2017 – South China Sea.

by harveyblackauthor on 20/07/201720/07/2017

Military/Intelligence Bulletin 01/2017 – South China Sea.

Conflict? Will Vietnam and China face up to each other in the South China Sea?

Is Vietnam becoming increasingly concerned with China’s policy in the South China Sea?

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Spratly Islands – South China Sea. By Voice of America

What does Vietnam need to protect?

Thirty plus Islands for a start, including Spratly Island itself. But with a coastline of over 3,000 kilometres, it has a major seafood industry to secure. Therefore it is imperative that it maintains control of its coastline and occupied islands.

Oil. The Gazprom Group (with Russian interests) is dipping a toe in at Vietnam’s request. Gazprom International is currently hydrocarbon prospecting in the area of Vietnam and the South China Sea. It is already engaged in developing oil and gas blocks on the shelf of the South China Sea. In the area of the Islands, the aggregate reserves are estimated to be 55 billion cubic metres of natural gas and 21 million tons of gas concentrate.

What about China?

There is an ongoing territorial dispute between the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam concerning the ownership of the Spratly Islands group.

The motivation for China’s actions in the South Sea has three strands. Their primary one is that of defence, flexing its military muscle. Then comes resources, followed by pure self-interest. During the last century, China has continued to stake a claim on the islands situated in the South China Sea.

Both countries have artificially expanded their territory around the spratly islands. Vietnam has extended Sin Cowe island, probably trebling it in size. Now with a small harbour, helipad, sensor post and defensive positions.

China on the other hand, is reinforcing the Paracel archipelago. The militarisation of the largest of the Islands, known as Woody Island, 300 km southeast of Hainan in China, continues. There is an airport, port, and even a hospital, school and library. Dredging, land reclamation and construction on and around the island continues. In 2015, Beijing temporarily deployed fighter aircraft to Woody Island.

Fiery Cross Reef is also being expanded.

Fiery Cross Reef

What is Vietnam’s response?

China retains a significant military advantage over Vietnam, so the country needs to bolster its defensive and offensive capability.

A number of investments have been made. The Bastion-P anti-ship missile system is based on its southern coast and has a range of 300km. This only protects the coastline, but if moved to Spratly Island, its 300km range would cover China’s Fiery Cross Reef and other islands occupied by them.

Vietnam troops operating the Russian made Bastion-P anti-ship missile.

Although not yet operational, the four Kilo class SSK submarines, purchased from Russia, with the Klub cruise missile, could pose a significant threat to Chinese occupied locations.

Hanoi Kilo 636

Klub cruise missile (range 220km). By Allocer – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Both countries operate the J-11B fighter aircraft, which would allow China to cover the entire group of islands, including the Paracels to the north. Vietnam would be able to threaten the same area.

J-11B Flanker, air superiority aircraft.

China’s counter to this, is the HQ-9, medium to long-range surface-to-air missile, with a range of 200km. Deployed to Fiery Cross Reef, puts Spratly Island in range.

HQ-9 Surface-to-Air missile TEL. By Jian Kang – 2009.beijing.

Just a brief insight into what may be brewing in the South China Sea. The conclusion being that there are a number of triggers for conflict in the South China Sea.

Competition over marine resources: hydrocarbons and fish.

Oil: Vietnam wanting the Spanish energy company, Repsol, to drill appraisal wells 270km offshore. China Has leased the same area of sea to a Hong Kong-based company, Brightoil. A conflict in the making.

State claims: Due to the large number of competing state claimants there is a real possibility of an incident emerging that could develop beyond the control of the leadership in Beijing.

Spratly Island

Post copyrighted to Harvey Black

Deception (Cold War – Redux – 2).

by harveyblackauthor on 09/04/201715/07/2018

Deception (Cold War – Redux – 2) now available.

I have recently written the first of two novels in my latest Apocalyptic series, ‘Force Majeure – Purgatory’ and ‘Force Majeure – Paralysis’. The third in the series will be out later this year. Prior to these two books, I wrote a Cold War trilogy, The Red Effect, The Black Effect and The Blue Effect, portraying what I believe could have happened in the 1980’s, had the Soviets, and the Warsaw Pact, taken the decision to attack West Germany and plunged the world into a third world war.

I now ask myself the question, are we heading down that very route now? To answer that, I have just finished writing the second book in a new Cold War trilogy, or the ‘Cool War’ as it is sometimes referred to. Deception (Cold War Redux – 2) is now available for pre-order.

Deception (Cold War Redux – 2), out now for pre-order.

The flag of Ukraine.

Zaporizhia, a mere 50 kilometres from a Nuclear Power Station.

Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Station with 6 Nuclear Reactors (Google Maps).

Top right, the concrete cylinders storing nuclear waste.

My journey to Mariupol would skirt the occupied area of Donetsk, hence the heightened security.

Security on the route to Mariupol was exceptionally tight, my English passport always raising eyebrows and requiring considerable explanation from my escorts. This trip though, I was actually going to meet one of their colonels, a commanding officer a Border Guard Regiment.

Mariupol is a large industrial port city on the shores of The Sea of Azov, a population of nearly half a million. The ethnic population is equally split between Russian and Ukrainian. This is the landing zone used by Spetsnaz Force -1.

The coast to the south. This is the landing zone used by Spetsnaz Force -1.

Two vehicles of the Mariupol detachment of the Security Service of Ukraine

This is the home of the Mariupol detachment of the Security Service of Ukraine. The Sluzhba Bezpeky Ukrayiny, SBU.

The building was raided in February 2014, and numerous documents, hard drives and other data were stolen or destroyed. The raid was allegedly ordered by President Viktor Yanukovych.

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The 79th Parachute Brigade are legendary. They fought extensively in the Battle in Shakhtarsk Raion where they secured the Russian border and the strategic Savur-Mohyla hill.

In September 2014, the 79th joined the 3rd Separate Spetsnaz unit and National Guard Units in the defence of Donetsk Airport. Due to their stubborn resistance, they were referred to as ‘Cyborgs’.

As they are one of the Quick Reaction Forces, QRF, in the region, they are at a permanent state of readiness. While sat inside, i quickly discovered that the object my foot was resting on was and anti-tank mine. Apart from the standard turret mounted 14.5mm KVPT machine gun, the vehicle I was in carried an AGS-17 grenade launcher. They also had at least half a dozen light anti tank weapons. All vehicles were stocked up with large stocks of water, food and ammunition, so would be able to sustain operations for a number of days in order to prevent a Russian intrusion into the Mariupol Zone.

This is one very professional unit and is more than capable of giving any enemy a bloody nose.

Trench lines east of Mariupol and west of Shyrokyne (Google Maps).

Don’t forget, Duplicity (Cold War Redux – 2), is now available.

Site and content, including photographs, is copyrighted to Harvey Black.

The Cold War – Redux (Duplicity). Ukraine – Part 7.

by harveyblackauthor on 29/08/201615/07/2018

The Cold War – Redux (Duplicity). Ukraine Part 7.

I recently wrote a Cold War trilogy, The Red Effect, The Black Effect and The Blue Effect, portraying what I believe could have happened in the 1980’s, had the Soviets, and the Warsaw Pact, taken the decision to attack West Germany and plunged the world into a third world war.

I now ask myself the question, are we heading down that very route now? To answer that, I have written the first book in a new Cold War trilogy, or the ‘Cool War’ as it is sometimes referred to. The first book, ‘The Cold War – Redux (Duplicity)’, is out now, and the second, The Cold War – Redux (Deception), will be out for Christmas.

Where does my story start? I felt the only way to find the answer to that was to go to the very melting pot that could turn the Cool War, into a Hot War, the Ukraine. I have made three trips so far, and a number of my Posts will relate my experiences while there.

Cold War Redux (Deception), Is due out Christmas 2016.

The flag of Ukraine.

