Chinese fighter intercepts Navy Poseidon

[finehoe]

These are international waters.

The USS Liberty was in international waters too, yet 34 crew members were killed and another 171 were wounded when it was attacked.  "International waters" don't magically prevent bad things from happening.

[BridgeTroll]

These are international waters.

The USS Liberty was in international waters too, yet 34 crew members were killed and another 171 were wounded when it was attacked.  "International waters" don't magically prevent bad things from happening.

Why limit yourself to that poor example.  Liberty was a spy ship in a war zone.  It was considered a friendly fire incident.

[finehoe]

Liberty was a spy ship in a war zone. 

And these are warships in an area with multiple competing claims of sovereignty.  Do you really think that lessens the potential for a mishap?

I'm sure in your typical fashion you interpret my concerns as sympathy for the PLA Navy, but I'm just noting that there are events going on in the world that could potentially have far-reaching consequences. While the American public is fixated on the penis-size of presidential candidates, little attention is being paid to some important happenings on the other side of the world where some other 'mine is bigger than yours' posturing is occurring.

[BridgeTroll]

While there may be multiple countries with competing claims only China is behaving as a belligerent.  You should not be ashamed of your sympathy for the PLA.  Perhaps you can spare some for the Philippines... or the Taiwanese... or any of the peasant fishermen of the neighboring countries who have been chased off their traditional fishing grounds by your PLA.

[finehoe]

Even were China not filling in the sea so enthusiastically, its military build-up would probably provoke a reaction. In particular the rapid expansion of its navy, with the apparent intention of eventually upsetting American primacy in the western Pacific, represents a big shift in the strategic order. Other regional navies are also modernising—above all by buying submarines. Besides Vietnam's purchases, India has ordered six from France, and Pakistan has bought eight from China, which is also providing two to Bangladesh. Germany is to deliver two to Singapore and five to South Korea, which has sold three of its own manufacture to Indonesia. Australia is to buy between eight and 12, with fierce competition for the order between France, Germany and Japan.

http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21693619-asia-pacific-region-peacebut-it-buying-lot-weapons-taking-arms

[BridgeTroll]

Good article... it certainly highlights the issues.  From north to south... Japan is threatened by North Korea and China.  South Korea is threatened by the same.  Taiwan by China...Vietnam by China...Philippines by China...Singapore is tiny and sits at a major strategic junction. Thailand has a huge shoreline... and India and Pakistan...hate each other.

Aside from the traditional sparring by India and Pakistan... China is the bull in the "china" shop by occupying reefs within the territorial waters of its neighbours.  It is likely too late to do anything about the occupation but freedom of navigation demonstrations are crucial.

[The_Choose_1]

Good article... it certainly highlights the issues.  From north to south... Japan is threatened by North Korea and China.  South Korea is threatened by the same.  Taiwan by China...Vietnam by China...Philippines by China...Singapore is tiny and sits at a major strategic junction. Thailand has a huge shoreline... and India and Pakistan...hate each other.

Aside from the traditional sparring by India and Pakistan... China is the bull in the "china" shop by occupying reefs within the territorial waters of its neighbours.  It is likely too late to do anything about the occupation but freedom of navigation demonstrations are crucial.

It's never to late just listen to Cruz he wants a big military build up. To show countries around the world that 'AMERICA' is once again the BOSS. 

[finehoe]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

A stronger Australian navy would please U.S. naval commanders, who want more firepower to offset the Chinese buildup in the South China Sea, where China's decision to construct bases on disputed islands has raised fears of an inadvertent clash.

The commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, last month publicly urged the Australian government to conduct naval patrols within 12 nautical miles of the occupied islands — a test of international sovereignty that the Chinese government would probably regard as provocative.

Australia's new defense minister, Marise Payne, was noncommittal about the suggestion.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

[BridgeTroll]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

A stronger Australian navy would please U.S. naval commanders, who want more firepower to offset the Chinese buildup in the South China Sea, where China's decision to construct bases on disputed islands has raised fears of an inadvertent clash.

The commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, last month publicly urged the Australian government to conduct naval patrols within 12 nautical miles of the occupied islands — a test of international sovereignty that the Chinese government would probably regard as provocative.

Australia's new defense minister, Marise Payne, was noncommittal about the suggestion.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

For a country completely dependent on freedom of navigation Australia certainly needs to upgrade its navy.  Submarine fleet needs replacement... P-3 Patrol planes are adequate for patrol but inadequate for ASW... Surface fleet needs more numbers and upgrades...

[spuwho]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

A stronger Australian navy would please U.S. naval commanders, who want more firepower to offset the Chinese buildup in the South China Sea, where China's decision to construct bases on disputed islands has raised fears of an inadvertent clash.

The commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, last month publicly urged the Australian government to conduct naval patrols within 12 nautical miles of the occupied islands — a test of international sovereignty that the Chinese government would probably regard as provocative.

Australia's new defense minister, Marise Payne, was noncommittal about the suggestion.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

For a country completely dependent on freedom of navigation Australia certainly needs to upgrade its navy.  Submarine fleet needs replacement... P-3 Patrol planes are adequate for patrol but inadequate for ASW... Surface fleet needs more numbers and upgrades...

RAN (Royal Australian Navy) is currently upgrading their ANZAC frigates with current tech and in 2014 acquired 4 Perry class frigates from the US Navy, which are also being updated.

There is a contract out with Saab Defense to upgrade their Collins class submarines.

They have an active development arrangement to upgrade their F/A 18 Hornets and are currently integrating their new EA-18 Growlers into their defense intelligence network.

The RAAF is currently in line for the F35 JSF, but have been acquiring Hornets due to F35 delays.

[BridgeTroll]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

A stronger Australian navy would please U.S. naval commanders, who want more firepower to offset the Chinese buildup in the South China Sea, where China's decision to construct bases on disputed islands has raised fears of an inadvertent clash.

The commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, last month publicly urged the Australian government to conduct naval patrols within 12 nautical miles of the occupied islands — a test of international sovereignty that the Chinese government would probably regard as provocative.

Australia's new defense minister, Marise Payne, was noncommittal about the suggestion.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

For a country completely dependent on freedom of navigation Australia certainly needs to upgrade its navy.  Submarine fleet needs replacement... P-3 Patrol planes are adequate for patrol but inadequate for ASW... Surface fleet needs more numbers and upgrades...

RAN (Royal Australian Navy) is currently upgrading their ANZAC frigates with current tech and in 2014 acquired 4 Perry class frigates from the US Navy, which are also being updated.

There is a contract out with Saab Defense to upgrade their Collins class submarines.

They have an active development arrangement to upgrade their F/A 18 Hornets and are currently integrating their new EA-18 Growlers into their defense intelligence network.

The RAAF is currently in line for the F35 JSF, but have been acquiring Hornets due to F35 delays.

No one is happier than me that we are able to sell our really old and retired equipment to someone else to squeeze a out little more life... but an updated Perry... is still a retired outclassed Perry.  The Collins was a bad experiment and the Saab upgrade is to buy them time to replace them.  They are looking at the newest Japanese AIP subs as a possible replacement...

[spuwho]

Australia, looking toward China, beefs up military

A stronger Australian navy would please U.S. naval commanders, who want more firepower to offset the Chinese buildup in the South China Sea, where China's decision to construct bases on disputed islands has raised fears of an inadvertent clash.

The commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, last month publicly urged the Australian government to conduct naval patrols within 12 nautical miles of the occupied islands — a test of international sovereignty that the Chinese government would probably regard as provocative.

