The US State Department has approved the Thailand government’s request for the acquisition of RGM-84L Harpoon Block II surface launched missiles. The requested contract for the possible foreign military sale has an estimated cost of $24.9 million and has been approved by the Defense Security Coopera
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John S. McCain sailed within 12 miles of a Chinese artificial reef in the South China Sea on Thursday, according to Reuters. Citing unidentified officials, Reuters wrote that the USS John S. McCain sailed close to the disputed Mischief Reef in the Spratly
US destroyer USS Fitzgerald which was heavily damaged in a June 17 collision with a merchant vessel will be sent back from Japan to the US for repairs, the US Navy has decided. A US Navy 7th Fleet spokesperson confirmed this to Naval Today adding that the contract to transport the Arleigh Burke-clas
The US Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), concluded a three-month patrol of Indo-Asia- Pacific returning to its base at Yokosuka, Japan, on August 9. During the patrol, Ronald Reagan participated in exercise Talisman Saber 2017, designed to enhance U.S.-Australian
The U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), currently operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on its maiden deployment, pulled into Singapore for a visit on August 6. Sailors and marines aboard America have been conducting unit-level training in a number of warfare areas
After suspending search efforts, the U.S. Navy identified the missing USS Stethem (DDG 63) sailor as Lt. Steven D. Hopkins. Hopkins was reported missing and assumed overboard on August 1, during what the navy described as routine operations in the South China Sea. USS Stethem was 140 miles of Subic
The Sri Lankan Navy commissioned SLNS Sayurala, the first of two offshore patrol vessel, in a ceremony at Colombo naval base on August 2. Sayurala was built by Indian shipbuilder Goa Shipyards Limited under a US$ 155 million contract and is the largest vessels the Sri Lanka has operated. The vessel
A U.S. Navy sailor from the guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem went missing on Augist 1 during routine operations in the South China Sea and the search is still ongoing, the U.S. Navy said. Ships and aircraft from the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force are taking part in search and re
After concluding their drills with the Russian Navy in the Baltic Sea, ships from the Chinese Navy’s task group are scheduled to visit Finland for a regularly scheduled port call. Three Chinese warships, Type 052D destroyer Hefei (DDG-174), Type 054A frigate Yuncheng (571) and Type 903 replenishment
The ballistic missile defense (BMD)-capable guided missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) will be deploying to Japan once it completes testing and certification. The U.S. Navy announced the destroyer would become part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) based at Commander Fleet Activities Yok
Ships, submarines and aircraft from the U.S., India and Japan concluded their participation in the week-long Bay of Bengal exercise Malabar 2017 The exercise was designed to advance military-to-military coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multinational environment.
A Chinese Navy three-ship task group is sailing towards the Baltic Sea where it is set to take part in exercises with the Russian Navy. The bilateral drill, dubbed “Maritime Interaction 2017”, is scheduled to take place between July 21 and 28, and will involve an overall of 21 ships, according to a
The Sri Lankan Navy is to commission the first of two India-built offshore patrol vessels, SLNS Sayural, after it is delivered in a ceremony set for July 22. According to India’s Hindustan Times, the 105 meter long OPV is expected to be inducted into Sri Lanka Navy service on August 2. The two OPVs,
U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Fitzgerald is ready to be moved into a dry dock in Yokosuka, Japan to continue repairs following a June 17 collision with a merchant vessel off Yokosuka. The U.S. 7th Fleet command announced that the destroyer is scheduled USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) is sche
