DOHA, Qatar --- Yesterday at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX), CAE was awarded a subcontract from Leonardo Helicopters to provide the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) with a comprehensive NH90 helicopter training solution. The contract is valued at more than C$150 million. 
 

DOHA --- The Ministry of Defence of Qatar has announced a contract today for the purchase of 28 NH90 medium twin-engine multirole military helicopters. The deal was announced during the DIMDEX Exhibition in Doha. 
 

TRIESTE, Italy --- During DIMDEX 2018, the most important defense exhibition in the Middle East, now at its 6th edition, Fincantieri, one of the world’s top shipbuilding groups, and Barzan Holdings, a company wholly owned by the Qatari Ministry of Defense and responsible for empowering the military capabilities of the national armed force in the state, signed a letter of intent aimed at studying possible forms of cooperation in the coastal defense surveillance sector, through the implementation of new technologies and cutting-edge program management and maintenance services within the Qatari naval programs. 
 

DOHA --- The Ministry of Defence of Qatar has announced a contract today for the purchase of 28 NH90 medium twin-engine multirole military helicopters. The deal was announced during the DIMDEX Exhibition in Doha in the presence of the Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti and Leonardo Chief Executive Officer Alessandro Profumo. 
 

Kongsberg has signed a cooperation agreement in Qatar for long-term technology development programs within defence, maritime industry and digitalization. 
 

DOHA --- Leonardo has proudly announced, at the 2018 Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference in Qatar, that the Company’s OTO 76/62 Super Rapid (SR) naval gun has successfully ended an extensive vulnerability assessment campaign, ensuring that it will be resilient to cyber-attacks in the future. 
 

DOHA --- During the DIMDEX exhibition, one of the major defense meetings taking place in the Gulf, Nasser Al Naimi, Managing Director of Barzan Holdings and Stéphane Mayer, CEO of Nexter and co-CEO of KNDS are delighted to announce the signature of two MOUs between their two companies. 
 

DOHA --- For the first time ever, Leonardo is exhibiting its OTO Marlin 40, the newest member of its naval defence systems family. The turret will be a key product at the 2018 edition of Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX), starting today in Qatar. 
 

JSC Rosoboronexport (part of the Rostec State Corporation) is organizing Russia’s exhibit at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition DIMDEX 2018, which will be held in Doha (Qatar) on March 12-14, 2018. The exhibition will also be attended by the leading defence enterprises from the USA, UK, Germany, Italy, China and other countries. 
 

DOHA --- Leading Turkish defense contractor Aselsan and Qatari military tech firm Barzan Holding on Monday signed a partnership agreement for technology transfer. 
 

DOHA --- At the 10th edition of DIMDEX (Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference) from the 12th to the 14th March, Leonardo will be demonstrating its state-of-the-art capabilities in defence, security and aerospace, showcasing a number of key products and systems that could help secure Qatar and the surrounding region. 
 

DOHA --- Nexter, a company of KNDS, will exhibit its know-how on the KNDS booth and BARZAN pavilion during the 2018 DIMDEX exhibition taking place in Doha from the 12th to the 14th of March 2018. Part of its range of products will be shown including armored combat vehicles 8x8, artillery systems, ammunitions and robotics. 
 

Visitors to DIMDEX, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference, which is being held from 12-14 March in Doha, Qatar, will be able to see BAE Systems’ proposed design for the Type 31e frigate competition in the UK. 
 

DOHA --- The Ministry of Defence has established a company named Barzan Holdings that aims to enhance military capabilities and investment in the defence industry.  The company would also support research and development efforts in the field of military technology. The company's official launch will take place at the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) on March 12. 

Sink the Duncan! That’s one of the tasks of international submarines during NATO’s biggest sub hunt of the year in the Mediterranean. Target Duncan! Merlins try to protect destroyer during NATO sub exerciseBritain’s newest destroyer – and flagship of a task force of ships from across the alliance, aka Standing Group 2 – is one of the high-value targets boats will be looking to knock out during Dynamic Manta 18, NATO’s annual cat-and-mouse exercise played out of Sicily.

The U.S. Navy, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) under an Integrated Program Office (IPO), released a request for proposal (RFP) on March 2, 2018, for the advance procurement and detail design for the USCG's heavy polar icebreaker (HPIB), with options for detail design and construction (DD&C) for up to three HPIBs. The IPO is using a full and open competition strategy for DD&C; a single contract award will be made in FY 2019. 
 

SASEBO, Japan --- The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo to complete a pre-deployment readiness assessment before transitioning to conduct operations as part of a routine patrol in the Indo-Pacific region, March 3. 

The jobs of almost 1,700 workers have been secured by the signing of a landmark extension to the sustainment contract for our Anzac Frigates. 
 

Austal today delivered the seventh vessel in the Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) class to the U.S. Navy.  The future USS Manchester is the second LCS delivered to the Navy by Austal in less than six months, following the USS Omaha (LCS 12) commissioning, which took place in San Diego earlier this year. 

The Polish Nauta Shipyard has today cut the first steel for the Swedish Navy’s SIGINT ship, officially beginning the production phase of the vessel. The ceremony was also attended by officials from Saab, the Swedish defence group, which awarded the ship construction contract to the Nauta Shipyard, a part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), in 2017. 
 

Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and new supply ship RFA Tidespring have met up at sea for the first time, as they prepare to conduct a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), refuelling whilst underway at sea, in what will be a first for both. 
 

On 16th February ECA Group presented its latest mid-size AUV A18-M dedicated to mine counter measures. With its compactness and its unequaled high-quality imagery this new generation underwater drone becomes the reference in the category of autonomous underwater vehicles dedicated to mine hunting. 
 

HMS Queen Elizabeth has arrived back in Portsmouth following successful first of class rotary wing trials in the Atlantic. 
 

