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
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,
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
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
The Australian Government has signed a long-term contract for the sustainment of ANZAC Class Frigates centered in Western Australia. The strategic partnership between BAE Systems Australia Defence Pty Limited, Saab Australia Pty Ltd, Naval Ship Management Australia Pty Ltd (a joint venture between U
Turkey began construction of the nation’s first amphibious assault ship with a steel cutting ceremony on April 30. Based on the Spanish Navy’s landing helicopter dock (LHD) Juan Carlos I and designed by Navantia, the Turkish version of the ship will be named TCG Anadolu and have the pennant number L
Australia and China have joined 16 other ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) nations participating in an ASEAN-hosted exercise. The regional maritime security and counter-terrorism exercise is being held in Brunei and Singapore from May 2 – 12, 2016. Minister for Defence, Senator Maris
Operation Atalanta’s German Flagship, FGS Bayern, rescued 92 people from a stricken vessel in the Gulf of Aden on April 29, 2016. The vessel had initially been sighted by the Japanese Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) of Combined Task Force 151 who had noticed it had been in the sam
The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $72 million contract to produce and deliver propulsor systems for Block IV Virginia-class (SSN 774) submarines. The contract’s value could eventually amount to $162.9 million if all options are exercised. “The propulsor contributes significantly to the overall
Indian Defense Advisor to Australia, Captain Chetan Chandegave, recently visited the Royal Australian Navy’s Submarine Escape and Rescue Centre at HMAS Stirling, in Western Australia. The aim of the visit was to provide him with a better understanding of Australian submarine escape and rescue facili
During a recent port visit to Dar es Salaam, sailors from Operation Atalanta’s Italian warship, ITS Euro, took the opportunity to visit local children. The crew members arrived at the Kindergarten in Kawe and the Vinvunguti Orphanage with supplies of food, medicine and learning materials. The childr
HMAS Perth has successfully completed an intense training and assessment phase prior to the ship deploying in support of Operation MANITOU. The period culminated in Perth being declared ‘mission ready’ by Commodore Training, Commodore Michael Rothwell recently. Perth has spent the past few weeks agg
Ships and aircraft from the Royal Australian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force have completed the bilateral Exercise NICHI GOU TRIDENT off the coast of New South Wales. Australian Exercise Director, Captain Brian Schlegel said the successful interactions were especially important for the
During a recent port visit to Dar Es Salaam, Operation Atalanta’s Italian warship, ITS Euro, conducted a series of naval exercises with men and women from the Tanzanian Navy. Over the course of three days, the Italian sailors trained alongside their Tanzanian counterparts, practising a range of skil
