In the middle of her counter-piracy and counter-drugs work, the Devonport-based frigate HMS Northumberland’s Merlin helicopter tested one of the many tricks in her box – her flares. These are installed to decoy incoming heat-seeking missiles – fired either by other aircraft, or ground-based threats
The UK and Australia will strengthen their long-standing relationship today with a new defence treaty to provide a framework for the many strands of co-operation between the two countries. The treaty, to be signed in Perth today, Friday 18 January, with the Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith,
Austal announced the launch of the first-in-series Cape Class Patrol Boat during a ceremony with staff and suppliers at the company’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia on January 7. The vessel is the first of eight new boats being built by Austal for the Australian Customs and Border Protectio
The Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba has departed her home port of Fleet Base West in Western Australia for a six-month deployment to the Middle East. Toowoomba and her crew of 180 men and women will relieve HMAS Anzac, which has been in the Middle East for the past six month
After a successful six-month deployment conducting maritime security and interception operations. in the Middle East Area of Operations HMAS Anzac (III) is heading home to Australia for some well deserved leave. The Royal Australian Navy frigate is heading home to Fleet Base East in Sydney after pat
Australian Naval ship, HMAS Anzac arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 07th January 2013. She was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on arrival. Ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander John Stavridis called on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral R
1. January US Navy to Deploy Third Carrier Group to Persian Gulf The US will dispatch another carrier strike group led by USS Enterprise to the Persian Gulf in March 2012, reported US Navy on Jan 25. The carrier group based in Norfolk, VA will also include a guided missile cruiser and three [&hell
Austal has appointed Graham Backhouse to the position of General Manager of its Henderson Shipyard Operations (HSO) in Australia. Austal’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy, said Mr Backhouse would bring considerable value to the operation, which is now focussed on the design and manufacture o
HMAS Waterhen celebrated its golden anniversary today with a ‘Freedom of Entry’ parade through the Municipality of North Sydney. The parade of 200 Officers and Sailors, accompanied by the Royal Australian Navy Band, exercised Waterhen’s rite marching down Miller Street, North Sydney with ‘swords dra
The Director of Combined Maritime Forces in the Gulf region says international efforts have led to a fall in piracy attacks against merchant shipping and local fishing dhows but the risk to trade remains high. The International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre reported just one attemp
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith, Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare and Attorney-General and Member for Gellibrand Nicola Roxon today visited the BAE Systems dockyard in Williamstown, Melbourne, to view progress on the construction of Australia’s largest ever warship. Australia is acquirin
The Director of Combined Maritime Forces in the Gulf region says coalition efforts have led to a fall in piracy attacks against merchant shipping and local fishing dhows but the risk to trade remains high. The International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre reported just one attempted attack
RESERVEX 2012 was held at the Devonport Naval Base from 21-25 November. Engineers, electricians, lawyers and teachers were among Defence Force personnel facing a range of challenges as part of a New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve training exercise. RESERVEX 2012 is an annual exercise designed to giv
The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington’s (CVN 73) chapter of Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) participated in Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s CSADD chapter’s 2012 flag football ‘Turkey Bowl’ at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Nov. 25. The game, like a