Naval

Iran claims capture of US Navy MK 18 Mod 2 Kingfish mine-hunting underwater drone in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that it captured a U.S. Navy Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish mine-countermeasures unmanned underwater vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian accounts initially described the vehicle differently before identifying it as the REMUS-based Kingfish, which is designed to locate and classify underwater hazards. U.S. Central Command denied the claim and said American forces retained positive control of all operational unmanned assets. With no independently verified evidence resolving the competing statements, the reported capture should be treated as disputed rather than confirmed.

Army RecognitionOct 1

Germany faces €4.7b Damen claim after ditching troubled frigate progamme

Damen is seeking about €4.7 billion from the German government after Berlin cancelled the troubled F126 frigate programme. According to a letter seen by Reuters, the amount comprises contractually agreed payments and indemnity claims that Damen attributes to an alleged government breach of contract, while the company is also examining additional damages claims. Germany's defence ministry said in June that it would terminate F126 and instead plans to procure eight MEKO A-200 frigates from TKMS. The €4.7 billion figure is a claim by Damen and should not be treated as an accepted German liability or final payment.

bairdmaritime.comOct 1

BWX Technologies says $189 million contract will supply nuclear reactor fuel for U.S. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers

BWX Technologies received a $189 million contract to manufacture and deliver naval nuclear-reactor fuel through its Nuclear Fuel Services facility in Erwin, Tennessee. The work supports the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and is scheduled for completion in August 2027. The fuel will serve reactor plants used across active and future submarine and aircraft-carrier classes, including Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines and Nimitz- and Ford-class carriers. The award concerns reactor fuel production and delivery to the fleet, not the construction of new ships or complete reactor systems.

Defence Industry EuropeOct 1

Fincantieri Lays Keel of Second U212NFS Submarine

Fincantieri laid the keel of Italy’s second U212 Near Future Submarine at its Muggiano shipyard, advancing a four-boat programme managed through OCCAR. The submarine incorporates lithium-ion batteries, an updated combat-management system, increased Italian equipment content, and design changes intended to improve endurance, stealth, cyber resilience, and operational flexibility. Delivery of the second boat is scheduled for 2030 after assembly, launch, harbour trials, and sea trials. The milestone supports Italy’s replacement of older submarines but does not indicate that the vessel is near operational fleet service.

Naval NewsOct 1

South Korea Launches Final KDX-III Batch-II Destroyer With 88 VLS Cells

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries launched the Republic of Korea Navy’s third and final KDX-III Batch II Aegis destroyer, ROKS Daeho Kim Jong-seo. The ship completes the new three-vessel batch and brings South Korea’s Aegis destroyer force to six hulls when combined with the earlier Batch I ships. Its combat system and 88 vertical-launch cells support layered air, missile, anti-submarine, and surface warfare missions. Launch is a construction milestone rather than fleet entry; outfitting, trials, delivery, and operational work-up must occur before the destroyer becomes fully deployable.

Defense WarRoomOct 1

Naval Group Begins Production of Sweden's First FDI Frigate Just One Month After Contract Signing

Naval Group began production of Sweden’s first FDI frigate by cutting steel for the future FDI Luleå at Lorient, about one month after the bilateral contract was signed. The reported €4.3 billion programme adapts the French-designed frigate to Swedish requirements and will integrate national equipment including Saab radars, RBS15 anti-ship missiles, and Bofors guns. Starting fabrication so soon after contract signature reflects advance design preparation, but the ships still face construction, integration, testing, and acceptance work before final delivery to the Swedish Navy as planned.

Naval NewsOct 1

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command rebranded to reflect warfare evolution

The U.S. Navy renamed Navy Expeditionary Combat Command as Commander, Navy Expeditionary Forces to reflect a broader focus on generating forces for distributed maritime operations. The command remains responsible for manning, training, equipping, certifying, organizing, and sustaining expeditionary sailors and units for operational commanders worldwide. Its portfolio includes explosive-ordnance disposal, Seabees, expeditionary logistics, maritime security, diving, and other shore-based combat-support capabilities. The change is primarily organizational and descriptive; it does not by itself create a new service branch, add personnel, or authorize a separate operational force structure.

JanesOct 1

U.S. Navy's largest Gray Flag tests allied aircraft and weapons connections across more than 750 sorties before deployment

Gray Flag 2026 concluded at Point Mugu after more than 750 sorties, 2,000 flight hours, and participation by over 3,000 people from more than 150 organizations. The U.S. Navy-led event connected allied aircraft, weapons, sensors, data links, and ground systems across hundreds of multi-domain test objectives. Its purpose was to uncover integration failures and correct them before systems reached operational deployments, rather than simply rehearse established tactics. The unusually large scale provided a realistic environment for assessing interoperability, but individual test results and deficiencies were not fully released.

