Amphibious & Support Ships
Korean Navy Opts for AgustaWestland’s AW159 Helicopter
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced on January 15 that the Republic of Korea has selected the AW159 helicopter to meet its Maritime Operational Helicopter requirement. The contract for eight AW159 helicopters for the Republic of Korea Navy is the first export order for this new generat
Singapore Navy Commissions New Naval Officers
On 12 Jan, 55 Midshipmen from the 68th Midshipmen Course were commissioned as naval officers of the Republic of Singapore Navy by the President of the Republic of Singapore Dr Tony Tan at the 87/12 Officer Cadet Commissioning Parade, held at the SAF Training Institute – Military Institute. President
Austal’s WestPac Express Gets Charter Extension from US Navy’s MSC
The United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) has extended the charter of the Austal high speed vessel WestPac Express for six months with the award of a US$7.0 million modification to the contract announced in December 2011. This modification exercises the second of three six-month charte
Royal Thai Navy to Purchase Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles
The Royal Thai Navy has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the U.S. government to purchase nine Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles for its two Naresuan frigates currently undergoing overhauls and upgrades. This LOA increases the total ESSM user community to 13 nations. The Royal Thai ESSMs will b
Sri Lanka: Rear Admiral Assumes Duties as New SLCG DG
Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumed duties as the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard on 8th January 2013. Prior to his new appointment, he served as the Commander Eastern Naval Area of the Sri Lanka Navy. Rear Admiral Wijegunaratne is a highly decorated SLN officer with four galla
Chinese Escort Task Group Docks at Vietnam
Three Chinese navy ships returning from counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden have docked at south Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, kicking off a five-day good-will visit on Monday, Chinese Ministry of Defence reports citing Xinhua. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships belonging to the 1
ReCAAP Issues Latest Monthly Piracy Report
A total of 16 incidents were reported in November 2012. Compared to November 2011 and November 2010, there has been an increase in the number of actual incidents reported in November 2012. Of the 16 actual incidents reported during November 2012, two were Category 1 (very significant) incidents, fou
Top News of 2012
1. January US Navy to Deploy Third Carrier Group to Persian Gulf The US will dispatch another carrier strike group led by USS Enterprise to the Persian Gulf in March 2012, reported US Navy on Jan 25. The carrier group based in Norfolk, VA will also include a guided missile cruiser and three [&hell
Indian Navy Receives Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel
The first of the New 105 meter class of Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel to be commissioned “INS SARYU”, indigenously designed in-house and built by Goa Shipyard Ltd was handed over to the Indian Navy on 21 December 2012 in a simple ceremony in Goa by RAdm (Retd) Vineet Bakhshi, Chairman & Managing Dire
BNS Louise-Marie Apprehends Five Suspected Pirates
In the afternoon of 15 December 2012, the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Belgian frigate BNS Louise-Marie intercepted one skiff with five suspected pirates on board. While underway to the probable pirates’ operating area, the Swedish EU NAVFOR maritime patrol aircraft (MPRA) was able to locate the suspi
Indian Coast Guard Demonstrates Its Skills at Kochi Exercise
The Indian Coast Guard demonstrated its preparedness and readiness to intervene effectively in containing an oil spill disaster at the fourth edition of the National Pollution Response Exercise titled CLEAN SEA-4, conducted at sea off Kochi on 14th Dec 2012. The exercise was witnessed by Vice Admira
USS Frank Cable Completes Back-to-Back COMSERV Projects
Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) completed two days of back-to-back community service (COMSERV) projects at the Chao King senior community center and Sunshine Action youth center, Dec. 4-5. Sailors traveled throughout the city, led by Frank Cable chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Jo
USS Frank Cable Arrives in Hong Kong’s Harbor
Submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) arrived in Hong Kong’s harbor Dec 2. as part of its forward deployment to the Western Pacific region. Cable’s mission is to conduct maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Sailors assign
Northrop Grumman Supplies Navigation Systems for Indian CG Vessels
Northrop Grumman Corporation, is to supply advanced shipboard navigation systems for 20 new fast patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard. The fast patrol vessels will be built at Cochi Shipyard Ltd., India. Under the contract, awarded through the company’s Indian reseller Marine Electricals Ltd.,