DefenceTalkThe first of the UK’s fleet of next generation anti-submarine maritime patrol Merlin helicopters have been handed over to the Royal Navy. The delivery of the five helicopters, which have been upgraded as part of a £750M Lockheed Martin contract, to the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm marks a significant milestone. Fitted with a state-of-the-art glass […]https://www.defencetalk.com/royal-navy-takes-delivery-of-next-generation-merlin-helicopters-48564/

DefenceTalkA review of Britain’s nuclear defences has concluded it needs four nuclear submarines to stay safe, but alternatives could be found in the future. The review, led by Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, said there are alternatives to the UK’s current nuclear stance which requires at least one nuclear-armed submarine always to be at a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-needs-four-nuclear-subs-to-stay-safe-48499/

DefenceTalkDefence Secretary Philip Hammond has warned it would be “reckless” to downgrade the UK’s nuclear deterrent ahead of the release of a Liberal Democrat-led review of alternatives to replacing the Royal Navy’s fleet of Trident submarines. The Lib Dems have opposed the like-for-like replacement of the Trident system, and the review of alternatives led by […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-government-remains-committed-to-trident-48488/

DefenceTalkThe Type 23 frigate is the first Royal Navy ship to be fitted with Artisan – a 3D radar 5 times better than the old version it replaces. Iron Duke left Portsmouth yesterday, Sunday 23 June, to begin an intensive period of sea trials. As part of a £100 million programme, Artisan (advanced radar, target […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iron-duke-back-at-sea-after-major-upgrade-48237/

DefenceTalkScanEagle is a maritime reconnaissance asset that can be launched off the back of Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships day or night to gather intelligence and survey the wider area of operations. Built by Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing Defence UK Limited, the ScanEagle is the first maritime-specific unmanned air system capability to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/royal-navys-new-eye-in-the-sky-48214/

DefenceTalkFollowing an extensive refit, HMS Portland has become the final Royal Navy Type 23 frigate to be fitted with Thales UK’s Sonar 2087, a towed array sonar system that enables warships to hunt submarines at considerable distances and locate them beyond the range from which they can launch an attack. Portland has now returned to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/final-royal-navy-frigate-gets-sonar-upgrade-47439/

DefenceTalkThe Brazilian Navy’s latest BAE Systems built warship has set sail for the first time to be put through her paces on an extensive programme of sea trials off the UK coast. ARAGUARI, the third Ocean Patrol Vessel in the Amazonas Class, sailed out of Portsmouth this morning with her BAE Systems crew and Brazilian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-welcomes-250th-brazilian-navy-sailor-for-maiden-sea-trials-47400/

DefenceTalkPrime Minister David Cameron on Thursday warned that Britain would be left defenceless against the “highly unpredictable and aggressive” North Korean regime if it wound down its Trident nuclear deterrent programme. Writing in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Cameron said the recent actions of North Korea coupled with concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme meant it would […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-highlights-british-need-for-nuclear-deterrent-pm-47373/

DefenceTalkHMS Edinburgh, the Royal Navy’s last remaining Type 42 destroyer, returned to Portsmouth from her final deployment last week. The 30-year-old warship has spent the past 6 months patrolling the Atlantic. She will decommission in June, having clocked up 793,345 miles, as the old Type 42 destroyers make way for the new Type 45s . […]https://www.defencetalk.com/last-type-42-destroyer-returns-from-final-deployment-47344/

DefenceTalkBritain’s most advanced attack submarine HMS Ambush has officially joined the Royal Navy fleet following a ceremony. Head of the Navy Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope attended the service at Faslane naval base on the Clyde where the 7,400-tonne sub was granted her official title. HMS Ambush, the second of the Navy’s Astute-class attack submarines, was […]https://www.defencetalk.com/royal-navy-commissions-2nd-astute-ssn-47034/