Category Archives: Surface Forces

Chinese Expansion Prompts Other Navies to Work Closer Together, Modernize Fleets

Chinese Expansion Prompts Other Navies to Work Closer Together, Modernize Fleets

Philippine Coast Guard Capt. Jaybom J. Calica, commanding officer of the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) talks to crewmembers from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, the Philippine Coast Guard Vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and the Japan Coast Guard Vessel Akitsushima (PLH 32) during a hotwash upon the conclusion of combined operations between the Japan, Philippine and U.S. Coast Guards in the South China Sea, June 7, 2023. US Coast Guard Photo

NEWPORT, R.I. ­­– The growing military and economic pressure from China in the Western Pacific and beyond is pushing international navies to seek new partnerships and accelerate modernization, U.S. naval leaders told USNI News at the International Seapower Symposium on Wednesday. Read More

INDOPACOM CO Tours EDCA Sites in Visit to the Philippines

INDOPACOM CO Tours EDCA Sites in Visit to the Philippines

General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the AFP, and Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, lauded the progress of projects under EDCA during their visit to Cagayan on Sept. 13, 2023. Armed Forces of Philippines Photo

The head of the U.S. military in the Pacific toured sites American forces could access in wartime and held high-level defense talks in the Philippines last week. Read More

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 18, 2023

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 18, 2023

USNI News Graphic

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Sept. 18, 2023, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Read More

VIDEO: Navy Commissions LCS USS Marinette, 4 Freedom-Class to Decommission This Year

VIDEO: Navy Commissions LCS USS Marinette, 4 Freedom-Class to Decommission This Year

Menominee, Michigan (Sept. 16, 2023) –The crew of the Navy’s USS Marinette (LCS 25), bring the ship to life during her commissioning ceremony in Menominee, Mich., on Sept. 16, 2023. US Navy Photo

The 13th Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Marinette (LCS-25) commissioned in a Michigan ceremony on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Navy has decommissioned two Freedom-class LCS this year and is set to shed two more by the end of the month, USNI News has learned. Read More

India to Take on Future U.S. Navy Ship Maintenance Per Agreement

India to Take on Future U.S. Navy Ship Maintenance Per Agreement

Military Sealift Command’s rescue and salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) arrived at Larsen & Toubro Ltd, commonly known as L&T Shipyard, in Kattupalli near Chennai, India, for voyage repairs on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

India will be serving as a future maintenance hub for U.S. Navy assets in the Indo-Pacific, according to a joint U.S.-India statement issued last week on the sidelines of G20 in New Delhi. Read More

Army Long Range Missile Launcher Spotted on Navy Littoral Combat Ship

Army Long Range Missile Launcher Spotted on Navy Littoral Combat Ship

An Army MK 70 missile launcher on the flight deck of Littoral Combat Ship USS Savannah (LCS-28) in San Diego, Calif. Photo obtained by USNI News

This post has been updated with additional information on the radar system seen on USS Savannah (LCS-28) .

A portable missile launcher capable of firing a combination of long-range anti-ship and anti-air weapons was spotted this week undergoing testing aboard a Littoral Combat Ship in San Diego, Calif., according to photos provided to USNI News. Read More