Vessels
German Navy commissions lead F125 frigate Baden-Württemberg
FGS Baden-Württemberg, the lead ship of the German Navy’s new F125 class frigates, officially entered service in a ceremony on June 17. The 149,6-meter ship was commissioned in attendance of German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen, who arrived in Wilhelmshaven just hours after unveiling the nex
US amphibious assault group ships descend on Australia ahead of major exercise
The forward-deployed ships are visiting Australia ahead of exercise Talisman Sabre 2019.
Italian, French shipbuilding majors sign joint venture agreement
Italy’s Fincantieri and France’s Naval Group last week signed the “Alliance Cooperation Agreement”, setting the stage for the creation of a 50/50 owned joint venture. Based on the agreement, the joint venture company will be headquartered in Genoa with a subsidiary in Ollioules, France. The agreemen
Leonardo kits out Diamond DA62 with maritime surveillance capabilities
Italian defense technology company Leonardo has teamed up with Austria-based Diamond Aircraft Industries to equip the Diamond DA62 aircraft with customized maritime surveillance missions equipment. Dubbed DA62-MSA (Maritime Surveillance Aircraft), the light aircraft will be pitched to customers who
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
US Navy hospital ship deploys for Venezuela mission
USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), the US Navy’s 272-meter hospital ship, got underway from Naval Station Norfolk on June 14 to begin its deployment to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. During its deployment, Comfort will provide medical assistance in support of regional partners and in respon
Italy launches first PPA ship Paolo Thaon di Revel
Paolo Thaon di Revel, the first unit in a new class of Italian Navy multipurpose offshore patrol ships (abbreviated to PPA in Italian), was launched on Saturday, June 15. The launching ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano, La Spezia, in the presence of Italian defense minister E
German-Norwegian Type 212 CD submarine contract to be signed early 2020
The Norwegian and German defense procurement agencies have evaluated a thyssenkrupp Marine Systems proposal for the construction of six Type 212 CD (common design) submarines and are now expecting a contract with the shipbuilder to be signed in the first half of 2020. The governments of Norway and G
Third Royal Navy OPV HMS Trent completes sea trials
HMS Trent, the third of the Royal Navy’s second-batch River-class offshore patrol vessels has completed her sea trials in the Firth of Clyde. HMS Trent was put through her paces between Arran, Bute and Great Cumbrae – the same waters where her older sisters HMS Forth and Medway were tested by a mix
Video: Limpet mines and not torpedoes likely behind tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman
Limpet mines were likely used in the June 13 attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, the US Navy said providing images and videos as proof. This is in contrast to initial reports that said one of the tankers, the 110,000 dwt Front Altair, had been torpedoed. The navy said its forces in […
Tanker reportedly torpedoed near Strait of Hormuz
Two oil tankers have been damaged in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US 5th Fleet, with one reportedly being targeted by a torpedo. Front Altair, a 110,000 dwt tanker operated by Norwegian shipping company Frontline, is the one hit by a torpedo, shipping news site Tradewinds reported citing i
US Navy christening 11th Freedom-variant LCS
The US Navy is set to christen its 11th Freedom-variant littoral combat ship Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) in a June 15 ceremony in Marinette, Wisconsin. “The christening of the future USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul marks an important step toward this great ship’s entry into the fleet,” said Secretary
Eighth US Coast Guard NSC departs shipyard for Hawaii homeport
Future USCGC Midgett, the US Coast Guard’s eighth national security cutter (NSC), got underway from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Pascagoula, Mississippi, shipyard after being delivered to the coast guard early May. The ship is headed for Honolulu, Hawaii, where it will be stationed along with the
France, UAE conclude Gowind corvette negotiations
French shipbuilder Naval Group has concluded negotiations for the construction of two Gowind corvettes for the United Arab Emirates Navy. The deal is estimated to be worth around €750 million (US $850 million) and has options for an additional two units in the class. The contract signing was first r