Operations
HNLMS VAN AMSTEL Completes Two Escorts of WFP
Dutch EU NAVFOR warship HNLMS VAN AMSTEL completed two escorts of World Food Programme (WFP) chartered merchant vessels Mary Ann Hudson and Golden Bridge, on a tour between 14 and 17 April from Berbera to Bosaso and back. Both escorts in this high risk area were carried out smoothly and without any
CF Task Unit Prepares for Deployment
Caspian Flotilla (CF) task unit consisting of corvette (small-size gunnery ship) Astrakhan and attached supply vessels completes preparation for a deployment to the Caspian Sea. Basic purpose of the deployment is demonstration of Russian naval ensign and maintaining of Russia’s naval presence in key
ESPS Reina Sofia Rescues Innocent Somali Crew
On Saturday 14 April Spanish warship ESPS Reina Sofia, who is now operating as part of the EU’s counter-piracy mission, Operation Atalanta, stopped a Yemeni dhow that was suspected of carrying armed Somali pirates. The French Air Force Awacs E3F, FS Dixmude and her helicopters, as well as an Austral
Navy’s Antarctic Patrol Ship HMS Protector Visits Ice Paradise
The Navy’s Antarctic patrol ship HMS Protector ventured further south than ever before on her maiden deployment as she delivered vital supplies to polar scientists. The Portsmouth-based survey ship sailed to Rothera research base – 800 miles south of Cape Horn – allowing her sailors and marines to e
ITS Sirocco Joins European Naval Force
On Saturday the 14th of April the Italian Frigate ITS SCIROCCO has joined the European Naval Force to combat piracy off Somalia. ITS SCIROCCO, while being specifically equipped for anti-submarine warfare, is an effective multi-purpose frigate with an extensive experience in counter-piracy operations
Russia: Pacific Fleet Lays Wreaths to Corvette Musson Sank 25 Years Ago
Pacific Fleet (PF) servicemen on Apr 17 commemorated corvette (small-size missile ship) Musson by laying wreaths. Project 1234 corvette Musson serving at PF 165-th Missile Boat Brigade sank 25 years ago in the Sea of Japan 33 nautical miles off Ascold Island at the depth of 2,900 meters being hit by
Russia: Grachonok to Become Black Sea Fleet Member on May 7
The ensign-hoisting ceremony on special-purpose boat Grachonok will be held on May 7, a source in Black Sea Fleet HQ told Central Navy Portal. Project 21980 anti-terror boat Grachonok (serial number 982) is the second vessel in the series. The boat was built in Tatarstan at JSC Zelenodolsk Shipyard.
UK: Royal Navy to Commission HMS Dragon on Friday 20th
HMS Dragon will formally take her place alongside her older sisters as the fourth of the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyers is commissioned into the Fleet on Friday (April 20th). Hundreds of guests including families of the 190 ship’s company will attend a colourful ‘Christening’ ceremony at Portsm
USA: Raytheon Gets USD 106 Million for Aegis Radar Work
The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company a $106.4 million modification to a previously awarded contract for the production of Aegis-related equipment, including the AN/SPY-1(D)V radar transmitter and MK99 Mod 14 Fire Control System. With this modification, Raytheon will continue its long history of re
Ships of BS Naval Cooperation Task Group Arrive in Sevastopol, Ukraine
Ships of Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR) on Apr 13 arrived in Sevastopol. Leaving Romanian Constanta, crew of the BLACKSEAFOR flagship – Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) large landing ship Caesar Kunikov – paid military honors to destroyer leader Moskva perished off Romania in 194
USFF, CNIC Prepare For Hurricane Preparedness Exercise
Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) are conducting a hurricane preparedness exercise, HURREX/Citadel Gale 12, April 16 through 27. The purpose of this annual exercise is to prepare the Navy to respond to weather threats to U.S. coastal regions
UK Armed Guards Look Vulnerable To Emerging Nations’ Prices
As regulation slowly and painfully filters down the private maritime security industry, a “proliferation” of new firms from emerging countries is inevitable and British PMSCs will price themselves out of the market, according to Norton Rose partner Philip Roche. The big question, Mr Roche said, is w
HMS Westminster Intercepts Suspicious Dhow in Indian Ocean
£14m of drugs used to fund terrorist activity will never reach their destination thanks to a major bust by HMS Westminster. The Portsmouth-based warship intercepted a suspicious dhow in the Indian Ocean, seizing over 70 bales containing more than 180kg of pure heroin. The Portsmouth-based frigate po
German-Owned Freighter Loaded with Military Equipment, Ammunition Stops Near Syria
A German-owned freighter loaded with military equipment and ammunition heading to Syria, was stopped on Friday 50 kilometres (31 miles) away from the Syrian port Tartus, a German Magazine Der Spiegel reports. The ship “Atlantic Cruiser”, leased to a Ukrainian company, White Whale Shipping, was inter