U.S. Backs Philippines in South China Sea
The U.S. military is supporting Philippine operations in the South China Sea via a special task force, a U.S. embassy official said on Thursday, an initiative Manila said involves intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.Task Force-Ayungin, named after the Philippine designation for the contested Second Thomas Shoal, was first mentioned this week by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit to the Philippines."Task Force-Ayungin enhances U.S.-Philippine alliance coordination and interoperability by enabling U.S.
Swedish, U.S. Marines Team @ Exercise Archipelago Endeavor 2024
Swedish and U.S. Marines gathered in Sweden’s rocky coastal archipelago to improve their littoral warfighting skills and enhance interoperability during Exercise Archipelago Endeavor 2024 (AE 24).“This is an annual exercise between Sweden and U.S., and it is the seventh time we conducted it, but it's the first time that we conducting the exercise as an ally. Before that, we have conducted the exercise as a partner,” said Lt. Col. Patrik Berge of the Stockholm Marine Regiment…
Russian Frigate Conducts Drills in English Channel
A Russian Navy frigate equipped with new generation hypersonic cruise missiles has conducted drills in the English Channel and is carrying out tasks in the Atlantic Ocean, Russian news agencies reported on Tuesday.The crew of the frigate, equipped with Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missiles, conducted counter-terrorism drills, repelling air and sea drone attacks of a mock enemy, Russian state agencies reported."The Northern Fleet frigate Admiral Golovko has completed its…
Russian, Indonesian Navies Hold Joint Drills
Russian and Indonesian ships practiced freeing a vessel captured by terrorists and fought unmanned boats during the first joint naval exercises between the two countries in the Java Sea, Russia's RIA state news agency reported on Monday.The joint exercise, which started last week, came as newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged closer ties with Russia on defence, in a bid to forge links with any country as part of Jakarta's long-held non-aligned foreign policy.The crews of the joint detachment of ships practiced manoeuvring and communication…
Commander of Royal Canadian Navy Visits Geoje Shipyard
On November 10, Vice Admiral Angus Topshee, the 38th Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, visited Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard and discussed Canada’s upcoming submarine acquisition project.This visit marks a significant step in the bidding process for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), in which Hanwha Ocean is actively participating.During the visit, Hanwha Ocean introduced the KSS-III Batch-II submarine, a model that the proposed KSS-III CPS for CPSP is based upon.
Japanese Navy Ship on Fire, One Missing
Fire broke out on a Japanese warship sailing near the western part of the country, causing one crew member to be hospitalized due to smoke inhalation, while another was missing, Japan's navy said on Sunday.The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) said the minesweeper Ukushima was sailing off the coast north of Fukuoka in the island of Kyushu when the fire occurred at around 9:40 a.m. local time (0040 GMT).Admiral Akira Saito later said firefighting efforts were ongoing as of 8:30 p.m.
MSC’s Taluga Group Envisions Maritime Logistics Differently
As the Military Sealift Command (MSC) celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is looking to the future through the eyes of a forward-thinking “innovation cell” named for a ship from its storied past. USNS Taluga (T-AO-62) was the first Navy replenishment ship that was operated by civil service mariners.The Taluga Group is a three-person team of Director John Bruening, Dean Vesely and Jerit VanAuker who are focused on capability development and adoption of innovative practices.The Tulaga Group team have diverse backgrounds to help them look at problems in different ways.
EUREKA! High-Speed AIRCAT SES for Military Missions
Eureka Naval Craft is introducing its suite of high-speed AIRCAT (air cushion catamarans) surface effect ships (SES), already in use with the offshore energy industry, to the defense market.According to Bo Jardine, CEO of Eureka Naval Craft, a newly formed U.S.-based naval defense company, the versatile suite of AIRCAT naval vessels can serve as a patrol craft, rescue craft, medical evacuation vessels, heavily armed small combatants and landing craft.The AIRCAT SES has both an air cushion…
Contract: Safran Tapped to Equip Egyptian Patrol Vessels
The Egyptian Navy has chosen Safran to outfit is new patrol vesssels, being built in Egypt at Alexandria Shipyard, with advanced optronic and navigation systems.
Java Sea Naval Drills a First for Indonesia, Russia Navies
Naval forces of Indonesia and Russia began their first joint military training drills in the Java Sea on Monday, the Indonesian navy said, which analysts say shows the Southeast Asian country's willingness to befriend any country.The joint exercise comes as Indonesia's newly-inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto has pledged closer ties with Russia on defence, in his bid to forge ties with any country as part of his country's long-held non-alignment foreign policy.The drills will take place in the Java Sea near Indonesia's Surabaya city, east of the capital Jakarta, from Nov.
Fincantieri Open to Collaboration with Thyssenkrupp Marine Arm
Fincantieri is open to all types of collaboration with the warship division of conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, but it is up to Germany to decide on a strategy for the unit, the CEO of the Italian shipbuilder said this week."Now is time for German institutions to understand what the best strategy is to give more value and strengthen (Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems).
