May 2020 news

Naval Forces, Defense Industry, Navy Technology, Maritime Security


The sea trials of the Suffren, the first Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine, go on with first helicopter hoist training. They will enable the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) and the French Navy to test the performances of the submarine at sea before her delivery later this year. A total of six Barracuda-class vessels will be added to the French Navy’s fleet by 2030.

British Royal Navy HMS Kent, a Type 23 Duke class frigate has left the Barents Sea on May 8, 2020, after seven days of cold-weather operations in the icy waters of the Arctic Circle. The ship has been working as part of a combined US and UK task group, practising further integration with our allies and proving her ability to operate at sea in sub-zero temperatures hundreds of miles inside the Arctic Circle.

U.S. and UK Royal Navy mine countermeasures and surface assets are conducting Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2020 (MCMEX 20-3) in the Arabian Gulf April-May. The pre-planned exercise was conducted with U.S. MCMs and UK MCMVs, as well as Royal Navy Type-23 frigates with their embarked Wildcat helicopters.

U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers and a British Royal Navy frigate departed the Barents Sea May 8, following seven days of Arctic operations. As the Arctic continues to become more accessible to maritime traffic, naval proficiency in the region is critical to regional security, global commerce, and American national interests. The SAG’s operations provided the opportunity for Sailors to demonstrate their readiness for sustained Arctic operations in the unique and challenging environment.

The Odintsovo Karakurt-class corvette of project 22800 has been armed with Pantsir-M antiaircraft missile gun. In late April, the warship began degaussing by a project 130 vessel, according to a Russian industry source. The corvette will be used to perform anti-surface and anti-air warfare, as well as coastal surveillance missions in littoral zones.

The Russian Navy Khabarovsk nuclear submarine of Project 09851, which is the second carrier of Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), is likely to be floated in late June, according to Russian defense industry source. According to a Russian defense industry source, the Project 09852 submarine will be able to carry up to six Poseidon UUVs

Israeli Company Elbit Systems introduces a unique life saving capability to its Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Integrating detection and identification capabilities, onboard inflated life-rafts, and precision dispatch capability enables the UAS to perform long-range maritime Search and Rescue (SaR) missions. Such a configured Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol UAS was recently delivered to an undisclosed customer in South-East Asia.

On Monday, 27th April, Damen Yichang Shipyard in China hosted a steel cutting ceremony with a difference. As a result of safety measures surrounding the global COVID-19 outbreak, the occasion of first steel cut for a Damen RoPax Ferry 6716 for the Government of Timor-Leste was marked by a digital gathering.

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