USNI News – Fincantieri Marinette Marine, the shipyard that was building the cancelled Constellation-class frigate, will join Bollinger Shipyards in constructing the Marine Corps’ Landing Ship Medium, the Navy announced Wednesday.
Building SSN-AUKUS: Australia’s $30bn Nuclear Submarine Yard at Osborne
Navy Lookout – Australia has just announced it will spend around AUS$30bn (£15.6bn) to build a large nuclear submarine construction yard in Adelaide. The new facility at Osborne is intended to replicate the processes in use at BAE Systems’ facility at Barrow.
U.S. to Transfer Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, Patrol Vessels to Philippine Coast Guard
USNI News – The Pentagon and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) finalized a contract Monday to transfer American aircraft and patrol vessels to the archipelagic nation.
What Iran’s Naval Exercise With China And Russia In The Strait Of Hormuz Actually Means
The War Zone – As the U.S. flows assets toward the Middle East, including the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) now reportedly off the Moroccan coast, Iran, China and Russia will hold their recurring joint naval training exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian media. Moscow and Tehran see the Maritime Security Belt 2026 exercise as particularly relevant in light of current events, and there are reasons for the White House and Pentagon to take note. Having Russian or Chinese warships in these waters amid a U.S. attack on Iran could have military and political implications planners must address. At the same time, the timing of the still ongoing U.S. buildup and the exercise point to it having more of a messaging effect than an operational one.
Saudi Arabia expands naval capabilities with four C-27J maritime patrol aircraft
Breaking Defense – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has contracted four C-27J maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) from Italian firm Leonardo — the first customer to do so with “maritime weapon system integration capability,” the company announced.
Wave-class tankers to resume naval support role under contractor operation
Navy Lookout – The two former Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave-class tankers are set for a return to service under new commercial ownership, keeping the ships available to allied navies rather than being scrapped or sold outside the NATO area.
Building the Royal Navy’s general purpose frigates: Type 31 programme update
Navy Lookout – The Type 31 frigate programme has now moved into serial production, with multiple hulls now progressing in parallel. Following a visit to Rosyth to speak with the workforce, here we provide an overview of the current state of this major shipbuilding project.
French Mission Jeanne D’Arc 2026 Begins Indo-Pacific Deployment
Naval News – French Navy Mistral-class LHD Dixmude and La Fayette-class frigate Aconit set sails on 17 February 2026 for the Indo-Pacific and will transit via the Red Sea as part of the “JEANNE D’ARC 2026” mission. Nearly 800 personnel are taking part in the deployment, including 162 officer cadets.
Ukraine Unveils New Low-Profile Naval Drone With Strike and Mothership Capabilities
United24Media – Ukrainian UADEFENSE company has unveiled a new multifunctional unmanned surface vessel, the M.A.K., designed for both river and maritime operations.
(Thanks to Alain)
Final Pieces Moving Into Place For Potential Attack On Iran
The War Zone – The latest flurry of U.S. assets heading to the Middle East includes many of the missing capabilities needed for a sustained air campaign.
Russia’s Taman Port Damaged by Ukrainian Drones
Marine Link – Russia’s Black Sea port of Taman, which handles oil products, grain, coal and commodities, has been damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack, the governor of Russia’s Krasnodar region said on Sunday.
(Thanks to Alain)
U.S. Navy MH-60s, Air Force F-16s Will Soon Fly With New C-UAS Missiles
Naval News – Derivatives of the AGR-20F FALCO air-to-air missile are being rapidly prototyped to fulfill the urgent low-cost engagement requirement for one-way attack drone swarms numbered in the hundreds.
Royal Navy sees hybrid shift as central to future force mix
Naval News – The UK Royal Navy (RN) sees its continuing shift to a ‘hybrid fleet’ as central to prevailing in future conflict, and is focused on accelerating delivery of the maritime uncrewed systems integral to this new ‘hybrid’ force structure, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has said.
Major Upgrade Sees Hypersonic Ship-Killer Missiles Aboard China’s AIP Submarines
Naval News – China’s large fleet of air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines is set to become significantly more lethal. The introduction of the next-generation YJ-19 hypersonic missile dramatically elevates their already serious anti-ship punch. China is currently the only nation known to have armed non-nuclear submarines with hypersonic strike weapons.
UK Carrier Strike Group to deploy to North Atlantic
Naval News – Britain will send its Carrier Strike Group back to sea in 2026 in a major show of force across the Euro-Atlantic and High North, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence at a time of rising Russian threats in the region.
USMC’s Old F/A-18 Hornets To Get Drone Swatting Laser Guided Rockets
The War Zone – U.S. Marine Corps legacy F/A-18C/D Hornets are in line to add air-to-air optimized versions of the 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rocket to their arsenal. This will give the jets an important, lower-cost boost in their ability to take down drones, as well as certain cruise missiles.
The case for enhancing the Royal Navy’s 30mm gun
Navy Lookout – Small and medium calibre guns have quietly become some of the most operationally relevant weapons in Royal Navy service. While missiles dominate discussions of high-end naval warfare, it is guns that provide the persistent, affordable and flexible means to deter, warn and defeat close-range threats. In recent years, that role has expanded dramatically as uncrewed aerial and surface systems have proliferated and increasingly appeared in real combat.
Carrier Ford’s Extension to the Middle East Could Break Recent Deployment Records
USNI News – Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), its escorts and embarked Carrier Air Wing 8 have been tasked from their current position in the Caribbean to the Middle East to support a U.S. naval buildup in the region, USNI News has learned.
HMS Daring ship’s company moves onboard
Navy Lookout – With her ship staff move onboard (SSMOB), achieved this week, Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Daring has reached a major milestone in the epic project to regenerate a ship that has been non-operational for more than 8½ years.
Trump Administration Details ‘Make Shipbuilding Great Again’ Effort in New Action Plan
USNI News – The Trump administration announced its plans Friday for expanding the nation’s commercial shipbuilding and maritime capabilities, a three-pronged approach that calls for bolstering U.S. shipbuilding, increasing the mariner workforce and regulating the industry to encourage use of U.S.-built and flagged vessels.
Indonesian Navy Wants Ex-Italian Aircraft Carrier to be Delivered Before October 5
Naval News – Indonesia’s plan to acquire the former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi (C 551) appears to be gathering pace, although a formal contract confirmation is yet to be made.
Navy to experiment with tailored force pairing with Theodore Roosevelt deployment: SWO boss
Breaking Defense – Vice Adm. Brendan McLane said that a medium unmanned surface vessel will deploy alongside the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group that is set to get underway later this year.
India Set to Order 114 Rafale Fighters and Six P-8I Patrol Aircraft
Naval News – On February 12, India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for various proposals worth a total of $40 billion including acquisition of six P-8I MPAs for the Navy and 114 Rafale fighters for the IAF.
Japan hands over 5 coastal radar systems to Philippines
Naval News – The Japanese government on Wednesday officially turned over five coastal radar systems to the Philippines as part of efforts to bolster Manila’s maritime domain awareness amid China’s continuing aggressive actions in the region.
Destroyer USS Truxtun, Oiler USNS Supply Collide in SOUTHCOM
USNI News – Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG-103) and fast oiler USNS Supply (AOE-6) collided during an underway replenishment on Wednesday, according to a U.S. Southern Command statement. “Two personnel reported minor injuries and are in stable condition. Both ships have reported sailing safely. The incident is currently under investigation.”
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