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Dutch OPV nabs 406 kilos of cocaine in Caribbean Sea
The Royal Netherlands Navy offshore patrol vessel HNLMS Friesland has seized 406 kilos of cocaine from a vessel in a joint operation with the Sint Maarten coast guard. The drugs were seized on Thursday after a suspect vessel was spotted by Friesland’s NH90 helicopter. According to the Dutch Navy, th
UK restarts Type 31 frigate program competition
After halting a competition for the construction of five Type 31 frigates late July, the UK defense ministry has now relaunched the process. The program was halted on July 24 due to what the defense ministry identified as inadequate competition prior to awarding competitive design phase (CDP) contra
UK, Japan staging first bilateral amphibious drill off Japan
The UK Royal Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force are scheduled to conduct their first joint amphibious exercise in Japanese waters next week. Taking place on August 23 and 24, the exercise will be spearheaded by Royal Navy amphibious assault ship HMS Albion and the JMSDF tank landing ship
IAI to deliver Barak-8 missile system for Israeli Navy Sa’ar-6 corvettes
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced it has received a contract to deliver its Barak-8 missile system for Israel Navy’s Sa’ar-6 corvettes. The contract was led by the navy, Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the procurement administration in Israel’s defense ministry.
US Navy, CS Simpson (SS 21) hone submarine rescue skills during CHILEMAR
US Navy personnel from the Undersea Rescue Command joined the Chilean Navy diesel-electric submarine CS Simpson (SS 21) for submarine rescue drills as part of exercise CHILEMAR VIII. US Navy sailors searched for the Chilean submarine using the Sibitzky remotely operated vehicle and conducted a perso
NOAA discovers sunken WWII destroyer USS Abner Read in Bering Sea
A team of researchers has found the wreck of US Navy destroyer USS Abner Read on the bottom of the Bering Sea off the Aleutian island of Kiska, where it sank after being torn off by an explosion while conducting an anti-submarine patrol. Seventy-one US Navy sailors were lost in the aftermath of the
Blue Angels finally transiting to Super Hornets
The US Navy’s Blue Angels, the famous flight demonstration squadron, are set to receive a new squadron of Super Hornet aircraft following a defense department contract announcement on August 13. The Super Hornets, nine F/A-18E and two F/A-18F, are scheduled to replace the F/A-18C/D Hornets currently
All four Royal Navy tankers home as RFA Tideforce arrives in Cornwall
The final of four Royal Navy Tide-class tankers – RFA Tideforce – has arrived in Cornwall, UK, where it will now undergo military customization and armament before starting sea trials. Customisation work, including the installation of communications equipment and defensive systems, will be performed
GD NASSCO gets $147.6m for USS Cowpens cruiser modernization
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) a $147.6 million contract for work on the modernization of Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63). This is a “long-term” availability which will include a combination of m
HMCS Montreal arrives at Halifax Shipyard for dry docking work
Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Montreal arrived at Halifax Shipyard August 13 for a 53-week docking work period (DWP) which will include both routine maintenance and upgrades. HMCS Montreal is the third consecutive Halifax-class frigate from the navy’s east coast fleet to enter the Halifax Shipyar
Keel laid for 12th Freedom-variant littoral combat ship
The Lockheed Martin-led industry team held a keel-laying ceremony for the US Navy’s 23rd Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The keel for the 12th Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, future USS Cooperstown, was laid on August 14 in a ceremony held at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. E
US Navy gets funds for 13 new vessels under 2019 defense bill
US president Donald J. Trump has signed a $717 billion National Defense Authorization Act under which the US Navy would get funds for a total of 13 new vessels. Signed by the president at a ceremony at Fort Drum, New York, August 13, the NDAA includes funds for three littoral combat ships, a fourth
Fincantieri acquires automation specialist Vitrociset
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri is boosting its logistic support capabilities with the acquisition of automation, command and control systems specialist Vitrociset. Fincantieri announced August 7 that it signed an agreement with commercial high-tech company Mer Mec for the joint and equally split ac
US Navy calls off search for Marine missing from USS Essex
The US Navy has called off the search for a Marine who was reported missing from amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) on August 9. The Marine, assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard USS Essex, is presumed dead after the US Navy announced the end of search and rescue effo