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mikeplunkett.bsky.social
Senior Naval Platforms Analyst with Janes and contributor to Janes Fighting Ships. Russian and Chinese warships are my speciality, but I also cover the Koreas and Ukraine. All opinions expressed here are mine alone. RT/Like ≠ endorsement
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#SubFriday 1/10 LA-class Flight II (VLS) nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) with her VLS hatches open, showing badges of some famous WWII USN submarines. Tang-class USS Tang (SS-306) - she sank 33 ships and was sunk during the last engagement by a circular run of her torpedo.

RF Navy Northern Fleet Severodvinsk II-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine "Arkhangelsk" departed port on 1 June; submarine was last underway on 25-30 May

Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine "Yakutsk" was commissioned into the RF Navy today after 46 months of construction, outfitting, and sea trials. It was the second longest construction project ("Novorossiysk" was 49 months) of the 12 new (Project 636.3) Kilos built since 2010

RF Navy Northern Fleet Gorshkov-class missile frigate "Admiral Flota Kasatonov" remains in or near Baltiysk since arriving there on 7 June

The CSSC aviation platform/*insert purpose here* is berthed at the Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Terminal, upstream from COMEC (ex GSI) shipyard. It'd be amusing if it really turns out to be a somewhat flamboyant party boat. Via @WenJian0922/Twitter & 太湖军I名/Wb.

A robin made a nest in one of my plant pots right outside my studio. The baby birds are hatching today.

RF Navy Pacific Fleet Nedelin-class command ship "Marshal Krylov" spent ~5 hours at the Vladivostok physical fields monitoring station at the entrance to Bukhta Zolotoy Rog before returning to its normal pier; ship was last underway on 5-7 June

RF Navy Pacific Fleet landing ship, possibly Ropucha II-class landing ship "Peresvet", is operating ~25nm east of Nakhodka

RF Navy Northern Fleet Gorshkov-class frigate "Admiral Golovko" departed port midday on 2 June and remains underway through today

A bijoux boat

#SubSunday #Submarines Vietnam People's Navy first indigenous TN 75-class midget submarine VPNS "43" with her support ship VPNS "832", photos released mid May, 2025. TN 75 ("Tàu Ngầm", Submarine) design is based on the North Korean Yugo-class midget submarines purchased by Vietnam in 1997.

HMS Defender missile silo extension work ongoing in Portsmouth as part of major Power Improvement Project/Upkeep and upgrade programme. Via: Steve Wenham / C. Caine

RF Navy Pacific Fleet Kilo-class submarine "Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy" returned to port (Bukhta Uliss) during the 08:00 local hour today after two-week underway period (27 May-7 June); submarine conducted deep dive during this underway

1/ Foreign-made components in Russian Kilo-class submarines in the Black Sea Fleet have reportedly been systematically stripped out and replaced with Russian or Chinese components. However, this is said to have resulted in corruption and significant problems with reliability. ⬇️

The second Argun-class [Project 23630] tanker for the RF Navy, named "Kontr-Admiral Khaliullin", was laid down at Oka Shipyard (Navashino) on 5 June; lead hull ("Argun") was laid down at the same shipyard on 18 April 2024

After four-day port call (1-4 June), RF Navy Pacific Fleet Steregushchiy II-class corvettes "Aldar Tsydenzhapov" + "Rezkiy" and Dubna-class oiler "Pechenga" departed Jakarta, Indonesia, and conducted PASSEX with Indonesian Navy ships in the Java Sea

#SubWednesday #Submarines Decommissioned Swiftsure-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine HMS Swiftsure (S-126) with her fin removed in Rosyth. "She is on course to be fully dismantled by end of 2026, the first nuclear submarine to be disposed of by the UK." Photo & info by @navylookout.bsky.social

RF Navy Baltic Fleet Sviyazhsk-class missile patrol ship "Zelenyy Dol" departed port midday on 1 June and remains underway through today

To the surprise of exactly no one DPRK recovery of the capsized missile destroyer in Chongjin has made next to no progress after passing the date previously touted as completing the salvage. www.nknews.org/pro/north-ko...

RF Navy Northern Fleet Udaloy I-class destroyer "Vitse-Admiral Kulakov" arrived likely near Baltiysk today; summary of activity over past week: - entered Baltic Sea on 26 May; - arrived near Baltiysk on 27 May; - departed Baltiysk area on 28 May - arrived likely near Baltiysk on 2 June

I’ve always appreciated Dmitry’s technical analysis, but if this is the viewpoint of a mainstream Russian analyst then it speaks volumes about what Europe is up against. A sovereign & well-armed Ukraine is a European interest & Europe has the means to pursue that end for as long as it takes.

#SubMonday #Submarines #Shipbuilding Royal Navy Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine HMS Agamemnon (S-124) fitting out at BAE Systems, Barrow-in-Furness, March 20, 2025. Photo by Oli Scarff/REUTERS.

An example of Russian naval maskirovka: Project 677 Lada/ST. PETERSBURG-class diesel-electric attack submarine "Sankt-Petersburg" (B-585) dressed up as her sister ship "Kronshtadt" (B-586) towed to reserve fleet, Kanonersky Island, St. Petersburg, March 11, 2024. Photo by Valentin Egorshin/TASS.

Bomber nose art and their common inspirations: a brief guide. 1: USAAF "Memphis Belle" (after George Petty)

🇨🇦Canadian Prime Minister makes commitment to turn away from US weapon suppliers and further align with Europe on defence. cbc.ca/news/politic...

🌍 Track the latest Royal Navy deployments 🚢 Stay informed on the Royal Navy’s global deployments through this map from the latest #Signal - your monthly maritime newsletter by @salisbot.bsky.social 🔗 www.thebroadside.org... #Broadside

This week, another unit for HMS Dreadnought was moved from the fabrication facility to be consolidated in the Devonshire Dock Hall in Barrow

❗ #NavalNews #Submarines #Shipbuilding Gölcük Naval Shipyard launched 3rd Reis-class (Type 214TN) diesel.-electric/AIP attack submarine TCG Murat Reis (S-332) for the Turkish Navy on May 29, 2025.

We do these maps every month for the Signal and I just really enjoy them, maps are the best

RF Navy Northern Fleet Akula-class nuclear-powered submarine "Gepard" returned to port on 27 May after two-week underway period (14-27 May)

RF Navy Slava-class missile cruiser "Marshal Ustinov" departed port during the 09:00 local hour today (about 1 hour ago)