Marcus Faulkner
@marcusfaulkner.bsky.social
Naval and intelligence historian. Familiar with the Second World War, knows about War Studies and has an amateur understanding of Space. PhD, MA etc. Senior Lecturer, Department of War Studies @ King's College London
PANG will be expensive, eye-wateringly so, and might well require some give elsewhere. Larger displacement for same nominal AG understandable given that CdG is a bit cramped and in any case 🇫🇷 can't afford a larger crewed naval air wing. Plenty of space for UAV complements though.
French President Macron today announced that Fance’s PA-Ng next generation aircraft carrier programme will proceed to the realization phase. This major milestone confirms that the French Navy’s current CVN Charles de Gaulle will be replaced from 2038 🇫🇷
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
France formally green lights PA-Ng aircraft carrier production - Naval News
French President Emmanuel Macron today announced that Fance's PA-Ng next generation aircraft carrier programme will proceed to the realization phase. This major milestone confirms that the French Navy...
www.navalnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:16 AM
PANG will be expensive, eye-wateringly so, and might well require some give elsewhere. Larger displacement for same nominal AG understandable given that CdG is a bit cramped and in any case 🇫🇷 can't afford a larger crewed naval air wing. Plenty of space for UAV complements though.
The warship outlined is never going to be built incorporating all those systems and capabilities proposed. The side on view is nice, though that landing deck is low in the water. That the USN needs a new larger hull design is unquestionable, that might be the output here
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Donald Trump unveils new class of battleships named after himself
The US president has vowed to revive American shipbuilding after lagging behind China in naval capacity.
www.bbc.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:58 AM
The warship outlined is never going to be built incorporating all those systems and capabilities proposed. The side on view is nice, though that landing deck is low in the water. That the USN needs a new larger hull design is unquestionable, that might be the output here
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
This would be a significant development of 🇺🇦 maritime strike. Early days on this though, it could be a one-off special circumstance. The ability of a littoral power to strike well beyond its sea space has consequences for the future flow of global trade.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Ukraine attacks Russian ‘shadow’ tanker off Libyan coast
Reportedly critical drone strike is first in Mediterranean since full-scale invasion began as maritime conflict grows
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:44 PM
This would be a significant development of 🇺🇦 maritime strike. Early days on this though, it could be a one-off special circumstance. The ability of a littoral power to strike well beyond its sea space has consequences for the future flow of global trade.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Marcus Faulkner
„Speaking to multiple intelligence sources, CNN has established that several of these men are employed by a secretive 🇷🇺 company called Moran Security. Some of them are mercenaries, they said, who have previously worked for Russia’s private military contractors, such as the notorious Wagner group.“
The Kremlin’s brazen tactics: Russia’s shadow fleet is doubling as a spy asset, intelligence sources say
CNN
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/e...
@cnn.com
CNN
www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/e...
@cnn.com
The Kremlin’s brazen tactics: Russia’s shadow fleet is doubling as a spy asset, intelligence sources say | CNN
Russian personnel with links to the country’s military and security services have engaged in spying in European waters while working covertly on ships carrying Russian oil, Western and Ukrainian intel...
www.cnn.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
„Speaking to multiple intelligence sources, CNN has established that several of these men are employed by a secretive 🇷🇺 company called Moran Security. Some of them are mercenaries, they said, who have previously worked for Russia’s private military contractors, such as the notorious Wagner group.“
Reposted by Marcus Faulkner
i can't believe we are selling technological regression as progress. We truly live in the Warhammer 40k timeline
www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
Launch of LUCAS one-way attack drone from Navy ship at sea called ‘significant milestone’
U.S. Central Command assigned the LUCAS drone to Task Force Scorpion Strike, a unit created to develop and deploy one-way attack drones at scale.
www.stripes.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:50 PM
i can't believe we are selling technological regression as progress. We truly live in the Warhammer 40k timeline
www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
Reposted by Marcus Faulkner
F127 future German AAW-frigates are now intended to receive total missile capacity of 96 VLS cells. MEKO A400 AMD design filling requirement previously featured 64 Mk 41 cells in two banks of 32.
www.hartpunkt.de/mehr-feuerkr...
www.hartpunkt.de/mehr-feuerkr...
