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Albanian Navy starts first ever deployment with NATO
The Albanian Navy joined it’s first-ever NATO maritime mission by deploying its patrol boat ALS Oriku to Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 on Monday. The vessel will support NATO activities in the Aegean Sea as part of the international efforts to stop illegal trafficking and migration. ALS Oriku is an
SECNAV visits Makin Island sailors in Singapore
Secretary of the U.S. Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus visited sailors and marines assigned to USS Makin Island (LHD 8) and the 11th marine expeditionary unit (MEU) while the ship was pierside in Singapore, November 22. Mabus opened the event with an all-hands call, lauding the sailors and marines aboard Mak
Danish pilots conduct operation Ocean Shield’s final patrol
A detachment of 20 Royal Danish Air Force officers and enlisted service members took flight in their aircraft from the Seychelles one last time on November 19 marking the end of their deployment. The Royal Danish Air Force Challenger CL-604 was deployed to NATO standing Operation Ocean Shield. The D
Australian Navy submarines to get sonar upgrades
Australian Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne announced that Thales Australia has been awarded a $100 million contract to design a major sonar system upgrade for Collins class submarines. The minister added that Thales Australia will engage other Australian-based companies including Sona
NATO warships conclude Devonport visit
Ships from NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 left Devonport Naval Base on Monday after a routine visit. The international group, currently comprising ships from the Royal Navy and the Spanish and Portuguese navies and a German auxiliary tanker berthed in HM Naval Base Plymouth last week. SNMG 1 now s
French DCNS signs LoI with Australian Indigenous Defence Consortium for Future Submarine cooperation
DCNS, French defense contractor that will be building Australia’s future submarines, has signed a letter of intent with the Australian Indigenous Defence Consortium (IDC) to explore opportunities to include Indigenous Australians and Indigenous businesses within DCNS’s supply chain. The partnership
HMS Iron Duke resumes training after maintenance period
The crew of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke have started a period of training under direction of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) after completing a maintenance period. This period marks the end of her busy operational period in the first half of 2016, which saw the ship deploy as par
US shipbuilder Metal Shark expands shipyard
Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has announced an expansion project now underway at its waterfront shipbuilding complex in Franklin, Louisiana. The expansion is being undertaken to accommodate increased production needs, the company said. Metal Shark is erecting a fully-enclosed 200’ x 80’ la
BAE Systems bags $10M for post-construction work on Zumwalt destroyers
The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems an initial $10.3 million contract for post-construction work on the new class of guided missile destroyers, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001). The contract has an initial award of $10.3 million and a maximum value of $192.7 million for wo
US Navy contracts BAE Systems for combat system integration
The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a five-year contract worth up to $86 million to provide management, engineering, maintenance, and IT support services for the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) at Wallops Island, Virginia. Under the contract, BAE Systems will integrate various mission equipment
UK’s “woefully low” escort fleet could shrink even further, report says
A UK Defence Committee Report has said that the Ministry of Defence will have to devise a sound plan for replacing its 13 ageing frigates while maintaining the already low number of operational vessels in the fleet. The report calls for the National Shipbuilding Strategy, due to be published this we
US destroyer visits Turkey for exercise Mavi Balina
U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) arrived in Aksaz, Turkey, to attend pre-sail and planning conferences for exercise Mavi Balina 16. Mavi Balina 16 is a Turkish-led maritime exercise involving NATO and regional forces in the Eastern Mediterranean to improve interoperabili
US Navy amphibious transport dock completes maiden journey, reaches homeport
U.S. Navy’s amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) arrived at her homeport of San Diego November 18, completing the ship’s maiden voyage. Following four years of construction and successful sea trials this summer in the Gulf of Mexico, the Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock
Warships conclude New Zealand earthquake relief efforts
Three international warships helping New Zealand in the earthquake aftermath concluded their relief effort on November 19 and headed for Wellington Harbor where they met up with New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha and tanker Endeavour. USS Sampson, HMAS Darwin and HMCS Vancouver with their embark