Opener
As part of the Russian Defence Ministry Board in Moscow, Russian defence minister Shoigu said on 21 April that “the frigates will be the main combat ships of the Navy.”
The Russian navy commander, Adm Vladimir Korolev, in an interview with “Krasnaya Zvezda” outlined the scale of the presence of the Russian fleet on the world’s oceans.
The US Navy and others in West Pacific
First, let’s just put to bed the rumours of 3 US aircraft carriers going to turn up soon off of North Korea. Vice-President Pence was onboard the “USS R Reagan” at its home port in Japan.
Awaiting @VP Pence speech aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in Yokosuka, Japan pic.twitter.com/NarcPWe3pl
— Alastair Gale (@AlastairGale) April 18, 2017
In an earlier Brief I wrote about the probability of Ohio-class submarines being in the region, well…. The Ohio-class US nuclear submarine “USS Michigan” (SSBN 727) officially arrived in Busan, South Korea on 24 April.
Significantly, it is designed for special operations missions as it has a dry shelter module on deck.
(Note – the South Korean MSM did earlier make claims about US Navy SEALS training for North Korean operations.
More details on the USS Carl Vinson saga was given recently last week.
– (a new take on where’s Wally/Waldo or should that be where does Trump think it is)? Anyhow, the Kuznetsov curse seemingly also applies to the Carl Vinson, as an F18 crashed into the sea, in the Celebes Sea, the pilot safety ejected & recovered. (Note- was the Vinson on a detour?, since it isn’t the most direct route northward to the Korean Peninsula, but it does avoid passing through some disputed sea areas such as the Spratly Islands).
The Japanese warships, “Ashigara” (DDG-178) and the “Samidare’ have reportedly set sail to join the USS Carl Vinson group.
The US navy issued a press release announcing joint exercises with South Korea and Japan, taking place West & east of the Korean Peninsula, on 25 & 26 April. Ships involved include:
West: destroyers “USS Wayne E. Meyer” (DDG 108) and “ROKN Wang Geon” (DDH 978)
East: destroyers “USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62)” and JMSDF “JS Chokai” (DDG 176)
What kind of maritime exercises are being carried out isn’t specified. Nor does not much else, since there are other warships in the area.
Video on Japanese navy deployment:
This was previously reported by the MSM in an oblique manner last week.
This comes on the back of previous reporting of the deployment of the helicopter carrier.
The Varyag in Manila
Having left South Korea, the “Varyag” is continuing on a tour in the Asia-Pacific region and arrived in Manila on a goodwill visit:
And here
President Rodrigo Duterte visited the “Varyag” in Manila on 21 April, where he is reported to have said:”The Russians are with me. So I shall not be afraid.”
WATCH: President Duterte on board Russian ship | via @dgplacido pic.twitter.com/A7Q3fBqfwS
— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) April 21, 2017
According to Zvevda TV, he also said that he has asked Russia to send a submarine (next?).
Russian ECM and naval AD systems
Not intended to prolong the subject of Russian ECM, but the West’s media picked up on a Vesti article and turned their titles into clickbait stuff. Hence the ‘USS Donald Cook’ being on the receiving end of Russian airborne ECM jam, got a widespread airing in the media. Timely, although some call it bragging but also could be considered as a warning hint, given the ongoing geopolitical tensions over the Syrian CW ‘attack’. Here is the article and video on the Russian systems.
Unsurprisingly, UK tabloids pick up on it and turned it into….”Russia has claimed it can wipe out the whole of the US Navy at the flick of a switch…” WHOLE? Then there is the Fox News “copy & paste”, except for 1 word….. ‘bomb’. ?? (The word wasn’t even used in the Vesti article).
'ELECTRONIC BOMB': Russia claims power to wreck US Navy communications https://t.co/wTSgJkGILA
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 19, 2017
Not to say Russian ECM troops have been practising in Syria, judging from the article. Note “by hacking into their systems”, hacking is in vogue and apparently can be applied liberally at will.
Development of specific systems were being tested out during naval exercises by the Baltic Fleet. A Kuznetsk-class missile boat launched target missiles to enable the frigate “Admiral Makarov” to test the air defence system Shtil-1.
