TKMS to Decide on German Naval Yards Kiel Purchase
German warship builder TKMS expects to decide in the next few weeks on whether to buy neighbouring shipyard German Naval Yards Kiel (GNYK), its CEO Oliver Burkhard said on Monday, as the group considers expansion to meet rising demand.TKMS, which was spun off from parent Thyssenkrupp in October, already bought insolvent shipbuilder MV Werften in 2022, and a purchase of GNYK would further increase its capacity at a time when governments boost defence spending.Talks with GNYK, which is owned by France-based shipping group CMN Naval…
Skana Robotics Expands its Autonomous Fleet with "Alligator" Amphibious Vessel
Skana Robotics, a defense tech startup, is unveiling its latest autonomous vessel, the Alligator, the first amphibious vessel that combines infrastructure-free deployment, manned or unmanned operation, and the ability to carry and launch other autonomous systems. The Alligator joins Skana’s fleet of maritime autonomous vessels, which have already progressed from the prototype stage to deployable and adaptable naval assets designed for mass production: the Bullshark (autonomous surface vessel, ASV) and Stingray (Autonomous underwater vessel, AUV).
Poland Picks Saab to Supply Three Submarines
Poland said on Wednesday it had chosen Sweden's Saab to supply it with three submarines, in a multi-billion-dollar deal that forms a key element of Warsaw's efforts to bolster its defences in the Baltic Sea.Warsaw has been ramping up investments in the armed forces to counter what it sees as a growing threat from Russia after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.The deal with Sweden under the "Orka" programme to boost Poland's military exemplifies Warsaw's efforts to build a Baltic alliance…
Sweden to Choose Frigate Supplier Early 2026
Sweden will choose a supplier for its multi-billion Swedish crown acquisition of four new frigates early next year, the defence minister said on Monday.Sweden is in an intense buildup of its forces in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is looking to increase its navy fleet with bigger ships."I think and I hope that we can make a decision by early next year in regards to our new frigates program," Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a news conference with the French…
GWEC Wins Defense Supply Contract with Briggs Marine
Griffin-Woodhouse, a West Midlands based company, has secured a long-term contract as Key Supplier/Subcontractor to Briggs Marine to supply chain and accessories to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in UK, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Ascension and Falkland Islands.The contract, which is the single largest in GWEC’s history, has been awarded by Briggs Marine Contractors, a Scottish based company which itself recently secured the MoD’s contract for the Supply and Maintenance of Authority Moorings, Markers and Targets.
Bank of England Governor Visits Navantia UK Shipyard
The Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, visited Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard to view the contribution of the defense and maritime industry to the regional economy. The Bank’s policymakers regularly visit and speak to businesses across the UK, including the South West. These visits help them gain valuable insight as to how local businesses are performing in the current economic circumstances, and contribute to their wider perspective and understanding as to how the economy in the UK as whole is performing.
Keel is Laid for Spanish Navy’s New Diver Support Vessel
Freire Shipyard held in Vigo the keel-laying ceremony for the new Diver Support Vessel (NC 739) for the Spanish Navy. Delivery is scheduled for November 2026.The Diver Support Vessel (EAB) will be a specialized platform designed to assist the Navy’s Diving School (EMB) in the training of all diving disciplines. To this end, the new unit will be equipped with systems such as DP-2 dynamic positioning, a hyperbaric chamber and a wet bell, enabling it to carry out deep diving operations…
Defense Leaders Unite to Deliver Combat System Capability for SSN-AUKUS
Four major defense companies have proposed the establishment of an AUKUS Combat Systems Collaborative Team in contemplation of a potential role for Australia’s SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed Wednesday, November 5.BAE Systems, Raytheon Australia, General Dynamics Mission Systems and Thales propose to lead the design and lay the foundations for manufacture and integration of combat systems for SSN-AUKUS under agreements to be negotiated with the Commonwealth of Australia and United Kingdom government.
Philly Shipyard Unable to Build Nuclear Submarine Despite Trump Green Light
The South Korean-owned Philly Shipyard in the United States does not currently have the capability to build a nuclear-powered submarine, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said on Thursday during a parliamentary hearing.His remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media last week that he had given approval for South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine and that it would be built in the Philadelphia shipyard.Trump posted the comment on his Truth Social platform after South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung asked him during a summit to let his country…
Russia Tests Poseidon Nucelar-Powered Super Torpedo
President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia had successfully tested a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo that military analysts say is capable of devastating coastal regions by triggering vast radioactive ocean swells.As U.S. President Donald Trump has toughened both his rhetoric and his stance on Russia, Putin has publicly flexed his nuclear muscles with the test of a new Burevestnik cruise missile on October 21 and nuclear launch drills on October 22.There are few confirmed details about the Poseidon…
Lockheed Martin Invests $50M in Saildrone to Advance USV Capabilities for US Navy
Saildrone Founder and CEO Richard Jenkins shares news on Lockheed Martin's recent investment in Saildrone:Today, I am delighted to announce a $50 million investment from Lockheed Martin in Saildrone, Inc. This commercial relationship marries the world’s most sophisticated and trusted defense technology with the world’s most capable and operationally proven USV technology. Together, we will rapidly equip Saildrone USVs with all-domain defense technology for lethal military applications.
