US naval procurement commitments rise despite COVID pressures

More from Naval Warfare

• BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement

  Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. The programme has an estimated value of AU$1.4 billion (US$910 million), with IOC slated for 2032.

• Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates

  The Royal Navy’s Type-23 Duke-class frigates for the UK Royal Navy were designed as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships but now have a multi-role function. Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 remain in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type-26 frigates before 2035.

• Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat

  The work took place under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), which has been a collaboration between Austal, Greenroom Robotics, the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Warfare Innovation Navy Branch.

• Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine

  The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.

• Keel laid for third Hellenic Navy frigate as harbour trials start for first

  On 24 March 2022, Greece and Naval Group have signed a contract for three defence and intervention (FDI) frigates. Two warships will be due for delivery in 2025 and the third expected the following year, with the deal including an option to add a fourth frigate to be ready in 2027.

• US senators raise Russian concerns over unprepared Coast Guard fleet

  US Congress senators have warned that the US Coast Guard’s fleet cannot protect Arctic waters against Russian naval capabilities.