Baltic Fleet drills: Russian navy launches missile to develop air defense system https://t.co/TCBSJAkbHr pic.twitter.com/mXo4l7ZSvW
— RT (@RT_com) April 19, 2017
In other news –
- Indian Navy in the Mediterranean
Αn Indian Navy naval group, with the destroyer “Mumbai”, frigates Tarkash” & Trishul” and oiler “Aditya”, visited Crete last week. The group arrived in Toulon, France this week.
#BridgesofFriendship #WFOSD2017 WFShips enter Toulon on Goodwill visit. Harbour ph of Ex Varuna commences @Indian_Embassy @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/scRDB8NRfY
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 24, 2017
Now this might seem irrelevant news, but please take note. If a group of Russian ships go to sea, it is generally seen by the West as something sinister and requires heaps of scaremongering by the MSM.
- Chinese Navy
68th anniversary of the Chinese navy in video:
Rare montage released on the 68th founding anniversary of the Chinese navy features its fighting capacity #XinhuaTV pic.twitter.com/JhTTuRnD1U
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) April 25, 2017
- aircraft carrier
The launch of China’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, Type 001A, is imminent. The dry dock was fully flooded on 23 April.
Red flags are seen on China's 2nd aircraft carrier – and its 1st domestically built, expected to launch soon (Photo: Cui Meng/Global Times) pic.twitter.com/IUzVF47Etr
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) April 25, 2017
Excellent video showing the fast modular construction of the carrier over the last 3 years.
China’s first homegrown aircraft carrier to be launched soon; Watch its animation of construction process over the years pic.twitter.com/nCVqEslENA
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) April 22, 2017
- Deployment of naval group
On 23rd April, 3 warships left Shanghai for a 180-day global deployment, to visit over 20 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa & Oceania. The fleet includes the destroyer DDG-150 “Changchun” and FFG 532 “Jingzhou” & supply ship “Chaohu”.
A fleet of 3 Chinese naval ships left Shanghai on Sunday to visit over 20 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa & Oceania in nearly 180 days pic.twitter.com/rWvxKb10M6
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) April 23, 2017
Piracy in Africa
Commander Jacqui Sheriff, Spokesperson for the European Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), calls for renewed security partnership to defeat piracy in the Horn of Africa. PS the article below outlines the contribution of the Chinese Navy in the area.
European Naval Force calls for renewed security partnership to defeat resurgent #Somali piracy attacks https://t.co/2nEe3e0cfN pic.twitter.com/CP9oeeduSS
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) April 21, 2017
Not strictly naval but worth highlighting, this video on Africa, since it sets the context, of which in a sense also affects/ underpins the problem of piracy.
Video :
The Pentagon’s New Rules for Killing Africans https://t.co/YZenW7cSWL #Newsbud pic.twitter.com/nXtSsQkpl3
— NewsBud (@NewsBud_) April 16, 2017
NATO in the Black Sea
The UK’s Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyer HMS Daring (D32) was seen heading northbound on the Bosphorus earlier this week, en-Route to exercises with the Romanian Navy.
Russian navy
The construction of one of the 2 Ice Patrols, Project 23550, “Ivan Pananin” started on the 19 April. This is an exciting new development for the Russian Navy and will help to underpin the Arctic military presence. It will also allow civilian icebreakers to be freed up, for more cargo ship transits along the Northern Sea Route. In the words of the Russian navy commander, this type of ship will provide the “ability of the Russian Navy to eliminate any threats on this important strategic direction.”
The commander-in-chief says Russia’s Navy hopes to get 40 combat and support ships this year, compared to in 2016 with two new submarines and 24 logistic ships received.
Russian Navy expects to recieve 40 new ships in 2017 https://t.co/l4CXX6vZe8 pic.twitter.com/vOykBPNNLd
— TASS (@tassagency_en) April 19, 2017
A follow-up on last’s week Brief on the issue of import substitution for the Russian Navy. This week, President Putin visited the company NPO “Saturn”, (part of UEC) & has commissioned an assembly & testing facility for the development of domestically-produced marine Gas Turbines, to meet the needs of the Russian navy, which set for serial production in 2018. In Russian
If this is successful, a huge hurdle will have been overcome in future naval construction projects.
