Training & Education
One dies after Russia’s sole aircraft carrier catches fire
One person died and a dozen people have been injured after Russia’s sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov caught fire while undergoing repairs in Murmansk. The fire broke out in the first power unit of the eight deck in the morning hours of December 12, according to Russian news agency Tass. More
HMS Queen Elizabeth in anti-submarine warfare drill with Norwegian frigate
The Royal Navy’s newest aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently conducting an anti-submarine exercise with a Norwegian frigate in the Western Atlantic. The NATO/anti-submarine warfare training with the Norwegian Navy’s newest frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl, Type 23-class frigate HMS Northumb
International Maritime Exercise gathers 30 ships in Middle East
The IMX 19 (International Maritime Exercise) that took place in the Middle East recently gathered 30 ships and over 50 nations for two weeks of mine countermeasures evolutions. Spread across a vast area from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and Gulf, the exercise will see participants sharing knowled
Five-nation mine countermeasure drill Dugong kicks off
Mine countermeasure and explosive ordnance disposal personnel from five countries met at an opening ceremony for the 19th iteration of Exercise Dugong, on November 11. Dugong 2019 brings mine warfare and dive teams from United States of America, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand
German Navy takes delivery of first NH90 Sea Lion helicopter
The German Navy has received its first NH90 Sea Lion naval multi-role helicopter from Airus Helicopters, with two more to follow by the end of the year. In total, 18 Sea Lions have been ordered for the German Navy, with deliveries expected to be completed in 2022. The selection of the Sea Lion as th
France cuts steel for first FTI frigate
French shipbuilder Naval Group has hosted a steel-cutting ceremony for the French Navy’s first Fregate de Taille Intermediaire (FTI) frigate at its Lorient site. The lead ship in the class, to be named after the French sailor and general Pierre-Alexis Ronarc’h, is scheduled to be delivered in 2023.
UK, France conclude Joint Expeditionary Force drill Griffin Strike
Armed forces personnel from the UK and France have concluded two weeks of training as part of the Griffin Strike exercise, a major rehearsal for the development of the UK-French Combined Joint Expeditionary Force. This year, Griffin Strike was combined with exercise Joint Warrior, and included repre
Dynamic Mariner Concludes off Spain
The 11-day NATO exercise Dynamic Mariner/Flotex-19 concluded on October 18 off the coast of Spain. The exercise brought together 32 surface ships, 2 submarines and 18 air assets, including Maritime Patrol Aircrafts and helicopters. Maneuvers ranged from mine countermeasures, anti-submarine, surface
Finnish, German Navy hone EOD skills in Gulf of Finland
The navies of Finland and Germany kicked off a mine countermeasure exercise in the Gulf of Finland on October 16. The two-day drill is designed to enhance the interoperability between the two countries’ explosive ordnance disposal divers. Participating units from Finland include the minehunter MHC V
USS Porter visits Ukraine on Black Sea tour
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Odessa, Ukraine, for a port visit as part of its deployment to the Black Sea. The ship arrived at the port on October 13 with five Ukrainian officers on board observing sea-and-anchor operations. These operations e
Poland launches second Kormoran II-class minehunter
The Polish Navy’s second Kormoran II-class minehunter was launched in a ceremony at Remontowa Shipbuilding on October 10. Albatros (hull number 602) was launched a little over a year after a steel-cutting ceremony marked the start of the ship’s construction in September 2018. In addition to the Alba
International exercise Joint Warrior begins off Scotland
Navy ships taking part in the Royal Navy-led exercise Joint Warrior got underway from Faslane, Scotland, this week to start two weeks of drills in Scottish exercise areas. A dozen NATO nations are taking part with 16 warships, three submarines and nearly 60 aircraft, set to attend. Overlapping with
Spain hosts 18 nations for exercise Dynamic Mariner
The multi-national exercise Dynamic Mariner/ Flotex-19 (DYMR/FL19) that gathered 18 NATO allies kicked of off the coast of Spain on October 7. Maneuvers will range from mine countermeasures, through anti-submarine, surface and anti-air warfare, and air operations to amphibious and force protection o
Russian task group escorted through English Channel
A Russian Navy task group composed of frigate Yaroslav Mudryy, tanker Yelnya and the seagoing tug Viktor Konetsky has transited the English Channel under the watchful eye of Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Mersey. The Neustrashimyy-class frigate and her escorts made the transit en route to the