News Report: India Launches Two Naval Patrol Vessels Built by Private Indian Defense Company

For the first time, the Indian Navy has launched two naval offshore patrol vessels (NOPVs) built by a private Indian defense company. The NOPVs were built by the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited at its Pipavav shipyard in the western state of Gujarat.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The two NOPVs are part of five ships under the P-21 project being constructed for the Indian Navy by RDEL at a cost worth $375 million. The two ships will be known as Shachi and Shruti in the Indian Navy.

"The launch is a significant and milestone event as these two NOPVs are the first warships to be launched by a private sector shipyard in India," Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command said.

Industry: Australian Navy MATV arrives in home port of Sydney, Australia

MV Sycamore during sea-trial's

26 June 2017: Completing her maiden voyage, the Damen Multi-role Aviation Training Vessel (MATV) MV Sycamore arrived in Sydney harbour early on Monday morning. The 94-metre long vessel is now less than a month away from deployment as a versatile multi-role vessel and helicopter training platform for the Royal Australian Navy.

"It is definitely an impressive sight to see the Sycamore enter Sydney harbour," states Damen Sales Director Asia Pacific Roland Briene. "The MATV project really highlights what can be achieved with this joint team effort. We have accomplished the on-time and on-budget construction of a complex vessel that will provide an efficient, functional and comfortable training platform for the Royal Australian Navy."

Industry: Successful sea trials for Australian MATV

Damen Shipyards Group has announced the successful completion of sea trials of the Multi-role Aviation Training Vessel (MATV) MV Sycamore. The sea trials included testing of all on-board military systems. Following final vessel handover, MV Sycamore will perform diverse training and support duties for the Royal Australian Navy.

In addition to the more traditional elements of sea trials such as manoeuvring and speed tests, the MV Sycamore was put through her paces with an extensive testing programme of all on-board military systems. This included testing of the air traffic radar, flight deck lighting and firefighting, flight deck communication systems and helicopter traverse installation procedures.

The results of the sea trials were successful. All systems and processes of the vessel were accepted by representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia.

News Story: Vietnamese naval ship to visit China, Philippines, Brunei

HANOI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnam Navy's sailing ship 286 Le Quy Don left for China, the Philippines and Brunei on Monday with final-year students of the Vietnam Naval Academy on a training trip.

The trip is aimed at realizing international integration and foreign defense, enhancing friendship, cooperation, mutual trust and understanding between navies between Vietnam and China, the Philippines and Brunei, reported local Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People's Army) newspaper.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Japanese naval vessels to visit Cambodia next week

JS Makinami (Image: Wiki Commons)

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Three vessels of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is scheduled to visit Cambodia from Feb. 13 to 16 during their training cruise, the Japanese Embassy in Cambodia said in a press release on Monday.

The vessels, namely Makinami, Asayuki, and Shimayuki, are led by Captain Masahiko Kawakubo, commander of the Escort Division 13 of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: 3 Naval ships of Japan entered PH territory

Japan’s 3 Naval vessels – JS Kashima (TV-3508), JS Setoyuki (TV-3518) and JS Asagiri (DD-151), bringing 190 navy officials – has arrived in Manila on Monday eve for a series of meetings with their Philippine counterparts.

“The Training Squadron of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) berthed here today for a five-day goodwill visit to the Philippines from Oct. 23 to 27,” the Philippine Navy (PN) said.

A customary welcome was conducted by Philippine Navy vessel BRP Rajah Humabon (FF11) at the vicinity of Corregidor Island, where it escorted the Japanese vessels to their berthing area.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: Japanese coast guard training ship visits central Vietnam

PL21 Kojima (Foreground) and PLH31 shikishima (Background)
 [Image: Wiki Commons]

HANOI, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan Coast Guard Training ship Kojima on Monday anchored at Tien Sa Port in Vietnam's central Da Nang city, some 600 km south of capital Hanoi, starting a friendship visit to Vietnam.

During the visit from Monday to Friday, the ship commanders will pay courtesy calls on leaders of Da Nang People's Committee, Vietnam Coast Guard Command and the Command of Vietnam Coast Guard's region 2, the state-run news agency VNA reported.

