Pacific Perspective:US,Philippines and Australia Initiate Joint Patrols

On 21 November 2023,the US Navy,the Philippines Navy and Philippines Air Force began joint patrols of the South China Sea both by air and sea.The joint patrols lasted through 23 November and,separately,the Australian Defence Force and the Philippines Navy and Air Force conducted joint patrols a few days later.The US State Department has ascertained in a report that China's claims to most of the South China Sea are not in accord with international law.Hence the patrols were undertaken to assert a free and open Indo-Pacific Region.The US-Philippines patrols began at Movalis Island,the Philippines' northernmost point,100 km/62 mi from Taiwan.They ended in the West Philippine Sea,part of the South China Sea within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).*The Philippine Air Force sent two FA-50 light combat fighter jets and an A29B Super Tucano light attack plane on patrol,while the Philippine Navy sent three unspecified warships.The US Navy sent a Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft,armed with torpedoes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles for anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions,respectively;and a littoral combat ship.The littoral combat ships,after being criticised for being lightly armed,are now heavily armed with a number of deck guns,air-to-air and air to surface missiles,including US Army Hellfire missiles and Naval Strike Missiles.Indeed,some LCS's are now also armed with Lockheed Martin laser weapons.*Said Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos,Jr.:Unfortunately,I cannot report that the situation (in the South China Sea) is improved.The situation has become more dire than it was before.Through collaborative efforts,we aim to enhance regional security and foster a seamless partnership with the United States in safeguarding our shared interests.*In February 2023,President Marcos added four new US bases to the five extant ones,bringing them into the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.*The Philippines Navy and Air Force later staged patrols with the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force from 25-27 November 2023.Said Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos,Jr.:We endeavor to have bilateral interoperability in maritime security and domain awareness;test doctrines,existing protocols;and enhance efficiency;and foster closer cooperation between our countries' armed forces.This inaugural Maritime Cooperative Activity and those that follow are a practical manifestation of the growing and deepening strategic and defense partnership between our countries.*The Phiippine Navy sent two warships on patrol.BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15) is a former US Coast Guard Hamilton-class offshore cutter,currently armed with various deck cannons,including one by BAE Systems.The Devao del Sur (LD-6) is a Dock Landing-class amphibious warfare ship for Philippine Marines based on an Indonesian model.It is currently armed with eight heavy machine guns and carries two helicopters with hangar space for a third.The Philippine Air Force sent five surveillance aircraft.*The Royal Australian Navy sent the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFH-156).Its armament features a 5" deck gun;Sea Sparrow and Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles;Harpoon anti-ship missiles;two triple torpedo tubes;and two heavy machine guns for extreme close-in defence.The Royal Australian Air Force sent a Boeing P-8A Poseidon on patrol.*For its part,China's Foreign Ministry said:Since November 21,the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command Navy Ship Yuenchung has conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea.During this period,the Philippines enlisted foreign forces to patrol the South China Sea,stir up trouble,and hype up regional peace and security,violating the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.* BAE Systems Plc (LSE:BA),Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)

Admiral Harris Likes Norway's New Missile

Admiral Harry B. Harris,Jr.,Commander,US Pacific Fleet,is so impressed by Norway's new Naval Strike Missile,or NSM,that he has arranged a September test of it aboard the Independence-class littoral combat chip USS Coronado(LCS 4).The sea-skimming NSM had struck a decommissioned Newport-class Landing Ship Tank,the USS Ogden(LPD 5),during a SINKEX live fire exercise that was part of RIMPAC 2014,the world's largest naval exercise.RIMPAC is being held off the coast of Hawaii and runs through 1 August.*
ADM Harris praised the NSM's great range,which would fill a gap in the LCS surface warfare package.Only two short range missiles are currently being considered for the LCS surface warfare package,along with two 30 mm guns and the permanently mounted Bofors 57 mm gun.The combination of those kinds of missiles,plus the gun that we have,I think,makes LCS a very interesting platform,ADM Harris told IHS Jane's Defence Weekly.*
Kongsberg manufactures the Norwegian NSM,which is being eyed for wide NATO application.

