quote:

Based on pictures that have been released by Chinese spotters, it appears that the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) fourth Type 052D (NATO reporting name Luyang III class) destroyer started sea trials. In the meantime, another Type 052D was launched on November 28th. It is the 8th vessel in the class and the first one launched at the Dalian naval shipyard (Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company member of CSIC - China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation).

quote:


The Chinese Ministry of Nationa Defense announced that a new logistics support ship of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) began its service in Sansha City, south China's Hainan Province, on the morning of November 23, 2015. The supply ship (hull number GY820) is the largest of its kind in the PLA Army with a maximum displacement of 2,700 tons. The 90 meters long and 14.6 meters wide vessel will be based in the South China Sea region to support replenishment operations.

quote:

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) announced its Lafayette class frigate Surcouf (second ship of the class) launched an MBDA-made MM40 Block II Exocet anti-ship missile during a live fire test which took place on November 25 2015. The missile hit its target with high accuracy, showing the expertise of the French Navy to implement and maintain a complex weapons system for high-intensity conflict.

quote:

New PLAN replenishment ship type emerges

[image]http://www.janes.com/images/assets/401/56401/1630692_-_main.jpg[/image]

Internet images have appeared showing what may be a new type of replenishment ship under construction for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

The location of the shipyard where the vessel is in build is probably in China's southern Guangdong province.

The development is another PLAN move to enhance logistics support for deployed ships.

The class designator for the ship appears to be Type 901. Details are limited at this stage but the ship's estimated dimensions are a displacement of 40,000-45,000 tonnes and a beam of 31.5 m. Although photographs - shown on the cjdby.net website, for example - have only just emerged, the ship is at an advanced state of construction and a launch in early 2016 seems probable.

Construction of a second vessel may already be under way.

quote:

French Navy (Marine Nationale) Rafale M multi-role fighters conducted some Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) flight above Libya from aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on November 20th and 21st. The information comes from the French president's office as part of president Hollande's visit onboard the French Navy aircraft carrier today.

quote:

A French flag officer embarked in the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle took command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force 50 Dec. 7, leading coalition naval strike operations for Operation Inherent Resolve -- the fight to degrade and ultimately destroy the ISIL terrorist organization.
...
This integration of France's premier naval strike force into a critical leadership role in the NAVCENT command and control structure demonstrates its exceptional interoperability with U.S. and other coalition forces.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Broncepulido

- The Kilo-class Project 06363 Rostov-on-Don (one of the three only active submarines in service in the Black Sea fleet) launched her Kalibr missiles from surface, perhaps incapable to fire them submerged.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Broncepulido


- The Kilo-class Project 06363 Rostov-on-Don (one of the three only active submarines in service in the Black Sea fleet) launched her Kalibr missiles from surface, perhaps incapable to fire them submerged.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Triode



Also why you think "Rostov-on-Don" firing from surface? In video it is clearly subsurface launch

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gneckes


Because, if you look closely, the hull of the sub can be seen in the video.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Broncepulido

My comment comes from the original The Aviationist comments to the footage, I was not in time to check it (perhaps also motivated by the propaganda stunt).

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hongjian

1st Type 901 40k tonne AOE launched!

quote:

The Krylov State Research Center completed the preliminary design of the versatile amphibious assault ship for the Russian Navy, the center’s executive director, Mikhail Zagorodnikov, told TASS on Thursday. He also said there is "no doubt" the ship will be developped. The Lavina (Avalanche) project was first unveiled during the ARMY-2015 defense exhibiton. "Krylov Central Scientific Research Institute is developing an alternative to the two Mistral LHDs. Avalanche will have a displacement of 24,000 tons, even more than the French ship" - a spokesman said at the time.

quote:

According to the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) the third Type 052D (NATO reporting name Luyang III class) destroyer Hefei (hull number 174), was just commissioned on December 12 with China's South Sea Fleet. The vessel is now homeported at Yulin Naval Base located in the Yalong Bay (city of Sanya) on Hainan island.