Read the full story at Xinhua

USA: Japan Training Squadron visits Pearl Harbor on around the world deployment

By MC2 Tamara Vaughn, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, inspects Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors June 1 during a training squadron visit. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Tamara Vaughn) >>

PEARL HARBOR - A Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) training squadron (JTS) composed of three ships began a three-day port visit at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam June 1 as part of an around the world deployment to 16 ports in 13 countries.

During the port visit, Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, toured the JTS flagship JS Kashima (TV 3508), reviewed sailors in formation and spoke to newly-commissioned Japanese ensigns about the strong and lasting U.S.-Japan partnership at sea.

“All of you embody this shared heritage, which is based on the past 70 years of the rule-based order that was forged in war and sustained in peace, and allowed our nations and many others in this region to achieve incredible levels of prosperity,” said Swift. “Maritime forces play a crucial role in guarding and sustaining this prosperity by preserving access for the broadest possible base of maritime nations in accordance with international law.”

Editorial: Philippines, UK to Ink New Defense Pact By End of 2016

By Prashanth Parameswaran

Britain’s ambassador says a fresh and more robust agreement could be concluded soon.

The Philippines and the United Kingdom are looking to ink a new defense agreement by the end of 2016 as the two countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, Britain’s envoy to Manila revealed January 18.

According to local media outlets, Britain’s ambassador Asif Ahmad said that London and Manila are currently exchanging draft agreements following high-level talks in 2015, with a new pact expected by the end of the current calendar year.

“It’s actually being redone now. We actually have an existing one but by the end of this calendar year we want to establish a new one,” Ahmad said at a roundtable discussion.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Sri Lanka: Four Indian ships arrive at the port of Trincomalee

Indian Naval Ships, “TIR”, “KESARI”, “SUDARSHANI” and Indian Coast Guard Ship “VARUNA” belonging to the first training squadron of the Indian Navy arrived at the port of Trincomalee on 27th March 2015 on a training visit. They were welcomed in accordance with naval traditions by the officers of the Sri Lanka Navy and the officials of the High Commission of India.

The Commanding Officers of the visiting ships paid a courtesy call on the Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Rohana Perera at the ENA Command Headquarters. They held cordial discussions on matters of mutual interest and issues specific to the training modules, which are scheduled to be conducted during their stay in Sri Lanka. Mementos were also exchanged as a gesture of goodwill and friendship.

The visiting Indian naval and coastguard ships will stay in Sri Lanka until 30th March and a selected group of officers and sailors of the Sri Lanka Navy will be given onboard training by the Indian Navy. Similarly, the Indian ships’ crews will participate in a series of training programs arranged by the Sri Lanka Navy. The combined training modules would not only enhance the knowledge of both navies which have varied experiences in different environments, but also enhance mutual relationship and cooperation.

On completion of the training sessions in the harbor, an exercise has been scheduled to be conducted on 30th March with SLN ships off Trincomalee prior to the departure of the Indian ships.

Sri Lanka Navy << Pictures

Brunei: Japan Military Ships goodwill visit to Brunei

MUARA, Monday, 16 February 2015 – As an effort to further enhance the bilateral relationship between Brunei Darussalam and Japan; as well as to expose cultures amongst the two nations and navies, the Royal Brunei Navy welcomes three Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships at the Muara Commercial Port, this morning.

The three JMSDF Ships names JS MATSUYUKI (DD-130), JS YUGIRI (DD-153) AND TV SHIRAYUKI (TV-3517) docked at Muara Commercial Port for a 4-day goodwill visit to Brunei Darussalam as a part of training for the 110 JMSDF Officers under training.

They were ceremonially welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel (L) Haji Suhailee bin Pungut, officers and men from the Royal Brunei Navy in accordance with the naval traditions on arrival.  The JMSDF Ships headed by Captain Masami Katoh, Commander Escort Division 11 and accompanied by Ships’ Commanding Officers; Comamnder Kazuteru Hirano, Commander Takumi Matsuo and Commander Eiji Kawata.