US Pacific Command:Strategy and Assets

China is trying to change the balance of power in the Pacific,Admiral Samuel Locklear agreed,appearing before the Senate Armed Serrvices Committee on Tuesday.Their maritime strategy is pretty clear.It is an incremental strategy.They look at their strategy and the current situation in the South China Sea,and I believe they think they are on their strategy,said the admiral,who is Commander,US Pacific Command.
They watch very carefully the US;our alliances,the status of those alliances;our forces,the capability of our forces.I believe there is more defence spending than they report annually.I would agree that their actions have been provocative.*
The littoral combat ship has a shallow draft,has speed,has a small crew.It only meets a portion of what my requirements are.I'm still a supporter of the LCS and what it can do.If you talk about having a 320-325 ship navy,having 50-55 littoral combat ships makes sense;if you're talking about a smaller navy with budget constraints,the LCS doesn't make a lot of sense,and I can understand why it would be reduced.*
We are seeing a Chinese navy with a more global reach;more forward-deployed,longer deployments;out of area deployments by their submarines.As their economic interests grow,they need to protect those interests.Certainly they have a credible submarine force today.In the next decade or so,they'll have a modernised force of 50-60 submarines.That's a lot of submarines for a regional power.They also have sophisticated surface ships.Their missile technology is among the best in the world.*
We have had a good return of our Marines back to the Asia-Pacific.I have five Amphibious Ready Groups:four in San Diego;one in Sasebo,Japan.I have asked that additional amphibious lift be put into the Pacific.We wouldn't be able to do an opposed amphibious assault without it.*
My assessmet across the joint force is,we are where we need to be in detecting submarines.China's advances in nuclear technology will enable their acquiring a submarine-based nuclear deterrant by 2017.We still maintain a significant advantage in undersea warfare,and we need to maintain that.Submarines figure heavily into scenarios all the way from peace into contingency.They have a wide range of missions.These have been figured into the design of the future Virginia class attack submarine.*
I believe our industrial base is under pressure.We have to continually update that workforce.It has to be figured into the calculation of our national security strategy for the long term.*
Our first priority is to support General Scaparrotti in Korea and make sure Kim Jong Un is contained,then to support our alliances,maintain our parterships,maintain peace and stability.US military pressure has maintained the stability.We have a strategic partnership with Singapore-also partnerships with Malaysia,Indonesia and Brunei.
The Asia-Pacific has 50% of the world:17% of the land;83% of the water.Six out of ten people live on that 17%.Most of the global economy is generated there.We're a Pacific nation.Our economy is Pacific-centric.It's important that a peaceful,stable Pacific be maintained,according to Admiral Samuel J Locklear III of US Pacific Command.

