The guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) approaches the German navy replenishment tanker FGS Spessart (A1442) for a replenishment-at-sea while underway for Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2014. Now in its 42nd year, BALTOPS is an annual, multinational exercise with the goal of enhancing ma
The Irish Naval Service vessels L.É SAMUEL BECKETT, L.É. ROISIN and L.É. AOIFE will be conducting exercises off the South Coast of Ireland, as part of a week long fleet assessment by the Naval Service. Some of the tasks involved include a scenario-based Maritime Interdiction Operation which prepar
Russian Pella Shipyard has launched the first serial high speed patrol boat of project 03160 “Raptor” of 2014 Manufacturing programme built under the Contract with the Russian Navy. The vessel, which will now undergo sea trials, has a length of 17 m, width of 4 m and a draught of 0.9 m. The Shipya
Lieutenant Commander Zeljko Pekovic has become the second naval officer from Montenegro to serve at the EU Naval Force Operational Headquarters in Northwood, UK. Lieutenant Commander Pekovic will be stationed in the Headquarters until June 2015. Montenegro started providing a military officer to t
Babcock has been awarded a five year contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to support the Weapon Handling and Launch System (WHLS) and Submerged Signal Ejector (SSE) equipment used on all classes of UK in-service submarines, and their associated training rigs. Under the firm priced target a
After two months of contributing to the European Union’s fight against Somali piracy in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, French warship FS Floréal is sailing towards her home port on La Réunion, which is a French territory in the Indian Ocean. This is the fifth time that FS Floréal has participa
Sailors from HMS Lancaster have spent an action-packed two months helping to train those who fight beneath, on and above the waves – now and in the future. Submariners, aviators and warfare officers all have the Portsmouth-based frigate to thank for the intensive work-out the ship gave them off th
The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Carrier Air Wing Two departed from the Southern California operating area June 18 to participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. RIMPAC is the world’s largest i
HMS Ledbury has returned to her home base of Portsmouth after a busy two weeks away on ceremonial and training duties. Having only taken over the ship the week before, MCM2 Crew 4 worked tirelessly to make her ready for sea in time for high profile events in France commemorating the 70th anniversa
A deal that makes HMS Trincomalee – Britain’s oldest floating warship – a full subsidiary of the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) has been hailed as great news for Hartlepool. The Napoleonic-era vessel which is permanently moored at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience in the town’s marina, wi
As HMS Scott leaves dry dock and returns to water, a new coating on her hull will save thousands of pounds and will be friendlier for the environment. The coating, called Hempasil X3, is a ‘fouling-release’ material which prevents organisms like barnacles from clinging to the hull. These organisms
Earlier today the Operational Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant, welcomed the Defence Advisor to the People’s Republic of China Delegation to the European Union, Major General Luo Wei and his Deputy, Senior Colonel Qiu Yi, to the Operational Headquarters in Northwood. Durin
