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Diego Garcia: Post-Ceasefire Snapshot Reveals Sustained Readiness

New satellite imagery from NSF Diego Garcia on June 26, 2025, provides a fascinating glimpse into the ongoing strategic importance of this remote base. Despite the recent ceasefire, activity remains robust.

What we're observing:

Strategic Bombers: A notable presence of four B-52 strategic bombers – two on the north apron, two on the south. These long-range assets are key for power projection and deterrence.

Tactical Airpower: At least four F-15 fighter jets are visible, indicating continued air superiority and strike capabilities.

Air Refueling Backbone: 8x KC-135 tankers underscore the capacity for sustained, long-range air operations, ensuring aircraft can operate far from base.

Logistical Giant: 1x C-5M Galaxy transport aircraft highlights the capability for rapid, heavy airlift – essential for moving personnel and equipment.

Naval Presence: Adding to the layered defense, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer (likely USS Ralph Johnson DDG-114) is visible alongside. Her presence suggests ongoing naval support or enhanced air defense for the base.

Why this matters:
The continued high tempo of operations and asset concentration at Diego Garcia, even amidst a ceasefire, speaks volumes about its role as a persistent forward operating location. It suggests:

Sustained Deterrence Posture: Maintaining a strong, visible presence as a deterrent against potential resurgence of tensions.

Strategic Flexibility: The capacity to quickly respond to unforeseen developments across a vast operational area, from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific.

Readiness for Any Scenario: Even if direct conflict has paused, the readiness of key air and naval assets ensures agility and responsiveness to a range of evolving threats or humanitarian needs.

This level of activity reinforces Diego Garcia's critical position in global strategic planning and its role in projecting influence across vital regions.

B-2 flyover at the White House. Escorted by a pair of F-35s and F-22s.

Work on the repair and modernization of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov" was suspended some time ago.
In the near future, a decision will be made as to whether it is advisable to continue these works and return it to the fleet.

Ukrainian Air Force shows footage of the combat work of a modern, German-made Skynex 35mm autocannon against Russian Shahed/Geran-type long-range OWA-UAVs.

Bundeswehr will procure an undisclosed number of Typhon fire units from the United States.

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group participated in dual carrier ops with U.K. Prince of Wales CSG in the Timor Sea as part of ongoing exercise Talisman Sabre.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier eastbound in the Strait of Gibraltar. - July 19, 2025

Footages of a Spanish Air Force EF-18 Hornet nearly crashing during a demonstration at Gijón Air Festival yesterday

Chinese vessels collide while pursuing Philippine boat in South China Sea

Russia Is Most Likely Planning to Test a Nuclear-Powered Missile at Its Arctic Test Site

There are multiple signs indicating that Russia is preparing to conduct a test of the nuclear-powered cruise missile “Burevestnik” (SSC-X-9 Skyfall) in the near future at the Pankovo test site on Novaya Zemlya Island.

On August 8 at 09:06 UTC, an image of the Pankovo Test Site, where Russia previously tested the missile, shows a movable shelter above the launch rail. It protects the launcher and missile from Arctic weather and is rolled back before launch.

As of today, August 9 at 08:52 UTC, two Il-976 SKIP airborne measurement complex aircraft operated by the State Atomic Energy Corporation are present at Rogachevo Airbase, along with an additional Il-76MD (Candid) and An-72 (Coaler) that have arrived.

On August 4 at 08:47 UTC, Rogachevo Airfield housed 1 A-50U (Mainstay), 1 Il-976 SKIP (Candid), 1 An-72 (Coaler), 1 An-26 (Curl), 2 Su-35S (Flanker-E), 1 Mi-26 (Halo), 4 Mi-8 (Hip), 2 Ka-27/29 (Helix), and 1 Ka-32 (Helix).

A NOTAM with the name WOZ200 has been issued restricting civil aircraft flights over the west of the island from August 7, 2025, 00:00 UTC to August 12, 2025, 23:59 UTC. The restriction covers altitudes from ground level to 18,500 meters above mean sea level.

On August 5, a U.S. Air Force Boeing WC-135R Constant Phoenix (64-14829), an atmospheric sampling aircraft based at Mildenhall, conducted a 14-hour reconnaissance flight over the Barents Sea, approaching very close to the Russian Novaya Zemlya island.

If the test does occur, it will be the first trial since 2019, when an accident claimed the lives of five employees. This is happening amid heightened nuclear tensions between the United States and Russia.

Taiwan’s New Naval Drones Could Strike Any Chinese Invasion

Carrier Strike Group 12

Spotted on Sentinel 2 today (13 Aug 2025), CSG 12 including 3x Arleigh Burkes (likely) and USNS Supply have transited STROG westbound heading for the Atlantic

British jet lands on Japanese warship for the first time

Australia controls UK submarine from 10,000 miles away

The Project 11442M Kirov-class heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov is at the stage of preparation for going to sea for sea trials,
which is scheduled for August-September, a source in the defense-industrial complex told RIA Novosti

A rare look at the Northern Fleet's bases from August 9, 2025. Here's a "who's in port" analysis across four key locations:

Severomorsk: A packed house of surface combatants, including the Kirov-class battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy and the Slava-class cruiser Marshal Ustinov, alongside frigates, destroyers, and more.

Gadzhiyevo: The nuclear submarine hub is a hive of activity! We see a significant presence of 4x Delta IV-class SSBNs (1 additional decommed) and a Borei-class SSBN, plus 2x Akula-class subs.

