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thelookout.bsky.social
Military and defense issues, as seen from NATOs northern flank. Special interest: The Russian Navy. Independent Defense Analyst, all analysis and opinions are my own Contact: [email protected]
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My personal thoughts on this: I think this now is down to Type 26 vs FDI. The Germans can't deliver the F127 on the tight Norwegian timeline and there is too much uncertainty, both technical and financial, with Constellation. T26 and partnering with the RN would be best IMO.

submitted 3 days ago • 5 comments

The Norwegian frigate decision is approaching. The Minister of Defense says the process is on schedule, and it will be made ahead of the Sept election The Minister says that the delivery time, lifecycle costs and strategic partnership are the key factors www.nrk.no/norge/fire-l...

submitted 3 days ago • 2 comments

[New post to correct significant typo]: A simple screenshot will have to do, but this is Sentinel-2 of Severodvinsk today and it shows that Admiral Nakhimov has been moved to the deperm pier sometime after the 3rd. Perhaps sea trials will commence fairly soon after all.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

From VE / Liberation Day in Scalloway, Shetland. Shetland was the hub of the Shetland Bus operation, bringing refugees out and agents and supplies into occupied Norway, and also the base of a Norwegian MTB Flotilla that operated against the occupied coast from Nov '42 onwards.

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

Interesting. Usually, the escort has detached and turned around near Ushant at the latest, returning to the Baltic.

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

This shows that SSK ops in the Med without a shore base is possible. The lessons learned, seen up against operational and political ambitions, will determine whether this was a one off, becomes an occasional event or if it turns into a regular routine.

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

A stunning image: Vladimir Putin embracing General Kim Yong Bok, the Korean People’s Army commander leading North Korean forces in Russia against Ukraine, in Red Square. (May 9, 2025)

submitted 4 days ago • 5 comments

This opinion draws some flak, but, here is a thread: History is complex, there are many truths, and one of them is that from June 22nd 1941 and until victory, the Soviet Union was one of the allies, and the human price of the joint victory was enormous.

submitted 4 days ago • 2 comments

1/ Since this part of history isn't that widely known: At the outbreak of WW2, the Norwegian merchant fleet was the 4th largest in the world, including 19% of the world's tanker tonnage, with overall a high share of new and modern ships.

submitted 5 days ago • 2 comments

The Norwegian PM very deliberately chose Liberation Day to present the first ever Norwegian national security strategy. It has three main priorities: Rapidly strengthen our defense capabilities, increase the resilience of Norwegian society and strengthen our economic security.

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

80 years ago today, May 8th 1945, the German forces in Norway surrendered and we were free once again. This is our Liberation Day and also our Veterans Day.

submitted 5 days ago • 2 comments

On India - Pakistan: There's a lot of chatter about what the Indian Air Force did wrong, but it's equally interesting what the Pakistani Air Force did right. Do keep in mind that the information domain in that region is chaotic, to be polite, and hard to navigate in.

submitted 6 days ago • 6 comments

🔺OOA activity - Update Russian Navy tug “Evgeniy Churov” & Black Sea Fleet Kilo T636.3 class B-265 “Krasnodar” returned to the Baltic Sea during the afternoon, 7 May 2025. ⚠️Units ENR Baltiysk & returning from operations in the Mediterranean Sea. Images courtesy of Mike

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

🔺OOA activity - Update Russian cargo vessels MV Baltic Leader, MV Patria & MV Siyanie Severa exited the English Channel, AM 7 May 2025, likely ENR the Levant region. ⚠️ Russian Navy Pr.20380 class corvette SKR-532 “Boikiy” likely reversed course & returning to the Baltic Sea.

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

🔺OOA activity - Update Russian Navy Baltic Fleet Pr.20380 class missile corvette SKR-532 “Boikiy”, escorting high interest cargo vessels MV Baltic Leader, MV Patria & MV Siyanie Severa entered the North Sea, early hours 4 May 2025. ⚠️Units likely bound for the Levant region.

submitted 9 days ago • 1 comment

🔺OOA activity - Update Russian Navy tug “Evgeniy Churov” & Black Sea Fleet Kilo B-265 “Krasnodar” completed an eastbound transit of the English Channel, evening 3 May 2025 & entered the North Sea. ⚠️Units returning to the Baltic Sea from operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

submitted 9 days ago • 1 comment

While the Russians lost an Su-30 last night, and for a long time we haven't heard much about the naval war, over time, they have gotten rather good at dealing with the USVs. Keep in mind that war at sea is one of constant adaptation, moves and countermoves, often outside the public spotlight.

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

🔺OOA activity - Update Russian Navy Pr.712 Silva class tug “Evgeniy Churov” & Black Sea Fleet Kilo T636.3 class B-265 “Krasnodar” commenced eastbound transit of the English Channel during the forenoon, 2 May 2025. ⚠️Units returning to the Baltic Sea from operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

The Netherlands have issued an FMS request for up to 175 Tomahawk LACM in Blk IV & V config, worth around $2.2 bln. These will be used from the LCF-frigates (for now). www.dsca.mil/Congressiona...

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment

🔺OOA activity- Update Russian Navy Baltic Fleet tug “Evgeniy Churov”, likely in company with Black Sea Fleet Kilo B-265 “Krasnodar” entered the Alboran Sea early AM, 26 April 2025. ⚠️Both units could depart the Mediterranean Sea during the late evening hours, 26 April 2025.

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment