Mike Plunkett
@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.
All opinions expressed here are mine alone. RT/Like ≠ endorsement
All opinions expressed here are mine alone. RT/Like ≠ endorsement
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
Three Greek warships, particularly impressive
Background - ancient trireme Olympias (replica, obviously)
Middle ground - Kimon class frigate (brand new)
Foreground - Pisa class armoured cruiser Georgios Averof (launched 1910, museum ship)
Background - ancient trireme Olympias (replica, obviously)
Middle ground - Kimon class frigate (brand new)
Foreground - Pisa class armoured cruiser Georgios Averof (launched 1910, museum ship)
This is an amazing shot.
@dreadships.bsky.social @axe99.bsky.social
#navalhistory #maritimehistory
Facebook Naval Analysis page.
@dreadships.bsky.social @axe99.bsky.social
#navalhistory #maritimehistory
Facebook Naval Analysis page.
January 16, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Three Greek warships, particularly impressive
Background - ancient trireme Olympias (replica, obviously)
Middle ground - Kimon class frigate (brand new)
Foreground - Pisa class armoured cruiser Georgios Averof (launched 1910, museum ship)
Background - ancient trireme Olympias (replica, obviously)
Middle ground - Kimon class frigate (brand new)
Foreground - Pisa class armoured cruiser Georgios Averof (launched 1910, museum ship)
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
Every Chinese commercial ship has links to the PLAN and/or Coast Guard, and this is one of the reasons why
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Thousands of Chinese Fishing Boats Quietly Form Vast Sea Barriers
China is practicing vast maneuvers that could be used to disrupt U.S. naval movement, a New York Times analysis of ship data reveals.
www.nytimes.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Every Chinese commercial ship has links to the PLAN and/or Coast Guard, and this is one of the reasons why
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
Germany Buys Eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft)
Press release: www.ga-asi.com/germany-buys...
Photo source: www.navy.mil/Press-Office...
FYI @alxluck.bsky.social @sarahkirchberger.bsky.social
Press release: www.ga-asi.com/germany-buys...
Photo source: www.navy.mil/Press-Office...
FYI @alxluck.bsky.social @sarahkirchberger.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 7:27 AM
Germany Buys Eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft)
Press release: www.ga-asi.com/germany-buys...
Photo source: www.navy.mil/Press-Office...
FYI @alxluck.bsky.social @sarahkirchberger.bsky.social
Press release: www.ga-asi.com/germany-buys...
Photo source: www.navy.mil/Press-Office...
FYI @alxluck.bsky.social @sarahkirchberger.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
My analysis of the Trump-class "battleship" is out!
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
The Trump-Class Battleship: Spectacle Wins Out Over Combat Power - Foreign Policy Research Institute
After finishing my last article on the inability of the US Navy to build frigates, I was hopeful that I could have a bit of a break before the next crisis in
www.fpri.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:15 PM
My analysis of the Trump-class "battleship" is out!
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
I've had the most responses to this piece that I've ever had for something I've written, due to the combination of disbelieving normal people and butthurt MAGA types
My analysis of the Trump-class "battleship" is out!
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
The Trump-Class Battleship: Spectacle Wins Out Over Combat Power - Foreign Policy Research Institute
After finishing my last article on the inability of the US Navy to build frigates, I was hopeful that I could have a bit of a break before the next crisis in
www.fpri.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:47 PM
I've had the most responses to this piece that I've ever had for something I've written, due to the combination of disbelieving normal people and butthurt MAGA types
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
[3/3] Analysis: The timing of Gavrilov's visit to Vietnam (starting one month after Ba Ria-Vung Tao's arrival in Cam Ranh Bay) and the duration of his visit (181 days) suggest a likelihood that he assisted in training the Ba Ria-Vung Tao submarine crew.
January 16, 2026 at 2:31 PM
[3/3] Analysis: The timing of Gavrilov's visit to Vietnam (starting one month after Ba Ria-Vung Tao's arrival in Cam Ranh Bay) and the duration of his visit (181 days) suggest a likelihood that he assisted in training the Ba Ria-Vung Tao submarine crew.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
[2/3] Background: Vietnamese Navy Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine Ba Ria-Vung Tao (HQ187) was ferried aboard M/V Rolldock Star from St. Petersburg to Cam Ranh Bay (December 2016-January 2017).
