Defense Strategies
UK: Babcock Inks HMS Scott Through-Life Contract
Babcock has won a five year contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to provide through-life engineering support for the Royal Navy’s ocean survey vessel HMS Scott, following a successful competitive bid process. Under the contract, which includes an option to extend in 2018 for a further five years
EU Navfor Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft Delivers Equipment to Dutch Frigate
On May 4 2013 the EU Naval Force Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft from the Spanish Air Force and based in Djibouti, flew far out to sea to the Dutch frigate HNLMS De Ruyter, to deliver spare parts for her NH90 helicopter. With EU Naval Force’s counter piracy patrol area covering over 2 mi
HSwMS Carlskrona Welcomes Swedish Defence Minister Onboard
During HSwMS Carlskrona’s recent visit to Djibouti, the Commanding Officer, Commander Mathias Jansson, was delighted to welcome on board Swedish Defence Minister, Karin Enström. The Defence Minister began her visit to Djibouti by visiting the Swedish Support Unit located on the French military base
HMS Bulwark Arrives in The Netherlands
The Royal Navy’s Fleet Flagship, HMS Bulwark, has arrived in the Dutch port of Rotterdam to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the formation of the United Kingdom-Netherlands Landing Force (UKNLLF). The main events during the visit will be a combined amphibious demonstration, highlighting the high le
EU Welcomes Somali Defence Minister, Delegation to EU Navfor Operational HQ
Yesterday the Somali Defence Minister and members of the Somali Cabinet visited the EU Naval Force Operation Headquarters in London. In view of the EU’s comprehensive approach to Somalia and its reinforced partnership with the country, the meeting was attended by the EU Naval Force Operation Command
HMS Ledbury Heads for Four-Month NATO Mission in Mediterranean
Royal Navy minehunter HMS Ledbury sailed from Portsmouth yesterday for a four-month NATO mission in the Mediterranean. She will be working as part of a permanent multinational maritime force in the area known as Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 2 (SNMCMG2). The group works throughout the ye
HSWMS Carlskrona Conducts Medical Evacuation
Earlier last week HSwMS Carlskrona was contacted by the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Force Commander on board the flagship of the operation the Portuguese warship NRP Álvares Cabral. A member of the ships company of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) replenishment ship Fort Victoria, had suffered
HNLMS De Ruyter Compliments Queen Beatrix on Her 33 Year Reign
During an all hands on deck ceremony, the Commanding Officer of HNLMS De Ruyter, Harold Liebregs complimented Queen Beatrix on her 33 year reign. He also wished the new King, Willem-Alexander best wishes for the future. The ceremony was closed by a driewerf hoezee for both Princess Beatrix and King
UK: HMS Cattistock Heads Home
She has just spent three months in the Mediterranean as part of the NATO Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 2, but now HMS Cattistock is coming home. • HMS Cattistock will call in at Poole on Friday (May 3), before even returning to her base port of Portsmouth, as she sails home from operations in
EU Parliament Members Visit EU NAVFOR’s Operational Headquarters
On May 2nd, members of the European Parliament Sub Committee on Security and Defence visited the Operational Headquarters of the European Union’s counter piracy mission – Operation Atalanta. The Sub Committee visitors were briefed on the role of the EU Naval Force Somalia, and given an update on the
DCNS Delivers Skjold-Class Fast Patrol Boat to Royal Norwegian Navy
DCNS and its local partners recently delivered the sixth and final Skjold-class fast patrol boat to the Royal Norwegian Navy. The six-boat Skjold programme is led by a consortium comprising DCNS and two Norwegian contractors with DCNS acting as the combat system design authority and co-supplier. The
HMS Ledbury Heads for Mediterranean
Portsmouth-based Royal Navy minehunter HMS Ledbury sails on Tuesday (May 7) for a four-month NATO mission in the Mediterranean. She will be working as part of a permanent multinational maritime force in the area known as Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 2 (SNMCMG2). The group works througho
NRP Alvares Cabral Exercises Fast-Rope Insertion on WFP Vessel
The flagship of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), NRP Alvares Cabral has conducted a fast-rope insertion exercise on a World Food Programme (WFP) vessel, providing the opportunity for Portuguese sailors to meet their Finnish colleagues embarked on the WFP ship as an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detach
HMS Middleton Divers Hone Skills with Week in Gibraltar
Divers from minehunter HMS Middleton swapped England’s south coast for the warm waters of Gibraltar for a week of high-tempo training. The five-strong team made full use of the facilities on the Rock, practising search techniques, helping stricken divers, lifting mines from the seabed and carrying o