Copyright © 2010, Proceedings, U.S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland (410) 268-6110 www.usni.org By Eric Wertheim rom counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia to navies of the world have proven once again that in the age of hy- ballistic-missile defense off the waters of North Korea, brid warfare, maritime forces are at the helm, leading the way. Fthe past year of naval operations has highlighted the flex- This review of the world’s navies presents a snapshot of activities ibility of global maritime power. As militaries around the globe and developments during the past year. It is arranged by region, with face conventional threats mixed with asymmetric challenges, the nations discussed alphabetically under each subheading. Australia and Asia research and mine-countermeasures capa- took part in an around-the-world tour that No one can accuse Australia of under- bilities are planned, as are new maritime included a successful anti-piracy patrol off reaching when it comes to current patrol aircraft, unmanned aerial ve- Yemen and Somalia. During the exercises and future defense planning. hicles, and helicopters. she showcased her impressive modernized During 2009 Australia’s On the amphibious front, weapons including the recent addition government released a new the two Canberra-class of an eight-tube vertical-launch missile white paper calling for vast 27,800-ton large-deck am- system carrying 32 ESSM missiles. The naval enhancements during phibious ships are being newly modernized warships also retain the course of the next 20 built in Spain with even- the capability to carry two helicopters years. Included in the plans tual completion in Austra- and launch Harpoon antiship missiles and are efforts to replace their six lia. The first unit is planned Standard SM-1 (currently being upgraded current Collins-class submarines to enter service in 2013 and the to SM-2) surface-to-air missiles from their with a force of 12 more advanced second in 2015. The navy also is MK 13 missile launchers. The Australian subs. Eight new future frigates will replace looking to gain an enhanced sealift- and guided-missile frigates also have upgraded the current generation of ANZAC frigates, logistics-support capability with a new electronic countermeasures, radar and and new amphibious assault ships, air-war- class of auxiliaries. sonar suites, and improved electronics fare destroyers and heavy landing craft are Last year HMAS Sydney, one of Austra- systems. The fourth and final modern- all expected to join the fleet. Twenty new lia’s four newly modernized Oliver Haz- ized Perry-class frigate, Newcastle, was offshore patrol vessels with hydrographic- ard Perry–class guided-missile frigates, re-delivered to the Aussie fleet late in 44 • March 2010 www.usni.org LEO VAN GINDEREN form itself into a player on the interna- an increasingly powerful China, but the Bangladesh would like to replace Umar Farooq as soon tional naval scene commensurate with planned acquisition of aircraft carriers and as funding permits. The ex- its massive place in the global economy. nuclear-powered submarines reflects an British Salisbury-class frigate China’s first major international naval earnest Indian desire for power-projection was commissioned in 1958 deployment, to fight piracy off the coast capabilities as well. India faces a prob- and transferred in 1976. of Somalia, began in late December 2008 lematic relationship with Russia concern- and had been set to wrap up in March ing the two nations’ defense acquisition 2009; the class will re- 2009 before the Chinese government an- ties. Just as India appeared to be leaning main in frontline service nounced that the missions would be ex- increasingly to the West, it chose in late through at least the end of tended. New warships have been cycled 2009 to renew a 10-year military industrial the decade, at which point in to replace those vessels departing from agreement with Russia, calling into ques- Australia’s Hobart class of earlier voyages. tion the nation’s quest for an independent Aegis air-warfare destroy- China has requested a halt to U.S. mari- and efficient defense acquisition model. ers is expected to join the time surveillance of the type that sparked The late-2008 terror attacks in Mumbai fleet. Up to four Hobart- a clash between the USNS Impeccable highlighted serious gaps in India’s ability class destroyers, based on (T-AGOS-23) and a number of Chinese to prevent and respond to terrorist vio- the Spanish F-100 design, ships off Hainan Island. In the meantime, lence. Coastal defense and border security are to enter service begin- however, China continues its massive de- capabilities have thus taken on a vastly ning in 2014. fense buildup with a special emphasis on more important role. Defense budgets are Bangladesh saw a anti-access technologies, to include the expected to increase significantly