The US State Department has approved the sale of Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) anti-ballistic missiles to the the government of Japan, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on January 9. Japan’s order is worth an estimated $133.3 million and includes four Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block I
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and its carrier strike group will be the first to deploy in 2018, getting underway from San Diego on January 5. The strike group’s 6,000 sailors will deploy aboard four ships, including aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the guided-missile
The South Korean Navy has received its first naval training ship from shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC). This was announced by the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on December 29. Hanjin began construction of the 45-meter catamaran vessel in July
US Navy cruiser USS Lake Champlain is getting underway from Naval Base San Diego on January 4 to start a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser will deploy as part of the Carl Vinson Strike Group. Lake Champlain completed a six-month deplo
The joint venture team composed of UK defense contractor Babcock and Australia’s UGL has been awarded a new five year agreement for the maintenance of Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigates. Under a contract worth around £115 million (AU$200 million), the Naval Ship Management (NSM) joint vent
US Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) pulled into Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on December 28 for a final port call en route to her new homeport of Sasebo, Japan. Wasp departed Norfolk, Virginia, August 30, but was diverted to the Caribbean in the wake of hurricanes Irma and
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
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Lockheed Martin a $135.8 contract for work on the development and integration of the Aegis Baseline 9 systems for Japan Maritime Self Defense Force destroyers. The Baseline 9/BMD 5.1 variant is referred to as J7 for Japanese destroyers. The contract award
Heavily-damaged US Navy destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, for repairs on December 13 after starting the final leg of its journey from Subic Bay on November 28. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer was damaged in a collision with merchant vessel Alnic MC on
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Darwin concluded her 33 years of service and was decommissioned in a ceremony at her homeport of Garden Island, Sydney. In a ceremony on December 9, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, paid tribute to the service of the ship’s company past and present. “Darwin
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and the rest of the Washington-based ships from its carrier strike group returned to Naval Station Everett concluding a six-month deployment. Nimitz entered its homeport on December 10, accompanied by Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Shou
After spending three months on patrol in the Indo-Asia Pacific region, US Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and ships from its carrier strike group returned to Yokosuka on December 4. While on patrol, CSG 5 was comprised of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Carrier Air Wi
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Newcastle returned to her home port on December 3 after concluding a six-month deployment to the Middle East. The crew of the Adelaide-class guided missile frigate were welcomed to the Fleet Base East, Garden Island, Sydney, by their families and Australian defense
NUSHIP Brisbane, the second Hobart class guided missile destroyer, has commenced its first phase of sea trials, Royal Australian Navy informed. During this phase, the ship’s hull, propulsion and navigation systems will be tested. The initial trial phase, which will occur over the coming months, will
