HMS Illustrious has been escorted through the Strait of Hormuz by frigate HMS Montrose as she continues on her Gulf deployment. The helicopter and commando carrier is due to begin exercises in the Gulf of Oman as part of Cougar 13 – the annual workout of the Royal Navy’s rapid reaction force known a
First Timor-Leste Navy Officer to Attend Training at RAN College The latest New Entry Officers’ Course (NEOC) at HMAS Creswell has a very special trainee, one paving the way for his nation and Navy. Jacinto Do Nascimento is the first Timor-Leste Navy officer to attend training at the Royal Australia
After three years continuously deployed at sea Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Victoria has begun her journey back to the UK to undergo planned maintenance. Over the course of her deployment Fort Victoria has operated in the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. She has embarked the staff of
HMS Bulwark hosted a Defence and Security Industry Day (DSID), sponsored by UK Trade and Industry (UKTI), on her recent visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The Plymouth based Fleet Flagship, currently in the Gulf leading the Response Force Task Group’s Cougar 13 deployment, invited eight
The third major exercise of Cougar 13 has just ended on the shores of the United Arab Emirates. The Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group has completed Sea Khanjar – a five day exercise culminating in a large amphibious demonstration for gathered visitors. Watching on were guests including: Major G
Royal Navy minehunter HMS Quorn has led two of the largest ships in the fleet through a simulated mine threat area as part of the launch of Exercise Sea Khanjar in the Gulf. The scenario for the five-day exercise was for the Fleet Flagship HMS Bulwark and Helicopter and Commando Carrier HMS Illustri
Six Royal Navy and RFA ships, plus specialist dive teams and Fleet Air Arm squadrons joined their American counterparts in a major minehunting exercise in the Gulf. The joint workout – billed as the most extensive of its kind in several years – saw the two allies work together to clear a path throug
Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster currently on deployment has been putting her submarine hunting skills to the test with a combined UK and US Naval Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise in the Gulf of Oman. HMS Westminster is part of the UK’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) currently on the Royal Navy’s
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Ramta division has won a contract to supply three Super Dvora Mk 3 fast patrol boats to the Israel Navy. The Super Dvora Mk 3, an advanced development of the Ramta Division, is a mainstay of the Israel Navy’s ongoing security activities. The boat is used for patrol
HMAS Newcastle has handed over security operations for Operation SLIPPER in support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in the Middle East to HMAS Melbourne. Newcastle has provided maritime security around the Horn of Africa, conducted counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations in the Gulf of Ad
The 9th edition of the bilateral Indian Navy-Royal Omani Navy biennial exercise began on 23 September 2013 off the coast of Oman, in the North Arabian Sea. Indian Naval Ships Mysore (guided missile destroyer), Tarkash and Tabar (stealth frigates) and Aditya (fleet tanker) are participating under the
HMAS Newcastle conducted her last port visit in the Middle East Area of Operations when she pulled into Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates on 17 September. It was a fitting location as Fujairah was Newcastle’s first official port of call during the deployment that it started back in May. Commander
Three ships have held a simultaneous Replenishment at Sea in the Gulf of Oman in a highly complex manoeuvre during which they could be no more than fifty metres apart. In the middle was Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Victoria which has the ability to refuel two ships at the same time – with RFA Fort [&h
Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster has been putting her boarding teams through their paces as part of exercise Red Alligator, an international exercise with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The Portsmouth-based frigate is working as part of the Cougar 13 Task Group before she continues on her way