Western European Navies (week 36)

Political News
The European Union is still not in agreement on whether to lift its arms embargo on China, which came in effect after the events at Tiananmen Square in 1989.

The Strategic Defence and Security Review will change Britains defence forces. The government might cut spending with 20%.

Britain and France will not be sharing cariers.

France is on a US Navy blacklist.

Global Operations
The EU Somalia Training Mission has finished training 192 Somali recruits on their first training module.

The first trial of suspected pirates in Kenya, apprehended during Operation Atalanta, has resulted in sentences of five years each for seven pirates.

HNLMS Amsterdam joins Operation Atalanta.
FS Floreal has joined Operation Atalanta
HDMS Esbern Snare has disarmed suspected pirates three times in three days.

FGS Donau has left germany to join UNIFIL.

Shipbuilding
The Brits have so far awarded contracts for around £1.25 billion for its 2 new aircraft carriers.

HNLMS Schiedam, a Dutch minehunter, is receiving a midlife upgrade in Zeebrugge (Belgium).

The Portugese navy has officially received the submarine NRP Tridente

The first regular Skold-class HNoMS Storm has been commissioned. The first ship (the 11 year old Skjold) was a prototype that will be modified, so it will be the same as the five others.

France has received it's second NH90 NFH.

French naval shipbuilder DCNS is trying to cut costs.

Greece has received it's last upgraded S-class, the HS Aegean.

Exercises
Italy and Russia are training together in Ionex 2010.

HMS Ocean is on an amphibious exercise with Brazilian marines.