Back to Kiev again. It is a city I could never tire of visiting, despite the cold weather.

Early January, the weather was pretty bleak

The temperature during my visit varied between about 2 degrees to -20 degrees.

Shirt, two fleeces and skiing jacket were called for.

It was just a short stay in Kiev at the beginning as my true purpose of visiting Ukraine was to travel to the port city of Mariupol.

So, a 7 hour journey by train first. As you can see, the weather followed me to Zaporizhia.

Then by road. Jarick came with me and we were giving a lift by some soldiers from one of the units in Mariupol.

My passport, as usual, created some discussion. But being with Jarick and two Ukrainian soldiers ensured there were no problems as we passed through four checkpoints on our four hour journey.

A British Army ‘woolly-pooley’ as a gift was well received.

Back in Mariupol again. I always look forward to a visit to this part of Ukraine.

But, the true purpose of my visit was to complete more research for my Cold War-Redux trilogy. Above is my trusty steed for my visit to yet another Ukrainian Army unit.

But, before we go anywhere, Jarick’s mum insists that I need feeding. Borsch, is great, but is incredibly filling!

But, I still had to eat more.

Jarick’s mother is unwell at the moment and I wish her well.

Now off to the front. Note the hi-spec dashboard.

The officer taking us is a Major in 36th Brigade.

As ever, my good friend Jarick, wearing his extra thick jacket, accompanied me.

We then had to pass through the Red-Zone.

Civilians are banned from this area.

IMG_1892 (1)

The road to the front line, mined and well defended.

We eventually, after a very smooth ride……., arrive at our destination.

I can only show a few of the photographs I took, for obvious reasons.

A cold and bleak landscape.

Temperature below -10.

36th Brigade is part of the Mariupol Divison.

36th Brigade, along with the 79th Airborne Brigade, and others, are responsible for the defence of Mariupol.

The unit flag. The pro-Russian separatist lines were less than a 1,000 metres from here.

The major, on the left, was the one who drove us here. My good friend Igor on the far right.

I took some items they would find useful, tooth brushes, toothpaste, razors, coffee, biscuits, etc. This was just a sample of what we brought for them.

I then descended into one of the bunkers, where they live when off stag. Behind the curtain, wooden steps lead to the surface. The bunkers were deep, the roof supported with logs covered in a thick layer of earth.

Now it was warm. The log-burner spewed out some delightful heat.

Even the unit cat was happy.

They welcomed me with open arms and provided refreshments.

This was effectively their home and I felt very privileged to be allowed to intrude.

As you can see, very patriotic. The soldier on the right is a Lieutenant, with Igor on the right.

A great photo with their unit flag.

This was designed to sleep four officers while off stag, the rest would be hunkered down on the defence line.

Small, but home from home. A generator providing them with some amenities.

And in your spare time, you could always make a bracelet out of grenade clips.

But now time to go. I had to head back to Kiev in a couple of days.

The road journey to Zaporizhia was quite treacherous, and it was questionable that we would make it to the railway station on time. But we did.

Back in Kiev.

Jarick’s lovely wife cooked us a great meal. The photos don’t do it justice.

Although a country at war, life still goes on in the capital city of Ukraine.

I was fortunate to be there, early January, when celebrations for the new year were still in progress.

While in Kiev, I met up with some friends from the Parachute Brigade and brought them some military fleeces and Britsh Army ‘woolly-pooleys’.

Also a high-spec scanner, enabling them to monitor the pro-Russian separatists airwaves.

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The jumpers, and the trauma bandages, were well received.

The headless Wolf presented me with a ‘Cyborg’ badge, along with a special forces blue-striped t-shirt and airborne beret. The beret had been worn by one of the survivors of the battles for the Donetsk airport. Very few survivors came away from the battle, and those that did were subsequently know as Cyborgs.

This time a shot with the headless Wolf, Jarick and headless Khoral. Very proud and humbled to have received these gifts. I was also given a airborne badge that had been worn by one of the brigade paratroopers in every battle since the invasion of Ukraine.