In other news, more minesweepers are expected for the Russian navy:
The 10th Project 21631 Buyan-M corvette has been laid down at Zelenodolsk Shipyard.
This type of corvette is dedicated river-green water warship, specifically tasked with the protection of Russia’s Exclusive Economic Zone, (EEZ).
Meanwhile trials of the frigate “Admiral Gorshkov”, were successfully carried out, in particular, firing of cruise missiles “Caliber” and also “Onyx“. in Russian
Likewise, the “Admiral Grigorovich” has completed exercises off the coast of Syria.
This 1 exercise sure did attract numerous flights by US Navy P-8A Poseidon planes out from Italy.
Meanwhile in the Channel
Further to the Channel transit, the Royal Navy released some more photos of the 2 Russian corvettes. Note last sentence in tweet- my reply is “Put a sock in it”!
More images of HMS Sutherland escorting Steregushchiy Class Frigates yesterday.
(One of the few very modern Russian surface ship types) pic.twitter.com/wapYxs0AaP— NavyLookout (@NavyLookout) April 16, 2017
Strange? No “man-marking” of Russian naval ship statement by U.K. MOD? The RN escorted a Ropucha-class landing ship ” Korolev”, going back home, through the Channel. Hence no fuss.
HMS Severn today escorting Russian Ropucha-class landing ship Korolev through Eng. Channel, returning home from Med https://t.co/vM8WNavEx9 pic.twitter.com/FbZb0EYJ57
— NavyLookout (@NavyLookout) April 24, 2017
Part 2 – Topic 2: Russian Navy Submarines
Russia is in the middle of a broad & comprehensive modernization program, bringing in a new era of high-technology components. Last week I presented aspects of surface ships operations and issues with shipyard constructions. In this issue I will outline the submarine fleet. Like the surface ships, the post Soviet submarine service became atrophied and only started again in the mid 2000s, with 2008 as a watershed moment for increased naval activities. Similarly, the Russian navy has recently embarked on a vigorous revival of its submarine force, with new builds, as well as modernisation and bringing out mothballed submarines for conversion. Import substitutions due to the Ukraine & West sanctions are also being carried out, despite legal wrangling over contractual amendments as a result of import substitutions impacting on the initial orders. Thus similar problems are being faced during construction of submarines as well as in building surface ships.
“Last year, we operated at a level not seen in the post-Soviet era in terms of hours spent underway,” the chief of the Russian Navy Adm. Vladimir Korolev recently stated and added that “The Russian submarine fleet last year spent more than 3,000 days at sea.”
This is an excellent figure.” Enough hours for the US Admiral Howard to complain that it is “at least as high as Cold War”. Surely the real point to be made, what is the comparison of the US sub operations against Russian navy operations in the last decade compared to the stages of the Cold War?
Overview of current Russian navy submarine fleet
11 Operational SSBNs | Multi/ attack SSN | Diesel powered | Other roles |
6 Delta IV (Project 667BRDM) Delfin | 2 Project 885 Yasen | 6 Varshavyanka (Project 636.3). Kilo-class | 1 Akula-class as missile test bed. |
2 Kalmar Delta III (Project 667BRD) | 6 Project 949A Antey | 22 Original Kilo (Project 877), | 1 Special ops/ research Project 09852 being built. |
3 Borei (Project 955) | |||
I am not going into the ‘ins and outs” of nuclear warhead capacity.
Example of new builds
This year has seen the start of another phase of Project 636.3, Varshavyanka -class construction, 6 are earmarked for the Pacific fleet. The first two submarines are the “Volkhov” and “Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky”.
The second example is Project 885M (08850) Yasen-class “Kazan” was recently launched.
#SSGN #submarine Yasen-M Pr.8851 K-516 Kazan launched today at Severodvinsk #Севмаш Cost:47 billion roubles/ $833 mil.Actual cost prob. more pic.twitter.com/veN92xO56N
— RussianDefence.com (@Russian_Defence) March 31, 2017
This particular class of submarines heralds a new era, for Russian submarine operations, because it forms the basis for an extensive multipurpose role.
For a long time, the ballistic missile submarines have taken the limelight. But now the focus is also shifting back to a new generation of multipurpose / attack submarines, which has made the US navy pay more attention. The first, “Severodvinsk” was laid down in 1993, amid the post Soviet Union woes. As such, it did not get completed until 2010. The “Kazan” does differ from the first, thus it has an ‘M’ designation. The major difference is in the use of high-technology electronics & power plant, with increased systems automation, which meant a reduction in crew size, of 90. (Also a first, the location of torpedo tube aft of the sail, to allow for sonar equipment in the bow). Kalibr and Oniks missiles are also carried.
NB – Love the quote at the end by the US Rear Admiral Rear Dave Johnson about this class of submarine.
Example of refit
The Oscar II-class nuclear attack submarine Orel will be back in service with the Russian navy in April”.
Upgrades & new builds of Kilo/Varshavyanka -class submarines
Lastly, the newer improved diesel-powered Kilo-class have been the mainstay of the Russian Navy for quite a few years. The most significant aspect of the new-build program are the 5th generation diesel-electric submarines, the Varshavyanka Class. This class has advanced stealth technology, longer combat range than the original Kilo-class. Moreover, it can strike land, surface and underwater targets.
The latest, Kalibr-carrying submarines, from the Black Sea Fleet, have participated in the Syrian conflict, in particular, the “Rostov-on-Don” in December 2016. Their presence in the eastern Med evidently warranted a number of US Navy Poseidon flights out of Sicily over the last couple of years.
Lately, Kilo-class, project 877, ” Ust-Bolsheretsk”(B-494), has completed repairs at Dalzavod and returns to the Pacific Fleet.
Area of operations
An major headache for NATO is the resurgence of submarine operations in an area known as the GIUK Gap. Well-known during the Cold War as a submarine ‘stomping ground’ for both sides, some hiding from detection and others trying to detect. The importance of this area is well-established within the Bastion Doctrine. Russian navy submarine operations are not limited to the North Atlantic, although, the only time that the West MSM puts together an article, is because of presumed presence of Russian submarines in and around its waters.
The Bastion Doctrine and the Russian Arctic
During the Cold War, the US and NATO put into place SOSUS, an underwater hydro-acoustic surveillance system, around the world including the Gap. (Outlined in Naval Brief 02/Dec 2016)
Likewise, only now is Russia currently working on a new multi-sensor submarine detection network called “Garmoniya”.
It is broadly similar to the US Navy’s well-known SOSUS system but also is capable of detecting low-flying aircraft. Unlike the US SOSUS, it is uniquely geared towards defence in depth of Russia itself. It is more than likely that the two new Arctic bases, the ‘clover’ Kotelny base and the ‘Shamrock’ Nagurskoye Base on Franz Josef Land, will somehow have a part in the deployment of this system. It would mean that the US & NATO will themselves have to run the gauntlet through chunks of the Arctic. Personally, it will ensure a long overdue level playing field for all submarine forces in the northern hemisphere.
Example of conversion
Other submarines developed included the special ops Project 09852 ” Belgorod” for use in the Arctic and underwater / seabed research. This is likely to the biggest submarine in the fleet as well as the most secretive,(despite the image revelation hiccup on TV back in 2015). Bigger dimensions than an Akula class with 182m in length will make the world’s largest submarine. In Russian
The “Belgorod” is designed to carry deep-water self-contained manned and unmanned rescue submersibles. Although officially designated as a research vessel in remote areas, as well as capable of search & rescue missions, it is the most likely candidate for the underwater deployment of Garmoniya’s components, the robotized self-contained seabed sonars, since it needs to set up covertly underwater in precisely, remote areas of the Arctic. Comprehensive information on this can be found at this site
Examples of innovation
In another interesting development, “Surrogat”, a mini submarine drone is being specially designed to replicate real enemy submarines for training purposes.
Silent running of Russian subs, using special hull coatings, might just make the US/NATO duo pull their hair out.
