Surface Vessels
HMS Trenchant Clocks Up Nine Months on Patrol in Indian Ocean
The crew of hunter-killer submarine HMS Trenchant have passed the nine-month barrier on their marathon tour of duty in the Indian Ocean. The Plymouth-based boat has clocked up 277 days on patrol since leaving Devon last year, continually maintaining the UK’s submarine presence east of Suez. She sail
Senegal: Exercise SE-13 Success for HMS Argyll
A Plymouth based frigate has played a starring role in a maritime security exercise off the coast of West Africa. Whilst on deployment on Atlantic Patrol Task (South) reassurance duties, the Type 23 frigate, HMS Argyll, has successfully completed the multi-national exercise, Saharan Express, off the
Top News of the Week of Mar 18 – Mar 23, 2013
Iran Begins Construction of Destroyer Jamaran 2 Iran began construction of destroyer Jamaran 2, reports news agency IRINN referring to Iranian Navy Commander ADM Habibollah Sayyari. He added that construction of the destroyer Jamaran 2 was conducted by own efforts under direction of Iranian experts.
UK: HMS Kent to Leave Portsmouth on Monday
Portsmouth based Type 23 frigate – HMS Kent – leaves Portsmouth on Monday (25/3) for a six-month deployment focussing on counter piracy operations in the Indian Ocean. HMS Kent will continue the Royal Navy’s long-term presence East of Suez as she replaces HMS Northumberland currently on station. The
UK: BAE Systems Hands Over HMS Duncan
HMS Duncan, the sixth and final of the UK’s sophisticated, new class of Type 45 Destroyers, has been formally handed over to the Royal Navy by shipbuilder BAE Systems, the MOD announced today The 7,500 tonne vessel, armed with the world-leading Sea Viper missile defence system, sailed to her new hom
Estonian Vessel Protection Detachment Operating on French Vessel
Some contributing nations support the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta with specialised assets to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa. Estonia supports Operation Atalanta with a Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) on board the French frigate FS Courbet. VPDs are ready to emba
UK: HMS Edinburgh Heads Home
The Royal Navy’s last Type 42 destroyer has left New York and is heading home following a highly successful visit to the Big Apple. At the end of this month, HMS Edinburgh will return to her home port of Portsmouth and bring to an end 30 years of loyal service to the Royal Navy as […]
UK: HMS Somerset Returns to Active Fleet
HMS Somerset returned to the active Fleet on Friday 15th March 2013 following an extensive package of sea trials, after a large upgrade package for the Plymouth based Type-23 frigate. She returns to the Fleet with improved sustainability and fighting capability. Commodore Jake Moores OBE ADC Royal N
HMS Monmouth Hits Five-Month Mark on Her Maritime Security Patrol of the Gulf
As HMS Monmouth hits the five-month mark on her Maritime Security patrol of the Gulf, it is worth taking stock of what is required to keep a Type 23 frigate and her Ship’s company of over 200 sailors and Royal Marines continuously on task and ready for action. Sustainability is the key theme running
Italian Sailors Make History on USS Kearsarge
USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) had eight sailors from the Italian Marina Militare set sail with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) March 11. The Italian team is accompanying their AV-8B Harrier II to Italy after completing a scheduled Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI) at Marine Corps Air S
USS Jason Dunham Completes Her First Deployment to US 5th Fleet
Guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) transited the Suez Canal, March 16 completing her first deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). The ship and crew spent approximately six months in the 5th Fleet AOR promoting maritime security operations and theater security
HMS Northumberland Intercepts High Speed Drug Smuggling Skiffs in Gulf of Oman
Royal Navy frigate HMS Northumberland has intercepted two high speed drug smuggling skiffs in the Gulf of Oman, carrying an estimated £5.4m of cannabis resin. Having identified two suspicious high speed skiffs during a routine patrol, the Plymouth-based frigate embarked on a 30 mile pursuit and inte
UK: HMS Dragon Sails on Her First Operational Deployment
HMS Dragon sailed from Portsmouth on Tuesday (March 19) on her maiden deployment, spending seven months on operations in the Middle East where she will build on the UK’s long term commitment to allies and regional partners[ in the world’s maritime centre of gravity. The Type 45 destroyer will police
UK: Royal Navy to Commission HMS Defender into Fleet
HMS Defender – the fifth of the Royal Navy’s powerful new Type 45 destroyers – will be formally commissioned into the fleet on Thursday (March 21). Hundreds of guests including families of the 190 ship’s company will attend a colourful ‘Christening’ ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base to mark the ship