Somali pirates attempting a hijacking a day; have hijacked 20 ships this year

There have been five attempted hijackings this last week in the Indian Ocean, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). In total, Somali pirates have made 117 attempts to hijack ships this year, succeeding in 20 cases. In the process they have taken 338 hostages, the IMB reports.

The most recent hijacking too place on April 21 when the bulk carrier MV Rosalia d’Amato was captured by pirates roughly 350 nautical miles south east of Salalah, Oman. The 74,500 tonne Italian flagged and owned vessel was on its way to Bandar Imam Khomeini (Iran) from Paranagua (Brazil) when it was attacked by a single skiff, The European Union Naval Force reports. Coalition warships had communications with the vessel and were told: ‘pirates onboard stay away’. The MV Rosalia d’Amato has a crew of 21, comprising six Italians and 15 Filipinos.

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Submit Your Bids for HMS Ark Royal

In case you’re on the market for a used aircraft carrier, the Brits have officially posted an advertisement offering up the HMS Ark Royal, former flagship of the Royal Navy, and time is running out to buy. The only problem is you’re going to have to buy her without seeing her for yourself since the last day to sign up to inspect your future aircraft carrier was yesterday. For those of you who did sign up, tours are scheduled at 8:00 AM on May 7 and 8 at Her Majesty’s Navy Base, Portsmouth, UK.

F/A-18F Super Hornets will join Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom

Air Force multi-role F/A-18F Super Hornets, Navy guided-missile frigates and a Collins class submarine will join the armed forces of Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in a major military exercise designed to enhance regional security.

The exercise called BERSAMA SHIELD 2011 (BS11) will bring together the member countries of the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) as they exercise in various locations on the Malaysian Peninsula and in the South China Sea between 2 and 13 May.

DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW OF MRH-90 MULTI ROLE HELICOPTER PROGRAM

A full diagnostic review of the MRH-90 Multi Role Helicopter Program has now been completed.

The review was ordered in February by the Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare to address delays to the project.

It was chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation Mr Warren King supported by a number of independent specialists.

The review has recommended that the project should not be added to the Project of Concern list at this time.

ANZAC DAY – HMAS SUCCESS

HMAS Success (Commander Ainsley Morthorpe CSM RAN) sailors joined with the crews of Ships Te Mana and Te Kaha, as well as the crew of HMS Richmond at a Dawn Service at the Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore.

Kranji War Cemetery is the final resting place for Allied soldiers who perished during the Battle of Singapore and the subsequent Japanese occupation of the island from 1942-1945 and in other parts of Southeast Asia during World War II.

The ceremony was also attended by the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore AM CSC RAN. It was a moving experience for all to watch the tropical sunrise over the surrounding graves of over 4,460 men.

New attack on Pakistan navy kills five

A bomb ripped through a Pakistani bus in Karachi on Thursday, killing four naval personnel and a passing motorcyclist in the third attack on navy transport this week in the country's biggest city.

A dozen people were wounded in the attack claimed by the Taliban in Pakistan's politically tense economic capital and southern port, where NATO ships supplies to the 130,000 US-led troops fighting in Afghanistan.

Two other navy buses were bombed on Tuesday, dealing a blow to the military just days after Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Kayani claimed his forces had "broken the back" of Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Dutch Navy detects and destroys heavy World War II mine

The Dutch minehunter HNLMS Willemstad detected and detonated an extremely heavy German influence mine off the coast of Scotland. The mine dated back to the Second World War.

Early this morning (April 14), the Dutch minehunter HNLMS Willemstad detected and detonated an extremely heavy German influence mine off the coast of Scotland. The minehunter had already cleared a British ground mine yesterday.

"A very special find", said the captain of the minehunter, Lieutenant Commander Paul Bijleveld. "In October 1939, the German submarine U31 laid an offensive minefield of 18 mines off the coast of Loch Ewe." 

ABG Shipyard in talks for shipbuilding joint venture in Nigeria

ABG Shipyard is in talks with the Nigerian government and private equity investors to build a shipyard in Nigeria through a joint venture in which the Indian company will hold a 40 percent stake.

ABG Shipyard, India’s largest shipbuilding firm, will provide technical expertise for the African venture and have management control for a period of 20 years, Chief Financial Officer Dhananjay Datar told Reuters on Tuesday.

"The timeline could be three or four years from now. We are the technical partner so there is unlikely to be a big investment from our side," he said over the telephone.

