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NAVAL NEWS MARCH 2024
Navy Forces Naval Maritime Defense Security Industry |
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According to information published by the UK government on March 24, 2024, the Prime Minister announced a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent and supporting the sustainability of its nuclear energy sector.
According to information published by Zvezda on March 22, 2024, the Russian Federation officially announced the reformation of the Dnieper Flotilla. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu revealed this during a session of the Defense Ministry.
According to a picture published on Twitter on March 20, 2024, the Russian Navy has started to employ "cope cages," also known as slat armor, bar armor, cage armor, or standoff armor, on its submarines as a defensive measure against drone attacks.
According to information published by the EU on March 21, 2024, during its mission to safeguard merchant vessels in the South Red Sea, a French FREMM frigate from EUNAVFOR Aspides successfully intercepted and neutralized three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis.
According to information published by Capt(N) on March 23, 2024, the submarine Volkhov, part of the Russian Pacific Fleet, conducted a test by firing a Kalibr cruise missile at a target located on the Syurkum firing range in the Khabarovsk region.
In a bold military operation carried out during the night between March 23 and 24, 2024, Ukrainian forces launched a devastating attack on key Russian naval assets in Crimea. Utilizing Storm Shadow cruise missiles, a sophisticated weapon in Kyiv's arsenal, the Ukrainian military successfully targeted and destroyed two Russian Navy Ropucha-class landing ships, the “Azov” and the “Yamal,” at their berths in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.
On March 31, 2024, Russia initiated the development of a fifth-generation, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, according to a statement by Igor Vilnit, the General Director of the Rubin Design Bureau. This information was disclosed during an extended session of the Scientific Council of the Krylov State Research Center, an event that marked the 130th anniversary of the institution.
This significant development in the AUKUS trilateral security pact, involving the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, showcases the evolving landscape of international defense collaborations aimed at enhancing military capabilities and ensuring national security. The Australian Government's selection of BAE Systems and ASC Pty Ltd to build Australia's new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines underlines the strategic importance of fostering partnerships that leverage technological advancements and shared expertise.
According to information published by the Swedish government on March 19, 2024, the Swedish Finance Committee has endorsed the government's proposal to donate defense materials and provide financial support to Ukraine.
According to information published by EUNAVFOR on March 20, 2024, a AS565 Panther helicopter embarked on a French FREMM frigate, operating as part of the European Union Naval Force Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea, engaged and destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) identified as originating from the Houthi forces.
According to information published by Bloomberg on March 21, 2024, the Houthi group has assured China and Russia that their naval vessels will be granted safe passage through the strategically critical maritime zones of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
According to information published by BAE Systems on March 21, 2024, the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has reached an important milestone in its refitting process at Portsmouth Naval Base.
According to information published by the US DoD on March 20, 2024, the US Navy engaged and destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle and an unmanned surface vessel off the coast of Yemen. These threats, launched from areas controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi militants, were identified as posing an imminent risk to both merchant and U.S. Navy ships in the region.
According to a PR published by Naval Group on March 20, 2024, France has initiated the construction of its first third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN 3G).
According to information published by the European Defence Agency on March 15, 2024, the EDA has partnered with the Portuguese Navy to co-organize the 14th Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS) Exercise.
According to information published by the US DoD on March 16, 2024, the Navy recently completed the christening ceremony for its newest Virginia-class attack submarine, the future USS Idaho (SSN 799), at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. In a variation of the traditional ceremony, the submarine's sponsor, Ms. Teresa Stackley, used water collected from several Idaho lakes to christen the vessel.
According to a PR published by Bollinger Shipyards on March 19; 2024, the company recently completed the construction and delivery of the USCGC David Duren (FRC 1156) to the United States Coast Guard in Key West, Florida.
As reported by Nikkei Asia on March 17, 2024, the US Navy announced its intention to build an underwater testing facility dedicated to hypersonic missiles. This plan aims to facilitate the integration of hypersonic missile systems into the forthcoming Block V variant of the Virginia-class fast-attack submarines, with expectations for these submarines to be operational in the early 2030s. The information was provided by Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe, who serves as the director of the Navy's strategic systems programs, during his testimony before Congress.
According to information published by Israel Shipyards on March 17, 2024, the Israeli firm has announced the commencement of sea trials for its newly unveiled 24m Landing Craft.
According to information published by the UK MoD on March 20, 2024, the Russian military has been found to employ sophisticated camouflage and deception strategies, known as maskirovka, in an effort to protect its naval assets and obscure its strategic objectives.