Carlyle Quits Bidding Process for Thyssenkrupp Marine Arm
Private equity firm Carlyle has dropped out of a bidding process for the warship division of stricken conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, the German company said on Tuesday.Carlyle's withdrawal as a suitor for Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is a major blow to Thyssenkrupp's restructuring, which also includes plans for a 50:50 steel joint venture with Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky."We can confirm that the investment company Carlyle Group has informed us that it is withdrawing from the bidding process for the investment in Thyssenkrupp's marine division," Thyssenkrupp said in a response to email
BAE Systems Ship Repair Begins Making Submarine Components
BAE Systems won a contract by General Dynamics Electric Boat for deck module fabrication in support of U.S. Navy submarine programs. The contract between the companies will cover the production and shipment of structural steel components for both Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines from BAE Systems’ facility in Jacksonville, Florida.BAE Systems currently provides support to the U.S. Navy Submarine Industrial Base through various business operations, particularly the company’s Louisville, Kentucky facility.
HII Cuts 2024 Revenue Outlook, Citing Navy Deal, Labor
Huntington Ingalls Industries on Thursday cut its 2024 shipbuilding revenue due to uncertainty in navy agreements, supply chain issues and labor shortages, sending its shares down roughly 7% premarket.The company forecasts shipbuilding revenue, which is the focus of two of its three divisions, will likely be near the lower end of its previously projected range of $8.8 billion to $9.1 billion.Huntington had expected to reach an agreement with the U.S. Navy for Virginia-class Block V and Block VI and Columbia-class submarines in the second half of 2024.However…
Blaze Suppressed at Nuclear Submarine Shipyard
Emergency services suppressed a huge blaze that broke out in the early hours at a BAE Systems shipyard yesterday in north west England that builds Britain's nuclear submarines.Earlier in the day pictures online showed what looked like flames and black smoke emerging from the top of the vast Devonshire Dock Hall building. Police said there was no nuclear risk.BAE Systems, Britain's biggest defence company, later said that while the affected area was only accessible for essential personnel…
US, Canadian Navies Sail Through Taiwan Strait
A U.S. and a Canadian warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait together on Sunday, less than a week after China conducted a new round of war games around the island, with Beijing denouncing the mission as "disruptive".The U.S. navy, occasionally accompanied by ships from allied countries, transits the strait around once a month. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, also says the strategic waterway belongs to it.The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said on Monday that…
Ukrainian Attacks Repel Russia's Black Sea Fleet
Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been forced to move many warships from the naval base of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsular, which Russia annexed in 2014, due to attacks by Ukraine, a Russian-installed official was quoted as saying on Sunday.The remarks by Dmitry Rogozin, a Russian-installed senator for the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia region and a former head of Russia's space agency, are the first Russian official confirmation that the fleet has had to move from Sevastopol.Ukraine…
Preliminary Design Review Completed for UK Fleet Support Ships
In 2023, the Ministry of Defence of the UK awarded Team Resolute (Navantia UK, Harland & Wolff and BMT) the contract to deliver three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The first major project milestone, the preliminary design review, has now been completed. The review confirmed the robustness and maturity of the vessel design and leads on to the detailed design. Construction is expected to commence next year.The main task of the advanced FSS ships will be the underway replenishment of dry stores for Royal Navy vessels.
Germany Opens Baltic Sea Naval HQ Amid Rising Tensions with Russia
Germany inaugurated on Monday a new multinational naval headquarters for the Baltic Sea capable of leading operations for NATO during a conflict, as the military alliance increases focus on the area amid rising tensions with Russia."Our message to our partners and to those who threaten our peace is simple: Germany stands firmly by its commitments," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said according to a draft of his speech at a ceremony at the country's naval command in the coastal city of Rostock…
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Adds New Dive Boat
The divers with Code 760, Regional Dive Locker at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility took delivery of a new purpose-built dive boat in May.The new boat replaces an Explosive Ordnance Disposal support boat built in 1991 that PSNS & IMF acquired in 2007.According to Mike Richardson, Diving Operations manager, Code 760, the new boat will help the divers accomplish their mission more effectively and comfortably.“The new boat is a purpose-built dive boat with a Marine Knuckle Boom crane,” said Richardson.
BAE Systems Wins Contract to Modernize US Navy Warship USS Halsey
BAE Systems announced it late September it has received a $177.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy for the maintenance and modernization of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97). The total value of the previously awarded undefinitized contract award could reach $225.5 million if all options are exercised.Under the Depot Maintenance Period (DMP) contract, BAE Systems’ San Diego shipyard will dry-dock the 509.5-foot-long ship, perform underwater hull preservation work…
Luerssen, Rheinmetall Among Potential Suitors for Thyssenkrupp Marine Unit
German shipbuilder Luerssen and defence group Rheinmetall RHMG.DE could emerge as potential suitors for the warship division of conglomerate Thyssenkrupp TKAG.DE, two people familiar with the matter said.It comes a day after news that private equity firm CarlyleCG.O had dropped out of the process for Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), in what was a blow to Thyssenkrupp's ongoing restructuring and had weighed on shares.Rheinmetall and Luerssen declined comment.Thyssenkrupp referred to comments made on Tuesday, when it said it would intensify efforts to find a standalone solution for TKMS, incl
Austal USA Breaks Ground on New Manufacturing Facility for Submarine Modules
**Austal USA Breaks Ground on New Submarine Module Facility in Mobile, Alabama**Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced the commencement of construction on a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility dedicated to submarine modules, known as MMF3. Set to be operational by late 2026, this new building will significantly enhance the company’s capacity to support the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB).The facility will span 369,600 square feet and is specifically designed for the manufacturing of submarine modules.