Operations
UK F-35B tests “beast mode” loadout
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently undergoing extensive F-35B flight trials with the aim of determining the operational limits of both the ship and the fifth-generation stealth jets it is poised to operate. One of the trial evolutions included loading one of the jets with w
France cuts steel for first FTI frigate
French shipbuilder Naval Group has hosted a steel-cutting ceremony for the French Navy’s first Fregate de Taille Intermediaire (FTI) frigate at its Lorient site. The lead ship in the class, to be named after the French sailor and general Pierre-Alexis Ronarc’h, is scheduled to be delivered in 2023.
Bahrain investing $150m to buy, refurbish its second Oliver Hazard Perry frigate
Ex USS Robert G. Bradley was retired in 2014 and is being transferred to Bahrain.
UK, France conclude Joint Expeditionary Force drill Griffin Strike
Armed forces personnel from the UK and France have concluded two weeks of training as part of the Griffin Strike exercise, a major rehearsal for the development of the UK-French Combined Joint Expeditionary Force. This year, Griffin Strike was combined with exercise Joint Warrior, and included repre
Attack submarine USS Louisville arrives in Washington for inactivation
The US Navy’s Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) has arrived at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton to start her inactivation and decommissioning process. The submarine departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on October 7 and arrived in Washington on Oc
Australian frigate joins North Korea sanctions enforcement mission
The Australian government is sending Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta to the Korean Peninsula where it will support an operation to enforce UN Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea. HMAS Parramatta’s sanctions enforcement mission will be part of a broader East Asian deployment. T
US Navy receives final C-40 aircraft
The US Navy has taken delivery of the 17th and the final planned C-40 aircraft from Boeing. The Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207) took delivery of the navy’s 16th aircraft in June and 17th aircraft on September 26. The latest C-40A aircraft will be assigned to US Naval Reserve Fleet Logistic
US leads International Maritime Exercise in Persian Gulf
The US Navy-led International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19) that will involve participants from over 50 nations kicked off in the Persian Gulf on October 21. The exercise will span from the Suez Canal south to the Bab-al-Mandeb, through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Northern Arabian Gulf. It w
Surface Warships Global Market Report
Defence IQ have released the annual Surface Warships Global Market Report – download a copy here. The current Surface Warship market is booming with a forecast of $155.16 billion over the next ten years. This report provides an in-depth look at the acquisition priorities for the world’s navies and i
US Navy P-3Cs return from final operational deployment
The Navy has now completed its transition to the P-8A Poseidon.
Wreck of Japanese carrier involved in Pearl Harbor attack found in Central Pacific
The wreck of an Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier that was part of a six-ship fleet involved in the Pearl Harbor attack has been found by researchers aboard R/V Petrel. IJN Kaga was found resting 5,400 meters below the surface of the Central Pacific, after being scuttled by the Japanese on Jun
Philippines, Japan, US conclude amphibious drill Kamandag
The US, Philippines and Japan concluded the bilateral military exercise Kamandag 3 in a ceremony in Manila, Philippines, on October 18. The Philippine-led, bilateral military exercise, which was designed to increase readiness through capabilities development, improve combined responsiveness, and enh
US Navy names Arleigh Burke destroyer after Korean War hero
Future USS John E. Kilmer will be the 84th ship in its class.
Russia’s seventh Improved Kilo submarine completes trials
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky first got underway in August this year.