Guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) arrived in Palermo, Italy for a scheduled port visit, on March 31. The port visit is designed to continue Naval Forces Europe-Africa’s efforts to strengthen maritime partnerships with European nations in order to improve maritime safety and security in t
The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ and the OPV ‘Relámpago’ visited Doha (Qatar) during the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2014) Both warships made the most of their scheduled port calls in support of the national defense industry in what is considered the most imp
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel welcomed yesterday Portuguese Minister of Defense Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco to the Pentagon, and expressed to the minister his appreciation for Portugal’s many contributions to international security, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a Defe
Qatari shipbuilder Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) worth QAR 3.1 billion to build seven vessels for Qatar Armed Forces. The MoUs were signed on Thursday 27th March during the DIMDEX event at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC). Once all the
After two and a half years protecting the World Food Programme (WFP) ship, MV Caroline Scan, from pirate attack off the coast of Somalia, the EU Naval Force has bid the vessel and her hard-working crew a fond farewell. In April 2014, MV Caroline Scan will be entering a period of maintenance, so th
Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract to support the US Marines Corps fleet of KC-130J air-to-air refuelling tankers, worth more than $50 million. The MissionCare™ contract covers sustainment services for more than 200 Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines as well as propellers and other propulsion system
Ships and embarked squadrons from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) completed operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOR) March 28. The strike group completed a 120-mile transit of the Suez Canal, marking the end to more than seven straight months of operations in th
Ahead of Chinese President Xi’s visit to the European Union in Brussels, a significant naval exercise has taken place in the Gulf of Aden to demonstrate the growing cooperation between the EU and China on issues of international security and defence. EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco and FGS Hess
The Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector has ventured further south than ever before – just 1,500 miles from the South Pole – as she continued her scientific work around the frozen continent. On the latest stage of her work to improve seafaring charts of remote waters, supporting the work of
Korea Opts for Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Aircraft The Republic of Korea has formally selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft for its F-X fighter acquisition program. USS Elrod Takes Over Escort Duties of Libyan Seized Tanker The U.S. Navy’s USS Elrod relieved the USS Stout of
Royal Marines from 42 Commando prepare to launch an amphibious assault from HMS Bulwark’s landing dock within Exercise Joint Warrior. The exercise, which began on 25 March, will engage more than 35 warships, 25 different types of aircraft, and a total of nearly 13,000 personnel from the various pa
On Wednesday 26 March 2014, European Union Ambassadors met with the President of Puntland, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and his Cabinet on board the French EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, to discuss key issues related to political, security and development cooperation, and to participate in a speci
London-based missile developer MBDA welcomed the signature of the Demonstration and Manufacture contract for the FASGW(H)/ANL (Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy)/ Anti Navire Léger) missile on 27th March 2014. This jointly funded Anglo-French contract, valued at more than £500 million (€600
The Dutch Navy’s Holland-class offshore patrol vessel takes fuel from a Fast Fleet Tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service RFA Wave Knight in the Caribbean Sea. The Dutch patrol vessel is deployed to the Caribbean Sea since February, to aid to counter-smuggling operations together with US Coas
