The keel laying ceremony for Finnish Navy’s first Squadron 2020 multi-role corvette was held at Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) shipyard on April 11, 2024. Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) The keel of the ship and its cradle were lowered on a building trestle inside a construction hall where the ship is being built. As is the tradition, two lucky coins were placed under the ship that will remain there once the ship is completed.  The traditional keel laying ceremony celebrates in effect the birth of the ship and marks the actual start of construction of the ship’s hull. Due to national s ..read more

Dutch shipbuilder Damen Naval has partnered up with compatriot water treatment supplier Hatenboer-Water on all freshwater systems on board the four anti-submarine warfare frigates (ASWF) that Damen Naval is building for the Netherlands and Belgium. Courtesy of Damen Naval With this contract, Damen Naval has once again found a Dutch supplier for the ASWF project. “From the very beginning, we have said that we want to involve as many companies from the Dutch maritime manufacturing industry as possible in our projects,” explained Damen Naval Project Director Joop Noordijk. “Safe and clean water o ..read more

The Brazilian Navy and Embraer have signed a partnership agreement to develop on-board surface search and coastal surveillance radars. The agreement, signed on April 2, 2024, will focus on mutual support in research, development and innovation.  Studies by the Brazilian Navy and Embraer cover the integration of the Gaivota X Radar with the Georeferenced Command and Control System (SisC2Geo) and with the Unified Situational Awareness System for Maritime Information Acquisition (SCUA). The cooperation represents an important contribution to increasing both the high technological conten ..read more

Belgian Defense has ordered six R7 remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) from Exail, a UK-based high-tech company specializing in robotics, maritime, navigation, aerospace and photonics technologies. Exail According to Exail, the R7 ROV is easy to deploy and operate from small boats such as RHIBs or from the shore. The ROV can accommodate a robotic arm and several payloads, making it a versatile robot capable of carrying out a wide range of missions. For explosive ordnance (EOD) neutralization missions, the R7 carries a special payload equipped with a neutralization charge. Highly accurate positio ..read more

Royal Navy Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessel HMS Trent has seized drugs with a street value of £16.7 million (about $21.2 million) in two separate blows to drug runners in the Caribbean. British sailors, Royal Marines and a US Coast Guard team on HMS Trent intercepted a smuggling speedboat immediately following a port visit to the island of Martinique. The warship, which was commissioned in 2020, launched her fast sea boats, piloted by Royal Marines of 47 Commando, to intercept the speedboat, seize the drugs and detain the crew before darkness fell. Related Article Posted: over 3 ..read more

The U.S. Navy turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 to the Italian Navy during a change of command ceremony at the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) headquarters on April 3. Courtesy of CMF Italian Navy Capt. Roberto Messina assumed command from U.S. Navy Capt. David Coles, who has commanded CTF 153 since November. This is the third time Italy has assumed command of CMF task force since the 42-nation maritime partnership was established in 2002. Established on April 17, 2022, CTF 153 is one of five task forces under CMF. It is responsible for maritime security operations in the Red ..read more

UK-based surveillance and fire control provider Chess Dynamics has been awarded a contract by BAE Systems Maritime Australia to supply its SeaEagle FCEO surveillance systems for the first batch of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Hunter-class frigates. Chess Dynamics The SeaEagle FCEO system will be integrated into the Hunter-class frigates’ combat management system, providing the crew with a single, intuitive interface. The system can also share information with other ships and assets in the fleet, to enhance the RAN’s overall maritime situational awareness. The system will provide the RAN w ..read more

Dutch shipyard Damen Naval has contracted German equipment provider RENK to supply the gearbox systems for the new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates being built for the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Belgian Navy. Damen The contract includes eight gearboxes that are part of the COmbined Diesel-eLectric And Diesel (CODLAD) propulsion system. RENK’s subsidiary Schelde Gears B.V. will provide support in design and service activities. “We have a long working relationship with RENK, and we are delighted to have them on board for this project as well,” said Project Director Joop Noordijk of Dame ..read more

US-headquartered marine solutions provider Caterpillar Marine has joined forces with compatriot provider of technology, engineering, and management services Serco to work on No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) unmanned surface vessel. Serco As informed, the project is developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The partners will use the opportunity to advance the use of autonomous vessels for naval applications. Autonomous unmanned vessels represent an opportunity to protect crews from the inhospitable, dangerous environment encountered at sea. According to Caterpillar ..read more

French shipbuilder Naval Group and Indonesian shipbuilding company PT PAL have signed a contract with Indonesia for two Scorpène evolved full lithium-ion battery (LiB) submarines. Naval Group As informed, Indonesia chose Naval Group and PT PAL to strengthen the capabilities of the Indonesian Navy. Under the agreement signed on March 28, the submarines will be built in Indonesia in PT PAL shipyard, through a transfer of technology from Naval Group. Naval Group “Naval Group is very honoured to be part of this new chapter in the strategic alliance between Indonesia and France. With Scorpène Evolv ..read more