The Situation In The Eastern Mediterranean (Part 9)

1 May 2013 Leave a comment

Ropucha class large landing ship 151 Azov on her northbound passage through Bosphorus

Ropucha class large landing ship 151 Azov is the first Russian ship to ever visit Israel.  This photo shows her during one of many recent passages through Bosphorus.

The Russian Defence Ministry announced that the large landing ship 154 Azov will be the first ship ever to visit Israel. The ship will be in Haifa, Israel between 1 and 3 May 2013.

A Russian naval ship will visit Israel for the first time in the country’s history, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The Azov, a Ropucha II-class landing ship from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, will call at the port of Haifa from May 1-3, the ministry’s press service said.

The visit is timed to coincide with the 68th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II, a press service representative said.

“The visit is the initiative of veteran organizations in Israel,” he added.

The program of the visit includes performances by the Black Sea Fleet orchestra for Israeli war veterans and Haifa residents. The warship will also be open to the public for visits.

A reception on board the Azov will be organized for World War II veterans living in Israel.

This is an interesting move from Russia. In March Russian warships Kaliningrad, Alexander Shabalin and Yaruslav Mudryy. made a visit in Beirut. It seems as if Russia is looking for an alternative port for its Mediterranean fleet if Tartous should become inhospitable.

Israeli officials on board INS Rahav Photo: Israeli Defense Ministry via The Times Of Israel

Israeli officials on board INS Rahav Photo: Israeli Defense Ministry via The Times Of Israel

Last week Israeli Navy received its fifth Dolphin class submarine INS Rahav in Kiel Germany. The Dolphin class submarines are one of the most advanced conventional submarines in the world.

The submarine – called the INS Rahav – is the most expensive defense platform ever purchased by Israel. The vessel is set to undertake several long-range classified missions that are critical for Israel’s security.

The submarine is viewed by the navy as an important “force multiplier” that will enable Israel to cope with threats in the increasingly unstable Middle East region.

According to foreign reports, the navy’s Dolphins also provide Israel with nuclear second-strike capabilities, as they can travel far from Israel’s territorial waters and are reportedly able to carry long-range cruise missiles tipped with nuclear warheads.

The latest Dolphin-class subs can remain submerged longer than their predecessors.

The INS Rahav, together with the INS Tanin – the fourth Dolphin sub, delivered to Israel in 2012 – and the sixth sub, which is still being built, will cost a total of some 1.4 billion Euro ($1.8 billion). The German government is reportedly covering a third of the cost.

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TCG Anafartalar In Durres Albania

25 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

anafartalar

TCG Anafartalar, in Durres Albania

The Turkish submarine in the Ionian Sea, TCG Anafartalar made a four-day visit to Durrës, Albania, after she has participated to the NATO ASW exercise, Noble Manta 2013. It is not common for submarines to make port visits.

From the news bulletin of Durrës Port Authority dates 14 March 2013:

This morning in the port of Durres has arrived Turkish submarine “TCG Anafartalar.” Official sources Naval Forces Command, announced that Turkish Navy military ship will conduct a 4-day port visit, scheduled for 2013 our member countries of NATO. During their stay in our country staff submariner “TCG Anafartalar s-356″ will conduct visits to some of the major cities of the country, as well as historical and archaeological center. Meanwhile provided with cultural and sports activities between local sailors and friends from Turkey – our Command naval sources said. This is the third submarine of the Turkish Naval Fleet to visit the port of Durres in a period of three years. Submarine “TCG Anafartalar” will leave the port of Durrës on 17 March.

As far as I know TCG Dolunay was in Durrës in 2010. I would appreciate any information about other Turkish submarines in Duress in 2011 and 2012.

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More On Proud Manta 2013

27 Feb 2013 3 Comments

I have found a long video from the Media Day of the Proud Manta 2013 via SatSicilia.

I must tell you that I have found the submarine just behind the admirals, in the first part of the video especially admirable.

Proud Manta News Conference 2013

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Proud Manta 2013 Has Started

25 Feb 2013 2 Comments

S3XX_3One again the time of the year has come when dozens of ships, submarines,planes and robots meet and play hide and seek two weeks long.

Yes, NATO’s largest anti submarine warfare exercise Proud Manta 13 (POMA 13) has started. It will end on 8th March 2013.

According to NATO the aim of the exercise is to enhance the operational proficiency and interoperability of the participating forces across a broad spectrum of potential tasks, roles and missions of the NATO Response Force (NRF). The exercise also provides a challenging operational environment to test new doctrine, tactics; and equipment.

When I started to search through the internet to find more information about the exercise and the participants I was shocked from the lack of information. NATO used to prepare webpages dedicated to this large exercise. This year there is surprisingly sparse information available on various NATO Command Centers’ webpages.

Was NATO staying loyal to the motto silent service and hiding about its submarine exercise? No. The restructuring of the military structure created a no-mans zone in PR so neither the outgoing Allied Maritime Command Naples nor the incoming Allied Maritime Command in Northwood prepared anything about POMA 13.

