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NAVAL NEWS December 2023
Navy Forces Naval Maritime Defense Security Industry |
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The U.S. Navy USS Mason (DDG 87) Guided Missile Destroyer successfully intercepted and destroyed a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels in the Southern Red Sea. This significant military engagement occurred on December 28, 2023, between 5:45 and 6:10 p.m. Sanaa time, according to the U.S. Central Command.
According to a tweet published by 无条件爱国 on December 20, 2023, a video has emerged showing a Chinese PLA Navy Type 039C submarine undergoeing sea trials.
According to information published by the Indian government on December 25, 2023, Indian Navy has taken action following a suspected drone attack on the Liberian-flagged chemical/oil tanker MV Chem Pluto. The vessel, carrying 21 Indian and one Vietnamese crew member, was reported attacked on December 23 and safely reached Mumbai's outer anchorage on December 25.
According to information published by the South Korean MoD on December 22, 2023, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of South Korea announced a significant step in its naval defense capabilities by signing a contract with Hanwha Ocean. Valued at 1.1 trillion won, the contract is for the construction of the third vessel in the Jang Bogo-III Batch-II submarine series.
According to information published by Суспільне on December 28, 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has incorporated two unmanned surface vessels (USV), Sea Baby and Mamai, into its Black Sea operations. The drone, known for its high speed of up to 110 km/h, has been involved in attacks on Russian naval vessels, including a landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak and the tanker Sig.
On December 26, 2023, the Indian Navy commissioned the Visakhapatnam-class stealth-guided missile destroyer INS Imphal in Mumbai. This event was presided over by India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
According to information published by the Indian MoD on December 20, 2023, the Ministry of Defence of India finalized a contract, with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), for the procurement of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The agreement is valued at ₹1614.89 crore (US$200 Million).
On December 26, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed an incident in the Crimean port of Feodosia, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces targeted the Novocherkassk (BDK-46), a Ropucha-class landing ship of the Russian Navy's Black Sea fleet. This event, confirmed by both Russian and Ukrainian sources, has generated various interpretations, some of which suggest that the ship may have been irreparably damaged.
On December 22, 2023, the commander of the IRGC Navy, Alireza Tangsiri, stated according to Iranian media that the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) now possess Abu Mahdi cruise missiles equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, significantly enhancing their maritime offensive capabilities and allowing them to be remotely guided after launch.
On December 22, 2023, Austal Limited announced that its American subsidiary, Austal USA, has been awarded a substantial contract by the United States Navy. Valued at US$867.6 million (approximately A$1.28 billion), this contract is for the final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS).
The British Ministry of Defence has confirmed the deployment of HMS Trent, an offshore patrol vessel, for joint exercises scheduled after Christmas. Guyana, a member of the Commonwealth and the only English-speaking country in South America is facing renewed territorial claims by Venezuela over a part of Guyanese territory rich in natural resources.
On December 20, 2023, Boeing officially handed over the first Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) to the U.S. Navy. This significant milestone follows the successful completion of the vehicle's acceptance tests earlier in the month. The Orca represents a new breed of the autonomous submarine, designed to carry out extended missions independently.
On December 15, 2023, Babcock International, a defense sector leader, announced securing a three-year contract to support and maintain two mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs), the Cherkasy and Chernihiv, for the Ukrainian Navy. Previously known as HMS Grimsby and HMS Shoreham of the British Royal Navy, these ships were officially transferred and renamed during a ceremony in Glasgow in July 2023.
According to information published by the Turkish Ministry of Defense on December 21, 2023, the Navy's Preveze class submarine TCG Preveze to launch an Akya hevyweight torpedo.
According to information published by Pontos News on December 19, 2023, the Greek Ministry of National Defense, led by Minister Nikos Dendias, has announced the deployment of a Greek frigate to the Red Sea.
According to a PR published by Boeing on December 20, 2023, the company has recently handed over the first of its Orca Extra Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicles (XLUUV) to the U.S. Navy.
According to a PR published by Navantia on December 19, 2023, the firm has commenced the construction of the second F-110 class frigate for the Spanish Navy, marking a significant acceleration of the 4.325 billion euro program.
According to information published by Yonhap News Agency on December 17, 2023, the US nuclear-powered submarine USS Missouri (SSN-780) arrived at Busan Naval Base in South Korea a day before North Korea's latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch.
According to information published by ANSA on December 19, 2023, the Italian Defence Ministry announced the early deployment of the FREMM frigate Virginio Fasan to the region.
On December 13, 2023, the U.S. Senate took a significant step by adopting the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2024. This act, with a budget of $874.2 billion, marks a key milestone in the implementation of the AUKUS agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The centerpiece of this legislation is the authorization of the transfer of three Virginia-class attack submarines to Australia, planned for the 2030s.