The War ZoneOct 1

U.S. Navy buys more 30mm guns to shoot down drones

The U.S. Navy awarded MSI Defence Systems US a $197 million sole-source firm-fixed-price contract for MK88 MOD4 30 mm gun mounts, MK48 MOD2 electro-optical sights, related hardware and spares. Together with an operator console, the mount and sight form the MK 38 MOD 4 gun weapon system, which is intended to improve ship defence against small drones and fast attack craft. The Department of War did not disclose how many systems are being purchased. Most work will take place in Norfolk, England, and deliveries are scheduled to be completed by January 2031.

Defence BlogOct 1

Singapore expands maritime presence with future-ready Sentinel OPV

Singapore launched the first of four Sentinel-class offshore patrol vessels at Fassmer’s Berne shipyard in Germany, with deliveries expected from 2028. The 94.85-metre, 2,700-tonne design is intended to replace the navy’s existing Maritime Security and Response Vessels and can exceed 23 knots with a range above 4,000 nautical miles. A crew of about 40 will operate modular mission spaces, manned and uncrewed craft, a stern launch system, and guns including a 76 mm STRALES mount. Launch formally begins outfitting and trials rather than operational service.

Defense WarRoomOct 1

US Navy awards Lockheed Martin $57 million MDCX contract to control MQ-25A tanker drones from aircraft carriers

The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin Aeronautics a contract capped at $57.71 million to develop, qualify, and test Multi-Domain Combat eXchange (MDCX) software supporting the MQ-25A Stingray. About $14.124 million was obligated at award, with work scheduled through September 2027 in Marietta, Fort Worth, and Patuxent River. MDCX is intended to support mission planning and command-and-control functions for the MQ-25A from aircraft carriers, shore bases and expeditionary locations. The award funds software development and testing rather than additional MQ-25 aircraft.

Army RecognitionOct 1

Germany approves IRIS-T SLM adaptation for F125 frigates, other procurements

Germany's parliamentary budget committee approved adapting the IRIS-T SLM ground-based air-defense system for the Navy's four F125 frigates. The decision follows a 2025 demonstration aboard Baden-Württemberg and supports a maritime configuration able to counter aircraft, cruise missiles and other airborne threats at ranges around 40 kilometers. Funding was also cleared for other defense projects, but the frigate effort is notable because it offers a relatively rapid way to improve ship self-defense by drawing on a missile family already being expanded for Germany's land-based air-defense network.

JanesSep 30

UK Chancellor announces three future floating docks for submarines

The United Kingdom will procure three future floating docks under Programme Euston to support submarine maintenance at HM Naval Base Clyde. A competition limited to British suppliers is intended to provide out-of-water servicing for current and future nuclear-powered submarines while expanding the resilience of the naval-base maintenance system. The docks sit within a much larger, decade-long infrastructure program covering Clyde and the UK's other naval bases, and their construction will require careful nuclear-safety, security and industrial planning before they can enter operational use. Delivery schedules and individual contract values remain to be announced.

JanesSep 30

HII Achieves Preliminary Acceptance of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)

HII reached preliminary acceptance of the future USS John F. Kennedy, completing the final major step before the U.S. Navy formally takes delivery of the second Ford-class aircraft carrier. Acceptance trials in August preceded the ship's September 29 departure from Newport News for Naval Station Norfolk, where further testing and crew training can continue. The milestone allows underway evaluation, system verification and proficiency work to advance while remaining delivery actions are completed, moving CVN 79 closer to operational service after a prolonged construction and integration phase.

Naval NewsSep 30

What Will Indonesia Do With Its New Aircraft Carrier?

Indonesia's acquisition of the former Italian carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi gives its navy a large aviation-capable ship, but the vessel is more immediately suited to amphibious support, disaster relief and uncrewed-aircraft operations than conventional carrier aviation. Indonesia currently lacks a vertical-takeoff fighter force, and substantial modernization, training, maintenance and escort resources will be needed before the ship can deliver sustained combat power. The most credible near-term model resembles Türkiye's drone-focused TCG Anadolu, provided Jakarta funds the supporting systems required to avoid an expensive but rarely deployable flagship.

thediplomat.comSep 30

U.S. Navy orders $123M more Lionfish underwater drones

The U.S. Navy awarded HII a $123.4 million contract modification for additional Lionfish small unmanned underwater vehicles and related support, with work scheduled through December 2027. Based on the REMUS 300, Lionfish is a modular, two-person-portable system designed for depths around 305 meters and missions lasting up to 30 hours. The Navy did not disclose the quantity in this increment, but the order extends a 2023 program that could cover as many as 200 vehicles and broadens access to compact undersea reconnaissance and mine-countermeasure capacity.

Defence BlogSep 30

Saronic Awarded Production Contract for Marauder Under U.S. Navy's MUSV Marketplace

Saronic received a firm-fixed-price agreement to build ten 180-foot Marauder medium uncrewed surface vessels for the U.S. Navy's new MUSV marketplace. The award averages about $40 million per ship and calls for deliveries before the end of fiscal 2027, with production centered in Louisiana. Saronic says Marauder completed eight days of continuous operations and more than 140 test scenarios without failure, but the Navy will still need to integrate payloads and determine how the design performs alongside competing vessels from HII and Edison Chouest. Its performance will influence any follow-on Navy fleet expansion.

