Contracts
Norway contracts Kongsberg for Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate upgrades
The Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) has contracted Kongsberg Defence Systems to upgrade the combat management systems of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates. Under the agreement, the defense company will also update the ships’ active sonar systems. Kongsberg said the c
HMS Iron Duke resumes training after maintenance period
The crew of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke have started a period of training under direction of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) after completing a maintenance period. This period marks the end of her busy operational period in the first half of 2016, which saw the ship deploy as par
Thales to overhaul Goalkeeper close-in weapon systems on S. Korean KDX-I destroyers
Thales has joined forces with the South Korean defense contractor LiG Nex1 to overhaul Goalkeeper close-in weapon systems on board the KDX-I class vessels of the Republic of Korea Navy. Thales noted that the overhaul would be carried out by Thales in close cooperation with DMI (the Naval Maintenance
UK, Norway increase maritime patrol aircraft cooperation
Defense ministers of the UK and Norway have agreed to step up their defense relationship during a November 10 meeting where UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced new cooperation on maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and exercises. After a visit to Norway’s top military headquarters, close to the
UK finally starting work on Type 26 frigates
UK’s Defence Secretary announced on Friday that first steel for the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 frigates would be cut in summer 2017. Michael Fallon made the announcement during a visit to Govan in Scotland and added that the deal was subject to final contract negotiations. Fallon also announced a £100
UK engineers are aboard USS America for F-35B trials
The U.S. Navy recently shared news of the Marines’ F-35B stealth fighter jet conducting trials aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America. A total of seven of the STOVL (short take-off vertical landing) variants of the Lockheed Martin-built jet are embarked on USS America for both developmental
Saab teams up with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa for Polish naval development
Swedish defense contractor Saab has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Polish defense company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) under which the two companies will work together on the planning and delivery of Polish naval programs, including surface ship and submarine construction for the
Unmanned Warrior 2016 concludes
The Royal Navy-hosted review of unmanned technologies which took place on the West Coast of Scotland concluded on October 20. The skies above the island of Benbecula, a remote Scottish outpost in the Outer Hebrides, have been clear and calm in October allowing several dozens of the world’s experts t
Qatar’s Coast Guard receives first batch of composite hull patrol boats
Qatar’s Coast Guard Command has taken delivery of the first in a series of 17 Ares-built composite hull boats. Powered and propelled by MTU high-speed engines and Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjets, two Ares 75 and one Ares 110 Hercules, will be the first three boats of this programme to be delivered by t
Rain fails to spoil first day of Unmanned Warrior
A damp day across the Western Isles greeted the dozens of range staff, RN augmentees and Joint Warrior liaison teams who turned out before first light on the first official Unmanned Warrior flying day and headed for the brightly lit Range Control Building 12 miles south of Benbecula on the island of
Report: Germany delays MKS 180 contract award
A 4 billion euro (approx. $4.5B) contract for the construction of the German Navy’s new MKS 180 (Mehrzweckkampfschiff) ship has been delayed by six month, news agency Reuters has reported. The German defense ministry is postponing the contract to ensure high-quality standards are met, the report sai
BAE Systems bags Royal Navy combat system integration contract
BAE Systems announced Monday that it has signed a ten-and-a-half-year contract extension to provide combat systems integration services for Royal Navy’s in-service and future platforms. The contract includes, among others, Type 45 destroyers, the new Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class aircraft carriers, and
Frazer-Nash bags Royal Navy ‘Safe to Operate’ contract
The UK Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Ships Operating Centre has awarded Frazer-Nash a contract for support on the delivery of ‘Safe to Operate’ Royal Navy equipment and platforms to the MOD. Frazer-Nash will be supported by BMT Cadence, BMT DSL and Survivability Consulting Limited on the unde
Photo of the day: First steel is cut for British Successor submarine
British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon attended the steel cutting ceremony for the first Successor submarine yesterday at BAE Systems’ Barrow-in-Furness site. The event marked the official start of the production of four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines which will replace Royal Navy’s