Funding
Dutch Frigate Apprehends Nine Suspected Pirates
On 19 February, HNLMS De Ruyter, has stopped the activities of a group of suspected pirates approximately 120 nautical miles east of Eyl off the coast of Somalia. Nine suspected pirates were apprehended and taken on board of the De Ruyter. The Dutch frigate that is deployed with the European Union N
EU NAVFOR, Seychelles to Continue Fighting Piracy Off Somalia
On 12 February 2013, during a port visit by the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez to Port Victoria in the Seychelles, the EUNAVFOR Force Commander, Rear Admiral Pedro García de Paredes, met the Chief of Defence of the Seychelles People’s Defence Force
Swedish Coast Guard MPRA Aircraft Completes Contribution to EU Naval Force
The Swedish Coast Guard MPRA aircraft left the Seychelles on 15 February 2013 after a productive four month deployment to the Seychelles as part of EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta. The Swedish coastguard Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft, joined the operation in October 2012 and lef
UK Admiral Assumes Command over NATO Maritime Headquarters
On February 14, Vice Admiral Peter Hudson CBE (UK Navy), took over command of the NATO Maritime Headquarters during a brief ceremony in Northwood, London. He takes over at a time of major change within NATO which sees Northwood as the Alliance’s sole maritime command with command of the range of NAT
Australian, Spanish Defence Ministers Strengthen Cooperation Ties
Australian Minister for Defence Stephen Smith hosted today his Spanish counterpart Minister Pedro Morenés Eulate, who is staying in a visit to Melbourne. They were joined by the Minister for Defence Materiel, Dr Mike Kelly. Minister Morenés was in Melbourne to conduct bilateral discussions and to pa
Spanish Armada Ship Cantabria Docks in Melbourne, Australia
Today the Spanish Armada Ship Cantabria arrived in Australia at the Port of Melbourne just 41 days after departing La Graña Naval Port on the 3rd of January this year. Cantabria sailed over 11,000 nm (approx 20,000 km) transiting the Suez Canal as well visiting locations such as Souda Bay, Crete and
UNDP, Partners Announce Collaboration to Rebuild Somalia, Curb Piracy
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced plans to collaborate, along with Shell, BP, Maersk, Stena NYK and “K” Line with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support job creation and skill development projects in Somalia. The industry partners will provide funding of US$ 1 million to the UN
Spanish Replenishment Oiler ESPS Cantabria Demonstrates Her Versatility
The last two weeks of January have been a busy period for ESPS Cantabria (CMDR J.L. Nieto) and her embarked RAN DET. Having successfully navigated the Suez Canal, Cantabria entered the Gulf of Aden (GoA) area of operations. Cantabria conducted Replenishment at Sea (RAS) activities in support of EUNA
ESPS Méndez Núnez Welcomes Rear Admiral on Board
On 29 January 2013, during a port visit to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Rear Admiral Pedro García de Paredes, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), welcomed Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant on board his flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez. This is the first meeting between both admirals since Rear Admir
UK MoD Confirms Order of Cox Powertrain Advanced Engine Concept
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed its order for the next prototype stage of development of a revolutionary high performance, lightweight diesel engine intended for marine outboard applications on the fast, rigid inflatable boats used by the Royal Navy. The Cox Powertrain engine concept
UK MoD Allots USD 84.1 Bln for Ships, Subs in Its Equipment Plan
The Ministry of Defence has today published details of how it will equip the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force over the next 10 years and how this will be funded. For the first time, the government has set out a fully-funded Defence Equipment Plan totalling almost £160 billion. The affordability
Royal Netherlands Airforce’s Newest Helicopter Makes Debut in Somalia
The Royal Netherlands Airforce’s newest helicopter, the NH-90, is on its way to Somalia on board HNLMS De Ruyter. It is the first overseas mission in which the maritime on-board helicopter will take part. Although in its current configuration it will not be able to carry out all mission tasks, the N
EUNAVFOR Transfers Twelve Suspected Pirates to Mauritius for Prosecution
Following an attack in early January on a merchant vessel 260 miles off the Somali Coast, twelve men suspected of committing an act of piracy, were transferred on January 25 by EU Naval Force warship FS Surcouf to the Mauritian authorities for prosecution. When the attack happened on 5th January, th
Chief of Australian Defence Meets with His UK, New Zealand Counterparts
The Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley, has met with his counterparts from New Zealand and the United Kingdom for the biennial BRITANZ meeting, held on 23 January 2013. Following successful bilateral meetings in Canberra earlier this week, General Hurley accompanied UK Chief of Defence