France is satisfied with its contract with Russia for Mistral-class assault landing ships and ready to continue cooperation in defense area. In particular, France promises to document the contract for construction of the third and fourth Mistrals no later than in the current year. “Following the sal
BMT Defence Services Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, the leading international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy, has had its status as Recognised Organisation (RO) renewed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with an increased scope. The RO status permits BMT to undertake
Ten more Saab Seaeye Falcon ROVs have been ordered by Russia’s JSC Tetis Pro, bringing the total sold into the Russian Federation to 24 – and more are planned. “Nothing matches the Falcon,” says Head of ROV at Tetis, Dmitry Voytov. “It is small and mobile, yet powerful and simple to use.” He also li
The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO), acting on behalf of three naval training centres in Denmark, has chosen Kongsberg Maritime to supply sophisticated new bridge simulation facilities. The contract, which was signed in Ballerup, Denmark on 14th December 2011, was awarde
On Friday 23 December, HM King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, officially commissioned the most recent acquired SIGMA Frigate ‘Tarik Ben Ziyad’ for the Moroccan Royal Navy. The 105 meter long SIGMA Frigate, built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, was t
In 2011, Pacific Fleet (PF) warships continued securing civilian shipping in the Gulf of Aden which is still considered a piracy-hazardous area. PF task unit consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov, tanker Pechenga, and salvage tug SB-522 had finished their anti-piracy mission in the spring
Combined Task Force Iraqi Maritime (CTF IM) declared mission complete and was officially disestablished Dec. 31. CTF IM was established in 2003 as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom to support the government of Iraq in maintaining the integrity of Iraqi territorial waters and the defense of the Al
The Brazilian Navy has signed a contract worth £133 million with BAE Systems for the supply of three Ocean Patrol Vessels and ancillary support services. The contract also contains a Manufacturing Licence to enable further vessels of the same class to be constructed in Brazil. The three 90 metre v
The European Union’s anti-piracy naval force, Operation Atalanta, is reflecting deeply on extending the range of their activities to the beaches of Somalia, where the piracy developments are deemed to be the most intensive. The EU committee has requested the force’s commander to develop plans for re
The Crown Prince of Bahrain, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has been welcomed on board Royal Navy submarine HMS Triumph and support ship RFA Diligence during a visit by the RN vessels to the kingdom. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Dep
Ten military delegations from the US, India, China, Turkey, and CIS visited Baltic Fleet (BF) in 2011 under Russian defense ministry’s foreign cooperation development program. BF representatives paid 6 visits to foreign states in 2011. For instance, the delegation headed by BF Commander Vice Admiral
Northern Fleet (NF) aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov on Dec 23 passed Gibraltar Strait and entered the Mediterranean Sea. Other ships of the carrier strike group passed the strait few hours earlier. In accordance with further plans, the Russian Navy’s task force consisting of NF large ASW
Tanker RFA Wave Knight and pirate-busting stores ship RFA Fort Victoria joined forces this week to exercise together in the Indian Ocean. The two Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships spent 24 hours in company with each other as they supported the ongoing naval effort to protect maritime trade east of Suez. ‘
Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset celebrated Christmas a week early this year, taking advantage in a brief pause from operational tasking to engage in seasonal festivities on Sunday 18 December 2011. HMS Somerset is working under Combined Maritime Forces as part of a task force which patrols the Red S
