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US Navy’s Iwo Jima amphibious ready group starts deployment workup
Ships from the U.S. Navy’s Iwo Jima amphibious ready group (ARG) got underway off the southeast coast of the United States this month to prepare for their upcoming deployment. During this phase of preparations, Amphbious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will be pract
Australia’s Future Submarine project opens French office
Australia’s Future Submarine project officially opened an office in Cherbourg, France in a July 9 ceremony attended by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The office is a tripartite secure facility which will house submarine designers, naval architects and engineers who will work alongside e
Royal Navy qualifies new submariners
Royal Navy’s 39 junior submariners have recently completed their Submarine Qualifying Course (SMQ) at HM Naval Base Clyde. There to witness the occasion was Rear Admiral John Weale, Rear Admiral Submarines (RASM), and Gillian and Jamie Molyneux, the wife and son of submariner and George Medal recipi
US Navy’s newest destroyer set for July 15 commissioning
The U.S. Navy announced that its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the future USS John Finn (DDG 113) is set to be commissioned on July 15 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s Pier Kilo 10. Adm. Harry Harris, Jr., commander of U.S. Pacific Command, will deliver the commissioning ce
USS Fitzgerald ready for dry-docking after collision
U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Fitzgerald is ready to be moved into a dry dock in Yokosuka, Japan to continue repairs following a June 17 collision with a merchant vessel off Yokosuka. The U.S. 7th Fleet command announced that the destroyer is scheduled USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) is sche
Australian shipbuilder Austal opens new vessel sustainment office
Australian shipbuilder Austal has officially opened a new vessel sustainment office in Cairns to support the Cape-class fleet and the future Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB) that Austal is currently building. Following the opening ceremony on June 10, the sustainment facilities will employ nearly 30 peopl
Ukraine hosts 17 nations for Black Sea drill Sea Breeze
Defense forces from 17 countries are attending the multinational Black Sea exercise Sea Breeze which is taking place from July 10 to 22, in Ukraine. The exercise is co-hosted by the U.S. and Ukraine and will involve air, land, sea, and amphibious forces. The annual recurring multinational exercise i
Australian Navy frigate returning home from record Middle East deployment
Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS Arunta is on her way home after completing the longest Middle Eastern deployment by an Australian Navy vessel since 1990. Arunta concluded her assignment to Joint Task Force 633 as part of operation Manitou and handed over responsibility to HMAS Newca
USS Ronald Reagan arrives in Australia for at-sea phase of exercise Talisman Sabre
The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), joined other participants of exercise Talisman Sabre 2017 on July 8 ahead of the start of major at-sea portions of the drill. TS 17 is a joint exercise between the U.S. and Australia being held biennially off the coast of
MBDA in first test firing of Anglo-French anti-ship missile Sea Venom/ANL
Missile manufacturer MBDA announced it has completed the first test firing of the Anglo-French anti-ship missile Sea Venom/ANL at the Île du Levant test range in France. The missile is being developed to deliver an enhanced capability and replace existing and legacy systems such as the UK-developed
USS Sterett stretching deployment after Fitzgerald collision
The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet command is prolonging the deployment of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) after her sister ship USS Fitzgerald was damaged in a collision in June this year. USS Sterett is staying in the Western-Pacific until the end of August to provide
Saab to work on Swedish Navy Gävle-class corvette upgrades
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab for work on the modification and upgrades of the Swedish Navy’s two Gävle-class corvettes. The BSEK 1.249 (approx. US$148 million) contract will see Saab perform life extension services on HMS Gävle and HMS Sundsvall. Swedish ship
Sweden orders additional 18 CB90-class fast assault craft
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has ordered additional 18 CB90-class fast assault craft from Swedish boat builder Dockstavarvet under a SEK 400 million (approx. US$47.3m) contract. The new combat boats, referred to as Stridsbåt 90HSM (M standing for modernized), will be an improved
Royal Navy fast patrol boat returns to Gibraltar naval base duties
The Royal Navy’s Gibraltar base has welcomed back fast patrol boat HMS Scimitar which returned from a refit period. Since late April HMS Scimitar was dry-docked for her annual survey and refit period (ASRP), a six-week programme of repair and refurbishment to keep her running smoothly. The work pack