Aviation
Kenya: Pirates Get 11 Years Jail
All eleven pirates that were apprehended by EU Naval Force warship FS Nivose in May 2009 and transferred to Kenyan authorities in May 2009 were found guilty on 19 April 2012. By ruling of the Magistrate the eleven pirates now face 20 years imprisonment. It was 3 years ago when French frigate FS Nivo
FS Guepratte Joins EU NAVFOR
The Counter-Piracy force of the European Union (EU NAVFOR), typically comprising 4 – 7 Surface Combat Vessels patrolling the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa, was joined by the French navy frigate FS Guépratte today, 25 April 2012. The 125 meter long FS Guépratte with 3600 metric tonnes displacement
UK: University Students Learn Basics of Flight
Fourteen university students were given a taste of naval aviation as they joined 727 Naval Air Squadron for two weeks. The students, who normally serve with University Royal Naval Units and their P2000 patrol boats, were treated to a fortnight at RNAS Yeovilton where they learned the basics of fligh
Xingang Shipyard Delivers First Fast Attack Craft to Pakistan Navy
Yesterday, Xingang Shipyard handed over the First Fast Attack Craft (Missile) the PNS Azmat to the Pakistan Navy. The commissioning of PNS Azmat concluded the construction of the fast attack craft (missile) in China with the construction of a second craft to be completed in Pakistan by the end of 20
Australia: First of Three AWDs Arrives in Adelaide
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced the arrival in Adelaide of the first of three state of the art horizon-search radars for the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD). “The AN/SPQ-9B radar is located on the main mast of the destroyers and can track over 200 radar contacts simulta
USA: Rolls-Royce Lands V-22 Engine Contract
Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has signed a $598 Million contract with the US Department of Defense for 268 AE 1107C engines for US Marine Corps and Air Force V-22 aircraft. In the first year, Rolls-Royce will deliver 70 engines valued at $151 Million. The contract includes four addi
HNLMS VAN AMSTEL Completes Two Escorts of WFP
Dutch EU NAVFOR warship HNLMS VAN AMSTEL completed two escorts of World Food Programme (WFP) chartered merchant vessels Mary Ann Hudson and Golden Bridge, on a tour between 14 and 17 April from Berbera to Bosaso and back. Both escorts in this high risk area were carried out smoothly and without any
USA: 2012 Sea Air Space Exposition Gets Under Way
The 2012 Sea-Air-Space Exposition kicked off at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. with an official opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting April 16. After the ceremony, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert took part in a panel entitled “Service Chief U
UK: Royal Navy Helicopter, HMS Illustrious Take Part in Joint Warrior
The Royal Navy helicopter and commando carrier, HMS Illustrious, has joined one of the largest military exercises in Europe. The exercise, which includes participants from the UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands, France, Norway, Denmark and Canada, will take place between April 16 and 26 and is designed t
Indian Government Approves Acquisition of Six New OPVs
The government has OKed the acquisition of six new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) that will be added to the Coast Guard fleet. The total value of the vessels is about Rs 1,800 crore. The new vessels will be over 100-metres long and equipped with helicopter decks. The will all be constructed by defen
HII Launches USS Somerset
The future USS Somerset (LPD 25) launched April 14 from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Avondale Shipyard, marking a key milestone in the ship’s construction process. LPD 25 is the ninth ship of the San Antonio class, and is named in honor of the courage of the passengers of United Airlines Fli
HMS Westminster Intercepts Suspicious Dhow in Indian Ocean
£14m of drugs used to fund terrorist activity will never reach their destination thanks to a major bust by HMS Westminster. The Portsmouth-based warship intercepted a suspicious dhow in the Indian Ocean, seizing over 70 bales containing more than 180kg of pure heroin. The Portsmouth-based frigate po
UK: HMS Sherwood’s Reservists Return from Major Exercise
Three “blue-nosed” Reservists from HMS Sherwood in Nottingham have returned from a major exercise inside the Arctic Circle The biggest war game of the winter, involving 16,000 service men and women from 12 nations, was played out amid the Norwegian fjords and mountains in the harshest of winter weat
First Dutch F-35 Lighting II Test Aircraft Rolls Out of Factory
The first Dutch F-35 Lightning II test aircraft, the AN-1, rolled off the production line in fully assembled condition at the Lockheed Martin factory in Fort Worth, Texas, on 5 April. In the coming weeks, the aircraft will be given a special coating. Lockheed Martin will then test the aircraft’s sys