The Future Of The Norwegian Submarine Force

Just as any other Western country at the moment, the Norwegians are conducting a defence review.
Their most recent study is into the submarine force. The Ula-class submarines are expected to be end-of-life in 2020.

And like anyone would expect, the first conclusion of the study was that nothing but a submarine can replace a submarine.

In the study, three different options for a  future submarine capability have been assessed:

1. No investment. This means no more Norwegian submarine capabilities after 2020.

2. Keep a submarine force. This may involve several solutions, including extending the life of the current Ula-class, or acquisition of new submarines.

3. Alternatives for submarines. The alternative is existing and new equipment in the military that together can fulfill the tasks the submarines are currently performing. Think increased weapon and sensor outfits and a higher availability of platforms.

The study concludes that option 2 seems to be the best solution to meet requirements after 2020.

The government has decided they want continuation of the submarine force after 2020.
The next decision to be made is the choice between life extension for the existing Ula-class submarines and the acquisition of new submarines, or a combination of these two.

Expect a preliminary decision in 2014 at the earliest and a final one in 2017.

Western European Navies (week 50)

Political News
France, Germany and Poland have sent a letter to the EU in which they plea for closer military cooperation in the EU.

Global Operations
For Operation Atalanta: see their website.

Denmark has handed over command of Operation Ocean Shield to the Netherlands.

FS Tonnerre has replaced FS Sirocco in the Gulf of Guinea. The French also have 900 men and 8 helis in Cote d'Ivoire and are the country in charge of coordinating the EU efforts there.

Shipbuilding
HMS Albion has assumed the role of flagship of the Royal Navy.

The official website for the new Astute Class nuclear subs from the Royal Navy has been launched. And the Second Astute-class submarine fhas been launched and named Ambush.

Following the SDSR the Royal Navy will be decommissioning the following ships:
HMS Ark Royal (December 2010)
HMS Chatham (January 2011)
HMS Campbeltown (April 2011)
HMS Cumberland (April 2011)
HMS Cornwall (April 2011)
RFA Bayleaf (April 2011)
RFA Fort George (April 2011)
RFA Largs Bay (April 2011)
HMS Illustrious (2014)

Virtual 360° tours of the FS Mistral (LPH) and FS Forbin (AAW frigate).

Western European Navies (week 49)

Political News
German Defence Minister zu Guttenberg has said that the goal of saving €8,4 billion is unatainable. That amount is can only be reached if the armed forces will be cut with another 20,000 people.

The Royal Navy is preparing to put women on submarines.

Global Operations
For Operation Atalanta: see their website.

Shipbuilding
Ten EU countries and Norway are going to work together on the 'European Unmanned Maritime Systems for MineCounter-Measures and other naval applications (UMS)'.

France has launched an Unmanned Surface Vehicle demonstrator for mine clearance.

Poland has signed a contract to acquire Naval Strike Missiles from Norway.

Norway has taken another step in modernizing their Ula-class submarines, by signing a contract for new for new navigation and radar control systems.

Still no luck for HMS Astute, as she breaks down.

European Union
The European Union, or more specifically the European Defence Agency (EDA), has published a lot of documents this week:
Seeking savings through pooling and sharing
Work Programme 2011
Defence Data 2009
Report by the Head of the EDA to the Council

Western European Navies (week 48)

Political News
France has finally adapted its law to fight more effectively against piracy. This marks the reintroduction of piracy in French criminal law, which was removed in 2007.

Global Operations
For news from Operation Atalanta: see their website.

A Rafale M , flown from the Charles de Gaulle in Operation Agapanthe, crashed off the coast of Pakistan. The pilot ejected because of what he thought was a fuel shortage, but what now appears to be a faulty gauge.
The first mention in the blogosphere was 10 minutes after the crash.

Vessel Protection Detachments from the EU are now allowed on all Sierra Leone flagged vessels in the Gulf of Aden. A fair amount of AMISOM and WFP vessels fly the flag of Sierra Leone.

The Netherlands is to prosecute more pirates. This will be the first time that a western nation will prosecute pirates that attacked a foreign-flagged vessel in the Somali bassin.

Belgium is to prosecute pirate involved with hijacking of the Belgian dredger MV Pompei back in April 2009. The pirate was, together with others, picked up by BNS Louise Marie. Belgium only adopted a law making this possible in December 2009.

RFA Fort Victoria stops a pirate attack.

Shipbuilding
The specifications for the Royal Navy's Type 23 replacement, the Type 26, have been cut to save money.

With the decommissioning of HMS Ark Royal, HMS Albion has become the Royal Navy's flagship.

