
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has marked another milestone in the Italian Navy’s next-generation frigate program with the steel-cutting ceremony for the second of two FREMM EVO (Evolution) frigates at its Riva Trigoso shipyard.

Babcock and South Korean defense company LIG Defence & Aerospace (LIG D&A) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at expanding collaboration across naval and defense programmes, including frigate design, weapons systems, maintenance support and unmanned technologies.

Portugal has signed a government-to-government agreement with Italy to acquire three next-generation frigates as part of the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) investment framework, marking a major step in the modernization of the Portuguese Navy’s surface fleet.

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has reached a new milestone in the Spanish Navy’s F110 frigate program with the keel laying of the third vessel in the class, F113 Menéndez de Avilés, at the company’s Ferrol shipyard.

Naval Group Hellas, the Greek subsidiary of France’s Naval Group, has signed a framework agreement with PPC Inspectra, a subsidiary of the PPC Group accredited by the Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD), to provide laboratory testing, inspection and certification services in support of the Hellenic

Swedish defense company Saab has signed a contract with the German shipbuilder TKMS to deliver and integrate combat systems, composite structures, and sensors onto four of the German Navy’s new MEKO A-200 DEU class frigates.

The Royal Navy has decided to retire two Type 23 frigates, HMS Richmond and HMS Iron Duke, and minehunter HMS Chiddingfold, after the three warships delivered more than a century of combined operational service.

Norway and Lithuania have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation related to standardized vessels, paving the way for Lithuania’s potential participation in Norway’s Standardised Vessel Program and possible procurement of Norwegian-developed platforms.

The Netherlands, Belgium and Bulgaria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen maritime security in the Black Sea through the transfer of seven mine countermeasure vessels to the Bulgarian Navy.

France’s Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded a contract to French shipbuilder Couach for the construction of 24 new coastal surveillance patrol vessels for the Maritime Gendarmerie.

Italian shipbuilding major Fincantieri has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Croatian shipbuilding companies Brodotrogir Cruise and Iskra Shipyard as part of the company’s participation in the naval acquisition program for two multi-role corvettes (MRC).

The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag has approved the procurement of four MEKO A-200 DEU-class frigates for the German Navy.

The Royal Navy has launched a strike-capable drone from its experimentation ship XV Patrick Blackett, during recent trials off the south coast of England.

The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) has signed a contract with Orlogsskibe Danmark, a consortium comprising OSK Design, Karstensens Skibsværft, and Hvide Sande Shipyard, for the construction of four marine environmental protection and minelaying vessels.