Amphibious & Support Ships
German, Dutch Marines set for evacuation drill aboard HNLMS Karel Doorman
Marines from Germany and the Netherlands will be honing their evacuation skills in the Rostock port aboard the Royal Netherlands Navy’s amphibious ship HNLMS Karel Doorman. Named ‘Schneller Adler 2018’ – which translates to Fast Eagle – the exercise starts on September 3 and will consist of port and
Russia deploys large task group off Syria ahead of potential new Syria attacks
Russia has reportedly amassed a large task group in Syrian waters as Syrian president Bashar al-Assad mulls an assault on rebel positions in the northern Idlib province. With over ten warships deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, this is Russia’s largest naval buildup since the country stated supporti
USS Carney wraps up Black Sea tour
US Navy’s forward-deployed destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) exited the Black Sea, August 27, after 15 days of maritime security operations and theater security engagements. USS Carney was in the Black Sea at the same time as USNS Carson City (T-EPF 7), which became the first Spearhead-class expeditiona
German frigate FGS Bayern nearing homeport after Aegean deployment
German Navy frigate FGS Bayern is set to return to her Wilhelmshaven homeport on Saturday after four months of operations in the Aegean Sea. In total, the ship spent over five months underway as part of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), sailing 27,500 nautical miles. Bayern is returning to W
Babcock, Royal Navy consolidate training systems support contract
The UK defense ministry has awarded Babcock International a five-year maritime training systems through-life availability & support service (MARTASS) contract. As announced by the company, a series of support packages, defined by the maritime combat system (MCS) and maritime training acquisition org
Cammell Laird boasts strong supplier network for Type 31 frigate bid
UK shipbuilder Cammell Laird announced it has built a network of more than 2,000 suppliers that will be involved in the construction of the Royal Navy’s future Type 31 frigate should the Cammell Laird-BAE Systems duo be selected. The shipyard and engineering services company says it is registering m
HMS Queen Elizabeth setting sail for four months of F-35B trials off US coast
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is scheduled to get underway from HMNB Portsmouth on Saturday for her first-of-class F-35B flight trials. The deployment is dubbed Westlant 18 and will see the carrier spend four months off the Eastern Seaboard of the United States with the aim of deve
UK, Japan staging first bilateral amphibious drill off Japan
The UK Royal Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force are scheduled to conduct their first joint amphibious exercise in Japanese waters next week. Taking place on August 23 and 24, the exercise will be spearheaded by Royal Navy amphibious assault ship HMS Albion and the JMSDF tank landing ship
All four Royal Navy tankers home as RFA Tideforce arrives in Cornwall
The final of four Royal Navy Tide-class tankers – RFA Tideforce – has arrived in Cornwall, UK, where it will now undergo military customization and armament before starting sea trials. Customisation work, including the installation of communications equipment and defensive systems, will be performed
Fincantieri acquires automation specialist Vitrociset
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri is boosting its logistic support capabilities with the acquisition of automation, command and control systems specialist Vitrociset. Fincantieri announced August 7 that it signed an agreement with commercial high-tech company Mer Mec for the joint and equally split ac
Italy’s newest FREMM frigate joins counter-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa
After ceding command over the EU-led counter-piracy operation Atalanta off the Horn of Africa to the Spanish Navy, the Italian Navy has deployed its newest FREMM frigate – ITS Federico Martinengo – to support the mission. The frigate got underway from its homeport in Taranto and joined the operation
Iwo Jima ARG ships return from deployment to Europe, Middle East
After dropping off the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in North Carolina, nearly 1,200 sailors aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) entered their homeport of Mayport, Florida, on August 9. USS Iwo Jima returned from a six-month deployment to the US 5th and US 6t
HMS Albion wraps up Tokio visit
Royal Navy’s amphibious assault ship HMS Albion has wrapped up a five-day visit to Tokio, Japan, becoming the largest RN vessel to visit the country in a quarter of a century. The 20,000-ton ship pulled alongside on August 3 and hosted over 6000 members of the public during an open weekend. During t
ASMAR contracts Damen for Chilean Navy icebreaker steering gear delivery
Chile’s ASMAR Talcahuano Shipyard has awarded Damen Marine Components a contract to supply steering gear, rudders and stern tube parts for the Chilean Navy’s new Antarctic research vessel. Designed in collaboration with VARD Canada, the LRS -Polar 5 Class vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2021.