Surface Vessels
One dies after Russia’s sole aircraft carrier catches fire
One person died and a dozen people have been injured after Russia’s sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov caught fire while undergoing repairs in Murmansk. The fire broke out in the first power unit of the eight deck in the morning hours of December 12, according to Russian news agency Tass. More
Lockheed Martin to equip Spanish Navy’s future frigates with S-band radar
US defense contractor Lockheed Martin recently signed an agreement with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to equip five new F-110 multimission frigates and their land-based test site with Lockheed Martin’s first naval installation of its solid state S-band radar. The five new frigates will be built by Sp
HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to homeport
The Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier strike group returned home on December 4 after three months in the USA. Following HMS Dragon’s return to Portsmouth earlier this week, the aircraft carrier made her way into Portsmouth – where she was greeted by sister ship HMS Prince of Wales. At the sam
HMS Queen Elizabeth in anti-submarine warfare drill with Norwegian frigate
The Royal Navy’s newest aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently conducting an anti-submarine exercise with a Norwegian frigate in the Western Atlantic. The NATO/anti-submarine warfare training with the Norwegian Navy’s newest frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl, Type 23-class frigate HMS Northumb
HMS Tamar welcomes first crew ahead of 2020 delivery
Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar has welcomed the first members of her ship’s company. Four Royal Navy personnel joined teams from BAE, DE&S and MCTA for contractor sea trials in the Firth of Clyde. Tamar is the fourth Batch 2 River Class OPV to be built in Scotstoun, Glasgow, and has the
Senegal orders three offshore patrol vessels
The Ministry of Armed Forces of Senegal has awarded French shipbuilder Piriou a contract for the construction of three offshore patrol vessels for the Senegalese Navy. As soon as the contract is in force, which is planned for early 2020, Piriou will launch the program to build these 3 patrol vessels
HMS Prince of Wales arrives at Portsmouth homeport for first time
HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s second aircraft carrier, sailed into her homeport of Portsmouth for the first time on November 16. It is the second time in two years the city has welcomed one of the UK’s new carriers, following HMS Queen Elizabeth’s arrival in August 2017. Captain Darren Houst
Royal Thai Navy orders Schiebel S-100 UAS
The Royal Thai Navy has awarded Austrian unmanned aerial system (UAS) manufacturer Schiebel a contract for the delivery of its CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS. The S-100 is scheduled to be deployed in 2020 to the Pakphanang District, in the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat in Thailand and on the RTN frigate flee
Germany starts construction of seventh K130 corvette FGS Emden
Construction works on the second ship of the second batch of German Navy K130 corvettes kicked off with a steel-cutting ceremony at Luerssen’s Bremen shipyard on October 28. In addition to being the second ship of the new batch, the future FGS Emden will be the seventh K130 (Braunschweig-class) corv
German Navy takes delivery of first NH90 Sea Lion helicopter
The German Navy has received its first NH90 Sea Lion naval multi-role helicopter from Airus Helicopters, with two more to follow by the end of the year. In total, 18 Sea Lions have been ordered for the German Navy, with deliveries expected to be completed in 2022. The selection of the Sea Lion as th
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.
Russian frigate Admiral Kasatonov begins state trials
The Russian Navy’s second Project 22350 frigate, Admiral Kasatonov, has begun state trials ahead of the ship’s delayed delivery which is expected to take place by the end of the year. According to the Northern Shipyard, Admiral Kasatonov has already passed a number of checkpoints, including tests of
US destroyer ventures above Arctic Circle to monitor Russian Navy
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) recently concluded operations above the Arctic Circle while monitoring Russian maritime activity on Oct. 16. The service said the ship’s presence in the Arctic Circle reinforced the United States’ commitment to regional