Category: Headlines

Navies of France, the United Kingdom and the United States reaffirm commitment to enhanced cooperation

During a trilateral meeting in Toulon on 3 June 2021, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday, Admiral Tony Radakin, First Sea Lord of the British Royal Navy and Admiral Pierre Vandier, Inspector of the French Navy, signed a further cooperation agreement. In it, they renew their commitment to closer co-operation and interoperability around the globe - both in operations and exercises - to meet the challenges of tomorrow and maintain a strategic advantage at sea. Admiral Gilday: "Through continued engagement and dialogue, we are undoubtedly strengthening the collective capability of our armed forces to ensure the free use of...

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Gorch Fock back!

As Lürssen Werft has just announced, the handover date for the GORCH FOCK will be 30 September 2021!

Following a final review and consultation with all parties involved in the project, this decision was agreed. The sail training ship will move to the Wilhelmshaven naval arsenal at the beginning of September as part of a shipyard trial run. In Wilhelmshaven, further internal trials and acceptance tests will be carried out in addition to the final outfitting. During this phase, the German Navy will also place its equipment on board.

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The unmanned flying petrol station

Boeing's MQ-25 T1 drone has refuelled a US Navy fighter jet in flight for the first time. The F/A-18 Super Hornet first approached the renamed tanker to within a few metres to check whether it was in stable flight. The refuelling hose was then extended and the pilot managed to connect his jet to the docking device. After taking on the required amount of fuel, the aircraft separated and both aircraft returned safely to MidAmerica Airport in Macoutah, Illinois, where they had previously taken off. The manoeuvre is significant because it demonstrates that the MQ-25 is not only safe...

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Why the decision in favour of the P-8A Poseidon is the right one

The die is cast. The BMVg has decided in favour of the P-8A Poseidon from Boeing to replace the German Navy's ageing P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. A parliamentary referral is to take place before the summer break in order to avoid a looming capability gap at the last minute. The replacement procurement had become necessary after the ongoing extensive modernisation of the P-3C fleet was halted last year due to escalating costs. The aim of these measures was to extend the service life of the P-3C until the French-German Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS, scheduled for 2035) comes on stream. With the right decision against modernisation, it was clear that...

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Unusual SAR mission in the Mediterranean

The crew of the RFA Fort Victoria proved to be a lifesaver for a turtle this evening (5 June). The animal had become entangled in a bundle of empty plastic bottles and the remains of a net and was in danger of dying. Without further ado, the commander decided to deploy the speedboat. The three Royal Navy sailors were visibly delighted with the successful operation, which enabled them to help an endangered animal. The Fort Victoria is currently in the Mediterranean as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group. Over the next few months, she will continue her journey through the Indian Ocean towards...

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