The DOD Budget:Hard Times,Tough Decisions

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel presented the Pentagon's 2015 budget request to the media Monday.Next week,he will go before Congress with the plan.The proposal would shrink spending by more than 75 billion dollars over the next two years,in line with the recent agreement between Congress and the President to limit defence spending to 446 billion dollars over the next two years,cutting the Army by about 80,000 troops from 520,000 today to around 440,000.The Army National Guard and Reserve would take a 5% cut.Not since before World War II has the Army been this small.*
As we end our combat mission in Afghanistan,this will be the first budget that reflects that,Mr.Hagel said,in a world that is growing more volatile,more unpredictable,and in some ways more threatening to the United States.It is guided by an updated defence strategy focused on defending the homeland against all strategic threats.The Department of Defense will continue to shift its forces and focus to the Pacific and maintain its alliances.We must now adapt,innovate and make difficult decisions.*
As a result of large budget cuts,our future force will face additional risk.We chose to terminate or delay some modernisation programs.On March 1,2013,sequestration set in,costing us 37 billion last fiscal year on top of 487 billion in cuts required by a previous act.Two months ago,Congress provided some relief through 2015,but defence spending remains below the President's requests.
While DOD welcomes the measure of relief and stability,it still forces us to cut more than 75 billion dollars,and sequestration remains the law for 2016 and beyond.The military still faces significant modernisation and readiness challenges.Continued sequestration cuts would compromise our national security both over the short and the long term.It would result in a force that is not ready.The resulting force would be too small to implement the President's defence strategy.The proposal balances our national security with the need to be realistic about the budget.
We first focused on management costs.We are paring back contract spending.We cannot achieve our goals without another round of BRAC-base realignment and closure-for 2017.If Congress continues to block this,we will continue to reduce overhead,but this will not be enough.We have to carefully examine our force structure.Our recommendations favour a smaller and more capable force.They have preserved all three legs of the nuclear triad.The forces can project power over great distances and are well-suited to the strategy of rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific region.Special Operations forces for counterterrorism will grow to 69,700 personnel from 66,000 today.*
For the Air Force,we have protected the new bomber,the Joint Strike Fighter and the new refueling tanker.We will also ensure a robust and strong industrial base.We will retire the A-10 fleet,replacing them with the F-35 in the early 2020s.The A-10 cannot survive with more advanced air defence,and its age makes it more difficult to maintain.The Air Force will also retire the 50 year-old U-2 in favour of the unmanned Global Hawk.With its greater range and endurance,it is more effective.
If sequestration is reimposed,the Air Force will have to retire 80 more aircraft and slow down the JSF purchase,as well as take deep cuts to flying hours.*
The proposal will enable the Navy to maintain 11 carrier strike groups.If sequestration remains in 2016,the George Washington will have to be retired before its nuclear refueling.Under the proposal,half of the cruiser fleet will be laid up and modernised for greater capability and lifespan.Two destroyers and one attack submarine a year will continue to be produced.
As for the littoral combat ship,it will be capped at 32 ships instead of 52.I am concerned the Navy is relying too heavily on it.We need to closely examine whether it can operate and survive on its own.It would represent one-sixth of our Navy.We must have platforms that will operate in all environments.I have directed the Navy to design a new frigate/small surface combatant.*
The Marine Corps will draw down to 182,000 from 190,000.If sequstration resumes,it will have to go down to 175,000.We will devote about 900 Marines to embassy security.
The Army will terminate the ground combat vehicle program.I have directed the Army and Marine Corps for more realistic recommendations.
This force would be decisively able to prevail in a ground combat theatre,while actively supporting the Navy and Air Force in another theatre,Secretary Hagel promised.*
In sum,the proposed force would be able to fight 1.5 wars simaltaneously.The Air Force will retire its A-10 ground attack planes and U-2,but preserve its major fighter,bomber and tanker buys,as well as the Global Hawk unmanned surveillance aircraft.The Navy will keep 11 carrier strike groups,cut the littoral combat ship from 52 to 32,modernise its cruisers,and keep building two destroyers and one attack submarine a year,while also designing a new frigate/small surface comabatant.All three legs of the nuclear deterrant will be preserved:sea,air and land.Special Ops forces will grow,but the conventional Army and Marine Corps units will shrink.
As always,Congress must approve this proposed budget,which will probably not happen in total.More likely,bits and pieces of it will be approved over time with modifications.The rest will be delayed or abandoned.One thing is sure:the military will be changed over the next few years as the Afghan War ends and budget cuts are imposed.The question is,how orderly this will be,and hence how much damage will be done to national security.

