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US aircraft carriers are taking new routes into the South China Sea, Chinese think tank says. https://www.businessinsider.com/aircraft-carriers-new-routes-south-china-sea-think-tank-says-2022-1?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sf-insider-mildef&utm_source=facebook.com US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in Danang, Vietnam, March 5, 2018. REUTERS/Nguyen Huy Kham US carrier strike groups entered the South China Sea 10 times in 2021, compared with six times in 2020 and five in 2019. Use of alternative routes between islands may be designed to evade PLA radars and indicates skill diversification for US sailors, defence experts say. The US Navy's aircraft carrier strike groups have not only increased South China Sea transits since last year, but their routes and drill patterns are becoming more complicated and unpredictable, according to a recent study. Defence experts said the changes could indicate new countermeasures devised by the strike groups to face any contingencies in the region, such as a potential attack on Taiwan by Beijing's People's Liberation Army, or over South China Sea territorial disputes. Beijing sees self-ruled Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. It is also one of the rival claimants to several small islands and reefs in the busy shipping lanes of the resource-rich South China Sea. The US demands freedom of navigation in the region. The USS Carl Vinson CSG completed a five-day joint drill with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) around the disputed Spratly Islands on Saturday, kicking off their 2022 naval schedule two weeks earlier than last year, according to the South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI), a maritime strategic study unit affiliated to Peking University's Institute of Ocean Research. USS Carl Vinson the South China Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Jasen Morenogarcia/Released "The US military have drastically reinforced their military deployment in the South China Sea since last year, in terms of training scales, sorties and scenarios," SCSPI director Hu Bo told state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) on Friday. "USS [US ship carrier strike groups] entered the South China Sea 10 times last year, compared with six times in 2020, and five in 2019, with their training patterns becoming more complicated and unpredictable." In the past, the US warships used to enter the region via the Bashi Channel between the Philippines and Taiwan, but their routes and operation time spans had become diversified since last year, he added. Navigation records and satellite images show that the strike groups had tended to pass through narrow waterways between the Philippine archipelagos on their way to the region, including the Balabac Strait off Palawan province, a channel between Verde Island and Mindoro, and other points, the CCTV report said. In the latest transit last Tuesday, the CSG led by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier entered the region via the Balabac Strait to team up with the Essex ARG, a landing helicopter dock group, according to the US Navy. Lu Li-shih, a former instructor at Taiwan's Naval Academy in Kaohsiung, said the US strike groups appeared to be trying to come up with new countermeasures to the PLA's anti-access strategies aimed at stopping foreign military interventions in waters off Taiwan and in the South China Sea. A press conference in the hangar bay of US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson while anchored in Manila Bay, Philippines, November 30, 2010. US Navy/PO2 James Evans "I believe the US Navy is trying to escape the over-the-horizon (OTH) radars systems on the three artificial islands of Mischief, Subi and Fiery Cross reefs, which has targeted US warships and aircraft [before]," Lu said, referring to Beijing's three artificial islands in the Spratlys. "The US Navy can use the geographical features of the Philippines to approach the region and suddenly appear somewhere out of the PLA's expectations, because the OTH radars have limitations when it comes to monitoring approaching objects from a group of archipelagos." The USS Carl Vinson strike group fleet includes destroyers, frigates, submarines and supply ships. The new approach of warships sailing between island groups would also require US sailors to boost their skills in traditional terrestrial navigation, Lu noted. Collin Koh, a research fellow from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the new movements and choices of route were in keeping with the dynamic force employment concept implemented by the US Navy. "Instead of using only those traditional routes, the increased use of lesser-known, alternative routes would reduce predictability with respect to the direction of movement of US military assets," Koh said. "This thereby increases operational and strategic flexibility in times of peace and contingencies. Such contingencies would include the Taiwan Strait scenario to be sure."

this Hunter made debut liao.. just tot this might interest military fans https://www.snafu-solomon.com/2019/08/singapores-hunter-ifv-frontal-armor.html

