The Royal Navy has once again struck a blow to Somali piracy operating in the Indian Ocean. On 28 November, RFA Fort Victoria was patrolling in an area approximately 420 nautical miles from the Seychelles and 350 nautical miles from the Somali coast as part of NATO’s Combined Task Force 508. Early t
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev declared the necessity to speed up modernization program of national defense industry. Talking with Governor of Sverdlovsk region Alexander Masharin, the president reminded about considerable investments to state defense order and renovation of weapon systems. Medve
Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations (VCNO), visited the Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Naples, Italy, Nov. 28, marking the final stop in a series of visits that included U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Africa Command visit over the Thanksgiving holiday. Other st
FGS KÖLN conducted her last day of operations as a part of EU NAVFOR, after 74 days in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin. During this deployment, FGS KÖLN was tasked in all aspects of Operation ATALANTA, ranging from the escort of World Food Programme ships carrying food-aid into Somalia to coun
On 28 November HNLMS ZUIDERKRUIS, the Dutch Fast Combat Support Ship, left EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA to return to her home port in Den Helder. After approximately three months under the Command of the EU NAVFOR and in total 36 years serving in the Royal Netherlands Navy the supply ship will be de
Russian defense ministry postponed the last in 2011 test launch of SLBM Bulava from Nov 28 to a later date, reported RIA Novosti referring to a source in the ministry. “Final salvo launch of Bulava will be held later. The exact date has not been determined so far”, said the interviewee. Defense mini
Ukrainian Navy and Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) plan to conduct the Fairway of Peace 2011 joint humanitarian exercise, reported Ukrainian defense ministry. Delegations of Ukrainian Navy and Black Sea Fleet have already started preparations for the exercise in Sevastopol. At the planning conference,
The Faslane-based Sandown Class minehunter was welcomed home by families and friends who braved the bitterly cold winds and heavy rain as she sailed into HM Naval Base Clyde this morning, 25 November 2011. Rear Admiral Chris Hockley, Flag Officer Scotland Northern England & Northern Ireland (FOSNNI)
On 15 November, during the international exercise Nordic Archer 2011 near Norway, the Dutch frigate HNLMS Tromp fired two anti-aircraft missiles at a practice target. The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is used to protect ships from attacking aircraft or missiles.During Nordic Archer 2011, matter
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced that Royal Canadian Navy ships will maintain a presence in the Mediterranean Sea until the end of 2012 in order to join Operation Active Endeavour, the NATO counter-terrorism effort in the region. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship
Russian Navy plans to receive up to 10 diesel submarines till 2020 which are expected to constitute the basic submarine force in littoral areas of responsibility, reported RIA Novosti on Nov 21 referring to a spokesman for Russian Navy. Presently, Russian Navy operates about 20 submarines of this cl
Last Wednesday, counter-piracy naval forces were presented the 2011 “Newsmaker of the Year Award” by Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region. The ceremony was organised by Lloyd’s List and took place in the Baniyas Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Dubai. The E
Paying a 2-day visit to Tbilisi, US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus met with Georgia’s main power-wielding ministers. He discussed military reforms and bilateral cooperation issues with Georgian defense minister Bachana Akhalaia. According to national defense ministry, the agenda included Georgia’s
Sarah West is first and foremost a Royal Navy Officer. She is emphatically not a woman in a man’s world. That she is the first woman to be given Command of one of the Navy’s major warships might be historically significant. But to Lieutenant Commander West it is simply career progression. In April o
