Alex Luck
@alxluck.bsky.social
Chinese Military. Bundeswehr/NATO. MA Pol Sci/History. Cats, dogs, motorcycles. Überbringer schlechter Nachrichten. Analysis@ NavalNews.com. Contributor@ hartpunkt.de. Previous articles at FPRI.org.
Pinned
Chinese Navy Takes Aircraft Carrier Fujian Into Active Service
The Chinese Navy has commissioned the first aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapults, Fujian, into active service in Hainan.
www.navalnews.com
The Chinese Navy (PLAN) has commissioned aircraft carrier Fujian on November 5 in Sanya. I provide an overview on the event and a preliminary assessment on how the development fits into wider Chinese carrier aviation, for @navalnews.com.
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Reposted by Alex Luck
The Alfa 4000 is by the way on of the four contenders for the Swedish frigate programme - the other three being FDI, Type 31, and Saab's homegrown Luleå-proposal.
As mentioned earlier, I have written up a comprehensive overview on two new Navantia-designs shown at Indo Pacific 2025 last week in Sydney. They are the Alfa 4000 "light frigate" and the "Smart LPD" multirole amphibious dock. Check it out at @navalnews.com:
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
Navantia Presents Alfa 4000, Smart LPD At Indo Pacific 2025
Shipbuilder Navantia has presented their new Alfa 4000 light frigate and the Smart LPD drone command ship at Indo Pacific 2025 in Sydney.
www.navalnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 AM
The Alfa 4000 is by the way on of the four contenders for the Swedish frigate programme - the other three being FDI, Type 31, and Saab's homegrown Luleå-proposal.
As mentioned earlier, I have written up a comprehensive overview on two new Navantia-designs shown at Indo Pacific 2025 last week in Sydney. They are the Alfa 4000 "light frigate" and the "Smart LPD" multirole amphibious dock. Check it out at @navalnews.com:
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
Navantia Presents Alfa 4000, Smart LPD At Indo Pacific 2025
Shipbuilder Navantia has presented their new Alfa 4000 light frigate and the Smart LPD drone command ship at Indo Pacific 2025 in Sydney.
www.navalnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:33 AM
As mentioned earlier, I have written up a comprehensive overview on two new Navantia-designs shown at Indo Pacific 2025 last week in Sydney. They are the Alfa 4000 "light frigate" and the "Smart LPD" multirole amphibious dock. Check it out at @navalnews.com:
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
When a stalker gets stalked.
November 11, 2025 at 3:58 AM
When a stalker gets stalked.
An intriguing but also extremely niche capability. IMO of no consequence for most littoral navies, but its definitely the sort of thing you can display that few others have. And for the Persian Gulf its probably pretty neat.
#SubSaturday #Submarines
M23-class midget submarine made by Italian company M23 S.R.L. for the Qatari Emiri Navy spotted recently in Italy.
Source: x.com/NichoConcu/s...
FYI @covertshores.bsky.social @alxluck.bsky.social @navalnews.com @mikeplunkett.bsky.social @salisbot.bsky.social
M23-class midget submarine made by Italian company M23 S.R.L. for the Qatari Emiri Navy spotted recently in Italy.
Source: x.com/NichoConcu/s...
FYI @covertshores.bsky.social @alxluck.bsky.social @navalnews.com @mikeplunkett.bsky.social @salisbot.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 2:41 AM
An intriguing but also extremely niche capability. IMO of no consequence for most littoral navies, but its definitely the sort of thing you can display that few others have. And for the Persian Gulf its probably pretty neat.
Reposted by Alex Luck
The gang. Thanks @xaviervav.bsky.social for having me tag along for @navalnews.com. Its always excellent fun. And kudos to Guy for making the operation look great on film.
November 6, 2025 at 10:28 AM
The gang. Thanks @xaviervav.bsky.social for having me tag along for @navalnews.com. Its always excellent fun. And kudos to Guy for making the operation look great on film.
"We talk to the Japanese, the Taiwanese, the Koreans, and the Baltic nations. In many of these conversations, we hear that the Pentagon's policy office seems to be doing what it pleases, without coordinating even inside the U.S. executive branch..."
asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
AUKUS review set to conclude next month after summer of confusion
Pentagon policy chief Colby comes under fire from Congress for agitating allies
asia.nikkei.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:25 AM
"We talk to the Japanese, the Taiwanese, the Koreans, and the Baltic nations. In many of these conversations, we hear that the Pentagon's policy office seems to be doing what it pleases, without coordinating even inside the U.S. executive branch..."
asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
"Project Lotus appears to represent Northrop’s candidate for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Increment 2 program..." aviationweek.com/defense/airc...
Project Lotus, Northrop Grumman’s Secret Autonomous Aircraft Revealed | Aviation Week Network
Northrop Grumman has secretly built a large new uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), dubbed Project Lotus.
aviationweek.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM
"Project Lotus appears to represent Northrop’s candidate for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Increment 2 program..." aviationweek.com/defense/airc...
Last shots from Sydney, before heading home to Brisbane. Civilian and naval imagery, something for the whole family.
November 7, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Last shots from Sydney, before heading home to Brisbane. Civilian and naval imagery, something for the whole family.
