Funding
Royal Navy survey ship completes three-year deployment
Royal Navy survey ship HMS Enterprise returned to her homeport in Plymouth on April 18 completing a three-year deployment that took her across the world. The crew served on a rotational shift basis during the three years, meaning two thirds of the 78 ship’s company have been on board at any one time
Italian aircraft carrier leaves Mediterranean Sea operation
Italian Navy aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi concluded its participation in the EU NAVFOR-led operation Sophia in the Mediterranean Sea. The carrier stepped down from its duty as flagship of the mission on April 4, some six month after joining the group. During its time spent with operation
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
Kongsberg, Australian Department of Defence sign JSM contract
Kongsberg Defence Systems (KONGSBERG) has entered into a contract with the Australian Department of Defence worth 150 MNOK (1 NOK = 0.12 USD) for integration of a new capability in the Joint Strike Missile (JSM). This contract is a result of the agreement reached between the Norwegian and Australian
Damen submits tender for 12 Australian OPVs
Damen Shipyards Group has submitted a tender for the SEA 1180 Phase 1 Project to deliver twelve Offshore Patrol Vessels to the Royal Australian Navy. To demonstrate its commitment to on time and within specification delivery Damen submitted its response early. Damen has teamed with ASC Forgacs Shipb
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
Australia issues Request for Tender for Future Frigates
The Australian government on Friday released the Request for Tender (RFT) for the Royal Australian Navy’s $35 billion Future Frigate project. The RFT was issued to the three shortlisted designers: British BAE Systems, Italy’s Fincantieri and Spain’s Navantia. Minister for Defence Industry, Christoph
Italian Navy frigate joins counter-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa
Italian Navy’s Maestrale-class frigate ITS Espero has joined the EU’s counter piracy mission off the coast of Somalia. ITS Espero was welcomed to the counter-piracy task force on Saturday, March 25. Led by Commander Luigi Pirozzi, ITS Espero’s sailors and marines prepared for their mission with oper
Navantia contracts MAN for Australian Navy tankers
Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has picked MAN to provide main and GenSet engines to power the two new fleet support tankers that are to be built for the Royal Australian Navy. According to MAN, each vessel will feature two 18V 32/40 main engines and four 7L21/31 GenSets with shipset deliveries schedul
Spanish ESPS Relampago returns from 6-month counter-piracy mission
Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel Relámpago returned home on March 16, concluding a six-month deployment to operation Atalanta, a EU-led counter-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia. The crew sailed over 28,000 nautical miles, and has conducted over 50 approaches, greeting Somali fishermen an
Australian defence industry minister tours Spanish frigate
Australia’s minister for defence industry visited a Spanish Navy frigate downselected for the Future Frigate programme on Friday to inspect the capabilities of the ship. Minister Christopher Pyne went aboard the F-100 frigate ESPS Cristobal Colon for a tour of the ship and an update on the progress
New fleet tender to join operation Sophia in the Med
Ships assigned to the EU-led operation Sophia will be welcoming a new fleet tender to their group once the German Navy ship Rhein sets sail for the Mediterranean Sea. FGS Rhein is scheduled to depart its homeport in Kiel on March 21 and head toward the Mediterranean where she will help save lives an
International defense students tour Royal Navy ships
Royal Navy warships in Plymouth hosted some 270 international students from the UK’s military leadership college for an insight into the professionalism of the senior service. A two-day dynamic demonstration of the Royal Navy’s capability was staged off the South West coast by warships HMS Dragon (P