The Persian Gulf and nearby areas

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Two Royal Navy warships collide off coast of Bahrain

A collision between two Royal Navy warships in a Middle East harbour has sparked an investigation.
Footage posted on social media appeared to show HMS Chiddingfold reversing into HMS Bangor off the coast of Bahrain.
No-one was hurt but “some damage was sustained”, the Royal Navy said.
The two minehunters had been based in the Middle East to ensure the safe flow of trade through the waters.
Continues at - https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newslond ... 51e4&ei=17 - LFT
[Note video at end of article.]

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U.S. Central Command

CENTCOM Status Update on Missing U.S. Navy Seals

We regret to announce that after a 10-day exhaustive search, our two missing U.S. Navy SEALs have not been located and their status has been changed to deceased. The search and rescue operation for the two Navy SEALs reported missing during the boarding of an illicit dhow carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons Jan. 11 concluded and we are now conducting recovery operations.

During this expansive search operation, airborne and naval platforms from the U.S., Japan, and Spain continuously searched more than 21,000 square miles to locate our missing teammates. Search assistance was also provided by Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command, University of San Diego – Scripts Institute of Oceanography, and the Office of Naval Research – Oceanographic Support. Out of respect for the families, no further information will be released at this time.

“We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example. Our prayers are with the SEALs’ families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander.

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Navy Lookout
HMS Chiddingfold collided with HMS Bangor while berthing in Bahrain yesterday.
Not the first time.
In April 2021 Chiddingfold struck HMS Penzance and was out of action for 3 months under repair.
The Hunt class MCMVs can be difficult to manoeuvre in harbour and are vulnerable to gusting winds.
Video via MilitaryBanter.
See - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 6842487289

Navy Lookout
The banter and memes will doubtless be epic but before jumping to conclusions, this could have been caused by mechanical failure rather than ship handling error.

Royal Navy
A statement from Rear Admiral Edward Ahlgren OBE, Commander Operations "I am aware of a recent incident that took place between two minehunters in Bahrain Harbour. First of all I would like to stress that thankfully nobody was hurt in the collision, but some damage was sustained

Royal Navy warships crashed into each other ‘due to faulty rewiring’
Wiring error meant HMS Chiddingfold went backwards when set to go forward and hit HMS Bangor in Bahrain, say sources
See - https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... ay-sources
[The usual Press caution applies]

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A naval accident in context – Royal Navy minehunters collide in Bahrain

Here we consider the implications of the unfortunate collision of two Royal Navy ships in Bahrain, seen in the wider context of peacetime naval accidents.

Chiddingfold V Bangor - https://www.navylookout.com/a-naval-acc ... n-bahrain/

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Navy Lookout
j cartlidge mp says Peregrine RWUAS is planned to enter service this summer. "subject to the operational availability of the ship into which it is being integrated" [HMS Lancaster?]
See - https://www.navylookout.com/peregrine-r ... oyal-navy/

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Iran Close to Commissioning Converted Container Ship As Drone Carrier

Reports suggest that Iran is close to commissioning a drone carrier Shahid Bagheri, based on a converted container ship, previously named Sarvin. The converted ship features a 170 m runway, capable of accommodating the take-off and landing of a large fleet of fixed-wing long-range drones. The ship is also reported to be able to carry 30 Ashura-class fast patrol boats.

The Shahid Bagheri /ex-Sarvin was delivered from Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2000 as a 3,280 TEU container ship. It was converted to a drone carrier at the ISOICO shipyard west of Bandar Abbas and is now controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN.)

The Iranians claim that the converted ship is intended for defense. The semi-official Fars news agency described the vessel as a “mobile naval city” capable of “ensuring the security of Iran’s trade lines, as well as the rights of Iranian sailors and fishermen in the high seas.”

The Fars report noted: “This range of new defense and combat innovations for the construction of heavy vessels, in line with the mass development of light vessels, and equipping them with various arrays can maintain Iran’s authority over the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman always in the face of transregional enemies”.

In March 2023, Janes reported that the IRGCN took delivery of another converted container ship Shahid Mahdavi.

IRGCN Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri described Shahid Mahdavi as a multi-purpose long-range vessel that is fitted with a phased array radar and an advanced communications system. It can carry 41 tonnes of cargo that can include helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), fast attack craft, long-range cruise missiles, and air-defense systems. He added that the 240 m-long ship has an endurance of 18,000 n. miles and a top speed of 18 kt.