HMS Astute, the sub that ran aground, is expected to resume sea trials next month.

Denmark is set to buy 12 MH-60R Seahawks.

Exercises
Exercise Emerald Move 2010 has ended.

Western European Navies (week 47)

Political News
German defence minister Zu Gutenberg has said the future size of the German armed Forces will be 180,000. Conscription will be suspended from Juli 2011.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the french President, has come under attack because of an arms scandal.

France has finally adapted its law to fight more effectively against piracy

Global Operations
For Operation Atalanta: see their website.

The trial of the 10 alleged Somali pirates in Germany has started.

The Dutch naval Commander has visited China to discuss naval cooperation, including personnel exchanges.

HNLMS Amsterdam has captured another 13 pirates, with direct fire aimed at the pirates' skiff.
The vessel now has 20 pirates in captivity, including those who are suspected of hijacking the South African sailing ship Choizil early November.

Royal Marines aboard HMS Montrose have destroyed a pirate vessel.
Both here and with HNLMS Amsterdam you can see in the associated photos how close they must be operating to the Somali coast.

HDMS Esbern Snare has come to the rescue of a merchant vessel after it was attacked by pirates, and they stopped another pirate group and blew up their vessel.

Shipbuilding
Think Defence has started an interesting series of 8 articles called 'The Future of the Royal Navy'.

The (temporary?) end of British STOVL carrier operations.

The third and final Lynx Wildcat test helicopter has maid its maiden flight.

French DCNS is testing an UUV.

Are the Dutch creating their own future problems by allowing Thales to supply the Venezualan navy?

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)

Western European Navies (week 42)

Political News
The biggest new was of course the 8% cut in funding in the UK.
Read Galrahn's post to see what effects it will have on the Royal Navy.
And Think Defence are doing a 12 part analysis of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

The French Chief of Naval Staff is sounding the alarm bells, regarding the decline of the French navy.

Spanish Defence Minister Carme Chacon called for an analysis of the competitiveness of the Spanish defense industry, compared with that of other members of the European Union.

And the Germans are still busy with their research into a reform of the military. The Weise commission recommends a reduction to 180,000 personnel and they think it must also be possible to double the amount of deployed forces.

Global Operations
For news on Operation Atalanta: see their website.

Shipbuilding
The fifth ship in the Spanish Álvaro de Bazán class will be launched on November 4.

The Hellenic Navy has received its fourth FAC.

The Dutch will bet puting Low Frequency Active Passive Sonar on their two M class frigates (Karel Doorman class). They will replace the current passive sonars, starting at the end of 2011.

Four MCMVs from the Royal Navy have been testing mine hunting sonars from Thales.

The 22nd edition of EURONAVAL is from 25-29 October.

Exercises
Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring has been on exercise with USS Enterprise in the Atlantic.

The Belgians and Dutch are underway in exercise Beneficial Archer.

Upcoming Exercise
Emerald Move 2010
3000 personnel, 11 ships, 19 planes and helicopters from Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, The UK and host nation Senegal.
Ships (that I know of):
FS Cassard
FS Siroco
FS Tonnere
ITS San Giorgio
ITS San Marco
HNLMS Johan de witt

Other
HMS Astute has run aground.
So has the Swedish ship HSwMS Sundsvall.

Western European Navies (week 41)

Political News
As of now there is a limit on the value off offsets in defence contracts in the EU.

It looks like NATO will say 'yes' to the missile defence project in Europe during the Lisbon meeting scheduled for November, now France has approved the project.

The British National Audit Office has published its reports on the major defence projects. Their conclusion: 3.3 billion pound over budget and an overall 38 billion pound "black hole" between spending and money available. In that 3.3 billion the two planned new aircraft carriers account for 650 million pounds.
But the NAO also drew attention to some positive findings. In 2009/10, the cost performance on the majority of projects was broadly stable, for the second year running. The rate of project overruns also fell significantly and 98% of performance indicators were likely to be met.

Defence spending in Italy down 10% for 2011. Expect cuts and delays for FREMM frigates.

No cuts for the navy in 2011 in Norway.

In Belgium there are hardly any Francophone generals. Dutch-speaking Belgians have 66% of all the top positions and all departments are being led by Dutch speaking Flemish people.
Belgian law says that top officers have to speak both languages fluently and from personal experience I can say that, on average, the French of the Dutch speaking Flemish is much better than the Dutch of the French speaking Walloons. Even so much so, that my French (3 years in high school) is better than their Dutch 99% of the time and I don't stand a chance against the French of the (Dutch speaking) Flemish.