Naval NewsSep 30

U.S. Marine Corps to test electric seaglider in the field

The U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory added $5 million to its agreement with REGENT, bringing the partnership's total value to $19.25 million for further testing of the Viceroy electric seaglider. Phase IV includes six deliverables covering full-scale vehicle trials in operationally relevant conditions and command-and-control integration. The wing-in-ground-effect craft takes off and lands on water and is designed to move rapidly across maritime distances, but the work remains an experimentation program intended to assess military utility rather than a commitment to buy an operational fleet.

Defence BlogSep 30

Advanced British warship nears return to fleet

HMS Daring has taken on fuel for the first time in years, signaling that the Type 45 destroyer is approaching sea trials after being out of operational service since April 2017. The lengthy availability included the Power Improvement Project, which replaces unreliable diesel generators, as well as a broader refit and modernization package. Returned to Portsmouth in early 2023, the ship is now moving through crewing and shakedown preparations, a critical step toward restoring another high-end air-defense destroyer to the Royal Navy fleet for service into the 2030s.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukSep 30

U.S. and UK Sink Former Frigate to Validate Joint Maritime Strike in Atlantic Thunder Exercise

U.S. and British forces sank the decommissioned frigate USS Klakring during Exercise Atlantic Thunder to validate a combined maritime strike chain. HMS Portland fired a Naval Strike Missile, a Wildcat helicopter launched Sea Venom, USS Paul Ignatius contributed to the attack and submarine USS Massachusetts completed the sinking with a Mk 48 torpedo. The event tested how allied sensors, command networks, aircraft, ships and submarines could coordinate against a realistic naval target, while also generating performance data from multiple weapons in one controlled exercise. Environmental controls governed the selection and preparation of the wreck.

Army RecognitionSep 30

US Navy Awards HII $5.1B USS Truman Aircraft Carrier Contract to Refuel CVN 75 by 2031

HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division received a U.S. Navy contract with a ceiling near $5.1 billion for the refueling and complex overhaul of USS Harry S. Truman. The work will refuel the carrier's reactors and modernize propulsion, combat and ship systems while restoring thousands of compartments and tanks for another service period. The availability is scheduled to run through November 2031, making it one of the Navy's largest and most technically demanding maintenance projects and a major workload anchor for the Virginia shipyard. Options could raise the total slightly above the initial ceiling.

defensewarroom.comSep 30

Historic first as Royal Navy launches torpedo from uncrewed submarine, XV Excalibur

The Royal Navy's 12-meter XV Excalibur extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle fired and controlled an inert, recoverable U.S. Mk 48 Mod 4 heavyweight torpedo at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre in Scotland. Conducted under AUKUS Project Broadsword and Trial Iron, the three-week event marked the service's first torpedo launch from an uncrewed submarine. British and American teams integrated the weapon in about six months, demonstrating a pathway for autonomous undersea platforms to carry combat payloads while generating data for additional trials and future operational concepts.

Naval NewsSep 30

Navy Orders 30 Drone Ships To Finally Advance Its 'Medium' Uncrewed Vessel Ambitions

The U.S. Navy ordered 30 medium uncrewed surface vessels, dividing the production award equally among Edison Chouest Offshore, HII and Saronic. Each company will build ten vessels under agreements averaging about $40 million per ship, with deliveries expected to begin as early as the fourth quarter of fiscal 2027. The craft are intended to support modular payloads and long-endurance autonomous operations, advancing a program that has moved slowly for years while giving the Navy three industrial approaches to compare before any larger fleet commitment. Mission payloads and final operating concepts remain under development.

The War ZoneSep 30

HII Wins U.S. Navy Contract for 10 ROMULUS USVs

HII received a U.S. Navy production agreement for ten ROMULUS medium uncrewed surface vessels as one-third of a 30-ship multi-vendor purchase. The vessels will use HII's Odyssey autonomy architecture and are intended to accept modular payloads for missions such as surveillance, counter-drone operations, mine warfare and unmanned-system support. Company trials included a 420-nautical-mile, 28-hour autonomous endurance mission, while Navy deliveries are expected to begin by late fiscal 2027, giving the service a production fleet for operational experimentation and mission-system integration. Operational testing will determine which missions receive priority first.

Naval NewsSep 30

Saronic's Port Alpha Breaks Ground With LCU-1700 Backlog, Open To Building Navy Modules

Saronic broke ground on Port Alpha in Brownsville, Texas, as it prepares to build US Navy LCU-1700 landing craft and potentially larger ship modules. The utility craft can move troops, vehicles, and up to 170 tons of cargo directly to beaches or unimproved shorelines; production is expected to begin in 2028, with initial deliveries planned for 2029. The company sees the site as flexible maritime capacity, but broader Navy module work remains an opportunity rather than a confirmed award under the existing landing-craft backlog. Execution will test whether a new entrant can expand industrial capacity while meeting Navy cost, quality, and schedule requirements.