Reposted by Alex Luck
The Chinese Navy (PLAN) on November 5 officially commissioned the third aircraft carrier, Fujian (18) into active service 🇨🇳
By @alxluck.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
By @alxluck.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Chinese Navy Takes Aircraft Carrier Fujian Into Active Service
The Chinese Navy has commissioned the first aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapults, Fujian, into active service in Hainan.
www.navalnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:22 AM
The Chinese Navy (PLAN) on November 5 officially commissioned the third aircraft carrier, Fujian (18) into active service 🇨🇳
By @alxluck.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
By @alxluck.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
The Chinese Navy (PLAN) has commissioned aircraft carrier Fujian on November 5 in Sanya. I provide an overview on the event and a preliminary assessment on how the development fits into wider Chinese carrier aviation, for @navalnews.com.
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Chinese Navy Takes Aircraft Carrier Fujian Into Active Service
The Chinese Navy has commissioned the first aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapults, Fujian, into active service in Hainan.
www.navalnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:22 AM
The Chinese Navy (PLAN) has commissioned aircraft carrier Fujian on November 5 in Sanya. I provide an overview on the event and a preliminary assessment on how the development fits into wider Chinese carrier aviation, for @navalnews.com.
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Reposted by Alex Luck
Australian Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has presented the Vantage-family of large optionally crewed surface vessels (LOSV) at Indopacific 2025 in Sydney this week 🇦🇺
By @alxluck.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
By @alxluck.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
Austal Shows Vantage Drones, AROS Controller At INDOPAC 2025
Austal Australia revealed the Vantage-range of surface drones and the AROS command and control suite at Indopacific 2025 in Sydney this week.
www.navalnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Australian Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has presented the Vantage-family of large optionally crewed surface vessels (LOSV) at Indopacific 2025 in Sydney this week 🇦🇺
By @alxluck.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
By @alxluck.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
The gang. Thanks @xaviervav.bsky.social for having me tag along for @navalnews.com. Its always excellent fun. And kudos to Guy for making the operation look great on film.
November 6, 2025 at 10:28 AM
The gang. Thanks @xaviervav.bsky.social for having me tag along for @navalnews.com. Its always excellent fun. And kudos to Guy for making the operation look great on film.
We looked at an Arafura today (well, technically, THE HMAS Arafura). Sorry for the overexposure. I dont know what the hell I am doing with this camera.
November 6, 2025 at 9:30 AM
We looked at an Arafura today (well, technically, THE HMAS Arafura). Sorry for the overexposure. I dont know what the hell I am doing with this camera.
Bluebottle in Sydney harbour. I remain somewhat sceptical on the capability, but they are pretty cute.
November 6, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Bluebottle in Sydney harbour. I remain somewhat sceptical on the capability, but they are pretty cute.
Austal Australia has displayed a new concept for optionally crewed surface drones at Indo Pacific 2025. Perhaps more importantly, the company also demonstrates the AROS command and control solution. Give it a read, at @navalnews.com.
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
Austal Shows Vantage Drones, AROS Controller At INDOPAC 2025
Austal Australia revealed the Vantage-range of surface drones and the AROS command and control suite at Indopacific 2025 in Sydney this week.
www.navalnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Austal Australia has displayed a new concept for optionally crewed surface drones at Indo Pacific 2025. Perhaps more importantly, the company also demonstrates the AROS command and control solution. Give it a read, at @navalnews.com.
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
Germany spends €490 million on developing and fielding the DefendAir (formerly SADM) "anti drone" missile. Serial production for the 5 km range class missile envisioned for 2029. Will very likely be integrated on Skyranger.
www.hartpunkt.de/rund-500-mil...
www.hartpunkt.de/rund-500-mil...
Rund 500 Millionen Euro für Entwicklung und Beschaffung von Drohnenabwehrflugkörpern freigegeben
Der Haushaltsausschuss des Bundestages hat in seiner heutigen Sitzung rund 490 Millionen Euro für die Entwicklung und Beschaffung von Drohnenabwehrflugkörpern des Typs DefendAir von MBDA Deutschland f...
www.hartpunkt.de
November 5, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Germany spends €490 million on developing and fielding the DefendAir (formerly SADM) "anti drone" missile. Serial production for the 5 km range class missile envisioned for 2029. Will very likely be integrated on Skyranger.
www.hartpunkt.de/rund-500-mil...
www.hartpunkt.de/rund-500-mil...
"The push isn’t for peace or stability in the Taiwan Strait, but for US acceptance of PRC occupation of Taiwan."
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Notes from Central Taiwan:The emerging argument to sell out Taiwan - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:20 PM
"The push isn’t for peace or stability in the Taiwan Strait, but for US acceptance of PRC occupation of Taiwan."
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
BREAKING: Indo Pacific 2025 proves the sceptics wrong. Not only is a fleet of Aussie submarines, including nuclear powered ones, possible. It is already in the water. Or...on the table.
November 5, 2025 at 11:37 AM
BREAKING: Indo Pacific 2025 proves the sceptics wrong. Not only is a fleet of Aussie submarines, including nuclear powered ones, possible. It is already in the water. Or...on the table.