Rolls-Royce congratulates the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) on the official handover today of its first Daegu-class (FFX-II) frigate. South Korea’s defense procurement agency, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), formally handed over the ship to the Navy, the first of an eight-ship programme. 
 

MANAMA, Bahrain --- On any given day, U.S. Marines and Sailors embark naval vessels in preparation for missions around the globe. With approximately 10 different U.S. Navy platforms available to deploy aboard, personnel with Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) never anticipated receiving orders to board a foreign vessel – but that’s exactly what happened in November 2017 when nearly 150 U.S. Sailors and Marines embarked French Navy Mistral-class amphibious assault ship LHD Tonnerre for a two-month deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. 
 

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has received an order from Armscor – the acquisition agency for the South African Department of Defence – for three Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV), 62 x 11 metres. 
 

NEW DELHI --- New Delhi and Moscow have finalised contractual terms for four new stealth frigates that Russia will supply the Indian Navy for slightly over Rs 200 billion ($3 billion), or about Rs 50 billion ($775 million) per vessel. 
 

Expanding its locally-made arsenal, Turkey officially launched the construction of Murat Reis, the third in a new submarine fleet made with local resources and the assistance of a German company. Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım joined dignitaries at the inaugural welding of the submarine in the Gölcük shipyard in northwestern Turkey yesterday. 
 

Saab has received an order from the Australian Government under the Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) that will see the continuation of sustainment for Navy’s ANZAC-class frigates. WAMA is a strategic partnership which includes Saab Australia, BAE Systems Australia Defence and Naval Ship Management Australia. 
 

The first fixed wing fighter jet pilots have embarked in the Royal Navy’s new carrier as she prepares to receive the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter later this year. 
 

The third 125 class frigate, the “Sachsen-Anhalt”, has taken to the sea for the first time. On February 22, 2018 the ship left the shipyard in Hamburg for scheduled in-port trials. 
 

SAN DIEGO --- The Navy accepted delivery of its second Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship, USNS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), Feb. 22. 
 

WASHINGTON --- The Navy will christen its newest Expeditionary Fast Transport, the future USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10), during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. 
 

The first of the Royal Navy's next-generation patrol ships set sail from Glasgow today for her home port of Portsmouth. 
 

Rolls-Royce has signed two contracts with BAE Systems to supply low-noise propellers and mission bay handling technologies for the UK Royal Navy’s new Type 26 Global Combat Ship. 
 

A shift in emphasis in Danish foreign policy is reflected in its commitment to anti-submarine warfare 
 

Navantia has been selected by the United States Government, together with its local partner the American shipyard General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, for the Conceptual Design phase of the FFGX frigate program. 
 

BATH, Maine --- The U.S. Navy awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works a $14.9 million contract for the concept design of the Navy’s planned Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)). 
 

TRIESTE, Italy --- The US Navy awarded Fincantieri’s subsidiary Marinette Marine a $15M contract to evolve its FREMM-design into the next-generation frigate of the FFG(X) program. 
 

-- Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Alabama, is being awarded a $14,999,969 firm-fixed-price contract for Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) conceptual design. 

-- Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is being awarded a $14,999,924 firm-fixed-price contract for Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) conceptual design. 

-- Lockheed Martin Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, is being awarded a $14,999,889 firm-fixed-price contract for Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) conceptual design. 
-- Marinette Marine Corp., doing business as Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin, is being awarded a $14,994,626 firm-fixed-price contract for Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) conceptual design. 
-- General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded a $14,950,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) conceptual design. 

PASCAGOULA, Miss. --- Huntington Ingalls Industries announced today that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division was awarded a $1.43 billion, fixed-price incentive contract for the detail design and construction of LPD 29, the 13th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock. 
 

WASHINGTON --- The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $15 million contract to mature its Freedom-variant Frigate design as a part of the Navy's FFG(X) competition.
 

HMAS Hobart has achieved a number of firsts for her class and the Royal Australian Navy over the past several weeks off the east coast of Australia. 
 

LAEM CHABANG, Thailand --- The expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4) completed a 28-day voyage repair availability in Laem Chabang, Thailand, Feb. 13. 
 

WASHINGTON --- The Department of the Navy submitted the long-range ship acquisition plan to Congress Feb. 12. 
 

HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy’s flagship, entered Plymouth, for the last time in Royal Navy service today welcomed by well-wishers and flanked by landing craft and tugs firing water hoses high into the air. 
 

The Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived in Gibraltar today for her first overseas port visit. 
 

The leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee urged Defense Secretary Jim Mattis not to delay “shock testing” intended to determine how well its new $12.9 billion aircraft carrier can withstand an attack. 

WASHINGTON --- The Navy released the final Request for Proposal (RFP) for the DDG 51 Fiscal Years (FY) 2018-2022 Multiyear Procurement (MYP) for Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers on Feb. 8. 
 

A major deal to support and supply range safety and aircrew training vessels to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been signed. 
 

The simultaneous launching of NORMANDIE and MARCEGLIA represents another great success of the OCCAR management, demonstrating indeed the exemplary synergies among Industry and the French and Italian Navies. 
 

CANBERRA, Australia ---- L3 Technologies announced today that it will support the BAE Systems Power and Propulsion Team by providing the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for the upcoming Royal Australian Navy (RAN) SEA5000 program pursuit. 
 

The United Kingdom will lose its ability to conduct specialised amphibious operations, if leaked plans considered in the National Security Capability Review (NSCR) are not cancelled by the new Modernising Defence Programme (MDP), according to the Commons Defence Committee. 
 

TRIESTE, Italy --- The launching ceremony of the "Antonio Marceglia" frigate, the eighth of a series of 10 FREMM vessels - Multi Mission European Frigates, took place today at the integrated shipyard of Riva Trigoso (Genoa) in the presence of the Italian Minister of Defence, Roberta Pinotti and, on behalf of the Chief of Defence, General Claudio Graziano, the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, Admiral Valter Girardelli. 
 