in the very modest 2.5-percent development of antiship ballistic missiles, years ahead, but many experts are con- increase to its defense bud- aimed at impeding U.S. military access in cerned that the funding may not be wisely get during 2009 and hopes the region. Among other areas of emphasis allocated or properly spent to meet the na- to use any extra funding for China are investments in stealth, cruise tion’s defense requirements. to increase the military’s missiles, and torpedo technology as well as This past summer India inked a deal to training and equipment support and logistics equipment to allow built seven Project 17A frigates with work stockpiles. The navy in- for greater power-projection capabilities. starting in 2011. The new warships are tends to replace its two Five Jin-class (Project 094) nuclear- an enhanced version of the Shivalik-class ex-British Leopard-class powered ballistic-missile submarines are frigate program (Project 17), the first of and one ex-British Salis- planned for the People’s Liberation Army which is expected to commission in 2010. bury-class frigates, while also shopping Navy (PLAN) and the first unit of the Work continues on the second batch of for antiship missiles, patrol helicopters, class entered service in 2007, although Russian-built Talwar-class frigates with and maritime patrol aircraft. the boat has yet to conduct its first deter- the third and final unit planned for deliv- Brunei’s navy apparently has ordered rence patrol. The navy’s newest subma- ery to India in 2013. A new third batch at least one new patrol boat, which was rine-launched ballistic missile, the JL-2, of the Talwar class may be purchased in sighted undergoing sea trials off Ger- is expected in service by the end of 2010. the future. In May 2009 INS Airavat, the many. Named Ijhtihad and carrying pen- Two Shang-class (Type 093) nuclear-pow- Indian Navy’s newest Shardul-class tank- nant number 17, the vessel is reportedly ered attack submarines were on display at landing ship, entered service. The vessel 41 meters long with an 8-meter beam and the PLAN 60th anniversary celebration, joined her two sister ships, Shardul and a draft of 1.9 meters. Carrying a small and reports show increased activity for the Kesari, already in the fleet. rigid-hull inflatable boat at her stern, pho- nuclear-powered attack-submarine fleet, India is in dire need of modern sub- tos of Ijhtihad show that the ship is also which increased its operational patrols to marines. Plans to acquire new units have armed with a forward-mounted gun. Ad- 12 in 2008, up from seven in 2007. Dur- taken on greater importance amid reports ditional details, including the total number ing 2009, China continued negotiations that less than half of the submarine fleet of ships to be built, remain unknown. with Russia to purchase Su-33 fighters to remains operational and 63 percent of China celebrated the 60th anniversary arm China’s future fleet of aircraft carri- the force is expected to retire by 2012. of the People’s Liberation Army during ers. China views aircraft carriers as a sign Current goals call for construction of six April 2009 with a fleet review that in- of power and prestige, and the navy is Scorpène-class units built under license in cluded dozens of Chinese surface ships working diligently to complete and mod- India, with the last three of the program and submarines as well as 21 vessels from ernize the former Russian carrier Varyag, to be fitted with air-independent propul- 14 other nations. The fleet review also renamed Shilang, possibly for use as an sion (AIP). Six additional submarines may provided evidence that China appears to aviation training ship. Planning also con- be purchased at a later date. India’s long- be making an attempt to add more trans- tinues on a locally built mid-sized aircraft awaited nuclear-powered attack submarine parency to its defense buildup in response carrier that is expected to enter service be- program took a major step forward in July to Western criticism. tween 2015 and 2020. 2009 when INS Arihant, the first of her With the world’s second-largest defense India’s military remains focused on class, was launched after more than 10 budget, China is also working to trans- regional competitors like Pakistan and years of work. There have been reports www.usni.org PROCEEDINGS • 45 that India hopes to operate the new SSN force is also working to increase its physi- the near future and aims to operate four in service as a technology demonstrator cal presence through the construction of submarines. The fleet currently consists of by 2012. A force of five nuclear-powered more than a dozen modern naval stations, two ill-maintained Type 209/1300s with ballistic-missile submarines is said to be including one at Karwar that began oper- plans to acquire two additional subma- desired by 2017—although attack subma- ating in November 2009.