Mehr Feuerkraft – F127 soll 96 Vertical-Launch-Zellen erhalten
Die zukünftigen Luftverteidigungsfregatten der Klasse 127 werden noch deutlich kampfkräftiger als bislang geplant. Wie hartpunkt aus Industriekreisen erfahren hat, sollen die Schiffe mit insgesamt 96 ...
www.hartpunkt.de
December 19, 2025 at 5:51 AM
F127 future German AAW-frigates are now intended to receive total missile capacity of 96 VLS cells. MEKO A400 AMD design filling requirement previously featured 64 Mk 41 cells in two banks of 32.
www.hartpunkt.de/mehr-feuerkr...
www.hartpunkt.de/mehr-feuerkr...
The adoption of 'Battle of the Atlantic' (it was a campaign) and 'Bastion' (something applied to a different type of maritime context/power) as framing tools, while striking, are not overly useful to the point of mischaracterising the situation or creating misleading expectations. Just a thought.
⚓ ‘Although some European countries are rebuilding their naval forces, this is not going far enough or fast enough,’ writes William Freer, our Research Fellow, in part 1 of a 2-part analysis of ‘Atlantic Bastion’
#Memorandum #BritainsWorld
www.britainsworld.or...
#Memorandum #BritainsWorld
www.britainsworld.or...
Exit ‘fourth battle of the Atlantic’, enter ‘Battle of the Bastions’: Part 1
The Memorandum | No. 47.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 9:39 AM
The adoption of 'Battle of the Atlantic' (it was a campaign) and 'Bastion' (something applied to a different type of maritime context/power) as framing tools, while striking, are not overly useful to the point of mischaracterising the situation or creating misleading expectations. Just a thought.
🇬🇧🇳🇴Lunna House Agreement on improving maritime domain awareness and dealing with subsurface threats. Also a P8 and Type 26 owners club. Plug in 🇩🇪 in due course and maybe 🇨🇦 as 212 operators and get some communality in uncrewed systems and this becomes a good foundation.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
UK and Norway to operate together to counter Russian undersea threat through major new defence agreement
Combined fleet of at least 13 warships, bolstered by autonomous systems, will hunt Russian submarines and protect critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic as part of new agreement.
www.gov.uk
December 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
🇬🇧🇳🇴Lunna House Agreement on improving maritime domain awareness and dealing with subsurface threats. Also a P8 and Type 26 owners club. Plug in 🇩🇪 in due course and maybe 🇨🇦 as 212 operators and get some communality in uncrewed systems and this becomes a good foundation.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Marcus Faulkner
Interesting on growing use of submarines by drug traffickers. 'semi-submersibles have significantly reduced their physical, thermal and acoustic signature' www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/uncrewed-and-under-radar-how-auvs-transform-drug-smuggling
Uncrewed and Under the Radar: How AUVs Transform Drug Smuggling
Drug traffickers are constantly innovating to increase profitability and lower operational risk. Their experimentation with uncrewed semi-submersible technology presents a predicament for counternarco...
www.rusi.org
December 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Interesting on growing use of submarines by drug traffickers. 'semi-submersibles have significantly reduced their physical, thermal and acoustic signature' www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/uncrewed-and-under-radar-how-auvs-transform-drug-smuggling
Subsurface and seabed warfare is en vogue these days. Uncrewed, autonomy and services are going to be more centre stage going forward too.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘A step-change’: tech firms battle for undersea dominance with submarine drones
As navies seek to counter submarines and protect cables, startups and big defence companies fight to lead market
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Subsurface and seabed warfare is en vogue these days. Uncrewed, autonomy and services are going to be more centre stage going forward too.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Marcus Faulkner
Wow. The things you stumble upon when looking for something completely different. This picture, taken during Operation Pedestal, shows HMS Nelson or Rodney using 16in guns with HE shells timed to explode in front of approaching torpedo bombers! IWM A11205 #RoyalNavy #WW2 #NavalHistory
November 26, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Wow. The things you stumble upon when looking for something completely different. This picture, taken during Operation Pedestal, shows HMS Nelson or Rodney using 16in guns with HE shells timed to explode in front of approaching torpedo bombers! IWM A11205 #RoyalNavy #WW2 #NavalHistory
More frigates for the Baltic, and the largest ones 🇸🇪 has operated to date might not quite be the top priority for the theatre.