On 1 February 2018, Naval Group floated the FREMM multi-mission frigate Normandie, just 12 months after the start of hull assembly in the building dock on the Lorient site. The completion of this milestone represents an important step, demonstrating the industrial and technological mastery of Naval Group, ensuring compliance with a very tight schedule to be able to deliver, as foreseen, six of the FREMMs ordered by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) on behalf of the DGA (French Defence Procurement Agency – Direction Générale de l’Armement) to the French Navy before the end of 2019. 
 

ROME --- Italy and France have met today in Rome, at Palazzo Esercito, to discuss their naval sector industrial cooperation project 
 

On 31 January 2018, in presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, and CMD MDL Commodore Rakesh Anand (IN Retd.), Karanj, the third of P75 Scorpene-class submarine was launched at a colorful ceremony by Smt Reena Lanba. 
 

The Royal Navy's flagship HMS Ocean will not get a last-minute reprieve despite the launch of a review into the nation's future defence needs, ministers have confirmed. 
 

WASHINGTON --- The Navy will commission its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Omaha, during a 10 a.m. PST ceremony at the Broadway Pier in San Diego, Feb. 3, according to a Defense Department news release. 
 

Doha, Qatar. As part of the highly anticipated sixth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX 2018), Hamad Port, one of the Middle East’s largest port, is set to welcome for the first time the Visiting Warship Display at its state-of-the-art facilities. The recently opened 28.5 square kilometres Hamad Port, operated by Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar), boasts a 4 km long, 700 meters wide, and 17 meters deep basin, enabling it to harbour some of the world’s largest seafaring ships.  

The third Scorpene-class submarine constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited for the Indian Navy was launched today, 31 January 2018 by Mrs Reena Lanba, President Navy Wives Welfare Association after the recitation of Sanskrit shlokas from the Atharva Veda and traditional ceremonies associated with the launch of naval platforms. She also named this submarine as ‘Karanj’ and wished her good fortune. 
 

The multi-billion dollar Offshore Patrol Vessel project is on track after the signing of a contract with Lürssen. 
 

DARPA has successfully completed its Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program and has officially transferred the technology demonstration vessel, christened Sea Hunter, to the Office of Naval Research (ONR). 
 

NORFOLK, Va. --- Two coalition naval vessels arrived at Naval Station Norfolk here in recent days to conduct training and operations as part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. 
 

SAN DIEGO --- The future USNS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) held a keel laying ceremony Jan. 30, at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard, San Diego. 
 

NORFOLK --- USS Wyoming (SSBN-742) arrived at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Jan. 9 for its 27-month Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO). As a critical piece in the country's nuclear deterrence strategy, the submarine will be refueled and upgraded during this major availability. 
 

The government’s Council of Ministers on January 26 approved the defence ministry’s plans to acquire six new-build mine countermeasures vessels (MCMV). The investment is valued at 1.1 billion euros. 
 

Guto Bebb MP, the recently appointed UK Minister for Defence Procurement, visited BAE Systems’ Clyde shipyards today to announce the formal acceptance of the first River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) by the Ministry of Defence and witness progress on the Type 26 programme as production started on the second hull section of GLASGOW, the first of the City Class frigates. 
 

TAIPEI --- The Taiwanese Navy could use "Stealth Mini-Missile Assault Boats" to counter any future Chinese attempt to invade the island. These warships could help Taiwan defeat a Chinese invasion force at sea. 
 

India's first domestically made aircraft carrier cannot compare in construction technology and weaponry with China's first home-made carrier, Chinese military experts said Monday. 
 

SAN DIEGO --- The future amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) arrived at its new homeport of San Diego, Jan. 22. 
 

SAN DIEGO --- USNS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams (T-ESB 4), successfully completed the first Integrated Trials for an Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship Jan. 19, sailing from and returning to General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego. 
 

The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $46.8 million contract option to deliver four additional Mk 45 Naval Guns. 
 

SEOUL --- South Korea's Navy will receive a new diesel-electric air-independent propulsion submarine Friday capable of staying underwater more than 10 days, the state arms agency said. 
 

JSC Rosoboronexport, part of Rostec State Corporation, and JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation will continue their efforts to promote small and midget submarines in the external market in 2018. 
 

The State of Qatar signed a security agreement with NATO at the Alliance’s Headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday (16 January 2018). 
 

BEIJING --- China's 2nd homegrown barracks ship has arrived in Dalian city of north-eastern China's Liaoning Province to meet with China's 2nd aircraft carrier, according to recent reports. 
 

DALIAN --- The commissioning ceremony of the new corvette Wuhai of the PLA Navy was held at a naval port in Dalian, north China's Liaoning province on Monday. 
 

On January 13 and 14, the Brazilian Navy (MB) and the company Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN) transferred three sections of the S40 "Riachuelo" submarine to the Madeira Island shipyard, in the Itaguaí Naval Complex. 
 

SASEBO, Japan --- Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) arrived to Sasebo, Japan on Jan. 14, completing a 28,400-mile journey from Norfolk, Va. that began in late August. 
 

The most senior civil servant at the MoD has told MPs it would be "perfectly reasonable" to cannibalise parts from Britain's second aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. 
 

BEIJING --- A Chinese PLA Navy fleet led by the aircraft carrier Liaoning set sail for its first training in the year of 2018 without releasing any official information in advance. 
 

CRYSTAL CITY, VIRGINIA --- GE’s Marine Solutions has shipped a LM2500 marine gas turbine propulsion module that will help power the United States Navy’s 75th DDG Arleigh Burke­-class destroyer Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), the company reported today at the Surface Navy Association’s 30th Annual Symposium. 
 

In December 2016, the Navy released a new force structure assessment that called for building a 355-ship fleet. 
 

