Defense Strategies
Largest military drill in Black Sea kicks off
21 military ships, 10 combat aircraft and a submarine are taking part in Sea Shield 18 from May 4 to 11. Sea Shield is an annual, Romania-led multinational exercise in the Black Sea designed to improve interoperability and combat proficiency of participating units. As informed by the Romanian Navy,
HMS Duncan meets with other NATO ships in Aegean Sea
Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan recently led a meeting of NATO vessels in the Aegean Sea. The destroyer is currently flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2. Duncan, in company with the Turkish frigate TCG Gemlik and Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria, met up with German frigate FGS Bayern a
Poland welcomes USS Farragut
The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) arrived in Gydnia, Poland, April 27, for a scheduled port visit. The visit is aimed at enhancing US and Poland relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Europe. Gydnia is Farragut’s second port visit since depart
Truman transits Strait of Gibraltar, enters Mediterranean
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean Sea on April 27. “I’m proud of the professional seamanship our sailors showcased as we transited through one of the busiest sea lanes in the world,” Truman’s Commanding Officer,
HMS Montrose gears up for major NATO exercise
Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose is getting ready for Exercise Joint Warrior following six-weeks of intensive operational sea training. After the completion of Basic Operation Sea Training (BOST), the ship’s company went on leave Thursday evening, but were back at it first thing Monday mornin
Portuguese Navy frigate to undergo midlife upgrade
Portuguese Navy frigate NRP Bartolomeu Dias (F333) departed Portugal on April 26, heading for Den Helder in the Netherlands where it will undergo a modernization program. The midlife upgrade of the former Karel Doorman-class frigate is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019, the navy said. Bui
SNMCMG2 welcomes Italian, Turkish mine countermeasure ships
Italian and Turkish navies are sending their ships to join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2). On April 23, the Italian Navy’s minesweeper Alghero departed La Spezia and is en route to the base port Mahón. In addition, the Turkish Navy’s mine countermeasures vessel TCG Anamur is
UK multinational drill Joint Warrior starting next week
The UK-hosted multinational, tri-service exercise Joint Warrior is starting next week with warships and personnel already en route to the Scottish Coasts. The exercise will be attended by 16 nations who will take part in a range of maneuvers over a course of two weeks. Before the actual at sea maneu
USS Harry S. Truman arrives in Europe
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and ships from its carrier strike group entered the US 6th Fleet area of operations April 18 as part of their deployment to Europe and Africa. The carrier strike group arrived in European waters after getting underway from Naval Station Norfolk on April 1
Royal Navy minehunter concludes SNMCMG1 deployment
Royal Navy’s Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel HMS Cattistock returned to Portsmouth Naval Base on April 17 after four months of operations with Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1). During her deployment HMS Cattistock took part in a series of multinational exercises and operat
NATO SNMCMG1 completes ordnance disposal ops off France
Ships from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) wrapped up historical ordinance disposal operations (HODOPS) with the French Navy entering Saint Malo, France, for a port visit on April 15. During the HODOPS, SNMCMG1 surveyed more than 90 square kilometers in Dieppe Bight, on the Fr
Saudi Arabia, Spain finalize Avante 2200 corvette deal
Spain and Saudi Arabia have finalized a framework agreement which will see Spanish shipbuilder Navantia deliver five Avante 2200 corvettes for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). The deal, signed during Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to Spain, is worth around €2 bil
BAE Systems investing in AI, electronic warfare research
UK defense contractor BAE Systems has announced a £10 million (approx. $14.2m) investment into upgrades of the Maritime Integration & Support Centre (MISC) aimed at improving research into artificial intelligence, information and electronic warfare, unmanned vehicles and new weapons. Located in Port
Turkish frigate TCG Gediz joining NATO’s SNMG1
Turkish Navy frigate TCG Gediz is joining the NATO Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) for over two months of operations with international partners. The former US Navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate got underway from her Aegean Sea homeport of Aksaz Naval Base on April 6 and is currently on a port