Noticed there are scattered current affairs threads for stuff related to military hardware, tactics etc. I'll kick it off with some of the more interesting things I learned about recently: On the US front: The F-117A Nighthawk AKA "Wobby Goblin" has been retired since 2008, after a remarkably short service life. Its shootdown in Yugoslavia in 1999 and subsequent compromise of the technology could have been a factor. F-14 Tomcat flew its last flight in 2006 - the only operator of the F-14 is now the Iranian air force. Moving to the UK, The country that invented and perfected the VSTOL fighter, the Harrier jump jet, no longer operates the type as of 2011. As a consequence of the Harrier retirement, the Royal Navy operates three STOVL aircraft carriers that do not have fixed wing aircraft. The Royal Navy has recently launched their latest aircraft carrier, the angled-deck Queen Elizabeth, but it is solely dependent on the F-35B to enable it to operate as something more than a helicopter carrier. As a cost saving measure, it is conventionally, not nuclear-powered. Japan Incidentally, the JMSDF's Hyuga class of helicopter carriers are only slightly smaller than the Royal Navy's STOVL carriers - which used to operate Harriers. Malaysia In the 2014 version of Cope Taufan, Malaysia gave the Americans a first taste of the SU-30MKM and they brought their newest toy, the F-22 Raptor to play. During the 2013 Lahad Datu standoff, BAe Hawks operated as strike aircraft, with the RMAF's Hornets performing target designation. General The Rheinmetall 120mm gun, pretty much the standard Western tank gun, has a barrel life of between 50-400 rounds, depending on the type of ammunition fired.Feel free to add on, or discuss current affairs topics. Please stay away from sensitive issues such as discussing classified information, or peeing contests in declaring Country X is better than Country Y, or whatever. These are hypothetical scenarios, whereas there is plenty going on just with the turmoil the world is in currently, and over the past decade to talk about.

https://static.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/article_pictrure_780x520_/public/articles/2021/04/21/yq-indosub-21042021.jpg?itok=pBsrZJ4q×tamp=1619005528 Indonesia searching for missing submarine with 53 on board The KRI Nanggala-402 was conducting a torpedo drill in waters north of Bali when it went missing.PHOTO: PUSAT PENERANGAN TNI/FACEBOOK Updated2 hours ago JAKARTA (REUTERS, AFP) - Indonesia’s navy is searching for a submarine with 53 people on board that went missing on Wednesday (April 21) and is seeking help from neighbouring Australia and Singapore in the hunt, the Indonesian military chief told Reuters. The German-made submarine, KRI Nanggala-402, was conducting a torpedo drill in waters north of the island of Bali but failed to relay the results as expected, a navy spokesman said. “We are still searching in the waters of Bali, 60 miles (96km) from Bali, (for) 53 people,” military chief Hadi Tjahjanto told Reuters in a text message. The military chief confirmed that assistance in the search for the submarine and missing crew members had been sought from Australia and Singapore. He said that contact with the vessel was lost at 4.30am on Wednesday. Singapore's submarine support vessel MV Swift Rescue, usually manned by a 27-person crew, departed from Changi Naval Base on Wednesday afternoon. The 1,395-tonne KRI Nanggala-402 was built in Germany in 1978, according to the Indonesian Cabinet secretariat’s website, and underwent a two-year refit in South Korea that was completed in 2012. Indonesia in the past operated a fleet of 12 submarines purchased from the Soviet Union to patrol the waters of its sprawling archipelago. But now it has a fleet of only five, including two German-built Type 209 submarines and three newer South Korean vessels. Indonesia has been seeking to upgrade its defence capabilities but some of the equipment that are still in service are old. In recent years, there have been deadly accidents involving, in particular, ageing military transport planes. According to a statement by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, which is monitoring the search for the missing submarine, an aerial surveillance by a helicopter at 7am (8am Singapore time) had found an oil spill around the initial dive site. The missing boat “had asked for permission to dive at 3am (Jakarta time). After being granted a dive permit according to the procedure, the boat lost contact and could not be contacted”, said the statement. Two navy vessels have since been deployed to assist in the search using side-scan sonar, it added. The ministry said: “Several countries have responded and are ready to provide assistance, including the Singapore Navy, the Australian Navy and the Indian Navy.”