See - https://www.oldsaltblog.com/2024/01/ira ... more-61265 - for embedded links.

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Brazil Assumes Command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 151

MANAMA, Bahrain – The Brazilian Navy assumed command of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) counter-piracy focused task force during a change of command ceremony here, Jan. 23.

Philippine Navy Capt. Mateo Carido turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 to Brazilian Navy Rear Adm. Antonio Braz de Souza. While Commander of CTF 151, Carido met with key partners from many nations, including Sychelles, Djibouti and Dubai. These engagements provide an opportunity to reach countries not yet members of CMF and discuss the work of the multinational naval partnership, as well as strengthening ties between CMF member nations.

Since assuming command last August, Carido oversaw ships working in support of the task force as they conducted multinational exercises to hone skills and promote transnational relationships. Ships also routinely conducted maritime patrols in the Gulf of Aden to directly suppress piracy outside territorial waters of coastal states, in coordination with the European Union Naval Force.

Continues at - https://www.dvidshub.net/news/462244/br ... -force-151

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29JAN2024 Updated map of warships operating in Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea.

Updates:

IKE CSG and HMS Diamond (D-34)

IRIS Alborz (72) and MV Behshad spotted on imagery ~70km E of Djibouti.

FS Languedoc (D-653) relieved by FS Alsace (D-656)

PLAN 45th Naval Escort Taskforce continues to conduct naval escorts.
China is now considering joining Operation Prosperity Guardian with the 45th Naval Escort Task Force this comes following recent indications from Chinese defense officials in Djibouti that they are Increasingly nervous about “spillover” from this Houthi Attacks.

New Zealand has Joined Operation Prosperity Guardian and will deploy 6 Defense Officials/Staff Officers.

INS Visakhapatnam (D-66)
FS Alsace (D-656)
USS Carney (DDG-64)
Responded to a distress call of M/V Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden, after being struck by ASBM and critical damage control, firefighting material and assistance to the civilian crew, who had depleted their organic firefighting capability. Thanks to this rapid response by the U.S., Indian and French navies, the fire is now extinguished. There were no casualties in the attack, the ship remains seaworthy, and has returned to its previous course.

INS Kochi (D-64) has returned to port.

IRIN 97th Flotilla is preparing for deployment to the Gulf of Aden to relieve the IRIN 94th Flotilla which composed of the Alborz (72) which has been deployed for 80 days. (Unknown which ships are part of 97th Flotilla at this time.
Unnamed IRIN Flotilla Composed of
IRIS Bushehr (422)
IRIS Tonb (513) another Iranian Drone Carrier
Deployed 8 days ago have not been able to locate accurate position yet since it left Bandar Abbas 20JAN2024. Iranian Media listed this deployment as "new combat and training flotilla" and "deployed on a heavy and multidimensional mission and would be trained in the mission to prepare them to take on delicate tasks in the future, detailing that Iranian forces maintained a presence on the high seas and oceans despite the plans of their enemies."

IRGCN Shahid Mahdavi (110-3) one of Irans Drone carriers is underway in the Gulf of Oman.

Former IRIN 86th Flotilla composed of
IRIS Dena (75)
IRIS Makran (441) IRIN forward base ship
Currently in Bandar Abbas

Does not include all ships under Combined Maritime Force such as CTF 150, CTF 151, CTF 152, CTF 153, Updated all sources used.

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Royal Navy Gulf deployments over the last decade

In a detailed response to John Healey, the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has provided comprehensive data on the deployment of Royal Navy ships to the Gulf region over the past thirteen years.
James Heappey, the Minister for the Armed Forces, outlined the Royal Navy’s enduring commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Gulf, a strategic area encompassing the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Gulf.

Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-n ... st-decade/

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Intelschizo
If I remember correctly this is the first time the Russian Navy has operated in Middle East since 2021 when they visited Sudan:
Ian Ellis
China, Russia, & Iran began joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman Tues—the 5th combined military exercise in recent years. Participants:
• Chinese PLA Navy 45th Escort Task Force
• Russian Pacific Fleet surface action group, led by cruiser Varyag
• Observed by

“Another critical intersection we're monitoring is the relationship among the governments of Russia, North Korea, China, & Iran.”
The growing cooperation & willingness to exchange on military, economic, political, & intelligence matters:
- Enhances individual capacities
- Enables cooperation on competitive actions
- Assists to further undermine the rules-based order
- Gives each some insulation from external international pressure
See video at - https://twitter.com/i/status/1767722545745121727