Thank God there are people who know about this NATO exercise more than NATO shares: The Russians. On a Russian web forum where radio enthusiast meet I was able to find more information about POMA 13 than on official webpages of various NATO Commands. Thank you Comrades!

Here is the list of participants according to Russians:

Surface Ships
A-607 FS Meuse Replenishment Tanker France
D-643 FS Jean De Vienne Destroyer France
F-210 FGS Emden Frigate Germany
F-221 FGS Hessen Frigate Germany
F-260 FGS Braunschweig Corvette Germany
A-1442 FGS Speessart Tender Germany
F-263 FGS Oldenburg Corvette Germany
A-5366 ITS Levanzo Tender Italy
D-560 ITS De La Penne Destroyer Italy
A-1456 Alliance Research Ship NATO
DGG-52 USS Barry Destroyer USA
Submarines
S-356 TCG Anafartalar Type 209 /1400 Turkey
S-119 NS Pontos Type 209/1200 Greece
S-527 ITS Sciré Type 212A Italy
S-71 SPS Galerna Agosta S70 Spain

The following air assets will take part in the exercise too: 2 CP-140 Aurora from Canada, 2 Atlantic Mk2 from France, 1 Atlantic from Italy, 1 P-3C Orion from Germany, 1 P-3C Orion from Norway, 2 P-3C Orion from USA, 2 EH-101 Merlin from Italy an 3 EH-101 Merlin from UK.

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The Ukrainian Submarine Is Back In Regular Service

27 Jan 2013 1 Comment

I am very much respecting all the efforts Ukrainian Navy is putting to maintain a submarine force. Given their limited resources and their dependence on foreign counties on some critical issues they could easily give up their silent service just like Bulgarians did, or the Danish. By giving up their silent service they could have saved important resources some of which might have been used to speed up the construction of their corvette. But no! The Ukrainians are determined to keep their silent service up and running even if it means using an almost obsolete 41-year-old submarine probably only limited to (or near) periscope depth.

According to Ukrainian Defence Ministry the sole Ukrainian submarine the Foxtrot (project 641) class diesel-electric submarine Zaporizya returned to regular service.

In Sevastopol held celebrations to mark the adoption of a large submarine “Zaporozhye” to combat fleet.

Congratulate Submariner with a significant event came to head the Center for Naval Operations Navy captain 1 rank Andrei Tarasov, veterans-submariners, sailors and family members of chefs – representatives Vilnyanskiy district administration of Zaporozhye region.

The celebrations began with the alignment of personnel and head to “Zaporozhye” Navy flag and flags roztsvichuvannya.

The commander of a large submarine “Zaporozhye” Captain 2 rank Robert Shahyeyev said that last year the crew at the same time was very difficult and responsible, but by the number of successful assignments.

- Last year, “Zaporozhye” took part in joint Ukrainian-Russian exercises “Fairway of Peace”, the sea trials out to sea and conducted a dive to periscope depth, and also participated in a joint celebration of Fleet of Ukraine and the Russian Navy Day in Sevastopol – said the commander of the submarine.

At the end of the crew members of a large submarine “Zaporozhye” and present guests were photographed together in memory.

Well, hats off to this remarkable success.

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A Submarine Spotted

27 Dec 2012 2 Comments

S3XX

On 26 December 2012, in the early morning hours, one Turkish Type 209/1400 class submarine sailed through Bosphorus to Marmara Sea. Since Turkish Navy stopped painting the pennant numbers of the submarines, it is impossible to identify each individual submarine anymore. While this new painting scheme helps the submarines to blend and prevents IR/FLIR/LLTV using trackers or electro-optic directors any high contrast target, it makes ship spotting difficult.

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Tidbits Of The Week

18 Oct 2012 Leave a comment

Tidbits from the thing that happened during the week:

1)  General Necdet Özel, the Chief of General Staff and the Commander of Turkish Armed Forces visited Naval units this week. On Tuesday he was at the main naval base in Gölcük, Kocaeli and visited and inspected the Naval Command and some undisclosed units. On Wednesday he visited, Naval War College, Naval High School, the Northern Naval Area Command and the Naval Education and Training Command. The was accompanied by Admiral Murat Bilgel, commander of Turkish Naval Forces.

2) According to Turkish media 4 frigates and one submarine sailed through the Dardanelles and moved in the Mediterranean. The same news appeared in a number of paper and online publications with very minor differences but as all copied from the same source non was able to tell the pennant numbers of the frigates or the names of the ships. I am even suspicious if the ships were really frigates as most of the media reporters cannot tell the difference. But in the aftermath of the artillery duels across the Turkish – Syrian border and the authorization of the deployment of troops for cross-border military action by Turkish parliament it is safe to assume that the mentioned  ships were really frigates.

3) A single submarine passing thought the Dardanelles towards the Mediterranean on Tuesday was identified as S-358 TCG Çanakkale.