Defense DailySep 29

Stark and MBDA launch Vanta-12/Sea Venom combination to support NATO deterrence requirements

STARK's Vanta-12 uncrewed surface vessel was demonstrated at REPMUS 2026, while STARK and MBDA announced work to integrate the platform with MBDA's Sea Venom anti-ship and land-attack missile. The 12-meter USV is designed to carry four Sea Venoms aft and a ten-cell launcher for STARK's Cascade loitering munition forward. Vanta-12 participated in simulated combat missions at REPMUS, but the Sea Venom integration remains at an early stage, with the companies still working through software and system integration. No live Sea Venom firing from Vanta-12 was reported, so the missile pairing should be treated as a developing capability rather than a demonstrated operational weapon system.

Naval NewsSep 29

Latin AmericaNaval

US Marines Board and Sink Los Choneros Floating Refueling Station

US Marines and sailors operating from USS San Antonio boarded, searched, and cleared a floating refueling platform in the eastern Pacific that intelligence linked to Ecuador's Los Choneros criminal network. After the boarding concluded without reported resistance or casualties, US forces destroyed the vessel to remove infrastructure used to extend the range of trafficking craft. The action formed part of coordinated maritime interdiction activity with Ecuador, rather than a conventional naval battle or a seizure of a commissioned warship. Removing the logistics node raises the cost and risk of sustaining small vessels far from shore-based fuel supplies.

defensewarroom.comSep 29

Indonesia's carrier to be stripped of weapons ahead of modernisation

Indonesia's newly acquired KRI Sriwijaya, the former Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, is to have remaining weapons and communications equipment removed before a planned modernization. The stripping process reflects the condition of the transfer and clears the ship for an Indonesian refit whose final sensors, armament, aviation role, cost, and schedule have not been publicly settled. The vessel's arrival expands Jakarta's options for training, aviation, command, or amphibious support, but it is not yet an operationally modernized carrier. Modernization decisions will determine whether the aging hull delivers useful capability or becomes an expensive support burden.

JanesSep 29

Heavily Damaged Submarine USS Connecticut Now Won't Return To Service Until 2027

Repairs to the Seawolf-class attack submarine USS Connecticut are now expected to keep the boat out of service until summer 2027. The submarine struck an undersea mountain in the South China Sea in October 2021, injuring eleven sailors and severely damaging its bow and sonar dome, and subsequent overhaul milestones have repeatedly slipped. With retirement currently planned for 2031, the latest delay leaves only a short post-repair service period and illustrates the Navy's constrained nuclear-submarine maintenance capacity. The episode also consumed scarce shipyard labor and dry-dock capacity needed for other attack submarines awaiting maintenance.

The War ZoneSep 29

U.S. Aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt Heads to Middle East as Navy Sustains Iran Operations

USS Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego on September 27 for an expected deployment of more than seven months, with the carrier anticipated to reinforce US naval operations in the Middle East. The ship is positioned to relieve USS George Washington and help sustain a two-carrier presence during continued operations connected to Iran, while carrying additional supplies for the extended mission. The movement signals force allocation and readiness; detailed tasking, strike plans, and rules of engagement have not been publicly released. Sustaining two carriers places additional demand on escorts, aircraft, munitions, maintenance, and personnel across the wider fleet.

Army RecognitionSep 29

Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements

Israeli naval officials say the war with Iran has underscored the importance of protecting trade routes, freedom of navigation, and national economic interests, encouraging a broader future role for the service. The discussion coincides with the arrival of INS Drakon, Israel's sixth submarine and third air-independent-propulsion boat, while supply-chain constraints are increasing interest in domestic production and autonomous systems. These remain force-planning ambitions and operational lessons, not approved orders for a specified number of new ships or submarines. The force will also need to balance expansion ambitions against imported-component constraints and the urgency of wartime readiness.

Shephard MediaSep 29

2 aviators eject, 4 injured during landing mishap aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Two Carrier Air Wing 3 aviators ejected during an aircraft-recovery mishap aboard USS Dwight D Eisenhower off Virginia shortly after 6:15 pm and were safely rescued. Four sailors on the carrier were injured, including one taken ashore with injuries described as non-life-threatening, while the aviators underwent evaluation aboard the ship. The aircraft was subsequently identified as an EA-18G Growler, but the Navy's investigation must determine the cause, sequence, and condition of the aircraft rather than early speculation. All affected personnel received medical attention, and officials had announced no fatalities in the immediate aftermath of the mishap.

militarytimes.comSep 29

REPMUS 2026: Hefring Marine showcases ODIN maritime domain awareness, USV safety systems

Hefring Marine used NATO's REPMUS 2026 exercise in Portugal to demonstrate its ODIN maritime-domain-awareness platform and safety functions for uncrewed surface vessels. ODIN aggregates navigation and sensor information to help operators maintain situational awareness, manage risk, and supervise autonomous craft in busy or complex waters. REPMUS provides an allied environment for testing interoperability and operational concepts, but the appearance was a technology showcase and no NATO-wide purchase, contract value, or fielding commitment accompanied it. Operational value will depend on reliable collision avoidance, communications, and integration with naval command systems under realistic conditions.

