Aviation
Artisan 3D radar completes three years of sea-based trials
The BAE Systems-developed Artisan 3D radar system has passed its acceptance trials after three years of integration on the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates. Artisan 3D has also been fitted on the new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth which is due into Portsmouth later this year. According to BAE Sy
HMSC St. John’s becomes part of SNMG2
Royal Canadian Navy’s frigate HMCS St. John’s officially became part of NATO’s standing maritime group two on January 11. The frigate is on her way to the Mediterranean Sea where she will represent Canada’s support to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe. HMCS St. Joh
UK signs £271M deal for Wildcat helicopter support
The UK Ministry of Defense has signed a five-year deal worth £271 million with Leonardo Helicopters to continue support work on the Wildcat helicopters. The MOD hailed the deal as one that would sustain approximately 500 jobs, primarily at Leonardo’s facilities in Yeovil and Royal Naval Air Station
Sea Kings embark HMS Ocean in preparation for aircraft carrier arrival
Royal Navy’s Sea King Mk7 airborne surveillance and control helicopters have joined HMS Ocean in the Gulf to practise in preparation for Merlin helicopters that will succeed the Sea Kings as the carrier’s ‘flying eyes’. After years over the sands of Afghanistan – where their radars proved vital in t
New Russian Navy video reflects on carrier’s Mediterranean ‘adventure’
The Russian Ministry of Defense has recently shared a new video of the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s lone aircraft carrier, operating in the Mediterranean Sea. The video, shared on YouTube, has no description but it is evident that it reflects on the carrier’s air wing operations off the coast of Syri
Fincantieri cleared for STX France takeover
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has received a South Korean court approval for the acquisition of Saint-Nazaire-based shipbuilder STX France. The French shipyard was owned by South Korean STX Offshore and Shipbuilding who, amid financial problems, decided to sell the French yard under a company-wide
Royal Navy contracts Ultra Electronics for more Merlin Mk2 sonobuoys
The Royal Navy has awarded British technology company Ultra Electronics a £9.7m contract extension for the supply and production of sonobuoys for the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 maritime patrol helicopter fleet. The company announced Wednesday that its Command & Sonar Systems sonobuoy facility, based in
Spanish, Pakistan Navy ships meet in Gulf of Aden
Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel ESPS Relámpago, currently part of the European Union Naval Force, met in the Gulf of Aden with Task Force 151 Pakistan Navy Ship, PNS Tariq on January 1. During the meeting, crewmembers from both ships cross-decked to the other in order to meet and share common
RFA Mounts Bay completes marathon deployment
Home with just seven days to spare before Christmas Day are the sailors and Royal Marines on RFA Mounts Bay which has completed a marathon deployment in the Mediterranean. The amphibious support ship has been away from home for 349 days as one of the first vessels to deploy in 2016… and last to retu
HMS Bulwark returns home
Hundreds of happy families and friends welcomed home their loved ones on board HMS Bulwark on December 14th, as the ship returned home from a three-month deployment in time for Christmas. The crew of the Royal Navy’s amphibious flagship HMS Bulwark arrived to a warm welcome fit for heroes after the
Spanish oiler concludes NATO SNMG2 deployment
Spanish Navy’s replenishment oiler ESPS Cantabria has concluded its 71-day deployment to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 and is now returning home. The ship is expected to arrive in the Spanish city of Ferrol on December 15. ESPS Cantabria has sailed more than 15,000 nautical miles, supplied more t
German Navy’s NH90 helicopter completes maiden flight
The German Navy’s NH90 Sea Lion naval multi-role helicopter made its maiden flight at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Donauwörth on December 8. The NHIndustries-built helicopters will replace the old ‘Sea King’ which has been in service with the navy for 40 years. The navy is set to start receiving
UK starts construction of two more Royal Navy offshore patrol vessels
The UK Ministry of Defence announced Thursday that work on two new offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Navy will get underway with a £278M contract with shipbuilder BAE Systems. The two new vessels were named HMS Tamar and HMS Spey. Preparation works were already underway and Minister for Defence
Photo: Spanish warship trains with Somaliland Coast Guard
Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel BAM Relampago took members of the Somaliland Coast Guard on board for maritime training off the coast of Somaliland on September 3. The training consisted of radar and search and rescue (SAR) drills including helicopter evolutions. UN Office on Drugs and Crime (