January 16, 2026 at 2:31 PM
[2/3] Background: Vietnamese Navy Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine Ba Ria-Vung Tao (HQ187) was ferried aboard M/V Rolldock Star from St. Petersburg to Cam Ranh Bay (December 2016-January 2017).
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
[1/3] Interesting: Captain 2nd Rank Artem Gavrilov, the current commanding officer (CO) of RF Navy Baltic Fleet Petersburg-class diesel-electric submarine Velikiye Luki and previous CO of Petersburg-class submarine Sankt-Peterburg, spent six months in Vietnam (February-August 2017).
January 16, 2026 at 2:31 PM
[1/3] Interesting: Captain 2nd Rank Artem Gavrilov, the current commanding officer (CO) of RF Navy Baltic Fleet Petersburg-class diesel-electric submarine Velikiye Luki and previous CO of Petersburg-class submarine Sankt-Peterburg, spent six months in Vietnam (February-August 2017).
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
Crew members emerge from the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS SEAHORSE (SSN 669) shortly after surfacing through the ice at the North Pole during exercise ICEX 90. The sail of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS GURNARD (SSN 662), which also just surfaced, can be seen on the horizon.
January 16, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Crew members emerge from the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS SEAHORSE (SSN 669) shortly after surfacing through the ice at the North Pole during exercise ICEX 90. The sail of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS GURNARD (SSN 662), which also just surfaced, can be seen on the horizon.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
That Nordic deployment to Greenland:
January 15, 2026 at 6:01 PM
That Nordic deployment to Greenland:
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
...Aleksandr Otrakovskiy departed Malabo on 12 January
January 13, 2026 at 11:04 PM
...Aleksandr Otrakovskiy departed Malabo on 12 January
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
[4/4] In late November 2025, a source familiar with the ship's schedule indicated Aleksandr Otrakovskiy will not return to Severomorsk until late February.
January 8, 2026 at 6:25 PM
[4/4] In late November 2025, a source familiar with the ship's schedule indicated Aleksandr Otrakovskiy will not return to Severomorsk until late February.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
[3/4] Metadata analysis corroborates reporting about the stops in São Tomé e Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea while also suggesting another brief presence near shore, outside the Mediterranean Sea, on 20 December.
January 8, 2026 at 6:25 PM
[3/4] Metadata analysis corroborates reporting about the stops in São Tomé e Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea while also suggesting another brief presence near shore, outside the Mediterranean Sea, on 20 December.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
[2/4] On 7 January, Aleksandr Otrakovskiy arrived in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
afrinz.ru/2026/01/kora...
afrinz.ru/2026/01/kora...
January 8, 2026 at 6:25 PM
[2/4] On 7 January, Aleksandr Otrakovskiy arrived in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
afrinz.ru/2026/01/kora...
afrinz.ru/2026/01/kora...
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
[1/4] RF Navy Northern Fleet Ropucha I-class landing ship Aleksandr Otrakovskiy reportedly anchored in Ana Chaves Bay (São Tomé e Príncipe) on 3-5 January 2026.
espada-e-escudo.blogspot.com/2026/01/navi...
espada-e-escudo.blogspot.com/2026/01/navi...
January 8, 2026 at 6:25 PM
[1/4] RF Navy Northern Fleet Ropucha I-class landing ship Aleksandr Otrakovskiy reportedly anchored in Ana Chaves Bay (São Tomé e Príncipe) on 3-5 January 2026.
espada-e-escudo.blogspot.com/2026/01/navi...
espada-e-escudo.blogspot.com/2026/01/navi...
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
BRICS Exercise WILL FOR PEACE kicked off today.
South African Navy Valour-class frigate SAS Amatola (F145) is currently operating within announced area closure.
www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/detai...
South African Navy Valour-class frigate SAS Amatola (F145) is currently operating within announced area closure.
www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/detai...
January 13, 2026 at 1:38 PM
BRICS Exercise WILL FOR PEACE kicked off today.