JanesSep 29

OPINION | A welcome wildcat? Austal, AUKUS and an ownership mud wrestle

Competing bids for Austal USA contrast Hanwha's $1.7 billion proposal with Wildcat Infrastructure's $1.87 billion offer. Austal builds US Navy and Coast Guard ships, produces Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine modules, and supports Australian landing craft and the Mogami frigate program, making ownership relevant to American, Australian, Japanese, and South Korean security interests. A US buyer could simplify sensitive-technology concerns, but no sale has been approved and Wildcat's finances and long-term shipbuilding commitment still require scrutiny. No government has formally adopted those security conclusions as an acquisition decision, and the competing bids remain under review.

bairdmaritime.comSep 29

Shield AI's Hivemind coordinates two Kraken K3 SCOUT vessels in UK maritime surveillance trial ahead of planned tests with NATO partners

Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software coordinated two Kraken K3 SCOUT uncrewed surface vessels during a maritime surveillance trial around Portsmouth. Using radar, cameras, and Automatic Identification System data, the vessels shared tasks, tracked contacts, escorted targets, and replanned routes with limited operator involvement. The demonstration is intended to support follow-on testing with British and NATO partners in more contested conditions, but it did not represent an operational deployment or a procurement decision by the Royal Navy. Subsequent exercises should show how the autonomy performs amid jamming, degraded sensors, uncertain contacts, and congested waterways.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 29

Plymouth-built uncrewed boat armed with Sea Venom missile

A Plymouth-built uncrewed surface vessel has been armed with the Sea Venom anti-ship missile, demonstrating the integration of a modern precision-guided weapon onto an autonomous naval platform. Sea Venom is a fire-and-forget anti-ship missile developed jointly by MBDA and originally designed for helicopter launch, making its integration onto an uncrewed boat a notable capability extension. The development points toward a future operational concept in which low-cost autonomous surface vessels can deliver lethal anti-ship effects without risking crewed assets, consistent with NATO's evolving maritime drone strategy.

Britain backs BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce expansion with £6 billion plan to start SSN-AUKUS production in 2027 and double submarine output

The UK government has committed £6 billion to support BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce in expanding submarine production capacity, with SSN-AUKUS construction scheduled to begin in 2027 and a stated objective of doubling submarine output. The investment will fund facility upgrades at Barrow-in-Furness and propulsion manufacturing at Rolls-Royce's Derby and Bristol sites. The plan is central to Britain's obligations under the AUKUS trilateral agreement and represents the largest single commitment to UK submarine industrial capacity in decades, with implications for both domestic naval procurement and Australia's future submarine fleet.

U.S. Navy's newest destroyer arrives in Alaska

The future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, arrived in Whittier, Alaska, on September 27 ahead of its commissioning ceremony scheduled there for October 3, 2026. The visit marks the first U.S. Navy commissioning ceremony in Alaska since 2013. The ship will not be permanently based in Alaska: its homeport is Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and the Navy has not announced its first operational deployment.

U.S. Navy decommissions Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Erie and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown in San Diego

The U.S. Navy has decommissioned the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie and the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown in ceremonies held in San Diego. USS Lake Erie was notably used for ballistic missile defense tests, including the 2008 Operation Burnt Frost engagement of a malfunctioning satellite. The retirement of both vessels reflects the ongoing drawdown of the Ticonderoga class as the Navy prepares to transition cruiser-equivalent air defense functions to the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and future platforms.

Army RecognitionSep 28

Pakistan Navy's First Hangor-class Submarine Performs First Live Firing in North Arabian Sea

Pakistan Navy's first Hangor-class submarine has conducted its maiden live anti-ship missile firing in the North Arabian Sea, marking an important step in the boat's operationalization. The Hangor class is an export derivative of China's Type 039B Yuan-class submarine family, but Pakistan has not publicly disclosed the class's propulsion system or detailed subsystem configuration. The successful firing validated the submarine's weapon systems and demonstrated a new operational anti-ship strike capability for Pakistan's subsurface force.

Naval NewsSep 28

Fincantieri and PT PAL Indonesia sign agreement for the modernization of ex-Giuseppe Garibaldi

Fincantieri and Indonesia's state shipbuilder PT PAL have signed an agreement to modernize the former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, recently commissioned into the Indonesian Navy. The collaboration will cover upgrades needed to adapt the vessel to Indonesian operational requirements and integrate it into national naval doctrine. The partnership also positions PT PAL to develop domestic shipbuilding expertise through the modernization process, potentially strengthening Indonesia's indigenous naval industrial capacity for future programs.

