The article describes the key developments in the logistical support and sustainment of the blue-water as well of the small navies. The focus is on the logistical functions in support of one’s naval forces and underway replenishment in particular. The article also explains the logistical aspects of the U.S. Navy’s emerging Seabasing concept. It also provides an overview of the current efforts to improve naval logistics. The article concludes that, naval logistical support/sustainment will remain one of the most critical elements in the employment of one’s naval forces in both peacetime and in combat. Although new technologies will greatly improve the timeliness and accuracy of many logistical functions, logistics is also an art. Thus, the human factor, not advanced technologies, remains vital for successful planning, preparation, and execution of naval logistics.

This paper reviews the ever increasing need by Navies to protect their coastlines and offshore assets. The focus is on Fast Attack Craft (FAC) and the latest examples of such, including new hull technology and sensor/weapon fits. Synergies with roles for other vessels such as OPV and larger warships (corvettes, frigates) are also discussed. The paper demonstrates the clear and increasing role for FAC in today’s environment of piracy and sovereignty protection needs.

The article describes the security crisis under development at the Horn of Africa (HOA), and how the world is trying to deal with it. Piracy and terrorism are threatening one of most important sea lines of communication (SLOC). Illicit trafficking is also fuelling instability. The Navies are responding with the creation of international coalitions and the deployment of combined task forces, but their effectiveness is still far from being what is needed, both for legal constraints and lack of intelligence.

The Indian Navy’s template for the early 21st Century is set, and the Navy’s top brass have articulated their vision for a Mission Denominated Capability Based Approach to police the IOR in a classified document titled ‘Maritime Capability Perspective Plan-2022’. India is the predominant country in Asia, which supported by its Navy can evolve into a regional safe guardian of the IOR. India possesses democratic and open educational systems, its society is pluralistic and its cultural influence on the world is accelerator for its emergence as a power to be reckoned with economically, militarily and intellectually. India's growing-hard power which includes its economic and military strength still lags behind that of China, but its soft power from which arises the ability to influence the hearts and minds of people and gain acceptability appears ahead of that of China. The Indian Navy is India’s indispensible arm for security of the Indian Ocean.

The multiple navies that comprise the Arabian Gulf region are increasingly participating in both bi-lateral and multi-lateral exercises, sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The latest involved the maritime Exercise SOLIDARITY 7, with fourteen units of the six GCC navies. New initiatives are also being considered, including an effort by all members to strengthen port and offshore security against underwater attacks, in light of the growth of threat from Iranian small submarines and underwater warfare units of the IRGC. In addition, the GCC has endorsed an eleven Arab states’ proposal to establish a joint Arab Task Force for counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and Southern Red Sea – all signs that the Gulf States are intent upon undertaking a new role in Middle East maritime security issues.

In anticipation of a U.S. Navy search for a new mid-range, standoff precision weapon against surface ships and moving land targets, Raytheon has successfully tested a jet-powered adaptation of its combat-proven Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW). Report from the Raytheon briefing of October 30th, 2009 at the company’s Washington D.C. Office.

No modern Navy would contemplate operations without robust Electro- Optical and Infra-Red systems and radar furnishing their surface combatants and submarines. Known as EO/IR systems, this equipment allows ship and submarine commanders to see through the night and low visibility. When radar gets jammed, EO/IR systems can still provide a vessel with a local picture of the world around them. However, radar is also indispensible to the ship commander. Unlike EO/IR systems, radar can gaze across the horizon and provide speed, bearing and altitude information. Neither is there any risk that radar will be masked by smoke. Despite their differing characteristics these capabilities complement each other seamlessly.

At-sea BMD is becoming an integral part of the today’s land/air/sea warfare environment. Within this concept, the principal determinants are information superiority and suitable, dedicated decision-making which in the sense of strategic, operational, and tactical intelligence heavily depend on C4ISR technologies. These include shipboard and space-based sensors, new Information Communications Technology (ICT)-led developments (including broadband communications, satellite data transmission), and even intelligent weapons to provide for a fully fledged ballistic missile defence system (BMDS) by integrating not only sea-based capacities, but also airborne and land-based components.

For centuries, the main goal in the development of naval guns, and later missiles, was for greater power and range for the fight against other major surface combatants. But with the growing asymmetric threat from swarming small, fast attack craft and terrorists using explosives-loaded small boats, and the need to counter modern pirates using motorised fishing skiffs, navies increasingly are looking for rapid-firing smaller calibre guns to engage these flitting targets.

The helicopter is an essential part of naval warfare, and virtually all naval ships employ them to conduct their missions. From massive nuclear-powered aircraft carriers to small corvettes, rotary-winged aircraft play an important role as sensors, weapons and for liaison duties. Navies and Coast Guards today can choose from a variety of helicopters optimised to suit their particular missions, with offerings that vary in size, range, payload and complexity, not to mention price.

The HORIZON Common New Generation Frigate (CNGF) was originally a multi-national co-operation and collaboration project of the Great Britain, France and Italy to procure a new generation of anti-air warfare frigates. After the withdrawal of Great Britain because of differing requirements the project became a French/Italian project named ORIZZONTE in Italian and HORIZON in French.

NAVAL FORCES Special Correspondent Guy Toremans interviewed in Djibouti the Commanding Officer of KNM “Fridtjof Nansen”, the very first non-EU warship participating in the (then) Italian-led EU MARFOR Operation ATALANTA (CTF-465) off the Horn of Africa. CDR s.g. (RNoN) Ole Morton Sandquist explains the preparations, additional equipments taken onboard, problems regarding interoperability, the need to be aware of cultural behaviour of the pirates and authorities ashore.

Despite the less sterling global economic environment that also Malaysia is experiencing, the Malaysian Government, the organisers of the show, exhibitors, delegates and visitors were encouraged by the ability of LIMA2009 to attract world-wide interest. Although this LIMA saw a decrease of exhibitors compared to 2007, the international attention of this ‘double service exhibition’ experienced an increase as proven also by nearly 200 press members from 14 countries, if you take their presence for the LIMA Show’s vibrancy.

On the occasion of the 22nd Surface Navy Association Exhibition and Symposium, which took place in Washington D.C. from 12 to 14 January 2010, Lockheed Martin demonstrated again the importance of naval activities in the company. Representatives from MS2 and other business units briefed the press on some of the predominant national and international programmes.

AZORIAN stands alone in the breadth of its conception and engineering achievement. “K-129” offered the U.S. a comucopia of unique intelligence targets, ranging from an all-important opportunity to study Soviet nuclear weapons technology, to the chance to break into Soviet cryptographic system. 40 years later, the files on AZORIA are still locked away with the secret of what was and remains one of mankind’s first and most significant deep ocean projects.