Category: Security policy

40 years ago: The loss of the HMS Antelope

The Falklands War 40 years ago cost the Royal Navy several capital ships. The four destroyers "HMS Sheffield", "HMS Ardent", "HMS Coventry" and "HMS Antelope", as well as the container ship "Atlantic Conveyor" fell victim to Argentine attacks. HMS Antelope was hit twice, but the bombs did not explode as they were dropped too low. Later that night, experts tried to defuse one of the bombs, but it detonated and fatally damaged the ship in a huge explosion. The ship began to heel and had a large hole amidships. There was a fire and the fire mains were damaged in the explosion. The explosions...

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The maritime side of the war: Crisis in the Black Sea Part I

Crews and ships trapped The Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 had a profound impact on shipping in the Black Sea. To prevent the Russian navy from entering their harbours and attempting to capture them in a coup d'état, Ukrainian tugs and naval support vessels mined the waters along the coast of the Gulf of Odessa. This was a trap for many ships. Examples include the bulk carrier MV Riva Wind, registered in the Marshall Islands, and the Hong Kong-flagged COSCO container ship Joseph Schulte. The problem was getting vital raw materials out of the port of Odessa. What we Central Europeans have so far...

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Ukraine war: Russia utilises Ukrainian boats of prey

Russia wants to guard the ports of Berdyansk and Mariupol with armoured gunboats from the Ukrainian navy Several armoured gunboats that were in service with the Ukrainian navy and were confiscated during the Russian "special military operation" in Ukraine will now be used to guard the ports of Berdyansk and Mariupol. However, their technology must first be restored. It is not yet known whether the ships will continue their service with the maritime units of the Russian Border Guard or with the Black Sea Fleet. The official Russian news agency Tass reported that it could not officially confirm the information at the time of publication. Before the start...

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Ukraine - War harms the Baltic Sea

The war in Ukraine has serious consequences for the environment in the Baltic Sea. The Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea - also known as the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) - which is currently chaired by Germany, suspended its meetings one week after the Russian invasion on 24 February. The situation has paralysed the work of the intergovernmental organisation, which was founded in 1974 by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden and the European Union. Over the years, some successes have been achieved, particularly at the wastewater treatment plants in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. Due to the sanctions, the maintenance...

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BALTOPS 22 manoeuvre starts in June

The 51st US Baltic Operations, the most important maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea region, will run from 5 to 17 June. Fourteen NATO countries, two NATO partner nations, over 45 ships, more than 75 aircraft and around 7,000 people will take part in BALTOPS 22. Participating nations include Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. They will test a variety of capabilities designed to impressively demonstrate the flexibility of naval forces. These include amphibious operations, live-fire exercises, anti-submarine warfare and air defence, as well as mine sweeping, explosive ordnance disposal, the use of unmanned underwater vehicles and...

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