Equipment & technology
Russian Navy’s Admiral Essen returns from 300-day Mediterranean mission
The Russian Navy’s Black Sea frigate Admiral Essen (751) arrived in Sevastopol on December 26 after completing missions in the Mediterranean, the country’s defense ministry said. The crew of the frigate performed tasks as part of the country’s permanent formation in the Mediterranean Sea from August
French Navy receives second Camcopter S-100 UAS
The French Navy has taken delivery of its second Camcopter S-100 UAS from Austrian unmanned aerial system (UAS) manufacturer Schiebel, France’s defense procurement agency (DGA) has announced. As disclosed, the UAS was delivered in November when it performed its first flight test aboard amphibious as
Russian Navy commissions sixth Project 20380 corvette Gromkiy
In the third commissioning ceremony in eight days, the Russian Navy welcomed its sixth Project 20380 corvette into the fleet. Corvette Gromkiy joined the Pacific Fleet in a ceremony in Vladivostok on December 25. In the previous two ceremonies this month, Russia commissioned the lead Karakurt-class
After calls for Black Sea FONOPS, US to support Ukraine Navy with $10m investment
The US state department announced on Friday it would support the development of Ukraine’s naval capabilities with $10 million in foreign military financing (FMF). FMF enables eligible nations to purchase US-produced military equipment, services, and training. The department said the investment was i
Second Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate starts sea trials
Project 22350 frigate Admiral Kasatonov, the Russian Navy’s second Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate, got underway from Saint Petersburg to start builder’s trials. The builder’s trials will take place over a three-week time period during which the ship’s navigation and communications systems, maneuvera
USNS Big Horn returns from European, Middle East deployment
US Military Sealift Command’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) pulled into Naval Station Norfolk, Dec. 17, completing a 10-month deployment in the US Fifth Fleet and US Sixth Fleet area of responsibility. “Some of the missions USNS Big Horn undertook during this deployment included
Australia, France, US wrap up ASW exercise in Arabian Sea
The navies of Australia, France and the US concluded a four-day ‘Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness and Evaluation Measurement’ (SHAREM) 195 exercise in the Arabian Sea on December 18. Participating ships included French navy F70AA-class air defense destroyer FS Cassard (D 614), and Royal Austral
Royal Navy ship HMS Echo arrives in Odessa, Ukraine
Hydrographic survey ship HMS Echo arrived in Odessa on December 19, becoming the first Royal Navy ship to visit Ukraine since the Sea of Azov crisis from late November when Russian forces seized three Ukrainian Navy vessels and detained Ukrainian sailors. Echo docked in Odessa after entering the Bla
Canadian ships return from worldwide operations
Royal Canadian Navy vessels ranging from coastal defense vessels through frigates to replenishment oilers returned to their Atlantic and Pacific bases from operations in European, South American, and Asia-Pacific waters. Kingston-class coastal defense vessels HMCS Edmonton and Nanaimo returned to Ca
Russia commissions lead Karakurt-class corvette Mytishchi
The Russian Navy commissioned its lead Project 22800 guided-missile corvette ‘Mytishchi’ in a ceremony on December 17. The corvette will join the Baltic Fleet after completing sea and state trials and testing all systems and weapons. Mytishchi is the first of over 20 planned Project 22800 ships (als
Rheinmetall delivers bridge simulator to German Navy
German Navy naval school Mürwik officially accepted delivery of a new nautical training facility from German defense contractor Rheinmetall in a ceremony on December 6. Ordered almost exactly three years ago, the system – known as the “Ausbildungsausstattung Nautische Schiffsführung”, or AANS – will
Sea Venom demonstrates lock on before launch capability in third test firing
French missile developer MBDA announced that the Anglo-French Sea Venom-ANL anti-ship missile recently completed another firing trial, bringing the missile program a step closer to production. The latest firing builds on previous two from July 2017 and May 2018. Conducted on November 14 from a Frenc
Thales UK brings in MSubs for UUV research
Thales UK announced it has teamed up with Plymouth-based MSubs Ltd. for research in the field of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The agreement follows the opening of a new UK maritime autonomy center in the south-west of England, in October this year. Thales has invested £1 million in the facil
Royal Navy frigates return from Trident Juncture, Westlant deployments
Royal Navy Type 23 frigates HMS Westminster and HMS Monmouth returned to their homeports in Portsmouth and Devonport, respectively, on December 14. Westminster returned after an eight-week stint in the North and Baltic Sea where she trained with other NATO and ally ships as part of NATO’s largest ex