Weapons Systems
Saab launches new Vidar laser rangefinder
Swedish defense technology company Saab announced it has launched a new laser rangefinder named Vidar. Vidar is currently in production for the situational awareness system that Saab will deliver for Australia’s new Arafura class offshore patrol vessels. Luerssen Australia awarded Saab the contract
FC/ASW program is in the interests of both France and the UK, report finds
The UK and France have every interest in successfully completing the future cruise/anti-ship weapon (FC/ASW) program, the House of Commons Defence Committee and the Assemblée nationale’s Standing Committee on National Defence and the Armed Forces said in a joint report. The report marks the culminat
French Navy frigates to feature Thales STIR radars
The French Navy plans to install seven tracking and illumination (STIR) radars on its frigates for their gun and missile fire control, defense technology company Thales said. As informed, five of the radars will be installed on board future intermediate-size frigates (FTI), and two will be placed on
Three shipbuilding consortia get funds for their Type 31e frigate plans
Three shipbuilding teams have received funds from the UK to continue developing their plans for the construction of Type 31e frigates. On December 10, 2018, the country’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) awarded three contracts for the Competitive Design Phase. The contracts have been awarded to consortia
USS Iwo Jima home from Trident Juncture
US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) returned to her homeport of Mayport, Florida, Dec. 4, after nine weeks of operations in the northern Atlantic Ocean. As flagship of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), the ship returned to sea after completing a six-month deployment to part
SNMG2 ships train with Egyptian Navy
Ships from NATO’s Standing Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) trained with Egyptian Navy vessels after concluding a visit to the Egyptian Navy base in Alexandria on December 4. Although hampered by the weather conditions, the passing exercise consisted of a tactical maneuvering exercise, helicopter operatio
Second Royal Navy Dreadnought submarine to be named HMS Valiant
The second Royal Navy Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarine will be named HMS Valiant, the UK defense secretary has announced. In addition to naming the submarine, defense secretary Gavin Williamson announced a £400 million funding boost for the Dreadnought program. The planned funding relea
Elbit, Leonardo join forces to equip Seagull USV with mini torpedoes
Israeli unmanned systems specialist Elbit Systems has teamed up with Italy’s Leonardo to equip the Seagull unmanned surface vessel (USV) with mini torpedoes. The agreement, announced at the Exponaval exhibition in Chile, will see the two companies develop the USV’ capability of mounting and launchin
Royal Navy frigate, submarine in cat and mouse games off Scotland
Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans and the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Astute honed their Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) skills recently, during joint training off Scotland. HMS St Albans and HMS Astute are two of the vessels that form the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine capability. This latest
NATO SNMG2 ships visit Marmaris, Turkey
After concluding a visit to the Algerian port of Algiers last week, NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) arrived in Marmaris, Turkey, for a port call on November 27. The group is conducting the visits after resuming regular Mediterranean Sea patrols following their participation in NATO’s major
TKMS submits binding offer for Norwegian, German Type 212 submarine construction
By: Faris Pasic A joint German-Norwegian project to procure common-design Type 212 air-independent propulsion submarines has made another step forward as ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) – the preferred contractor on the project – submitted its binding offer in October this year. As disclosed by t
SNMG1, SNMCMG1 ships visit Sweden
Navy ships deployed to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group One (SNMG1) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) stopped in Karlskrona, Sweden, for a port visit from November 23 to 25. The port visit included visits to local military and civilian officials as well as tours of the ships f
Eighth Italian FREMM frigate ITS Antonio Marceglia completes sea trials
ITS Antonio Marceglia, the fourth general-purpose and the overall eighth FREMM frigate to be delivered tot he Italian Navy, finished her sea trials on November 20, the European intergovernmental Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) announced. As disclosed by the organization, Antonio
Royal Navy Merlins hone skills at US Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center
Royal Navy’s submarine-hunting Merlin helicopters recently left the flight deck of aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth for three weeks of exercises at the US Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC). The ranges off Andros Island – south-west of Nassau – are centered on a natural