Weapons Systems
Germany upgrades its air defense frigates with longer range radars
Germany has decided to upgrade its Sachsen-class air defense frigates with the aim of improving their contribution to NATO’s missile defense system. The ships’ long range radars are being replaced with new ones that will have a significantly broadened scope of engagement. Apart from defending agains
Finland issues battle systems tender for Squadron 2020 vessels
The Finnish Defence Forces announced it is issuing a tender for a battle system that is to be supplied for its new Squadron 2020 ice-going offshore patrol vessels. The department’s logistics command will send requests to 12 domestic and foreign companies to participate in the tendering. After the Fe
HMCS St. John’s picked as next Canadian ship to deploy to NATO’s SNMG2
The Royal Canadian Navy has selected Halifax-class frigate HMCS St. John’s as the next RCN ship to deploy on NATO’s operation Reassurance in early 2017. The frigate will support the standing NATO maritime group 2 (SNMG 2) in the Mediterranean Sea contributing to regional security and stability. HMCS
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower arrives in Marseille, France
The U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) arrived in Marseille, France, on its way home from the counter-ISIL mission. The nuclear-powered carrier arrived in France for a scheduled port visit on December 16. Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group departed Norfol
German F123 frigate returns from operation Sophia
FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, German Navy’s F123 frigate, is set to return from its Mediterranean Sea deployment on Friday, December 23. The frigate was part of the EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia which is aimed at curbing migrant and weapon smuggling activities in the Mediterranean Sea. Mecklenburg-Vor
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
French Navy’s final nuclear submarine starts 18-month overhaul
Le Téméraire, the last of three French Navy’s nuclear submarines, has started her regular overhaul during which she will adapted to carry the M51 missile. Le Terrible, the fourth and latest in the series of new-generation of SSBNs has been equipped with the M51 missile from the outset. Le Téméraire
Saab contracted for Swedish Navy’s A26 submarine torpedo integration systems
Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab for the development and production of torpedo integration systems (TIS) for the Swedish Navy’s new A26 submarines. According to the company, the order also includes an upgrade of existing systems on the Visby-class corvettes and Gotla
US destroyer sails from Spain for operation Atlantic Resolve deployment
U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter departed Rota, Spain on November 30 to begin its regularly scheduled deployment. Porter’s operations will provide the ship and crew an opportunity to strengthen and build naval capabilities with allies and partners in the region and
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
Denel’s SAM to be tested on Algerian Meko frigate next year
Denel’s Umkhonto surface-to-air missile that was installed on the Algerian Navy’s second Meko frigate is set to undergo extensive testing in early 2017. The two frigates, with an option for another two, are built at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Northern Germany. Denel Dynamics supplies the SAM syste
USS Mason, FS Charles de Gaulle commanders meet in the Med
U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) commanders and French officials from the Charles de Gaulle Strike Group (CDGSG) met while operating together in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 25, 2016. Having replaced the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71), Mason is deployed to s
NATO ships in second Turkish-hosted drill this month
Following the conclusion of Turkish-led exercise Mavi Balina, ships from several NATO countries kicked off a mine-warfare exercise in the Aegean Sea on Monday, November 28. The second Turkish exercise of the month will run through December 4 and will be aimed at testing combat readiness and strength
Turkish-led exercise Mavi Balina 2016 concludes in the Med
Ships from several nations concluded their participation in the Turkish-led exercise Mavi Balina in the Mediterranean Sea. Participating nations included Pakistan, Romania, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NATO Maritime Group 2, as well as observers from Algeria, Nigeria, and Georg