Funding
EU Navfor Bids Fond Farewell to MV Caroline Scan
After two and a half years protecting the World Food Programme (WFP) ship, MV Caroline Scan, from pirate attack off the coast of Somalia, the EU Naval Force has bid the vessel and her hard-working crew a fond farewell. In April 2014, MV Caroline Scan will be entering a period of maintenance, so th
German Frigate Hessen Meets with Civilian Cruise Liner at Sea
It’s not every day that passengers on board a civilian cruise liner would get so close to a warship on operations that they could wave to each other, but this is just what happened last week when the German cruise liner, AIDAdiva, with over 2,000 passengers on board, met German frigate FGS Hessen at
EU NAVFOR, Chinese Navy Warships Train Together in Gulf of Aden
Ahead of Chinese President Xi’s visit to the European Union in Brussels, a significant naval exercise has taken place in the Gulf of Aden to demonstrate the growing cooperation between the EU and China on issues of international security and defence. EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco and FGS Hess
Puntland Authorities, EU Ambassadors Talk Maritime Security
On Wednesday 26 March 2014, European Union Ambassadors met with the President of Puntland, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and his Cabinet on board the French EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, to discuss key issues related to political, security and development cooperation, and to participate in a speci
Lockheed Martin Bags USD 93 Mln Aegis Deal Options
Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training has won a USD 93 million worth modification to previously awarded contract to exercise options for production of Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System (AAMDS) in Poland and to provide multi-year procurement funding for Aegis Weapon System (AWS) MK 7 equipme
GALLERY: EU Warships Gather Up for Joint Replenishment at Sea
On Tuesday 18 March, three EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco, FGS Hessen and ESPS Relampago gathered in the Gulf of Aden for a joint replenishment at sea (RAS) with the American logistics ship, USNS Pecos from Task Force 53. Ships from Task Force 53 provide regular replenishment support to the Euro
New Crew Takes Over EU Counter Piracy Role off Coast of Somalia
One of the key elements of the EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy operation in the waters of the Horn of Africa is the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). These long-range, capable aircraft conduct aerial patrols over the sea areas where pirates are known to operate and can provide earl
Spanish Navy Swaps Ships in Counter-Piracy Mission
The two Spanish Navy warships participated in NATO’s operation ‘Ocean Shield’ and EU’s operation ‘Atalanta’ fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia. They have both been relieved by other Spanish Navy ships in the port of Djibouti. The frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ (F-101) has been relieved by her sis
GALLERY: EU, South Korean Warships Randezvous at Sea
On Saturday 15 March, EU Naval Force French Flagship, FS Siroco, and South Korean destroyer, ROKS Kang Gam Chan met at sea in the Gulf of Aden to conduct a series of maritime exercises. Both warships are currently conducting counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. During the exercises, C
EU Navfor Force Commander Visits Greek Warship HS Psara
On Thursday 13 March the EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, rendezvoused at sea in the Gulf of Aden with Hellenic warship, HS Psara, to conduct a replenishment from sea. The meeting was also an opportunity for Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean to visit the crewmembers of the Hellenic Navy frigate, which
ESPS Tornado Departs Operation Atalanta
On 13 March 2014, EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Tornado departed Operation Atalanta’s patrol areas off the Somali coast after completing 105 days and is now heading for her home port of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. As the ship set a navigation course for Spain, the Rear Admiral Bléjean, who is the F
ESPS Relampago Joins EU Navfor
As of Thursday 13 March, the Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel, ESPS Relámpago joined the EU Naval Force to carry out counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia. ESPS Relámpago has replaced ESPS Tornado as the Spanish contribution to Operation Atalanta. ESPS Tornado is now on her way back home.
International Community Unable to Help De-Escalate Tensions in Crimea
While an end to the crisis in Ukraine had proven elusive thus far, a peaceful solution remained possible, the Secretary-General’s senior United Nations political affairs official Jeffrey Feltman told the Security Council yesterday. The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, emphasized, how
SAAB Expands Its Activities in Naval Domain
Defence and security company Saab is expanding its activities in the naval arena. Saab is therefore recruiting new employees to strengthen and develop its naval capabilities. Today, Saab is one of the leading companies within the naval arena. It is a provider to the Swedish Navy, the major contrac