For the military enthusiasts here. I am not very familiar with naval arms but destroyer technology has certainly evolved Link Arms race in Asia is heating up. China sure jump high high In other news, this one is called armoured car: This one is personal air transport:

Any navy expert care to explain how this thing can happen? what's a motorised winch? http://sg.news.yahoo.com/saf-regular-criti...-010319550.html A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular serviceman was critically injured following a routine exercise on board a navy ship on Monday afternoon. Weapons systems supervisor, Military Expert (ME) 2 Jason Chee Weng Fai was caught between a motorised winch and rope as he was checking the berthing rope on board the RSS Endeavour. The accident saw the 29-year-old sustain severe injuries to his arms and legs and he had to be carefully extricated by medics from the Changi Naval Medical Centre. He was later sent to Changi General Hospital for emergency surgery. A MINDEF statement says he remains in critical condition. SAF is investigating the mishap.

Watch the ( US )Navy's New Unmanned Swarm Boats In Action (WATCH THE VIDEO IN LINK ) http://gizmodo.com/watch-the-navys-new-unmanned-swarm-boats-in-action-1642641650 The Navy is aiming to add its new unmanned swarm boats to the fleet within a year, and a video released by the Office of Naval Research shows what an asset these empty vessels will be. The swarm boats are outfitted with sensors and software so the Navy can control them without putting anyone inside. Algorithms help determine the right speed and the best course of action. These boats are designed to act as an initial line of defense, and can quickly surround unknown or enemy boats as a deterrent. But they're not just a warning sign. They can also fire .50 caliber machine guns if the deterring doesn't work, though they don't start shooting on their own. Like military drones in the sky, a person will control the weapons. There isn't a specific type of swarm boat. The Navy's sensor and software technology can turn small vessels into unmanned swarmers, so they can retrofit older boats. [ABC

Any such jokers in S'pore? Maybe some PLAB clerk claiming to be ex-fighter pilot?

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/courts-crime/story/man-sentenced-jail-caning-possession-air-pistol-unexecuted-bank-ro According to this article: The court heard that Ng had received the air pistol from his 27-year-old brother, a regular serviceman in the Singapore Navy. His brother had brought it back from Taiwan in May 2013. Does this mean that navy personnel training overseas are smuggling all sorts of contraband into Singapore? I wonder why there is no mention of whether any action has been taken against his brother for importing the gun.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/04/michael-vannak-khem-misiewicz-navy-scandal_n_4210621.html " Francis is legendary in military circles in that part of the world, said McKnight, who does not know him personally. He is known for extravagance. His 70,000-foot bungalow in an upscale Singapore neighborhood drew spectators yearly since 2007 to its lavish, outdoor Christmas decorations, which The Straits Times described as rivaling the island city-state's main shopping street with replicas of snowmen, lighted towering trees, and Chinese and Japanese ornaments. "

