The US Coast Guard (USCG) has commissioned its 18th fast response cutter (FRC), USCGC Joseph Tezanos, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, it was announced on 26 August. It is the sixth cutter stationed in San Juan.
There are already 17 in service: five in San Juan, six in Miami and six in Key West. The USCG is acquiring upto 58 FRCs to conduct critical missions and patrol the near-offshore environment. The missions include national defence; fishery patrols; ports, waterways, and coastal security; drug and migrant interdiction; and search and rescue. It has so far ordered 38 cutters.
These vessels are replacing Island-class patrol boats and feature new command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; improved habitability and sea-keeping; and standardised cutter boat deployment from astern or via side davits.
The commission of the next 154ft FRC, which will be stationed in Cape May, New Jersey, is planned for November 2016.
The new missile, which incorporates land-attack capabilities, is the latest evolution of the Otomat/Teseo anti-ship weapon family and is set to replace the legacy Mk2/A version in service with the Italian Navy.
Another twist has occurred in India's tortuous pathway to obtaining six AIP-equipped submarines, as Germany seeks pole position.
The Norwegian Chief of Defence has recommended the Scandinavian country procure more submarines in a report to the government about the future shape of its armed forces.
Apart from making progress with its troubled LCS programme, the priority for Malaysia's navy right now is the next three Littoral Mission Ships.
On 6 June at Fincantieri's Muggiano shipyard, steel was cut for the Italian Navy's second U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS).
Romania has joined the effort to develop a future surface ship under the PESCO European Patrol Corvette (EPC) project.
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