Britain’s maritime union RMT confirmed that a program of industrial action involving nearly 700 workers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) – the Royal Navy supply lifeline – in a fight for pay justice goes ahead today. RMT has criticized the Tory Government for interfering in the pay negotiations, f
The French Navy celebrated the completion of the construction of its sixth multi-mission frigate, FREMM Normandie, in Lorient on June 25. As explained, the celebration marked not only the end of work on the six FREMM frigates but also the beginning of the manufacturing of the FREMM frigates with rei
The Norwegian government has decided not to repair the frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad which sank in the Hjeltefjorden fjord in late 2018. It is more appropriate to dispose of the vessel than to repair it, Frank Bakke-Jensen, the country’s Defense Minister said in a statement. A report issued by the Nor
Dutch shipbuilder Damen has received a contract to deliver nine Damen SAR 1906 search and rescue boats for the Turkish Coast Guard Command. Financed by the European Union, the contract was signed at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) offices in Ankara, Turkey. The 19-meter boats are
Four German Navy shipyard workers were injured in a June 17 accident aboard the navy tanker Rhön in Kiel. As explained by the navy, the accident occurred while a boat was being lowered from the side of the ship. Of the four personnel that were in the boat at the time, one was released from […
The second of the Royal Navy’s new River-class offshore patrol vessels has arrived at its Portsmouth for the first time, ahead of a formal commissioning ceremony later this year. “Today is a significant step in HMS Medway’s journey and a great achievement for both the Ship’s Company and our industri
FGS Baden-Württemberg, the lead ship of the German Navy’s new F125 class frigates, officially entered service in a ceremony on June 17. The 149,6-meter ship was commissioned in attendance of German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen, who arrived in Wilhelmshaven just hours after unveiling the nex
Italy’s Fincantieri and France’s Naval Group last week signed the “Alliance Cooperation Agreement”, setting the stage for the creation of a 50/50 owned joint venture. Based on the agreement, the joint venture company will be headquartered in Genoa with a subsidiary in Ollioules, France. The agreemen
Italian defense technology company Leonardo has teamed up with Austria-based Diamond Aircraft Industries to equip the Diamond DA62 aircraft with customized maritime surveillance missions equipment. Dubbed DA62-MSA (Maritime Surveillance Aircraft), the light aircraft will be pitched to customers who
The US Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Eight (HSC 28) used the Baltic Sea exercise BALTOPS to test the service’s new Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) and Airborne Mine Neutralization System – Archerfish (AMNS-AF) in the region. “You should not underestimate the significance of
Paolo Thaon di Revel, the first unit in a new class of Italian Navy multipurpose offshore patrol ships (abbreviated to PPA in Italian), was launched on Saturday, June 15. The launching ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano, La Spezia, in the presence of Italian defense minister E
The Norwegian and German defense procurement agencies have evaluated a thyssenkrupp Marine Systems proposal for the construction of six Type 212 CD (common design) submarines and are now expecting a contract with the shipbuilder to be signed in the first half of 2020. The governments of Norway and G
HMS Trent, the third of the Royal Navy’s second-batch River-class offshore patrol vessels has completed her sea trials in the Firth of Clyde. HMS Trent was put through her paces between Arran, Bute and Great Cumbrae – the same waters where her older sisters HMS Forth and Medway were tested by a mix
French shipbuilder Naval Group has concluded negotiations for the construction of two Gowind corvettes for the United Arab Emirates Navy. The deal is estimated to be worth around €750 million (US $850 million) and has options for an additional two units in the class. The contract signing was first r