Osman Haji Mohammed Ali, 25, and Harun Said, alias Tahir, 21, (third and fourth from left) were charged with having "knowingly caused" the deaths of three persons when a bomb exploded on the landing of the mezzanine floor of MacDonald House on March 10, 1965. Singapore concerned over naming of Indonesian navy ship after executed commandos Singapore has registered its concerns over Indonesia’s naming of a navy ship after two Indonesian marines who took part in the 1965 bombing of MacDonald House on Orchard Road. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman said on Wednesday night that Foreign Minister K Shanmugam spoke to his Indonesian counterpart, Dr Marty Natalegawa, to register these concerns “and the impact this would have on the feelings of Singaporeans, especially the families of the victims”. Indonesia’s Kompas daily had reported this week that the last of the Indonesian Navy’s three new British-made frigates would be named the KRI Usman Harun, after marines Osman Haji Mohamed Ali and Harun Said. “The two Indonesian marines were found guilty of the bombing which killed three people and injured 33 others,” the MFA spokeman said in response to media queries. “Singapore had considered this difficult chapter in the bilateral relationship closed in May 1973 when then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew visited and scattered flowers on the graves of the two marines,” he added. The duo were members of Indonesia’s special Operations Corps Command, which is today the Marine Corps, and had been ordered to infiltrate Singapore during Indonesia’s Confrontation with Malaysia. Then-president Sukarno had opposed the formation of Malaysia, which Singapore was part of from September 1963 to August 1965, as a puppet state of the British. Both marines were convicted and executed in Singapore in 1968 for the March 10, 1965 bombing of MacDonald House, which stands near where Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is today. Their hanging saw some 400 agitated students in Jakarta ransack the Singapore embassy, attack the consul’s residence and burn the Singapore flag, and bilateral ties remained tense for several years. The marines were welcomed home as heroes, and given a ceremonial funeral at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta. Relations between Singapore and Indonesia were restored when Mr Lee Kuan Yew visited Jakarta in 1973, and sprinkled flowers on the marines’ graves. Former Singapore ambassador to Indonesia Lee Khoon Choy had earlier recounted that the gesture, which the Javanese believe propitiates the souls of the dead, moved the hosts deeply because it demonstrated that Singapore was sensitive to Javanese culture. But in recent years, efforts to commemorate both marines – alongside other declared heroes – have resurfaced, and last year(2013), the Marine Corps proposed to rename Jalan Prapatan in Central Jakarta, where the unit’s headquarters are, as Jalan Usman Harun. The Navy said two other new ships it would take charge of would be named after Indonesian independence heroes Bung Tomo and John Lie. The first, KRI Bung Tomo, will set sail from Britain in June 2014. Bung Tomo led the popular resistance against Allied British and Dutch forces in the Battle of Surabaya in November 1945, while John Lie smuggled agricultural produce to buy and smuggle arms from Malaya for the fledgling Indonesian armed forces from 1945 to 1949. Kompas cited Indonesia’s Navy chief, Admiral Marsetio, as saying that the three ships would be named after these men “in remembering the services they had rendered to the Indonesian nation”. Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/singapore-registers-concerns-over-indonesian-navy-ship-20140206

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/navy-seal-who-shot-osama-bin-laden-revealed-as-veteran-commando-rob-o-neill-105653819.html Isn't he going to be targeted now?

Why never test fire your Harpoon .... CNA news: Navy fends off pirates in South China Sea SINGAPORE: A tanker - believed to be managed by a Singapore firm - had a close shave with pirates in the South China Sea early this morning (June 15, 12.45am). The Singapore Navy said in a statement on Facebook today (June 15) that it sent a vessel to help the tanker. The RSS Gallant was the first vessel to arrive at the scene before it was joined by its Malaysian and Indonesian counterparts. The three navies fended off the attack, but the pirate ship managed to flee the scene. - CNA/ir link: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/navy-fends-off-pirates-in/1161906.html Three navies fended off the attack on pirate ship. Machiam the pirate ship is a missile corvette like that.... Just fire a missile and job done ...

