The Royal Australian Navy’s NUSQN 725 squadron took delivery of the first MH-60R Seahawk Romeo maritime combat helicopter duo at an ‘In Service Date’ ceremony on Friday, January 24th at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. The delivery of Sea Hawk Romeo helicopters, which are replacing the Nav
Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service’s (ACBPS) fifth Cape Class Patrol Boat, the Cape Jervis, on 17 January 2014. The Cape Class Patrol Boats Contract, which includes design, construction and through-life support of eight 58- meter patrol boat
The MU90 lightweight torpedo developed by the European Economic Interest Group EUROTORP formed by DCNS, THALES and the Italian company WASS, is attracting growing interest among world navies. Two new navies have decided to follow in the footsteps of the Australian Navy and acquire the MU90 in 2013
Another busy year is ahead of the Royal Australian Navy’s replenishment oiler HMAS Sirius. Nevertheless, before she sets sail to support this year’s operations, she will have to undergo a scheduled maintenance period in order to be ready to head out to the high seas once again. In 2013, which was
A new Commanding Officer took the helm of HMAS Coonawarra during a formal handover-takeover ceremony in Darwin in December. As a former Commanding Officer of Fremantle and Armidale Class Patrol Boats (ACPB), Commander (CMDR) John Navin relieved CMDR Ben Favelle. CMDR Navin said that the main focus
Austal launched the Cape Class Patrol Boat (CCBP), Cape Byron, at its facility in Henderson, Australia today (January 7th, 2014). The ship was launched 4 weeks ahead of schedule, exactly 1 year after launching of the first boat of the class, Cape St George. The ship has been lowered into the water,
Australian Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, corrected media reporting in News Corp newspapers on Tuesday, 31 December 2013, according to which Australia’s navy patrol boats are “literally cracking up under the pressure of intercepting the surge in asylum-seeker vessels.” The article also specula
Four Typhoon stabilised weapons systems have been installed onboard NUSHIP Canberra, a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) under construction for the Royal Australian Navy. The advanced weapons systems, comprising a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun and a coaxially mounted M240 7.62mm machine gun, will be t
Australian Navy’s ship HMAS Albany was busy at sea during the holiday season performing security operations in Australian waters. The Armidale Class Patrol Boat was on a security patrol off the North West Shelf region, home to oil and gas resource platforms, which are of strategic relevance for Aust
2013 was one of the busiest years on recent record for the Royal Australian Navy Fleet. During a period of substantial border protection activity, and against a backdrop of international piracy and narcotics trading interdiction in the Middle East and Indian Ocean, the Navy continued to meet its mis
The hull of the second and last of the Royal Australian Navy’s new amphibious ships has departed from Vigo in northern Spain, Australian Defence Minister Senator David Johnston today announced. The Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heavy Lift Ship
Australian Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann and Minister for Defence Hon David Johnston announced today that they stand firm behind their coalition, adding that they are committed to the efficient delivery of the country’s Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) programme. “Since coming into Government, I
“Over the past month the ADF has moved thousands of tonnes of aid, evacuated displaced people, and helped around 15,500 kids get back to school.” The majority of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have returned to Australia after completing their Typhoon Haiyan recovery assistance mission in t
Australian personnel onboard HMAS Melbourne have seized and destroyed amphetamines valued at approximately $11.3 million during two separate boardings over the past week in the Arabian Sea as part of the Combined Maritime Forces.E Approximately $6.2 million of amphetamines was discovered during the