Ransomwar Tops Maritime Cyber Risks, Role-based Training a Priority
Maritime operations run on tight schedules and thin margins, and as ships, terminals and supply chains connect systems for visibility and efficiency, attackers gain paths to entry. Cyber risk has become an operational reliability and safety concern, not just an IT issue. “Whether we are looking at this challenge through an operational or organizational safety lens, cyber risk is a critical business risk. An incident will impact everyone,” says Michael DeVolld, Senior Director…
Coast Guard Launches Operation River Wall Along the Rio Grande
The Coast Guard announced the deployment of additional forces to the Rio Grande River in eastern Texas, starting on October 9, 2025, to ensure operational control of the border where the President has declared a national emergency. This surge operation – known as Operation River Wall – will bolster ongoing Coast Guard efforts to control, secure and defend approximately 260 miles of the Rio Grande River that makes up the U.S. border there. As part of this mobilization, the Coast Guard is deploying additional response boats…
Sparton Marks 125 Years in Maritime Defense Technologies
Sparton DeLeon Springs, LLC, a leader in and manufacturer of maritime defense solutions, is honoring its 125th anniversary this year. Founded in 1900 as The Withington Company, Sparton has grown from a small Michigan manufacturer into a defense contractor specializing in sonobuoys, advanced undersea warfare technologies, and beyond. Sparton was acquired by Elbit Systems of America, LLC in 2021.Sparton specializes in the production of high-quality sonobuoys critical to the nation’s undersea and anti-submarine warfare.
Sweden to Boost Coast Guard Surveillance in Baltic Sea
Sweden is proposing legislation to increase security in the Baltic Sea by expanding its coast guard's ability to conduct maritime surveillance, the Nordic country's defence ministry said on Friday.The Baltic Sea region is on heightened alert following a string of undersea cable and gas pipeline outages in the years following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, as well as recent drone sightings and airspace violations."We have not chosen our external situation, but we must deal with the reality we face," Sweden's Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin said in a statement.NATO, of which Swe
Russian Warships Repeatedly Provoke Danish Vessels in Straits
Russian warships have repeatedly sailed on collision courses, aimed weapons at Danish naval vessels and disrupted navigation systems in Denmark's straits that connect the Baltic Sea to the North Sea, its defence intelligence service said on Friday.Such incidents risk unintended escalation, it said.The Baltic region remains on high alert after incidents involving undersea cables, gas pipeline outages, airspace violations and drone sightings since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine…
Zeabuz Launches Dual-Use Autonomy Platform
Zeabuz announced the launch of its defense and security autonomy platform, unveiled together with Damen Shipyards Group during the Damen Maritime Festival.As part of this launch, Zeabuz has integrated its autonomy system on the ZeaFalcon, a 7-meter Damen HDPE Uncrewed Surface Vessel optimized for defense and security applications. The system comprises a full suite of operational capabilities including autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, remote command and control, autodocking, and connectivity-denied operations.
Saab to Spearhead NATO's New Underwater Defense Project
The Saab-led MANGROVE consortium has been selected by NATO to lead the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network project (AUWB-MN), aimed at improving interoperability for maritime uncrewed systems and conventional platforms between allied naval forces.The project, which formally started earlier in September, is designing a Reference Architecture and a Test and Reference Environment for a mission network that leverages both crewed and uncrewed systems, above, on and below the water.The mission network will facilitate rapid and secure information exchange…
US to Deepen Military Cooperation with Finland, Despite Scaling Back Elsewhere
The United States is committed to deepening military cooperation with Finland, Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said on Thursday, despite U.S. plans to scale back its operations elsewhere on NATO's eastern flank in Europe.Finland, which joined NATO in 2023 in response to Russia's 2022 invasion of its other neighbour Ukraine, has a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement with the U.S., granting the U.S. military unimpeded access to 15 facilities and areas in Finland."We are very pleased that the U.S. is prepared to deepen their cooperation with us," Hakkanen told Reuters onboard the U.S.
Greece Security Council Approves Purchase of Fourth Belharra Frigate from France
Greece's security council, KYSEA, approved on Wednesday the purchase of a fourth Belharra frigate from France to modernise its armed forces and as it tries to keep pace with historic rival Turkey, two government sources told Reuters.Greece has a long-standing dispute with its NATO ally Turkey over maritime waters, and the security council meeting comes after Ankara said it would conduct scientific research in the Aegean Sea in the coming days.Athens agreed in 2021 to procure new Belharra frigates for about 3.0 billion euros ($3.3 billion), with an option for one more, as it aims to replace old
Poland to Decide Submarine Procurement This Week, First Purchase by End of Year
Poland will decide on submarine procurement this week, leading to the purchase of the first submarines by the end of the year, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.Poland aims to acquire three submarines under its "Orka" programme to boost its military, modernise undersea warfare capabilities, and align more closely with NATO in response to what it sees as a growing threat from Russia after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine."We will adopt a resolution that commits to purchasing submarines by the end of this year.
Rheinmetall to Buy NVL in Expansion Push
Rheinmetall has agreed to buy Luerssen Group's warship division, NVL, as the German defence group seeks to expand in Europe and tap increased military spending across the continent.The move announced on Sunday by Rheinmetall, Europe's biggest ammunition maker, comes as a long-awaited consolidation in Germany's naval sector picks up speed, with submarine and frigate maker TKMS to be spun off from parent Thyssenkrupp next month.It also highlights Rheinmetall's ambitions to grow in Europe…
HII, Babcock Integrate UUVs with Submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems
Babcock International Group and HII signed a memorandum of understanding to bring together HII’s REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and Babcock’s submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems (WHLS). The goal of the collaboration is to deliver autonomous launch and recovery of UUVs via submarine torpedo tubes, strengthening the undersea advantage of allied navies. This is the first program of its kind within the Babcock Mission Systems business.As UUVs become increasingly vital to future undersea operations…