Surface Vessels
USS Porter visits Latvia on Baltic Sea tour
US Navy destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Riga, Latvia, on January 22 for a scheduled port visit. Porter is one of two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers operating in the Baltic currently, under the close watch of Russian Navy corvettes. “We would like to thank our Latvian hosts fo
German Navy drops out of Mediterranean Sea operation Sophia
German Navy units will no longer be taking part in operation Sophia – an EU-led effort to tackle migrant smugglers in the Mediterranean sea, German officials have announced. Bremen-class frigate FGS Augsburg is currently deployed to operation Sophia and will not be replaced by another German Navy sh
Canadian CH-148 returns from first operational deployment
Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville de Québec returned to Halifax on Monday, completing a six-month deployment with Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2). During the frigate’s deployment in European waters, an embarked CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter completed its first operational deployme
Russia scrambles corvettes to escort US destroyers in Baltic Sea
The Russian Navy’s Baltic Sea Fleet has deployed two corvettes to escort two US Navy destroyers currently underway in the Baltic Sea. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Porter transited the Skagerrak Strait on January 20 during its patrol of the US 6th Fleet area of operations while sister ship USS G
USS Donald Cook enters Black Sea on European patrol
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) entered the Black Sea after transiting the Dardanelles Strait on January 19. The destroyer will operate in the region for up to 21 days, as allowed by the Montreux Convention, conducting maritime security operations. Don
Malta signs deal for second offshore patrol vessel
The Armed Forces of Malta have signed a €35 million contract for the construction of a second purpose-built offshore patrol vessel that will be used in patrolling Malta’s territorial waters. The new vessel will complement the Diciotti-class patrol vessel P61 which was built in 2005 and a former Iris
New Zealand’s new dive support vessel gets Cougar XT ROV
The Royal New Zealand Navy’s new multi-purpose support vessel will receive the Saab Seaeye Cougar XT underwater robotic vehicle before it is transferred to New Zealand. Norway-based Østensjø Rederi is contracted to deliver the future HMZS Resolution (formerly known as ‘Edda Fonn’) to the New Zealand
Italian Navy sailor dies after mooring cable snaps aboard FREMM frigate
An Italian Navy sailor died from injuries sustained in an accident aboard the FREMM frigate Carlo Bergamini, the Italian defense ministry informed on January 16. The non-commissioned officer, who has been identified as First Marshall (primo maresciallo) Gioacchino Verde, sustained the fatal injuries
Navantia cuts steel for first Saudi Navy Avante corvette
Spanish shipbuilder Navantia held a steel cutting ceremony at its San Fernando shipyard on January 15 to officially mark the start of construction of the first Royal Saudi Navy Avante 2200 corvette. The ceremony was attended by company officials and representatives from the navies of Saudi Arabia an
German minehunter Dillingen deploys to SNMCMG1
German Navy minehunter FGS Dillingen will be departing its Kiel homeport on January 21 to join the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group (SNMCMG1) for a six-month deployment. The vessel will first head for Zeebruge, Belgium, where it will join the international task group. After Dillingen joins
Four-nation aircraft carrier drill underway in Persian Gulf
Frigates, destroyers and an aircraft carrier from four nations are currently underway in the Persian Gulf as part of the annual, multinational exercise Intrepid Sentinel 2019. The multilateral exercise is designed to increase capability and interoperability between the four nations. According to pho
Spanish Aegis frigate joins Carrier Strike Group 12 in Norfolk
The Spanish Navy’s Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104) arrived at Naval Station Norfolk on January 14 where it will become part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 and conduct joint training and exercises. Méndez Núñez, homeported in Ferrol, Spain, was commissioned in 2006. She join
HMS Montrose first Royal Navy ship to visit Auckland, NZ, in 20 years
Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose arrived at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday, becoming the first Royal Navy ship to do so in 20 years. Welcoming the frigate to Auckland was the crew of Royal New Zealand Navy multi-purpose vessel HMNZS Canterbury who performed the traditional hak
US destroyer Gravely becomes NATO group flagship
US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) assumed the role of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) flagship in a change of command ceremony in Denmark on January 14. US Navy Rear Adm. Edward Cashman assumed command of SNMG1 from Royal Danish Navy Commodore Anders F