Shipbuilding
Royal Navy’s third Type 26 frigate to be named Belfast
The Royal Navy’s third Type 26, or City-class, frigate will be named Belfast, First Sea Lord Admiral Philip Jones announced on September 27. Whilst the second to be named, HMS Belfast is Ship 3 in the Type 26 programme. Ship 1 is called HMS Glasgow and Ship 2 is yet to be named. The future […
BAE Systems unveils updated mine countermeasure system NAUTIS 5 at DSEI
UK defense contractor BAE Systems on Wednesday unveiled the latest version of its flagship mine counter measures (MCM) system NAUTIS 5 at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London. NAUTIS is used to counter the threat of naval mines and is installed on board more t
For the first time: Dragonfire showcases laser weapon model at DSEI
Dragonfire, a consortium contracted to develop a laser directed energy weapon for the Royal Navy, is showcasing a full-size model of the weapon at the DSEI expo in London for the first time ever. In January this year, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), awarded a £30million contrac
UK MoD announces plans for Royal Navy’s T31e frigates
Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin on September 7th launched plans for the procurement of the Royal Navy’s new Type 31e frigates – a day after the announcement of a new National Shipbuilding Strategy. The competition, unveiled by senior leaders from the Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy and Defence Equ
Cathelco to supply equipment for Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigates
Cathelco has signed a contract to supply equipment for the first three vessels in a new generation of warships which will have a major role across the full spectrum of the Royal Navy’s operations. The Type 26 Frigates will be installed with two types of Cathelco systems, one protecting the underwate
UK defense secretary confirms development of Joint Logistics Support Base in Oman
On his most recent trip to Oman, UK defense secretary Michael Fallon signed a memorandum of understanding and services agreement that will allow Royal Navy vessels to use facilities at Duqm port before the UK Joint Logistics Support Base at the port is completed. Once completed, the UK Joint Logisti
HMS Victory: Preserving the world’s oldest commissioned warship
As part of what contractor BAE Systems described as the most extensive restoration project the 252-year-old HMS Victory underwent following her repair after the Battle of Trafalgar, the world’s oldest commissioned warship will receive a new structural support system for the ship. Specialist engineer
UK’s MAPLE autonomous platform project enters fourth phase
UK’s Maritime Autonomous Platform Exploitation (MAPLE) project is entering phase four after defense contractor Qinetiq signed a £4.5m contract to lead this phase of development. The project is being developed for the defense ministry’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and focuses on
UK F-35B makes first “ski jump” loaded with Paveway IV and ASRAAM missiles
A short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B Lightning II aircraft took off from the ski jump loaded with Paveway IV and ASRAAM missiles for the first time, BAE Systems announced. Installed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the ski jump is similar to that which will be used on the Royal Navy’s
Portsmouth Naval Base boosting energy capacity
Royal Navy’s Portsmouth Naval Base will be receiving a new combined heat and power plant which will recycle energy, reduce carbon footprint and save the UK defense ministry up to £4million per year in energy costs. BAE Systems is beginning work to install the plant as energy and electrical requireme
Babcock, BAE bag £170m worth of Royal Navy contracts
The UK defence ministry’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) office signed a seven-year contract with Babcock International Group to keep Royal Navy ships supplied with items essential for day-to-day maintenance and operations. The contract, announced by defence minister Harriett Baldwin in Portsm
First Canadian company joins UK Type 26 supply chain
Engineering firm WR Davis became the first Canadian company to be picked by BAE Systems to deliver equipment for the construction of the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 frigates. BAE Systems as the prime contractor on the program awarded a C$12m contract to WR Davis Engineering Ltd for the uptake and downt
Tods Defence to design and build Type 26 sonar domes
Tods Defence, a Unitech Aerospace Company, announced it has been selected by prime contractor BAE Systems to design and manufacture bow sonar domes for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates. The company announced this contract after a steel-cutting ceremony on Thursday which marked the construction star
UK starts construction of first Type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow
The name of the first Type 26 frigate to be built for the Royal Navy has been announced during a steel-cutting ceremony held at Govan shipyard in Scotland. Pressing the button which officially marked the ship’s construction start, UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced that the first Type 26