The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for Hobart Class Destroyer Sustainment and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $275 million. The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of follow-on sustainment s
Members of the Royal Moroccan Navy patrol ship RMN Bir Anzarane (341) conducted a proliferation security initiative (PSI) boarding on April 24, as part of Exercise Saharan Express 2015. Bir Anzarane’s team boarded USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), which has played the part of a target vessel throughout the e
The Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Infanta Cristina has just completed a third of her scheduled deployment in operation ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean. The ‘Infanta Cristina’ integrated into the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) on March 6th. Her main mission is to patrol the IRTC (
Yesterday, NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) welcomed the NATO Operations Policy Committee (OPC), led by the NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations at NATO Headquarters, Mr. Michel Soula. The focus of the OPC visit was to update Mr. Soula and the committee on MARCOM’s operations
After the latest Mediterranean Sea migrant tragedy, the European Council made a decision on April 23 to bolster efforts in preventing further loss of lives at sea. Many EU member states immediately pledged to provide assistance by sending additional vessels and aircraft to avoid future tragedies. Ac
Rear Adm. William R. Merz, commander, Submarine Group 7, and Vice Adm. Masakazu Kaji, commander, Fleet Submarine Force of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) visited Naval Base Guam April 26-28. Merz and Kaji toured Naval Base Guam, the JMSDF submarine JS Hakuryu (SS 503), and observed the
French Navy’s frigate Cassard (D 614) recently carried out a series of exercises with the Lebanese Armed Forces. The frigate, currently deployed in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, trained with two Lebanese patrol boats, Al-Kalamoun and Tabarja, as well as two semi-rigid boats. The vessels conducted a
Cochin Shipyard recently launched the fifteenth of the 20 Fast Patrol Vessels (BY 515) being built for Indian Coast Guard. The vessel was named ‘ICGS ARINJAY’. The shipyard also held a keel laying ceremony for the Indian Coast Guard’s sixteenth FPV. CSL has so far delivered 12 vessels in the 20 vess
The guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) fires its MK 45 5-inch lightweight gun during a passing exercise with the French navy Horizon-class frigate FS Forbin (620). The exercise was undertaken on April 26 in the Mediterranean Sea. Laboon is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet
Italian Navy received the fourth vessel of the FREMM program at Fincantieri’s Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard. The frigate, named “Carabiniere” in 2014 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Italian Carabinieri Force, is the fourth FREMM unit built by Fincantieri. With a length of
The Australian Navy’s newest ship, HMAS Canberra was the hottest ticket in town when she opened her gangway to the public in Hobart on the Anzac Day weekend. During the open day, 6,120 people worked their way around the 27,500 tonne, 230 metre long warship, viewing aircraft on the flight deck, the m
On Saturday 25 April the EU Naval Force flagship, HNLMS Johan de Witt, hosted a discussion forum with representatives from the Somaliland Authorities, including Ministers, the Head of the Coast Guard, Attorney General and the Governor and Mayor of Berbera. Also in attendance were a number of interna
Seabees, attached to Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1, finished helping NASA with moving and dissembling the Orion Boilerplate Test Article (BTA) for scheduled maintenance on Naval Base San Diego, April 16. NASA is currently preparing for Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), the first manned space
The Military Sealift Command’s joint high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), along with its embarked detachment of U.S. Navy Sailors and civil service mariners, departed Dakar, Senegal, after completing its participation in Exercise Saharan Express 2015, April 27. The recently-concluded Saharan E