Polyarny: A busy port with 4x Kilo-class subs, 4x Grisha-class vessels, and another sub identified as possibly a Lada-class (unsure).

Olenya Guba: Home to the unique Project 22010 intelligence ship Yantar, and 1 of 2 Modified Delta-class submarines is in port

Russia is launching so many one-way attack drones at Ukraine that they have built dedicated launch sites for them.

Here's a closer look at one located at Primorsko-Akhtarsk air base in southwestern Russia.

Footage showing the fly-over of a U.S. Air Force B-2A “Spirit” Long-Range Strategic Stealth Bomber escorted by 4 F-35 Lightning IIs as President Donald J. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.

Kremlin said F-22 (F-35) fighter jets escorted Putin's plane on the way from Alaska to Russia.

China’s Extra-Large Underwater Drones

- Iwo Jima ARG deploying to SOUTHCOM
- Ford CSG enters North Sea
- Washington CSG pulls into Guam
- Nimitz CSG operating in Gulf of Oman
- America ARG completes 3-month patrol
- Lincoln participating in Ex Northern Edge 25
- Vinson returns home after 9-month deployment
- Roosevelt & H.W. Bush are active and working up

Project 11442M Kirov-class heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov after repair and modernization went to sea for factory sea trials.

New Ukrainian Cruise Missile

U.S. Navy deployments to Southern Command

- 3 destroyers will reportedly arrive off the coast of Venezuela within 24 hours (USS Gravely + USS Jason Dunham left Mayport last week, USS Sampson is near the Panama Canal)
- Littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-St. Paul is already on station and in the vicinity of Curacao
- The Iwo Jima amphibious ready group (ARG) is back in Norfolk to wait out the hurricane

Iwo Jima ARG Back in Norfolk to Avoid Hurricane Erin

Footage of Ukrainian strikes on a rare Russian 9A83 launcher from the S-300V surface-to-air missile system.

The vehicle was caught in the open on a road while being loaded onto a trailer. The attack resulted in fire and immensely spectacular ammunition detonation of the 9A83's powerful 9M83 SAM missiles.

After the job was finished, a Ukrainian drone operator simply landed on the trailer's cabin to watch the carnage.

Admiral Nakhimov is carrying out builder's sea trials in the Dvinsky Bay

Caveats apply given the low resolution SAR imagery but she appears to be operating ~50km NW of her berth in Severodvinsk

Video Shows Patriot Missile Exploding Midair During Defense Drill

The newest Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine, the Perm, during sea trials.

GITMO: Logistics Hub for counter narcotics ops

Satellite imagery from August 21, 2025, reveals a noteworthy trio at the piers in Guantanamo Bay: USS Gravely (DDG-107), USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS-21), and the USCGC Diligence (WMEC-616).

This concentration of a Destroyer, a Littoral Combat Ship, and a Coast Guard Cutter strongly indicates that the base is serving as a vital logistics hub for the recently announced counter-narcotics operation in the Southern Caribbean.

The consolidation of these different naval assets at Gitmo is a clear signal. What are your thoughts on the significance of this interoperability and the strategic value of the base for these operations?

Satellite images show Russia's got a new front-line drone launch site that cuts Ukraine's reaction time but puts the base at risk

A group of Chinese PLA-affiliated civil-military ferries deviated from regular routes in the Yellow Sea and arrived in the Taiwan Strait this week, likely prepositioning for upcoming amphibious exercises.

The Chinese ferries have continued their transit south, moving from Quanzhou to Shanwei. Notably, the ferries are now operating in the PLA Southern Theater Command area of responsibility, after making a few stops near ports in Eastern Theater Command (responsible for Taiwan) AOR.

Update on U.S. Navy deployments to SOUTHCOM:

- USNI identified the guided-missile cruiser assigned to the task force, USS Lake Erie (CG 70), now operating in U.S. 4th Fleet
- IWOARG is underway en route to SOUTHCOM: USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) + USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) left Norfolk yesterday; USS San Antonio (LPD 17) departed today
- USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), and USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS 21) are on station in the Caribbean; USS Sampson (DDG 102) is still south of Panama
- The fast attack sub remains unidentified, but several have been active off the east coast in August

Reuters reports that Los Angeles-class fast attack sub USS Newport News (SSN 750) will arrive in the region next week.

Fighter pilots take directions from AI in Pentagon’s groundbreaking test

Footage of Ukrainian forces launching a trio of FP-5 Flamingo long-range cruise missiles.

Ukraine’s GUR special unit “Prymary” struck key Russian air defense assets in Crimea, continuing a systematic campaign. Destroyed targets include a “Utyos-T” radar, RT-70 radio telescope, GLONASS dome, MR-10M1 “Mys” radar, and a 96L6-AP radar of the S-400 system.

"Prymary" also struck the air base in Gvardiyske, near Simferopol. Two Mi-8s and an also enemy tugboat on Crimea.

Norway will acquire British frigates

Patriot Missile System Paired With Littoral Combat Ship in Test

Sail of InS Drakon, a modified Dolphin-II class submarine of the Israeli navy, built in Germany.

Ukroboronprom has revealed the characteristics of the Ukrainian kamikaze drone "Palyanytsya"

New Sentinel-2 imagery shows the Iwo Jima ARG & the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, including the USS Iwo Jima (Wasp Class LHD), 2x San Antonio Class LPDs and an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, sailing southeast ~550km North of Caracas