Weapons Systems
Russia launching first modernized Borei-A submarine in November: media
The Russian Navy is set to launch the first of its modernized Borei-A (Project 955-A) submarines, the Knyaz Vladimir, next month, Russian media say. These plans were revealed by Russian Navy chief Admiral Vladimir Korolev in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) newspaper. This announceme
Indonesian Navy receives second PKR frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai
The Indonesian Navy received its second Perusak Kawal Rudal (PKR) guided-missile frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai during a ceremony in Surabaya, Indonesia, on October 30. Named after the Indonesian War of Independence hero who fought against the Dutch between 1945 and 1949, KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai is t
Putin launches 4 ballistic missiles during Russian nuclear forces drill
Russian president Vladimir Putin took part in a nuclear forces drill, personally launching four ballistic missiles, the Russian defense ministry said October 27. The drill itself took place on Thursday and involved all three legs of the Russian nuclear triad. Units of Strategic Missile Forces contro
French, UK and US warships train together in Gulf of Oman
Exercise Intrepid Sentinel gathered ships from the French, UK and US navies for two days of maneuvers in the Gulf of Oman on October 20 and 21. US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), French Marine Nationale’s anti-air destroyer FS Jean Bart (D 615) and the Royal Navy’s Duke-class fri
Mexican, Canadian, French ships join US-hosted amphibious drill Bold Alligator
The US-hosted amphibious drill Bold Alligator will be joined by Mexican, Canadian and French Navy ships in addition to personnel from a number of other ally countries. Bold Alligator 2017 (BA17) started in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on October 18 and will run through October 30 around Camp Lejeun
Formidable Shield 2017 concludes with supersonic target engagement
Europe’s premier integrated air and missile defense drill Formidable Shield concluded October 17 with ally ships engaging a supersonic target off the coast of Scotland. The US Navy-led exercise began September 24 and saw the participation of warships from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherla
Cyprus hosts oil and gas industry security drill
The Cypriot defense ministry and Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Larnaca hosted warships from France, Israel and Greece among others for the fourth consecutive exercise Nemesis 2017. The one-day exercise took place on October 17 in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, with
Tanker carrying 1000 tonnes of fuel lifts torpedo on anchor
Royal Navy’s bomb disposal experts carried out an unusual operation recently after a tanker carrying some 1,000 tonnes of fuel caught a test torpedo with its anchor. The tanker’s anchor had speared the torpedo in Portland, UK, and had dragged it up from the seabed, 15 meters below. Portsmouth-based
Allies defend against subsonic anti-ship cruise missiles during Formidable Shield 2017
In a live-fire integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) scenario organized as part of exercise Formidable Shield 2017 off the coast of Scotland, ally ships worked together to defend against three subsonic anti-ship cruise missiles on October 7. During the collective self-defense scenario, Canadian
Russian Navy to receive navalized Pantsir-ME weapon system soon
The Russian Navy will soon receive the first batch of the Pantsir-ME naval missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapon systems, the weapon manufacturer said recently. Alexander Denisov, general director of the High Precision Complex holding company, which includes Pantsir-ME manufacturer KBP, told jo
Finland finalizing Hamina-class upgrade preparations
The Finnish defense forces have been cleared to sign a letter of intent and a pre-design activities contract with Patria for the upgrade of Hamina-class missile boats. The mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the four vessels in the class will be performed as part of the Squadron 2000 upgrade program and will
UK-led international exercise Joint Warrior begins
Warships taking part in the UK-hosted multinational drill Joint Warrior got underway on October 1 for a fortnight of exercises off the coast of Scotland. This is the second time this year the biannual drill is being held. The first one took place in March and featured or incorporated Information War
Lockheed gets $400m for Trident II missile production
US defense contractor Lockheed Martin Space Systems has been awarded a $418.6 million contract to manufacture additional Trident II (D5) missiles. The US defense department did not specify the exact quantity of missiles to be built and the contract has options which could drive its value up to over
Ukrainian Navy receives additional two Gurza-class artillery boats
The Ukrainian Navy has received additional two Gurza-class small armored artillery boats, Ukraine’s defense ministry said on September 26. The boats arrived at the Port of Odessa and will now undergo a set of tests after which they will be commissioned into the Ukrainian Navy. After these two boats