Indian shipyard joins UK firm to build aircraft carriers for Navy

MUMBAI (BNS): A private sector Indian shipyard on Thursday announced that it has joined hands with a British firm to build aircraft carriers for the Indian Navy.

Mumbai-based Pipavav Shipyard said that it has tied up with UK’s Babcock group to build aircraft carriers for the Navy.

“This is an important milestone in Pipavav Shipyard’s efforts to become a major player in the Defence sector,” the shipyard said in its filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange. 

Russia successfully test-launches RSM-54 Sineva ICBM

MOSCOW (BNS): The Russian military has successfully test launched a Sineva ballistic missile from a Delta-IV class submarine in the Arctic, theRIA Novosti quoted a defence ministry spokesman as saying.

"The launch was carried out from underwater in the Barents Sea from the Yekaterinburg nuclear submarine. At the expected hour, the payload of the Sineva missile arrived at the Kura range in Kamchatka in Russia's Far East," Col. Igor Konashenkov, was quoted as saying in the media reports.

South Korean Navy to launch new frigate

SEOUL (BNS): South Korea will launch a new frigate armed with guided missiles and a high-tech radar system this week, according to a report.

The launch ceremony for the new frigate ‘Incheon’ named after a South Korean western port city will be held on Friday at a shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, a Yonhap report quoting navy officials said.

This will be first of the 20 frigates to be built by 2020 under a naval buildup project ‘FFX.’ The new frigate will be put into service in mid-2013, the report said.

The 2,300-ton frigate will be equipped with Raytheon’s Phalanx Close-in Weapon System. The rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20-mm gun system is designed to shoot down anti-ship cruise missiles and helicopters at short range.

The 114-meter long frigate can carry an anti-submarine helicopter and guided weapons, including homegrown anti-submarine Cheonsangeo (Blue Shark) torpedoes, it said.

Another Drug Sub is Caught at Sea

Here’s some great mid-week image porn. It’s U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 106 capturing a drug sub in the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean on April 15. The boat was carrying six tons of cocaine (damn, that’s a lot of money) along with its crew of four.

It looks like this narco boat is only a semi-submersible, relatively old school compared with the new generation of genuine submarines the cartels are now fielding.

While this is a great catch for the USCG, I’ve got to ask; how many of these incredibly hard to find boats are making it to their destinations undetected for every one that is caught?

Read.more: http://defensetech.org/2011/04/20/another-drug-sub-is-caught-at-sea/#ixzz1KeR49wYD 

Russia prepares cargo ship for launch to space station

The Russian Federal Space Agency is preparing another cargo ship for launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday.

Known as Progress M-10M, the spacecraft carries 2.5 tons of cargo for the crew aboard ISS. Progress will be launched into orbit by a Russian Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, ISS Flight Engineer Alexander Samokutiaev, currently aboard the space station, published a photo of the Progress M-09M cargo vehicle during its departure from the ISS last week.

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Russia, NATO to conduct major joint naval exercises

MOSCOW (BNS): The Russian Navy is planning to participate in several major naval exercises along with NATO countries in coming months, according to a media report.

"Since May till July Russian warships will participate in a number of international naval exercises in order to practice joint tasks with foreign warships", RIA Novosti quoted Russian Navy spokesman as saying.

Navy cranking up for Biro?

The South African Navy has issued the Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT) in Simon's Town a request for quotation (RFQ) for “strategic technology and engineering support services during the project study phase of the acquisition of a multi-mission patrol capability...”

The RFQ, EMTM/2011/16, was issued last week Monday with a closing date of May 9. 

Cabinet last week seemingly approved the South African Navy's maritime security strategy, although the wording in a statement announcing the move was ambiguous. Government spokesman Jimmy Manyi said Cabinet Wednesday “approved that the South African Defence Force [sic] should fine-tune its strategy to protect our waters from piracy.”

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Russian Navy will stay in Sevastopol forever – admiral

Russia will never give up its naval base in Ukraine's port of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula, ex-commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Adm. Igor Kasatonov said.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet is stationed in Crimea under a lease agreement with Ukraine. On April 21, 2010, Moscow and Kiev signed a deal extending the lease on the fleet's base in Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017.

"The year 2042 is not the final date of the Black Sea Fleet's presence in Crimea. The Russian Navy will stay in Sevastopol forever," Kasatonov said in a recent interview with the Kiev-based Expert magazine.