“We re looking what frigates there are that are available, that would also suit our quite ambitious timeline,” Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said.
Sweden sees frigate decision early next year as France touts 2030 date
“We re looking what frigates there are that are available, that would also suit our quite ambitious timeline,” Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said.
www.defensenews.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
More frigates for the Baltic, and the largest ones 🇸🇪 has operated to date might not quite be the top priority for the theatre.
This end to the Constellation-class underlines the real problem the USN has in being able to conceive, design and build smaller, more limited role warships. A proven design was chosen to over come one set of issues only to require a redesign creating others.
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program - USNI News
This post has been updated with a statement from Fincantieri The Navy is walking away from the Constellation-class frigate program to focus on new classes of warships the service can build faster, Sec...
news.usni.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:28 AM
This end to the Constellation-class underlines the real problem the USN has in being able to conceive, design and build smaller, more limited role warships. A proven design was chosen to over come one set of issues only to require a redesign creating others.
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
Reposted by Marcus Faulkner
Latest news commentary:
Carrier Strike – just how full is Full Operating Capability?
www.navylookout.com/carrier-stri...
Carrier Strike – just how full is Full Operating Capability?
www.navylookout.com/carrier-stri...
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Latest news commentary:
Carrier Strike – just how full is Full Operating Capability?
www.navylookout.com/carrier-stri...
Carrier Strike – just how full is Full Operating Capability?
www.navylookout.com/carrier-stri...
Reposted by Marcus Faulkner
🔱 Catch of the Day:
„A team of 🇬🇧litter-picking scuba divers have recovered what is believed to be a 🇷🇺Russian tracking device off the Welsh coast.
An independent defence analyst said he was "confident" the recovered object was an imploded Russian RGB-1A sonobuoy.”
„A team of 🇬🇧litter-picking scuba divers have recovered what is believed to be a 🇷🇺Russian tracking device off the Welsh coast.
An independent defence analyst said he was "confident" the recovered object was an imploded Russian RGB-1A sonobuoy.”
Suspected Russian sonobuoy discovered off Pembrokeshire coast
A submarine expert says he is "confident" the recovered object is an imploded Russian sonobuoy.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:20 AM
🔱 Catch of the Day:
„A team of 🇬🇧litter-picking scuba divers have recovered what is believed to be a 🇷🇺Russian tracking device off the Welsh coast.
An independent defence analyst said he was "confident" the recovered object was an imploded Russian RGB-1A sonobuoy.”
„A team of 🇬🇧litter-picking scuba divers have recovered what is believed to be a 🇷🇺Russian tracking device off the Welsh coast.
An independent defence analyst said he was "confident" the recovered object was an imploded Russian RGB-1A sonobuoy.”
Reposted by Marcus Faulkner
#OTD in 1969: HS-4 from the USS Hornet (CV-12) recovered Apollo 12’s all-Navy crew after their Moon mission—Gordon, Conrad, and Bean. More on the Navy’s Apollo role:
usni.org/magazines/n...
usni.org/magazines/n...
When the Navy Flew to the Moon | Naval History Magazine - December 2023, Volume 37, Number 6
Apollo 12 featured the only all Navy crew of the Apollo program.
www.usni.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
#OTD in 1969: HS-4 from the USS Hornet (CV-12) recovered Apollo 12’s all-Navy crew after their Moon mission—Gordon, Conrad, and Bean. More on the Navy’s Apollo role:
usni.org/magazines/n...
usni.org/magazines/n...
Now available in Japanese. 13 years after it was first published the Second World War naval atlas now has another language edition - very telling also of how maritime affairs have come to the forefront in parts of the world today. This version is also ever so slightly updated.
November 25, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Now available in Japanese. 13 years after it was first published the Second World War naval atlas now has another language edition - very telling also of how maritime affairs have come to the forefront in parts of the world today. This version is also ever so slightly updated.
Quite a substantive interview on the introduction of the P-8 into the German navy:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K7N...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K7N...
