Russian Navy Spy Submarine Belgorod: evolution of OSINT
Information is very limited about the Russian Navy's largest new submarine, the Project 09852 K-329 Belgorod ("Белгород"). Although analysts had been following her conversion to a special mission host submarine for GUGI (Russia's ambiguously named main directorate of undersea research) since around 2010, it only came to the fore in November 2019.
Here is how the picture evolved...
Read More >....
All articles
Russian-Navy-Submarines-Surface-In-Artic
updated with fresh intelligence
Spy Sub Among Russian Navy Submarines Which Surfaced In Artic
The Russian Navy's ICEEX, ' Umka-21 ', is taking place in the Arctic. As part of the exercises, three nuclear submarines surfaced within 300m of each other. They surfaced in pre-marked locations. They were widely reported (including here!) as ballistic missile subs (SSBNs); the two DELTA-IVs and a single Borei-II (K-549 Knyaz Vladimir) were within 300m.
Actually one of the DELTAs was BS-64 Podmoskovye, a "special mission" submarine (read: spy sub).
Read More >....
World-Submarines-Family-Tree-Poster
World submarines Family Tree Now Available As Wall Poster
The World Submarine Family Tree is now available as a poster on the Covert Shores store. This project is an attempt to map out which designs influenced which others. And from there which designs can be said to be the most influential submarines. This is a nuanced topic and the map is only intended as a starting point.
Why-European-Narco-Submarines-Are-Different
Why the Narco Submarine Found In Europe Is Not Like Those In Latin America
On March 21 2021 the Colombian Navy captured a narco submarine before it could sail with its illicit cargo of cocaine. The vessel was typical of this found in recent years, being characterized by its Very Slender Vessel (VSV) form.
This contrasts with one recently discovered in Southern Spain.
Read More >....
New-Satellite-Image-Shows-Suez-Canal-Blocked
Seen From Space: Suez Canal Blocked
All eyes are on the container ship which blocked the Suez Canal. This includes the eyes in space. Sentinel 2 satellite imagery, taken today, gives a new perspective on the problem.
Read More >....
10-Times-Navies-Have-Deliberately-Misdescribed-Warships
10 Times Navies Have Deliberately Misdescribed A Warship
Three Chinese warships recently passed northward through the Tsushima Strait toward the Sea of Japan. They are described as two destroyers and a frigate.
Except one of them, the Type-055 Renhai Class ship Nanchang, is better described as a cruiser. This type of misdescription is more common than you might realize.
Read More >....
Russian-Navy-Base-In-Sudan
Russia’s Increasing Global Reach: 2nd Navy Ship Calls At Port Sudan in Red Sea
The strategic impact of Russia’s new base in Port Sudan, Sudan, may take years to fully appreciate. And the overseas base has yet to be built. But in the meantime Russian warships are already increasingly using the port. Recently the RFS Stoikiy (545), an Pr.20380 Steregushchiy class corvette, called at the port.
Read More >....
British-SSN20-W-Class-And-B2-TC-Submarines
The Astute Journey: Unbuilt British Submarine Designs After The Trafalgar Class
Today the Astute is one of the most impressive, and recognizable, attack submarines afloat.
This article will lay out the unbuilt submarine designs which plot the story from the Trafalgar Class to the Astute class..
Read More >....
Irans-Fake-Carrier-Sinks-Properly
Goodbye My Old Friend: Iran's Fake Aircraft Carrier Sinks, Properly, At Last
There is something tragic about watching an over-enthusiastic actor wallow in their stage death. Running it out for longer than the audience can bear to watch.
It's all over. Finally(?).
Read More >....
Chinese-Submarines-Seen-At-Wuchang
China's Submarine Modernization Continues: 2 Submarines Seen Outside New Shipyard
Following on from my previous analysis for Naval News, multiple Type-039A/B Yuan Class submarines are being built at the Wuchang shipyard outside Wuhan. This can now be clearly evidenced using commercial satellite imagery.
Read More >....