Defense Strategies
Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Meets with Media
Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky took part in the session of defense ministry’s press club. Meeting with the press, he discussed current condition of Russian Navy and its development prospects till and after 2020. Speaking of implementation of the shipbuilding program, Vysotsky
Chief of Russian General Staff Explains Bulava Faults
Unsuccessful test launches of Bulava ballistic missile are associated with human factor, said Chief of Russian General Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov on Feb 18. “You must be aware of a number of Bulava’s faulty test launches. We stopped test program trying to puzzle out the problem. Generally, the reaso
FGS Berlin Joins EUNAVFOR
From its port in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, and travelling through the Red Sea into the area of operation off the Coast of Somalia, the FGS BERLIN joins the multi-national EU NAVFOR off the Horn of Africa , 17 February 2012. The FGS BERLIN is a class 702 combat supply ship, capable of refuelling and re
Ukraine Won’t Raise Taxes for Russian BSF Base, Ministry’s Official Says
Reports that Ukraine is allegedly planning to put new taxes on Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) base in Sevastopol is incorrect, said Russian foreign ministry’s official Mariya Zakharova on Feb 16. “Ukrainian party has not brought up taxation issues of BSF assets in Sevastopol”, she told Interfax. Earl
Russia: Mistral-Class Amphibious Landing Ships to Obtain Home-Made Arms
French Mistral-class amphibious landing ships built for Russian Navy will be equipped with weapon systems made in Russia, reported Interfax referring to Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky. “We’re going to mount close-in missile systems with the view to improve the ship’s protectio
UK: Construction of HMS Prince of Wales Starts at BAE Systems
Production on HMS PRINCE OF WALES, the second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier, has started today at BAE Systems in Portsmouth Naval Base – the future home of the Queen Elizabeth Class. Work on the forward section of the hull, known as Lower Block 02, commenced as Commander-in -Chief Fleet Adm
Reservists Swap Lives for Year Serving as Part of Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron
Two Royal Navy Reservists have swapped their civilian lives for a year serving as part of the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron. They are manning the Royal Navy’s Fast Patrol Boats patrolling the shores of Gibraltar at the entrance to the Mediteranean. Able Rate Alex Harper (22) and Able Rate Matthew Am
Italy: CTF 69 Holds Change of Command Ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples
Commander, Task Force (CTF) 69 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples Feb. 16. Capt. Wesley Guinn relieved Capt. Mark Davis as commander. During the ceremony, Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, spoke about Davis’ many accomplishments during his tour.
Russia: Admiralteyskie Verfi Shipyard Completes Strength Hull Sections for SSK Novorossiysk
JSC Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard has completed manufacturing of strength hull sections for Project 636.3 submarine. The first serial submarine named Novorossiysk is built under Russian Navy’s order and will be commissioned into Black Sea Fleet in 2014. Construction of the submarine under modernized
US Navy Names Forward Deployed Ships to Spain
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Feb. 16 the four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers which will be forward deployed to Rota, Spain. The four include three from Norfolk, Va; USS Ross, USS Donald Cook, and USS Porter, and one from Mayport, Fla., USS Carney. The ships are in support
Russia: BLACKSEAFOR to Plan Exercise Coming in 2012
Naval officials from Black Sea countries are meeting in Divnomorskoye (Krasnodar region, Russia) on the basis of BLACKSEAFOR task group’s permanent coordination center to plan exercise coming in 2012, spokesman for Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Capt 1 rank Vyacheslav Trukhachev told Central Navy Portal. The
UK: Royal Navy’s Surge Against Piracy Scourge Ends after Making ‘Real Impact’
The Navy’s winter clampdown on piracy in the Indian Ocean – which has just ended – has been its most successful crackdown on the scourge to date. But the senior officer who led the four-month operation against the pirates says despite a series of successes by RFA Fort Victoria, and other allied vess
Britain’s Flagship Pays Surprise Visit to German Port of Kiel
Britain’s flagship paid a surprise visit to the German port of Kiel when ice stopped her sailing into Hamburg. The threat of being stuck on the Elbe thanks to the cold snap dominating Europe led to HMS Bulwark visiting the home of the German Fleet instead as she begins her winter deployment. Ice on
HMS Agryll Joins US, Kuwaiti Forces in Annual Stakenet Exercise
HMS Argyll led Britain’s participation in a major exercise in the Gulf aimed at protecting the region’s critical oil infrastructure. The frigate joined US and Kuwaiti forces on the annual Stakenet exercise which hones the skills of coalition naval units to protect oil and gas installations in the re