
Japan Coast Guard and JMSDF Planning to Use UAVs for Ocean Surveillance
On October 29, 2020, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) demonstrated the General Atomics’ MQ-9B SeaGuardian capabilities to local media…

On October 29, 2020, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) demonstrated the General Atomics’ MQ-9B SeaGuardian capabilities to local media…

A small audience of dignitaries celebrated the christening of the future USS Savannah (LCS 28) on 29 August at Austal’s advanced ship manufacturing facility. Savannah is the 14th of 19 small surface combatants Austal USA has under contract with the U.S. Navy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the keel laying ceremony of several vessels for the Russian Navy, including the next generation Project 23900 amphibious assault ships. The ceremony took place on 20 July at Zaliv Shipyard in Kerch for the LHD (and remotely for the other vessels).

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) FREMM Frigates FS Auvergne and FS Bretagne won the US Navy’s “Hook’em” award. This is the second time U.S. 6th Fleet has provided the award to French ships for their ability to find and track submarines.

The French Ministry of Armed Forces announced that the French Navy (Marine Nationale) Le Triomphant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) “Le Téméraire” successfully test launched an M51 submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in operational conditions on June 12.

During a Greek parliamentary session on May 2, 2020, the special standing committee on armament programs and contracts validated several programs for the Hellenic Navy.
The French Navy (Marine Nationale) multi-mission frigate (FREMM) “Normandie” entered “active duty” (admission au service actif in French) on June 3, 2020. It is the sixth and final Aquitaine-class frigate in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant.

The “Luxor”, the fourth and final corvette of the El Fateh-class, Gowind 2500 type corvette, was launched at the Alexandria Shipyard on Thursday, May 14, 2020. It is the third corvette of this class built in Egypt.
Four minehunters from the two allies’ navies pooled their collective resources to work with two of the Royal Navy’s frigates operating in the Gulf for two action-packed days which extended far beyond the art of hunting mines.

The project to build a series of eight SSBN was reported in May 2018 when a defense industry source disclosed a decision to build another six submarines of project 955A at Sevmash Shipyard.