the recent media reporting regarding the uncertainty over SM-2 supplies for the German F124 frigates. All mistakes mine as always.

German Navy Frigate Hessen Joins EUNAVFOR Aspideswww.navalnews.com German Navy frigate Hessen has arrived in the Red Sea and joins EUNAVFOR Aspides protecting shipping against Houthi missile attacks.

My article for @navalnews.com on German F124 frigate Hessen leaving for the Red Sea. Once again the relatively small German Navy is under the pump, and adequate capabilities to meet current threats are very thin on the ground.

German Air Warfare Frigate Sets Sail For Red Seawww.navalnews.com German Air Warfare frigate Hessen has departed for the Red Sea to support EU naval mission ASPIDES, protecting shipping against Houthis.

The Black One approves the opening of the blue place. Hail the void.

A good side by side comparison illustrating the changes between the original Zubr LCAC PLAN received from Ukraine and the two most recently built hulls revealed last year. Note CIWS mounts and remodelled bridge. Via 水雷屋/Wb.

Wrote an overview regarding the upcoming Indo-Pacific deployment for the German Navy, based on Navy Chief Kaack's most recent comments on the matter, via @navalnews.com. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

German Navy Indo-Pacific Deploymentwww.navalnews.com The German Navy will conduct an Indo-Pacific deployment and round the world-cruise with one frigate and one auxiliary in 2024.

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Alex Luck

Germany will provide six Sea King naval utility helicopters to Ukraine this year, in addition to related spares and training 🇩🇪🇺🇦 Story by @alxluck.bsky.social

Germany To Provide Sea King Helicopters To Ukrainewww.navalnews.com Germany will provide six Sea King naval utility helicopters to Ukraine this year, in addition to related spares and training.

"Contemplating the potential acquisition of the 3,500-ton LCS by Greece, a naval design universally labeled as “a beautiful disaster”, “a total mess”, “little crappy ship”, “a scandal” and comparable aliases (...) raises numerous questions..."

Greece closer than ever to procure LCS from the U.S. - Naval Newswww.navalnews.com Greece is closer than ever to procure Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) following a letter from US Secretary of State allocating four

ICYMI: Slovenia is buying Iris-T SLM under the scope of ESSI. German military procurement office BAAINBw acts as authorised purchase authority making use of a framework agreed to under ESSI, which should result in speedy production and delivery.

ESSI-Mitglied Slowenien wird IRIS-T SLM-Nutzeresut.de Das BAAINBw hat im Namen und bevollmächtigt von der Republik Slowenien mit Diehl Defence am 25. Januar die zeitnahe Lieferung einer Feuereinheit des Luftverteidigungssystems IRIS-T SLM vereinbart.

Apologies for inactivity. Will try to pick up on relevant content from next week. Here's my thoughts from a few days ago on the progress with 054B for PLAN.

The first Type 054B next generation frigate for the Chinese Navy has started trials in Shanghai. Second hull to follow in near future 🇨🇳 Read the in-depth analysis of the new ship by @alxluck.bsky.social 🔗👇 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Chinese Navy Next Generation Frigate Starts Builder Trials - Naval Newswww.navalnews.com The first Type 054B next generation frigate for the Chinese Navy has started trials in Shanghai. Second hull to follow in near future.