Training & Education
French submarine Saphir arrives in Cherbourg before retiring
On July 3, the French Navy’s nuclear attack submarine Saphir (S602) reached the Cherbourg port, prior to her retiring from the navy’s fleet. After 35 years of service, Saphir will be the first of six Rubis-class submarines to be retired from active duty at the end of this month. Launched in 1981 and
UK Royal Marines test new Lightweight Multirole Missiles
UK’s Royal Marines have tested their ability to take out airborne targets with a new laser-guided missile system on the ranges in south Wales. Air Defence Troop of Plymouth-based 30 Commando IX Group is the first sub unit to use the fresh-out-the-packet Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) system. Th
HMCS Toronto joins SNMG2 in Black Sea
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has entered the Black Sea to conduct routine patrols with NATO allies. Starting July 2, 2019, Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Toronto is sailing the Black Sea with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) to enhance interoperability with allies and build on cooperat
Romania picks Naval Group, SNC for new corvette program
The Romanian authorities have selected French Naval Group and its Romanian partner Santierul Naval Constanta (SNC) for the program to build four new Gowind multi-mission corvettes. In addition, Naval Group and SNC will modernize the T22 frigates and create a maintenance center and a training center.
Fire claims lives of 14 men aboard Russian Navy research submarine
Fourteen sailors have been killed in a fire on board a Russian Navy deepsea research submarine. The incident occurred in the Russian territorial waters of the Brents Sea on July 1, according to a statement issued by the Russian government. The fourteen crew members died from smoke inhalation after t
Several injured in boat accident aboard German Navy tanker
Four German Navy shipyard workers were injured in a June 17 accident aboard the navy tanker Rhön in Kiel. As explained by the navy, the accident occurred while a boat was being lowered from the side of the ship. Of the four personnel that were in the boat at the time, one was released from […
US Navy tests laser-based ALMDS mine warfare system during BALTOPS
The US Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Eight (HSC 28) used the Baltic Sea exercise BALTOPS to test the service’s new Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) and Airborne Mine Neutralization System – Archerfish (AMNS-AF) in the region. “You should not underestimate the significance of
BALTOPS kicks off as ships get underway from Kiel, Germany
50 surface ships, 36 aircraft, two submarines, and 8,600 personnel are to take part in exercises.
US Navy LHD Boxer, French carrier Charles de Gaulle train in Andaman Sea
US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) met up with the task group assembled around French Navy aircraft carrier, FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91), for a series of exercises in the Andaman Sea on June 7. FS Charles de Gaulle was accompanied by French anti-submarine destroyer FS Latouche Trevill
German sub U36 returning home after international maneuvers
German Navy Type 212 submarine U36 is set to return to its Eckernförde homeport on Friday after almost five months of operations. The U36 operated out of Norway where it strengthened bonds with the Royal Norwegian Navy, which will soon receive its own Type 212 CD submarines. “The decision to base U3
HMS Queen Elizabeth to join NATO’s Readiness Initiative
Once the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth starts operations in 2021, it will be made available to deploy as part of NATO’s Readiness Initiative. The UK prime minister announced on May 4 that the first of the UK’s Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, together with the F-35 fighte
First phase of Baltic Protector wraps up in Denmark
Marines from a number of European countries raided the coast of Denmark for the conclusion of first stage of the two-month Baltic Sea maneuver Baltic Protector. British Royal Marines and their Dutch counterparts waged a battle around the towns of Esbjerg and Varde in western Denmark, taking on Danis
Italian-hosted mine warfare drill wraps up off Sicily
The Italian Navy-hosted mine countermeasure exercise MINEX 2019 concluded off the coast of Sicily on May 30 after 10 days of evolutions. In addition to Italian and Spanish MCM assets, the exercise was joined by NATO’s Standing Mine Counter Measures Group Two (SNMCMG2). The exercise was aimed at prac
US Navy destroyer conducts air defense drill with Portugal
The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) has completed a series of tactical air defense and fighter control exercises with Portuguese Navy and Air Force counterparts. The exercises were conducted off the coast of Portugal on May 27, 2019. The drill began with Ross