Portsmouth-based Warship HMS Iron Duke has scooped two awards for her efficiency and effectiveness on operations, marking her contribution to maritime security operations in the Gulf and operations off Libya. HMS Iron Duke, a Type 23 Frigate, returned on a high from operations in July 2011 having sp
The custodianship of the Royal Navy’s oldest commissioned warship HMS Victory is to be transferred from the Ministry of Defence to a charitable trust dedicated to ensuring its preservation. The move was heralded by the announcement of a £25 million capital grant to support the new Trust by the Gosli
One out of three new Project 90600 harbor tugs has arrived in Baltic Fleet (BF) Baltiysk Naval Base. Harbor tug RB-42 will join the base’s auxiliary ship brigade. Two other tugs will be stationed in BF Leningrad Naval Base. By the end of 2012, two such tugs will be constructed for Russian Navy. Proj
The Latvian Navy’s new SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) patrol boats will be kept under Germanischer Lloyd (GL) class. GL surveyors will conduct periodic examinations throughout the life cycle of the vessels to verify that the vessels continue to be fit for purpose, technically reliable and s
Sailors from HMS Protector have returned to the exact spot where legendary Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton saved his men nearly 100 years ago. A team from the ice survey ship carried out scientific research at Point Wild on Elephant Island – a remote and forbidding shore where Shackleton’s party sp
According to numerous experts, a deep-sea diving system for submarine life-saving operations will not be ready in 2014. Initially, Igor Belousov rescue ship was supposed to take the sea in 2010, but the deadline was postponed to 2014, and still looks like overcommitment. Being equipped with deep-sea
The Operations Room is the nerve centre of a ship. With radar, sonar and communications equipment covering the full range of electronic and electro-magnetic detection and analysis, the Ops Room staff track the activity of vessels and aircraft in the ship’s area of responsibility. In action, they are
Hunter-killer submarine HMS Tireless is in the middle of a five-day visit to Southampton, giving dozens of sea cadets, scouts and other youngsters a rare opportunity to sample life on board. The Devonport-based Trafalgar-class boat arrived at the city’s Eastern Docks. Civic dignitaries and senior ci
Financing of repair, maintenance, and modernization works on Caspian Flotilla (CF) ships will be increased making about RUR 300 mln in 2012. That was discussed at the working conference of CF commanding staff with representatives of organizations providing repair and maintenance of CF ships. The con
One of the Britain’s most potent weapons is bowing out of service for the next three-and-a-half years – as her sister prepares to resume duties after a similar amount of time away from the front line. Nuclear deterrent submarine HMS Vengeance held a ‘de-dedication’ service on the eve of a £300m reva
A letter from Defence Secretary Philip Hammond responding to calls that the MOD contracts for new Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers should have been awarded to UK firms has been published in the Daily Mail today. The new Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) tankers will maintain the Royal Nav
In February 2012, at and around the US Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, approximately 12,000 military personnel and 24 ships from 9 different countries participated in the largest US amphibious exercise since 2001. Among the participants in Bold Alligator were 2 Dutch units from the Caribbean region,
A specially-painted Sea King squeezed into the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall with millimetres to spare – ahead of a major exhibition celebrating lifesaving around the UK. The veteran helicopter – Navy red and grey on one side, RAF yellow on the other – was moved from nearby RNAS Culdrose and
The flight deck of HMS Illustrious is humming and throbbing courtesy of the most potent helicopter in Britain’s arsenal. Apache gunships have returned to the carrier for training in the North Sea ahead of a visit by the ship to Tyneside which begins today. Three Apaches from 656 Squadron Army Air Co
