Operations
PE-11, Multi-National Maritime Exercise Between U.S., North African and European Naval Forces, Begins
Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), a multi-national maritime exercise between U.S., North African and European naval forces, conducted the first day of at sea boarding exercises, June 7. Five ships got underway from Souda Bay, Greece, on June 6, joining one already at sea, bringing together six of the ei
Sweden: Saab Signs Letter of Intent with Tactical Communications Group
Saab has signed a Letter of Intent with the leading supplier of tactical data link software solutions, Tactical Communications Group, TCG. Within the partnership Saab and TCG will collaborate on technical, marketing and business development initiatives designed to bring innovative new C4I solutions
UK: Portsmouth-Based Warship Bids Farewell For Next Six Months
Portsmouth-based warship HMS St Albans yesterday (Sunday) set sail for a six-month operational deployment of the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. The 4,900 tonne Type-23 frigate will be taking over duties from HMS Iron Duke and will be patrolling busy shipping lanes and providing security for the regi
Saab Group Receives Two Orders From Royal Thai Navy
The defence and security company Saab has received two orders from the Royal Thai Navy for the upgrading of combat management and fire control systems on two frigates of the Naresuan class. The total contract amount is MSEK 454 ($73 million). The contracts involve upgrading the frigates with the lat
Greece: Oliver Hazard Perry-Class Frigate Conducts Multinational Damage Control Training
USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) hosted a multinational damage control training workshop at Marathi Pier in Souda Bay, Greece, as a part of exercise Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), June 2. Navy teams from four nations participated in the training. “This training is important, because we have the opportu
Russia: Auxiliary Vessel Manych Heads for Murmansk
Water-carrying tanker Manych left Sevastopol on June 1 heading for new basing site – Murmansk. Northern Fleet (NF) will be new home base of the vessel. Designed late in 60’s under Soviet Navy’s technical specifications by Baltsudoproject design bureau (Leningrad) and built in 1972 by Vyborg shipyard
Russia’s BSF Ships Successfully Conduct Missile Firing Drill
In accordance with combat training schedule, Black Sea Fleet (BSF) strike groups consisting of small missile ships Shtil and Mirazh and two missile boats Ivanovets and R-60 successfully conducted missile firing drill on May 31 at the test range southwestward Cape Tarhankut, Black Sea Fleet. The wars
Italy: Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship Underway Following Successful Palermo Port Visit
More than 2,500 Sailors and embarked Marines aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) departed Palermo, Italy, May 31 following a successful four-day port visit. The crew had the opportunity to sightsee and experience the city’s hospitality and culture through tours and exc
Russia: Black Sea Fleet Announces Results of Winter Training Period
Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Military Council convened to summarize winter training period. Appearing at the audience, BSF Commander Vice Admiral Vladimir Korolev emphasized the fleet had completed winter training period with good results at hand. Such events as BLACKSEAFOR activation, Russian-Ukrainian ex
Russia: Caspian Flotilla’s Simulation of Damage
Caspian Flotilla (CF) small gunnery ship Astrakhan conducted the underway damage control drill. According to the drill scenario, a fire occurred on the ship’s afterdeck. Crew of Astrakhan started to extinguish the fire, but failed to do that alone. Commanding officer called in fireboat PZhK-86. Havi
UK: HMS Edinburgh Leaves Portsmouth Base
HMS Edinburgh is leaving her Portsmouth base today for a seven-month deployment patrolling the British South Atlantic Islands, including the Falklands and South Georgia. As she journeys south, the Type 42 destroyer will call at the Cape Verde Islands and a variety of countries off the west coast of
Russian-Ukrainian Joint Exercise Starts
The Fairway of Peace-2011 naval exercise jointly held by Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) and Ukrainian Navy was triumphantly opened on May 23 in Sevastopol; it is planned to practice joint actions while a peace-enforcement operation in “crisis region”. The exercise command is carried out by Russian p
UK: MV Polarbjorn Enters Portsmouth
The ship that will fulfil HMS Endurance’s role as an interim Antarctic patrol vessel entered Portsmouth Naval Base for the first time yesterday, Monday 23 May 2011. The ice-breaker MV Polarbjorn – to be named HMS Protector – has been leased on a three-year contract from Norwegian company GC Rieber S
Spanish Patrol Vessel Leaves EU NAVFOR
On 20 May, ESPS INFANTA ELENA, the Spanish patrol vessel finished asan EU NAVFOR warship after 84 days proudly flying the European Flag. During her days at sea she was committed in conducting surface search, patrolling and safeguarding the coast of Somalia, as well as escorting multiple vessels ch