South African Navy Valour-class frigate SAS Amatola (F145) is currently operating within announced area closure.
www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/detai...
South African Navy Valour-class frigate SAS Amatola (F145) is currently operating within announced area closure.
www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/detai...
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
Why AI generated images are going to damage quality defence reporting
AI slop is being used by ‘quality’ and ‘fanboy’ defence blogs and news websites as well as mainstream media. It’s terrible news!
A rant 🧵
AI slop is being used by ‘quality’ and ‘fanboy’ defence blogs and news websites as well as mainstream media. It’s terrible news!
A rant 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Why AI generated images are going to damage quality defence reporting
AI slop is being used by ‘quality’ and ‘fanboy’ defence blogs and news websites as well as mainstream media. It’s terrible news!
A rant 🧵
AI slop is being used by ‘quality’ and ‘fanboy’ defence blogs and news websites as well as mainstream media. It’s terrible news!
A rant 🧵
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
#SubSunday #Submarines
Type 212CD (Common Design) diesel-electric/AIP attack submarine renders, h/t to @trenchgun91.bsky.social
Source & more info: team212cd.ca
Type 212CD (Common Design) diesel-electric/AIP attack submarine renders, h/t to @trenchgun91.bsky.social
Source & more info: team212cd.ca
January 11, 2026 at 2:42 PM
#SubSunday #Submarines
Type 212CD (Common Design) diesel-electric/AIP attack submarine renders, h/t to @trenchgun91.bsky.social
Source & more info: team212cd.ca
Type 212CD (Common Design) diesel-electric/AIP attack submarine renders, h/t to @trenchgun91.bsky.social
Source & more info: team212cd.ca
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
#SubSunday #Submarines
PLAN Kilo-class diesel-electric attack submarine (photos 1-3) and Type 094/JIN-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (photo 4) during recent exercises of the Southern Theater Command Navy.
Source: www.news.cn/milpro/20260...
PLAN Kilo-class diesel-electric attack submarine (photos 1-3) and Type 094/JIN-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (photo 4) during recent exercises of the Southern Theater Command Navy.
Source: www.news.cn/milpro/20260...
January 11, 2026 at 7:34 AM
#SubSunday #Submarines
PLAN Kilo-class diesel-electric attack submarine (photos 1-3) and Type 094/JIN-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (photo 4) during recent exercises of the Southern Theater Command Navy.
Source: www.news.cn/milpro/20260...
PLAN Kilo-class diesel-electric attack submarine (photos 1-3) and Type 094/JIN-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (photo 4) during recent exercises of the Southern Theater Command Navy.
Source: www.news.cn/milpro/20260...
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
I've just discovered possibly the weirdest outpost of the Russian-Japanese war:
The Bradford Exhibition of 1904.
The Bradford Exhibition of 1904.
January 9, 2026 at 11:55 PM
I've just discovered possibly the weirdest outpost of the Russian-Japanese war:
The Bradford Exhibition of 1904.
The Bradford Exhibition of 1904.
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
Germany’s largest naval shipbuilder, TKMS, has submitted a non-binding offer to acquire the shipyard German Naval Yards Kiel (GNYK) 🇩🇪
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
TKMS offers bid for German Naval Yards Kiel takeover - Naval News
Germany's largest naval shipbuilder, TKMS, has submitted a non-binding offer to acquire the shipyard German Naval Yards Kiel (GNYK)
www.navalnews.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
...Ivan Papanin returned to Severomorsk yesterday following a 31-day (9 December 2025-8 January 2026) possible Arctic security patrol
January 9, 2026 at 10:48 AM
...Ivan Papanin returned to Severomorsk yesterday following a 31-day (9 December 2025-8 January 2026) possible Arctic security patrol
Reposted by Mike Plunkett
RF Navy Northern Fleet Papanin-class (Project 23550) patrol ship Ivan Papanin departed Severomorsk on 9 December and remains underway through today
December 17, 2025 at 1:27 PM
RF Navy Northern Fleet Papanin-class (Project 23550) patrol ship Ivan Papanin departed Severomorsk on 9 December and remains underway through today