Western European Navies (week 44)

Political News
Well, actually there's only one thing important in the political news of this week and that's the signing of the Declaration on Defence and Security Co-operation between France and the UK.

The new Dutch government has agreed on defence cuts. They're going to reduce the current budget in steps. Starting with €200 million (2.4%) in 2011 and ending in 2018, by which time it's €635 million (7.5%). However, you never know what elections might bring and the next ones are scheduled for 2014.

Global Operations
For Operation Atalanta: see their website.

Both the Dutch and the Brits were lending a helping hand in the Caribbean, after hurricane Tomas.

The Dutch submarine HNLMS Walrus has ended its deployment for operation Ocean Shield.

Shipbuilding
The third Dutch OPV of the Holland class has been christened.

Navantia has launched the fifth frigate of the Spanish Álvaro de Bazán class. Delivery is scheduled for the summer of 2012.

In Denmark the Ivar Huitfeldt has been christened. It's the first of three new Danish frigates.

The Hellenic Navy has commissioned their first 214 Class submarine, HS Papanikolis.

Russia and France have signed an agreement to form a shipbuilding consortium.

Exercises
The USMC and Spanish marines trained together in Cadiz from 25 October - 5 November in exercise Lisa Azul.

Upcoming Exercise
Emerald Move will start 8 November. It looks like Spain and the UK didn't join.
There are 3000 personnel, 11 ships, 19 planes and helicopters from Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands and host nation Senegal involved in the exercise.

Other
I think Galrahn could have also posted some nice things about Her Majesty's Coastguard (sarcastic? me?), had he known the tug that was sent to rescue HMS Astute actually rammed the nuclear submarine.

The Portuguese have published their naval strategy. (137 pages, in Portuguese)