March 2015 News - Naval Forces, Defense Industry, Navy Technology, Maritime Security
 
 

French Shipyard CMN Launched the First HSI32 Interceptor for the Navy of Mozambique
 
Following the launch of the first Ocean Eagle 43 Trimaran for Mozambique in January, French shipyard CMN launched the first HSI32 Interceptor for the same customer. Three OCEAN EAGLE 43 trimaran patrol vessels and three HSI32 interceptors (and several fishing vessels) that were ordered by the African nation back in September 2013. Three more HSI32 Interceptors were subsequently ordered in January.
Following the launch of the first Ocean Eagle 43 Trimaran for Mozambique in January, French shipyard CMN launched the first HSI32 Interceptor for the same customer. Three OCEAN EAGLE 43 trimaran patrol vessels and three HSI32 interceptors (and several fishing vessels) that were ordered by the African nation back in September 2013. Three more HSI32 Interceptors were subsequently ordered in January.
 

Metal Shark Awarded US Navy Contract Worth Up to $47 Million for FMS of RHIBs
 
Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has been awarded a $15,309,410 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the construction of 7-meter rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) in support of future Foreign Military Sales (FMS) requirements. The award includes options that, if exercised, will bring the total contract value to $47,408,209.
Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has been awarded a $15,309,410 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the construction of 7-meter rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) in support of future Foreign Military Sales (FMS) requirements. The award includes options that, if exercised, will bring the total contract value to $47,408,209.
 

Sweden to Order Two A26 New Generation Submarines to Boost Swedish Navy in ASW Field
 
According to news agency AFP (citing Swedish government representatives) Sweden will order two diesel-electric submarines totaling 886 million euros to boost the Swedish Navy anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The decision follows the failed attempts to track and locate an unknown submarine in Swedish waters a few months ago.
According to news agency AFP (citing Swedish government representatives) Sweden will order two diesel-electric submarines totaling 886 million euros to boost the Swedish Navy anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The decision follows the failed attempts to track and locate an unknown submarine in Swedish waters a few months ago.
 

Russia to begin construction of fifth Yasen-class nuclear sub SSN
 
The fifth nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine of the Yasen-class will be laid down today at the Sevmash shipbuilding company based in Severodvinsk, the company’s press service told TASS on Thursday, March 18.
 

Possible Foreign Military Sale of two 35 Meter Coastal Patrol Boats to Jordan
 
Possible Foreign Military Sale of two 35 Meter Coastal Patrol Boats to Jordan
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Jordan for 35 Meter Coastal Patrol Boats and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $80 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on March 16, 2015. Those ships could be the same the U.S. delivered to Iraqi Navy.
 

Philippine Navy to receive two decommissioned LCH Landing Craft vessels from Australia
 
Philippine Navy to receive two decommissioned LCH Landing Craft vessels from Australia
The Philippine Navy is to receive two decommissioned Balikpapan-class heavy landing craft (LCH) vessels from Australia, strengthening its capacity to combat natural disasters. The Royal Australian Navy will provide its former HMA Ships Brunei and Tarakan to the Philippines in order to deliver additional intra-theatre sealift capability.
 

Russian Northern Fleet on Full Alert for Combat Readiness Drills
 
Russian Northern Fleet on Full Alert for Combat Readiness Drills
President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet and paratrooper units to go on full alert as part of snap military exercises in the Arctic, RIA news agency quoted the defence minister as saying on Monday. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is overseeing an expensive modernisation of the armed forces, said Russia faced new threats to its security which obliged it to boost its military strength and capabilities.
 

Royal Australian Navy 'Battle Tanker' HMAS Success Joined the French Carrier Battle Group
 
Australian supply ship, HMAS Success, has supported a French Carrier Battle Group during a recent transit through the Gulf of Aden, providing logistic support. Success, known affectionately as the Battle Tanker, was tasked to accompany the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its Task Force in February.
Australian supply ship, HMAS Success, has supported a French Carrier Battle Group during a recent transit through the Gulf of Aden, providing logistic support. Success, known affectionately as the Battle Tanker, was tasked to accompany the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its Task Force in February.
 

French Navy NH90 NFH Caïman Achieves IOC for ASW with MU90 Torpedo
 
The French Navy (Marine Nationale) announced today, March 13, that its NH90 Nato Frigate Helicopter (NFH) "Caïman" achieved its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions with MU90 Torpedo. This is a major capability step for the FREMM / NH90 combo that can now deal with the submarine threat from a safer distance.
 

Polish MoD Announces Orka Submarine Programme Funding this Year, Seeking Cruise Missiles
 
Our colleagues from polish website Defence 24 are reporting that Polish Ministry of Defence confirmed the fact that funds allocated to the purchase of a bew type of submarines, are already reserved. However, it is during the 4th quarter of this year, when the Polish Ministry is going to start the analyses regarding review of documentation, which in turn will become a basis for initiation of the proceedings.
Our colleagues from polish website Defence 24 are reporting that Polish Ministry of Defence confirmed the fact that funds allocated to the purchase of a bew type of submarines, are already reserved. However, it is during the 4th quarter of this year, when the Polish Ministry is going to start the analyses regarding review of documentation, which in turn will become a basis for initiation of the proceedings.
 