China's second aircraft carrier might conduct its first sea trials in February, military analysts said after Taiwan media reported that China's first aircraft carrier the Liaoning sailed near the island on Friday. 
 

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson paid a visit to Babcock’s Appledore shipyard this morning, as the company announced further details of its bid to help build a new class of warship. 
 

NEW DELHI -- In yet another major blow to the 'Make in India' plan in the defence sector, the government has cancelled the Rs 32,000 crore project to construct 12 advanced minesweepers in collaboration with South Korea at the Goa Shipyard.
 

PACIFIC OCEAN --- Wasp departed Norfolk Aug. 30 to replace USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in Sasebo, Japan as the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship in region. 
 

BEIJING --- A new type of China-built navy destroyer is being outfitted at Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) in Shanghai. 
 

Patria has signed an agreement with the Finnish Defence Forces on the mid-life upgrade and overhaul of the Finnish Defence Forces’ Hamina Class fast attack craft. 
 

A group of more than 100 US lawmakers are pushing to double the number of aircraft carriers procured for the US Navy for fiscal year 2019. 

On Wednesday, a ceremony took place to raise the flag on the Admiral Makarov frigate, the latest addition to the Russian Navy. Admiral Makarov is the third project 11356 frigate to join the Black Sea Fleet, with Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen already being in service. RIA Novosti observer Andrei Kotz takes a closer look at the new ship. 

LÉVIS, QC. --- Davie Shipbuilding - Canada's leading shipbuilder - today announced that it has completed the construction, commissioning and sea-trials of the first Resolve-Class Naval Support Ship, Asterix. The ship was delivered on time, to budget and most importantly, at an internationally competitive cost. The ship departed Québec City 23 December 2017 en-route to Canadian Forces Base Halifax where she will enter service with the Royal Canadian Navy and be operated by Federal Fleet Services Inc. 
 

MOBILE, Ala.--  Austal USA met with Navy officials here today onboard the ship to finalize the documentation required to make the delivery of USNS City of Bismarck (EPF 9) official. EPF 9 is the second ship in this program that Austal has delivered in 2017, with the Navy taking delivery of USNS Yuma (EPF 8) earlier this year. 
 

HMS Prince of Wales has been floated and moved to her fitting-out berth at Rosyth. In a delicate overnight operation, sluices were opened and water gradually filled the dry dock, specially enlarged for the 65,000-tonne warship and her older sister HMS Queen Elizabeth.

HAIFA, Israel --- Elbit Systems Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), the Seagull participated in a recent joint exercise between the Israeli Navy and the British Royal Navy (RN) in Haifa Bay. 
 

BAE Systems has received a $45.3 million contract from the U.S. Navy to modernize the guided missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68). 
 

The Finnish Defence Forces' Logistics Command received a mandate, on 19.12.2017, from Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö to sign contracts on the upgrade of the Hamina-class fast attack missile crafts (FAC). 
 

BUFFALO, N.Y. --- The Blue crew of Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship, USS Little Rock (LCS 9) proudly delivered their ship to the fleet and brought her to life in front of a welcoming crowd of thousands at Canalside Buffalo, New York. 
 

BUFFALO, N.Y. --- The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Little Rock (LCS 9) –– the nation's fifth Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) –– on the Buffalo River on Dec. 16. This milestone officially places the ship, which was designed and built by Lockheed Martin - and Fincantieri Marinette Marine into active service. 
 

MUMBAI, India & CINCINNATI, USA --– GE and Tata group, India’s leading global enterprise, announced today the signing of an agreement on November 29, 2017, to manufacture CFM International LEAP engine components in India, for the global supply chain. 
 

MUMBAI --- On 14 December 2017, in presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, along with Defence Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Chief Minister of Maharasthra Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Lanba, CMD MDL Commodore Rakesh Anand (IN Retd.) and several other dignitaries, the Indian Navy has just commissioned INS Kalvari. 
 

BAE Systems has been contracted by the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Maritime Combat Systems (MCS) team to ensure the combat management systems, tactical networks and shared infrastructures aboard 38 Royal Navy platforms will remain available, coherent, safe and secure. 
 

BAE Systems today announced that Australian small to medium sized businesses will have the opportunity to work with the global defence company to deliver equipment and services across a global shipbuilding program. 
 

YOKOSUKA / OKINAWA / TOKYO --- In the morning of Nov. 29, 2018, hours after North Korea test-fired the Hwasong-15 ballistic missile toward Japan, the US naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, was calm with a tinge of uneasiness and tension in the air. It is home to the 7th Fleet, the US Navy’s largest forward-deployed armada. 
 

The RCN Strategic Plan 2017-2022 represents a continued focus to evolve as the RCN moves forward in its second century of existence. Change is critical to the future success of any organization – stagnancy or traditionalism has simply never been the bulwark of the RCN. This part of the RCN Strategic Plan 2017-2022 provides an appreciation of where the RCN finds itself today, outlines the changes necessary to remain a combat-ready and effective Navy, and captures how we as a modern enterprise will manage this change. 
 

Brazil's Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it has authorised the potential purchase of HMS Ocean by the country's navy, according to reports. 
 

CAPITOL HILL – Nearly half the Navy’s amphibious ships are currently tied up in maintenance availabilities and the service would be several ships short of need if it had to scramble the fleet for a major contingency, in large part due to continuing resolutions and other budget challenges, top Navy and Marine Corps operations officials said today.

A Royal Navy destroyer has returned to base after being forced to cut a mission to the Gulf short following a mechanical breakdown. 
 

The Government of Canada has declared its intention to acquire an existing and proven NATO warship design that could be readily modified to best meet the Royal Canadian Navy requirements. 
 

OTTAWA --– The Government of Canada and Irving Shipbuilding Inc. today announced the closing of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design of the Canadian Surface Combatant fleet. 
 

