Weapons Systems
US Navy destroyer visits Puerto Princesa, Philippines
U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain arrived in Puerto Princesa, the Philippines for a brief port call on December 24. During the visit, the McCain crew will participate in a series of community service projects and sporting events. The visit comes months after
China’s sole aircraft carrier on blue water drills
China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, started blue water drills on Saturday, heading towards the West Pacific with a carrier task group. Chinese state media reported that this was the carrier’s first “distant seas” deployment. According to China’s Xinhua news agency, the Liaoning and other s
USS Wasp wraps up 6-month stint ahead of Japan deployment
After 12 years of idleness in port, U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) deployed this year for a busy 2016. After six months underway, the ship is now set to return to Norfolk on December 24. Once there, Wasp will undergo a planned maintenance availability that is expected to be fin
US, ROK Navy start junior officer exchange program
A junior U.S. Navy officer embarked on a Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy ship as part of the newly created Combined Edge junior officer exchange program, December 21-23. Combined Edge was formed to improve combined warfighting integration between the U.S. and ROK navies by allowing U.S. Navy officers t
South Korea awards contract for two more FFX II frigates
The South Korean defense procurement agency announced December 21 that it has ordered two new frigates to be built for its navy. The frigates were ordered three months ahead of the schedule with the aim of safeguarding and boosting local shipbuilding industry, the agency said. South Korea’s Defense
US Navy attack submarine on liberty port visit in Japan
U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757) docked at the Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan on December 22. The port visit is part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific patrol. “Alexandria departed the shipyard in Portsmouth, New Hampshire a little over one year ago,” said Cmdr. Todd San
India, Russia to hold naval exercise in Bay of Bengal
Russian and Indian Navy ships will be taking part in a wide range of drills in the Bay of Bengal from December 14 to 21, the Indian press office announced. In existence since 2003, this will be the 9th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise dubbed Indra Navy. The primary aim of the exercise will
US Navy submarine visits Changwon, South Korea
U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) entered Changwon, South Korea for a port visit during its deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The submarine arrived at the U.S. Fleet Activities Chinhae, the only U.S. Navy Base in Mainland Asia, on December 8. “Our high
Two sailors dead as Indian warship tips over during undocking
Two sailors were confirmed dead while a number of others are being treated for injuries after the Indian Navy frigate INS Betwa tipped over on Monday as it was being undocked at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. “The incident occurred in the Cruiser Graving Dock during undocking evolution wherein it is
Indonesia receives first Panther ASW helicopters
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first three of eleven AS565 MBe Panther helicopters to Indonesia. The helicopters were delivered at a ceremony at Airbus Helicopters’ headquarters in Marignane, France, in the presence of representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence and the Indonesian Nav
India commissions final Kolkata-class destroyer INS Chennai
INS Chennai, the last of three Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers, joined the Indian Navy in a ceremony held at the Mumbai naval dockyard on Monday. Following her formal induction, INS Chennai will be placed under the Indian Western Naval Command. In due course, the ship will be homeported at M
USS Ronald Reagan returns to Japan after three-month patrol
U.S. Navy’s carrier strike group five (CSG 5) and its flagship USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) returned to Yokosuka, Japan, November 21 following a three-month patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The strike group visited two countries, participated in three major military exercises, and hosted distin
South Korea commissions sixth Incheon-class frigate ROKS Gwangju
The Republic of South Korea Navy has commissioned its sixth FF frigate, named ROKS Gwangju, the country’s arms procurement agency announced. According to a report by the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the new frigate is expected to start patrols in March next year after it completes operational se
South Korea names eighth KSS-II submarine Lee Beom-seok
South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) has launched the eighth of nine KSS-II submarines the South Korean Navy will eventually operate. Named after the South Korean independence fighter Lee Beom-seok, the submarine was unveiled on Tuesday at DSME’s shipyard in Geo