Global Operations
German's State Attorney has indicted the 10 Somali men that were caught during the Dutch action on the MV Taipan.

Denmark is airlifting a helicopter to Africa to replace the current one on HDMS Esbern Snare, to fight piracy.

AGAPANTHE 2010 is not even a day old and the French carrier Charles de Gaulle has to head back home already. Repairs will take a couple of weeks.

Another blog about Operation Atalanta. This time from the FGS Köln (in German).

Shipbuilding
The final type 45 has been launched in the UK.

The UK is competing against France and Italy to sell warship to Brazil.

The Swedes have modified two CB90's, so they can be taken onboard Dutch and British LPD's, and loaned one to the Netherlands and one to the UK for 6 months.
I'd expect to see them in exercise Emerald Move.

The Irish have ordered two OPV's from Babcock Marine for €100 million. One vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2014, the other in 2015.

The first Spanish S-80 submarine is scheduled to sail in 2013.

French DCNS setting its sight on the Maritime Security Cutter Medium from the USCG.

Exercises
The UK, France, Australia and the US have done an anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Gulf of Oman.

Upcoming Execercises
Emerald Move 2010. An exercise from the European Amphibious Initiative (EAI) to be held in Senegal in November. While original plans were to put a force of 2,500 ashore and support them for 10 days, all countries involved have since decided to scale the exercise down, due to costs.

Western European Navies (week 40)

Political News
As of 10-10-10 the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist and the Kingdom of the Netherlands is now comprised of the countries Aruba, Curacao, the Netherlands and Sint Maarten. The smaller islands that were in the Netherlands Antilles -Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius- are now part of the Netherlands proper, as special municipalities.
So the main question is: Does this affect the Dutch armed forces?
Answer: Nope. There will be no changes to the defence of the Kingdom.

The discussions about the SDSR in the UK are still ongoing. Galrahn has contributed to the discussion here.

And while the British-French cooperation possibilities get the most press. The UK is also looking at other countries, like Spain.

Global Operations
Galrahn mentioned here that the French will deploy their carrier Charles de Gaulle to Afghanistan. That's only a part of Agapanthe 2010 and will be during November and December while the whole trip is from October-February. Read all about it in this press release from the French navy.

BNS Louise-Marie left for the Horn of Africa to join Operation Atalanta. If you understand Dutch, there are 2 blogs you can follow to read what's happening on the ship.

Shipbuilding
Lets start with a big one that I forgot to mention last week.
SPS Juan Carlos I has entered service with the Spanish navy.

The Dutch navy has ordered one more Gatekeeper system, to be installed on HNLMS Amsterdam.

Replenishment ship SPS Cantabria has completed its first Operational Evaluation

Spain wants to sell 3 old patrols ships, that will be replaced by the BAMs.

Portugal has received it's first P-3C CUP, which they bought from the Dutch.

The Swedes have modified a CB90, so that it can be taken in a davit of HNLMS Johan de Witt.

Exercises
A truly big exercise is being held from 4-15 October, Joint Warrior 102. The Joint Warrior exercises are the biggest exercises being held in Europe. There are 15 countries participating with 30 surface ships, 3 submarines, fighter jets, helicopters, AWACS and MPA's.

Spain, Portugal, France and Marcocco had SEABORDER 2010 from 5-7 October.

Upcoming Execercises
Emerald Move 2010. An exercise from the European Amphibious Initiative (EAI) to be held in Senegal in November. While original plans were to put a force of 2,500 ashore and support them for 10 days, all countries involved have since decided to scale the exercise down, due to costs.

Western European Navies (week 39)

Political News
Shared nuclear deterrent back on the table for the UK and France

Over the next 3 years France is to cut its defence spending by €3.6 billion

The future Dutch government will be cutting its spending on defence with €600 million (about 7%).

EU parliamentarians thinking about what to replace the WEU with after mid 2011.

Future Israeli submarines no longer allowed to test in Norway. Reason is the ban on security exports to Israel.

Global Operations
HMS Cumberland has left for the Gulf

In the third EUNAVFOR case in Kenya 11 Somali men have been sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Although HDMS Esbern Snare had propulsion problems, it didn't stop them from intercepting 3 suspected pirate vessels.

4 suspected pirates, captured by SPS Galicia have been handed over to the Kenian authorities. It looks like these will be the last ones, since the prison in Kenya are overcrowded.

Spanish submarine Mistral is to join Operation Active Endeavour

Shipbuilding
FS Le Terrible, the 4th and final ship of the Triomphant-class has been put in to active service. It's the first SSBN to be armed with the new M51 SLBM.