BAE Systems awarded £257M for final phase of 'Successor' SSBN submarine design
 
BAE Systems has been awarded additional funding of £257M to cover the final phase of work to design a successor to the Royal Navy's Vanguard class submarines. The contract will sustain the jobs of more than 1,400 employees working at BAE Systems on a programme that has already engaged with more than 240 suppliers.
BAE Systems has been awarded additional funding of £257M to cover the final phase of work to design a successor to the Royal Navy's Vanguard class submarines. The contract will sustain the jobs of more than 1,400 employees working at BAE Systems on a programme that has already engaged with more than 240 suppliers.
 

Raytheon Awarded $122 Million US Navy Contract For Tomahawk Block IV Missiles
 
Raytheon received a contract modification for $122,443,911 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-14-C-0075) for the procurement of 114 Tomahawk Block IV All Up Round missiles for the U.S. Navy. This completes the Navy's planned purchase of 214 Tomahawk Block IV missiles for fiscal year 2015 and continues to build the inventory to support warfighting requirements.
Raytheon received a contract modification for $122,443,911 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-14-C-0075) for the procurement of 114 Tomahawk Block IV All Up Round missiles for the U.S. Navy. This completes the Navy's planned purchase of 214 Tomahawk Block IV missiles for fiscal year 2015 and continues to build the inventory to support warfighting requirements.
 

Threat Upgrade to Raytheon SM-3 Missile Software Brings New Ballistic Missile Defense Capability
 
For the first time ever, Raytheon has begun enhancing Standard Missile-3 Block IBs with 'threat upgrade' software, giving the weapon's kill vehicle the ability to hunt down more complicated, more lethal targets. Though exact details are classified, the ability to make improvements through software upgrades means combatant commanders can get increased ballistic missile defense capabilities without the time and expense associated with traditional disassembly or hardware replacement.
For the first time ever, Raytheon has begun enhancing Standard Missile-3 Block IBs with 'threat upgrade' software, giving the weapon's kill vehicle the ability to hunt down more complicated, more lethal targets. Though exact details are classified, the ability to make improvements through software upgrades means combatant commanders can get increased ballistic missile defense capabilities without the time and expense associated with traditional disassembly or hardware replacement.
 

First Airborne Mine Counter Measures MCH-101 Delivered to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force
 
Finmeccanica – AgustaWestland and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) are pleased to announce the delivery of the first Airborne Mine Counter Measures (AMCM) equipped MCH-101 helicopter to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. The KHI MCH-101, a licence built version of the AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter, is equipped with the Northrop Grumman AN/AQS-24A airborne mine hunting system and the Northrop Grumman AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS). Together these systems provide a complete surface-to-bottom mine detection capability. The AW101/MCH-101 is one of only two helicopter types capable of towing the AN/AQS-24A and the only modern helicopter type.
Finmeccanica – AgustaWestland and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) are pleased to announce the delivery of the first Airborne Mine Counter Measures (AMCM) equipped MCH-101 helicopter to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. The KHI MCH-101, a licence built version of the AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter, is equipped with the Northrop Grumman AN/AQS-24A airborne mine hunting system and the Northrop Grumman AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS).
 

Confirmation of a second Aircraft Carrier for China
 
Confirmation of a second Aircraft Carrier for China
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is building its second aircraft carrier, several senior Chinese military officials have confirmed, a Hong Kong daily is reporting. On Monday, Taiwan Focus News Channel cited the Chinese-language The Hong Kong Commercial Daily in reporting that China has begun work on its second aircraft carrier, which will have a more advanced launch system the one currently used on China’s only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.
 

Russian Navy new Ka-52K Hokum B Naval Attack Helicopter Conducted its First Test Flight
 
Pictures have emerged on Russian social networks showing the first test flight of the new Ka-52K Naval Attack helicopter. Based on the Ka-52 "Alligator" the K version has been specifically modified for the Russian Navy to operate the helicopters from the Mistral class LHDs.
Pictures have emerged on Russian social networks showing the first test flight of the new Ka-52K Naval Attack helicopter. Based on the Ka-52 "Alligator" the K version has been specifically modified for the Russian Navy to operate the helicopters from the Mistral class LHDs.
 

Thales awarded contract to secure one of the world’s largest “greenfield” ports in Qatar
 
Thales has been awarded a contract by the State of Qatar to secure its new commercial port, one of the largest and most technologically advanced ports in the world. Thales will deliver and install an integrated solution for the protection of the infrastructure and its environment, in addition to ensuring the operations of the New Port run safely.
Thales has been awarded a contract by the State of Qatar to secure its new commercial port, one of the largest and most technologically advanced ports in the world. Thales will deliver and install an integrated solution for the protection of the infrastructure and its environment, in addition to ensuring the operations of the New Port run safely.
 

SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite Helicopter Formally Handed over to Royal New Zealand Navy
 
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) officially accepted ownership of the new Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopters from Kaman Aerospace in a ceremony at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Auckland on March 6 2015. There are three new Seasprites at Base Auckland and the remaining five will be delivered by September. The new SH-2G(I) replaces the SH-2G model that is presently being used.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) officially accepted ownership of the new Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopters from Kaman Aerospace in a ceremony at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Auckland on March 6 2015. There are three new Seasprites at Base Auckland and the remaining five will be delivered by September. The new SH-2G(I) replaces the SH-2G model that is presently being used.
 

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