Operations
Bulgarian Navy Receives First of Three Panther Helicopters
The Bulgarian Navy has formally received the first out of a total of three Panther helicopters in a highly troubled supply deal that Bulgarian Defense Ministry made with Eurocopter. The first “Panther” was welcomed at a ceremony at the naval helicopter base “Chayka” near the Black Sea city of Varna
Royal Navy Frees Sailors from Hijacked Ship in Indian Ocean
Sailors have been freed from a hijacked ship in the Indian Ocean thanks to a Royal Navy boarding team. Distress signals from the Montecristo bulk carrier were picked up by support ship RFA Fort Victoria. The floating warehouse – which can provide Royal Navy warship with food, spare parts, ammunition
UK: HMS Westminster Starts Four Weeks of Intensive Training off South Coast
HMS Westminster has begun four weeks of intensive training off the South Coast as she prepares for a challenging deployment in the new year to tackle criminal activity on the oceans. The Portsmouth-based frigate faced some rough seas off Plymouth as she conducted a replenishment at sea to transfer s
JSC Severnaya Verf Shipyard to Deliver Corvette Soobrazitelny to Russian Defense Ministry on Oct 14
JSC Severnaya Verf shipyard will deliver corvette Soobrazitelny to Russian Defense Ministry on Oct 14, reported the shipyard’s press service. Being the first serial ship of Project 20380, corvette Soobrazitelny has vital differences from the lead ship, corvette Stereguschiy commissioned in 2007. Ove
Italy to Use Armed Guards On Board Merchant Ships
Italy is to station military forces on its merchant vessels to guard against attacks by Somali pirates, shipping sources said on Tuesday, … By Barry Moody (Reuters) [mappress] Source: Reuters, October 11, 2011;
Russia: Defense Ministry Inspects BSF
Military administration agencies of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) are passing comprehensive tests in accordance with working plan of Russian Defense Ministry Inspection. In particular, inspection group headed by Principal Military Inspector Gen Lt Gennady Borisov held ceremonial review of the fleet’s top-ra
US, Spain Agree to Deploy Aegis-Carrying Ships
US Navy’s Aegis-carrying ships will be stationed in the Mediterranean Sea off Spain under US plan of missile defense deployment in Europe, said American officials on Oct 5. According to their statements, that decision was made by the US Administration and agreed with Spanish government, reports ITAR
Black Sea Fleet Large Landing Ship Caesar Kunikov Visits Greece
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) large landing ship Caesar Kunikov called at Greek port Corfu on Oct 7, told Black Sea Fleet Information Support Group to Central Navy Portal. Upon arrival to the port, cruise commander Capt 2 rank Sergei Zvyagin and the ship’s commanding officer Capt 2 rank Sergei Larchuk paid
Russia: Procuracy Notifies Shipowner Of Seiner Rammed Submarine
Procuracy addressed a notification to JSC Rybnoye, shipowner of seiner Donets collided with nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Svyatoi Georgy Pobedonosets in Avachinskaya Bay, reports RIA Novosti referring to a representative of Far East Transport Procuracy. The incident occurred in
UK: 7th TRADE Meeting Took Place at EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters
The 7th meeting of the Training Awareness and De-confliction (TRADE) group took place on 4 October at the Operational Headquarters of EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA in Northwood. “TRADE is a very useful tool to co-ordinate and de-conflict training by different stakeholders”, said Rear Admiral Christia
Royal Navy Sea Kings Strike More Blows at Afghan Insurgents
More than £2m of heroin and two bomb makers have been snared thanks to the latest busts by the Navy’s ‘eyes in the sky’ over Afghanistan. Ground troops intercepted drug runners trying to smuggle 2,200lb of heroin – with a street value in the UK in excess of £2m – after being guided by […]
Russia: Black Sea Fleet Frigate Prepares for IONIEX 2011
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) frigate Smetlivy completes preparation for cruise to the Mediterranean Sea in order to attend the IONIEX 2011 Russian-Italian exercise. Recently, all ship’s systems were tested in different modes at sea, and the crew held teamwork drills. Joint exercise IONIEX regularly conduct
Cyprus to Allow Armed Guards on Board Ships
Cyprus is preparing legislation that will allow armed guards to board merchant ships to protect the crew, vessel and cargo from pirate attacks. Details of the new law will be discussed at the “Maritime Cyprus 2011” conference in Limassol that started on Monday where some 700 delegates also debated o
Turkish Warships Harass Israeli Merchant Vessels in Waters off Cyprus
Increasingly assertive Turkey is setting the scene for clashes in the eastern Mediterranean. Since Thursday, Sept. 29, Turkish warships have been harassing Israeli merchant vessels in waters off Cyprus, debkafile’s military sources report. They come close enough to establish wireless communication a