July 2018 news

Naval Forces, Defense Industry, Navy Technology, Maritime Security


The U.S. Navy with the Egyptian Naval Forces commenced exercise Eagle Response 18 at the Red Sea Naval Base, Egypt, July 24. Eagle Response 18 is an explosive ordnance disposal and diving exercise conducted with the Egyptian Naval Force and other participating nations to enhance interoperability and warfighting readiness, fortify military-to-military relationships and advance operational capabilities of all participating units.

In a major program milestone, BAE Systems has delivered its 150th OE-120 Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) antenna to the U.S. Navy. The antenna is used by sailors to identify friendly aircraft and vessels, and supports shipboard air traffic management systems for both IFF and secondary surveillance radars. It is currently on about 150 U.S. and allied ships worldwide, from frigates to aircraft carriers.

The Russian Defense Ministry plans to procure 45 unmanned underwater craft Marlin-350 by the end of the year worth 604 million rubles. A corresponding document is posted on state procurement website. "The Russian Defense Ministry announces a closed auction to procure remotely-operated Marlin-350 unmanned underwater craft," it said.

Russia's only aircraft carrier will enter trials for over half a year following its overhaul. Speaking to TASS Russian news agency on July 25, 2018, Zvyozdochka Shipyard CEO Sergei Marichev discussed the overhaul of the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia's sole aircraft carrier. He noted that, following its overhaul, the aircraft carrier will embark on a seven-month period of trials. "In mid-April this year, he said, a contract was signed for the repairs and some modernization works that will last two years and a half, after which seven-month trials are scheduled."

DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $19.1 million firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-5395 to exercise options for AN/SPQ-9B radar system production. This modification will provide for five AN/SPQ-9B radar systems; four Combat Interface Kits; First Article Testing; and physical configuration audit.

Our colleagues from East Pendulum are reporting that the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) fourteenth Type 052D Destroyer (NATO reporting name Luyang III class) was launched in early July at the Jiangnan-Changxing naval shipyard near Shanghai. Satellite images have shown that this vessel has been modified: Its helicopter deck is slightly longer.

The Russian Defense Ministry began to upgrade the first series of seaborne cruise missiles 3M-14 of Kalibr complex. They became operational in 2013. The Syrian experience prompted to upgrade their first modifications. Experts believe it will increase combat capabilities of the missiles, the Izvestia daily writes.

The U.S. government awarded Lockheed Martin an Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA) award for the production of the Multi-Mission Surface Combatant for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Lockheed Martin is being awarded a contract totaling $450 million to begin the detailed design and planning for construction of four Multi-Mission Surface Combatants (MMSC) that will be built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin.

India's Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) Project was reviewed by Shri Sanjay Mitra, IAS, the Defence Secretary at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on 19 July 2018. He was accompanied by Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar, AVSM, VSM, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral D M Deshpande, AVSM, VSM, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition, ShriSatinder Pal Singh, IPS, Joint Secretary (Shipping) and other senior officers from the Indian Navy.

The Russian Navy confirmed plans to build a key warship for the future of its fleet - a guided missile destroyer. The creation of the green-water warship has been discussed for long, but the project was permanently postponed. Expert Alexander Shishkin explains in the Vzglyad newspaper the problems with destroyer construction, which shipyards can build them and which weapons they would carry.

The Sankei Shimbun reports that Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) are currently examining a plan that would see the service purchase transport ships independent of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) for the purpose of transporting men and materiel to the nation’s southwestern islands in an emergency.

The Russian Navy confirmed plans to build a key warship for the future of its fleet - a guided missile destroyer. The creation of the green-water warship has been discussed for long, but the project was permanently postponed. Expert Alexander Shishkin explains in the Vzglyad newspaper the problems with destroyer construction, which shipyards can build them and which weapons they would carry.

Louisiana, USA-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has joined forces with autonomous vessel technology developer ASV Global to introduce “Sharktech” Autonomous Vessels. Metal Shark is now offering Sharktech autonomous technology on its entire portfolio of vessels, which range from 16’ to over 300’ in aluminum, steel, and composite. Sharktech autonomous vessels may be custom configured for military, law enforcement, fire rescue, and the full spectrum of applicable commercial markets.

A keel laying ceremony was held at the Gorky shipyard in Zelenodolsk for the Russian Navy twelfth (and, apparently, final) Project 21631 corvette (Russian designation: small missile ship) with the hull number 642. The corvette will be named "Stavropol". It was reported during the ceremony that the transfer of the ship to the Navy is scheduled for 2023.

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