Americas
Alabama Shipyard won a $19.7 million deal for 120-calendar day shipyard availability for the mid-term availability of Military Sealift Command’s hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). This contract includes a base period and options, which if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $19,927,348. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama, beginning September15, 2023, and is expected to be completed by January 12, 2024.
US Navy SEALs trained in maritime dominance with 20 partner forces in Colombia at the annual UNITAS multinational exercise. UNITAS aims to strengthen the interoperability and collective capability of allied nations’ naval special warfare teams in response to next-generation maritime threats. During the exercise, the SEALs and Colombian special forces practiced landing and launching rubber raiding craft from the USS Pasadena (SSN 752) Los Angeles-class attack submarine.
The Argentinian Ministry of Defense has inked a letter of intent with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to acquire Light Utility Helicopters. Argentinian officials evaluated the HAL helicopter during the Defense Expo in Gandhinagar in October 2022, Aviacionline revealed. The size of the potential deal has not been disclosed. However, Aviacionline pegged the number at 20 aircraft, including logistical and maintenance support.
Middle East
More than 1,100 Israeli air force reservists — including fighter pilots — threatened to suspend volunteer service as protests intensified Saturday ahead of final votes on a bill that aims to overhaul Israel’s judiciary. The judicial revamp has split the nation and sparked one of the biggest protest movements in Israel’s history, with weekly demonstrations often drawing tens of thousands.
According to Defense News, two of Turkey’s state-controlled defense companies will showcase new systems for air defense and unmanned ground combat at the IDEF 23 exhibition in Istanbul this week. Military electronics specialist Aselsan, Turkey’s biggest defense firm, said July 23 that it launched the GÜRZ (“mace” in Turkish) air defense system, designed to protect stationary units as well as military convoys on the move.
Connecticut-based aerospace company Sikorsky is nearing the formal unveiling of the next generation Marine One presidential helicopter, the VH-92A Patriot. Built as a replacement for the current fleet of VH-3D Sea King and VH-60N White Hawk helicopters, the VH-92A is on track to take over the esteemed Marine One mission. With the White House expecting a total fleet of 21 VH-92A helicopters, including two test aircraft, this transition marks a significant security measure in presidential transport. According to Paul Lemmo, President of Sikorsky, the VH-92A helicopters are already in service for some presidential missions, operating alongside the older VH-3D. However, over the next year or so, the VH-92A is expected to fully replace the previous models, Lemmo said during a Connecticut Business & Industry Association forum late last month.
Europe
French shipbuilding company Naval Group rolled out the third Barracuda-class submarine last week. The nuclear-powered attack submarine will now undergo completion work and initial trials in dock before sea trials in 2024, Naval Group said. The vessel is part of a fleet of six submarines that will gradually replace the Rubis class currently in service with the French Navy.
Asia-Pacific
Cambodia confirmed on Tuesday that work is almost complete on a naval base Washington fears is intended for Chinese military use, after satellite images showed a major pier had been built. US officials suspect the Ream base is being converted for use by China, a close ally of Cambodia, as Beijing seeks to buttress its international heft with a network of naval and military outposts.
Today’s Video
WATCH: 8 Newest Attack Submarines That Just Entered Service (2021)
