By Kitty Donaldson (Bloomberg) -- The U.K. will send Royal Marines to Norway’s Arctic training program because of the growing threat of Russian aggression in the area as the polar cap melts. Some 800 marines will be deployed to Norway and four Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter planes will patrol Icelandic Skies, Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson told his ruling Conservative … [Read more...]
RMS St. Helena to Return as Anti-Piracy Armory in Gulf of Oman
By Joe Brock JOHANNESBURG, April 17 (Reuters) - The RMS St. Helena, Britain's last working postal ship, was for nearly three decades the main source of contact between one of humanity's remotest islands and the outside world. Now the ship, cherished by the 4,500 residents of British-ruled St. Helena, will start a new life as a floating armory, packed with automatic weapons, … [Read more...]
New Royal Navy Base Opens In Bahrain
by John Konrad (gCaptain) The United Kingdom opened a permanent naval base in Bahrain on Thursday. The ceremony formally opening the UK Naval Support Facility was attended by Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Britain’s Prince Andrew. The Naval Support Facility will play a central role in the UK’s ability to operate in the region, and will be the hub of … [Read more...]
U.K. Sells Royal Navy Flagship HMS Ocean to Brazil
By Tiago Ramos Alfaro (Bloomberg) -- The U.K. has sold Royal Navy flagship HMS Ocean to Brazil for about 84 million pounds ($117 million) as new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth prepares to take over as leader of the fleet. HMS Ocean will be modified by BAE Systems Plc and Babcock International Group Plc, with the work funded by Brazil, before the 21,500 metric-ton ship … [Read more...]
British Warship to Conduct Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea – Media
SYDNEY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - A British warship will sail through the South China Sea next month to assert freedom-of-navigation rights, British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said in remarks published on Tuesday. British officials first flagged the voyage six months ago and the journey is likely to stoke tensions with China, who claim control of most of the area and have … [Read more...]