Defense Strategies
UK MoD Allots USD 84.1 Bln for Ships, Subs in Its Equipment Plan
The Ministry of Defence has today published details of how it will equip the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force over the next 10 years and how this will be funded. For the first time, the government has set out a fully-funded Defence Equipment Plan totalling almost £160 billion. The affordability
Poland: SNMCMG1 Crew Heads for Sea Drills with New Commander, Team
Last Monday,the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) left the port of Gdynia, Poland with a new commander at the helm and new ships. The first days at sea are usually used for ships and crew to get acquainted with the new command and with the respective capabilities of each vessel. T
German Navy Assumes Command over Standing NATO Maritime Group 1
On January 24 Commodore Ben Bekkering handed over command of Standing NATO Maritime Group One to Commodore George von Maltzan of the German Navy. Bekkering and his international staff had command of the fleet for one year. The solemn hand over ceremony took place in Den Helder, the Netherlands. Stan
Royal Netherlands Airforce’s Newest Helicopter Makes Debut in Somalia
The Royal Netherlands Airforce’s newest helicopter, the NH-90, is on its way to Somalia on board HNLMS De Ruyter. It is the first overseas mission in which the maritime on-board helicopter will take part. Although in its current configuration it will not be able to carry out all mission tasks, the N
USS Halsey, USS Russell Finish Hull Swap
The crews of guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Russell (DDG 59) finished swapping hulls at Naval Base San Diego Jan. 25. Russell arrived from its prior homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to San Diego, Jan. 9, where it will be permanently stationed. Halsey and Russell then
UK: Head of Royal Navy Addresses Members of Cardiff Business Club
The head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, was in the Welsh capital last night (January 28) to address members of Cardiff Business Club. In an annual event organised at St David’s Hotel by the club, which brings together some of Wales’ foremost industrialists and business people, the Fir
UK: New Electrical Power Conversion System to Be Installed on HMS Vengeance
A new alternative system to traditional motor generators for electrical power conversion is to be installed on HMS Vengeance during the current Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP(R)) being undertaken by Babcock, in a first-of-class project that follows some four years of development and planning.
France: BF to Participate in FUKUS-2013
First planning conference of the FRUKUS-2013 joint naval exercise is taking place in Paris on January 29th. Commanding officers of… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, January 29, 2013; Image: Mil
UK: HMS Bulwark Receives 2012 RN Capability and Capital Ship Efficiency Awards
The Fleet Flagship, HMS Bulwark, has been presented with the 2012 Royal Navy Capability Award and the Capital Ship Efficiency award. The trophies were presented to the Commanding Officer, Captain Andrew Burns Royal Navy, by Rear Admiral Surface Ships, Rear Admiral Potts, at the Surface Ship Command
EUNAVFOR Transfers Twelve Suspected Pirates to Mauritius for Prosecution
Following an attack in early January on a merchant vessel 260 miles off the Somali Coast, twelve men suspected of committing an act of piracy, were transferred on January 25 by EU Naval Force warship FS Surcouf to the Mauritian authorities for prosecution. When the attack happened on 5th January, th
UK: Admiral Appointed New First Sea Lord
Following a 43-year career with the Royal Navy, Sir Mark Stanhope is to stand down as First Sea Lord in April and will hand over the baton to Admiral Sir George Zambellas. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond yesterday, 24 January, made the announcement that Adm Zambellas will succeed Sir Mark as the Ch
Morocco: Training Agenda for Exercise Saharan Express 2013 Finalized
Military and civilian maritime professionals finalized the training agenda for exercise Saharan Express 2013 (SE13) during the final planning conference at the Royal Moroccan Navy Headquarters in Casablanca, Jan. 21-23. Militaries from West Africa, Europe, and the United States joined together to pl
UK: RN Reservists Assume Key Roles in Two International Exercises
Royal Naval Reservists from HMS President in London played key roles in two large international exercises in the closing months of 2012. Lieutenant Commanders Howie San and Pat Shinner swapped their civilian careers, the former with US shipping giant AT&T and the latter for a financial software firm
Russia to Construct Large Shipbuilding Yard on Black Sea Coast?
Russian shipbuilding and ship-repair facilities will be constructed on the Black Sea coast, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on January 18 at the conference on the development of Russia’s shipbuilding capability in the Black Sea region. As Dmitry Rogozin noticed, it’s important to immediate