Vessels
India’s second Scorpene submarine ready for launch
INS Khanderi, the second of six Indian Navy Scorpene-class submarines, is scheduled to be launched on January 12. Built by the Indian shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited, the diesel-electric submarine is being launched some 22 months after the launch of INS Kalvari, the lead ship in the class, in April
US Navy deploys new early warning aircraft to Japan
U.S. Navy’s newest E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft will join the forward deployed naval forces in Japan, the service announced Thursday. The E-2Ds from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 will become part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 at the Marine Corps Air Stat
Russian warships on five-day visit to Philippines
Two Russian Navy ships with the deputy commander of Russia’s Pacific Fleet on board docked in Manila, Philippines on January 3. The good-will visit that will last until January 7 will not involve any naval exercises but Rear Adm. Eduard Mikhailov told reporters that Russia was looking forward to sta
2016 a year of firsts for the US 7th Fleet
As the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet looks back at 2016, it looks back at a year of innovations, new partnerships and upgraded ships. Ships and personnel teamed up with allies and partner nations in more than 110 exercises to exchange information, enhance capabilities and train together throughout 2016. Maj
Indian Navy launches 4, commissions 3 ships in 2016
India’s push for indigenous shipbuilding resulted in the commissioning of three and launching of another four ships for the Indian Navy in 2016. INS Chennai, a P 15A Guided Missile Destroyer, was commissioned into the Navy by the Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai o
Japanese, US destroyers meet at sea for holiday gift exchange
Sailors from Japanese destroyer JS Yuugiri (DD 153) and U.S. Navy’s USS Shiloh (CG 67) met at sea to exchange holiday gifts on December 28. A week before, sailors from Japanese helicopter carrier JS Izumo visited U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan for a gift exchange and ship tour. During the m
South Korea decommissions final US naval ship in its fleet
The Republic of Korea Navy decommissioned ROKN ship Pyeongtaek (ATS-27), the last U.S. ship transferred to the ROK Navy, on December 28. Former USS Beaufort (ATS-2), an Edenton-class salvage and rescue ship, joined the U.S. Fleet in 1972 and served 24-years in the Indo-Asia-Pacific before being deco
South Korea signs contract for six new frigates to be built by 2026
Initiating the first step in a process to construct six new Batch III frigates South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed an initial 16.6 billion KRW ($13.7M) with Hyundai Heavy Industries on December 27. The contract will see the shipbuilder start planing and design work
ITS Carabiniere starts ‘Italian industry showcase’ deployment
The Italian Navy’s Bergamini-class frigate ITS Carabiniere left the Italian port of La Spezia for an ‘Italian industry showcase’ deployment to Australia and Southeast Asia. ITS Carabiniere is a FREMM frigate built for the Italian Navy by Fincantieri within the framework of an Italo-French cooperatio
US Navy destroyer visits Puerto Princesa, Philippines
U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain arrived in Puerto Princesa, the Philippines for a brief port call on December 24. During the visit, the McCain crew will participate in a series of community service projects and sporting events. The visit comes months after
China’s sole aircraft carrier on blue water drills
China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, started blue water drills on Saturday, heading towards the West Pacific with a carrier task group. Chinese state media reported that this was the carrier’s first “distant seas” deployment. According to China’s Xinhua news agency, the Liaoning and other s
USS Wasp wraps up 6-month stint ahead of Japan deployment
After 12 years of idleness in port, U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) deployed this year for a busy 2016. After six months underway, the ship is now set to return to Norfolk on December 24. Once there, Wasp will undergo a planned maintenance availability that is expected to be fin
US, ROK Navy start junior officer exchange program
A junior U.S. Navy officer embarked on a Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy ship as part of the newly created Combined Edge junior officer exchange program, December 21-23. Combined Edge was formed to improve combined warfighting integration between the U.S. and ROK navies by allowing U.S. Navy officers t
South Korea awards contract for two more FFX II frigates
The South Korean defense procurement agency announced December 21 that it has ordered two new frigates to be built for its navy. The frigates were ordered three months ahead of the schedule with the aim of safeguarding and boosting local shipbuilding industry, the agency said. South Korea’s Defense