Australia's new defense minister, Marise Payne, was noncommittal about the suggestion.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/australia-looking-toward-china-beefs-up-military/2016/03/20/0e8e4cfe-ec8a-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html

For a country completely dependent on freedom of navigation Australia certainly needs to upgrade its navy.  Submarine fleet needs replacement... P-3 Patrol planes are adequate for patrol but inadequate for ASW... Surface fleet needs more numbers and upgrades...

RAN (Royal Australian Navy) is currently upgrading their ANZAC frigates with current tech and in 2014 acquired 4 Perry class frigates from the US Navy, which are also being updated.

There is a contract out with Saab Defense to upgrade their Collins class submarines.

They have an active development arrangement to upgrade their F/A 18 Hornets and are currently integrating their new EA-18 Growlers into their defense intelligence network.

The RAAF is currently in line for the F35 JSF, but have been acquiring Hornets due to F35 delays.

No one is happier than me that we are able to sell our really old and retired equipment to someone else to squeeze a out little more life... but an updated Perry... is still a retired outclassed Perry.  The Collins was a bad experiment and the Saab upgrade is to buy them time to replace them.  They are looking at the newest Japanese AIP subs as a possible replacement...

Fortunately, while Australia has increased their defense spending considerably, it is still behind their developed nation peers.

With almost 75 percent of the population on the east coast, it makes defense of the north west difficult. Just getting assets to help with the MH370 search was time consuming.

[BridgeTroll]

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/navy-p-8-poseidon-locates-castaways-on-a-deserted-islan-1770066529

Navy P-8 Poseidon Locates Castaways On A Deserted Island In The Pacific



The Navy's ultra-versatile P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has risen to all-star status both within the halls of the Pentagon and on the export market. It has been at the center of the search for MH370 and at the tip of the growing dispute over China's man-made islands in the South China Sea. Now it has has made headlines once again, locating marooned men on a deserted island in the Pacific.

For nearly three days, the three men had been stranded on the Pacific island of Fanadik after their 19-foot skiff capsized. They had originally set out from Pulap island on April 4 and after they were thrown from their skiff, they swam through night before finding temporarily refuge on Fanadik island. Once there, they constructed a large "HELP" sign out of palm leaves on the deserted island's small beach area, a move that likely saved their lives.

The men were reported missing after not checking into a flight they were scheduled to leave on the next day. The U.S. Coast Guard promptly requested support from Maritime Patrol Squadron Five, the "Mad Foxes," and their P-8s that are currently deployed to Misawa Air Base in Japan. Once the P-8 spotted the men and their make-shift signal, a boat was sent to recover them.

The rescue assist is just another notch in the P-8s belt in the Pacific Theatre, and with India, Australia, and now the UK ordering the multi-role militarized 737 derivative the question is what will Poseidon do to impress next?

[finehoe]

How China's fishermen are fighting a covert war in the South China Sea

In the disputed waters of the South China Sea, fishermen are the wild card.

China is using its vast fishing fleet as the advance guard to press its expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, experts say. That is not only putting Beijing on a collision course with its Asian neighbors, but also introducing a degree of unpredictability that raises the risks of periodic crises.

In the past few weeks, tensions have flared with Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam as Chinese fishermen, often backed up by coast guard vessels, have ventured far from their homeland and close to other nations' coasts. They are just the latest conflicts in China's long-running battle to expand its fishing grounds and simultaneously exert its maritime dominance.

"The Chinese authorities consider fishermen and fishing vessels important tools in expanding China's presence and the country's claims in the disputed waters," said Zhang Hongzhou, an expert at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/fishing-fleet-puts-china-on-collision-course-with-neighbors-in-south-china-sea/2016/04/12/8a6a9e3c-fff3-11e5-8bb1-f124a43f84dc_story.html

[spuwho]

Defense Secretary Ash Carter cancelled his meeting with his Chinese counterpart after it was determined there was nothing the meeting could produce for public consumption.

However, the PLAN is still scheduled to participate in a large US sponsored joint naval manuevers in the Pacific with various foreign navies.