Russia launches Indian Navy’s third missile frigate

KALININGRAD (BNS): Indian Navy's third and final Talwar-class guided missile frigate, INS Trikand, has been floated out at Russia's Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad on Wednesday.

The new frigate, being built under project 11356, was launched in the presence of Indian and Russian government and defence officials.

With almost sixty percent of the warship's construction work over, including its weapons complex, it will now enter the final stage of production, the shipyard said.

Construction begins for German Navy's first F125 frigate

HAMBURG (BNS): German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems AG has officially marked the start of construction of German Navy’s first Type 125 class frigate F125 at its Blohm + Voss facility in Hamburg.

A large number of guests and representatives from politics, defence and industry gathered at the facility on May 9 to mark the start of production for the first 125 Class Frigate (F125) for the German Navy.

Chinese Carrier Lacks J-15 fighter

As noted by Douglas Paal here over the weekend, in recent weeks, the Chinese navy has taken big steps toward deploying its first aircraft carrier, underscoring the nation's rapid ascent as a world power. Twelve years after Beijing purchased the incomplete Russian aircraft carrier Varyag, the 60,000-ton vessel -- renamed Shi Lang-- is reportedly on track to begin sea trials this summer. Shi Lang's first planes are nearly ready, too. In late April, the first J-15 fighter, an unlicensed copy of the Russian Su-33, appeared in navy colours.

UK Buys MK 15 Phalanx CIWS Upgrade Kits

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Monday of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Kingdom of Ordnance Alteration Kits for conversion and upgrades of MK15 PHALANX Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $137 million.

The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has requested the sale of 20 Block 1A to Block 1B Baseline 2 configuration Ordnance Alteration Kits and 16 Block 1B Baseline 1 to Baseline 2 Ordnance Alteration Kits for

S. Korea Develops Vertical Launch Tubes for Subs

SEOUL - A top shipbuilder in South Korea has developed a vertical launching system (VLS) to be installed on heavy attack submarines that will be deployed after 2018, according to procurement and industry officials here.

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the world's second-largest shipbuilder, developed the VLS in cooperation with the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD), officials from Daewoo and ADD said.

Daewoo, which built the 1,300-ton, Type-209 submarine with technical cooperation from HDW of Germany, is a subcontractor for the 3,000-ton KSS-III submarine to be jointly designed and built with its rival Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's biggest shipyard.

A U.S. NAVY SEALS' SECRET WEAPON: ELITE DOG TEAM

The U.S. Navy SEALs who carried out the successful mission in Pakistan used high-tech helicopters, weaponry and masterful skills to kill Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, according to released details of the operation.

Members of the U.S. Navy military special forces, however, have yet another formidable weapon in their already impressive arsenal: an elite dog team that can parachute or rappel into action at a moment's notice.

It remains unclear if any members of the U.S. Navy SEALs' elite dog team participated in the raid of bin Laden's compound, but over the past several months, many of these dogs have been outfitted with "canine tactical assault vests" and other equipment, according to media reports.

Navy destroyer to bombard Mad Dog

BRITISH destroyer HMS Liverpool was last night preparing to shell targets in Libya and quicken the downfall of tyrant Colonel Gaddafi.

Defence chiefs have ordered the Type-42 Destroyer to start pounding command and control centres and boost the ill-equipped rebels.

Until now Britain has only used RAF Tornado and Typhoon warplanes and a nuclear submarine.

But sources close to the mission told The Sun a major Navy assault will begin this week. The source said: "Final details are being hammered out now but they are looking to strike over the next few days. When they do, Gaddafi won't know what's hit him."

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UK Buys MK 15 Phalanx CIWS Upgrade Kits

Osama Bin Laden received a Muslim ceremony as he was buried at sea, a senior defense official said here today.

The religious rites were performed aboard the aircraft carrier USS carl Vinson in the North Arabian Sea, the official said, speaking on background, and occurred within 24 hours of the terrorist leader's death.

"Preparations for at-sea [burial] began at 1:10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and were completed at 2 a.m.," the official said.