Vessels
Finland’s Boomeranger to build RHIBS for RAN OPVs
Finnish boat builder Boomeranger Boats has been contracted to supply sea boats for the Royal Australian Navy’s Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) program. The deal will see the company deliver two davit-launched 8,5 meter fast rescue boats and one 10,5 meter ramp-launched special operations
US Navy’s special ops support ship Miguel Keith (ESB 5) passes acceptance trials
The US Navy’s newest expeditionary sea base (ESB) ship, Miguel Keith (ESB 5), successfully completed Acceptance Trials on October 11, four months after it first took to sea. The trials were conducted off the coast of southern California after departure from the General Dynamics National Steel and Sh
Hyundai to design F-35B-capable amphibious assault ship for ROK Navy
South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries has received a contract to design the Republic of Korea Navy’s next-generation amphibious assault ship that would be capable of supporting short-takeoff and vertical landing fighter jet operations. Dubbed LPX-II, the project will be a follow-on to the two LPX-I
2018 hurricane dents US Coast Guard’s offshore patrol cutter program
The US Coast Guard has been forced to adjust the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) detail design and construction contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) after the shipbuilder’s facilities were damaged when Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Panama City on October 10, 2018. Th
Philippine Coast Guard’s aluminium OPV passes first trials
The Philippine Coast Guard’s future offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang has passed its first sea trials, the French shipbuilder in charge of delivering the vessel announced. The milestone was achieved three months after the OPV was launched by OCEA at its Les Sables d’Olonne site. Hailed as t
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
Greece signs letter of intent for French Belharra frigate buy
The defense ministers of Greece and France have signed a letter of intent that will pave the way for further talks about Greece’s acquisition of French-designed Belharra frigates. French defense minister Florence Parly announced the document signing with her Greek counterpart Niko Panagiotopoulos on
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
British F-35B jets land on HMS Queen Elizabeth for first time
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has welcomed first British F-35B jets on board during its operational trials off the East Coast of the US. The arrival of British F-35Bs follows successful developmental trials last year with US Lightning jets, where forces conducted 500 take offs and
Japan joins US, Philippines for maritime exercise Sama Sama
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has joined the US and Philippine Navy for Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama, an exercise that started with an opening ceremony in Puerto Princesa on October 14. This is the third iteration of MTA Sama Sama and the first time JMSDF will participa
French, UK frigates seize drugs in Arabian Sea
Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose and French Cassard-class frigate FS Jean Bart made another drugs bust in the Arabian Sea operating as part of the Combined Task Force (CTF) 150. The suspicious dhow was initially located by FS Jean Bart’s helicopter and boarded by a team from the French ship
HHI to build next-gen KDX-III destroyer for ROK Navy
The batch II destroyers will be capable of performing the ballistic missile defense role.
CMV-22B Osprey Carrier Onboard Delivery wing set up in San Diego
The first CMV-22B squadron is scheduled to deploy aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in 2021.
DSME lands ROK Navy KSS-III submarine design, construction contract
South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co (DSME) announced that it has received a contract for the design and construction of an upgraded Changbogo III (KSS-III) submarine for the Republic of Korea Navy. The class is also referred to as the Dosan Ahn Changho-class, after t