The Chinese Navy has published footage of carrierborne flight operations on CV-18 Fujian. All three relevant fixed wing aircraft, ie J-15T, KJ-600 & J-35 are seen performing catapult launches and recovery. Images via "Oedosoldier", "dafeng cao" & PLAN account on Twitter/X.

While an intriguing concept, the usual red flags such as the start-up nature of the company, and the clear commercial focus of the effort, with military applications being a secondary consideration at best, leave me pretty sceptical. breakingdefense.com/2025/09/how-...

POLITICO rightly, if not loudly enough, points out dramatic contradictions in any supposed deliberations in Berlin on how to "replace" France with another partner for FCAS. Lets be clear. Without France there is no FCAS & Germany needs to buy elsewhere. www.politico.eu/article/germ...

More PLAN Type 09IIIB shots. Still no real detail, though I guess we are drip-feeding towards more information on the exact configuration, especially where the VLS is concerned. Via "ACuriousPLAFan"/SDF.

JMSDF reclassifies combatants, if a little half hearted. The future ASEV vessels will be guided missile cruisers (CG), while the Izumo-class aircraft carriers to be will use the somewhat obscure designation of multirole aviation cruisers (CVM). www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Alien Earth Ep 7. Hawley did it. Wrapping an episode with Queens Of The Stone Age following the start of utter mayhem was the chef's kiss. The funniest bit is we're down to one episode, without any real clue how this is all going to get tied up. Except it will be gruesome.

Es duerfen bereits Wetten darauf abgeschlossen werden, wie wahrscheinlich es ist, dass die sogenannte Uebergangsloesung fuer die sogenannte Faehigkeitsluecke eine wundersame Verwandlung zur faktischen Dauerloesung vollziehen wird. www.hartpunkt.de/uebergangslo...

As already indicated previously, Rheinmetall is acquiring Naval Vessels Luerssen (NVL) for an undisclosed sum. The step further propels Rheinmetalls transformation from a land systems manufacturer into a "tri-service" defence prime for Germany. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Der aktuelle Brennpunkt Indopazifik fuer @hartpunkt.bsky.social ist raus und widmet sich Unterwasserdrohnen fuer Australien, der Seeerprobung des chinesischen Traegers, Taiwanstrassen-Aufregung und, vielleicht, Rafale fuer Indien. www.hartpunkt.de/brennpunkt-i...

"PNG's Defence Minister Billy Joseph said the deal was a "mutual defence treaty" that would see the countries work together to defend each other's territories. "We're not talking about interoperability, we're talking about totally integrated forces..."" www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

More reading for the reading pile.

"What Ukraine Russia war? There's a war there? First time I hear about it." Trump sometime next week. Probably.

I used to dismiss certain NATO projections for direct conflict with Russia by 2028. Turns out they were in fact somewhat conservative.

To be announced Sunday (ie today by AU time). Money to go towards not just AUKUS, but also various surface ship production efforts, given Austal by now has its plate full, with two landing ship programs and prospectively SEA 3000. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

Glad to see the elusive TKMS finally caught on camera with @navalnews.com for an interview at DSEI. Be good to see more of that at subsequent shows and events. Anyway, check out the short piece, with @xaviervav.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrhh...

Da hat einfach jemand "geisteskrank" falsch buchstabiert.

Good luck to BAE on their USV pitch. My first instinct is representing the design as "not a complex ship" is misleading at best. The pitch appears focused on engineering the actual hull, not accounting for complexity of subsystems integration & operation. ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-unveils-...

"We have been working with our attorneys, getting everything that we need ready so that we can pursue the death penalty in this case. And that will happen." It bemuses me that this point is still being brought up like it has any weight for anyone. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

Dieser Artikel verwechselt deutsche und europaeische Probleme. Nein, "Europa" muss sich nicht entscheiden, denn das gibt es in der Ruestung eh nicht. Berlin muss sich entscheiden, was es nun wie mit FCAS erreichen will. Oder halt nicht. esut.de/2025/09/fach...

Taiwan Strait transits are not FONOPs, even though they are conducted in support of freedom of navigation. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio privately reassured a top Australian official that a deal to provide the U.S. ally with nuclear-powered submarines, which is under review by the Pentagon, will not be terminated..." www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

The Governor of Utah trying to spell out Helldivers stratagems and Far Cry references inscribed on rifle casings in a press conference on a murder is summing up the 2020s for me now, I guess.

Sprecherin des russischen Aussenministeriums meldet sich zu Wort.

"Ultimately, China’s military rise is a story of impressive technology and strategic ambition, but it is also a story of uncertainty." Undeniably true. But prudent military planning cannot be run on an assumption that your notional adversary lacks skill. www.aspistrategist.org.au/as-chinas-mi...

