The Netherlands and Belgium are embarking on the construction of a new class of frigates primarily intended for anti-submarine warfare and other roles. The Netherlands Ministry of Defence – through the Materiel and IT Command (Commando Materieel en IT – COMMIT) – has awarded the Naval Division of Damen Shipyards Group a contract for the […]
In August 2023, PT PAL Indonesia held a keel-laying ceremony for the first ‘Red and White Frigate’ for the Indonesian Navy. The frigates are based on Babcock’s ‘Arrowhead 140’ design which itself is based on the Royal Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt class. The frigates are 140m in length with a displacement of 5,996tonnes. The vessels […]
The French and Italian navies are to upgrade their Horizon-class frigates to counter the threat posed by new-generation missiles and drones. In late July 2023, the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) signed a contract with Naviris and Eurosam for the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the Horizon-class frigates operated by the French and Italian navies. […]
The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Surface Warfare Division (N96) has approved a service-life extension for four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers as the first of a newly upgraded version of the surface combatant enters service. USS Ramage (DDG 61), homeported in Norfolk, Virginia in the US, and USS Benfold (DDG 65), based in […]
The company says the unmanned vessel ‘demonstrates compelling technical feasibility’ but also needs to be economically viable and be sustainable. UK-based engineering and ship design consultancy BMT has unveiled the design of a Large Uncrewed Surface Vessel (LUSV). The LUSV concept, was unveiled at the Defence and Security Equipment International 2023 (DSEI) exhibition and conference […]
Delivery revives a capability the IDF has not been able to draw on since the early 1990s. In August 2023, the Israeli Navy took delivery of the first of what is expected to be a new class of two landing craft. Delivery of INS Nahshon took place at what the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) described […]
By David Foxwell Publication by the International Institute for International Affairs (IISS) of the Military Balance every year has always been an eagerly awaited moment in defence circles, particularly as now in times of conflict and military confrontation. The annual assessment of military capabilities and defence economics of 173 countries has become an essential resource […]
Newbuilds are the latest in a long line of mine warfare vessels the German yard has built. Abeking & Rasmussen, a German shipyard that has a long history of building mine countermeasures vessels, has delivered the latest in a series of newbuilds of this type of vessel to the Indonesian Navy. The shipyard’s first mine […]
By Dr MJ Cianni, CEng., FRINA, FIEAust In order for the AUKUS submarines to operate for 33 years without refuelling they will need to use highly enriched uranium (HEU) at 93% to 97%, with a mass in excess of 200Kg. Since HEU is highly efficient, enabling a 200Kg HEU mass over 33 years would give […]
The digital era is ushering in a new phase of technological advancements that will revolutionize maritime defence. Extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence (AI), secure connectivity, and data collection are just a few of the solutions that the Royal Navy can leverage to enhance operations, maintenance, navigation, and mission management. As Fairbanks Morse Defense explains, immersive […]
The Royal Navy has teamed up with Imperial College London to test a cutting-edge navigation system that could revolutionise warship navigation and is using the prototype of a ‘quantum sensor’ developed by academics at Imperial College London on its experimentation and trials ship Patrick Blackett. According to the Royal Navy, the technology has the potential […]
In June 2023, the Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) signed an agreement with Danske Patruljeskibe – a consortium comprising Terma, Odense Maritime Technology and PensionDanmark – for the design for a new generation of patrol vessels for the Danish Armed Forces. In so doing, DALO has selected Danske Patruljeskibe as the party responsible […]