US Navy destroyer USS Decatur (DDG-73) challenged China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea with a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) in the vicinity of the disputed Spratly Islands. On Sunday, September 30, Decatur came within 12 miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in a region claimed by
The biennial Five Power Defence Arrangements exercise Bersama Lima is starting in the South Cina Sea on Tuesday. Involving ships, aircraft and personnel from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, the exercise will include live fire and command post exercises over a two-week period.
The new flagship of US 7th Fleet’s amphibious forces carried out a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea on September 27. Joined by the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the USS Wasp amphibious ready group (ARG) conducted an integrated Defense of the Amphibious Task Force (DATF) dri
Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll on Wednesday joined a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force task group led by helicopter carrier JS Kaga for maneuvers in the Indian Ocean. Prior to drills with the Royal Navy, JS Kaga’s group was part of the first known Japanese anti-submarine warfare drill in the
Philippine Coast Guard has become Philippines’ first operator of the H145 helicopter after ordering one unit for its operations. The new 4-tonne-class twin-engine helicopter is equipped with high-frequency radios, emergency flotation gear, fast roping, cargo sling, search light, and electro-optical
A total of three new ships were launched at two separate shipyards for the Indonesian Navy on September 24 and 25. Shipbuilder PT. Karimun Anugrah Sejati launched two 45-meter cadet training ships – V-06 and V-07 – on September 24 in Batam. Another Batam-based shipbuilder, Batamec Shipyard, launched
Australia is taking further steps to improve regional maritime security with an AUD5 million upgrade of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island. Wharf and shore-based infrastructure upgrades are to be undertaken by Fletcher Morobe Constructions Limited as part of the Australian
Australia and New Zealand are deploying three aircraft to Japan to conduct maritime surveillance in support of the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions on North Korea. Australia will deploy two AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, while New Zealand will send i
Australia plans to establish a center for strategic analysis of information to help strengthen maritime domain awareness and provide security alerts and advice for Pacific security agencies. The Pacific Fusion Centre was announced by Marise Payne, Australian foreign affairs minister, during the Paci
Gisborne has been chosen as the honorary homeport for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) newly purchased dive and hydrographic vessel. In late August, the country’s government approved the purchase of the 85-meter Edda Fonn, a 15-year-old survey and light construction vessel. The ship will replace
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Stuart and oiler HMAS Sirius got underway from Fleet Base West on August 22 for several months of operations. Despite sailing together for the Australian-hosted exercise Kakadu 2018 which will be held off Darwin, both ships will have a very different schedule of ev
Ships from the US Navy’s Wasp amphibious ready group (ARG) met up with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) amphibious transport dock ship JS Osumi (LST 4001) in the Philippine Sea for maneuvers on August 26. During a passing exercise, multiple ships sail in formation to practice communications
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Raytheon a $60 million contract modification for work on the delivery of torpedoes and related support services for the navies of the US and Taiwan. Half of the purchases under the contract are reserved for Taiwan, while 47 percent is for the US Navy with
US Navy’s amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23) arrived in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, on August 24 as part of her Western Pacific deployment. The ship got underway from San Diego early July to operate as part of the Essex amphibious ready group together with amphibious assault ship USS Essex