Beret, badge and t-shirt. Wolf is ex-Spetsnaz and the paratroopers are elite soldiers, hence the blue and white stripes.

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What is left of the Donetsk Airport Terminal.

donetsk-airport-3

The control tower under attack.

Yet another great trip and I will be going out there again very soon

Don’t forget, Cold War Redux – Duplicity is now available. Cold War Redux – Deception, out Christmas 2016.

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9K37 Buk. By Ajvol – Own work

It was, and is still, a very complicated situation in Ukraine. So, if some of my information is incorrect, then please flag it to me and I can amend the content. Thank you for reading this latest Post.

Site and content, including photographs, is copyrighted to Harvey Black.

Military/Intelligence Bulletin 08/2016 – Russian Roulette

by harveyblackauthor on 16/06/201616/06/2016

Military/Intelligence Bulletin 08/2016 – Russian Roulette.

Red Alert! Is the upgrading of the Russian Federation’s armed forces and the various International deployments indicating a return to the Cold War of old?

So where are the Russian forces currently deployed?

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Kaliningrad base

Kaliningrad.

Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad, part of the Western Military District, is strategically placed. With Poland to the south and southwest, Belarus to the southeast and Lithuania to the east, the Kaliningrad Defensive Area plays a key role in countering the US missile defence system in Europe and places Russian forces directly behind the three Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The forces in situ are significant – Voronezh DM early-warning radar, 25th Coastal Missile Regiment, 336th Naval Infantry Brigade, 244th Artillery Brigade, 3rd Aerospace Defence Brigade, 79th Motor Rifle Brigade, 7th Motor Rifle Brigade and the 152nd Missile Brigade. There are also three Aviation Groups (Helicopters, transport aircraft, bombers and fighters) along with naval surface forces.

Crimea, a region of Ukraine of its southern coast.

Crimea

It is common knowledge that the Russian Federation has reinforced Crimea, threatening the underbelly of mainland Ukraine. The minimum Russian forces in situ late 2015/early 2016 are as follows:

126th Naval Infantry Brigade (formerly Ukrainian forces, but now incorporated into the Russian military), 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, 127th Independent Recce Brigade, 219th Independent EW Regiment, 1096th SAM Regiment, 15th Coastal Missile Brigade, 1 battalion from 11th Anti-ship missile Brigade, 31st Air Defence Division and the 8th Artillery Regiment. They are supported by helicopters from 318th Mixed Aviation Regiment and the 38th Fighter Regiment. For naval forces, the Black Sea Fleet has the 11th ASW Ship Brigade, 41st Missile Boat Brigade, 197th Landing Ship Brigade and the 68th Area Protection Ship Brigade.

Russian equipment newly deployed to Crimea, consists of:

T-72B3 Main Battle Tanks, BTR-82A, Su-30SM Flanker (FGA), SU27SM Flanker (FGA), SA-20 Gargoyle SAM, K-300P Bastion (SSC-5-Stooge Anti-ship missiles) and 3K60 Bal (SSC-6 Sennight Anti-ship missiles).

More forces are believed to be on their way.

Transdniester, a partially recognised country between the River Dniester

and the eastern Moldovam border with Ukraine

Transdniester

A country few people are aware of. It is a constant threat to peace in Moldova and has at least 1,500 Russian military deployed there. 2 Motor Rifle battalions with approximately 100 MBTs/AIFVs/APCs. there are also 7 Mi-24 Hind and 8 Mi-8 Hip helicopters.

Again, these forces are ideally positioned, particularly if reinforced, to create havoc, supporting any attack on Ukraine.

Arctic

Not forgetting the Russian Arctic Joint Strategic Command, ensuring Russian military presence in polar waters.

There are Russian, and Russian backed pro-Russian separatists, forces in Ukraine itself. I will cover those in a later Post. Also Central Asia, Caucasus, Syria and the Black Sea.

harveyblackauthor

Russian Federation

Military/Intelligence Bulletin 01/2017 – South China Sea.