The Australian government on April 23 released its Defence Industrial Capability Plan which is aimed at developing a “robust, resilient and internationally competitive Australian defence industry base.” The plan is designed to maximize the involvement of competitive Australian companies in the acqui
The US State Department has approved the sale of eight Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopters to Mexico under a deal worth an estimated $1.20 billion. The potential acquisition of the helicopters would boost Mexico’s ability to carry out anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions an
A task group of three Royal Australian Navy ships was reportedly involved in what was termed as a “robust interaction” with Chinese PLA Navy ships in the South China Sea, according to a report by Australian Broadcasting Corp. The three Royal Australian Navy ships, frigates HMAS Anzac and Toowoomba a
B.A.P. Pisco, the lead ship of the Peruvian Navy’s landing platform dock ships, has started sea trials, the Peruvian Navy announced April 19. Pisco got underway from the Peruvian state-owned shipyard SIMA (Servicios Industriales de la Marina S.A.) in Callao, where it was launched in April 2017, afte
Luerssen Australia, the shipbuilder in charge of delivering of 12 new offshore patrol vessels to the Royal Australian Navy, has contracted Saab for the delivery of its systems for the new ships. Under the contract, Saab will be responsible for delivering its Situational Awareness System (SAS) and th
The US Navy’s eleventh San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27) is entering service in a ceremony on Saturday, April 21, at the Port of Portland, Marine Terminal 2 in Portland, Oregon. Deputy secretary of defense Patrick M. Shanahan will deliver the ceremony’s principal addr
The UK defense secretary cut the first turf on April 19 for a new facility at RAF Lossiemouth which will house the UK’s new fleet of Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). The £132m site will be the future home to the country’s nine-strong, new P-8A Poseidon MPA fleet. The aircraft’s key role will
Naval units from the US and Colombia are taking part in the Peru-hosted Silent Forces Exercise (SIFOREX) 2018 which began in Lima, Peru on April 16. SIFOREX is a naval exercise that focuses on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) proficiency and presents the US Navy with an opportunity to hone ASW operation
The UK-hosted multinational, tri-service exercise Joint Warrior is starting next week with warships and personnel already en route to the Scottish Coasts. The exercise will be attended by 16 nations who will take part in a range of maneuvers over a course of two weeks. Before the actual at sea maneu
Australian shipbuilder Austal has finalized the contract for two Guardian-class Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB) to be built for Timor Leste. As informed, the additional contract is worth A$29.7 million and increases the total program from 19 to 21 vessels. The potential for the extension to the existing
The US Navy announced that its ballistic missile defense (BMD)-capable guided missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69 is leaving her homeport of San Diego to join the US Navy Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Japan. The destroyer is getting underway on April 20 and will be forward deployed to Commander Fle
BAE Systems Australia will partner separately with each of BlueScope and Liberty OneSteel for the supply of more than 48,000 tons of Australian steel, should the company be selected to build nine Future Frigates as part of the Federal Government’s SEA 5000 program. BAE Systems is offering its Global
The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Helsinki, Finland, on April 18 for a scheduled port visit. The visit is aimed at enhancing US-Finland relations as the two nations work together to strengthen regional security and stability. It follows a bilat
US Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrived in Sasebo, Japan, April 17, for the ship’s final visit to the city it called home since 2012. Bonhomme Richard is preparing for a homeport shift to San Diego after serving as the flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group 7 for the p