US Navy receives first Standard Missile-6 from Raytheon

TUCSON (BNS): Raytheon has announced the delivery of the first Standard Missile-6 production to US Navy on Monday.

“Now the US Navy has a missile that provides an umbrella of protection against the full spectrum of air threats," Frank Wyatt, vice president of Raytheon's Air and Missile Defence Systems product line said.

SM-6 leverages the legacy Standard Missile airframe and propulsion elements while incorporating the advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities of Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

This missile can use both active and semi-active modes, giving the war-fighter an enhanced ability to reach remote targets.

Five years ago, Raytheon had received the contract from US Navy for the delivery of Standard Missile-6.

US Navy awards iRobot $230 million contract

BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS (BNS): Robotic technology-based solutions company, iRobot, has received a $230 million contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).

Under the contract’s terms, NAVSEA can procure PackBot Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) robots, depot level repair parts, spare kits, depot repair services, parts supply, training, engineering enhancements, configuration management and approved accessories. 

The PackBot MTRS is modeled after the iRobot 510 PackBot.

One of the most battle-tested robots in the world, the iRobot 510 PackBot performs bomb disposal and other dangerous missions for warfighters and first responders. 

These robots are currently being used in Iraq and Afghanistan to identify and neutralize explosive devices, perform reconnaissance and clear routes for warfighters on the move, the company said.

Boeing delivers 500th Super Hornet/Growler

ST. LOUIS (BNS): Boeing has delivered 500th F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and derivative EA-18G Growlers to the US Navy.

The US Navy and Boeing hosted an event Thursday to celebrate the milestone of delivering 500 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and derivative EA-18G Growlers to the US Navy. Each of the 500 aircraft has been delivered to the Navy on cost and ahead of schedule, Boeing said.

Russian Navy will stay in Sevastopol forever - admiral

Russia will never give up its naval base in Ukraine's port of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula, ex-commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Adm. Igor Kasatonov said.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet is stationed in Crimea under a lease agreement with Ukraine. On April 21, 2010, Moscow and Kiev signed a deal extending the lease on the fleet's base in Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017.

Iran mounts missiles on hovercrafts

A senior Iranian naval commander says the country's Army has for the first time equipped the Navy's hovercrafts with long-range missiles.

“Iran is the only country in the world that has fitted its navy's hovercrafts with surface-to-surface missiles,” IRNA quoted Rear Admiral Seyyed Mahmoud Moussavi, a top Navy commander, as saying on Saturday. 

Black Sea Fleet prepares for a fire-risky season

In accordance with the resolution of Russian Fire Prevention Committee, Black Sea Fleet (BSF) conducted scheduled qualification fire drills.Photo: Black Sea Fleet Information Support Group

The drills' purpose is to determine practical personnel readiness and equipment capabilities to protect military assets from mass fires in prairies and forests, and to practice emergency activities during spring/summer fire hazardous season. Standard firefighting units of BSF units and organizations were involved in the drills. Specific attention was given to firefighters of the fleet's arsenals and ammo storage depots. 

According to Chief of BSF Fire Dept Major Denis Perepelitsa, the first phase of the drills showed that all units commanders used responsible approach in fire prevention activities, basing on past years' experience. BSF continues to improve its fire security system.

Black Sea Fleet Theater gave performance in air bases

In accordance with a tour schedule, Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Lavrenev Drama Theater gave performance in BSF air bases Gvardeiskoye and Kacha. 

Arrival of the fleet's actors was associated with 50th anniversary of Yury Gagarin's space flight. The theater company presented two plays – an adult comedy, and a kids' performance. The audience consisted not only of servicemen and their families but civil locals as well.

Delivering a speech to naval aviators, director of BSF Drama Theater Sergei Mamaisur pointed out that the theater had planned to enlarge tours' geography, so those who serve and live in distant bases would have a chance to visit the fleet's performances more frequently. 

In the nearest future the actors are about to give performance in BSF Base Feodosiya, Crimea.

Determinative talks on Mistral to be held soon

Determinative round of negotiations between Russian and French governments meant to define future of Mistral contract is expected to be held on coming Wednesday, reports RIA Novostireferring to a source in Russian defense industry. 

According to the source, there are some problems in the negotiating process. The disputable issue is the ship's configuration, in particular, the parties cannot agree on tactical data system Zenith-9 and fleet command/control system SIC-21. 

