As 2017 draws to a close, the threat of pirate attacks in the waters of West Africa continues to affect civil and commercial operators.
Just this week an attack made the headlines, when an incident off the coast of Nigeria saw six crew members of a container ship kidnapped. Indeed, a recent report by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) notes that the waters around Nigeria remain risky.
‘In general, all waters in and off Nigeria remain risky, despite intervention in some cases by the Nigerian Navy. We advise vessels to be vigilant,’ said Pottengal Mukundan, director of IMB - a specialised
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As the Belgian-Dutch replacement mine countermeasure programme progresses, it is becoming clear that motherships will be integral to future MCM operations. Seven years on from the programme’s inception, the impact of its forward-looking approach can be seen through the procurement strategies of its Western allies today.
A cluster of acquisitions by Fincantieri, Thales, Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall points to a race to secure underwater warfare, autonomy and sensing capability.
Baltic states are investing in mine warfare, uncrewed systems and multirole platforms as major warship purchases remain scarce, industry sources indicate.
Parallel procurement pathways for crewed mine countermeasure vessels and uncrewed systems underline a shift towards next-generation mine warfare for the Indian Navy.
Finland’s naval industrial base is expanding as NATO membership, Baltic Sea security concerns and proximity to Russia push shipbuilders and equipment makers to capture new roles.
Canada's ambitious naval modernisation plans are creating major maritime procurement opportunities, with future programmes also promising long-term work for domestic and international shipbuilders.
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