“We are pleased to announce that Navantia-led team has submitted its tender response for the Canadian Surface Combatant program, with Saab Australia as the Combat Systems Integrator (CSI) and CEA Technologies providing key elements of the proposed solution. With a strong heritage in designing and building frigates and destroyers and proven technology transfer in global programs, the Navantia team offers a compliant solution with the best capability for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian shipbuilding industry,” said Navantia Chairman Esteban García Vilasánchez. 
 

NORFOLK, Va. --- Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) successfully undocked USS La Jolla (SSN 701) Nov. 8. La Jolla will remain pier-side to finish the final leg of its moored training ship (MTS) conversion that began in February 2015. La Jolla is the first of two next-generation platforms undergoing conversion at the shipyard to train nuclear officers and Sailors at the Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) in Charleston, South Carolina. USS San Francisco (SSN 711) arrived at the shipyard for its conversion in January. 
 

The Navy has been procuring Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyers since FY1985. The two DDG-51s requested for procurement in FY2018 are to be the 78th and 79th ships in the class. 
 

GUANGDONG --- The commissioning, naming and flag-granting ceremony for the Type-056A frigate Suining (Hull 551) was held at a PLA Navy’s pier in southern Guangdong province on Tuesday, marking the frigate officially joined the PLA Navy's battle sequences. 
 

Atlas Elektronik Finland Oy as prime contractor has successfully completed the Mid-Life Upgrade program for three PANSIO class inshore minelayers of the Finnish Defence Forces. Today the third and final upgraded ship, PYHÄRANTA, was delivered to the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command. The first ship, PANSIO, was delivered in October 2016 and the second, PORKKALA, in May 2017. The contract for the mid-life upgrade was signed in May 2015. 
 

OTTAWA, Ontario --- Two days prior to the procurement closure date, Lockheed Martin Canada has confirmed delivery of the proposal for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program signifying that the acquisition has moved to the next critical phase. 
 

Hundreds of skilled jobs at Rosyth Dockyard are to be cut, following the completion of the Royal Navy's new generation of aircraft carriers. 
 

TRIESTE --- Fincantieri delivered Offshore Patrol Vessel P61 to the Armed Forces of Malta, following upgrading activities carried out at the Group’s drydocking facility within the Port of Genoa. 
 

GE announced that its LM500 marine gas turbines now power the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) first PKX-B patrol boat. The ROK Navy took delivery of this new surface combatant on October 30; the 220-ton PKX-B Chamsuri II class ship was built by the Hanjin Heavy Industries Inc. shipyard, and can attain speeds over 40 knots. 
 

Monday 27 November 2017 will mark a significant date in the history of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as RFA Tidespring is welcomed to the operational fleet. A Service of Dedication will be held at HM Naval Base Portsmouth in the presence of guest of honour and Honorary Commodore in Chief of the RFA, HRH Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex KG, GCVO. 
 

PEARL HARBOR, HI. --- The Pearl Harbor submarine community welcomed the crew and families of the newly commissioned Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786) to Hawaii following a homeport change from Groton, Connecticut, Nov. 22. 
 

Changes to the base porting of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates will see some new additions to the flotillas of Portsmouth and Devonport. 
 

ASC Shipbuilding today welcomed the Government’s decision to select German ship designer Lürssen as the prime contractor for the SEA 1180 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program, and ASC Shipbuilding as the shipbuilder for the initial OPVs to be built in Adelaide from next year. 
 

The UK will send a second warship to the Asia Pacific region to strengthen relations with allies in the area. 
 

The Turnbull Government today announces Australia’s 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels will be designed and built under prime contractor Lürssen. 
 

BEIJING --- The British Defense Ministry recently announced that the British Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth will be commissioned on December 7, which will put an end to the 3-year-long absence of aircraft carrier in the British Navy and put the UK back in the "carrier club". 
 

Visiting BAE Systems’ Great Baddow site today, Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin announced a new £18 million contract to support the Royal Navy’s air defence fleet and sustain Chelmsford jobs. 
 

A former defence secretary has warned that spending less on the military does not make the UK more secure. Arguing the need for increased funding, Labour peer Lord Hutton of Furness said a current national security capability review was "about money". 
 

Navantia and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works have signed a teaming agreement to collaborate on the U.S. Navy’s next-generation FFG(X) Guided Missile Frigate. The partnership between Bath Iron Works, the designer and builder of some of the most advanced warships in the world, and Navantia, the world’s premier frigate designer, will provide the most capable and affordable light surface combatant for the US Navy. 
 

BAE Systems and the UK Government have committed to transfer cutting-edge technologies and design innovation that will ensure Australian industry can build one of the world’s most formidable and flexible warships to protect the nation’s borders and strategic assets. 
 

YOKOSUKA, Japan --- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) departed Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka, Nov. 24, to meet heavy lift transport vessel Transshelf and begin her journey to Pascagoula, Mississippi for further repairs. 
 

With Royal Navy warship HMS Montrose officially welcomed back into frontline service on Thursday after receiving the Sea Ceptor missile system, Forces Network takes a look at what it can do. 
 

The Columbia (SSBN-826) class program, previously known as the Ohio replacement program (ORP) or SSBN(X) program, is a program to design and build a new class of 12 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs. The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy’s top priority program. The Navy wants to procure the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021. 
 

The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and the prospective affordability of the Navy’s shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. 
 

Ships, planes and underwater robots have been searching for the lost Argentinian submarine ARA San Juan for over a week. But modern stealth technology may be making the search even more difficult. 
 

The Royal Navy’s biggest ever warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has arrived back home after "successful sea trials". She passed Portsmouth's Round Tower just after 1330. 
 

