Vessels
Mexico buying Harpoon, RAM missiles, MK 54 torpedoes for SIGMA 10514 patrol vessel
The US State Department approved the sale of RGM-84L Harpoon Block II surface launched missiles, Block II Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) tactical missiles and MK 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedoes to the government of Mexico. Mexico requested the systems, worth an estimated $98.4 million, for use on the
US Navy locates downed C-2A Greyhound in Philippine Sea
The US Navy announced it has located the C-2A Greyhound aircraft which has been missing since November 22. The C-2A with 11 crew and passengers crashed in the Philippine Sea on the way to USS Ronald Reagan. While the aircraft’s last position on the surface of the water was known, the depth of water
Royal New Zealand Navy to decommission diver support ship HMNZS Manawanui
Royal New Zealand Navy diving support vessel HMNZS Manawanui is scheduled to pay a final visit to her homeport city later this month before being officially decommissioned in February. The town of Whitianga in the Waikato Region of New Zealand’s North Island, is the home port for Manawanui, though i
Babcock announces industry team for Type 31 frigate bid
UK defense contractor Babcock will be leading a team of industry partners in a bid for the Royal Navy’s new £1.25 billion Type 31e general purpose light frigate program, the company announced on Monday. According to the announcement, Babcock and Thales have joined forces with BMT, Harland & Wolff an
USS Wasp enters US 7th Fleet
US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) on January 6 entered the US 7th Fleet area of operations where it will replace USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in Sasebo, Japan, as the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship. Wasp departed Norfolk Aug. 30 and is entering the US 7th Fleet after nearly
US Navy P-8A aircraft joins search and rescue efforts after East China Sea tanker collision
The US Navy deployed a P-8A maritime reconnaissance aircraft to help search for survivors of a collision between two commercial ships in the East China Sea on January 6. The aircraft searched for 32 crew who went missing after Iranian oil tanker MV Sanchi collided with Chinese grain ship CF Crystal.
USS America pulls into Guam for first port call of 2018
Seven months into her maiden operational deployment, US Navy amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) entered Guam on January 7 for a scheduled port visit. As the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands, Guam is the home to one of the US N
China starts construction of third aircraft carrier: SCMP
Construction works on China’s third aircraft carrier started at a Shangai shipyard in 2017, the South China Morning Post reported citing sources. The construction start closely follows the launch of the country’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Type 001A Shandong, which took place in
US lawmakers call for funding support for additional Virginia-class submarines
Members of the US House of Representatives have urged defense appropriators not to cut a proposed increase in funding for additional Virginia-class submarines. A letter, signed by 36 members of the House of Representatives and sent to the Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations, was released by co-ch
Indian Navy orders Boeing training simulator for its P-8 aircraft
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has been awarded a contract to set up its P-8 maritime reconnaissance aircraft training suite in India, the country’s defense ministry announced on January 4. In addition to the crew training suite, Boeing is to deliver a maintenance simulator for the training of tech
US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson starting 2018 deployment
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and its carrier strike group will be the first to deploy in 2018, getting underway from San Diego on January 5. The strike group’s 6,000 sailors will deploy aboard four ships, including aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the guided-missile
Australian frigate makes second major drug haul in a week
The crew of Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga seized 3.5 tons of narcotics on January 3, days after making a record 8-ton hashish interception on December 27-29. During the latest operation, HMAS Warramunga seized illicit narcotics during a night-time operation in the Arabian Sea with he
Republic of Korea Navy receives first naval training ship
The South Korean Navy has received its first naval training ship from shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC). This was announced by the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on December 29. Hanjin began construction of the 45-meter catamaran vessel in July
US cruiser USS Lake Champlain deploying from San Diego
US Navy cruiser USS Lake Champlain is getting underway from Naval Base San Diego on January 4 to start a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser will deploy as part of the Carl Vinson Strike Group. Lake Champlain completed a six-month deplo