Vessels
Pakistan Navy fleet tanker PNS Moawin completes first sea trials
The Pakistan Navy’s new fleet tanker has completed its first set of sea trials in the Indian Ocean, Turkey’s STM – the company in charge of designing the vessel – announced earlier this month. According to STM, the PNS Moawin – as the tanker is named – carried out the trials in March this year. [&he
Brazilian Navy receives four new support vessels
The Brazilian Navy has taken delivery of four support vessels from Norwegian shipping company Deep Sea Supply. The navy announced on April 10 that it received anchor handling tug supply vessels Sea Fox, Sea Vixen and Sea Stoat in a ceremony on April 4. The three vessels were previously used by Brazi
Malaysia contracts Boustead for Lekiu-class frigate communications upgrade
BHIC Defence Techservices Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Berhad, announced it has finalized a contract with the Malaysian defense ministry for the upgrade of Lekiu-class frigate communication suites. The RM19,500,000 (approx. US$5 million) contract was signed on Febru
OIP, Hydroid join forces for Belgian mine countermeasure program
Belgian defense contractor OIP Sensor Systems (OIP) announced it has signed a teaming agreement with Hydroid, a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, for work on the Belgian defense ministry’s Mine Counter Measures (MCM) Toolbox program. The agreement is part of OIP’s drive to form a collaboration which
USCG: Cutter Edisto retires after 30 years of service
The Coast Guard Cutter Edisto (WPB 1313) was decommissioned after more than 30 years of service during a ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego on April 13. Edisto is one of the USCG’s 38 remaining 110-foot Island Class patrol boats being replaced by the Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter,
Harry S. Truman CSG starts 2018 deployment with live-fire drills
Two US Navy destroyers deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) kicked off their 2018 deployment with a live-fire missile exercise. USS Farragut (DDG 99) and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) executed a variety of scenarios simulating a complex warfighting environment, includ
NATO SNMCMG1 completes ordnance disposal ops off France
Ships from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) wrapped up historical ordinance disposal operations (HODOPS) with the French Navy entering Saint Malo, France, for a port visit on April 15. During the HODOPS, SNMCMG1 surveyed more than 90 square kilometers in Dieppe Bight, on the Fr
US, UK, France launch strikes on Syrian chemical facilities
US, French and UK forces launched strikes on Syrian chemical facilities in the morning hours of April 14 in response to chemical attacks used by the Syrian government early April. US guided missile destroyer USS Higgins and USS Laboon, guided missile cruiser USS Monterey and Virginia-class submarine
HMS Forth enters service
HMS Forth, the first of Royal Navy’s five new Batch-2 River-class offshore patrol vessels, entered service in a ceremony held at her Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth, on April 13. At the ceremony, the ship’s Lady Sponsor, Rachel Johnstone-Burt, was joined by UK government and defense officials, a
Saudi Arabia, Spain finalize Avante 2200 corvette deal
Spain and Saudi Arabia have finalized a framework agreement which will see Spanish shipbuilder Navantia deliver five Avante 2200 corvettes for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). The deal, signed during Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to Spain, is worth around €2 bil
US Navy to name 17th littoral combat ship
The US Navy will christen its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, USS Indianapolis (LCS 17), in Marinette, Wisconsin, on April 14. The future USS Indianapolis, built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, will be the fourth ship to bear the name of Indiana’s capital city. “The future USS Indianap
F-35 program completes final developmental test flight
A US Navy test aircraft on April 11 performed the final developmental test flight of the F-35 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase, marking the end of “the most comprehensive, rigorous and the safest developmental flight test program in aviation history.” “Completing F-35 SDD flight test
USS Little Rock reaches home after spending three months trapped in Canadian ice
US Navy littoral combat ship USS Little Rock (LCS 9) finally reached her homeport in Mayport, Florida, after spending over three months in Montreal, Canada, trapped by ice. The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship reached its homeport on April 12, for the first time since she was commissioned on Dec
First full-British F-35B aerial refueling takes place over South Carolina
UK’s F-35B Lightning jets which will be operated by the Royal Navy and Air Force recently achieved another first in their preparation for operations in UK skies. The Royal Navy has now shared photos of what it says is a first “full-British” aerial refueling of F-35B jets. To travel 4,134-miles acros