USS New Mexico (SSN 779) surfaces through the arctic ice during Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2014. US Navy Photo
There were no emerging problems in Arctic that require NATO involvement and, “moreover, there are no problems there which demand military decisions,” Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said in a foreign policy lecture on Monday. Read More
Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
Despite strong language from the French President François Hollande, Russia has not received formal notification from France suspending or cancelling the $1.53 billion deal for two Mistral-class amphibious warship deal, Russian officials said on Tuesday. Read More
USS Cole (DDG-67) makes preparations for getting underway after a scheduled port visit to Haifa, Israel on Sept. 18, 2014. US Navy Photo
The U.S. is sending the guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG-67)into the Black Sea on Friday as part of an ongoing presence mission in the region since Russia seized the Crimea region of Ukraine in March. Read More
Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
The September decision by France to withhold delivery of two Mistral-class Landing Platforms Helicopter (LPH) building for Russia is an opportunity for NATO, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and for the French shipbuilding industry and economy. France should not suffer economically for taking a stand against Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine. Rather, NATO, France and Canada can benefit if a little mutually beneficial creativity is applied.
While France desperately wants to complete the two amphibious warships — and get paid for them — NATO and Canada need the capabilities these ships can provide. Read More
USS Ross (DDG 71) stands by during a nighttime passenger transfer during exercise Sea Breeze 2014 on Sept. 9, 2014. US Navy Photo
A U.S. guided missile destroyer and a French signals intelligence ship have left Black Sea, according to U.S. Navy officials and local press reports. Read More
Halifax-class frigate (FFH) HMCS Toronto (FFH-333) in 2004. US Navy Photo
The Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Toronto (FFH-333) was overflown by three Russian planes — two fighters and a surveillance aircraft — on Sunday, according to a Monday statement from Canadian Defence Minister Rob Nicholson. Read More
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
Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) conduct small boat operations in a rigid-hull inflatable boat on Aug. 3, 2014. US Navy Photo
Four NATO warships are due in the Black Sea in the next several days ahead of an international maritime exercise to include Ukraine, according to press reports and information from the U.S. Navy. Read More
USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) departs the Black Sea and enters the Bosphorus Strait on Aug. 26, 2014.
The U.S. guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) has left the Black Sea and two more NATO ships are inbound, according to Russian press reports. Read More