hmmmmm........... another potential MP in making ... CNA : Change in chief of Singapore Navy Rear-Admiral Lai Chung Han will be the new chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy on August 1, succeeding Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng. PHOTOS (L) Incoming Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lai Chung Han, ® outgoing Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng (Photos: MINDEF) SINGAPORE: Come August 1, Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han will take over from RADM Ng Chee Peng as Chief of Navy. RADM Lai is currently Deputy Secretary for Policy at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). T he ministry announced this in a news release on Wednesday (July 2), saying the change is part of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). 41-year-old RADM Lai is a former SAF (Overseas) and President's Scholar. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) degree from the University of Cambridge, and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. He joined the SAF in 1992 and was once commander of the RSS Valiant as well as Fleet Commander. MINDEF paid tribute to the outgoing navy chief for his "dedicated service and sterling contributions". It says during his term, RADM Ng laid the foundations for the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) future capabilities by operationalising new platforms such as the ARCHER-class submarines and by reorganising its operational, training and safety systems. The 44-year-old also introduced various initiatives to better engage navy servicemen, as well as introduced public outreach efforts such as Navy@VIVO, which saw naval displays at VivoCity mall. "Under RADM Ng's leadership, the RSN has made valuable contributions to international counter-piracy efforts and played a key role through its command of Combined Task Force 151 in the Gulf of Aden. RADM Ng also enhanced the coordination of our national maritime agencies in detecting and responding to maritime threats, by establishing and operationalising the National Maritime Security System," MINDEF said. - CNA/ly link: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/change-in-chief-of/1230424.html

The Arleigh Burke-class DDG will not be like a Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer, at least not for the time being, but the former's LAWS (Laser Weapon System) will be closest to the beam weapons the Star Destroyer posses in the movie I guess. It is still experimental but now ship-borne and apparently in working condition. Still only able to hit slow-moving targets like UAVs and boats but I think it is a matter of time they perfected it to shoot down high-speed jets and even supersonic missiles as well as the most dangerous of them all, the nuclear-tipped ICBMs. Check out the video clip which showed the fiery end of a delta-winged drone. From abc NEWS: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/navys-laser...ory?id=18908406 Navy's New Laser Weapon Blasts Bad Guys From Air, Sea By LUIS MARTINEZ (@LMartinezABC) April 8, 2013 John F. Williams/U.S. Navy The Laser Weapon System (LaWS) temporarily installed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) in San Diego, Calif., July 30, 2012, is a technology demonstrator built by the Naval Sea Systems Command from commercial fiber solid state lasers, utilizing combination methods developed at the Naval Research Laboratory. No longer the fantasy weapon of tomorrow, the U.S. Navy is set to field a powerful laser that can protect its ships by blasting targets with high-intensity light beams. Early next year the Navy will place a laser weapon aboard a ship in the Persian Gulf where it could be used to fend off approaching unmanned aerial vehicles or speedboats. The Navy calls its futuristic weapon LAWS, which stands for the Laser Weapon System. What looks like a small telescope is actually a weapon that can track a moving target and fire a steady laser beam strong enough to burn a hole through steel. A Navy video of testing conducted last summer off the coast of California shows how a laser beam fired from a Navy destroyer was able to set aflame an approaching UAV or drone, sending it crashing into the ocean. "There was not a single miss" during the testing, said Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder, chief of Naval Research. The laser was three for three in bringing down an approaching unmanned aerial vehicle and 12 for 12 when previous tests are factored in. But don't expect in that video to see the firing of colored laser bursts that Hollywood has used for its futuristic laser guns. The Navy's laser ray is not visible to the naked eye because it is in the infrared spectrum. Many of the details about how the laser works remain secret, such as how far its beam can travel, how powerful it is or how much power is used to generate it. But Navy officials have provided a few unclassified details. For example, the laser is designed to be a "plug and play" system that integrates into a ship's existing targeting technologies and power grids. Those factors make it a surprisingly cheap weapon. Klunder says each pulse of energy from the laser "costs under a dollar" and it can be used against weapons systems that are significantly more expensive. The Navy says it has spent about $40 million over the past six years in developing the weapon. Rear Admiral Thomas Eccles, Navy Sea Systems Command, says the beam can be turned on instantly and that ultimately "the generation of power is essentially your magazine. It's the clip we have" instead of bullets. "We deliver precision with essentially an endless supply of rounds." Some new technological fixes, what Klunder calls "a secret sauce," have been developed to improve the degrading of lasers over distance as well as maintaining a lock on a target from a moving ship. The strength of the beam is flexible enough that at a lower intensity level it can be used to warn approaching ships and UAV's not to get too close to a Navy ship. Instead of using machine guns to fire non-lethal warning shots as Navy ships do now, the laser can be aimed to "dazzle" the viewing sensors aboard the craft. That light effect warns the pilot of a small water craft or at the controls of a UAV that they are being targeted by a laser and to turn away. If they don't, the laser's power can be boosted to destroy the approaching craft. Based on earlier testing the Navy is confident the laser is ready for real-world testing aboard the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf. The ship was selected because of its mission to be an enduring presence in the Gulf to counter Iranian maritime threats in the region. Coincidentally Iran uses small fast boats to harass American warships in the waters of the Persian Gulf. How might Iran feel about the new weapon? "Frankly I hope it sends a message to some of our potentially threatening adversaries out there to know that we mean business," said Klunder. "This is a system where if you try to harm our vessels that I hope you will take a very, very serious moment of pause to think about that before you do it because this system will destroy your vessel or will destroy your UAV." The Navy wants the ship's crew to use the same techniques and methods they use with their other defensive weapons systems. While for now the laser will be used primarily against slow-moving UAV's and fast boats cruising at speeds of 50 knots, the Navy sees the system's capabilities expanding over time to target faster weapons. "There's absolutely every intention that with the development of this system and follow-on upgraded systems we will eventually be able to take higher speeds in-bound," said Klunder.

