Defense Strategies
HMS Destroyer Takes Over Front-Line Duties off Libya
HMS Sutherland fires her main 4.5-inch gun as part of NATO’s Operation Unified Protector to safeguard the civilian population of Libya. Destroyer HMS Liverpool has returned to front-line duties off Libya, taking over from frigate HMS Sutherland. The type 23 had a busy week on the NATO tasking, runni
UK: Babcock Achieves Planning Milestone with Vengeance
Planning for the fourth and last Vanguard class Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP(R)), to be undertaken by Babcock at Devonport Royal Dockyard on HMS Vengeance, has reached an important milestone with the submission of the tender, following identification of the full work package requirement, for
BMT Defence Services to Use DSEi as Platform for Promotion of Naval Design
BMT Defence Services Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, will use the prestigious DSEi exhibition in London next month as a platform to showcase its global capabilities in both naval design and acquisition support. BMT will also launch a new and unique service to the defence industry designed specif
FS COURBET Completes Participation in Operation ATALANTA
On July 28th, after sixty days proudly serving under the European Flag, the French Frigate FS COURBET completed her participation as an EU NAVFOR warship in Operation ATALANTA. During the period, FS Courbet has conducted a multiplicity of tasks in the force, primarily conducting the EU NAVFOR’s main
HMS Albion Visits Valetta, Malta
HMS Albion, Flagship of the Royal Navy, visited Valetta, Malta, between 25 and 27 July 2011 for a short operational stand down following a period East of Suez. The 18,500 tonne assault ship has had a busy few months undertaking amphibious exercises in the Mediterranean in May, supporting NATO mariti
Italian Navy Hands Over Responsibility of Deputy Operation Commander of NAVFOR
On 22 July 2011, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, Italian Navy, handed over the responsibility of the Deputy Operation Commander of the European Union Naval Force Somalia, Op ATALANTA, to Rear Admiral Christian Canova, French Navy. The handover was conducted in the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) in Northwo
Type 23 Frigate Conducts NATO Embargo Operations Off Libya
The Type 23 has been called away from the Response Force Task Group to become the primary surface combatant in support of the NATO Operation Unified Protector. Sutherland has already carried out her first boarding operation, under the auspices of UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973, and se
UK: Royal Navy Sends HMS Sutherland to Libya
Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland has been sent at full pelt to support NATO on Operation Unified Protector, protecting the people of Libya. Temporarily split off from the Cougar deployment and the Response Force Task Group (RFTG), HMS Sutherland has dashed her way through the Mediterranean to support
EU NAVFOR French Frigate Courbet Escorts WFP Vessel to Somalia
On the 19th of July, EU NAVFOR French Frigate Courbet completed another safe and successful escort of a World Food Programme (WFP) vessel from Kenya to Somalia, enabling much needed food-aid to reach the country where a famine has been declared. Since December 2008, the European Union’s first navy o
Libya: RAF, Royal Navy Continue to Strike at Gaddafi Regime
The RAF and Royal Navy have been involved in a number of precision attacks to protect Libyan civilians over the last few days as part of NATO’s Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. In the early hours of Monday morning, RAF Tornado and Typhoon aircraft returned for a second night of precision strikes against
Scottish Shipbuilders Welcome HMS Queen Elizabeth Plan
GOVERNMENT plans to fully equip two new multi-billion pound aircraft carriers have been hailed as “excellent news” for the shipbuilding indu… By Martin Williams (heraldscotland) [mappress] Source: heraldscotland, July 21, 2011;
UK: Master Chief Petty Officer of Navy Visits Sailors Operating in Europe
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) kicked off fleet engagements with Sailors stationed across Europe July 12, starting in the United Kingdom at Northwood, Royal Air Force (RAF) Base Digby and Menwith Hill. Soon after landing in the United Kingdom, MCPON(SS/SW) Rick D. West served as gues
Malta Forbids Entrance for Spanish Warship Carrying Migrants
A Spanish warship under Nato command that rescued 111 migrants has been refused entry to Malta after it headed towards the island despite th… (timesofmalta) [mappress] Source: timesofmalta, July 15, 2011;
RNZN Builds Key Relationships as Part of CTF Mission to Disrupt Piracy
The new Commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, Captain Jim Gilmour RNZN, is building key relationships as part of the CTF mission to disrupt piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Somali basin region. CAPT Gilmour met with Portuguese Commodore Alberto Correia, Commander of the European Union Naval Forc