Surface Vessels
HMS Queen Elizabeth to join NATO’s Readiness Initiative
Once the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth starts operations in 2021, it will be made available to deploy as part of NATO’s Readiness Initiative. The UK prime minister announced on May 4 that the first of the UK’s Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, together with the F-35 fighte
US Navy replacing Spain-based destroyers with newer ones, adding helicopter squadron
The US Navy intends to start replacing its four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, with newer platforms in 2020, the US 6th Fleet has announced. The navy did not disclose which ships would be stationed in Spain to replace USS Porter (DDG 78), USS Ross (DDG
First phase of Baltic Protector wraps up in Denmark
Marines from a number of European countries raided the coast of Denmark for the conclusion of first stage of the two-month Baltic Sea maneuver Baltic Protector. British Royal Marines and their Dutch counterparts waged a battle around the towns of Esbjerg and Varde in western Denmark, taking on Danis
HMS Queen Elizabeth set for Washington visit during final round of F-35B trials
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is deploying to the US east coast this summer where it will carry out the final round of flight trials with F-35 fighter jets. The carrier’s final spell of preparations ahead of the declaration of initial operational capability in 2020 will include a p
Italian-hosted mine warfare drill wraps up off Sicily
The Italian Navy-hosted mine countermeasure exercise MINEX 2019 concluded off the coast of Sicily on May 30 after 10 days of evolutions. In addition to Italian and Spanish MCM assets, the exercise was joined by NATO’s Standing Mine Counter Measures Group Two (SNMCMG2). The exercise was aimed at prac
US Navy destroyer conducts air defense drill with Portugal
The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) has completed a series of tactical air defense and fighter control exercises with Portuguese Navy and Air Force counterparts. The exercises were conducted off the coast of Portugal on May 27, 2019. The drill began with Ross
France’s FS Charles de Gaulle in Singapore for deployment’s furthest port visit
French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle has arrived in Singapore where the French defense minister will be taking part in the Shangri-La Dialogue from May 31 to June 2. Singapore’ Changi Naval Base is the farthest port call of the aircraft carrier’s deployment as part of operation Clemencau 201
Royal Navy-led task group assembles in the Baltic
A nine-ship task group has gathered off the Danish coast to start operations as part of a UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force. The group will work together in the first act of the two-month-long Operation Baltic Protector, designed to demonstrate the resolve of the UK, its allies and nations in the reg
New Italian aircraft carrier launched 15 months after construction start
The Italian Navy’s new landing helicopter dock (LHD) Trieste was launched in a ceremony at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia shipyard on May 25. The multirole and multipurpose amphibious vessel was launched in the presence of Italian president Sergio Mattarella and the Italian Navy chief Adm. Va
Baglietto to build combat boats for Italian Navy LHD Trieste
The landing helicopter dock is scheduled to be launched this month.
Israel’s first Sa’ar 6 corvette INS Magen officially named in Germany
INS Magen, the first of four Israeli Navy Sa’ar 6 corvettes, has been officially named in Germany. The ceremony took place at the thyssenkrupp Marine Systems yard in Kiel on May 23. The ship was named by Eti Sharvit, wife of Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit, Chief of the Israeli Navy, in presence of high-le
Belgian, Dutch minehunter contract officially awarded
The Belgium Naval & Robotics consortium, composed of Naval Group and ECA Group, officially received a contract for the construction of twelve mine-hunting vessels for the navies of the Netherlands and Belgium. As revealed, the 12 ships will be equipped with some 100 drones, clustered in ten mission
HMS Queen Elizabeth afloat after first docking period, ready for final round of trials
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is afloat again after completing its first docking and maintenance period at Babcock’s Rosyth site. After the planned six-week work package was successfully delivered, the aircraft carrier departed Rosyth through the specially designed roller-fender sy
Baltic Sea mine warfare drill Open Spirit concludes in Lithuania
The Lithuanian-led historical ordnance disposal operation Open Spirit 2019 concluded on May 16 after two weeks of maneuvers. Open Spirit is an international maritime operation led on a rotating basis by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The Lithuanian Navy led the operation in 2019 in coordination with