Beim naechsten Mal halt doch lieber Dulux. marineforum.online/der-lack-ist...

The revolving door on PLA sackings over accusation of corruption continues to revolve. Notably, the logistics department and joint logistics force are again represented, suggesting there may at least be some substance to the charges. www.scmp.com/news/china/m...

Four USMI 11M Naval Special Warfare RHIBs operated by German Navy as interim solution. A previous effort procuring new RHIBs for the KSM (Naval SOF) resulted in a contract in 2022, cancelled in 2023. A new effort is already delayed by 18 months, while old boats are OOS in 2026. Image BaainBw.

First Spanish F-110/Bonifaz-class frigate, FFG-111, Ramon Bonifaz, launched at Navantia in Ferrol. Images via "ReinaldoDMM" & "LibreRatos"/X.

The French Aarok MALE drone flew for the first time on September 9. Image via "Defense137"/X.

"This effort can be seen as Indonesia’s deliberate strategy to maintain autonomy." Perhaps political autonomy. But it sure is no military autonomy, because the tapestry of individual capabilities has doubtful operational utility for Jakarta. www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-contested...

As someone routinely criticising mainstream analytical takes on all things naval, and especially drones, I enjoyed this very even-handed pitch via ASPI outlining Ghost Shark capabilities, or our best guess at them. www.aspistrategist.org.au/sharks-for-f...

CNN now reporting via X/Twitter the suspect initially detained may not be the shooter. Usual reminder to simply not RT rando takes and hobby detectives.

"The first step will be the launch of a “jet-powered collaborative drone” demonstrator from a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier as soon as 2026." www.navylookout.com/first-sea-lo...

Needless to say, at this stage Western countries, first and foremost Poland, would be entirely justified extending a forward ADIZ into at least western Ukraine. That there seems to be no will or interest to do so seems also obvious. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

New (to me) images of a PLAN 09IIIB SSGN underway. Via "by78"/SDF.

Alien Earth episode 6. Slowing things down again after the remarkable ep 5. I felt like plot and dialogue meandered a bit, though there was sharp writing in the Wendy/Dame exchange. I presume the final episodes will make sense of whatever Kirsh is up to. Lots of staring & things left unsaid.

A fair bit of excitement about this, as could be expected. Now that the press released dust has settled, a few thoughts from this well established (combat) drone sceptic... 🧵

Singapore announces intention to acquire four P-8A replacing existing Fokker 50 aircraft in the maritime patrol role. www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-eve...

Anduril Australia has received a contract worth A$1.7 bln turning its Ghost Shark XL-AUV into a program of record for series production. Low rate initial production will commence immediately, follwed by "high rate production" in 2026. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

The German Navy operational experimentation for surface drones (OPEX FCSS) has narrowed selection down to two unexpected candidates: Tamsen Maritim/Anschuetz with a C2 based on CB90 demonstrator, and Fassmer/ST Engineering with the MARSEC USV. www.hartpunkt.de/ueberraschun...

A tale in two pictures.

New(ish) image of the curious new Chinese WIG design. Via 琴石2022/Wb.

Some detail shots of PLAGF Z-20T assault variant. Via 太湖军I名/Wb.

Im Rahmen der kürzlich stattgefundenen chinesischen Militärparade wurden umfangreiche Neuentwicklungen im Bereich der Flugkörper und Drohnen präsentiert, die für den maritimen Kontext von hoher Relevanz sind. Der Beitrag bietet einen Überblick. www.hartpunkt.de/chinesische-...

Dank der unermuedlichen Arbeit der @hartpunkt.bsky.social-Crew ist mein Ueberblick ueber Marinesysteme bei der Parade der chinesischen Volksbefreiungsarmee in Beijing am 3. September nun auch auf Deutsch verfuegbar. www.hartpunkt.de/chinesische-...

Another clear detail shot of the LY-1 DEW shown at the parade. And a comparison shot with the unit mounted on Type 071 LPD 986 Simingshan. New image via "by78"/SDF.

"The contract awards, which previously were not publicly known, are the clearest sign that the Navy is moving forward with the concept of a “loyal wingman” aircraft that can operate from the deck of a carrier." breakingdefense.com/2025/09/excl...

Very nice side by side comparison shots allowing a better look at the various missile body diameters. Highlighting how YJ-19 is quite narrow (TTL) and how YJ-17 & YJ-20 appear the same diameter, ie UVLS capable. Via @矶子/Wb.

🚨 Military parade reveals extensive new missile developments with significance for naval applications. Drones also feature heavily in commemorative display. @alxluck.bsky.social provides an exhaustive overview 👇 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...