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.
Der Witz ist ja, dass das immer noch total illusorisch ist angesichts der tatsaechlichen Verhaeltnisse bei der Bundeswehr, die wir nun so bereits seit zehn Jahren haben.
November 18, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Der Witz ist ja, dass das immer noch total illusorisch ist angesichts der tatsaechlichen Verhaeltnisse bei der Bundeswehr, die wir nun so bereits seit zehn Jahren haben.
"I don't always annoy the cat. But when I do, I make sure he throws up on the new office chair."
November 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
"I don't always annoy the cat. But when I do, I make sure he throws up on the new office chair."
Herzlichen Glueckwunsch zum Zehnjaehrigen bzgl der Personal-Luftschloesser uebrigens.
November 18, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Herzlichen Glueckwunsch zum Zehnjaehrigen bzgl der Personal-Luftschloesser uebrigens.
Malabar 2025. RAN contributes HMAS Ballarat, RAAF present with a P-8A, USN sends USS Fitzgerald (note NSM mounted aft), JMSDF with JS Hyuga and a P-1, Indian Navy with INS Sahyadri. All images ADF.
November 17, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Malabar 2025. RAN contributes HMAS Ballarat, RAAF present with a P-8A, USN sends USS Fitzgerald (note NSM mounted aft), JMSDF with JS Hyuga and a P-1, Indian Navy with INS Sahyadri. All images ADF.
Re-homed the tarantula today. Suffice to say she was not amused, but took it in good grace.
November 17, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Re-homed the tarantula today. Suffice to say she was not amused, but took it in good grace.
Type 076 amphibious assault carrier Sichuan has returned to builder Hudong in Shanghai today at 5 pm local time. The ship spent three days at sea on her first trial.
All images via Chinese Navy media account/X.
All images via Chinese Navy media account/X.
November 16, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Type 076 amphibious assault carrier Sichuan has returned to builder Hudong in Shanghai today at 5 pm local time. The ship spent three days at sea on her first trial.
All images via Chinese Navy media account/X.
All images via Chinese Navy media account/X.
CV-18 Fujian, assorted images. The ones showing her underway without hull number should be from her short excursions in the SCS before the commissioning event. Via 未来军事画匠 & 楠宫卸甲/Wb.
November 16, 2025 at 12:44 AM
CV-18 Fujian, assorted images. The ones showing her underway without hull number should be from her short excursions in the SCS before the commissioning event. Via 未来军事画匠 & 楠宫卸甲/Wb.
We appear to have another PLAN Type 071 LPD modified to support an experimental DEW on our hands, on 985 Qilianshan.
Notably, the configuration is different from what we assume is the LY-1 laser weapon mounted on hull 986 Simingshan (second image).
Via chaoyinsukandao/X.
Notably, the configuration is different from what we assume is the LY-1 laser weapon mounted on hull 986 Simingshan (second image).
Via chaoyinsukandao/X.
November 15, 2025 at 12:02 PM
We appear to have another PLAN Type 071 LPD modified to support an experimental DEW on our hands, on 985 Qilianshan.
Notably, the configuration is different from what we assume is the LY-1 laser weapon mounted on hull 986 Simingshan (second image).
Via chaoyinsukandao/X.
Notably, the configuration is different from what we assume is the LY-1 laser weapon mounted on hull 986 Simingshan (second image).
Via chaoyinsukandao/X.
"The scope and scale of Xi’s purges strongly suggest he does not foresee a major conflict through 2027..."
markparkeryoung.substack.com/p/a-central-...
markparkeryoung.substack.com/p/a-central-...
November 15, 2025 at 10:23 AM
"The scope and scale of Xi’s purges strongly suggest he does not foresee a major conflict through 2027..."
markparkeryoung.substack.com/p/a-central-...
markparkeryoung.substack.com/p/a-central-...
ICYMI: FMS notification out for German acquisition of SM-2 Blk IIIC and SM-6 missiles. This approval is part of the package intended for the future German F127 AAW frigates. Notification for radar sets, presumably SPY-6, and other equipment still pending.
www.dsca.mil/Press-Media/...
www.dsca.mil/Press-Media/...
November 15, 2025 at 5:12 AM
ICYMI: FMS notification out for German acquisition of SM-2 Blk IIIC and SM-6 missiles. This approval is part of the package intended for the future German F127 AAW frigates. Notification for radar sets, presumably SPY-6, and other equipment still pending.
www.dsca.mil/Press-Media/...
www.dsca.mil/Press-Media/...
Incidentally, since amphibious PLAN is in the spotlight again, here's also a recent image of the new LCU compatible with Types 071, 075 and now 076.
Due to its compact size and affordability at least as consequential as the Type 726 LCAC, if not more so. Via "by78"/SDF.
Due to its compact size and affordability at least as consequential as the Type 726 LCAC, if not more so. Via "by78"/SDF.
November 14, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Incidentally, since amphibious PLAN is in the spotlight again, here's also a recent image of the new LCU compatible with Types 071, 075 and now 076.
Due to its compact size and affordability at least as consequential as the Type 726 LCAC, if not more so. Via "by78"/SDF.
Due to its compact size and affordability at least as consequential as the Type 726 LCAC, if not more so. Via "by78"/SDF.
CV-18 Fujian and CV-17 Shandong at Yulin. Note considerable construction activity in the back, supporting expansion of the PLAN naval facilities.
Via "by78"/SDF.
Via "by78"/SDF.
November 11, 2025 at 7:22 PM
CV-18 Fujian and CV-17 Shandong at Yulin. Note considerable construction activity in the back, supporting expansion of the PLAN naval facilities.
Via "by78"/SDF.
Via "by78"/SDF.
When a stalker gets stalked.
November 11, 2025 at 3:58 AM
When a stalker gets stalked.
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.
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.
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.
Perhaps. Or perhaps not. Again, the grapevine talk remains abundant, while officials remain mum for now. But there are supposedly other significant changes RAN is exploring on the design.
Either way, there was never a prospect of AU buying a fully Japanese config.
Either way, there was never a prospect of AU buying a fully Japanese config.
November 4, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Perhaps. Or perhaps not. Again, the grapevine talk remains abundant, while officials remain mum for now. But there are supposedly other significant changes RAN is exploring on the design.
Either way, there was never a prospect of AU buying a fully Japanese config.
Either way, there was never a prospect of AU buying a fully Japanese config.
The first PLAN Type 039 submarine was recently observed with some curious cradle mounts on its stern hull.
@covertshores.bsky.social has a rundown on what they may be for.
www.hisutton.com/Chinese-Type...
@covertshores.bsky.social has a rundown on what they may be for.
www.hisutton.com/Chinese-Type...
November 3, 2025 at 9:14 AM
The first PLAN Type 039 submarine was recently observed with some curious cradle mounts on its stern hull.
@covertshores.bsky.social has a rundown on what they may be for.
www.hisutton.com/Chinese-Type...
@covertshores.bsky.social has a rundown on what they may be for.
www.hisutton.com/Chinese-Type...
On the last dog park run before my time away for a week Harry decided to go all in, literally.
November 2, 2025 at 8:38 AM
On the last dog park run before my time away for a week Harry decided to go all in, literally.