Welcome to Maritime Security Week!

It is, perhaps, difficult to believe that the world needs quite so many maritime security vessels as we continually present here on Baird Maritime. They keep coming and, increasingly, they are innovative, interesting and ever more versatile.

Almost all are fast, or at least relatively so. And, while it is not happening as quickly as in the ferry sector, they are gradually becoming more environmentally sustainable. Indeed, last week we featured a One2Three Naval Architects-designed, PFG-built fast patrol boat being constructed in Australia for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Its complete hull and fendering are being fabricated from completely recyclable high density polyethylene plastic. Its engines are Japanese Yanmars and its waterjets, naturally, will be New Zealand-manufactured Hamiltons.

Assault Craft • Interceptors • Patrol • Police • Coast Guard • Naval

Of course, as with most of the maritime industry, maritime security vessels represent a truly global sector. Designers, builders, engine and propulsion system and electronics and weapons manufacturers are all exporting like crazy. That makes the sector incredibly interesting and inspiring for the other vessel building sectors.

This week, for example, we have vessels built in Ireland, Spain, and the USA for both domestic and foreign governments. One is revolutionary and the others are refinements. All are very versatile and adaptable. None are mono-role.

It seems that, increasingly, this will be what the maritime security sector will be all about. That will make it ever more interesting to our readers.

Vessel Reviews:

• Condor – New offshore patrol vessel enters service with Spanish Tax Agency
• Self-righting patrol and SAR craft for Future Defense USA
• LCAC 102 – Improved capacity air-cushion landing craft trio delivered to US Navy

Features and Opinion:

OPINION | AUKUS nuclear submarine deal shows the world has changed

– “Now more than ever we need to treat the national shipbuilding enterprise as a true national endeavour with leadership and organisation to match, rather than as a loosely confederated group of Defence projects managed from within the department.”

– by Michael Shoebridge, director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s defence, strategy and national security program

OPINION | Limiting the nuclear-proliferation blowback from the AUKUS submarine deal

– “A deal that was meant to demonstrate unified resolve to China has generated considerable blowback, opening up divisions in NATO and the Five Eyes and generating distrust of Australia’s motives.”

– by Anastasia Kapetas, national security editor at The Strategist, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s analysis and commentary site

News, Gear and Book Reviews:

• Construction starts on Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates
• GEAR | Curtiss-Wright to provide pumps for US Navy carriers, submarines
• Sea trials begin for future Italian Navy patrol ship
• Special warfare training RIB delivered to US Navy
• Argentine Navy’s final Kership-class patrol vessel hits the water
• GEAR | UK firm to upgrade communications systems of NZ’s Anzac-class frigates
• New interceptor RIB delivered to Italian financial police
• Royal Australian Navy’s oldest active ships retired from service
• BOOK REVIEW | Abandon Ship: The Real Story of the Sinkings in the Falklands War
• Indonesia to build UK-designed frigates under licence
• US Navy destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. completes acceptance trials
• UK MOD awards £85 million contract for future Royal Navy submarines
• US Navy awards US$500 million design contract for modernisation of shipyards in Hawaii, Washington
• South Korean government approves construction of additional KSS-3 submarine
• New patrol boat delivered to Mississippi wildlife and fisheries agency
• Australian partnership to supply three high-speed boats to NZ Defence Force
• Funding approved for new high-speed response boat for Lake County, Indiana

Recent Important Features:

OPINION | US, UK assisting Australia’s nuclear submarine procurement

– “Given that Australia’s present fleet of Collins-class submarines will need replacing circa 2030, it is unlikely that a new design will be suitable considering that it will be early 2023 before the study period is completed.”

– by Andrew Baird, geologist, seabed mining entrepreneur, and Baird Maritime columnist

OPINION | Europe and the South China Sea

– “The biggest ally Washington has in any strategy of containment is China itself.”

– by Loro Horta, former Timor Leste Ambassador to Cuba and deputy head of mission at the Timor Leste Embassy in Beijing

Remember to come back every day to see the latest news, opinion and vessel reviews!

Call for content!

Any news or views about the global maritime security sectors? Send it through to [email protected] ASAP (between now and September 24), so we can add it to this current edition of Maritime Security Week!

We are after:

• Vessels – Orders, new deliveries, under construction
• Gear – Latest innovations and technology in the maritime security vessel sector
• Interviews – Owners, operators, water police, navies, coast guards etc.
• Reminiscences – Do you have any exciting, amusing or downright dangerous anecdotes from your time in the maritime security world? (example here)
• Other – Any other relevant news

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