"French partners are ready to deliver Zenith-9 system without production license, but blankly deny delivery of SIC-21. Russia wants to purchase fully-equipped Mistrals", said the source. 

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China’s Aircraft Carrier: Some Observations from India

If international relations are driven by perceptions of relative strengths and weaknesses, then power projection matters the most. Power, as understood in modern statecraft, is contingent on a country’s willingness to project its capacity if not its intent. China’s initial testing of its stealth aircraft J20 in January 2011 and the recent showcasing of its aircraft carrier – formerly the Varyag and now Shi Lang – signify its growing military capability.

Aegis Combat System Installed on Two New US Navy Destroyers

The U.S. Navy, supported by Lockheed Martin, has installed the Aegis Combat System aboard two new Navy destroyers, USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).

The Aegis Combat Systems aboard the ships have also been certified as fully operational through the tests known as Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials.

During the trials, the ships' Aegis Combat Systems were evaluated for combat-readiness through comprehensive surface, subsurface and anti-air warfare exercises. These included manned raids and electronic attack scenarios, as well as thorough testing of the systems' tactical data link and air defense capabilities.

US Navy completes third F-35B STOVL mode flight

PATUXENT RIVER (BNS): US Marine has successfully tested the first flight of F-35B test aircraft BF-4 in short takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL) mode.

The test was done by test pilot Lt. Col. Fred "Tinman" Schenk over the Atlantic test range near Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

The flight marks growing maturity of STOVL flight with the third F-35B aircraft at NAS Patuxent River performing STOVL test missions. BF-4 is also the only mission systems test aircraft flying Block 1.0 software to fly in STOVL mode. 

The F-35B STOVL variant and F-35C carrier variant are undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.

Pacific mariners hit dummy target by cruise missiles

Exercise of Pacific Fleet has been finished in the Peter the Great Bay. Joint launches of cruise missiles left no chance for the "enemy" strike group. 

Missile ships of two task formations led by Capt 1 rank Sergei Zhuga and Capt 1 rank Igor Osipov sailed off the base on Tuesday. Having arrived to the firing area, they re-shaped into several type groups and carried out missile launches against dummy sea target. Minesweepers of division headed by Capt 2 rank Gennady Poddubny helped strike force to overcome minefields laid by the "opponent". Dubbed as sea plowers, they delicately escorted strike ships to the assigned area. At the same time ASW aircraft Il-38 flied over the firing zone and provided ships' missile-men with targeting data. 

Admiral Vinogradov is on the homeward run

Pacific Fleet task force consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov, tanker Pechenga, and salvage tug SB-522 has recently finished its anti-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa and heads for home coast. The task force is headed by Capt 2 rank Ivan Kovalev. 

Throughout 4 months of anti-piracy watch in the Gulf of Aden, Russian task force has escorted 14 commercial convoys. 

Large ASW ship Admiral Vinogradov carried out scheduled call at Seychelles' capital city Victoria in March 4-7 under the Pacific Fleet's international activities program. During the 4-day visit Russian mariners paid visits to Russian ambassador in Seychelles, city authorities, and local military command. Besides, the warship was visited by Russian diplomats and diaspora. 

Bulk Carrier Hijacked in Indian Ocean, Containership Missing

The European Union Naval Force Somalia, or EU NAVFOR, has reported that the bulk carrier M/V Rosalia D’Amato was pirated approximately 350NM South East of Salalah, Oman, in the Indian Ocean earlier this morning.

The 74,500 tonne Italian flagged and owned vessel was on its way to Bandar Imam Khomeini (Iran) from Paranagua (Brazil) when it was attacked by a single skiff. Coalition warships had communications with the vessel and were told: ‘pirates onboard stay away’.  The M/V Rosalia D’Amato has a crew of 21(6 Italians, 15 Filipinos). There is no further information on the condition of the crew at present.

The M/V Rosalia D’Amato was registered with MSC(HOA) and was reporting to UKMTO.

In other news, Dow Jones is reporting that a Hanjin Shipping container ship with 14 South Koreans aboard lost contact with its company Thursday off Somalia.

The 75,000-ton container ship had departed from Spain for Singapore.

“The ship made its last communications at around 5 a.m.,” the report quoted the official as saying, without confirming media reports that the ship had been hijacked.

