MSR Newsletter The latest news for January 5th 2018

Happy New Year from everyone at MSR. We hope you enjoyed the break and are back, ready for more maritime malarkey?
We have a very mixed bag this week, as news cycles slowly shake off their slumber and get back to business. We open with news that China has created an underwater surveillance system for the Indian Ocean which is already vexing regional states. 
Staying in the region, Houthi rebels captured an alleged American UUV this week, which the US has said was in the area for meteorological purposes…huh. In the Arabian Gulf, the CMF has scored two massive drug busts in the last couple of weeks. HMAS Warramunga seized 11.5 tonnes of drugs from a dhow just after Christmas and, this week, another 3.5 tonnes in a joint operation with a helicopter from RFA Fort Rosalie. Great work by the multi-national force. 
In Nigeria, after a series of pirate attacks and crew kidnaps, NIMASA has announced plans to purchase new maritime assets in an effort to clamp down on piracy. Despite the country still not having useful legislation to prosecute those involved. 
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, President Duterte is looking for ways to enhance maritime security cooperation with Indonesia in order to keep the threat from Daesh-linked terrorists at bay. 
We end with a look at Russia's activities in the Baltic Sea, courtesy of CIMSEC. An alarming read.