Vessels
US to build 9 new subs, 10 destroyers, more jets…
The new U.S. DoD acquisition plan includes nine new Virginia-class submarines, 10 new Aegis destroyers, 40 new littoral combat ships, 13 more F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, and 16 more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets than originally planned. The U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter told this to a crowd of 150
ITS Cavour conducts helicopter interoperability drills
Italian aircraft carrier, ITS Cavour, currently flagship of the EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia, on February 3 carried out cross training with the Norwegian Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessel Siem Pilot using one of its embarked helicopters. An Italian EH-101 helicopter took off from ITS Cavour testi
Germany and the Netherlands sign Joint Support Ship LOI
The Letter of Intent, signed February 4 between the Netherlands and Germany, breaks the ground for the development of the Joint Support Ship initiative and the amphibious operation capability. Germany is thereby acquiring new capabilities while the Dutch Navy is enabled to equip its ships more effic
HMS Defender docks in Sri Lanka on way home
Royal Navy’s Type 45 frigate HMS Defender has visited the island nation of Sri Lanka on its return from the Arabian Gulf. The warship visited Colombo to take on stores and fuel and give the ship’s company a rest from their nine month deployment to the Gulf where they are conducting Air Command and C
Ghanaian, US Navy train off West African coast
Ghanaian maritime operations center is the host of the African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP) operation which started February 4. Aside from the U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard, the operation involves members of the Ghanaian Navy. Activities are being conducted from the Military Sealif
IFR 2016: Two US Navy ships join the Review
According to a U.S. Navy press statement, USS Antietam, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, and USS McCampbell, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer will be representing the United States in Visakhapatnam, India. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson has arrived to India
Canadian Navy sailors arrested on drug charges in Japan
Three members of the HMCS Winnipeg crew were detained by the Tokyo police for the alleged use of narcotics while the Royal Canadian Navy ship was conducting a port visit in Tokyo, Japan. The arrest took place February 1, but the Canadian Navy only now informed of it. Of the arrested, one was a civil
HMAS Melbourne foils another heroin shipment
The crew of the Royal Australian Navy’s guided missile frigate HMAS Melbourne made their fifth drug seizure in Operation Manitou as they seized around 65kg of heroin from a dhow in the Indian Ocean. The hidden drugs were discovered when Melbourne’s boarding party searched a suspect vessel during Mel
USS Bataan fit for return to sea
After spending a year in the harbor conducting major shipyard maintenance, U.S. Navy’s Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) completed sea trials February 1. Sea trials are conducted after ships complete major shipyard maintenance and tests the ship’s systems and to make sure the ship is ready
IFR 2016: Australian, Indonesian, Malaysian ships ready
Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Darwin sailed in company with Indonesian Navy Ship Kri Usman Harun and Malaysian Navy Ship KD Lekir in preparation for the International Fleet Review 2016. Each ship has been selected to represent their respective country’s Navies at the IFR. The Royal Australian Navy ha
IFR 2016: HMS Defender trains en route to Visakhapatnam
HMS Defender’s embarked helicopter held training drills in the middle of the Indian Ocean as the destroyer made her way to the port of Visakhapatnam in India. The Portsmouth-based warship is one of two dozen vessels from the navies of the world attending the Indian International Fleet Review, which
Submarine commander fired for “inability to command”
The commanding officer of the U.S. Navy’s attack submarine USS Dallas was relieved of his duties February 2 for failing to effectively operate the sub. Commander Edward Byers was removed from his position by Capt. Oliver Lewis, Commander, Submarine Squadron 12, due to what the Navy says was ‘loss of
HMS Mersey starts counter drug ops in Caribbean Sea
Royal Navy’s River class offshore patrol vessel, HMS Mersey, has sailed from Florida, USA after completing her final preparations to start Counter Drug Operations in the Caribbean and Central America. The ship arrived in Key West, Florida after battling storms en route. Key West is home to the Joint
US Navy’s civilian staffed auxiliary ship enters 5th Fleet
U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS Choctaw County (T-EPF 2) yesterday, February 3, entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. Choctaw County is the first ship of its platform to be forward deployed to the region following a routine transit of the Suez Canal. The auxiliary is a no