Operations
Ukraine’s Submarine Zaporizhzhia to Start Sea Trials on April 17
After long repair, Ukraine’s only sub – Project 641 diesel electric submarine Zaporizhzhia – would take the sea for trials provisionally on Apr 17, reports RIA Novosti referring to a source in Ukrainian Navy HQ. According to the source, “the safety will be provided by Russia’s Black Sea Fleet rescue
BLACKSEAFOR Holds Final Planning Conference in Russia
Naval representatives of Black Sea countries finished planning of BLACKSEAFOR naval task group activation to be held in April. The final planning conference was held in Divnomorskoye (Krasnodar region, Russia). Heading the international naval task force, Russia is represented by Capt 1 rank Yury Zem
UK: HMS Dragon Completes Gunnery Trials
The guns of HMS Dragon blazed for the first time as she completed gunnery trials on the eve of her maiden visit to Cardiff. The latest Type 45 destroyer let loose with her main 4.5in gun and 30mm cannon at targets on the water and in the skies as she took another big step towards […]
UK: Royal Navy Takes Part in Major Medical Exercise
150 Royal Navy personnel have been taking part in a major medical exercise off the UK’s south west coast on board Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel Argus. Wearing white anti-flash overalls and face masks, as if at war, the hospital unit and crew of the ship rehearsed taking on board and treating ca
RFA Wave Knight Returns from 11-Month Middle East Mission
Tanker RFA Wave Knight was treated to a low-key welcome in Portland as she returned from 11 months away east of Suez. Since leaving the UK, the fleet tanker has supported the international naval mission in the Middle East, providing fuel and other supplies to sustain the ongoing fight against piracy
Portsmouth-Based Survey Ship Punches Through Antarctic Ice to Pick Up Scientists
Worsening ice conditions forced survey ship HMS Protector to cut short research by scientists in Antarctic. The survey ship had to punch her way through – and then back out of – the ice pack around remote James Ross Island to first drop off, then pick up, a team of geologists. The Portsmouth-based s
ESPS Patino Hosts Media Day
A media day was held onboard the EU Naval Force Spanish flagship, ESPS PATIÑO alongside Mombasa Port on Thursday 15 March. The event was hosted by the EU Naval Force Commander, Rear Admiral Jorge Manso and the EU’s Head of Delegation in Kenya, Mr. Loedwijk Briet. They were also accompanied at the Me
UK: HMS Bulwark Lands Royal Mariners
HMS Bulwark has landed Royal Marines from 42 Commando on the shores of Norway for NATO’s winter war games, Exercise Cold Response. As well as putting commandos onto the snow and shingle near the Norwegian port of Harstad, Bulwark landed their counterparts from the Netherlands and the USA, and equipm
Russia: BF Corvette Seterguschiy Hosts Journalists
Journalists of northwestern media agencies were invited onboard Baltic Fleet (BF) corvette Stereguschiy on the eve of Leningrad Naval Base anniversary. To demonstrate service conditions of naval mariners, Western Military District Press Service on March 16 invited reporters on board the most up-to-d
Amount of Pirate Attacks Sharply Reduced in 2011, French Defense Minister Says
Amount of pirate attacks off African coast sharply reduced in 2011, said French defense minister Gérard Longuet. About 200 attacks were registered in 2011 in contrast to 700 attacks in 2010; pirates captured 13 vessels in 2011, while in 2010 there were 30 ships, reports ITAR-TASS referring to Longue
Ukraine Restrains Black Sea Fleet’s Military Power, Kasatonov Says
Adviser to the Chief of Russian General Staff and Black Sea Fleet (BSF) ex-commander Igor Kasatonov criticized Ukraine’s stand on replacement of Black Sea Fleet ships, reports UNIAN. Kasatonov says Russia does not increase number of ships in full accordance with agreements. However, when trying to r
Russia: CF Missilemen Adopt Newest Coast Defense System
Servicemen of Caspian Flotilla (CF) coast defense missile battalion began mastering of newest mobile coastal missile system Bal at the Adanak Range in Dagestan. During a month-long field exercise, CF missilemen study tactics and technical maintenance, conduct firing and driving drills. High emphasis
Russia: BSF to Participate in Three Joint Exercises in 2012
In 2012, crews of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) ships will take part in a number of joint naval exercises and diplomatic activities at seaports of Mediterranean countries. In April and August, BSF will attend activations of BLACKSEAFOR joint task force which is presently headed by Russian Navy’s representat
Ukraine to Lift 107-Year Old Submarine
A submarine of Russian Imperial Navy lying at the depth of 76 meters near Cape Fiolent (Sevastopol, Ukraine) will be lifted soon. As is planned, the sub is to be turned into museum. Submarine Skat was built in 1905. She was responsible for protection of Sevastopol and was sunken in 1919 as overaged