The special rubber coating, is said to camouflage the submarines from them from acoustic equipment, by blending the submarine into general background noise of the sea.
Finally
On the theme of submarines. It could not be an April Fool’s joke, could it? An Akula / typhoon Class “Dmitriy Donskoy” going to the Baltic this summer?
And a Turkish boat Coastguard becoming almost a submarine accidentally,(poor watchkeeping- it’s good to behind, check your stern).
Update by Scott
On Tuesday, President Putin visited the manufacturer of domestic shipborne gas turbine engines.
As reported in December, Russian gas turbine engines produced by “Saturn”, designed to replace Ukrainian counterparts. First, new engines will be manufactured for the first project 22350 frigates, then corvettes, ships with dynamic principle of support, and by mid-2018, for the frigates of the project 1135.
Apr 25, 2017 by Ruptly TV
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited engine manufacturer NPO Saturn in Rybinsk on Tuesday, to inaugurate the factory’s production of domestic gas turbine engines for ships. The production line is due to replace imports previously purchased from Ukraine.
During his visit, the leader personally gave the command for work to begin on the production line from the control room.
Putin emphasised it as an industrial turning point saying,, “the push was so serious, as you know in 2014, when some of our partners refused to supply the relevant equipment and we at the time, made a decision: we will not do something average, but we will work out our own new products, our new solutions, our new machines.”
SOT, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia (Russian): “The push was so serious, as you know in 2014, when some of our partners refused to supply the relevant equipment and we, at the time, made a decision: we will not do something average, but we will work out our own new products, our new solutions, our new machines, and we even went to shift the programme of rearmament of the Russian fleet to the right, while waiting for your machine. And here it is created, I want to thank you for this and congratulate you with a wonderful result.”
There was an article on the subject of the Michigan arriving near Korea in the Duran.
http://theduran.com/michigan-korea-threat-bluff/
Someone commented on the article a point that I’m curious over. And if true,would make a difference both in that article,and this one. Does anyone know if this comment is true:
“There is Ohio class and then there is Ohia class, namely SSBN and SSGN. The USS Michigan is one of the latter, which has been modified to carry a maximum of 154 Tomahawks and special forces. So from that point of view it is the navy vessel with the largest amount of tactical missiles.
Else, so let me guess it should be and is correctly called a tactical submarine. And anyway, you don’ t have to get a nuclear submarine that close to North Korea to reach NK with its Trident missiles.
So to sum it up, the article is seriously flawed because of mixing up SSGNs and SSBNs…”
Also there was another point I forgot to make. There is a report on RT that the THAAD is not operational in South Korea. And that local people are (rightly) protesting against the movement of the parts for its setup in their area. Saying it makes them a target having it there (among other reasons they don’t want it). If its correct that it isn’t operational yet. That “could” be another reason the US hasn’t as of now attacked North Korea.They are waiting for it to be completed?
https://www.rt.com/news/386140-korea-thaad-deployment-clashes/
Since the NK do not yet have nuclear armed missiles the Thaad system is not really that important. A conventional war could still do a lot of damage. With Seoul only 50kkm from the NK boarder Trump would have to way up whether a strike on the NK nuclear facilities would cause a retaliation of a huge barrage of short range missiles hitting Seoul. I dont think the US can protect the South from that so Trump will need to consider how many South Korean lives are worth a preemptive strike. Maybe South Koreans are not worth very much.
The deployment of the Thaad system in SK has nothing to do with NK’s capabilities and everything to do with China’s. Its radars can see most of the launch sites from China. Pre empting this deployment, China has moved her DF launchers close to the border with Russia. Pressumably the DF must be deployed at a distance that defeats the Thaad missiles from being effective to neutralize the DF.
https://thaimilitaryandasianregion.wordpress.com/2017/03/28/china-to-deploy-anti-thaad-cruise-missiles/
Yes I agree the real reason for deploying THAAD is to counter China and Russia. Just like the system deployed in Europe was supposedly to counter Iran but thats obviously nonsense.