Source : http://gcaptain.com

Black Sea Fleet holds type training

Black Sea Fleet (BSF) conducts tactical exercise of type divisions with combat firing drills. At present, Guard missile cruiser Moskva, large ASW ship Kerch, and frigate Pytlivy perform training tasks at sea. The crews have practiced joint maneuvering and organization of defense while anchorage at unprotected harbor. 

Ships of Black Sea Fleet ASW Brigade have successfully performed artillery firing upon sea, air, and coastal targets. Later on, cruiser Moskva will conduct antiaircraft missile firing drill. 

Russia to raise financing of the Navy

Russia will spend RUR 5 trillions for Navy modernization, said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin appearing in the parliament with report of government's work. 

Mentioned figures are provided by State Arms Program 2011-2020 which appropriates RUR 19 trillions for defense ministry. "Comparing to the previous arms program, the funds have been raised thrice", pointed out Putin. 

Russian deputy defense minister Vladimir Popovkin said late in Feb that the ministry was to purchase 100 surface ships and submarines until 2020. In particular, it is planned to buy 20 non-strategic submarines, 8 nuclear-powered ballistic missile subs, 35 corvettes, and 15 frigates. Namely, they are surface ships of projects 20380, 11356M, 22350, 11711, 21631, and submarines of projects 636, 885, and 955. 

Blank Rome provides summary of Coast Guard Authorization Act

Signed into law by President Obama in 2010, the Coast Guard Authorization Act is the first major piece of maritime legislation enacted by Congress since 2006.  The Act includes measures to address Coast Guard Modernization and reform of the acquisition directorate of the Coast Guard, and ensure that maritime safety is put on an equal footing with other Coast Guard responsibilities. It also includes measures relating to oil pollution prevention, port security, implementation of the Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships (2001), and general maritime safety laws that have been under consideration since 2006.

Detail

Cabinet: Piracy strategy approved?

Cabinet has seemingly approved the South African Navy's maritime security strategy, although the wording in a statement announcing the move is ambiguous. The Joint Operations Division of the South African National Defence Force deployed the SAS Mendi to Mozambique earlier this year, in what the defence ministry has described as an information gathering exercise.

Government spokesman Jimmy Manyi says Cabinet yesterday “approved that the South African Defence Force [sic] should fine-tune its strategy to protect our waters from piracy. Being a littoral country, South Africa needs to have a balanced naval capability to effectively respond to maritime security threats affecting South Africa,” he said. “Cabinet noted the incursion of maritime crime into our waters, which might affect our trade routes through the seas.”

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York knuckles down to Falklands mission - finally

FRESH from an “eventful” – and unscheduled – start to her South Atlantic deployment (she was called upon to evacuate civilians from Benghazi at the height of the growing crisis in Libya) HMS York has belatedly begun her patrol of the Falklands.

Britain’s fastest destroyer (34kts – quicker than Daring, Dauntless and Diamond which are more than 20 years younger...) had just one day alongside at East Cove Military Port (perhaps a blessing given its bleakness) before beginning her South Atlantic duties in earnest.

Crew of Simon Bolivar strives to reach St. Petersburg

Crew of Venezuelan training ship Simon Bolivar is intent on overcoming ice obstacle on the way to St. Petersburg, said Venezuelan military attaché in Russia RADM Nestor Colina during the interview to Central Navy Portal at brief press conference on Apr 18, 2011. 

The press conference was held in St. Petersburg Cultural Center with participation of Venezuelan ambassador to Russia Hugo Jose Garcia Hernandez and military attaché Nestor Colina. Main subject was Venezuela's Culture Days in Russia associated with 200th anniversary of Venezuelan declaration of independence. Call of training sailer Simon Bolivar at St. Petersburg was to become an essential element of the festivities' program. According to initial plans, the Venezuelan sailer was supposed to arrive in St. Petersburg as early as Tuesday morning, but severe ice situation in the Gulf of Finland caused unpredictable delay. When the press conference was held, exact date of the sailer's arrival was still uncertain. 

Chinese Varyag Aircraft Carrier Due to Sail Soon

After nearly nine years of refurbishing work, the ex-Russian aircraft carrier Shilang will soon be carrying out her sea trials for the Chinese Navy. Originally built in a Ukrainian shipyard as a member of the Project 1143.5 class named Varyag, the carrier was purchased as a derelict hulk in 1998 for about $20 million. The carrier is now named in honor of the Qing Dynasty admiral who conquered what is now known as Taiwan in 1681. There probably is a message in that.

