Japan Cancels Maritime Fleet Review after Typhoon
Japan has cancelled a maritime fleet review planned for Monday, a spokesman for the Maritime Self-Defence Force said, after a fierce typhoon pounded Tokyo and surrounding regions over the weekend, causing flooding and widespread power outages.Last held four years ago, the review was due to include 46 naval vessels and 40 aircraft. Ships from Australia, India, the United States, Canada, Singapore and Britain were to join.Reporting by Tim Kelly
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Returns to Washington
Washington-based ships assigned to Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 returned Dec. 10, just in time for the upcoming holidays following a six-month deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and the Arabian Gulf. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), with embarked CSG-11, returned home to Naval Base Kitsap, and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Kidd (DDG 100) returned to Naval Station Everett. The strike group consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Princeton (CG 59) and USS Lake Erie (CG 70). The air wing and DESRON command staff disembarked in San Diego Dec.
US Navy Rolls out New Measures after Deadly Collisions
The U.S. Navy has introduced new measures aimed at avoiding a repeat of two deadly crashes in the Asia Pacific region involving its warships and commercial vessels following a review of its practices, the Seventh Fleet commander said on Monday. Vice Admiral Phillip Sawyerâs comments come after a U.S. guided-missile destroyer was slightly damaged at the weekend when a Japanese tug drifted into it during a towing exercise off central Japan, the latest incident in the Pacific this year involving ships from the fleet. The U.S.
Australian Navy Commissions Hobart (II) â One in a Million
Royal Australian Navy will commission the first of three new destroyers today (On 23 September). In continuing our reflective stories of previous ships that have carried the name HMAS Hobart, this is the story of Hobart (II). The second ship to bear the name Hobart was one of three Perth class guided missile destroyers built in the United States for the Royal Australian Navy. She was commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 18 December 1965 under the command of Captain Guy Griffiths. Following sea trials and exercises in the United States and Canadian waters, Hobart arrived in her namesake city on 1 September 1966. She berthed in her home-port of Sydney for the first time on 7 September 1966.
Indian Navy Ships Satpura, Kadmatt at Singapore
In pursuance of Indiaâs âAct Eastâ policy, Eastern Fleet ships INS Satpura and Kadmatt are on a 4-day port visit to Singapore from 14 September 17. During the stay in harbour, various activities such as official calls, formal reception on board ships, ships open to visitors, guided tours for Indian naval personnel and professional interaction between naval personnel of both the nations have been planned. With a joint aim to ensure seamless Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) through optimal utilisation of limited resources at sea, both the countries have already signed a Technical Agreement (TA) to share white shipping information and are also a part of the multilateral construct Regional Maritime Information Exchange (REMlX).
Playing Catch: Northern Europe Fisheries Fleet Review
Record hauls of wild fish, an unprecedented return on farmed salmon, finance and subsidy garner new orders, new designs and emboldened suppliers. In Scandinavia, particularly Norway, rich, carefully managed fisheries raise just one question for the commercially minded â which wave of business to ride. A growing number of large and small players are in on the action, as historic profits are heralded up and down the supply chain. For the hardened makers of gear that know tougher times, this is the golden age.
Chief of the Indian Naval Staff visits Malaysia
Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) and Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Indian Navy is on a goodwill visit to Malaysia from 11 to 15 April 2017. The visit is intended to consolidate and enhance bilateral maritime relations between India and Malaysia and is expected to provide a major boost to defence relations between India and Malaysia. During his visit, the Admiral will hold discussions with the Deputy Minister of Defence, Chief of Royal Malaysian Defence Forces along with the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force of Malaysia. The Indian and the Royal Malaysian Navies cooperate with each other in terms of training, operational interactions as well as interacting at various multilateral forums like Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, MILAN and ADMM Plus.
Launceston Deploys North
Australia's Armidale class patrol boat HMAS Launceston has tested trainees and strengthened regional relationships in a recent deployment to south-east Asia. Launceston departed Australia after sailing from Darwin on 10 March in-company with sister-ship HMAS Pirie. The crews conducted 25mm, 12.7mm and small arms firing serials and undertook close quarters steaming, internal damage control, boat drills and communications training to help their junior warfare officers to practice their mariner skills. Upon completion Pirie commenced border protection duties in Australia's northern waters, whilst Launceston continued north to the Indonesian archipelago through the Sape Strait between the islands of Subawa and Komodo pasing an active volcano.