Interesting article you attached but Im not sure I would use Kalibr cruise missiles against that type of defense system. The Kalibr is a good missile but it might take two hours for them to get there and the world could be over by then. A few Iskander missiles could be there in a few minutes and would be a good test for the THADD system.
http://rense.com/general96/koreaccrisis.html
UB1
AM wrote a post script to the article about the errors.
The Michigan no longer carries slbm, their space used for the tomohawks. Her conversion is a downgrade, meaning she was surplus or no longer considered advanced enough. As she was one of the first ohios, choosing her for the slcm role would be logical.
Showing Michigan is supposed to be a threat to NK, but it’s likely the Russians tracked her moves and the usn realized that, as AM speculated in the article. The threat being israel’s quislings would strike NK like they did Syria with a massed cruise missile strike.
LeDahu
Thanks for the sitrep, very comprehensive.
I love the photograph! In the USA, everyone would be grinning broadly – fake smiles to ingratiate themselves.
This site has some very interesting military technical information available in various articles:
https://thaimilitaryandasianregion.wordpress.com/2016/08/03/sino-russo-duo-china-mulls-ramping-up-its-missile-defense-with-russia/
Dear LeDahu, Your articles are informative indeed. I have learned a good deal from them.. I do have a couple questions you may wish to expound upon.
First, do you know if the North Koreans have succeeded in perfecting supercavitating torprdoes? The Soviets developed the technique in the late 1960s. The Finns.and, presumably, the Swedes
followed suite and Iran has, reportedly been able to produce them for the last couple years.Whether the US navy, burdened by its usual arrogance, bothered with supercavitating torpedoes, I don’t know, But there has been a good deal of talk lately about underwater drones. As for smart mines: you can bet that the North Koreans, who once succeeded in keeping US vessels at bay with contact mines left over from the Russo-Japanese war, have developed some ingenious designs.
A couple of decades back I was peripherally involved in working out means of identifying vessels—or at least classes of vessels–with satellite remote sensing through the signatures of their wakes.My chief interest was employing this as a means of saving fish stocks and artisanal fisheries by spotting pirate vessels inside coastal and 200 mile limits and marine sanctuaries.But it also occurred to me that should be possible to design a torpedo that would turn into and follow a wake.Such a torpedo would, presumably, be harder to detect and by impacting the propellers could leave to vessel “dead in the water” without sinking it or producing massive casualties.
Question: Is this feasible and possible and, to your knowledge, have such torpedoes been developed?
Once again, thanks for your excellent articles.
hit ship in propeller area the shaft alley floods a wall of water into engine space and ship is liable to founder. there is no compassionate torpedo. RDX is brutal stuff.
submarines use the prop turbulence from surface ship to hide.
usn worked on sc torp in 1950’s I remember reading technical article of the gizmo.
war is result of global economic and geopolitical forces. has nothing to do with weapons. as commandante fidel said a few years ago the time for weapons to decide conflicts has passed.
this does not mean that it is smart to take a knife to a gunfight
Thank you for the comment.
To answer your questions and food for thought:
“But it also occurred to me that should be possible to design a torpedo that would turn into and follow a wake”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROKS_Cheonan_sinking
The report puts the blame on CHT-02D torpedo manufactured by North Korea utilizes acoustic/wake homing and passive acoustic tracking methods.
Note:
“acoustic/wake homing”
2. Super cavitation torpedo
Never say never, especially with the North Koreans. See above) but always take information with a pinch of salt: ( it is suggested the North Korean got their bubble torpedo from Iran).
https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2010/05/deadly-bubble-jet.htm
There again, it is technology that is still being developed, due to issues (mostly of range, noise & guidance)
http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/112964/20170330/russia-replacement-failed-shkval-supercavitating-torpedo-will-failure.htm
As LZ99 says, taking a hit in the stern is fatal.
Helps this helps…
ARA BELGRANO (aka USS Phoenix, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Phoenix_(CL-46) ) was torpedoed and sunk by British submarine at Falklands. The Wiki on this does not accord with the statements by the officer in charge of the firing – who specifically stated that he himself fired a wire-guided torpedo into the props from about 2 miles…and sank the ship.
