The Ministry of Defence has today published details of how it will equip the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force over the next 10 years and how this will be funded. For the first time, the government has set out a fully-funded Defence Equipment Plan totalling almost £160 billion. The affordability
The Royal New Zealand Navy will continue its traditional involvement and support in Waitangi Day activities in the Bay of Islands this year. The Navy is invited annually by the people of Tai Tokerau to attend Waitangi Day activities, and plays a major part in the commemorative ceremonies. This year
The Royal Netherlands Airforce’s newest helicopter, the NH-90, is on its way to Somalia on board HNLMS De Ruyter. It is the first overseas mission in which the maritime on-board helicopter will take part. Although in its current configuration it will not be able to carry out all mission tasks, the N
A Change of Command ceremony for the Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS WELLINGTON was held on 24 January at Devonport Naval Base. Commander Dave McEwan RNZN (left) relinquished Command of HMNZS WELLINGTON and Lieutenant Commander Phil Rowe RNZN (right) assumed Command in a ceremony onboard WELLINGTON. Ch
The crews of guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Russell (DDG 59) finished swapping hulls at Naval Base San Diego Jan. 25. Russell arrived from its prior homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to San Diego, Jan. 9, where it will be permanently stationed. Halsey and Russell then
Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command to provide Gen II mission computers for the H-1 Upgrade helicopter program. Under the $9.3 million firm-fixed-price order, Northrop Grumman will supply Gen II mission computers and trays for the H-1 Upgrad
The first Wildcat attack helicopter to be delivered to the Royal Navy has successfully taken its first flight at Yeovil in Somerset. The Wildcat has a more powerful engine, allowing it to be flown in extreme conditions all year round. It is also equipped with a more robust fuselage, a high-tech inte
The smallest Squadron in the Royal Navy got 2013 off to a flying start with training off the west coast of Scotland. Late last year the Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron exchanged their two P2000 vessels – HMS Dasher and Pursuer – for Her Majesty’s Ships Raider and Tracker. The new additions are faster a
Law enforcement crews aboard the Alameda-based Coast Guard Cutter Waesche seized more than 2,400 pounds of marijuana from a boat approximately 300 miles west of San Diego and apprehended three suspects Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, during a counter-narcotics patrol. It all began when a Sacramento-based Coa
Following an attack in early January on a merchant vessel 260 miles off the Somali Coast, twelve men suspected of committing an act of piracy, were transferred on January 25 by EU Naval Force warship FS Surcouf to the Mauritian authorities for prosecution. When the attack happened on 5th January, th
GE’s Power Conversion business has started fitting the latest generation of Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships WAVE KNIGHT and WAVE RULER. The technology will extend the life and versatility of the IPMS fitted to the two ships, helping the RFA to ma
Following a 43-year career with the Royal Navy, Sir Mark Stanhope is to stand down as First Sea Lord in April and will hand over the baton to Admiral Sir George Zambellas. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond yesterday, 24 January, made the announcement that Adm Zambellas will succeed Sir Mark as the Ch
The “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 embarked the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), the flagship of commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, in preparation for an underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Jan. 23. As a regular part of
The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) arrived Jan. 20 to the 4th Fleet’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) for a scheduled six-month deployment to conduct Operation Martillo. Thach’s crew of 220 Sailors and embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team (LEDET) will conduct Count
