Naval Technology lists ten of the most popular navy tweets in December 2020 based on data from GlobalData’s Influencer Platform. The top tweets were chosen from influencers as tracked by GlobalData’s Influencer Platform, which is based on a scientific process that works on pre-defined parameters. Influencers are selected after a deep analysis of the influencer’s relevance, network strength, engagement, and leading discussions on new and emerging trends.

Top tweets on naval tech in December 2020

1. US Navy’s tweet on deployment of French submarine in West Pacific

US Navy, the official account of US Navy, shared an article about the deployment of the French nuclear-powered submarine (SSN), FS Emeraude, in Western Pacific. The deployment gave a unique training opportunity for the US Navy’s USS Asheville, a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine. Emeraude and the Loire-class support and assistance vessel (BSAM type) FS Seine are on a planned deployment to the Western Pacific.

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Asheville and Emeraude utilised the deployment to learn high-end maritime skills over a period of few days in various disciplines. These exercises are devised to improve co-ordination and battle skills among maritime forces.

Username: U.S. Navy

Twitter handle: @USNavy

Retweets: 317

Likes: 1,279

2. Sir Humphrey’s tweet on British Navy’s submarine construction plans

Sir Humphrey, author of ‘ThePinstripedline’, a blog on defence issues, tweeted on submarines belonging to the British Navy, which are under construction at the Barrow shipyard by BAE Systems.

Currently, three Submersible Ship Nuclear (SSN) general-purpose attack submarines and four Submersible Ship Ballistic Missile Nuclear (SSBNs) ballistic missile-carrying submarines, belonging to the UK’s Royal Navy are either in the construction or planning phases.

A pressure hull section of one of the submarines, the HMS Dreadnought, moved into central coatings facility in December. This is one of the world’s biggest submarine constructions being undertaken in Barrow.

Username: Sir Humphrey

Twitter handle: @pinstripedline

Retweets: 3

Likes: 127

3. Navy Lookout’s tweet on UK Royal Navy’s submarine programme

Navy Lookout, an independent news provider on UK’s Royal Navy, shared an article on the progress of the Royal Navy’s HMS Dreadnought submarine, which is one of the country’s first new nuclear deterrent submarines. The submarine has been in the construction stage for more than four years and consists of four boats.

The submarine programme is currently in its Delivery Phase 2, which was expected to continue until March 2021 but will now run until March 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The project has incurred a cost of $9.56bn on concept, evaluation, and early delivery phases since April 2019.

Username: NavyLookout

Twitter handle: @NavyLookout

Retweets: 9

Likes: 100 

4. US Central Command’s tweet on US Navy patrol ship transiting Hormuz Strait 

US Central Command, the official account of the US Central Command, tweeted on the US Navy’s patrol coastal ship USS Tempest passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a strait between Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Passing through the strait marks the US Naval Forces Central Command’s commitment to abide by the International Rules Based Order, which allows the free flow of trade, navigational freedom, as well as coordination between the navies and maritime industry.

Username: U.S. Central Command

Twitter handle: @CENTCOM

Retweets: 24

Likes: 91

5. Tyler Rogoway’s tweet on Israeli drones meeting US Navy requirements 

Tyler Rogoway, editor of The War Zone, a website providing information on defence, shared an article about how an Israeli firm’s products could meet the US Navy’s requirements for unmanned aircraft for its submarine launchers.

An Israeli firm, Spear, released its Ninox line of encapsulated drones during the same time as the US Navy’s announcement. The drones can be released from 40mm infantry grenade launchers and 66mm grenade launchers mounted on vehicles and underwater launch systems. 

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), however, stated that it was currently looking for potential Submarine-Launched Unmanned Aerial System (SLUAD) designs with a 3in diameter form-factor to enhance communication, sensor and cyber-security capabilities, rather than drone acquisitions.

Username: Tyler Rogoway

Twitter handle: @Aviation_Intel

Retweets: 22

Likes: 87

6. Military Times’ tweet on US Navy’s frigate programme

Military Times, a website covering military news and information, shared an article on the Congress pushing the US Navy to get its frigate programme, also known as the FFG(X), right after citing engineering failures in its littoral combat ships (LCS).

According to a 2021 National Defence Authorisation Act, the US Navy will now be required to establish a land-testing site for the engineering plant for its new Constellation-class FFG(X) programme.

The frigate programme will introduce a new propulsion system, which has not been used in the navy before. Adapted from Fincantieri’s FREMM design, the aim was to use an existing design to reduce technical, design, and integration flaws.

Username: Military Times

Twitter handle: @MilitaryTimes

Retweets: 7

Likes: 34

7. Chris Cavas’ tweet on Italy’s NFS submarine programme

Chris Cavas, a naval warfare journalist, shared an article on Italy’s Ministry of Defence’s Secretariat General/National Armaments Directorate for Naval Armaments plans to go ahead with a purchase contract for 2 + 2 Type U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS) Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) submarines along with logistics and training support.

The submarines will be built in Italy by Fincantieri, Europe’s largest shipbuilding group. The value of the contract to be awarded to Fincantieri is pegged at $1.64bn.

Username: Chris Cavas

Twitter handle: @CavasShips

Retweets: 9

Likes: 32

8. Xavier Vavasseur’s tweet on the overhaul of French Navy submarine

Xavier Vavasseur, founder and chief editor of navelnews.com, a naval forces news provider, shared an article on Perle, a Rubis-class SSN of the French Navy leaving naval base aboard the semi-submersible vessel Rolldock Storm for repairs and overhaul at the Naval Group shipyard located in Cherbourg.

Perle’s forward section of the hull was damaged in a 13 hour-long fire. The front steel section of the submarine will be cut off and replaced with another Rubis-class SSN, Saphir, which was decommissioned in July 2019.

Username: Xavier Vavasseur

Twitter handle: @xaviervav

Retweets: 5

Likes: 28

9. 9DASHLINE’s tweet on discovery of Chinese submarine drone in the Indian Ocean

9DASHLINE, a website providing analysis on the Indo-Pacific region, shared an article on a Chinese submarine drone being discovered near the Selayar Island in South Sulawesi province in Indonesia. The drone was found by Indonesian fishermen and may have been assessing Indonesian waters to evaluate potential ways to penetrate into the Indian Ocean.

The glider drone was found near two strategic routes between the Indian Ocean and South China Sea, the Lombok Strait and the Sunda Strait. This raises concerns over the possibility of the Chinese Navy collecting significant information via the drones to utilise the two straits during future hostilities.

Username: 9DASHLINE

Twitter handle: @9DashLine

Retweets: 23

Likes: 26

10. Stars and Stripes’ tweet on Japan’s plans to construct Aegis-equipped ships

Stars and Stripes, an online platform for military news, shared an article on Japan planning to build ships armed with Aegis missile-defence systems, after their plans for two land-based Aegis systems were scrapped. The plan was approved by the country’s ruling party, as the government intends to invest in these vessels for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force in 2021.

The US-built Aegis ballistic missile defence system can shoot down short and intermediate-range missiles, while in motion. The Defence Ministry of Japan is looking to allocate $288m towards these ships in its FY21 budget.

Username: Stars and Stripes

Twitter handle: @starsandstripes

Retweets: 6

Likes: 26