Step a side F35 .... Here comes the Northrop Grumman YF 23 or also known as Black Widow II. Sucessfully tested in 2010 link: Grumman also develop for US Navy their first unmanned Carrier Base Bomber, the X47B . Develop in 2008 link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzlFiLuvGeE link:

Yahoo report: SEAL commando's book ignites new battle By Sebastian Smith | AFP News

太岁头上动土。 Whether he is a Singaporean or not, he is in a deep sh!t... From STOMP: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sg..._belonging.html Posted on 27 Jun 2012 S'porean allegedly stole Nissan GTR belonging to son of former Thai Navy chief A Singaporean man was allegedly arrested in Bangkok on June 26 for stealing a Nissan GTR which reportedly belongs to the son of the former Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief, according to STOMPer llkadabrall. Said the STOMPer, who also sent in photos: "A Singaporean man was arrested in Bangkok yesterday for stealing a Nissan GTR. "The vehicle belongs to the son of the former Thai Navy Commander-In-Chief. "The man and his two accomplices, who are still at large, attended a car rally in North Pattaya last weekend, where they met and befriended the victim. "The vehicle was stolen at the front parking lot of a Pattaya Hotel after the rally event. "The man has denied that he was involved but the evidence showed otherwise. "The Singaporean and another man was seen on CCTV footage, driving the stolen vehicle into the condominium. "He was also seen making phone calls to his Thai wife to destroy documents pertaining to the stolen vehicle shortly before he was arrested. "However, police were able to go into his unit and recover the said documents in time. "The licence plates and security system in the vehicle were also changed to avoid detection. "Police believe that the gang of three intended for the vehicle to be sold in a foreign country."

Yahoo news report : S'porean Navy officer charged with committing 'indecent acts': reports Yahoo! Newsroom

Military buffs, check it this out: From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp...1200582/1/.html US Navy to deploy new warship to Singapore in 2013 Posted: 11 May 2012 0740 hrs

