“Not only must we tackle the pirates at sea, when they are ready to strike, but also on land, where their criminal networks are based. In that way, we – and not the pirates – will gain the initiative”, argued Minister of Defence Hans Hillen in Brussels during a meeting with his European Union counte
The large-scale NATO exercise Cold Response has ended. Between 14 and 22 March, 16,000 military personnel from 15 countries trained in Norway for counter-terrorism situations under cold weather conditions. One of the lessons learned for the next exercise in 2014 is the need for better harmonisation
The worldwide networking of economic relations continues to grow with enormous dynamism. The security of shipping routes and ports is essential for this global development, which has made shipbuilding and shipping key industries in global logistics. SMM, the world’s leading maritime industry fair, i
The royal Thai navy assumed command from the royal Danish navy as Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, during a change of command ceremony onboard USS Halsey (DDG 97), Muscat, Oman, March 29. Rear Adm. Tanin Likitawong, royal Thai navy, relieved Commodore Aage Buur Jensen, royal Danish navy, The
Large ASW ship Vice Admiral Kulakov is heading for Northern Fleet (NF) test range in the Barents Sea. The crew has passed full training cycle in base and is finishing preparations for long-range cruise to the Gulf of Aden. Personnel of the ship will perform a number of missile and gun firings, air a
On the 26 March 2012, the EU Naval Force Flagship ESPS Patino located a Yemeni registered dhow that was suspected of being involved in acts of piracy off the Somali coast. The previous day a merchant vessel had reported that it had evaded an attack by two skiffs. As she was close by, ESPS Patino [&h
In Oct 2012, Ukrainian Navy’s airplane An-26 will join EU Operation Atalanta conducted off Somalia to counter piracy, reports Ukrinform referring to Vasily Filipchuk, Director of Political Dept, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. As for him, “Ukrainian naval airplane An-26 will be dispatched to the mission
Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit headed by Capt 1 rank Ildar Akhmerov and consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Tributs, replenishment tanker Pechenga, and seagoing tug MB-37 has completed anti-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa and is currently heading for homebase. Through over 3 months of anti-pira
UGL Limited announced that Babcock Pty Ltd (Babcock) and UGL Infrastructure Pty Ltd will form a Special Purpose Vehicle, Naval Ship Management (Australia) Pty Ltd (NSM(Aust)), an incorporated 50:50 joint venture, to provide Naval surface ship repair and maintenance services for the ANZAC Ship Group
French Navy command and replenishment ship FS MARNE left Toulon on 25 March and is heading towards the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin, with the future EU NAVFOR Force Commander, Rear-Admiral Dupuis and his staff on board. The FS MARNE carries a complement of 215 personnel on board, among whom are
Plymouth based warship, HMS Ocean, has been awarded a trophy as the Royal Navy’s most effective large ship for 2011 having also won it in 2010. HMS Ocean has won the 2011 Effectiveness Trophy in two categories ‘Capital Ship’ and ‘Naval Capability’, the latter in conjunction with the Apache Air Group
Despite the legal grey area that surrounds floating armouries, they may be permitted if private maritime security companies prove they can fulfil licensing requirements. One PMSC told Lloyd’s List that almost all companies operating in the Gulf of Aden use “flotels” to store weapons, equipment and m
Defence and security company Saab has received an order amounting to 128 million kronor, approximately 14 million Euro, from FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) for system maintenance regarding Gripen. In accordance with the order from FMV, Saab will undertake continual maintenance and
The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) traversed rough seas and high winds while transiting through the Strait of Gibraltar March 23. Although the passage was rescheduled for early in the morning, allowing Enterprise to transit with less traffic in the strait, weather conditions remained sever