Many regard this sinking as a war crime. Wiki does not, but instead repeats the “revealed canon”.
Geewhiz how I love the circus! The Murkinz even elected a clown! Now for the dancing bears…I understand that the clowns get chased around the ring a few times before they leave and then main show starts…
Having met and interviewed crew from the Belgrano, i would take the wiki entry with a huge pinch of salt.
Now That’s really interesting, friend. Can you kindly tell us about this?
I myself at the time saw it as a deliberate murder and a war crime, and I was shocked. In those days I was perhaps more innocent about the ways of man.
Please let us know what you can, eh?
I meant the wiki on the Belgrano.
A while back I got a chance to head south, and by chance get to interview some interesting people. Regarding the Belgrano, it was a tale of incredible survival in the life rafts in the extreme conditions. Heroism.
On the political level, practically all knew that they were in a war zone, so knew the risks. The ship was at a low combat readiness level and had been training hard for combat duties.
It’s pity that the Captain’s book on this ship is in Spanish, it makes great reading and insight.( no I didn’t meet him).
Thanks for the explanation.
wiki often says things that do not accord with objective fact, but this itself, the biases, reveal a great deal. indeed the crime describes the criminal…so I applaud wiki and the false canon it fosters. I particularly enjoy the criticisms there of “revisionism” and “revisionists”…ah, the pot and the kettle, eh? Marvelous farce!
It would have been an interesting encounter if Belgrano and the UK had found themselves in close proximity – the guns on that ship were, as I recall, formidable (in range), but, as my grandfather, who commanded Boise (a sister-ship) for a time, told me, those light cruisers had serious shortcomings – among these (and this is 40 years ago memory) was poor survivability in combat. “They could dish it out, but they couldn’t take it” – more or less. There were limitations on ships and tonnage under international law … different times.
I was for a time well acquainted with a fellow who was in the UK force… His stories differ very substantially from the official “historic” canon. Among other things the fellas were in pretty poor shape when they went ashore. He also had personal stories about “Desert Storm” – having to do with operation inside Iraq prior to the attack – but these are perhaps too dark and too off topic as well… Morale, he made it plain, was, in the Falklands among the UK boys was pretty low. It ought to have been easy to repel them…so I suspect a deal and double cross at some point. Much like the Bush 41 business telling Saddam he could have Kuwait and then saying he didn’t… a set-up. Old story. However my memories are quite dated.
Small matters, especially in war, sometimes have large effects. If Belgrano had been in another position, if the torp had failed, and if there had been serious losses at sea for the UK instead of the Argentine…another history.
UK submarine officer who said he fired wire guided t was interview’d on TV many years ago. That’s where I heard him make the claim.
Please say title of book in Spanish by skipper. Spanish is tough for me, but I can struggle along.
Many thanks to all.
LZ99
1093 tripulantes by Hector Bonzo. His 1st book.
Part of it here: http://conectareducacion.educ.ar/educacionymemoria/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/v.-1093-tripulantes.pdf
Many Thanks!
Oh how very odd. 1093 tripulantes by Hector Bonzo lists for nearly 100 bucks on amazon…while the other two “definitive” (and maybe they are, but somehow I have doubts) books are about a dollar each… wallwhaddayaknow?
The pdf, however, is worth the effort to read. It is a brief excerpt, and the actual book runs, amazon says, to 528 pages.
I post this because of the example it provides of revisionism in operation. One simply makes the less desired view, and facts too if necessary, disappear – sometime censorship by price, or language.
And because somebody ought to do the translation… I am able to read the brief pdf, albeit with difficulty, but a smooth translation…ah!
Thanks again
Dedicated to the loss of 323 crew of the ARA Gral. Belgrano
This is a good read:
http://www.hisutton.com/Belgrano_1982.html
Interesting map! Great Britain and Ireland have sunk into the Atlantic Ocean. I sign of things to come?
Russian Intelligence Gathering Ship Liman, Sunk Off The Coast Of Istanbul
https://turkishnavy.net/2017/04/27/russian-intelligence-gathering-ship-liman-sunk-off-the-coast-of-istanbul/