The US Coast Guard transferred two of its decommissioned Island-class cutters to Ukraine in a ceremony at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, on September 27. The ceremony was attended by US Coast Guard Vice Adm. Michael McAllister, Ukrainian Navy chief Vice Adm. Ihor Voronchenko, and Ukraine’s presi
In a milestone for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, a Marine Corps F-35B flying from amphibious assault ship USS Essex carried out its first combat strike. The strike took place on September 27 in the US Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afgha
Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll on Wednesday joined a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force task group led by helicopter carrier JS Kaga for maneuvers in the Indian Ocean. Prior to drills with the Royal Navy, JS Kaga’s group was part of the first known Japanese anti-submarine warfare drill in the
The Indian Navy has contracted Visakhapatnam-based shipbuilder Hindustan Shipyard Limited for the construction of two 118-meter diving support vessels (DSV). The contract was signed on September 20. The first vessel is scheduled to be built in a 36-month period, followed by the second, six months la
Philippine Coast Guard has become Philippines’ first operator of the H145 helicopter after ordering one unit for its operations. The new 4-tonne-class twin-engine helicopter is equipped with high-frequency radios, emergency flotation gear, fast roping, cargo sling, search light, and electro-optical
Indian shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) has contracted German submarine specialist thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for work on the overhaul of the Indian Navy’s Type 209 submarine INS Shishumar. The exact value of the contract was not revealed and TKMS only said it received a “high two
The UK’s ability to provide the continuous submarine-based nuclear deterrent will be put at risk if a number of issues are not solved, a new report finds. At times of major international uncertainties, the country’s defense department needs to bridge a £2.9 billion affordability gap, according to th
NATO’s operation Sea Guardian Special Operations Command Control Element (SOCCE) achieved full operational capability last week, NATO’s Maritime Command has announced. On September 20, under Maritime Command (MARCOM) guidance and SOCCE control, an opposed live boarding exercise commenced with the pa
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) cutter Seneca returned on September 25 to her homeport of Boston following a 50-day counter-drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Seneca crewmembers and a tactical law enforcement detachment team conducted multiple interdictions while patrolling international
Polish Navy sailors assigned to frigate ORP Generał Kazimierz Pułaski recently used facilities at the Royal Navy training establishment HMS Raleigh ahead of their operational sea training. The former Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate is in Plymouth for six weeks of training with Flag Officer Sea Tra
The US Navy carrier strike group assembled around aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived at Naval Base Guam for a port visit after completing participation in exercise Valiant Shield. Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser US
A total of three new ships were launched at two separate shipyards for the Indonesian Navy on September 24 and 25. Shipbuilder PT. Karimun Anugrah Sejati launched two 45-meter cadet training ships – V-06 and V-07 – on September 24 in Batam. Another Batam-based shipbuilder, Batamec Shipyard, launched
Florida-based Comtech Systems, a Comtech Telecommunications Corp. subsidiary, was recently awarded a $9.1 million sole-sourced contract to support a C4I system in service with the Iraqi Navy. Awarded by the Program Executive Office (PEO) Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (
Australia is taking further steps to improve regional maritime security with an AUD5 million upgrade of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island. Wharf and shore-based infrastructure upgrades are to be undertaken by Fletcher Morobe Constructions Limited as part of the Australian
