Defense Strategies
Greek mine warfare drill Ariadne 17 concludes
Ships from eight countries have concluded their participation in the Hellenic Navy-led mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise Ariadne 17. The exercise took place between March 31 and April 7. The at-sea phase started April 3 in Greek territorial waters after a planning and harbour phase was conducted a
UK MoD contracts SEA for Royal Navy ambient noise prediction system upgrade
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Cohort company SEA a contract to upgrade the ambient noise prediction system (ANPS) for the Royal Navy. The ANPS takes meteorological and oceanographic forecasts, together with oceanographic databases, and performs complex acoustic propagation calculations to p
Finland picks combat system tenderers for Squadron 2020 vessels
The Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command announced the names of three shortlisted combat system bidders for its Squadron 2020 project vessels. Of a total of 8 companies competing for the contract, Finland has chosen German Atlas Elektronik GmbH, the Canadian Lockheed Martin Canada Inc and the S
Fincantieri launches bow-section of Italian Navy Vulcano-class LSS
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri launched the bow section of Italian Navy’s new logistic support ship in a March 10 ceremony in Riva Trigoso, Italy. The launched bow section is 94 meters long, 24 meters wide, 16.3 meters high, and weighs about 4.100 tons. It will now be transported by sea to the ship
German tender to return from Mediterranean Sea deployment
German Navy tender ‘Main’ is set to return to its homeport in Eckernförde on April 13, concluding her deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. The tender spent six-months resupplying other EU ships deployed to the EU NAVFOR led operation Sophia which fights against human smugglers in the Mediterranean S
Donald Trump launches missile strike against Syria
The United States has launched dozens of Tomahawk missiles on a military base in Syria, in what it says is a retaliation for the regime of Bashar Assad using nerve agents to attack his own people, that had occurred a few days earlier. The attack has been ordered by the U.S. president, Donald Trump,
820 Naval Air Squadron finishes HMS Ocean deployment
820 Naval Air Squadron has returned home to RNAS Culdrose following a six-month deployment on HMS Ocean, which took them through Europe and on to the Middle East. During her time away, HMS Ocean steamed over 23,000 miles, visited 11 countries and took part in various International exercises with loc
Royal Marines’ wings ready for action
The wings of the Royal Marines are ready for action with their French counterparts after a month’s training aboard the FS Mistral. Two Merlins from 845 NAS are assigned to the assault ship throughout her six-month deployment to the Indian and Pacific Oceans – the first time the green Merlins have go
EU NAVFOR reinforces need for vigilance at sea
Following the pirating of an Indian registered cargo dhow off the coast of Somalia on Saturday 1 April 2017, EU NAVFOR once again reiterates the need for vigilance to all ships transiting the piracy high risk area. Vessels are strongly recommended to adhere to self-protection measures laid down in t
BAE Systems gets UK F-35B maintenance contract
The U.S. Department of Defense last week awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth more than £80m (US$102.2m) to deliver the initial training, engineering, maintenance and logistics support for the UK’s F-35 Lightning II fleet over a three year period. Lockheed Martin has sub-contracted work worth £4
Greece kicks off annual international drill Ariadne 2017
Warships from eight nations arrived in Greece for the annual exercise Ariadne which will be taking place from March 31 to April 7. In addition to ships, naval officers from some ten countries will be attending the exercise in the Ionian Sea in the Gulf of Patras. NATO ships from the Standing Mine Co
Former Royal Navy chief joins Liquid Robotics’ advisory board
The former First Sea Lord of the British Royal Navy, retired Admiral Sir George Zambelas, will be joining Liquid Robotics’ global strategic advisory board, the company announced on Wednesday. “As a member of this distinguished board of advisors, Sir George will bring his vast military and maritime d
US Navy cruiser deploys to Europe, Middle East
U.S. Navy’s guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 60 departed Naval Station Norfolk on March 27 for a six-month deployment to the Navy’s 5th and 6th fleet areas of operation. The Leyte Gulf crew went through a demanding training cycle in preparat
Royal Navy chief hosts US, French counterparts in London
The First Sea Lord of the United Kingdom, Adm. Sir Philip Jones, hosted his U.S. and French counterparts in London for trilateral maritime talks on cooperation and interoparibility. U.S. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson and French Navy Chief of Naval Staff, Adm. Christophe Prazuc