French defense and security contractor ECA Group was recently awarded a new export contract for the delivery of three mine counter measure unmanned systems to an undisclosed customer. This contract, around €10 million, includes the supply of three Inspector Mk2 unmanned surface vehicles (USV). These
The Royal Netherlands Navy formally took delivery of three Damen ASD 2810 Hybrid tugs in an official handover ceremony at the Den Helder Naval Base. The acquisition of the three Damen tugs is part of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s ongoing fleet renewal program. The hybrid vessels, named Noordzee, Wadd
Royal Navy’s 700X Naval Air Squadron have taken delivery of their first Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) mini unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The navy explained this move with the fact that these systems presented a cheap but able “eye in the sky” capability, meaning they may have utility in the Royal
With a flash of fire and a thunderous roar, HMS Daring lit her 10th birthday candle in spectacular style with the test firing of a Sea Viper missile. The Type 45 destroyer has become the first ship of her class to complete a second test firing of the Aster 30 missile, proving her world-beating air [
The Duke of Cambridge as Commodore-in-Chief Submarines presented 14 newly qualified submariners with their Dolphins during his first visit to HMS Artful. All fourteen had to meet the demanding standards of absolute professionalism to be awarded their Dolphins on-board the Royal Navy’s newest attack
The captain and first officer of an ocean going tug boat have been found guilty of drug trafficking following the biggest ever UK seizure of class A drugs. The cocaine, with an estimated potential street value of £512 million once adulterated, was found hidden on board the Tanzanian flagged MV Hamal
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has delivered Pietro Venuti, the third U212A Todaro-class submarine, to the Italian Navy at its shipyard of Muggiano (La Spezia) on July 6. The submarine is part of a series of four units the Italian Central Unit for Naval Armament – NAVARM has ordered from Fincantier
A submarine hunting helicopter from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose has been supporting mine warfare training in the English Channel. The airborne anti-submarine Merlin from 824 Naval Air Squadron teamed up with its surface counter-part for a series exercises to familiarise HMS Hurworth, a Hunt-cla
Dutch Coast Guard patrol vessel Barend Biesheuvel recently docked at Damen Shiprepair Harlingen (DSHl) for her third special survey. The major task carried out during the docking was a full dismantling, inspection and overhaul of the propulsion system, from the propellers, shafts and gearboxes to th
Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab to modify and upgrade two Swedish Navy Koster-class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs). According to Saab, the order covers the period 2016-2017 and the order value amounts to SEK147 million. Work on the vessels will be undertaken i
The Australian government has contracted the Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab for work on the sustainment of the combat system on Australia’s Anzac class frigates. The order value amounts to AUD 37 million (approximately 248 million Swedish krona) and covers services from July 2016 until D
American defense contractor Raytheon has been awarded a $291,750,539 contract modification for the AIM-9x Block II program which is an upgrade of the U.S. Navy’s Aim 9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile. The U.S. Navy cleared Raytheon to begin full-rate production on the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II infra
Italian missile manufacturer MBDA signed a 1 billion euro contract on June 29 to supply the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) with missiles for their new naval vessels to be procured from Fincantieri. Qatar is to acquire a total of seven surface vessels under the 3.9 billion euro contract which follow
German and Polish Navy chiefs have set up a joint “Submarine Operating Authority” bringing the two countries’ navies closer together and transcending traditional strategic reservations often linked to submarine missions. As the agreement outlines, the newly set up ‘task group’ will be part of the Ge