World's Oldest Aircraft Carrier Decommissioned
INS Viraat, the worldâs oldest aircraft carrier and the flag ship of the Indian Navy, was decommissioned on Monday after serving for 30 years in the Indian Navy. INS Viraat holds the world record as mentioned in the Guinness Book of records for being the longest serving warship of the world. INS Viraat, the second Centaur-Class aircraft carrier in service which has spent 30 years in the Indian Navy and 27 years in the Royal Navy, was decommissioned on the day, in a solemn yet grand ceremony at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. The decommissioning ceremony was attended by more than 1300 personnel who have served on board INS Viraat. Admiral Sir Philip JonesâŚ
Navy Handed Over Seychelles Ship Topaz After Refit
Seychelles Coast Guard Patrol Ship (SCGPS) Topaz has completed her Medium Refit and has been handed over to Colonel Simone A Dine, Commander Seychelles Coast Guard by Rear Admiral Narayan Prasad, NM, Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on 16 February 2017. The ship underwent a Medium Refit at Naval Dockyard from March 2016 to January 2017. The event was held at Naval Jetty inside INS Circars and was attended by other dignitaries from Seychelles Coast Guard and Indian Navy. The event commenced with the introduction of the Officers and Crew of SCGPS Topaz to Colonel Simone A Dine Commander Seychelles Coast Guard and Rear Admiral Narayan Prasad ASD(V).
International Navy Friendships Strengthened in Crisis
The Royal Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Navies took part in anti-submarine warfare exercises off the east coast of New Zealand late last year. Exercise NGA TAHI sought to strengthen relations and refine common operating procedures between the participating nations. Australian submarine HMAS Dechaineux exercised for three days with Anzac frigates, HMNZ Ships Te Kaha and Te Mana, HMCS Vancouver and a P-3K2 Orion from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Scenarios escalated from basic tracking exercises to whole-of-force protection of a high value unit. Dechaineux Sonar Officer, Lieutenant Nathan Whitelaw, said the exercise allowed Australian sailors to hone their skills during high end warfare scenarios.
US, India to Shore up Maritime Cooperation
U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar agreed to strengthen their cooperation on maritime security, as concerns grow in Washington over Beijing's growing military ambitions. Carter is in New Delhi to bolster a strategic relationship Washington considers crucial in the face of what it sees as China's rising assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea. He and Parrikar visited the Indian Naval Base in Karwar and the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier. They also visited the USS Blue Ridge which was conducting a port call in Goa during the secretaryâs visit. âBoth sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of maritime security,â said a joint statement issued after Carter held talks with Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
U.S.: New Chinese Activity at South China Sea Shoal
The United States has seen Chinese activity around a reef China seized from the Philippines nearly four years ago that could be a precursor to more land reclamation in the disputed South China Sea, the U.S. Navy chief said on Thursday. The head of U.S. naval operations, Admiral John Richardson, expressed concern that an international court ruling expected in coming weeks on a case brought by the Philippines against China over its South China Sea claims could be a trigger for Beijing to declare an exclusion zone in the busy trade route. Richardson told Reuters the United States was weighing responses to such a move. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion in global trade passes every year.
India's First Nuclear Submarine INS Arihant is Ready
India's first nuclear armed submarine INS Arihant is now ready for full fledged operations, according to Navy sources. It has passed several deep sea diving drills as well as weapons launch tests over the past five months. According to a report in Economic Times, the indigenously-built boat is now fully-operational and over the past few months, several weapon tests have taken place in secrecy that have proven the capabilities of the vessel. INS Arihant is first of the five in the class of submarines designed and constructed as a part of Indian Navyâs Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project. The 6,000 tonne vessel was built at the Ship Building Centre in the port city of Visakhapatnam. it was revealed for the first time in 2009.
IRClass, Indian Navy Deepen Relationship
Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) strengthened its growing relationship with the defence sector by actively participating in the Maritime Exhibition (MAREX) during the high profile International Fleet Review 2016, organised by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam. MAREX focussed on the âMake in Indiaâ initiative by showcasing indigenous maritime capabilities. The IRClass stall, which was located adjacent to the stalls of Defence Public Sector Shipyards, was visited by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, escorted by Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, and accompanied by the Defence Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar, and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N.