Later in the afternoon, the Head of Delegation and accompanied by Ships’ Commanding Officers paid a courtesy call to the Commander of Royal Brunei Navy, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, at the Naval Headquarters.

During the call, the Commander RBN expresses his appreciation to the JMSDF for the goodwill visit which shows the gesture of renewing the established relationship and further enhance the bilateral ties between the two navies by allowing the Officers and Crew to interact through sport interactions and visits to interesting places in Brunei Darussalam. They also exchanged mementos as a gesture of goodwill.

Brunei MoD

Sri Lanka: Two Iranian naval ships arrive at the Port of Colombo

Two Iranian naval ships IRIS Naghdi and IRIS Bandar Abbas, arrived at the Port of Colombo on 09th February 2015 as part of the overseas tour for the Naval University cadets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in keeping with naval traditions on their arrival.

The Officer in tactical command Captain Mohammad Reza and Commanding Officers of the ships belonging to the Iranian Naval Force paid a courtesy call on the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo. They held cordial discussions and exchanged mementos as a gesture of goodwill.

IRIS Naghdi is a corvette commanded by Commander Mehrab Tamaddon. It is 82 meters in length and has a displacement of 1,135 tons. IRIS Bandar Abbas is a training ship commanded by Commander Mohsen Razzaqi. It is 108 meters in length and has a displacement of 4,673 tons. 

The visiting Iranian naval ships will stay in Sri Lanka until 12th February 2015 and the crews are scheduled to participate in a series of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance the friendly relations between the two navies during their stay in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Navy << Images

Editorial: Engaging Myanmar’s Navy

Australian Navy Patrol Boat HMAS Childers (File Photo)

By Tim McLaughlin

While the critics watch ties with the country’s army, foreign navies are stepping up their maritime engagement.

For the past year and a half Myanmar’s ports have been busy, and not just with aging fishing boats delivering the day’s catch or overcrowded ferries taking passengers across the Yangon River. The port is welcoming an increasingly wide range of international naval vessels – an indicator perhaps that military engagement on the water is a less critically viewed means of reaching out to the Myanmar armed forces.

The most recent of these foreign visits took place on January 20 when Australia’s HMAS Childers became the first warship from that country to visit Myanmar since the HMAS Quiberon in 1959, according to the Australian government.

While its 27 crew members took part in sporting competitions and enjoyed reciprocal visits with their Myanmar counterparts, Royal Australian Navy Captain Jon Dudley was named Australia’s resident defense attaché to Myanmar, a position that had remained vacant since 1979. The appointment underscores the role that Canberra believes the navy will play in its military engagement with Myanmar. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Sri Lanka: IRANIAN NAVY SHIPS ARRIVE AT THE PORT OF COLOMBO

Two ships accompanied by a submarine belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Naval Force arrived at the Port of Colombo on 20th December 2013 while on a voyage in the Indian Ocean. The ships, Alborz and Bandar Abbas and the submarine, Younes, were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in keeping with naval traditions on their arrival.

The ships’ Commanding Officers along with the Mission Commander, Captain Babak Balouch, accompanied by Ambassador of the Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Hasani Pour called on Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage at the Naval Headquarters. They held cordial discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and exchanged mementos as a gesture of goodwill. Military Attaché of the Iranian Embassy in Sri Lanka, Colonel Ebrahim Rouhany was also present on the occasion.

Sri Lanka: Three Japanese Naval Ships arrive at the Port of Colombo

Isoyuki (DD-127) Destroyer (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

Three Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships, Kashima TV-3508, Shirayuki TV-3517 and Isoyuki DD-127, arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 24th September 2013. The ships with Cadet School Graduates of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force are in Sri Lanka with the intention of promoting friendship between the two countries as part of their training cruise. They were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on their arrival.

Head of the team, Commander Japan Training Squadron, Rear Admiral Fumiyuki Kitagawa and Kashima’s Commanding Officer, Captain Toshihiro Ohno paid a courtesy call on Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo. They held cordial discussions and exchanged mementos as a gesture of goodwill.