Defense Strategies
Top News of the Week Mar 17 – 23, 2014
Indian Puts Search Operation for MH370 on Standby The Malaysian authorities have indicated that based on investigation, the search operations for the missing Malaysian Airlines aircraft MH 370 have entered a new phase and a strategy for further searches is being formulated. Accordingly, search opera
Bahamas Govt Modernizes Its Patrol Fleet
The Bahamas Ministry of National Security has moved to acquire nine vessels for the country’s Defence Force. During a contract signing ceremony held at Cabinet Office on Tuesday, March 18, The Ministry of National Security contracted the services of Damen Shipyard to acquire four Damen Stan Patrol
Russian Troops along Border with Ukraine Solely There for Exercises, Shoygu
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu assured U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that Russian troops along the Russia-Ukraine border are there solely for exercise purposes and will not cross over into Ukrainian territory, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said yesterday (March 20).
Spanish OPV Infanta Elena Trains with African Nations
Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Infanta Elena’ has just concluded her participation in the international exercise ‘Saharan Express’ intended to develop and strengthen the capabilities of African nations in the control of their own territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. The African
New Crew Takes Over EU Counter Piracy Role off Coast of Somalia
One of the key elements of the EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy operation in the waters of the Horn of Africa is the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). These long-range, capable aircraft conduct aerial patrols over the sea areas where pirates are known to operate and can provide earl
UK: BMT Fleet Technology Appoints New President
BMT Fleet Technology Ltd (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, the leading international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy, has announced the appointment of Darcy Byrtus as President. Darcy joins BMT from General Dynamics Canada where he held the post of Director of Busi
Spanish Navy Swaps Ships in Counter-Piracy Mission
The two Spanish Navy warships participated in NATO’s operation ‘Ocean Shield’ and EU’s operation ‘Atalanta’ fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia. They have both been relieved by other Spanish Navy ships in the port of Djibouti. The frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ (F-101) has been relieved by her sis
Royal Marines Train in Cornwall, UK
The Royal Marines have been flexing their collective muscle on exercise in Cornwall. Raiding Craft at picture-postcard Cawsand Beach – just some of the roughly 700 Royal Marines involved in Exercise South-West Sword, a week-long workout for the green berets and the nation’s flagship, HMS Bulwark,
US, Romanian and Bulgarian Navies Increase Interoperability with PASSEX
Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) partnered with regional NATO allies Romania and Bulgaria for a passing exercise (PASSEX) in the Black Sea, March 19, to enhance maritime capabilities between these countries. The exercise allowed Truxtun and the Romanian navy the opportunity to conduc
Image of the Day: USS James E. Williams en Route for JW
The U.S. Navy’s ship, USS James E. Williams transited, on March 18th, 2014, the Atlantic Ocean ahead of Joint Warrior Exercise which will take place in Scotland on March 31, 2014. Joint Warrior (JW) Exercises are planned and conducted by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS) based at
EU Navfor Force Commander Visits Greek Warship HS Psara
On Thursday 13 March the EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, rendezvoused at sea in the Gulf of Aden with Hellenic warship, HS Psara, to conduct a replenishment from sea. The meeting was also an opportunity for Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean to visit the crewmembers of the Hellenic Navy frigate, which
US, French Defense Ministers Discuss Situation in Ukraine
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke by phone, on March 15th, with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss the situation in Ukraine, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said. “Secretary Hagel and Minister Le Drian affirmed the solidarity of the NATO alliance and disc
USS Truxtun Leaves from Bulgarian Port of Varna
The U.S. Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) departed the Bulgarian port of Varna on Sunday, March 16. While in Varna, Truxtun hosted a planning conference with NATO allies to develop a future multilateral naval training event. Truxtun also had the opportunity to host the command
USA: Destroyer Squadron 26 Heads for Joint Warrior Exercise
Six ships, led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, departed the U.S. for Scotland, March 14, to participate in Joint Warrior 14-2, a semiannual, United Kingdom-led training exercise designed to provide NATO and allied forces a unique multi-warfare environment in which to prepare for global