Funding
Saab launches new Vidar laser rangefinder
Swedish defense technology company Saab announced it has launched a new laser rangefinder named Vidar. Vidar is currently in production for the situational awareness system that Saab will deliver for Australia’s new Arafura class offshore patrol vessels. Luerssen Australia awarded Saab the contract
EU NAVFOR celebrates a decade of operations
The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) celebrated ten years of maritime operations on December 8. Commanded from its military HQ in Northwood, London, the European Union Naval Force was officially launched on December 8, 2008. Codenamed Operation Atalanta, it is a naval force generated by EU Mem
Three shipbuilding consortia get funds for their Type 31e frigate plans
Three shipbuilding teams have received funds from the UK to continue developing their plans for the construction of Type 31e frigates. On December 10, 2018, the country’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) awarded three contracts for the Competitive Design Phase. The contracts have been awarded to consortia
Second Royal Navy Dreadnought submarine to be named HMS Valiant
The second Royal Navy Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarine will be named HMS Valiant, the UK defense secretary has announced. In addition to naming the submarine, defense secretary Gavin Williamson announced a £400 million funding boost for the Dreadnought program. The planned funding relea
Royal Navy destroyer seizes three tons of hashish in Middle East
Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has seized three tons of hashish in a Persian Gulf operation, the Royal Navy informed. The Portsmouth-based destroyer was on patrol in the Middle East when they came across a suspicious dhow – a type of vessel common to the Middle East – in a notorious drug sm
Russia fires on, seizes three Ukrainian Navy ships in Sea of Azov dispute escalation
Months of rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine in the Sea of Azov escalated on Sunday when Russian forces first fired upon and subsequently seized three Ukrainian Navy vessels as they were trying to enter the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait. Latest reports say six Ukrainian sailors were i
Royal Navy retaining its Batch 1 River-class OPVs
The Royal Navy is retaining its three Batch 1 River-class offshore patrol vessels for at least the next two years, UK defense secretary Gavin Williamson announced on November 22. The announcement follows the previous decommissioning of two of the ships in the class, HMS Severn in 2017 and HMS Tyne i
ASC to work with Jeumont Electric on Collins Class, Future Submarine programs
Australian submarine specialist ASC has secured an agreement with French submarine electric motor manufacturer Jeumont Electric to collaborate on motors in Australia for both the Collins Class and Future Submarine programs. Under the long-term collaboration agreement, the duo will exploit synergies
Saab brings in Australia’s ASC for work on A26 submarine program
Swedish defense contractor Saab has into an agreement with Australian submarine specialist ASC for the provision of a range of services which include engineering services for the A26 submarine program. Saab is building two A26 submarines for the Royal Swedish Navy and is offering three export varian
EMSA contracts Israel’s Elbit for unmanned aerial patrol services
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has awarded Israeli unmanned systems specialist Elbit for unmanned aircraft system patrol services. As announced by the company, two-year contract has two single year option periods with a total value of €59 million (approximately $68 million) if all option
Former experimental Royal Navy trimaran on sale in UK
A 98-meter experimental trimaran built for the Royal Navy in 2000 is currently being offered for sale by yacht brokerage Ocean Independence. The RV Triton spent over 15 years in service as a prototype demonstrator in the UK and later as a customs border protection vessel in Australia. It was designe
Thai Navy contracts BMT for work on new midget submarine
The Royal Thai Navy has contracted engineering and risk management consultancy company BMT a contract to support the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) new midget submarine program. From its offices in Bath, UK, BMT will recommend submarine-specific engineering management best practice to help the RTN minimize
Op Sophia: Libyan Navy, Coast Guard start new training phase in Italy
Libyan Navy and Coast Guard personnel started a new phase of training, dubbed “Package 2”, with the Italian Navy in La Maddalena, Italy, on October 8. The training is conducted as part of the EU-led Mediterranean Sea migrant-response operation Sophia. A total of 69 personnel will be trained in this
Smuggled cigarettes found on Italian Navy transport ship
Italian Navy transport vessel Nave Caprera was used to smuggle cigarettes on the return trip from Libya where the ship was deployed in support of an EU migrant interdiction mission. The ship reportedly returned to the Italian Navy base Brindisi with over 700 kg of cigarettes on board. This was confi