Vessels
UK F-35B tests “beast mode” loadout
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently undergoing extensive F-35B flight trials with the aim of determining the operational limits of both the ship and the fifth-generation stealth jets it is poised to operate. One of the trial evolutions included loading one of the jets with w
Fincantieri contracted for FLOTLOG forward sections deliveries
French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique (CdA) has subcontracted Italian counterpart Fincantieri for the deliveries of forward sections of the French Navy’s future FLOTLOG (Flotte logistique) ships. The four ships that are to be built for the French Navy will be based on the Vulcano design Finca
France cuts steel for first FTI frigate
French shipbuilder Naval Group has hosted a steel-cutting ceremony for the French Navy’s first Fregate de Taille Intermediaire (FTI) frigate at its Lorient site. The lead ship in the class, to be named after the French sailor and general Pierre-Alexis Ronarc’h, is scheduled to be delivered in 2023.
UK, France conclude Joint Expeditionary Force drill Griffin Strike
Armed forces personnel from the UK and France have concluded two weeks of training as part of the Griffin Strike exercise, a major rehearsal for the development of the UK-French Combined Joint Expeditionary Force. This year, Griffin Strike was combined with exercise Joint Warrior, and included repre
Russian frigate Admiral Kasatonov begins state trials
The Russian Navy’s second Project 22350 frigate, Admiral Kasatonov, has begun state trials ahead of the ship’s delayed delivery which is expected to take place by the end of the year. According to the Northern Shipyard, Admiral Kasatonov has already passed a number of checkpoints, including tests of
US destroyer ventures above Arctic Circle to monitor Russian Navy
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) recently concluded operations above the Arctic Circle while monitoring Russian maritime activity on Oct. 16. The service said the ship’s presence in the Arctic Circle reinforced the United States’ commitment to regional
Dynamic Mariner Concludes off Spain
The 11-day NATO exercise Dynamic Mariner/Flotex-19 concluded on October 18 off the coast of Spain. The exercise brought together 32 surface ships, 2 submarines and 18 air assets, including Maritime Patrol Aircrafts and helicopters. Maneuvers ranged from mine countermeasures, anti-submarine, surface
Naval Base Portsmouth now ready for Royal Navy’s second aircraft carrier
Royal Navy base Portsmouth is now ready to welcome the second of two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers after works on a new jetty were successfully completed. HM Naval Base Portsmouth will now be able to berth both Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers side-by-side in a £30 million investment to e
Finnish, German Navy hone EOD skills in Gulf of Finland
The navies of Finland and Germany kicked off a mine countermeasure exercise in the Gulf of Finland on October 16. The two-day drill is designed to enhance the interoperability between the two countries’ explosive ordnance disposal divers. Participating units from Finland include the minehunter MHC V
Philippine Coast Guard’s aluminium OPV passes first trials
The Philippine Coast Guard’s future offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang has passed its first sea trials, the French shipbuilder in charge of delivering the vessel announced. The milestone was achieved three months after the OPV was launched by OCEA at its Les Sables d’Olonne site. Hailed as t
USS Porter visits Ukraine on Black Sea tour
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Odessa, Ukraine, for a port visit as part of its deployment to the Black Sea. The ship arrived at the port on October 13 with five Ukrainian officers on board observing sea-and-anchor operations. These operations e
Greece signs letter of intent for French Belharra frigate buy
The defense ministers of Greece and France have signed a letter of intent that will pave the way for further talks about Greece’s acquisition of French-designed Belharra frigates. French defense minister Florence Parly announced the document signing with her Greek counterpart Niko Panagiotopoulos on
Poland launches second Kormoran II-class minehunter
The Polish Navy’s second Kormoran II-class minehunter was launched in a ceremony at Remontowa Shipbuilding on October 10. Albatros (hull number 602) was launched a little over a year after a steel-cutting ceremony marked the start of the ship’s construction in September 2018. In addition to the Alba
British F-35B jets land on HMS Queen Elizabeth for first time
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has welcomed first British F-35B jets on board during its operational trials off the East Coast of the US. The arrival of British F-35Bs follows successful developmental trials last year with US Lightning jets, where forces conducted 500 take offs and