The last of the series of 06 New 105M Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), “ICGS SUJAY” built on GSL in-house design was delivered to the Indian Coast Guard today, 34 days ahead of the contractual schedule, earning a unique distinction for GSL of delivering all 6 GSL CGOPVs, ahead of contractual schedule in a row. 
 

Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset shadowed a Russian naval destroyer through the Moray Firth this weekend. 
 

The Australian Defence Force’s second Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), NUSHIP Brisbane, has commenced its first phase of sea trials, which will test the ship’s hull, propulsion and navigation systems. 
 

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today announced the names of the Royal Australian Navy’s future support ships. 
 

China has developed its own version of a cutting-edge device previously possessed only by the United States and is poised to use it to boost its aircraft carrier fleet's combat capability. 
 

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s new tanker RFA Tidespring has sailed into Portsmouth ahead of her dedication ceremony on November 27. 
 

Her Majesty the Queen will formally commission her namesake aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, into the Royal Navy fleet in just three weeks’ time. 
 

BAE Systems has received a $139.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy to modernize the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46). 
 

PASCAGOULA, Miss. --- The Navy accepted delivery of future guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Nov. 15. 
 

This unique achievement was the highlight in Formidable Shield 2017, an integrated air and missile defence exercise organized by the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet in the Hebrides test range in the Atlantic Ocean. 
 

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the commissioning ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs) RSS Sovereignty and RSS Unity at RSS Singapura - Changi Naval Base today. 
 

WASHINGTON --- A three-carrier naval force is finishing a multi-day exercise in the Western Pacific, demonstrating the Navy's unique capability to operate multiple carrier strike groups as a coordinated effort, according to Navy officials. 
 

The Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne today welcomed the announcement that the British Government will look at the feasibility of fitting cutting-edge Australian radar on future British warships. 
 

As part of its FY2018 budget submission, the Navy has initiated a new program, called the FFG(X) program, to build a new class of 20 guided -missile frigates (FFGs). The Navy wants to procure the first FFG(X) in FY2020, the second in FY2021, and the remaining 18 at a rate of two per year in FY2022-FY2030. 
 

YOKOSUKA --- The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) strike groups will commence a three-carrier strike force exercise in the Western Pacific, Nov. 11-14. 
 

With the Indian Navy expanding and trying its level best to emerge on the top of the world, it has issued its demand for multiple anti-submarine ships. It had asked for tenders from various investors to propose their deals to the Indian Navy. Amongst the top bidders include, “Larsen and Toubro Ltd, Reliance Naval and Engineering Ltd, Garden Reach Shipbuilder and Engineering Ltd, Goa Shipyard, Hindustan Shipyard and Cochin Shipyard Ltd”. 
 

Rolls-Royce has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) to provide naval shipbuilding, repair and refit activities across the Gulf region. 
 

MOBILE, Ala. --- Austal successfully completed acceptance trials on USNS City of Bismarck, Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF 9), October 20, in the Gulf of Mexico. City of Bismarck is slated for delivery to the U.S. Navy later this year and is the ninth ship in Austal’s 12-ship EPF contract valued at over $1.9 billion. 
 

The company named KTA Naval Systems will develop, produce and maintain combat systems as an exclusive supplier for submarines from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. This was announced during an official founding ceremony in Kongsberg, Norway, in the presence of high-ranking German and Norwegian Government officials as well as company representatives of all three partners. 
 

The readiness of the surge sealift and combat logistics fleets has trended downward since 2012. For example, GAO found that mission-limiting equipment casualties—incidents of degraded or out-of-service equipment—have increased over the past 5 years, and maintenance periods are running longer than planned, indicating declining materiel readiness across both fleets. 
 

The State Acceptance Board has signed an acceptance act for a patrol boat Raptor built for the Baltic Fleet. Currently the boat has entered the service with the Fleet. 
 

As part of his nationwide tour of UK shipyards, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon paid a visit to A&P Tyne near Newcastle today, one of the yards that could be involved in building a new class of ships for the Royal Navy. 
 

MOSCOW --- The first advanced version of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Project 955A Borei-class (North Wind) - the Knyaz Vladimir (Prince Vladimir) - will be floated out this coming November, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolev, said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper. 
 

HMS Queen Elizabeth has sailed from Portsmouth Naval Base for the first time since arriving at her home port in August. 
 

PALM BEACH, Fla.--– Lockheed Martin will support the growth of the U.S. Navy’s family of unmanned undersea systems under a design phase contract valued at $43.2 million for Orca, the U.S. Navy’s Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV). 
 

Namibian President Hage Geingob on Friday commissioned two state-of-the-art Chinese-built naval vessels at the harbor town of Walvis Bay. 
 

The cooperation between Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) Netherlands with PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) embodies the Nation's pride product to defend the nation's sovereignty to its final stage by submitting the second Perusak Kawal Rudal (PKR) guided missile frigate. The ship has been named I Gusti Ngurah Rai. 
 

BEIJING --- China is fully capable of independently designing and developing large-size aircraft carriers and destroyers, according to Wu Xiaoguang, head of the No.701 Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC). 
 

MADRID --- In 2017, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of a successful agreement: the collaboration of Navantia and Lockheed Martin to supply the Spanish Navy with the Aegis Combat System for the F-100 frigates. 
 

BUSAN, South Korea --- American and South Korean maritime forces successfully completed the Multinational Mine Warfare Exercise, or MIWEX, here Oct. 22. 
 

As DCNS continues on its restructuring path, the company took another step in this direction and renamed itself “Naval Group” earlier this year. The renaming is part of an effort aimed at improving the company’s exposure and recognition in international markets. 
 

WASHINGTON --- The United States appears to be flexing its military might in the Pacific, sending three aircraft carriers to the region for potential exercises. 
 

Naval Group has confirmed its commitment to deliver a regionally superior and sovereign Future Submarine capability for Australia that brings together experience and key technologies along with opportunities to maximise Australian industry involvement. 
 

