Vessels
Finnish defense minister authorizes Hamina-class upgrades, torpedo system acquisition
Finland’s defense minister on December 19 authorized the country’s defense forces’ logistics command to sign contracts for the upgrade of Hamina-class fast attack missile craft (FAC). The authorization follows the signing of a letter of intent and a pre-design activities contract with Patria Aviatio
Austal delivers EPF USNS City of Bismarck to US Navy
The US Navy has officially received its ninth expeditionary fast transport (EPF) vessel – USNS City of Bismarck (EPF 9). The shallow-draft, aluminium catamaran was delivered to the navy by shipbuilder Austal on December 19. EPFs are capable of intra-theater personnel and cargo transport and provide
Boeing unveils prototype for US Navy’s MQ-25 refueling program
Boeing’s prototyping department Phantom Works has unveiled the first photos of their contender for the US Navy’s MQ-25 unmanned refueling program. This is the first time the company is displaying its unmanned aircraft system (UAS) proposed for refueling US Navy jets operating from aircraft carriers.
Italian auxiliary Etna becomes flagship of EU migrant rescue mission
The Italian Navy has taken over command of the operation Sophia task force from the Spanish Navy in a ceremony at Italian naval base Taranto. On the occasion, Italian Navy Rear Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto replaced Spanish Navy Rear Admiral Javier Moreno as the new deputy force commander. Durin
Construction starts on third Canadian Navy AOPS HMCS Max Bernays
Canadian shipbuilder Irving Shipbuilding hosted a steel-cutting ceremony on December 19, marking the construction start on the Royal Canadian Navy’s third arctic and offshore patrol ship (AOPS), the HMCS Max Bernays. Carla Qualtrough, Canadian public services and procurement minister, announced the
Crimean shipyard lays keel for Russian Karakurt-class Project 22800 corvette
The Russian state-owned shipyard More has laid the keel for the overall seventh Russian Navy Karakurt-class Project 22800 corvette in a ceremony on December 19 in Feodosia, Crimea. The ship will be named Vikhr and is the third in the class to be built at the More shipyard. The other two ships in the
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth taking on water
The recently-commissioned Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is taking on water due to a propeller shaft leak, the Royal Navy has confirmed. A Royal Navy spokesman said the issue with a shaft seal has been identified during the carrier’s sea trials earlier this year. The Royal Navy said
US destroyer assists stranded Iranian vessel
US Navy destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) assisted an Iranian vessel in the Persian Gulf, stranded 60 nautical miles from nearest land with no communication capabilities. An MH-60R Sea Hawk embarked with Preble was conducting routine flight operations on December 16 when they spotted the Iranian vessel
US cruiser Vella Gulf wraps up 8-month Persian Gulf stint
US Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) wrapped up eight months of operations in the US 5th Fleet area of operation returning to her homeport at Naval Station Norfolk on December 15. The cruiser got underway on April 23, as an independent deployer, to support maritime security operatio
UK’s final F-35B of 2017 arrives
The fourteenth and final F-35B Lightning II to be delivered to UK this year rolled off the production line and flew into Beaufort, South Carolina, to join the Lightning Fleet which will be operated jointly by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The F-35 Lightning jets will be able to operate on land
Italian FREMM frigate ITS Virginio Fasan concludes counter-piracy mission off Somalia
The Italian Navy’s FREMM frigate ITS Fasan has returned home from a five-deployment to the EUNAVFOR counter-piracy operation Atalanta. Fasan and her 133 crew departed the mission earlier this month and entered their homeport in La Spezia on December 18. During her time off the coast of Somalia, the
HII gets $63m contract for USS Fitzgerald repairs
The US Navy has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries an initial $63 million contract to repair and restore the damaged destroyer USS Fitzgerald. After being selected to perform the repairs in August and receiving a $29.4 million planning contract in October, the Mississippi-based shipbuilder is now
Malaysian Navy lays keel for third LCS ‘Raja Mahadi’
The Royal Malaysian Navy held a keel-laying ceremony for its third Gowind-based littoral combat ship on December 18. The ceremony which took place at the Boustead Naval Shipyard marks the official start of construction works. The vessel is named KD Raja Mahadi and will bear pennant number 2503. Also
US Navy destroyer Chafee wraps up repairs in Singapore
Sailors aboard the US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) and ship repair personnel in Singapore concluded ten days of repairs works on the destroyer, making sure it is ready to continue its operational deployment. The voyage repair availability took place in Singapore and was comple