The Sea Viper has finally been launched from a Type 45. HMS Dauntless had the honour.

Spanish Navantia is to build a second series of 4 Buques de Acción Marítima (BAM) for the Spanish navy.

Anyone intersested in a couple of frigates (or helicopters and APCs) should contact the Danish government.

Thales has sold its Captas sonar as a demonstrator to the US for use on the LCS.

Exercises
The French and Maroccans have the CHEBEC 2010 exercise.

Portugal will host Deep Divex 2010

Western European Navies (week 38)

On the off chance that people want to get the info I put up here quicker, you can follow me on twitter, were I tweet most of this stuff (and some more).

Political News
There's been an informal meeting of the EU Defence Ministers in Ghent (Belgium).
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, Catherine Ashton, was absent......again. The President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, did go. But that's no surprise, given he is from Belgium.

The Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces is advocating for a reorganization to achieve cost saving measures. For those of you who actually understand Finnish, here is his speech.
I'd say: welcome to the club Finland.

HMS Gloucester has been barred from entering an Uruguayan port. It's seen as a solidarity gesture to Argentina.

After three years the defence trade cooperation treaties between the USA, the UK and Australia have made it through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Norway is going to try to get Russia working with NATO on Arctic Ocean security.

Global Operations
The Area of Operations for Atalanta has been extended.

Second EUNAVFOR piracy case in Kenya: 7 men sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Shipbuilding
Germany willl be selling two of the six Type 206 submarines they decomissioned to save costs.

Swedish Kockums has gotten a contract to upgrade 2 Gottland-class submarines. Delivery of the first upgraded sub is scheduled for October 2011

French DCNS shows some new stuff clearly aimed at Euronaval.
It also looks like they are the sure winners of the Russian 'competition' for amphibious ships.

The third Type 45, Diamond, has been handed over the British MoD.

In competition with the UK and Italy, France will propose an offer of OPVs, frigates and a tanker to Brazil.

Exercises
EUROMARFOR will be in Casablanca from September 23 to 27 to participate in Multicooperative Exercise '10

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.

Western European Navies (week 35)

At the suggestion of reader H__K this week not a breakdown by country, but by news categories.

Please let me know if you like this better, or if you prefer the previous breakdown by country.

Political News
The hottest topic this past week has been if France and the UK are going to share carriers.

The failure of the coalition talks in the Netherlands has effectively ruined the chances of a right-wing government. The MoD should now prepare itself for a much bigger cut in expenditure than the €300 million that had been agreed upon.

Global Operations
The German frigate FGS Köln has left Wilhemshaven and set sail towards Somalia to join Operation Atalanta.

Greek frigate HS Adrias and Spanish LPD SPS Galicia have joined Operation Atalanta.

A Royal Navy Helicopter Squadron is deploying to the Somali coast. They will be operating from RFA Fort Victoria.

Shipbuilding
German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems have signed a contract for the sale of Blohm + Voss to Abu Dhabi MAR.

Germany has retired it's 6 Type 206 submarines.

France has retired its 46 year old helicopter carrier FS Jeanne d'Arc.

The first French FREMM, the Aquitane, has been moved to the drydock.

Seatrials for the fifth vessel of the Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen class, the Thor Heyerdahl, have started.

Norway has received 2 new training vessels, the Kvarven and the Nordnes.

Excercises
Swedish amphibious troops are training with the Dutch on HNLMS Rotterdam. I have to admit I always like seeing the CB90 with our LPD's. I wish the Swedes had sent them so Somalia when they were leading operation Atalanta, because at that time HNLMS Johan de Witt was there.

The French are holding the Olives Noir exercise on mine warfare from 3-17 September in the Mediterranean. The multinational exercise is attended by EUMARFOR and one of NATO's mine countermeasure groups.

Western European Navies (week 34)

Denmark
HDMS Esbern Snare, the current flagship of SNMG1, averted a pirate attack off the coast of Somalia last Saturday. SNMG1 is currently involved in NATO operation Ocean Shield.

The exercise DANEX 2010 has ended.

HDMS Søløven, the newest ship of the Flyvefisken class patrol vessels, will be converted to a training vessel for divers. She will replace the much smaller HDMS Læsø. The ship is expected to rejoing the fleet mid-2011.

Finland
One of the new minehunters of the MITO class has been christened.

France
A Lynx from the Royal Navy was stationed aboard a french frigate, during exercise DANEX 2010.

Germany
The political discussion about the future of the German defence forces has officially started.

