Weapons Systems
Algerian Navy commissions additional two Kilo-class submarines
The Algerian Navy commissioned two new Project 636 Kilo-class submarines in a ceremony at the Mers el Kebir naval base in Oran on January 9. Named Ouarsenis (031) and Hoggar (032), the newly commissioned submarines are the third and fourth units in their class. They were ordered in February 2014 and
Germany starting construction of first new K130 corvette next month
A consortium of three German shipbuilders is scheduled to officially begin works on the first of five new K130 corvettes in February this year, the German Navy chief has announced. Speaking in Dobbin-Linstow on January 10, Vice Admiral Andreas Krause said the steel-cutting ceremony for the future FG
SIMBAD-RC-launched Mistral missile defeats fast boats in latest test
French missile systems specialist MBDA announced they tested the Mistral missile against fast boats such as fast inshore attack craft in a demonstration in front of a number of foreign delegations. The firing was performed from a SIMBAD-RC automated naval turret firing from the land against a fast m
Russia developing improved, longer-range Kalibr cruise missile
Russian Navy ships and submarines are poised to be equipped with a new and improved Kalibr cruise missile that is currently under development, according to a Tass report. The upgraded missile will have a range of over 4,500 km, twice that of the current 3M-54 Kalibr cruise missile (NATO codename SS-
USS Fort McHenry is the first US Navy ship to enter Black Sea since Kerch Strait incident
Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) entered the Black Sea on Sunday, becoming the first US Navy ship to do so since the Kerch Strait incident from November 2018 when Russia fired on, and seized, three Ukrainian Navy ships near the the Kerch Strait. USS Fort McHenry, with
USS Porter arrives in Aksaz, Turkey for port visit, exercises
US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Aksaz, Turkey for a port visit on January 1. Following the port visit, the Arleigh Burke-class ship is scheduled to take part in a joint exercise with the Turkish Navy and Air Force in the Mediterranean Sea. Porter got underway from Spa
Russian Navy’s Admiral Essen returns from 300-day Mediterranean mission
The Russian Navy’s Black Sea frigate Admiral Essen (751) arrived in Sevastopol on December 26 after completing missions in the Mediterranean, the country’s defense ministry said. The crew of the frigate performed tasks as part of the country’s permanent formation in the Mediterranean Sea from August
Russian Navy commissions sixth Project 20380 corvette Gromkiy
In the third commissioning ceremony in eight days, the Russian Navy welcomed its sixth Project 20380 corvette into the fleet. Corvette Gromkiy joined the Pacific Fleet in a ceremony in Vladivostok on December 25. In the previous two ceremonies this month, Russia commissioned the lead Karakurt-class
USNS Big Horn returns from European, Middle East deployment
US Military Sealift Command’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) pulled into Naval Station Norfolk, Dec. 17, completing a 10-month deployment in the US Fifth Fleet and US Sixth Fleet area of responsibility. “Some of the missions USNS Big Horn undertook during this deployment included
Australia, France, US wrap up ASW exercise in Arabian Sea
The navies of Australia, France and the US concluded a four-day ‘Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness and Evaluation Measurement’ (SHAREM) 195 exercise in the Arabian Sea on December 18. Participating ships included French navy F70AA-class air defense destroyer FS Cassard (D 614), and Royal Austral
Canadian ships return from worldwide operations
Royal Canadian Navy vessels ranging from coastal defense vessels through frigates to replenishment oilers returned to their Atlantic and Pacific bases from operations in European, South American, and Asia-Pacific waters. Kingston-class coastal defense vessels HMCS Edmonton and Nanaimo returned to Ca
Russia commissions lead Karakurt-class corvette Mytishchi
The Russian Navy commissioned its lead Project 22800 guided-missile corvette ‘Mytishchi’ in a ceremony on December 17. The corvette will join the Baltic Fleet after completing sea and state trials and testing all systems and weapons. Mytishchi is the first of over 20 planned Project 22800 ships (als
Sea Venom demonstrates lock on before launch capability in third test firing
French missile developer MBDA announced that the Anglo-French Sea Venom-ANL anti-ship missile recently completed another firing trial, bringing the missile program a step closer to production. The latest firing builds on previous two from July 2017 and May 2018. Conducted on November 14 from a Frenc
Royal Navy frigates return from Trident Juncture, Westlant deployments
Royal Navy Type 23 frigates HMS Westminster and HMS Monmouth returned to their homeports in Portsmouth and Devonport, respectively, on December 14. Westminster returned after an eight-week stint in the North and Baltic Sea where she trained with other NATO and ally ships as part of NATO’s largest ex