Crewmembers aboard the U.S. Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) recently participated in an abandon ship drill while in its homeport at Naval Base San Diego. Mercy is preparing for Pacific Partnership 2016, the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparednes
German Navy’s tanker support ship, FGS Spessart, joined Operation Atalanta on May 11, as part of Germany’s contribution to the EU’s efforts to deter and disrupt piracy off the coast of Somalia. The ship departed the Wilhelmshaven base and set sail for the Horn of Africa on April 15, 2016. Under the
Despite of the fact that Australia did not choose Japan to build its submarines, the two countries are deepening their defense relationship, this time with a Royal Australian Navy submarine visiting Japan. Less than a month ago a visit of a Japanese Soryu-class submarine marked the first time a Japa
Spanish offshore patrol vessel ESPS Tornado, currently deployed to Operation Atalanta, recently visited the Seychelles. During the port visit Spanish sailors co-operated with Seychelles forces. The training began with theory lessons on board ESPS Tornado and was followed by practical training on Sai
Officially known as the Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard, EMILY is a remote-controlled buoy recently used to rescue nearly 300 Syrian migrants from drowning off the Greek island of Lesbos, Office of Naval Research officials announced May 5. Outfitted in bright orange, red and yellow colors, e
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
