Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced at Portsmouth Naval Base a new national shipbuilding strategy in advance of a decision later this year on orders for the brand new Type 26 Global Combat Ship. The Chancellor also announced that these multi-million pound ships will be based at the Navy bases in Portsmouth and Plymouth.
The UK showed its commitment to the UK/Chile defense relationship by sending a Royal Naval ship and the First Sea Lord to Exponaval 2014. The Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Dragon, made its first visit to Chile since commissioning and this was an opportune time for both navies to discuss their future modernization plans and acknowledge the important historic and enduring links between the two Services.
Argentine media is reporting that HMS Dragon, Type 45 destroyer and one of the most modern vessels in the Royal Navy is currently in Valparaiso, Chile attending the Exponaval 2014, one of the main naval and maritime exhibition events in the Southern hemisphere.
Beginning on Tuesday and until Friday the Chilean port of Viña del Mar will host the ninth edition of the very successful ExpoNaval, which besides its emphasis on naval defense, for the fourth time running will be combined with a maritime and port exhibition: Trans-Port 2014.
The Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier has been officially named by Her Majesty the Queen at a ceremony in Scotland on Friday. Hundreds of workers who have helped to build the HMS Queen Elizabeth, along with the ship’s company, joined the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary, military Chiefs and dignitaries to witness Her Majesty christen her namesake with a bottle of whisky.
Britain must commit to operating both its new aircraft carriers and replacing its nuclear deterrent if it is to remain a first division military power, the head of the Royal Navy has warned. Admiral Sir George Zambellas, the First Sea Lord, said the service faced “the fight of our generation” if it was to remain a credible force in the years ahead.
The UK Defence Secretary has announced £79 million of investment in the next generation of Royal Navy submarines. The Successor submarines, which will carry the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent will be the largest and most advanced boats operated by the Navy and their design and construction will be the most technologically complex in the history of the UK.
Britain's Ministry has plans to commission three new ocean-going offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Navy. The new ships will be built by BAE Systems at their shipyards on the Clyde in a deal that will sustain jobs in the UK’s warship-building industry, and will play a key role in counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations.
Royal Navy has welcomed its newly-appointed Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff at a handover ceremony in Portsmouth. Vice Admiral Philip Jones takes up the role from outgoing Fleet Commander Admiral Sir George Zambellas who will continue in his NATO role, Commander Maritime Command, at Northwood in North West London.