US Navy Ship Status Part 2-plus DOD news

All dates are 2012.
Littoral combat ships:
The commissioning ceremony for the USS Fort Worth(LCS 3) was held September 22,2012 in Galveston,Texas.Coronado(LCS 4) was christened January 10 at Austal USA in Mobile,Alabama.The keel-laying ceremony for Jackson(LCS 6) was held October 18 at Austal USA.The construction contract for Little Rock(LCS 9) was awarded to Lockheed Martin on March 16;the same day,the company was awarded the construction contract for Omaha(LCS 11).
Also on March 16,Austal USA was awarded construction contracts for Gabrielle Giffords(LCS 10) and Sioux City(LCS 12).
Amphibious ships:
America(LHA 6) was christened October 20 at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula,Mississippi.A construction contract for Tripoli(LHA 7) was awarded May 31 to the company.USS San Diego(LPD 22) was commissioned May 19 at her San Diego home port.
Anchorage(LPD 23) was delivered September 17 from Avondale Shipyard,New Orleans.Arlington(LPD 24) was delivered December 7 from Ingalls Shipbuilding.Somerset(LPD 25) was christened July 28 at Avondale Shipyard.
A construction contract for pre-commissioning unit LPD 27 was awarded to Ingalls Shipbuilding on July 27.
DOD News:
Chuck Hagel was sworn in as Secretary of Defense on February 23,2013 and has attended his first cabinet meeting.He is the first former enlisted man to assume the office.Hagel is a decorated Vietnam veteran of the US Army.
Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract for the next batch of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike fighters.The company was also awarded a US Navy contract for a long range anti-ship missile.
The Pentagon said all major weapons programs will proceed,regardless of the budget impasse.
Lockheed Martin(LMT),Huntington Ingalls Industries(HII)

USS Freedom Comes Home

The Navy's first littoral combat ship,the USS Freedom(LCS 1),will arrive at her homeport of San Diego on 23 April upon completion of her first deployment.A member of the U.S. Pacific Fleet,she departed from Mayport,Florida on 16 February.She conducted counter-drug trafficking operations,netting more than five tons of cocaine in four interdictions,as well as seizing two speedboats and arresting nine smuggler suspects.
The Freedom also integrated with the USS Carl Vinson(CVN70)carrier strike group for training evolutions,and made theater security cooperation visits to Columbia,Panama and Mexico.This involved community outreach events and professional exchanges with partner nation navies.She is a member of the U.S. 3rd Fleet,which has an area of responsibility(AOR)of 50 million square miles in the Eastern Pacific.
The Navy plans to build 55 littoral combat ships.The small,highly networked warships are extremely fast and especially well-suited for near-shore operations in shallow waters.The Lockheed Martin industry team built the USS Freedom.

Hardware and Operations

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget,Rear Admiral Joseph Mulloy,made a number of remarks on programs and operations at a Pentagon briefing on Monday.The Virginia class attack submarine is a hallmark program for the Pentagon,Admiral Mulloy said.Not only is it an economical program;the submarine is also in tremendous demand by all the combatant commanders.It is fully engaged,not a Cold War relic as some would have it.
Similarly,the littoral combat ship is a style of ship that will provide a lot of opportunity.It can self-deploy to shallow waters and do training.There is a steady pull to develop the planned 55 LCSs.It will be a gradual build-out,with newer ships replacing the old over a period of years.
In the area of combat operations,Admiral Mulloy noted that air operations for the Afghan War are proving more expensive than for the Iraq War.It is the cost of delivery:a seven hour flight to Afghanistan versus a three hour flight to Iraq.The flight to Afghanistan requires two mid-air refuelings.It takes a lot more planes and people to keep the same level of operations up for the Afghan War.

Lockheed Team To Build

The Lockheed Martin industry team has been awarded a contract to build the third littoral combat ship.It will be the team's second LCS.They also built the USS Freedom(LCS1),while General Dynamics and Austal USA built the Independence(LCS2).The Navy may acquire up to 55 of the ships.The LCS is designed for missions in shallower water such as anti-mine,anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare,as well as maritime interdiction,intelligence-gathering and anti-terrorism.The next contract will be for three more ships,and is to be awarded in 2010.The lowest bid will win.Both versions of the LCS can sail at speeds of more than 40 knots.They have a basic complement of 40,with berthing for 75.Other members of the Lockheed team are Marinette Marine Corporation and Bollinger Shipyard.