Austal has taken further steps in implementing its strategy to regionalise its operations to better serve and grow its international client base. Following the acquisition of its Philippines shipyard last year, the company has now broadened its sales and support organisations in the key Europe, Asia
On Wednesday 18 April, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Spanish warship, ESPS Infanta Elena rescued 6 Sri Lankan fishermen and their fishing vessel from 7 suspected pirates. The fishing vessel had been in the hands of suspect pirates since November 2011 and was reportedly being used as a mother-ship to la
The Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) arrived at HMAS Stirling April 22 for a visit as part of its deployment to the western Pacific. With a crew of approximately 155, Michigan will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the fleet. “We on Mi
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced the arrival in Adelaide of the first of three state of the art horizon-search radars for the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD). “The AN/SPQ-9B radar is located on the main mast of the destroyers and can track over 200 radar contacts simulta
On April 19, 15:00, Yemen local time, the commanding officer of Spanish warship, ESPS Reina Sofía, who is currently operating as part of the EU’s counter-piracy mission off Somalia – Operation Atalanta, wished “fair winds and following seas” to the master of the freed Yemeni dhow minutes before it w
Throughout the week of April 16-20, approximately 40 staff members from Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) have departed to report for Pacific Partnership 2012. Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12), the largest annual humanitarian and civic action (HCA) mission in the Asia-Pacific region, will begin May 1, a
“Today, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) released its paper “Mind The Gap: Getting Serious About Submarines”. As a result of this there has been some quite critical, and in some cases dated, analysis reported in the press. There is no denying the issue that submarine availability is
EU Naval Force flagship FS Marne and RFA Fort Victoria, flagship of the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) – part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) rendezvoused off the Omani coast on 18 April. EU Force Commander Rear Admiral Dupuis welcomed his Thaï counterpart, Rear Admiral Tanin Likitawong, on
The manoeuvres were conducted smoothly demonstrating a high degree of interoperability between EU NAFVOR Units and Coalition Task Force 151. Within one hour the RAS was completed, during which F76 and F44 was loaded and the formation also completed a “corpen november”. A corpen november is a manoeuv
During the last week EU Naval Force (NAVFOR) Spanish and French frigates have ensured that much needed humanitarian aid has been delivered safely to the people of Somalia. From 5 to 11 April, Spanish frigate ESPS Infanta Elena and French warship FS Aconit took it in turns to escort World Food Progra
Dutch EU NAVFOR warship HNLMS VAN AMSTEL completed two escorts of World Food Programme (WFP) chartered merchant vessels Mary Ann Hudson and Golden Bridge, on a tour between 14 and 17 April from Berbera to Bosaso and back. Both escorts in this high risk area were carried out smoothly and without any
On Saturday 14 April Spanish warship ESPS Reina Sofia, who is now operating as part of the EU’s counter-piracy mission, Operation Atalanta, stopped a Yemeni dhow that was suspected of carrying armed Somali pirates. The French Air Force Awacs E3F, FS Dixmude and her helicopters, as well as an Austral
Having taken over as the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) flagship on 7 April 2012, French warship FS Marne has already been very busy out at sea ensuring that the Task Force remains fully prepared for counter-piracy operations off Somalia. In her first 3 days the ship has carried out a number of replenish
The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $78 million contract to buy long lead-time material for the Virginia-class submarine SSN-792. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics . The contract provides funding for steam and electrical-plant components, the main