U.S. Navy and Thales restore TACAN navigation system readiness after amplifier shortages disrupted deliveries and fleet maintenance

The U.S. Navy and Thales have cleared a production and maintenance backlog affecting high-power amplifiers used in AN/URN-32 and AN/URN-33 TACAN navigation systems. A cross-service team aligned supplier production lines, restored component flow and normalized lead times after shortages disrupted new deliveries and fleet repairs. Because TACAN provides aircraft with bearing and distance information for precise navigation to ships and shore stations, the recovery improves readiness across Navy and Coast Guard users while reducing the risk that a single supplier bottleneck will sideline otherwise serviceable equipment.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 27

Operation Epic Fury draws at least six U.S. warships from Pacific and up to 5,000 sorties from European bases into Middle East campaign

Operation Epic Fury drew at least six U.S. warships from Pacific assignments and used European bases to support as many as 5,000 sorties into the Middle East. Forces included the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and elements of the Japan-based Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, while European facilities provided airspace access, maintenance, weapons storage, fuel and strategic lift. The campaign involved more than 50,000 U.S. personnel and sharply increased logistics demand, illustrating how a major regional operation can consume naval, air-defense and sustainment resources allocated to other theaters.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 27

USS George Washington Flies Sorties 3 Weeks After Iran's Hit Claim

The United States Navy has shown USS George Washington conducting sustained flight operations after Iran claimed that a ballistic missile had struck the carrier on September 5. United States Central Command confirmed Iranian missile attacks but said the weapons missed and caused no casualties, while the Navy did not publicly identify George Washington as a target. Images from September 11 through 14 showed F-35C and F/A-18E/F sorties continuing from the ship, providing visible evidence of operational activity but not independently resolving every detail of the Iranian claim.

defensewarroom.comSep 27

HII expands Massachusetts factory by 25% to scale U.S. Navy Lionfish production and meet global demand for unmanned vessels

Huntington Ingalls Industries has expanded its Pocasset, Massachusetts, unmanned-systems facility by 10,000 square feet, increasing the site’s footprint by 25 percent. The plant supports production and integration of REMUS autonomous underwater vehicles and ROMULUS uncrewed surface vessels, with the added capacity intended to meet growing U.S. and international demand. Separately, HII’s U.S. Navy Lionfish program, based on the REMUS 300, could scale to as many as 200 vehicles under a contract valued at more than $347 million.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 27

Dutch ASWF Frigate Program Faces Further Delays as Belgium Evaluates Options

The Netherlands has delayed its Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate programme by another three years, moving the first Dutch delivery from 2030 to 2033. Stability problems required a larger hull and substantial redesign after an earlier schedule slip and an estimated cost increase of about 40 percent. Detailed engineering began in September 2026, while construction of the first integrated mast had started in June and a fuller programme update is expected in the fourth quarter. Belgium has not yet committed to the revised design and is also evaluating the Italian FREMM EVO before a decision expected by year-end.

Naval NewsSep 26

OSN secures contract for Italy's new DDX destroyers

OSN has secured a contract related to Italy's new DDX destroyer program, supporting the development of the Italian Navy's next-generation surface combatant. The DDX is intended to replace the ageing Durand de la Penne-class destroyers and will incorporate modern sensors, weapons and propulsion systems suited to high-end naval warfare. The contract award advances the DDX program toward production, representing a significant milestone for Italian naval shipbuilding and for the European surface combatant industrial base.

Defense DailySep 26

NATO publishes 'The Hunters' documentary, taking viewers inside allied submarine hunts during Dynamic Manta 26 in the Mediterranean

NATO has released “The Hunters – Inside NATO’s Anti-Submarine Warfare,” a documentary filmed during the Dynamic Manta 26 exercise in the Mediterranean. The production follows allied ships, sonar-equipped helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft as they search for submarines off Sicily, illustrating how different sensors and national forces combine to build and act on an underwater contact picture. Dynamic Manta brought together submarines, surface ships and aircraft from multiple allies, and the film explains why repeated training is needed as acoustic conditions, geography and submarine behavior vary across operating areas.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 26

Hellenic Navy Picks SCANTER 6002 Radar for Combat-Proven Drone Defense

The Hellenic Navy has selected Terma’s SCANTER 6002 radar for the modernization of its four Hydra-class MEKO 200 HN frigates. Hellenic Aerospace Industry will integrate the radar with its Centaur counter-unmanned-aircraft system and connect it to the ships’ Thales TACTICOS combat-management architecture. Designed to detect, track and classify small, low-observable aerial targets in difficult maritime conditions, the radar should strengthen close-range drone awareness and response, although the announcement covers a modernization selection rather than a complete new shipboard air-defense system or interceptor package for the frigates.

defensewarroom.comSep 26

TKMS and EDGE Explore Collaboration on Underwater Protection and Surveillance Capability

TKMS and the United Arab Emirates' EDGE Group have signed a memorandum to explore joint underwater surveillance and protection capabilities. The companies intend to assess an integrated, multi-system architecture that could combine sensors and other technologies to build a comprehensive underwater operating picture. Signed during a UAE state visit to Germany, the arrangement creates a framework for technical discussions and potential joint development. It does not announce a procurement programme, customer order, contract value or delivery schedule, so any resulting system remains subject to further evaluation and subsequent agreements between the partners.

