Vessels
Indian MoD approves BrahMos buy for Russian-built frigates
India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the acquisition of BrahMos cruise missiles for Project 11356 frigates that will be built in Russia for the Indian Navy. The decision to acquire an undisclosed number of missiles comes after India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) reached a final
Egypt signs vessel sustainment agreement with France’s Naval group
The Egyptian Navy has signed an in-service support agreement with Naval Group for the upkeep of Egyptian Navy vessels delivered by the French shipbuilder. The agreement was announced on December 3 at the Egypt Defense and Security Exhibition (EDEX) and lays ground to the contract framing the mainten
Austal gets long lead contract for 14th US Navy EPF ship
The US Navy has awarded Austal USA a $40.3 million contract for the procurement of long lead-time materials for the construction of the fourteenth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship for the US Navy. Long lead-time materials for the additional vessel will include diesel engines, water jets and r
USS Detroit starts Surface-to-Surface Missile Module testing
Littoral combat ship USS Detroit (LCS 7) began initial operational test and evaluation of the surface-to-surface missile module (SSMM) on November 17, the US Navy has announced. According to the navy, the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) started two months ahead of schedule. The SSMM
USS Barry completes Japan dry-docking overhaul
US Navy destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) left the dry dock at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, concluding a routine Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA), Dec. 3. Barry began its DSRA period November 2017 at the Navy’s Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF
Canadian Sea Kings bow out of service in flypast ceremony
After over fifty years of service, Canadian CH-124 Sea King maritime helicopters performed their final flight in a parade in Victoria, B.C., on December 1. The Sea King will officially retire from service by December 31, 2018 as the RCAF completes its transition to the new CH-148 Cyclone maritime he
UK announces contenders for Fleet Solid Support ship construction
The UK defense minister has announced the five contenders shortlisted to compete for the contract to build Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. As outlined by Stuart Andrew, a British consortium of Babcock, BAE Systems, Cammell Laird and Rolls-Royce will be pitted against Italy’s
Naval Ship Management awarded AU$1.5b Australian LHD maintenance deal
The Australian government has awarded Naval Ship Management (NSM), a 50/50 joint venture between Babcock and UGL, a contract for the maintenance of the Royal Australian Navy’s two Canberra-class landing helicopter docks. The contract is worth around AU$1.5 billion, according to Babcock, and has an i
Royal Navy frigate, submarine in cat and mouse games off Scotland
Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans and the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Astute honed their Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) skills recently, during joint training off Scotland. HMS St Albans and HMS Astute are two of the vessels that form the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine capability. This latest
BAE Systems Australia opens shipside support tower
BAE Systems Australia formally opened a new shipside support tower at its Henderson facility on November 30. The $5 million, multi-level support tower was opened by defense industry minister Steven Ciobo. The structure will initially support the ANZAC Mid Life Capability (AMCAP) upgrade program bein
Singapore, Malaysia conclude exercise Malapura in Malacca Strait
The navies of Singapore and Malaysia concluded the week-long bilateral maritime exercise Malapura which took place in the Malacca Strait. The shore phase, which included the opening ceremony, joint planning and training, was held from 26 to 27 November 2018 at Lumut Naval Base, Malaysia. This was fo
Norwegian report blames shipbuilder for frigate sinking, watchstanders for collision
Leaks in HNoMS Helge Ingstad’s watertight compartments could be responsible for the frigate’s sinking following a collision in the Hjeltefjorden fjord, a preliminary report from the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) suggests. In addition to blaming the vessel’s lack of watertight integri
Brazilian Navy launches first MANSUP anti-ship missile prototype
The Brazilian Navy announced it has successfully launched a prototype of the MANSUP (Míssil Antinavio Nacional de Superfície) anti-ship missile off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The launch was performed by the locally-built Brazilian Navy corvette BNS Barroso on November 27. According to the Brazilia
First Anzac frigate to undergo AMCAP upgrade undocks in Henderson
The first Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate to undergo the Anzac Mid Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade was undocked at BAE Systems’ Henderson shipyard in Western Australia. HMAS Arunta entered water on November 30, after a 14-month refit period which started in December 2017