Aegis combat systems installed on US Navy destroyers

MOORESTOWN, NEW JERSEY (BNS): The US Navy has installed the Aegis Combat System aboard two new Navy destroyers, USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).

The Aegis Combat Systems aboard the ships have also been certified as fully operational through the tests known as Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials, a statement by Lockheed Martin said.

Black Sea Fleet holds landing exercise in Crimea

Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Marine Brigade continues field drills at Opuk landing range in Crimea. 

Prior to that, BSF large landing ships Azov,Novocherkassk, Saratov, and Nikolai Filchenkov performed training tasks along with marines. When suppressing "enemy" anti-landing defense, all four ships effectively fired shipborne artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems, and destroyed opponent's fortifications. After firing drills carried out by landing ships, marines held battalion tactical exercise and practiced combat for unequipped seashore. Over 300 marines and about 100 combat vehicles were involved in the exercise. 

Company tactical demonstration with firing drill was conducted yesterday at Opuk range. Crews of mortars, armored personnel carriers, Nona self-propelled gun mounts, and Shilka antiaircraft combat vehicles practiced firing skills in the course of the exercise. 

BSF marines will conduct field maneuvers till Apr 24.

US Navy uses Facebook to acquire information

It is necessary to study and make the best use of new communication opportunities afforded by Internet technology, said US Chief of Naval Operation Admiral Gary Roughead who recently visited Russia and gave an exclusive interview to Central Navy Portal. 

"In my view, we're only beginning to understand all advantages of these new means of communication and mass information", said the admiral talking about social nets like Facebook. As for the American admiral, information he gets from Internet forums gives him better awareness of the situation in subordinate forces and helps to keep abreast of developments.

Sevmash presents new technologies

The 12th international forum "High Tech of the 21st Century" was opened in Moscow. 

The forum is supported by Russia's Ministry of Trade and Industry and held under patronage of Industrial Business and Trade Association. 

Sevmash shipyard is a traditional participant of the exhibition. This is the sixth time the yard demonstrates its achievements in Krasnaya Presnya Expo Center. This yearSevmash displays models of Prirazlomnaya maritime stationary ice-resistant platform, floating energy unit for tidal powerplant, spent fuel storage packaging set TUK-108, semi-submersible platform MOSS-CS50, ocean-going yacht, Project 3110 sea-going tug, and Project 029 small-size bulker. 

Restoration of Naval Cathedral: miracle returns

Members of restoration council convened on March 24, 2011 in the cathedral and noted that the restoration process goes in full accordance with the schedule. Scaffolds have been already removed from the dome; the beautiful cathedral will appear again this spring presenting results of the colossal restoration work. 

The cathedral's significance was highly evaluated. Public guardianship board of the Naval Cathedral in Kronshtadt includes such eminent figures as Patriarch Cyril, Russia's first lady Svetlana Medvedeva, Speaker of Parliament Boris Gryzlov, Minister of Culture Alexander Avdeyev, Minister of Defense Anatoly Serdiukov, St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko, Presidential Envoy in Northwest Federal District Ilya Klebanov, Navy Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Vysotsky, president of JSC Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin, and others. 

ANZAC DAY – ADF TO REMEMBER SERVICE TO OUR NATION

Members of the Australian Defence Force will pause on ANZAC Day to pay tribute to all those who have served in Australian military operations, the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said today.

Air Chief Marshal Houston said next Monday marked the 96th anniversary of the first significant military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I.

“On ANZAC Day, we honour not only the original ANZACs who died on 25 April 1915, but all Australians who have served and died not only in combat but in peace-keeping, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance missions,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

New RAS'll dazzle them at Raleigh

A NEW £25m mock-up refuelling complex is to be built at HMS Raleigh to meet the demands of 21st Century warships.

Replenishing at Sea – known throughout the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary as ‘RASing’ – is vital to support the operations of Britain’s warships around the globe.

There’s already a replica RAS rig at the Torpoint establishment, where sailors from both the RN and RFA learn the art of transferring fuel, ammunition and general stores from one ship to another in a benign environment ashore.

HMCS Victoria returns to sea

After five years in the shop, the only submarine permanently stationed at CFB Esquimalt returned to sea over the weekend, the News has learned.

HMCS Victoria was tugged out of dry dock and parked alongside a dockyard jetty in Esquimalt Harbour Sunday night, according to sources.

It is a momentous occasion for Canada’s submarine program, making the HMCS Victoria the second sub to have sea-faring capabilities, however limited.