Nachgefragt: Kapitän Ottmüller über das neue Flugzeug der Deutschen Marine | Bundeswehr
YouTube video by Bundeswehr
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Quite a substantive interview on the introduction of the P-8 into the German navy:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K7N...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K7N...
A short, though important piece because the dynamics of naval losses aren't examined or discussed much.
"information today is instantly disseminated; the loss of a ship could quickly sway international and domestic opinion."
www.usni.org/magazines/pr...
"information today is instantly disseminated; the loss of a ship could quickly sway international and domestic opinion."
www.usni.org/magazines/pr...
Preparing for Mass Casualties at Sea
For the first time in more than 80 years, the U.S. Navy could face one or more peer competitors who seek the destruction of U.S. maritime forces.
www.usni.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:19 AM
A short, though important piece because the dynamics of naval losses aren't examined or discussed much.
"information today is instantly disseminated; the loss of a ship could quickly sway international and domestic opinion."
www.usni.org/magazines/pr...
"information today is instantly disseminated; the loss of a ship could quickly sway international and domestic opinion."
www.usni.org/magazines/pr...
"30% rise in Russian vessels threatening UK waters"
The what, how and timeframes are vague, but its clear incursions are up. The 🇬🇧🇳🇴🇩🇪 P8 cooperation, well its shaping up to be more than that and there is a direction of travel towards close integration, is good.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The what, how and timeframes are vague, but its clear incursions are up. The 🇬🇧🇳🇴🇩🇪 P8 cooperation, well its shaping up to be more than that and there is a direction of travel towards close integration, is good.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK defence secretary sends warning to Putin over submarines
John Healey says the UK is hunting Russian submarines as BBC News joins him on board a new RAF aircraft.
www.bbc.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
"30% rise in Russian vessels threatening UK waters"
The what, how and timeframes are vague, but its clear incursions are up. The 🇬🇧🇳🇴🇩🇪 P8 cooperation, well its shaping up to be more than that and there is a direction of travel towards close integration, is good.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The what, how and timeframes are vague, but its clear incursions are up. The 🇬🇧🇳🇴🇩🇪 P8 cooperation, well its shaping up to be more than that and there is a direction of travel towards close integration, is good.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A good read on 212CDs for Canada, 🇩🇪🇳🇴 offering up a lot here and it would make sense on many levels.
This small detail does stand out a bit 'TKMS, says it will be able to build around three to four boats per year from 2027.'
That would be quite a pipeline.
www.twz.com/sea/submarin...
This small detail does stand out a bit 'TKMS, says it will be able to build around three to four boats per year from 2027.'
That would be quite a pipeline.
www.twz.com/sea/submarin...
Submarine Partnership Pitched By Germany And Norway To Canada
The offer for Canada to join the Type 212CD program comes as NATO looks to expand its underwater activities in the Atlantic and the High North. The offer for Canada to join the Type 212CD program come...
www.twz.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:49 AM
A good read on 212CDs for Canada, 🇩🇪🇳🇴 offering up a lot here and it would make sense on many levels.
This small detail does stand out a bit 'TKMS, says it will be able to build around three to four boats per year from 2027.'
That would be quite a pipeline.
www.twz.com/sea/submarin...
This small detail does stand out a bit 'TKMS, says it will be able to build around three to four boats per year from 2027.'
That would be quite a pipeline.
www.twz.com/sea/submarin...
Reposted by Marcus Faulkner
In joint anti-submarine warfare drills during the Joint Sea-2025 exercises near Vladivostok, 🇨🇳CHN and 🇷🇺 RUS forces “linked their communications & shared hydro-meteorological and air-sea tracks in real time. The goal, according to 🇨🇳 state media, was to leave deep-diving subs with nowhere to hide.”
China’s burgeoning undersea sensor net aims to turn the ocean transparent
The PLA is building a self-healing “kill web” to surpass today’s brittle kill chains.
www.defenseone.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:59 PM
In joint anti-submarine warfare drills during the Joint Sea-2025 exercises near Vladivostok, 🇨🇳CHN and 🇷🇺 RUS forces “linked their communications & shared hydro-meteorological and air-sea tracks in real time. The goal, according to 🇨🇳 state media, was to leave deep-diving subs with nowhere to hide.”