ARABIAN SEA --- The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) has performed a vital role in Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) since July 25, having launched 1,322 sorties and dropping 903 pieces of ordnance in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. 
 

SAN DIEGO --- The Navy’s Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and the Marine Corps’ 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade kicked off the joint amphibious exercise Dawn Blitz here Oct. 20. 
 

SAN DIEGO --- On Oct. 19, Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Pre-Commissioning Unit Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), will be commissioned during a ceremony Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Charleston, South Carolina. 
 

The UK's biggest warship will not sail from her home port today because of poor weather. It was announced HMS Queen Elizabeth was to set sail this week to begin the second phase of sea trials. The aircraft carrier appears on the Queen's Harbour Master's shipping movements for Portsmouth Harbour at 15:00 BST. 

LONDON ---The Philippine Navy Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) was awarded to HHI in October 2016 to build two 2,600 ton frigates for hand over starting in 2020. Kelvin Hughes has announced it is to supply HHI two SharpEye navigation radars along with multifunction bridge radar displays for the Philippine Navy FAP. 
 

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) with embarked staff of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 staff and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and the guided-missile destroyers USS Stethem (DDG 63) and USS Chafee (DDG 90) pulled into Busan after participating in Maritime Counter Special Operations Force Exercise (MCSOFEX) 2017. 
 

David Axe’s recent War is Boring article on China’s new Type 055-class cruiser focused on its bristling load of vertical-launch missile cells. The Type-055 carries 112 cells (not 122, as Axe states), which almost matches the US Navy’s Ticonderoga-class cruisers and exceeds the 96 launchers on Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) and Japan’s equivalents. 

A new Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) has been named in Scotland today. The naming continues an association between the Royal Navy and the River Medway which, as home to the Chatham Historic Dockyard, has existed since Elizabethan times. The second of the Royal Navy’s OPVs, HMS Medway is the tenth vessel to bear the name since the 1690s. 

HMS MEDWAY, the second of five new River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels, was officially named today during a ceremony at BAE Systems’ site at Scotstoun, Glasgow.
 

SAN DIEGO --- Vice Adm. Tom Rowden, commander of Naval Surface Forces has ordered Ready For Sea Assessments (RFSA) for all surface warships. Surface combatants forward deployed to Japan are being assessed first through a review of critical mission areas for each ship. 
 

The U.S. Navy, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) under an Integrated Program Office (IPO), released a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) Oct. 19 for the detail design and construction of a Heavy Polar Icebreaker (HPIB). The draft RFP is for one HPIB, with options for two additional HPIBs. 
 

In response to the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) evolving requirements as outlined in the National Shipbuilding Strategy, BAE Systems will bring together its warship design and engineering capability and combat systems expertise with Cammell Laird, the commercial shipbuilder, in a Teaming Agreement to bid for the manufacture of the Type 31e, an adaptable general purpose frigate. 
 

QUÉBEC CITY, Canada --- Davie Shipbuilding today announced that during the weekend it launched the largest naval vessel ever to be delivered from a Canadian shipyard – on time, to budget and at an internationally competitive cost. 
 

NAPLES, Italy --- Ships from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States participated in a live-fire integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) scenario, defending against a ballistic missile target as well as three anti-ship cruise missiles Oct. 15 as part of exercise Formidable Shield 2017 (FS17). 
 

INS Kiltan (P30), third Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes built under Project 28 (Kamorta Class) was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman at an impressive ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam today, 16 October 2017. 
 

An aircraft carrier will take aircraft to where you need them to operate them – with the added benefit that the ship remains UK sovereign territory and that it can carry everything needed to sustain its aircraft for weeks or months on end. The process of preparing for HMS Queen Elizabeth’s first operational deployment in 2021 is progressing across a broad front. Everything from the base, the equipment and the people. 
 

The Navy will christen its newest attack submarine, the future USS South Dakota (SSN 790), during an 10 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Oct. 14, at General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. 
 

TRIESTE, Italy --- Fincantieri today has delivered at its shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia) the last two units part of the supply contract of four Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), to the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), through the upgrading and conversion of the “Minerva” class corvettes, decommissioned by the Italian Navy. 
 

Media have reported that China's new missile destroyer equips more than 100 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS), which experts said on Thursday could upgrade the rapid-reaction capability of weapons. 
 

The SMART-L MM radar system mounted on the test tower at the Thales premises in Hengelo, detected and tracked a ballistic missile at an average range of more than 1500 km without difficulties. 
 

MOBILE, Ala. --- Austal USA was awarded a construction contract by the U.S. Navy today to build an additional Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, its fifteenth ship in the class. The award of LCS 30 is a clear sign of the Navy’s confidence in Austal’s LCS program. The specific value of the contract is under the congressional cost cap of $584 million per ship. 
 

SAAB Australia has today revealed that this week’s decision to award it with the contract to build the tactical interface for the new future frigates and the combat management system for future non-combat vessels will create approximately 150 new jobs. 
 

Although the integrated carrier air wing is the actual component of sea-based tactical aviation delivering warfighting capability for power projection, the individual air wings require aviation support for launch and recovery at tactical distances, fuel and flight crew replenishment, maintenance, and other sustainment. The aircraft carrier and embarked crew provide this support. 
 

Engineers from the Solent region are now responsible for supporting the Royal Navy’s two huge new aircraft carriers as well as the rest of the Portsmouth-based fleet. 
 

Defence is holding its first force design conference to gather ideas from around Australia and the globe on designing the future force. 
 

Keel of the second Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel of the new 5 CGOPVs Project for the Indian Coast Guard was ceremoniously laid at Goa Shipyard Ltd on 29th September 2017 by IG T P Sadanandan, DDG(M&M) in the presence of RAdm Shekhar Mital, CMD, GSL. DIG M V Baadkar, DIG Atul Parlikar and Senior officials of the Coast Guard and GSL were also present on the occasion. 
 

