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The International Fleet Review News

12 Dec 2017

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.

20 Nov 2017

US Navy Rolls out New Measures after Deadly Collisions

Significant visible damage to USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) following a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore on Aug. 21. (U.S. Navy photo by Madailein Abbott)

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 Sawyer’s 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.

15 Sep 2017

Indian Navy Ships Satpura, Kadmatt at Singapore

In pursuance of India’s ‘Act East’ 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).

11 Apr 2017

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.

08 Mar 2017

World's Oldest Aircraft Carrier Decommissioned

INS Viraat, the world’s 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 Jones…

19 Feb 2017

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).

10 Feb 2017

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.

13 Apr 2016

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 secretary’s visit. “Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of maritime security,” said a joint statement issued after Carter held talks with Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

18 Mar 2016

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.

23 Feb 2016

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 Navy’s 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.

16 Feb 2016

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 ‘Make in India’ 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.

13 Feb 2016

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.

06 Feb 2016

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.

06 Feb 2016

Indian Navy Shows Off Strength

India’s 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.

02 Feb 2016

CNO Seeks to Expand Partnerships in India

Official U.S. Navy file photo.

Aiming to help deepen United States’ 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. Richardson’s 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 Review…

03 Nov 2015

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.

24 Feb 2015

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.

30 Jun 2014

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. “France 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,” Commander Cannell said. Following the visit, Parramatta will commence an Operation SOLANIA patrol, continuing the Australian Defence Force’s enduring role in the South-West Pacific.

05 Dec 2013

Australian Navy Modernizes Ship Color Scheme

HMAS TOBRUK's Replenishment At Sea (RAS) with HMAS SUCCESS during the closing stages of Exercise RIMPAC 08 (Photo: ABPH Craig Owen)

The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, has announced that the Navy will progressively change the color of its surface fleet to meet modern war-fighting and regional environmental conditions. While not normally apparent to the bystander, the recent International Fleet Review with 17 international ships visibly demonstrated that color schemes do vary significantly between nations. These are mainly due to the regional environmental conditions faced by national navies such as the percentage of cloud cover or sunlight.

18 Oct 2013

Naval Fleet Review Draws to a Close

HMAS Sydney leads Australian warship's Darwin, Perth, Parramatta as part of the fleet entry during the International Fleet Review. (Photo: ABIS Nicolas Gonzalez)

The final phase of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) International Fleet Review drew to a close today, with the completion of Exercise Triton Centenary 2013. Triton Centenary was held in two parts. The first was held in the East Australian Exercise Area from 23 September to 3 October 2013 and was a major multi-lateral training opportunity. This phase provided important interaction that got the ships working with each other ahead of the Fleet Review. On October 11, 2013, following a successful Fleet Review…

04 Oct 2013

Naval Fleet Review Begins in Sydney

USS Chosin leads JDS Makinami through Sydney Harbour during the warship entry as part of the International Fleet Review 2013. (Photo: ABIS Cassie McBride)

Australian Minister for Defense Senator David Johnston announced the entry of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet into Sydney Harbor for the International Fleet Review. Senator Johnston said the International Fleet Review was planned in partnership with the NSW Government and the City of Sydney and will draw around 40 warships, 16 tall ships, more than 60 aircraft, 10 military bands and 8,000 sailors from 17 nations around the world. The nations participating include Australia, Brunei…

02 Oct 2013

Warships Ready to Sail for Fleet Entry

Twenty Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and international warships are anchored in Jervis Bay, poised to sail into Sydney for the International Fleet Review (IFR). They will form part of a global fleet of over 40 ships making a magnificent entry into Sydney Harbour between 6 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, October 4  to commemorate the Navy’s very first fleet entry 100 years ago. Director of the IFR Captain Nick Bramwell said you can feel the excitement and anticipation of the crews in Jervis Bay.

23 Sep 2013

Russian Navy Bows Out of Australian Fleet Review

Cruiser 'Varyag': Photo courtesy of Russian Navy

The Russian Navy has had to withdraw its ships from attending this month’s International Fleet Review. The Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, said the unfortunate change of plans was due a change in the positioning of the Russian ships. Vice Admiral Griggs said the withdrawal of the Russian Navy will not detract from the spectacle of the international contingent assembling in the coming days to join the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) for the International Fleet Review, which commemorates the RAN’s first arrival into Sydney Harbour on 4 October 1913.