The Netherlands cleared to purchase $2.2 billion in Tomahawk missiles
The approved purchase is for Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles, control systems, telemetry missiles and communication and broadcast systems.
The future HMAS Hobart is set to enter builder’s trials this month off the coast of South Australia, the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance announced in September.
The vessel will be put through trials to demonstrate the functionality of the ship’s propulsion, manoeuvrability, auxiliary, control and navigation systems. The ship will be operated under the command of a civilian master and crew, augmented by specialists from the alliance and key equipment suppliers who will perform the system testing and trials.
Prior to trials beginning the alliance will conduct a comprehensive assessment to ensure the safety of the ship, embarked personnel, the environment and other seafarers. This assessment is defined as the Alliance Sea Trials Release Process and has three major steps; the Sea Worthiness Assessment, Ship Sea Trials Release and Sea Readiness Confirmation.
In the lead up to Builder Sea Trials the AWD Alliance continues to complete a number of important alongside dock trials to test ships systems before it departs to sea for the first time. Tests include inclining trials to measure the ship’s stability and vertical centre of gravity, and bollard trials to test the ship’s propulsion system.
Following Builder’s Sea Trials, in early 2017 Hobart will undertake further trials to test and demonstrate the ship’s more advanced systems and the combat system performance.
Hobart is the first of three new Hobart-class air warfare destroyers being built for the Royal Australian Navy.
The approved purchase is for Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles, control systems, telemetry missiles and communication and broadcast systems.
The Philippine Navy is fast-tracking its maritime modernisation with new warships, unmanned platforms, and international shipbuilding partnerships to bolster its regional deterrence posture.
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.