Naval NewsSep 26

U.S. Navy says W93 Mk7 enters engineering phase, advancing first new nuclear warhead and reentry program in nearly four decades

The U.S. Navy's W93 nuclear warhead and Mk7 reentry body have entered engineering development, advancing the first new American naval warhead-and-reentry program in roughly four decades. Designed for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, the system is intended to strengthen the sea-based deterrent and is planned to begin entering service in the mid-2030s aboard the Columbia-class fleet. Los Alamos National Laboratory is leading warhead design using previously tested nuclear components, while the Mk7 program will also provide selected non-nuclear technologies relevant to Britain's separate Astraea warhead development effort.

Fincantieri Delivers 5th PPA 'Domenico Millelire' to Italian Navy

Fincantieri delivered the Italian Navy's fifth Thaon di Revel-class multipurpose offshore patrol vessel, Domenico Millelire, at its Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia on September 24. Managed through OCCAR, the program is renewing Italy's surface fleet with ships that can shift between patrol, rescue, civil-protection, and combat missions through configurable equipment. The 143-meter vessel can exceed 31 knots, accommodates up to 171 personnel, uses combined diesel, gas-turbine, and electric propulsion, and carries rigid-hull inflatable boats for boarding, rescue, and logistical support operations at sea and ashore.

Defense DailySep 25

U.S. Navy Establishes RASWDC To Accelerate Unmanned Systems Integration

The U.S. Navy has established the Robotic and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia. The organization will concentrate command responsibility for developing concepts, training, command-and-control practices, and operational integration for uncrewed maritime systems, replacing a more dispersed development structure. Its phased implementation is intended to align experimentation with fleet requirements and accelerate the transition of autonomous surface and undersea capabilities from prototypes into deployable forces that can operate safely and effectively alongside crewed ships in combat worldwide.

Japan launches its first high-speed landing craft

Japan Marine United launched Akane, Japan's first new high-speed landing craft, at its Yokohama shipyard on September 17. The 35-meter, 150-ton aluminum vessel uses BMT's Caimen tri-bow hull form and bow and stern ramps to move personnel, vehicles, and supplies rapidly between islands and austere shore sites. Akane is the first of four craft ordered for Japan's Maritime Transport Group, with outfitting and sea trials to continue before planned delivery in March 2027 and eventual operation from Amami Oshima for regional island support in southwestern Japan.

asianmilitaryreview.comSep 25

Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement

India's planned Project 17B frigate competition is expected to depart from earlier nominated-shipyard procurement by requiring domestic yards to compete for construction work. The design is intended to build on the Project 17A Nilgiri class with greater weapons capacity and improved combat systems, while sustaining multiple Indian naval shipbuilders. Competitive construction could broaden industrial participation and improve schedule or pricing discipline, but the program may still depend on foreign propulsion, sensors, weapons, and other key subsystems, leaving supply-chain localization as a central acquisition challenge throughout production.

HII expands Massachusetts unmanned systems production facility

HII is expanding its unmanned-systems production facility in Pocasset, Massachusetts, to increase capacity for autonomous maritime platforms and associated engineering work. The site employs about 300 people and added 50 staff during 2026, while maintaining research ties with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on autonomous underwater technology. The investment supports rising U.S. demand for uncrewed surface and undersea systems, but the company did not tie the expansion to a single disclosed production quantity or delivery schedule, so its impact will span multiple development and procurement efforts.

aviationweek.comSep 25

Turkish Navy tests crewed-uncrewed operations and USV strike in 100-ship exercise

The Turkish Navy conducted crewed-uncrewed teaming and a live one-way unmanned surface-vehicle attack during the six-day Denizkurdu-I/2026 exercise. Roughly 100 ships operated across four seas, using networked command arrangements to coordinate conventional vessels with autonomous systems and demonstrate the Pirana strike concept in a large fleet setting. Beyond the individual attack, the exercise tested how unmanned craft can be assigned, controlled, and integrated into wider naval operations, while Turkish officials also used the event to outline future fleet development, procurement, and experimentation priorities across the fleet.

Army RecognitionSep 25

World's first Acoustic Picket Line at REPMUS26

British maritime sensing company Oshen is demonstrating what it calls the world's first acoustic picket line operated by uncrewed surface vessels during the REPMUS26 maritime robotics exercise off Portugal. The concept distributes acoustic sensors across multiple small autonomous craft so they can maintain a persistent barrier, share detections, and extend surveillance beyond the coverage of a single platform. The trial is intended to show how inexpensive, networked vessels could support anti-submarine awareness and protect maritime approaches while reducing demands on crewed warships and fixed sensor infrastructure.

Defense DailySep 25

Royal Navy's 6th Astute-Class SSN HMS Agamemnon Begins Sea Trials

HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy's sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, left BAE Systems' Barrow-in-Furness yard on September 25 to begin sea trials. Commissioned in September 2025 and subjected to an initial trim dive the following month, the boat will now validate propulsion, sensors, weapons, and overall performance before frontline service. Once operational, Agamemnon will conduct intelligence, anti-submarine, and land-attack missions using Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles, while helping protect Britain's carrier groups, nuclear deterrent, critical undersea infrastructure, and deployed naval forces during long overseas deployments worldwide.