4) The frigate F-495 TCG Gediz is in Tunisia, conducting a good will visit as part of NATO’s Standing Nato Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2).

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Russian Submarine Alrosa Passed Through Bosphorus

19 Sep 2012 2 Comments

Russian submarine Alrosa passing through Bosphorus.

It was like a scene from the old cold war comedy “The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming“. You don’t see an active duty Russian submarine passing through your neighborhood everyday. So it was a big day for me.

The Kilo class Russian diesel – electric submarine Alrosa came from the Marmara Sea and passed by the Topkapı Place and entered into the Bosphorus. She is on her way to her homeport Sevastopol.

Alrosa departed the Baltic town of Kronstadt in late August where she was laid up for scheduled overhaul since July 2011.

In November 2011 during training she suffered serious engine problem and had to be towed back to Sevastopol. She was repaired and later took part in NATO’s largest submarine rescue exercise Bold Monarc 2011 off the coast of Spain.

Alrosa (originally Varshavyanka), a Kilo-class Project 877 diesel submarine, entered service in December 1990. It was renamed Alrosa in 2004 after it was “adopted” by Russia’s largest diamond company of the same name. She is the only submarine in active service with the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Russian submarine Alrosa passing through Bosphorus.

Russian submarine Alrosa passing through Bosphorus.

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Russian Submarine Alrosa Is Closer To Home

15 Sep 2012 Leave a comment

The submarine Alrosa docking in Ceuta. Photo: From navaltoday.com

The Kilo class Russian submarine Alrosa, in escort of the tugs Shakhter and SB-921 is nearing her home port.

The task force arrived in 6th September 2012 in Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Ceuta was visited by 23 Russian warships since 2012 which has become a major point of provisioning.

The task force is currently off the Greek island Milos and approximately 240 nautical miles from the Dardanelles.

 A submarine and two tugs of the Russian Navy will call at Ceuta between Saturday and Monday. Specifically, the first tug arrived on Monday morning and will do the submarine and the second tug. These tugs’ Shakter ‘and salvage tug’ SB-921 ‘and the submarine “-B-871 Alrosa’ than other ships of the Russian fleet returns to dock at the port facilities. 
Tomorrow comes ‘Shakter’, having expected to dock at the Levante dock doing work fueling and provisioning.This ship has a staff composed of two officers, ten petty officers and sailors, as well as 40 civilian crew, they were already in July last year and will again in a few days while completing Ceuta provisioning tasks. 
For Monday is due to arrive submarine ‘Alrosa’ belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, has a staff of 60 crew, consisting of 18 officers, 24 petty officers and sailors, who also conduct spring victualling in Spain, where you take fuel, water and provisions. Also another salvage tug will have the same characteristics as above and also perform provisioning tasks. 
Throughout the months of this year and the units whose arrival is expected this weekend, will be a total of 7 ships have come to port so far this year. In total, since the first ship of the Russian Navy arrived in Ceuta in 2010 and the latter to have come in 2012, just two years ago, are a total of 23, the Russian ships that have chosen the Port of Ceuta for their provisioning tasks. 
The Chamber of Commerce has issued a circular to the shops are open.

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Russian Submarine Alrosa, Is Returning Home

25 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

It was important news when the sole Russian submarine of the Black Sea Fleet Alrosa participated in the NATO exercise Bold Monarch last year.

However she did not returned to her homeport Sevastopol after the exercise has ended and proceeded  to Kronshtadt for an overhaul. Alrosa suffered a serious engine trouble in 2009. An extensive overhaul was need for the Alrosa (originally Varshavyanka), a Kilo-class Project 877 diesel submarine, entered service in December 1990. She was renamed Alrosa in 2004 after it was “adopted” by Russia’s largest diamond company of the same name.

Black Sea Fleet (BSF) diesel-electric submarine Alrosa commanded by Capt 2 Rank Anton Zaitsev started an interfleet cruise from Kronshtadt to homeport Sevastopol. 

In May-June 2011, the submarine along with BSF rescue ships visited Spanish port Cartagena and took part in the Bold Monarch 2011 joint submarine-salvage exercise for the first time in her record. After that, Alrosa headed for Kronshtadt and was laid up for scheduled overhaul. 

The submarine is being escorted by Baltic Fleet (BF) rescue tug SB-921. However, early in Sept the escort will be taken over by BSF rescue tug Shakhter in Spanish port Ceuta. 

Alrosa is expected to arrive in Sevastopol late Sept 2012. 

Diesel-electric submarine Alrosa was laid down on May 7, 1988 at the Krasnoye Sormovo shipyard. The sub was built under experimental project 877V. 

In Nov 1989, the submarine moved to the Black Sea via inland waterways; Soviet naval ensign was hoisted on the sub then. In Jan 2004, she obtained the name of Alrosa by Russian Navy Commander’s decree. Since 1997, the sub’s crew five times won the Navy Commander’s Prize in torpedo firing. 

The last sentence is very ironic as there is no other Russian submarine in the Black Sea Fleet, thus she has no local competitors.

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