The Netherlands
HNLMS Amsterdam has left for Somalia to join Operation Atalanta.

HNLMS De Zeven Provincien has left operation Ocean Shield in Somalia and to join Operation Active Endeavour in the mediterenean.

If the current coalition talks will actually result in a new government, the military will be happy. The parties involved in the talks have agreed upon a €300 million cut for defence. This is only a fraction of what people feared.

UK
The 7,400t HMS Astute, the UK's newest nuclear submarine, has been commissioned.

Four MCMV's from the UK, together with four from the US, will do a 10 day exercise in the Gulf. RFA Lyme Bay has joined as an afloat headquarters.

Other
Open Spirit 2010, the mine clearance exercise in the Baltic Sea has started and will last until September 8. A 2008 survey estimated there are still 80,000 mines in the Baltic Sea.

Western European Navies (week 33)

As I explained in my introduction, Galrahn asked me to bring some European eyes to the blog.
To do that, I'm going to experiment (to see how much interest there is in this topic) with a 'Western European Navies' weekly, to show what is happening on this side of the Atlantic.
The 'Western European' part is because I don't understand the Eastern European languages. And there will also be 2 Western countries that will be (mostly) absent from my news clippings: Finland and Greece. Their languages differ so much from the other western european languages that I can't make heads or tails of it.
Because I'm Dutch, expect too see a disproportionate amount of news from the Netherlands.

Most of the news I will be blogging about, will come from the Navy websites from these European countries. To go through the (major) news sites of every country every week is just undoable.

Denmark

Exercise DANEX 2010 is a national Danish naval exercise with the participation of foreign units.

The exercise is conducted from 16 to 26 August in the Baltic Sea around the island of Bornholm, in the Kattegat and Skagerrak.

The goal of this exercise is to train the units in cooperation in coastal operations in an out of area environment, focusing on operations that take place in unstable regions. This exercise is divided into two phases.

The main object through both phases is to let the units experience and train working in a multinational naval force. During the first phase the units train cooperation conducted by a serialized program and during the second phase, the units work out in a free play, while the level is intensified during the exercise.

Nearly 30 ships from 12 different nations, including the one of NATO standing mine forces Standing Naval Mine Countermeassure group 1 (SNMCMG1) will participate in DANEX 10.

Furthermore a number of helicopters and aircraft from Denmark, England and Germany will contribute. Finally, a large number of other Navy units such as Frogman Corps, Naval Districts, Naval Weapons Course and the Naval Operational Logistics Support Centre participate in a range of contributions, all of which provide exercise participants opportunity to discover more facets of being part of a multinational operation environment.

The website for the exercise is in English.

France
The Mistral sale isn't proceeding as planned, see Galrahn's article here.

Germany
Germany is thinking about reducing their armed forces with 33% and ending conscription. The navy might shrink from 16,000 to 11,500 in personnel numbers.

The State Attorney in Hamburg wants to prosecute the pirates who attacked the MV Taipan for attempted murder.

The Netherlands
The navy has launched a new website called 'in the middle of the navy'. It might be interesting because it is essentially a video documentary (in 7 episodes of a couple of minutes) about HNLMS Tromp during Operation Atalanta. This was the ship that freed the MV Taipan, so I'm hoping for some new footage on that in the episode that launches on 3 September.

HNLMS De Zeven Provincien has prevented a pirate attack off the Somali coast. This is NATO operation Ocean Shield and suddenly you can only find the news in the Dutch press. Looks like the EU is doing a better PR job than NATO, with their website on Operation Atalanta.

Damen Schelde have signed a contract worth $220 million with Indonesia to build a 2,400t frigate at the PT Pal shipyard in Indonesia. This is important for Damen (who are at the moment the sole builder of warships for the Dutch), because Indonesia's frigates are ageing, so this may become the first of a series.

Portugal
With the decomissioning of the Albacora, Portugal has no more submarines in its inventory. This will only last until 8 September, when the Tridente (a Type 214) will join the Portuguese navy.

Spain
The Spanish LPD Galicia has left for Operation Atalanta. It will be interesting to see how the Spanish will operate their LPD compared to what the Dutch did with their LPD HNLMS Johan de Witt.

United Kingdom
The much plagued Sea Viper has hit its first target in the Mediteranean. Sea trials are planned aboard the new Type 45 destroyer HNLMS Dauntless for later this year.

The UK is still busy discussing the future of its armed forces. This offcourse, includes the navy.

The UK MoD has accepted the PASCAT (Partial Air Cushion Supported CATamaran), a new type of landing craft, as a trials vessel.