A new lightweight version of the Bal-E coastal defense system was unveiled at IMDS 2019. The Rubezh-ME is based on a more compact Kamaz 8×8 chassis and deploys the same KH-35 family of anti-ship missiles. IMDS is the naval defense exhibition which opened its doors today in St Pertersburg, Russia.
Dutch State Secretary Barbara Visser, Belgian defense minister Didier Reynders and French companies Naval Group and ECA Robotics signed the contract for 12 next generation MCM vessels and their equipment in Brussels, on July 5, 2019.
The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability (IOC) of the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter June 28 clearing the way for fleet operations and training.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) on June 25 accepted its 10th HC-130J Super Hercules long range surveillance aircraft outfitted with the Minotaur Mission System Suite. Integration was completed at L3 Technologies Inc. Integrated Systems Platform Integration Division in Waco, Texas.
The Type 053H2G-class frigate taken over from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to increase the operational capabilities of the Sri Lanka Navy arrived at the port of Colombo on July 8th 2019.
The French Navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort are back in Toulon naval base, following a four month-long mission to the Indo-Pacific region.
On July 3, 2019, the French Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) ‘Saphir’ reached the port of Cherbourg in Normandie for decommissioning. After 35 years of service, ‘Saphir’ will be the first of six Rubis-class SSNs to be retired from active duty at the end of July 2019. The Rubis-class will be replaced by the new Suffren-class / Barracuda type SSN with the first submarine set for launch on July 12th at Naval Group’ shipyard in Cherbourg.
The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) took delivery of the fourth Metropolitan Offshore Support & Assistance Vessel (BSAM) on July 4th. Ordered in 2016 for the French Navy, the BSAM Garonne is the final ship of a class designed and built by the Kership shipyard.
The Italian Navy (Marina Militare) published an updated version of its 2019-2034 Strategic Planning (Linee Di Indirizzo Strategico 2019-2034) which outlines the future composition of its fleet and assets.
According to local media, the Russian Navy started to experiment the use of UUVs and USVs from its Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate. UAVs are set to be tested from Russia’s latest generation of frigates as well.
