Funding
Gulf of Aden: Italian Frigate Scirocco Assists Tug Amid Engine Troubles
On the morning of June 28th 2012, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Italian Frigate Scirocco provided technical assistance to a tug type vessel which experienced an engine failure while sailing in international waters in the Gulf of Aden. In the evening on the 27th of June, ITS Scirocco was conducting a pa
SPS Cantabria to Sail into Australian Waters in 2013
The Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, announced that the Royal Australian Navy would participate in a unique deployment to Australia of the Spanish Armada Ship, SPS Cantabria, with a series of training exercises in Australia from mid-February until November 2013. The Cantabria deployment will str
EUNAVFOR Frigates Escort WFP Ship MV Tupi Maiden 3 (Gulf of Aden)
From the 18th to 21st June 2012, EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) frigates Guépratte and Reina Sofia collaborated with USS Taylor, engaged in TF 508 (NATO) to escort World Food Programme chartered ship MV Tupi Maiden 3. The escort of WFP ship started in Salalah (Oman) and was performed by EUNAVFOR French f
Fleet Exercise Rua Underway in Irish Waters
The Naval Service annual fleet exercise, Exercise Rua, is taking place from the 26th to the 28th of June 2012 off the South and South West Coast of Ireland. The Naval Service are currently conducting a major fleet exercise off the South West Coast of Ireland involving armed boarding parties, search
The Netherlands Extends Its Protection of WFP Transports to Somalia
The deployment of a Dutch military security team for the protection of World Food Programme transports to Somalia will be extended by a maximum of 3 months. That was the upshot of a letter sent to the House of Representatives on behalf of the Government by Minister of Foreign Affairs Rosenthal and M
HNLMS Van Amstel Returns to Home Base of Den Helder
Multipurpose frigate HNLMS Van Amstel last week returned to its home base of Den Helder. For the past three months, the ship was deployed to counter piracy in the waters of Somalia. The Van Amstel also escorted UN World Food Programme ships sailing in the area. The navy frigate left for the Somali B
Dutch, Australian Armed Forces to Intensify Cooperation
The Dutch and Australian armed forces are looking into ways to intensify their cooperation with regard to cyber warfare, submarines and the F-35. This was announced during the visit to Australia by the Netherlands Chief of Defence, General Peter van Uhm. “Due, among other things, to the strategic po
EUNAVFOR Force Commander Meets Omani Maritime Authorities
During a port visit by EU Naval Force Flag Ship FS MARNE in Salalah (Oman), the EUNAVFOR Force Commander Rear Admiral Dupuis flew to Muscat on June 12 and 13 to meet Omani maritime authorities. After an initial meeting on June 11 in Salalah with the local commander of the Royal Navy of Oman, EUNAVFO
The Netherlands to Expand Contribution to NATO’s Counterpiracy Operation
The Dutch contribution to NATO’s counterpiracy operation Ocean Shield is to be expanded. A second helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle for reconnaissance will give an impulse to intelligence-gathering in particular. A submarine will once again also be deployed for this task. Although the House
UK: Fleet Air Arm Memorial Hosts TAGA
The Annual Telegraphists Air Gunners Association (TAGA) Memorial Service was held at the Fleet Air Arm Memorial at Lee-on-Solent on Sunday 20th May. Telegraphist Air Gunners operated in Fleet Air Arm aircraft from 1922, from aircraft carriers both large and small. 3000 personnel were trained as gunn
Italian Frigate Sirocco Rescues Small Fishing Boat
On June 12th, EU Naval Force rescued a small fishing boat on the northern coast of Somalia. In the afternoon of June 12th, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Italian frigate Scirocco rescued a small fishing boat (skiff type) in distress with two Somali fishermen coming from the town of Alula, on the norther
UK: HMS Mersey Gets New Commander
Portsmouth based Fishery Protection Vessel HMS Mersey closed one chapter and opened another today when Lieutenant Commander Sarah Oakley took over from Lieutenant Commander Mark Anderson as Mersey’s Commanding Officer. Lieutenant Commander Oakley joined the Royal Navy in 1995 after reading a degree
Cyprus Parliament to Allow Armed Guards on Board Ships
Triggered by growing pirate threats endangering safety of merchant ships, the Members of Cyprus Parliament have unanimously supported a bill, enabling the ships to have armed guards and use weaponry in order to defend themselves in case of pirate attacks, ITAR-TASS announced. This is the first bill
Spain: DCNS to Present Underwater Innovations at UDT
The 2012 edition of the annual UDT Europe show – a leading forum for the international undersea defence community – will be held in Alicante, Spain, from 29 to 31 May. DCNS specialists will present papers and displays on some of the Group’s latest technologies. A consistent innovator thanks to its R