There's also a soon to be launched North Kimchi missile projected to impact somewhere in the area. Pinoy's largest ship is a 40+ yo ex-Coast Guard cutter Philippine warship in stand-off with China vessels The Philippines said its largest warship was engaged in a tense stand-off with Chinese surveillance vessels at a disputed South China Sea shoal, after the ship attempted to arrest Chinese fishermen but was blocked by the surveillance craft. Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario summoned Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing to resolve the dangerous impasse diplomatically. Del Rosario's office said in a statement that the Scarborough Shoal "is an integral part of Philippine territory" and Filipino authorities would assert sovereignty over the offshore area. The shoal lies off the northwestern Philippine province of Zambales. China and the Philippines have been disputing ownership of the shoal, in addition to the Spratly Islands and other areas in the South China Sea. Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said the situation at the shoal "has not changed as of this morning. There's a stand-off." The Department of Foreign Affairs said that on Sunday, a Philippine navy surveillance plane sighted eight Chinese fishing vessels anchored in a lagoon at Scarborough, prompting the military to deploy its largest warship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which was recently acquired from the United States. On Tuesday, Filipino sailors from the warship boarded the Chinese vessels for an inspection, discovering large amounts of illegally collected corals, giant clams and live sharks inside the first boat, the department said in a statement. Two Chinese maritime surveillance ships, identified as Zhonggou Haijian 75 and Zhonggou Haijian 84, later approached and positioned themselves between the Philippine warship and the Chinese fishing vessels "thus preventing the arrests of the erring Chinese fishermen," the statement said. Del Rosario protested to Ma, the Chinese ambassador in Manila, late Tuesday and told her that the Philippine navy would enforce Philippine laws, according to his office. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately comment. Chinese officials, who refer to Scarborough Shoal as Huangyan Island, have in the past asserted Chinese sovereignty over the area. The Philippines refers to the shoal, a rich fishing ground, as Panatag. Last year, the Philippines accused Chinese vessels of intruding into other parts of what it considers Philippine territory near the South China Sea, including the Spratlys. China has regularly dismissed the protests, saying Beijing has indisputable sovereignty over those areas on historical grounds. The Spratly Islands south of Scarborough Shoal are claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. The chain of barren islands, reefs and coral outcrops are believed to be in rich in oil and gas and the overlapping claims have long been feared as Asia's next flashpoint for armed conflict. The United States, a defence-treaty ally of the Philippines, last year provided the Philippine navy with a refurbished Coast Guard cutter as part of efforts to shore up its naval defenses. Washington has insisted it takes no sides in the territorial dispute but says it should be solved peacefully. China has balked at what it considered a US interference in the region. The disputes over the resource-rich Spratlys have settled into an uneasy stand-off since the last major clash involving China and Vietnam killed more than 70 Vietnamese sailors in 1988. Faced with China's formidable military, the Philippines and Vietnam have forged closer ties. Aside from military accords, the two countries agreed to set up a hotline between their coast guards and maritime police to monitor maritime incidents, such as piracy and incursions into their territorial waters. Philippine navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said on Tuesday that Philippine and Vietnamese sailors agreed to play football and basketball matches in the islands they occupy in the Spratlys in a novel way to build trust in the contested region. PRC Ships

Stupidity at play here. Entire navy career just washed down the drain here... [speechless] From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1176533/1/.html Former navy officer threatens to chop girlfriend and family By Alvina Soh | Posted: 13 January 2012 1404 hrs SINGAPORE: It started off as an argument over the phone after a former navy officer became upset with his girlfriend's supposed infidelity. The argument quickly escalated with 20-year-old Kuhaannath Pillai threatening to chop his 18-year-old girlfriend and her family. The incident took place on July 20 last year when Pillai left his Pasir Ris home with a chopper tucked in his shorts and travelled to the girl's place at Bukit Batok West Avenue 6. Pillai pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of criminal intimidation and another of being armed with an offensive weapon. He is currently suspended from his job as a regular in the Singapore Navy. The court heard that the threat was not carried out after Pillai discarded the chopper before reaching the girl's flat. In mitigation, his lawyer Mr N Kanagavijayan, said Pillai had a change of heart en-route to his girlfriend's place. He said Pillai "came to his senses and regretted bringing the chopper", adding he went to the girl's unit completely unarmed. The court also heard that Pillai and the girl were married on January 12 and she is now pregnant with his child. Pillai will be sentenced on February 10. - CNA/fa

