Despite the recent decline in piracy in the Gulf of Aden, the sea area is still considered one of the most dangerous in the world. Captains and shipowners are therefore happy to have their ships escorted by warships. In order to ensure the protection of cargo and crew, soldiers or so-called private security can also be deployed.

On 31 March, France took command of Task Force 50 (TF 50). This task force of the American armed forces in the Persian Gulf region is under the command of the US Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT). France is now temporarily contributing the strike group around the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. In addition...

The USS Gabrielle Giffords successfully tested a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) in the Pacific. The ship belongs to the Independence class and is capable of carrying up to eight of these missiles on board. Both types of American Littoral Combat Ships (Independence and Freedom class) carry the same number of NSMs.

During a visit by French Defence Minister Florence Parly to the Naval Group in Lorient on 30 March, the order for two additional Frégates de Défense et d'Intervention (FDI) was announced. The order was placed by the procurement agency DGA. The acceleration of the FDI programme also serves to secure the order situation at Naval...

The Japanese Coast Guard has ordered two more H 225 helicopters from Airbus. This will bring their fleet to a total of two AS 332s and 15 H 225s. The country's coastguard only commissioned its tenth H 225 in February. It now operates the largest fleet of Airbus Helicopters...

Today, Tuesday 30 March 2021, the Commander Support, Rear Admiral Christoph Müller-Meinhard (56), handed over command of the Naval NCO School (MUS) in front of the school's traditional mast from Captain Matthias Kähler (64) to Captain Klaus Heermeier (61). After 46 years of service in the armed forces, the last six of which...

On 29 March, the KfW banking group acquired 25.1% of the shares in radar manufacturer Hensoldt on behalf of the German government. This gives it a blocking minority. The participation rights are exercised by the federal government. The former division of the Airbus Group was only transferred to Deutsche Börse in September 2020. A few months later...

The frigate Sachsen-Anhalt was handed over to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) at a small ceremony today due to the pandemic. She is the third ship of the F 125 class and was built and delivered by the F 125 consortium, consisting of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Fr. Lürssen Werft....

Raytheon Missiles & Defence delivered the first Tomahawk Block V to the US Navy last week. The new variant has improved navigation and communication systems. The Navy only completed its tests with the new weapon in December 2020. The missile can be fired from submarines and ships.

The maritime community never tires of emphasising the importance of free sea routes and global trade. Without free maritime trade there can be no prosperity, without free sea routes there can be no security. Behind these political aspects, however, we must not overlook the fact that we are dealing with extreme logistical, technical and financial dimensions. It is also...

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