Surface Vessels
ESPS Reina Sofia Escorts Freed Dhow to Yemeni Coast
On April 19, 15:00, Yemen local time, the commanding officer of Spanish warship, ESPS Reina Sofía, who is currently operating as part of the EU’s counter-piracy mission off Somalia – Operation Atalanta, wished “fair winds and following seas” to the master of the freed Yemeni dhow minutes before it w
UK: Royal Navy Commissions HMS Dragon
HMS Dragon – the fourth of the Royal Navy’s new powerful Type 45 destroyers – has been formally commissioned into the fleet on Friday, 20th. Hundreds of guests including families of the 190 ship’s company attended a colourful ‘Christening’ ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base which marks the ship’s tra
UK: Royal Navy Fires Last Sea Dart Missiles
For probably the last time in its 40-year history the Navy’s principal shield against air attack, Sea Dart missiles, have been fired by a Royal Navy warship. HMS Edinburgh launched seven of the Mach 2 missiles at target drones off the Outer Hebrides in a last hurrah ahead of a major military exercis
SPS Blaz de Leso, BNS Independzencia Visit Norfolk
Spanish frigate SPS Blaz de Leso (F 103) arrived in Norfolk April 16, and Brazilian frigate BNS Independzência (F 44) arrived April 19 to participate in a composite unit training exercise (COMTUEX) with the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8. Guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) sponsored b
Italy: Orizzonte Sistemi Navali Starts Construction of New Vessel
The recent steel cut ceremony held at Riva Trigoso Shipyard of FINCANTIERI was not normal routine, but a very special event, under many points of view. First of all, it is the start-up of the first ‘foreign’ contract for Orizzonte Sistemi Navali. As a matter of fact, Orizzonte was born in Europe, no
HMS Daring Shows Power to American Commander
One of the most senior US naval commanders in the Gulf joined HMS Daring to see what Britain’s most advanced warship can do. Rear Admiral Mike Shoemaker is in charge of two American Carrier Strike Groups – a dozen warships, over 100 aircraft and more than 12,000 souls – on patrol and visited the des
INS Vikramaditya Prepares for Trials on May 25
Igor Leonov, construction manager of Project 11430 aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya modernized by Sevmash shipyard for Indian Navy, told… (rusnavy) [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, April 20, 2012;
Russia: Aircraft Carrier Admiral Kuzenstov Gets Off-Grade Anchor
Aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was equipped with an off-grade anchor. Procuracy asks to initiate a fraud case, reports the supervisory… (rusnavy) [mappress] Source: Russian Navy , April 20, 2012;
DESRON 26, USS Forrest Sherman and USNS Leroy Grumman Begin Joint Warrior 12-1
Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Norfolk-based guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) are participating in a multinational exercise off the coast of Scotland. Exercise Joint Warrior 12-1, which runs April 1
NAVFOR Ensures Humanitarian Aid Gets to People of Somalia
During the last week EU Naval Force (NAVFOR) Spanish and French frigates have ensured that much needed humanitarian aid has been delivered safely to the people of Somalia. From 5 to 11 April, Spanish frigate ESPS Infanta Elena and French warship FS Aconit took it in turns to escort World Food Progra
CF Task Unit Prepares for Deployment
Caspian Flotilla (CF) task unit consisting of corvette (small-size gunnery ship) Astrakhan and attached supply vessels completes preparation for a deployment to the Caspian Sea. Basic purpose of the deployment is demonstration of Russian naval ensign and maintaining of Russia’s naval presence in key
FS Marne Gets Busy Replenishing Counter-Piracy Task Force
Having taken over as the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) flagship on 7 April 2012, French warship FS Marne has already been very busy out at sea ensuring that the Task Force remains fully prepared for counter-piracy operations off Somalia. In her first 3 days the ship has carried out a number of replenish
ITS Sirocco Joins European Naval Force
On Saturday the 14th of April the Italian Frigate ITS SCIROCCO has joined the European Naval Force to combat piracy off Somalia. ITS SCIROCCO, while being specifically equipped for anti-submarine warfare, is an effective multi-purpose frigate with an extensive experience in counter-piracy operations
Russia: Pacific Fleet Lays Wreaths to Corvette Musson Sank 25 Years Ago
Pacific Fleet (PF) servicemen on Apr 17 commemorated corvette (small-size missile ship) Musson by laying wreaths. Project 1234 corvette Musson serving at PF 165-th Missile Boat Brigade sank 25 years ago in the Sea of Japan 33 nautical miles off Ascold Island at the depth of 2,900 meters being hit by