DefenceTalkThe Navy’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completed its first-ever arrested landing here May 4, another key step to mature the system for its historic carrier-based tests later this month. “Landing an unmanned aircraft on an aircraft carrier will be the greatest singular accomplishment for the UCAS demonstration and will serve as the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/x-47b-completes-key-milestone-as-it-prepares-for-carrier-tests-at-sea-47717/

DefenceTalkHelicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 became the first composite expeditionary helicopter squadron to include both the world’s most technologically advanced helicopter; the MH-60R Seahawk and the MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Take-off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV); during an establishment ceremony today on Naval Air Station North Island. As the Navy’s first operational […]https://www.defencetalk.com/navys-first-squadron-to-operate-manned-and-unmanned-aircraft-47696/

DefenceTalkThe Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN’s) second Archer-class submarine, RSS Swordsman, was declared fully operational in a commissioning ceremony at Changi Naval Base on 30 Apr. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who officiated the ceremony, presented the commissioning warrant to the Commanding Officer of RSS Swordsman, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Loh Mun […]https://www.defencetalk.com/singapore-commissions-second-submarine-47671/

DefenceTalkIran will soon put into service a new mine-sweeping system in the Persian Gulf, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Saturday, the Fars news agency reported. The admiral’s remarks come shortly after the United States announced plans to conduct allied mine sweeping exercises in the region. “As Americans have declared, they plan to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-to-use-new-mine-sweeping-system-in-persian-gulf-47694/

DefenceTalkPrime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Mike Kelly today announced further steps the Government has taken to progress the Future Submarine Program. The 2013 Defence White Paper highlights the strategic value and importance of Australia’s submarine capability and confirms the Government’s commitment to replacing the existing Collins […]https://www.defencetalk.com/2013-defence-whitepaper-the-future-australian-submarine-program-47665/

DefenceTalkChina sees American sea power in East Asian waters as threatening to itself, its regional aspirations, and possibly its global access. So it is mounting a challenge with anti-ship missiles, submarines, and a growing fleet of its own. However, the United States will not relinquish its sea power, which it sees as needed to maintain […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sea-power-and-american-interests-in-the-western-pacific-47639/

DefenceTalkJapan would respond with force if China attempts to land on the disputed Senkaku Islands, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in Parliament. Abe was responding to a question about what he was prepared to do if Chinese ships sailing close to the islands — called the Diaoyu Islands by the Chinese — tried to land, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japanese-pm-warns-china-against-landings-47595/

DefenceTalkA senior officer with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said on Tuesday that “China will have more than one aircraft carrier.” Song Xue, deputy chief of staff of the PLA Navy, told foreign military attaches at a ceremony to celebrate the Navy’s 64th founding anniversary in Beijing, “The next aircraft carrier we need will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-second-aircraft-carrier-will-be-larger-47579/

DefenceTalkDefence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the government has approved the purchase of an upgraded and expanded Seasprite helicopter fleet for the New Zealand Defence Force. A total of eight Seasprites (plus two spare airframes) will be purchased from the United States company Kaman Aerospace in a NZ$242 million dollar deal, which includes a training […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nz-seasprite-helicopter-project-approved-47528/

DefenceTalkThe FREMM frigate built for the Royal Moroccan Navy put to sea for the first time on 17 April. This key milestone marks the launch of sea trials, which will be conducted over the next few weeks off the Brittany coast. The ship will be delivered to the Royal Moroccan Navy at the end of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dcns-begins-sea-trials-with-fremm-frigate-for-moroccan-navy-47514/