Defense Strategies
HMS Richmond Sets Sail for Atlantic Patrol Tasking
Portsmouth based warship HMS Richmond sailed on August 5 for a routine seven-month Atlantic Patrol Tasking. Maintaining the continuous Royal Naval presence in the Atlantic, the Type 23 Frigate will provide ongoing protection and reassurance to British interests within the region. The Atlantic Patrol
HNLMS Van Speijk Ensures Safe Passage of Maersk McKinney Moller
The Dutch Frigate HNLMS Van Speijk, part of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield, ensured the safe passage of the cargo vessel Maersk McKinney Moller, currently the world’s largest ship, as it transited the Gulf of Aden on Monday (5 August 2013). The 400-metre long, 165,000 ton commercial sh
ESPS Numancia Completes Successful Counter Piracy Deployment
On Wednesday 7 August, ESPS Numancia completed her deployment with the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, and started her journey back to her home port in Rota, Spain. This was the second time that the Spanish frigate has deployed as part of EU NAVFOR, the first hav
Portugal Hands Over Force Command of EU NAVFOR Counter Piracy Operation to the Netherlands
Earlier yesterday, Tuesday 6 August, Commodore Jorge Novo Palma Portuguese Navy handed over the Force Command of EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta to Commodore Peter Lenselink Royal Netherlands Navy during a change of command ceremony aboard NRP Álvares Cabral in the Port of Djib
HNLMS Van Speijk Exercises with Seychelles Coast Guard
On Monday, 29 July 2013, the Dutch frigate HNLMS VAN SPEIJK, part of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD, conducted a maritime exercise together with the Seychelles Coast Guard, focusing on search and rescue operations and enhancing coordination and cooperation between the Coast Guard and N
Spanish Frigate Blas de Lezo Returns from Deployment
The F-100 frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ arrived at Ferrol Naval Base on Sunday after a two-month deployment in the eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea. On June 5th the ship left Ferrol to become command ship of the SNMG-2. During this period the Naval Group, under the command of Rear-admiral Eugenio Díaz d
UK: HMS Portland Set for Operational Duties after Revamp
Safeguard of the UK’s waters and coastline for the next two months is frigate HMS Portland which has completed extensive training to begin her first operational duties after a £27m revamp. While much of the Navy goes on summer leave through August, Portland will be at 24 hours’ notice to respond to
UK: Babcock Reached Important Milestone
An important milestone was reached yesterday, 31 July, in the major upkeep and upgrade programme being carried out by Babcock on HMS Ocean when the amphibious assault ship (the Royal Navy’s largest ship) came out of dock at Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard. This significant milestone, achieved on-
Spain Takes the Helm of Spanish-Italian Amphibious Force
Spain assumed command of the Spanish-Italian Amphibious Force (SIAF) and the Spanish-Italian Landing Force (SILF) during a change of command ceremony on board the aircraft carrier ‘Giuseppe Garibaldi’ at Mar Grande de Tarento Naval Base (Italy) held on July 31. The ceremony was presided over by the
Frigate Blas de Lezo Docks in Istanbul, Turkey
Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia and the Spanish Navy have displayed the capabilities of the shipbuilding company as a designer and builder of the technologically advanced F-100 class frigates in Istanbul. The F-103 frigate “Blas de Lezo” arrived in the Turkish city on the 25th of July 2013. Th
Canary Islands: Rayo Returns Home after Busy Deployment
Spanish maritime action ship ‘Rayo’ arrived at her home port in Las Palmas (Canary Islands) on June 28th after a six-month deployment. During this period, the ship participated in operation ‘Atalanta’ aimed against pirate activities in the Indian Ocean and in a cruise around the African coast visiti
Prestigious Australia Shield Awarded to LWMF
The Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force (LWMF) was awarded the prestigious Australia Shield on 26 July by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas KCB DSC ADC, at a ceremony held at 815 Naval Air Squadron based at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. The Australia Shield, a gift from
EU NAVFOR Warships Connect with Regional Seafarers
Whilst patrolling the seas off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta warships often visit regional cargo and fishing dhows operating in these waters. These ‘friendly approaches’, as they are known, are a chance for the EU Naval Force to r
Top News of the Week July 22 – 27, 2013
VIDEO: USS Independence Shows Off Its Maneuvering Capabilities An American littoral combat ship USS Independence conducted a demonstration of its maneuvering capabilities in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on July 18th 2013. The Philippine Navy Prepares for BRP Alcaraz Arrival The Phili