Naval NewsSep 25

Navy Previews MUSV Phase II Project

The U.S. Navy is preparing a competitive Phase II effort to integrate and test Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel technologies through an online defence-acquisition marketplace. The planned project seeks a vessel able to operate without crew for more than ten days, carry at least two standard 20-foot payload containers and remain no longer than 90 metres. Desired participants include companies with vessel construction, autonomy, perception, maritime integration and testing expertise. The notice previews requirements and a selection process rather than announcing a production contract, and it leaves final quantities, awards and operational fielding decisions for later stages.

Defense DailySep 25

The Navy's public shipyards will take more decades to repair, GAO says

The U.S. Navy's programme to modernise its four public shipyards could cost more than $200 billion and take about 50 years, according to the Government Accountability Office. Launched in 2018 with an initial estimate near $21 billion over 20 years, the effort covers Norfolk, Portsmouth, Puget Sound and Pearl Harbor, which maintain nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. Costs and schedules grew as planners confronted underestimated engineering complexity, added projects and requirements such as major seismic work at Puget Sound. The GAO recommended standard, consolidated annual reporting to Congress on scope, spending, schedules and performance.

Defense OneSep 25

Indonesia receives first batch of 12 amphibious assault vehicles

Indonesia has received the first batch of 12 amphibious assault vehicles, advancing the Indonesian Marine Corps' capability to conduct shore assault and littoral operations. The delivery represents a concrete step in Indonesia's ongoing effort to modernize its amphibious warfare capacity, which is a strategic priority given the country's archipelagic geography and its maritime territorial interests. The type and origin of the vehicles were not specified in the Janes reporting, but the delivery marks a significant equipment milestone for Indonesian ground and naval forces.

Italy Signs €3.7B Contract for New DDX Destroyers

Italy has signed a €3.7 billion contract for new DDX destroyers, representing one of the most significant Italian naval procurement decisions in recent years. The contract, awarded through OCCAR, involves a Fincantieri-Leonardo joint venture and is intended to deliver vessels capable of defending against ballistic and hypersonic missile threats. The DDX programme will strengthen the Italian Navy's area-defence capability as Rome accelerates naval modernization in line with NATO commitments.

Naval NewsSep 24

Royal IHC and Naval Group sign first order for the new Orka-class submarines

Royal IHC and Naval Group have signed the first industrial order under the Netherlands' Orka-class submarine programme. The contract covers the design and subsequent production and installation of onboard accommodation modules for the four submarines, rather than construction of the complete boats. The modules will provide the living quarters and associated facilities used by their crews.

Naval NewsSep 24

Belgium Procures TRIDENT Mine Warfare Systems for Ukraine via Exail

Belgium has ordered three TRIDENT systems from Exail for transfer to Ukraine under a contract worth nearly €9.9 million. TRIDENT, or Tactical RHIB for Identification and Disposal of Explosive Naval Threats, is a rigid-hull boat system used to support mine identification and disposal missions, including deployment of K-STER C expendable vehicles. The 24-month contract will provide Ukraine with a mobile platform for operations in mine-contaminated waters.

Naval NewsSep 24

How France's SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base

France's SNLE 3G programme to develop the next generation of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines is driving a substantial restructuring of the country's naval nuclear industrial base, according to Shephard Media. The programme requires significant investments in shipbuilding, nuclear propulsion, strategic missile integration and supporting technologies, compelling French industry to expand capacity and develop new skills across the supply chain. The SNLE 3G will eventually replace the current Le Triomphant class and sustain France's sea-based nuclear deterrent well into the second half of the century.

Shephard MediaSep 24

China's next carrier could be its longest

China's next aircraft carrier could be the longest vessel in the People's Liberation Army Navy fleet, according to South China Morning Post analysis of available intelligence and imagery, suggesting a continued expansion of Chinese carrier strike capability. The vessel would exceed the dimensions of the Fujian, China's most advanced current carrier, which itself employs electromagnetic catapult launch technology. If confirmed, the programme would represent a further step toward a blue-water power projection capability commensurate with US supercarrier operations.

scmp.comSep 24

Britain prepares HMS Astute for major mid-life revalidation after 15 years, sustaining Royal Navy attack-submarine capability

HMS Astute, lead boat of the Royal Navy's nuclear-powered attack submarine class, is preparing for a Mid Life Re-Validation Period after completing a 15-year first commission. The work will be conducted at Babcock's Devonport dockyard, although the government update did not specify its cost, timetable or technical scope. The overhaul will sustain the submarine until the future SSN-AUKUS class begins replacing Astute-class boats from the late 2030s.

Defence BlogSep 24

US firm begins construction of new medium unmanned vessels

Birdon America has begun building its first tranche of medium unmanned surface vessels at C&C Marine & Repair in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. C&C Marine plans to produce one vessel every two months, while Mythos AI will supply the autonomy technology used to operate the craft with limited human control. Birdon has not disclosed the number of vessels or delivery dates, so the announced cadence is not a complete program schedule, but construction marks a clear transition from design and preparation into repeatable production of the new MUSV platform.

bairdmaritime.comSep 24