Weapons Systems
Italy launches first PPA ship Paolo Thaon di Revel
Paolo Thaon di Revel, the first unit in a new class of Italian Navy multipurpose offshore patrol ships (abbreviated to PPA in Italian), was launched on Saturday, June 15. The launching ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano, La Spezia, in the presence of Italian defense minister E
German-Norwegian Type 212 CD submarine contract to be signed early 2020
The Norwegian and German defense procurement agencies have evaluated a thyssenkrupp Marine Systems proposal for the construction of six Type 212 CD (common design) submarines and are now expecting a contract with the shipbuilder to be signed in the first half of 2020. The governments of Norway and G
Royal Navy WW2 torpedo bomber found almost intact in the Solent
A Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber was discovered in the English Channel 75 years after its pilot was forced to ditch during World War 2. The Fleet Air Arm bomber has been found largely intact and is now being recovered in sections. The wreck was uncovered by engineers working for the UK National Gri
France, UAE conclude Gowind corvette negotiations
French shipbuilder Naval Group has concluded negotiations for the construction of two Gowind corvettes for the United Arab Emirates Navy. The deal is estimated to be worth around €750 million (US $850 million) and has options for an additional two units in the class. The contract signing was first r
BALTOPS kicks off as ships get underway from Kiel, Germany
50 surface ships, 36 aircraft, two submarines, and 8,600 personnel are to take part in exercises.
German sub U36 returning home after international maneuvers
German Navy Type 212 submarine U36 is set to return to its Eckernförde homeport on Friday after almost five months of operations. The U36 operated out of Norway where it strengthened bonds with the Royal Norwegian Navy, which will soon receive its own Type 212 CD submarines. “The decision to base U3
US Navy replacing Spain-based destroyers with newer ones, adding helicopter squadron
The US Navy intends to start replacing its four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, with newer platforms in 2020, the US 6th Fleet has announced. The navy did not disclose which ships would be stationed in Spain to replace USS Porter (DDG 78), USS Ross (DDG
US Navy destroyer conducts air defense drill with Portugal
The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) has completed a series of tactical air defense and fighter control exercises with Portuguese Navy and Air Force counterparts. The exercises were conducted off the coast of Portugal on May 27, 2019. The drill began with Ross
Royal Navy-led task group assembles in the Baltic
A nine-ship task group has gathered off the Danish coast to start operations as part of a UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force. The group will work together in the first act of the two-month-long Operation Baltic Protector, designed to demonstrate the resolve of the UK, its allies and nations in the reg
France accelerates joint light helicopter program
France is speeding up its helicopter program that will see one platform replace five legacy helicopters across the three branches of the country’s armed forces. In an announcement on May 27, French defense minister Florence Parly announced that the launch of the Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère I
Israel’s first Sa’ar 6 corvette INS Magen officially named in Germany
INS Magen, the first of four Israeli Navy Sa’ar 6 corvettes, has been officially named in Germany. The ceremony took place at the thyssenkrupp Marine Systems yard in Kiel on May 23. The ship was named by Eti Sharvit, wife of Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit, Chief of the Israeli Navy, in presence of high-le
Canada, France achieve supersonic firsts during missile defense drill off Scotland
The 9-nation live-fire integrated air and missile defense exercise Formidable Shield 2019 concluded at the UK defense ministry’s Hebrides Range off Scotland on May 19. The US-led drill helped allies hone interoperability in defending against missiles but it also saw Canadian and French Navy ships ac
German corvette deploying for Lebanon mission
German Navy corvette FGS Ludwigshafen am Rhein and her crew of 64 will depart naval base Warnemünde on May 17 to start an eight-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. The corvette will support the maritime task force of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, currently led by the Brazilian
Navies gather in Scotland for live-fire missile defense drill Formidable Shield 19
Navy ships from nine NATO states have gathered in Scotland where they will take part in the US Navy-led exercise Formidable Shield 19. The two-week exercise will take place at the UK defense ministry’s Hebrides Range located on the Western Isles of Scotland. It kicks off on May 7. Naval Striking and