NEW DELHI --- India's Scorpene-class advanced attack submarine project has faced another setback with the second completed submarine also facing delays in sea trials. 
 

SINGAPORE --- The guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) departed Changi Naval Base Oct. 5, to meet heavy lift transport vessel MV Treasure. 
 

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today congratulated world leading Australian company CEA Technologies for winning a contract to upgrade the capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac class frigates. 
 

Australia’s sovereign submarine company, ASC, today welcomed the Government’s announcement of the removal the Collins Class Submarine program from the Defence Department ‘projects of concern’ list. 
 

The Columbia (SSBN-826) class program, previously known as the Ohio replacement program (ORP) or SSBN(X) program, is a program to design and build a new class of 12 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs. The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy’s top priority program. The Navy wants to procure the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, announced today two projects to sustain the capability superiority of the Collins submarine fleet until its replacement by the future submarine. 
 

TRIESTE --- The steel cutting ceremony of the Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship (PPA) took place today at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Genova), officially marking the beginning of construction works on the second unit. 
 

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon is set to unveil a new model worth around £1 billion to support a growing Royal Navy fleet and sustain over a thousand British jobs. 
 

The Turnbull Government is equipping Australia’s Navy with the world’s best technology as part of a multi-billion dollar investment unveiled today. 
 

SYDNEY --- Leonardo continues to invest in Australia by opening a new site in Western Australia, through its subsidiary Selex ES Australia Pty Ltd. 
 

The Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship(LCS) program is a program to procure a total of about 32 relatively inexpensive surface combatants equipped with modular mission packages. The first LCS was procured in FY2005, and a total of 29 have been procured through FY2017. 
 

Defence and security company Saab has been identified by the Australian government to provide the tactical interface to the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) fleet of nine Future Frigates. The Saab 9LV Combat Management System would form an integral part of the Future Frigate and upgraded Air Warfare Destroyer combat capability as well as being selected for the Offshore Patrol Vessels. 
 

Defense and security company Saab has received an order from the U.S. Navy to provide the Sea Giraffe Agile Multi Beam (AMB), Multi-Mode Radar (MMR). The order value amounts to $16.8M USD (140 MSEK). 
 

Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to sign a Letter of Intent and Pre-design Activities Contract with Patria concerning the Squadron 2000 Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU). 
 

Terma has successfully delivered naval and surveillance systems for various Royal Australian Navy (RAN) programs. 
 

BAAINBw has placed an order with the ARGE K130 consortium to manufacture five more K130 corvettes by 2025. ARGE K130 consists of the companies Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG as the leading firm, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH, and German Naval Yards Kiel GmbH. 
 

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded a fixed-price-incentive-firm target modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-13-C-2305) for incorporation of the Flight III baseline on DDG 126 and award of one fiscal 2016 ship (DDG 127) in the Flight IIA configuration. 
 

As part of its FY2018 budget submission, the Navy has initiated a new program, called the FFG(X) program, to build a new class of guided -missile frigates. The Navy wants to procure the first FFG(X) in FY2020, a second FFG(X) in FY2021, and two FFG(X)s per year starting in FY2022. Given current Navy force-structure goals, the Navy might procure a total of 8 to 20 FFG(X)s. 
 

Vigor Works LLC, Clackamas, Oregon, has been awarded a $979,794,011 firm-fixed-price contract for Maneuver Support Vessel (Light). 
 

GE’s Marine Solutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RJE Global, Morphettville, South Australia, whereby RJE will assemble GE LM2500 gas turbine modules and manufacture a number of components for this engine in support of the Royal Australian Navy’s new SEA 5000 frigate program. The MOU was signed by both companies recently at RJE’s facility in Adelaide. 
 

MOBILE, Ala. --- The U.S. Navy held a keel laying and authentication ceremony for its tenth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, Burlington (EPF 10), Sept. 26. 
 

Naval Group and Fincantieri welcome today’s decision of the French and Italian governments to launch a joint process paving the way for the future creation of a progressive alliance in the naval defence sector. 
 

ARABIAN GULF --- You can feel the excitement on the flight deck. As the jet engines roar an F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, goes soaring into the air. This launch was a bit more special than the other approximately 30 launches performed daily on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during its 2017 deployment. It was historic. 
 

INS Tarasa, a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai today. At an impressive commissioning ceremony, Vice Admiral Luthra expressed confidence that the new INS Tarasa will discharge her duties with élan and resolve, and bring laurels to the Western Naval Command and the Nation. 
 

MARINETTE, Wis. --- Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine delivered the future USS Little Rock (LCS 9) to the U.S. Navy on Sept. 25. 
 

The second of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s new Tide-class support ships, RFA Tiderace, has arrived in Cornwall to begin a programme of customisation that will support 300 UK jobs. 
 

The safety and security of Australia and our interests around the globe has been significantly strengthened with the commissioning of the first Australian-built Air Warfare Destroyer, HMAS Hobart, today. 
 

The commissioning of HMAS Hobart (III) into service by the Royal Australian Navy on Saturday, 23 September 2017 marks the achievement of a major milestone for both Navantia Australia and the Australian shipbuilding industry and workforce. The ship was built under the AWD Alliance. 
 

SINGAPORE --- Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine), the marine arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering), successfully launched the fifth Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV), Indomitable, designed and built for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). 
 

MUMBAI --- Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines, was today handed over to the Indian Navy by shipbuilder Magazon Dock limited, paving way for its commissioning soon. 
 

Open letter from Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB ADC, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, to the Daily Telegraph regarding their recent article entitled 'Weakened Navy' (15th September 2017). 
 

Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) concluded a four day visit to the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEi) in London, held from 12 to 15 September; to actively engage with industry leaders and promote its upcoming 10^th anniversary edition.