This ex-navy chief is just in time to take over the hot seat vacated by his predecessor who had kena a lot from the public for a few "1-in-50 year" floods. So the number one question in everyone's mind is this: Can a 44 yo ex-admiral deal with this hot potato? Your guess is as good as mine. Whatever it is, there is always the HMA to fall back on... From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1173196/1/.html Managing flash floods is PUB's priority: CEO By Joanne Chan | Posted: 24 December 2011 2035 hrs As navy chief, Chew Men Leong played a pivotal role as guardian of Singapore's coastal waters. Now, as PUB chief executive, he is now in charge of the country's precious resource - water. He said: "One of the important focus here in PUB is how to strike a balance between maintaining our complex system at a high level of operational effectiveness and efficiency, while keeping an eye on the long term future. "In this aspect, I have, in some sense, a good level of experience in the navy that also deals with the same kind of balancing." 44-year-old Mr Chew joined PUB as its designated head in July, calling it "a rather exciting time." He said: "We just handed over the infrastructure back to Malaysia, under the 1961 water agreement. And that in itself is quite an important event because it shows that as we handed over the infrastructure, the impact to our water supply is minimal. And that shows that we have been able to ensure water sustainability going forward." With the trail of damage in the Orchard Road floods of 2010 still fresh in the minds of Singaporeans, Mr Chew knows he is taking on a hot seat. He recalled being "a little bit surprised" when he first heard news of the floods. He said: "Since I came into PUB, I have a better understanding of what we have done previously. The amount of effort that PUB has actually taken to help alleviate floods and make Singapore generally flood-free... I think it's important to understand that we have been relatively successful. "But maybe we have also become victims of own success. Because we have been so successful, alleviating floods, that we have not seen a flood situation for a long time. So when it came, it did catch Singaporeans by surprise. "But more important, we are learning the lessons from this particular episode, applying it, and seeing how we can improve upon it, working with all our stakeholders." Mr Chew said the key to managing such a situation is getting information out as quickly as possible. And in the longer term, the country's drainage system has to be beefed up to deal with changing weather patterns. He said: "Right now, we want to focus on improving our current infrastructure. And I think that is something that will take three to five years. At least, basically to cope with the increased rainfall intensity. But we will keep eye out in the future... The next two to three decades, to look at the scenarios we could possibly face. "One of the measures we have started taking is to raise the reclamation levels by one metre. That actually is a measure in anticipation of potential changes that could come from adjustments in our climate." Mr Chew has also set his sights on ensuring that Singapore continues to build self-sufficiency in water. This means growing the country's national taps - raising NEWater and desalination production to 50 per cent and 30 per cent respectively, and increasing Singapore's catchment area to cover 90 per cent by 2060. -CNA/ac

Zao Bao reported the aging Indian Navy Frigate "INS Vindhyagiri" capsized & sunk after a collison with a merchant ship. A chilly reminder of what happened just eight years ago to our very own patrol vessel collison incident when 4 female crew members were killed... Sad thing was one of the victims was never found. http://realtime.zaobao.com.sg/2011/01/110131_38.shtml (综合讯) 印度海军护卫舰与商船碰撞 爆炸起火后沉没 印度媒体报道，1月30日晚，在印度海军服役29年左右的利安德级护卫舰

Got carried away in another thread so as requested putting up a new post here. In the navy there are quite a few wordings/jargons very alien to civilians and even to folks from the army/air force. For example on board ships, left is port while right is starboard, toilet is called head, front is bow & back is stern. Anyone wants to share their experience in the navy? Even non-Singaporeans are welcome. As the old Yankee saying goes: Loose Lips Sinks Ships so please no confidential or even classified stuff like nav/weapon/radar/comm systems, operational details or other can-tell-you-but-have-to-kill-you information please.