Dutch Navy’s air defense and command frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën (F802) intercepted 320 kilos of drugs in the Caribbean Sea between Venezuela and Jamaica. Four suspected drug smugglers were arrested during the operation. A Caribbean Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft discovered a small, fast
Spanish offshore patrol vessel ESPS Tornado, currently deployed to Operation Atalanta, recently visited the Seychelles. During the port visit Spanish sailors co-operated with Seychelles forces. The training began with theory lessons on board ESPS Tornado and was followed by practical training on Sai
Great Britain is looking to sell its 2014-decommissioned light aircraft carrier for scrap. The Ministry of Defence has issued a notice of the potential sale of the HMS Illustrious “for recycling only”. Illustrious was commissioned into the Royal Navy in December 1977 and has clocked in 32 years of s
Russian Gorky Zelenodolsk Shipyard will hold a laying ceremony for the Russian Navy’s fourth Project 22160 patrol boat. The ship, which will be laid down May 8, was named Sergei Kotov, honoring a Russian WWII Rear Admiral. The lead vessel of the class was laid down in February 2014. All vessels of t
Australia has contracted Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to build two replacement replenishment ships for the Royal Australian Navy. Although the ships would be built in Spain and not in Australia, what the government opposition objected to, Australian Defence minister Marise Payne said that more than
The U.S. Navy is progressing armament testing for its newly developed littoral combat ships. Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has been contracted for the equipment and flight test support services for the second phase of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) foreign comparative testing (FCT) demonst
A small team of about 20 Royal Danish Air Force officers and enlisted men fly along the coast of Somalia, verifying shipping activity, distinguishing legitimate maritime traffic from suspected pirate vessels and identifying probable pirate activities off the coastline of Somalia. The crew operates a
A Royal Navy Scimitar-class fast patrol boat has reportedly fired warning shots at a Spanish patrol vessel as it was harassing a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine. USS Florida, an Ohio-class submarine, was trying to dock in Gibraltar when the Spanish vessel crossed its path two times, whereafter HMS Sabre
Spanish Navy frigate Numancia and Royal Navy survey ship HMS Enterprise, presently deployed in EUNAVFOR’s operation Sophia in the Mediterranean Sea, rescued 436 people off the coast of Libya. The Spanish frigate was on patrol in the area when a maritime patrol aircraft spotted and informed of a boat
French Navy’s multi-mission frigate FS Provence recently wrapped up her action-packed five month deployment as she returned to her homeport in Brest, France on April 21, 2016. Commissioned into service in June 2015, the Provence sailed from Brest November 15, 2015 for her first deployment which led
Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel ESPS Tornado, currently deployed to Operation Atalanta, recently visited Madagascar. Whilst alongside in the port of Antsiranana, members of her crew invited counterparts from the Malagasy Navy on board to participate in training exercises. The training focused
Having concluded her deployment to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1, German Navy submarine U 34 returned to her homeport in Eckernförde, Germany. The Type 212 A submarine set sail for Scotland with the ‘Foxtrott’ crew at the end of March. She joined SNMG 1 to participate in the international exercis
Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Tyne recently completed her Operational Sea Training (OST) and is ready for continued operations in and around UK waters. The Portsmouth-based ship spent a few weeks under the direction of Flag Officer Sea Training North (FOST(N)), leaving her usual operating areas of th
The UK Ministry of Defense has awarded Qinetiq a £1m ($1.45m) contract to demonstrate the integration of unmanned systems into Royal Navy operations. Under the contract with the Mine countermeasures and Hydrographic Capability (MHC) team in the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), QinetiQ wil
