Defense Strategies
EU NAVFOR, Chinese Navy Warships Train Together in Gulf of Aden
Ahead of Chinese President Xi’s visit to the European Union in Brussels, a significant naval exercise has taken place in the Gulf of Aden to demonstrate the growing cooperation between the EU and China on issues of international security and defence. EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco and FGS Hess
Top News of the Week Mar 24 – 30, 2014
Korea Opts for Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Aircraft The Republic of Korea has formally selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft for its F-X fighter acquisition program. USS Elrod Takes Over Escort Duties of Libyan Seized Tanker The U.S. Navy’s USS Elrod relieved the USS Stout of
Russia to Share Its Advanced Submarine Technology with China?
Russia could provide China with its latest Kalina-class submarine, the Voice of Russia writes. Official Beijing had initially requested from the Russian Government to provide its Navy with four Lada-class submarines. The plan was to revamp these subs with Chinese engines and an electronic fire-con
International Exercise DYNAMIC MOVE Draws to a Close
Exercise DYNAMIC MOVE (DME14), a week-long naval mine counter-measures exercise hosted by the Belgium-Netherlands (BE-NL) Naval Mine Warfare School EGUERMIN (NATO Naval Mine Warfare Centre Of Excellence / NMW COE), wrapped up last week. The annual NATO exercise, designed to test naval mine counter
Puntland Authorities, EU Ambassadors Talk Maritime Security
On Wednesday 26 March 2014, European Union Ambassadors met with the President of Puntland, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and his Cabinet on board the French EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, to discuss key issues related to political, security and development cooperation, and to participate in a speci
Russia Continues Troop Build-Up along Ukrainian Border
Russia continues to reinforce units along the eastern and southern Ukraine border, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said during a news conference today. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel last week that the Russian troops were massing f
NIRIIS 2014: SNMCMG2 Hones Skills in Greek Waters
Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group TWO (SNMCMG2) participated in Exercise NIRIIS 2014 earlier this month near Crete. The exercise focused on training participants in Maritime Interdiction Operations, including asymmetric threat scenarios, helicopter and flight-deck training, mine countermea
Colombian Navy Overhauls Its Almirante Padilla Frigates
Thales and DCNS announced that the comprehensive modernisation programme of the Colombian Navy’s four Almirante Padilla class frigates has been concluded with a successful Sea Acceptance Test of the class’s fourth ship. The contract with the Colombian authorities was signed early 2009, with DCNS a
UK, US Leaders Voice Need for Stronger Russia Sanctions
U.S. and United Kingdom defense leaders yesterday reiterated that there must be consequences for Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s forced annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel hosted British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond at the Pentagon. The two discuss
Countdown to Naming of Royal Navy’s Biggest Ship Begins
There are just 100 days to go until the biggest warship in the Royal Navy’s history is officially named. To mark the milestone, the ship’s company and Aircraft Carrier Alliance who are building the mighty Queen Elizabeth are running a countdown until the momentous day. On July 4, the Royal Navy’s
Spanish, US Anti-Piracy Ships Rendezvous in the Gulf of Oman
Rear-admiral Eugenio Díaz del Río, Commander of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2) currently participating in operation ‘Ocean Shield’ fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean, welcomed Rear-admiral Kevin M. Sweeney, Commander of the U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group 10. The two flagships, the Sp
HNLMS Eversten Medevacs Injured Seafarer to Seychelles
On Friday, 21 March 2014, HNLMS EVERTSEN delivered a badly injured civilian mariner to a Seychelles hospital after two days’ medical treatment at sea. The incident began Wednesday afternoon, when EVERTSEN received information that a crew member of the French fishing vessel BELOUVE was badly injure
Ukraine Orders Pullout from Crimea
“National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine ordered the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to withdraw military units from Crimea,” Ukraine’s interim President Olexander Turchynov said. Olexander Turchynov explained that this decision was taken because of Russian threats to the lives of military staf
HMS Brocklesby Battles Obstacles within NATO Deployment
On the 29th January 2014, HMS Brocklesby sailed from Portsmouth for a stormy trip across the Bay of Biscay to join the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measure Group in the Mediterranean. The crew of Brocklesby, Crew 1 of the 2nd MCM Squadron, ‘The Fighting Aces’, left the UK in to some of the worse [&h