Authorities
Australian submarine visits Japan
Despite of the fact that Australia did not choose Japan to build its submarines, the two countries are deepening their defense relationship, this time with a Royal Australian Navy submarine visiting Japan. Less than a month ago a visit of a Japanese Soryu-class submarine marked the first time a Japa
USS Kearsarge to undergo planned maintenance availability
U.S. Navy’s Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) is set to carry out its planned maintenance availability after it completed its deployment by returning to Naval Station Norfolk, May 3. U.S. Navy’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Virginia has awarded BAE System
ESPS Tornado works with Seychelles People’s Defence Force
Spanish offshore patrol vessel ESPS Tornado, currently deployed to Operation Atalanta, recently visited the Seychelles. During the port visit Spanish sailors co-operated with Seychelles forces. The training began with theory lessons on board ESPS Tornado and was followed by practical training on Sai
EMILY, the robotic lifeguard, saves lives
Officially known as the Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard, EMILY is a remote-controlled buoy recently used to rescue nearly 300 Syrian migrants from drowning off the Greek island of Lesbos, Office of Naval Research officials announced May 5. Outfitted in bright orange, red and yellow colors, e
Preparations for ‘Unmanned Warrior’ underway
The Royal Navy has hosted a number of organizations working on unmanned maritime systems for the main planning conference for October’s Unmanned Warrior. The demonstration of unmanned systems overlaid onto the twice-yearly multinational Joint Warrior exercise staged off western Scotland will allow t
Navantia will build Australian replenishment ships
Australia has contracted Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to build two replacement replenishment ships for the Royal Australian Navy. Although the ships would be built in Spain and not in Australia, what the government opposition objected to, Australian Defence minister Marise Payne said that more than
USS Montgomery to enter post shakedown availability
The U.S. Navy has awarded Austal a $11,8 million contract to provide engineering and management services for advance planning and design in support of the Post Shakedown Availability for the Littoral Combat Ship Montgomery (LCS 8). Under the contract, Austal will provide design, planning, and materi
Denmark contributes to NATO’s counter piracy mission off Somalia
A small team of about 20 Royal Danish Air Force officers and enlisted men fly along the coast of Somalia, verifying shipping activity, distinguishing legitimate maritime traffic from suspected pirate vessels and identifying probable pirate activities off the coastline of Somalia. The crew operates a
Confirmed: Australia contracts Austal for Pacific Patrol Boat program
The Australian government has signed a contract with Austal to build and sustain up to 21 steel-hulled vessels to replace the existing fleet of Pacific Patrol Boats as part of Australia’s new Pacific Maritime Security Program. Austal was previously selected as preferred bidder for the contract. Now,
German Navy submarine wraps up NATO stint
Having concluded her deployment to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1, German Navy submarine U 34 returned to her homeport in Eckernförde, Germany. The Type 212 A submarine set sail for Scotland with the ‘Foxtrott’ crew at the end of March. She joined SNMG 1 to participate in the international exercis
Last Anzac-class frigate docks for anti-ship missile defence upgrade
Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart (III) was recently docked in preparation for her anti-ship missile defence upgrade. Both forward and aft masts will be replaced with upgraded combat sensors and communication systems as part of the upgrade. The upgrade of the ships lasts approx
Royal Navy to test integration of unmanned systems
The UK Ministry of Defense has awarded Qinetiq a £1m ($1.45m) contract to demonstrate the integration of unmanned systems into Royal Navy operations. Under the contract with the Mine countermeasures and Hydrographic Capability (MHC) team in the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), QinetiQ wil
Spanish frigate joins counter piracy operation in the Indian Ocean
Spanish Navy frigate Santa María (F-81) set sail from Rota Naval Base to integrate into the EU-led counter-piracy Operation Atalanta in the Indian Ocean until the end of September. The farewell ceremony was presided over by Commander 41st Escort Squadron, Captain Ramón Godín. Operation Atalanta is a
GAO: Overdue US Navy maintenance periods impede mission readiness
The majority of maintenance availabilities, or scheduled periods of ship maintenance and modernization, that were completed from fiscal years 2011 to 2014 took more time than scheduled, thereby reducing the time during which ships were available for training and operations, GAO said in a recently pu