French shipbuilder DCNS delivered ‘Gamal Abdel Nasser’, the first of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers, to the Egyptian Navy on June 2. The LHD (Landing Helo Dock) ships were acquired by the Arab Republic of Egypt on October 10, 2015. Built by STX France in Saint-Nazaire the two Mistral-class ve
British defense contractors Babcock and BAE Systems have jointly won a five-year contract worth £41 million to improve the Royal Navy’s Medium Calibre Guns (MCGs). Under the contract, which can potentially be extended for another five years, the two companies will provide a weapons system which woul
Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 held a ‘Spanish’ flagship change as one Alvaro de Bazan frigate replaced another on May 27. ESPS Mendez Nunez (F-104) took over as flag ship from ESPS Alvaro de Bazan. ESPS Alvaro de Bazan’s service as flagship of SNMG1 began December the 18, 2015 in Cartagena, Spain,
The Danish Navy recently contributed their new concept in counter-mine efforts to exercise Open Spirit in the Baltic Sea as part of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. The new system is flexible, scalable and utilizes drones to minimize danger to Sailors. The system is called Mine Countermea
Open Spirit 2016 participants were able to utilize their minehunting skills as they destroyed mines and other sea obstacles which posed a threat to Baltic Sea shipping lanes for decades. The international NATO maneuver which took place off Klaipeda, Lithuania concluded May 27. Minehunting units have
Sailors aboard the Italian Navy’s Horizon-class air-defence destroyer Andrea Doria launched their first MU90 torpedo in the Gulf of Taranto, May 24, 2016. During the exercise, a fictional sonar contact is included on the combat system management computer (CMS). Once the contact appears, the weapon s
A Spanish Navy submarine returned home having concluded a month-and-a-half deployment to operation ‘Active Endeavor’, an international mission to fight the ISIL terrorist organization. Submarine ‘Galerna’ (S-71) returned to her homeport in Cartagena, Spain on May 26, 2016, after participating in the
The Royal Thai Navy has picked MAN to provide engines for the second offshore patrol vessel the country is building under an agreement with BAE Systems. Under the contract, the German mechanical engineering company will deliver two 16V28/33D STC engines. The 90 metre vessel is an improved River-clas
Royal Navy’s HMS Bulwark entered HMNB Portsmouth yesterday, May 25, as part of preparations for commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland in and around Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The Devonport-based amphibious assault ship is in port to embark the massed band o
U.S. Navy’s amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Lisbon, Portugal May 24. The ship is in port to embark Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) staff members and to refuel before heading to the Baltic Sea to participate in BALTOPS 2016. Mount Whitney is designe
The Belgian Defense Minister will attend the multinational mine countermeasures (MCM) operation Open Spirit 2016 and observe participating ships conduct MCM tasks in the Baltic Sea on May 26. Minister of Defense Steven Vandeput will also meet the Lithuanian Defence Minister aboard the LNS Jotvingis
The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Lockheed Martin Sippican a $72,8 million contract for the procurement of MK 48 Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo guidance and control sections. Under the contract, Lockheed will also provide MK 48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System upgrade kits, test
Norwegian technology corporation Kongsberg Maritime has been chosen to deliver an integrated subsea technology systems package including two HUGIN Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) for a new Peruvian Navy Hydrographic & Oceanographic research vessel. The 97 metre ‘BAP Carrasco’ is built at Constr
A new centre containing facilities to support the British Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers is nearing completion at Portsmouth Naval Base. Mark Lancaster, Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans visited Portsmouth Naval Base to see how it is preparing to accommodate the Royal Navy’s two n
