Vessels
Turkish Navy conducts another submarine SINKEX
A Turkish Navy Ay-class submarine sank a decommissioned navy vessel in the country’s second known sinking exercise (SINKEX) of 2018. The exercise took place last week in the Black Sea and follows a SINKEX which took place in June when Type 209/1200 submarine TCG Yildiray launched a wire-guided torpe
US Navy commissions first UAS test and evaluation squadron
The US Navy commissioned its first unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test and evaluation squadron during a ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s Webster Outlying Field, on October 18. The new unit, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (UX) 24, flies over 23 fixed and rotary wing UAS including the
Papua New Guinea patrol boat Rabaul retires after 31 years of service
HMPNGS Rabaul, a Papua New Guinea Defence Force patrol boat which was gifted to the island country by Australia, has completed its final voyage to Port Macquarie from Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island after 31 years of service. The patrol boat was gifted to Papua New Guinea in May 1987 under the Pa
Royal Navy tests upgraded Mk.8 gun
The Royal Navy’s upgraded Mk.8 naval gun fired a 4.5” shell out to sea from shore in a recent test at a Cumbrian range. The trial, part of a £41 million contract with Babcock signed in May 2016 to improve the gun and extend its service life, involved the first land-based firing of a fully-turreted 4
US destroyer Mitscher trains with Egyptian Navy
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) met up with Egyptian Navy’s Descubierta-class corvette ENS El Suez (F-946) for a passing exercise (PASSEX) on October 21. Cmdr. Ian Scaliatine, commanding officer of Mitscher, welcomed El Suez’s leadership aboard Mitscher f
Mexican Navy MI-17 helicopter filmed crashing into sea
One sailor is missing and two are in critical condition following the crash of a Mexican Navy MI-17 helicopter off the coast of Baja California on October 20. The helicopter was filmed crashing into the sea after the pilot lost control during regular patrol activities. According to the Mexican Navy,
UK ASW helicopter crews join US counterparts for sub-hunting tests
Royal Navy aviators embarked aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth will be taking part in submarine-hunting tests with the US Navy. According to the Royal Navy, the 820 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) are sending a team and two of their Merlin Mk2 helicopters to the Atlantic Underwater Test and E
Inaugural ASEAN-China maritime drill kicks off in Zhanjiang, China
The first joint exercise between China and ASEAN member countries kicked off in Zhanjiang, in China’s Guandong province, on Monday, October 22. The five-day exercise is co-organised by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the People’s Liberation Army Navy, and will be joined by participants from all n
US, UK join forces on cyber front during HMS Queen Elizabeth visit to New York
The UK and US will be teaming up in the fight against growing cyber threats, UK defense secretary Gavin Williamson announced from aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth which is currently on a port visit to New York. Speaking at the Trafalgar night dinner on board the carrier, th
HMAS Canberra hosts first of class trials for ARH Tiger helicopter
Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra has hosted first of class trials (FOCT) for the army’s ARH Tiger helicopter. A team from the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit (AMAFTU) spent the last seven weeks embarked in HMAS Canberra evaluating the helicopters operational li
Final two Boracay-class vessels loaded for delivery to the Philippines
French shipbuilder Ocea has completed construction works on the final two Boracay-class FPB 72 MKII fast patrol boats for the Philippine Coast Guard. The company informed that the final two of four boats – Malamawi and Kalanggaman – were loaded onto a cargo vessel going to Subic on October 16, 2018.
Canada picks BAE’s Type 26 frigate for its Canadian Surface Combatants
The Canadian government and Irving Shipbuilding Inc. have selected the BAE Systems’ Type 26 frigate design for the Royal Canadian Navy’s future Canadian Surface Combatants. In an announcement on Friday, the government said it would now enter a “due diligence process” with Lockheed Martin Canada Inc.
USS Harry S. Truman first US carrier to operate in Arctic Circle in 27 years
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) entered the Arctic Circle on October 19, becoming the first US Navy aircraft carrier to do so in nearly 30 years. Accompanied by select ships from Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG-8), the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) traveled north to conduct
Four injured in helicopter crash aboard French LHD Dixmude
A helicopter from the French Army 1st Combat helicopter regiment crashed aboard the amphibious assault ship BPC Dixmude during night-time flight operations on October 17. Four sailors were injured, one of them seriously, as the helicopter crashed during takeoff, the French defense ministry said. The