Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
The suspended delivery of two French-built amphibious warships to the Russian Navy could give NATO an opportunity to buy a ready-made platform for its planned rapid reaction force, retired Adm. James G. Stavridis — former NATO Supreme Allied Commander — told USNI News on Thursday. Read More
An artist’s rendering of the future Russian Navy amphibious warship Vladivostok. DCNS Photo
France is backing out of a $1.53 billion deal that would have provided the Russian Navy two amphibious warships in reaction to the increasingly violent situation in Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and government forces, according to a Wednesday statement from the French government. Read More
An artist’s rendering of the future Russian Navy amphibious warship Vladivostok. DCNS Photo
Ukrainian president has joined the U.S. in opposing France sale of two amphibious warships to the Russian Navy in remarks to European legislators on Thursday. Read More
Romanian navy frigate ROS Regina Maria (F 222) passes the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) on July 11, 2014. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy has not yet tasked any of its surface ships to move closer to Ukraine following the suspected shoot down of Malaysian Airliners Flight 17 on Thursday, service officials told USNI News on Friday. Read More
USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) transits the Aegean Sea on July, 6 2014. US Navy Photo
A U.S. guided missile cruiser has left the Black Sea on Tuesday, leaving a collection of NATO ships to maintain an ongoing presence mission following Russia’s seizure of the Crimea region from Ukraine. Read More
An artist’s rendering of the future Russian Navy amphibious warship Vladivostok. DCNS Photo
More than 400 Russian Navy sailors arrived in France on Monday for training to operate Russia’s two planned Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, according to several press reports. Read More
An undated photo of French Navy Frigate Surcouf.
A French frigate entered the Black Sea on Wednesday, growing the number of NATO surface warships in the region to three, according to a ship spotting blog and Russian press reports. Read More
USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) transits the Atlantic Ocean on March 19, 2014. US Navy Photo
A Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser will enter the Black Sea on Friday “to promote peace and stability in the region,” the Navy announced on Thursday. Read More
USS Taylor (FFG-50) and the Turkish frigate TCG Turgutries (F-241) on May 11, 2014. US Navy Photo
The frigate assigned to operations in the Black Sea as part of a U.S. show of support to allies in the region has left, leaving no U.S. surface ships in the region, U.S. Navy officials told USNI News on Monday. Read More
Triomphant-class submarine. French Navy Photo
The French Navy plans to lift restrictions to allow women sailors to crew the service’s Triomphant-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a Tuesday speech in Paris. Read More
