Defense Strategies
German, South Korean Destroyers Meet at Sea
On Wednesday 26 February 2014, German Navy frigate, FGS Hessen which is operating as part of the EU Naval Force, and South Korean destroyer, Kang Gam Chan, met up in the Gulf of Aden to carry out a joint exercise. Both warships are currently conducting counter-piracy operations. The counter-piracy
UK: Multi-Million RFA Fort Victoria’s Refit Begins
BIRKENHEAD (Liverpool City Region UNITED KINGDOM) shipyard and engineering service provider Cammell Laird has begun a £47m refit of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Victoria. The massive refit will be the biggest ever undertaken by the yard since it began its 25 year through life support ‘clus
Indian Ocean: Cristóbal Colónto to Assume Command of SNMG-2
The Spanish frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ (F-105) departed La Graña Naval Station on February 24 to relieve the frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ (F-101) as command ship of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2). After successfully completing an operational qualification period, the ‘Cristóbal Colón’ wil
VIDEO: NATO Explains Its Ballistic Missile Defence Capability
The USS Donald Cook, which arrived at Rota Naval Station, Spain earlier this month, is the first of four ballistic missile defence (BMD) capable destroyers that will be stationed at the base. In the meantime, the USS Donald Cook will be joined by the USS Ross, USS Porter and USS Carney over the ne
Spanish OPV ‘Infanta Elena’ Sets Sail to Africa
The Spanish Navy’s Oceanic Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Infanta Elena’ has left Cartagena to take part in different cooperation-related activities in the African continent that the Ministry of Defense and the Spanish Navy carry out as part of the ‘Africa Partnership Station’ (APS) initiative. The deployment
EU Navfor Commander Visits Kenyan Military and Civilian Authorities
During their recent 3-day port visit to Mombasa, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean, paid a visit to Kenyan military and civilian authorities. The following day he visited the Mombasa Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and Information Sharing Centr
Tanzanian Maritime Authorities Hone Counter-Piracy Knowledge
On Monday 24th February, European Union counter-piracy operation Atalanta and EUCAP Nestor, the civilian-led Maritime Security Capacity building EU Mission, hosted two training sessions for Tanzanian Maritime Police and Navy in Dar es Salaam to share knowledge and experiences in fight against piracy
Ukrainian Frigate Protects Lebanese Flagged Vessel
During one of their counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, the EU Naval Force Ukrainian frigate, Hetman Sagaidachniy was tasked by the EU Force Headquarters to provide close protection at sea for a Lebanese-flagged merchant vessel, which had suffered engine failure and was drifting in the pirac
NATO’s Warships Engage in Submarine Warfare amid DYNAMIC MONGOOSE 2014
NATO’s submarine warfare Exercise DYNAMIC MONGOOSE 2014 (DMON 14) concluded yesterday off the coast of Norway, as the ships, submarines, aircraft, and personnel from eight participating Allied nations wrapped up the simulations and began to take stock of the lessons the exercise provided for future
Russia, China Schedule Joint Drills
Russia and China will join their forces in “Naval Interaction-2014” exercises in the East China Sea at the end of May and the beginning of June, reports the Voice of Russia, citing Eastern Military District spokesperson Alexander Gordeyev. Gordeyev said that delegations of the two countries agreed
FS Siroco, Mauritian Coast Guard Complete Training at Sea
On Tuesday 18 February, after the EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, arrived in Mombasa for a port visit, the French warship’s commanding officer, Captain Jean-Marc Le Quilliec officially delivered diplomas to members of the Mauritians Coast Guard who had completed their training course at sea. T
NATO Warship Saves 8 Yemeni Sailors
On Friday, 21 February 2014, NATO warship HNLMS EVERTSEN rescued 8 Yemeni seamen who were found in the water in the Gulf of Aden. Earlier that morning, an automated distress call was received by the UK Coast Guards in Falmouth, United Kingdom, indicating that a ship was in distress off the north-e
German Frigate Provides Medical Assistance to Somalian Fishermen
On Monday 17 February, during a ‘friendly approach’ with local seafarers, the medical team from German Navy frigate FGS Hessen, was able to provide eight local Somalia fishermen with medical examinations and some dental treatment. The offer of medical help to the local fishing community was initia
Ukrainian Frigate Resumes Patrolling within EU Navfor
Ukrainian Hetman Sahaydachnyi frigate with the Ka-27PR helicopter and special team on board resumed its patrolling within the EU Navfor Atalanta. Her fourth patrolling will last until February 26. According to Capt. 2nd Rank Roman Pyatnytsky, the frigate has passed over 18,000 nautical miles since