DefenceTalkNorth Korea on Thursday fired shells into waters near a South Korean warship on patrol south of the disputed Yellow Sea border, prompting an evacuation of residents on a nearby island, officials said. Two shells fell near the South Korean ship, which was sailing near the frontline island of Yeonpyeong, the South’s defence ministry said. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-fires-shells-near-south-korean-warship-59692/

DefenceTalkChina and Russia started joint naval exercises off Shanghai on Tuesday as their leaders promised to strengthen relations in the face of international criticism over their territorial disputes. President Xi Jinping launched the drills at a ceremony in a room lined with officers of both navies in white dress uniform, with his Russian counterpart Vladimir […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-russia-show-off-naval-forces-amid-disputes-59650/

DefenceTalkThe FREMM Normandie multi-mission frigate, second of the series ordered by OCCAR (*) on behalf of the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) and the French Navy, left the DCNS site in Lorient on 14 May on its way to the DCNS site in Toulon. Over the next few weeks, DCNS will perform a new series […]https://www.defencetalk.com/second-french-fremm-frigate-pursues-sea-trials-59611/

DefenceTalkThe X-47B unmanned combat air system is gearing up for shore-based flight test activities in preparation for the next round of sea trials this summer. The program’s test team will conduct various test events with the X-47B over the next few months in an effort to mature air traffic control and ground support standard operating […]https://www.defencetalk.com/navys-x-47b-program-ramps-up-flight-test-59477/

DefenceTalkThe Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50), homeported in Mayport, Fla., arrived in Constanta, Romania, for a scheduled port visit, April 28. Taylor’s presence in Romania reaffirms to NATO allies that the U.S. Navy shares a commitment to strengthen ties while working toward mutual goals of promoting peace and stability the Black Sea […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-frigate-arrives-in-romania-59452/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy today underscored its commitment to an advanced and adaptable submarine force by awarding General Dynamics Electric Boat a contract valued at $17.6 billion for the construction of 10 additional Virginia-class submarines. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. The multi-year Block IV contract enables Electric Boat and its industry […]https://www.defencetalk.com/general-dynamics-awarded-18-billion-by-us-navy-for-10-virginia-class-submarines-59429/

DefenceTalkRussia will build a unified network of naval facilities on its Arctic territories to host advanced warships and submarines as part of a plan to boost protection of the country’s interests and borders in the region, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. “We need to strengthen our military infrastructure. In particular, to create in our part […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-build-network-of-modern-naval-bases-in-arctic-putin-59383/

DefenceTalkRussian and Pakistani naval representatives have discussed the possibility of joint exercises, which could be held as early as this week, a Russian military spokesman told RIA Novosti Monday. A detachment of Russia’s Pacific Fleet called at the port of Karachi on Saturday, including the Udaloy-class destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov. “Representatives of the official delegation of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-pakistan-discuss-joint-naval-drills-expected-this-week-59375/

DefenceTalkThe Navy will christen the future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) April 12, during a ceremony at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine. The lead ship and class are named in honor of former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., who served as the 19th CNO from 1970-1974. Secretary […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-to-christen-future-uss-zumwalt-new-class-of-destroyer-59306/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy plans to install and test a prototype electromagnetic railgun aboard a joint high speed vessel in fiscal year 2016, the service announced today. This test will mark the first time an electromagnetic railgun (EM railgun) has been demonstrated at sea, symbolizing a significant advance in naval combat. EM railgun technology uses an […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-to-deploy-electromagnetic-railgun-aboard-jhsv-59271/