Asian Defence News

USS Truxtun Departs from Muscat, Oman

Wikipedia image

Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) departed from Muscat, Oman, May 13, after a port visit.
Truxtun received valuable logistics support and technical assistance which will help maintain high material readiness on the ship.Truxtun is deployed as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

http://navaltoday.com/2014/05/29/uss-truxtun-departs-from-muscat-oman/

India's Akash SAM Ripple Mode Test on 28 May 2014

Australian Navy to Follow US Biofuel Move

The Royal Australian Navy will be converting its ships to be biofuel ready within six years in response to the US Navy’s move to biofuel use. The Australian newspaper reports that this will ensure the Australian navy can continue to cooperate with the US, which is expected to have its fleet converted by 2020. A common approach is seen as critical for joint operations involving Australian and US warships and aircraft, as fuel is exchanged if required.Under an agreement with the US, revealed in The Australian almost two years ago, Australia is able to take advantage of the technologies developed by the US for biofuel use. The Royal Australian Navy plans to send a frigate and helicopter running on biofuel to the US navy’s Great Green Fleet demonstration in 2016.

http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/Australian-Navy-to-Follow-US-Biofuel-Move-2014-05-27/

First flight for RAF Waddington’s new Rivet Joint spy plane

The Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft based at RAF Waddington has been flown in UK airspace for the first time.The UK Rivet Joint RC-135W signals intelligence aircraft at RAF Waddington is the first of three that the MOD have bought from the US as part of the Airseeker programme.
The aircraft will replace the retired Nimrod fleet, and will provide the UK with a world class real-time signals intelligence and surveillance capability for forces in the air and on the ground.
It gathers data and intelligence using advanced sensor technology plus carry out onboard analysis and distribute the information to those on the ground.The RAF’s 51 Squadron have spent the past three years familiarising themselves with the Rivet Joint and its capabilities.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “These highly specialised aircraft and their supporting ground systems, bought off-the-shelf, provide Britain with a first-class intelligence-gathering capability that is value for money and another key part of our ability to interoperate with the US.”
The three aircraft cost the MOD £650 million, and were converted by L-3IS in Greenville, Texas, from a Boeing KC-135 tanker.MOD Chief of Materiel (Air), Air Marshal Simon Bollom, who oversaw the procurement, said: “The first flight of the UK’s Rivet Joint RC-135W aircraft, as part of the Airseeker programme with an RAF crew, is a proud moment for all in the Defence Equipment and Support team who have worked, and continue to work, so hard to deliver this outstanding capability to the front line.

“We have procured an aircraft with a proven track record which has been successfully operated by the United States Air Force, with RAF crews under co-manning arrangements, for a number of years.“We have worked very closely with our colleagues in the US on this project and today’s first flight signifies the commencement of a new and potent air ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) capability in the RAF inventory.”

http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2014/05/successful-first-fly-raf-waddingtons-new-rivet-joint-aircraft/

Russia Lays Down 6th Kilo-Class Sub for Vietnam

Photo : Igor Zarembo

The final Kilo-class Project 636 diesel-electric submarine for the Vietnamese navy under a 2009 contract was laid down Wednesday in St. Petersburg, a defense industry source told .
"Today, we had the ceremony of laying down the sixth submarine for Vietnam. This is the latest submarine in this series," the source said.Under the $2 billion contract, two submarines have already been delivered to Vietnam, the third is undergoing sea trials, a fourth was floated out in late March, and the fifth and sixth are now under construction.

"Two submarines have already been transferred to the Vietnamese Navy, the third is to be transferred this year and the remaining three in 2015-2016," according to the source.
The vessels are built at the Admiralty Shipyards, a leading enterprise of the Russian shipbuilding industry and part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation. Its military products include warships, especially nuclear and diesel-powered submarines, and large auxiliary vessels.The $2 billion contract for the supply of six improved Kilo-class submarines to Vietnam was signed in 2009. The submarines will be armed with Club-S anti-ship missiles. The noise level of these submarines is considered the lowest among all Russian vessels.

http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20140528/190196990/Russia-Lays-Down-6th-Kilo-Class-Sub-for-Vietnam.html