German Luftwaffe A400M with a stopover in Fiji on their way to New Zealand. The service has dispatched three A400M, one A330 MRTT and one A321 to RNZAF Base Woodbourne for training, including parachute drops at RNZAF Base Auckland.
November 5, 2025 at 10:28 AM
German Luftwaffe A400M with a stopover in Fiji on their way to New Zealand. The service has dispatched three A400M, one A330 MRTT and one A321 to RNZAF Base Woodbourne for training, including parachute drops at RNZAF Base Auckland.
My first contribution for @navalnews.com
from the Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition 2025 in Sydney this week. The article suitably covers a somewhat troubled child of Australian naval procurement, which starts to join the fleet in numbers going into 2026.
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
from the Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition 2025 in Sydney this week. The article suitably covers a somewhat troubled child of Australian naval procurement, which starts to join the fleet in numbers going into 2026.
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
Civmec Presents Arafura Capability Enhancement At Indopac 2025
Australian shipbuilder Civmec has presented a weapons capability enhancement for the Arafura-class OPV at Indo Pacific 2025 in Sydney.
www.navalnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:20 AM
My first contribution for @navalnews.com
from the Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition 2025 in Sydney this week. The article suitably covers a somewhat troubled child of Australian naval procurement, which starts to join the fleet in numbers going into 2026.
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
from the Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition 2025 in Sydney this week. The article suitably covers a somewhat troubled child of Australian naval procurement, which starts to join the fleet in numbers going into 2026.
www.navalnews.com/event-news/i...
Kudos to Janes getting someone at the Japanese booth to state how RAN Mogami will carry NSM. The writing had been on the wall since July last year, but in conversations the "no change/minimum change"-mantra still carries an annoying momentum.
www.janes.com/osint-insigh...
www.janes.com/osint-insigh...
Indo Pacific 2025: Japan builds Australia's Mogami frigates for Naval Strike Missile
Australia's fleet of Improved Mogami-class frigates are being built to accommodate the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), a representative from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries...
www.janes.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Kudos to Janes getting someone at the Japanese booth to state how RAN Mogami will carry NSM. The writing had been on the wall since July last year, but in conversations the "no change/minimum change"-mantra still carries an annoying momentum.
www.janes.com/osint-insigh...
www.janes.com/osint-insigh...
I often note its not all about counting cells. But the extent to which in the recent past even service members in the German Navy tied themselves into knots claiming eg F126 are adequately armed because they're not AAW units looks great in retrospect. 🙃
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
France to Double ASTER Missile Capacity on FDI Frigates - Naval News
The French National Assembly's Defense Commission has confirmed that the final two Defence and Intervention Frigates (FDI) will be equipped with significantly enhanced air defense capabilities, featur...
www.navalnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM
I often note its not all about counting cells. But the extent to which in the recent past even service members in the German Navy tied themselves into knots claiming eg F126 are adequately armed because they're not AAW units looks great in retrospect. 🙃
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Mein aktueller Brennpunkt Indopazifik fuer @hartpunkt.bsky.social. Mit China, wie so oft, als treibende Kraft lokaler Entwicklungen.
www.hartpunkt.de/brennpunkt-i...
www.hartpunkt.de/brennpunkt-i...
Brennpunkt Indopazifik – China droht, Trump überrascht und Japan übt
Die dynamische Entwicklung im Indo-Pazifik hat auch für Deutschland und Europa große Auswirkungen in der globalisierten Welt. In der hartpunkt-Kolumne „Brennpunkt Indopazifik“ werden regelmäßig die wi...
www.hartpunkt.de
November 4, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Mein aktueller Brennpunkt Indopazifik fuer @hartpunkt.bsky.social. Mit China, wie so oft, als treibende Kraft lokaler Entwicklungen.
www.hartpunkt.de/brennpunkt-i...
www.hartpunkt.de/brennpunkt-i...
As part of the settlement Airbus ends up paying only around 15% of the compensation claimed by Norway, but drops their own claims in return and takes back the helicopters.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
Norway and Airbus-led NHIndustries settle NH90 helicopter dispute, avoiding rare trial
Norway and a trio of European aerospace manufacturers agreed on Monday to settle mutual claims for damages after the NATO nation axed an order for delayed NH90 submarine-hunting helicopters, heading off a potentially awkward defence industry trial.
www.reuters.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:55 PM
As part of the settlement Airbus ends up paying only around 15% of the compensation claimed by Norway, but drops their own claims in return and takes back the helicopters.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
Unsurprisingly, Hanwha effectively abandons its pitch to the Philippines of the Type 209 (Nagapasa)-derived Ocean 1400 PN concept, instead focusing on promotion of the KSS-III PN.
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Hanwha Ocean presents KSS-III PN submarine offer to Philippines' President Marcos - Naval News
South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean formally pitched to Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. its bid to build KSS-III PN submarines for the Philippine Navy.
www.navalnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Unsurprisingly, Hanwha effectively abandons its pitch to the Philippines of the Type 209 (Nagapasa)-derived Ocean 1400 PN concept, instead focusing on promotion of the KSS-III PN.
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...