All-Women Crew Indian Navy Ship Enters Chennai Port
The Indian Navy said on Saturday that its sailing vessel Mhadei, having an all-women crew of naval officers, has entered the Chennai Port. The vessel which had left Visakhapatnam on February 9, was scheduled to make stops at Chennai and Kochi ports enroute before reaching her home port at Goa. "This is the first all-women crew to man any ocean-going ship of the Navy," says a statement from Indian Navy. The ship is skippered and crewed by an all-women team of naval officers for first time ever and is back after participating in the International Fleet Review. "All the crew members are volunteers and are driven by their passion for adventure and a love for sailing and the seas," says a naval official.
Antietam, McCampbell Build Relationships at IFR 2016
Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) arrived Feb. 4 in India to participate in the nation's International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016. IFR 2016 is an international military exercise hosted by the Indian Navy to help enhance mutual trust and confidence with navies around the world. From Feb. 4 through 8, more than 50 countries will participate in the event, according to the Indian Navy's website. Some of the IFR 2016 events include: the fleet review and fly-by attended by the honorable president of India, and the International City Parade attended by the honorable prime minister of India. Chief of Naval Operations Adm.
Indian Navy Shows Off Strength
Indiaâs naval might was on full display off the coast of Visakhapatnam today (Saturday) as President Pranab Mukherjee reviewed the naval fleet. Mukherjee, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, among others at International Fleet Review (IFR)-2016. Close to 75 Indian warships and 24 from Navies across the globe sailed past the Presidential yacht- INS Sumitra. President reviewed the international parade of fleets at the IFR-2016 here where 50 countries have come together to participate in this show of prowess and preparedness by the Indian Navy. Along with warships from across the world, Indian navy is displaying its firepower and blue sea capabilities in this event.
CNO Seeks to Expand Partnerships in India
Aiming to help deepen United Statesâ maritime partnerships with India, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson will make his first visit to India February 2 through February 6. Richardsonâs first stop will be in New Delhi, where he will meet with national security officials from across the government of India to discuss Navy-to-Navy relations and opportunities for further technical and security cooperation. Richardson will then travel to Visakhapatnam to participate in the Indian Navy-hosted International Fleet ReviewâŚ
RAN, French Navy Hold Joint Exercises in S. China Sea
HMA Ships Arunta, Stuart and Sirius, have rendezvoused at sea with the French frigate FNS Vendemiaire as part of a Royal Australian Navy Task Group deployment to North and South East Asia. Following successful port visits to Zhanjiang, China, by HMA Ships Arunta and Stuart and Da Nang, Vietnam, by HMAS Sirius, the ships have rendezvoused at sea with the French frigate FNS Vendemiaire in international waters off the coast of Vietnam. The assembly of the French and RAN warships presented another valuable opportunity for the navies of Australia and France to exercise together, further enhancing our level of interoperability and maritime awareness in our region.
India to Strengthen Naval Co-operation with Bangladesh
In a move towards strengthening its defence ties with Bangladesh, India will be exploring new avenues for naval cooperation towards achieving comprehensive maritime security in the Bay of Bengal. To this effect, Indian Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan reached Bangladesh on a four-day visit to consolidate the bilateral defence ties. Dhowan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Sangsad Bhaban office on Monday. At the meeting, he observed that the partnership between Bangladesh Navy and Indian Navy is excellent and there are many things to learn from this partnership. The Chief of Naval Staff is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the three Service Chiefs at Dhaka as well as call on the President during his stay at Bangladesh.
Ensco plc Reports Loss in 2Q 2014
Ensco plc today reported a loss of $5.07 per diluted share in second quarter 2014 compared to earnings of $1.55 per diluted share in second quarter 2013. The loss from discontinued operations for second quarter 2014, which includes a $546 million pre-tax loss on impairment for four floaters that are now held for sale, was $2.38 per share compared to a gain of $0.07 per share in second quarter 2013. The loss from continuing operations in second quarter 2014 was $2.69 per share, compared to earnings from continuing operations of $1.48 per share in second quarter 2013. Excluding a loss on impairment for four floaters in continuing operations totaling $992 millionâŚ
Australian Warship Joins SW Pacific Exercises
The ANZAC Class Frigate has left Noumea after spending three days strengthening relationships with the French Armed Forces New Caledonia (FANC) and promoting multilateral security cooperation. Commanding Officer of Parramatta, Commander Simon Cannell, said the visit provided professional insight to enhance operations and exercises within the region. âFrance is a valuable partner with Australia in the Pacific. We regularly participate in combined force training exercises for emergency and disaster relief and operations against illegal fishing,â Commander Cannell said. Following the visit, Parramatta will commence an Operation SOLANIA patrol, continuing the Australian Defence Forceâs enduring role in the South-West Pacific.