What’s Next for the Thales Sonar Systems Destined for Cancelled U.S. Navy Frigates?
Thales Defense has already delivered the first two CAPTAS‑4 variable depth sonar (VDS) sets to the U.S. Navy, with the third and fourth units completed in France and production paused for the remaining two. The sonar can be containerized, allowing rapid installation on conventional ships or unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Navy officials have expressed continued interest in VDS capability, but a definitive platform for the remaining systems remains undecided. Thales and its partner ACC keep the production line in Pennsylvania on standby for an instant restart if demand resurfaces.
Taiwan Eyes Japan’s New FFM as Frigate Option
Taiwan’s Republic of China Navy is weighing Japan’s upgraded Mogami‑class “New FFM” as a candidate for its next‑generation frigate, aiming for a 6,000‑ton, 100‑person crew vessel. The ROC Navy seeks a design that blends stealth, automation and network‑centric warfare to...
US Approves Possible FMS of AEGIS/SPY-6 Package to Germany
The U.S. State Department has cleared a $11.9 billion foreign military sale to Germany for eight complete AEGIS/SPY‑6 integrated combat system packages. The kits will equip the upcoming F127 anti‑air warfare frigates with AN/SPY‑6(V)1 radars, Mk 41 VLS, and related sensors and...
Australia Announces Contract For First Three ‘Upgraded Mogami’ General Purpose Frigates Under SEA 3000
Australia announced contracts with Japan and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for three upgraded Mogami‑class general‑purpose frigates, the first step of the SEA 3000 program that could field up to 11 ships. The vessels will be built in Japan and delivered to...
U.S. Navy Begins Search for Mk 41 VLS-Launched Hypersonic Weapons
The U.S. Navy unveiled the FLASH (Flight Advancement of Structures for Hypersonics) program to develop low‑cost, boost‑glide hypersonic missiles that can launch from existing Mk 41 VLS and Virginia Payload Module cells. FLASH consolidates prior research on thermal protection, flight‑test hardware,...
Chantiers De L’Atlantique Launches 3rd BRF Supply Ship for the French Navy
The French Navy’s third logistic support ship, Émile Bertin, was launched today at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint‑Nazaire. The vessel is the fifth hull in the OCCAR‑managed Franco‑Italian Logistic Support Ship (LSS) programme, which will deliver six ships—four to France and...
Japan’s MHI Awarded Contract to Build Three Upgraded Mogami-Class Frigates
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) secured a ¥128.6 billion ($806 million) contract from Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency to build three upgraded Mogami‑class frigates, the third through fifth units of the 4,800‑ton “New FFM” series. The award, signed on Feb. 16, 2026, covers...
Sweden Turns Former SIGINT Vessel Into Seabed Warfare Platform
Sweden is converting the retired signals‑intelligence vessel HSwMS Orion into a dedicated seabed‑warfare research and development platform. The 39‑year‑old hull will test concepts for protecting critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, a region plagued by cable cuts and pipeline...
Australia Readies Itself for High-Risk Submarine Life Extension for Collins-Class
Australia is launching the Collins Life‑of‑Type Extension (LOTE) under Project Sea 1450 to keep its six diesel‑electric submarines operational into the 2040s. The program follows a 2024 corrosion crisis that left half the fleet out of the water, with only...
Facing the Evolving Needs of Maritime Security
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is promoting its next‑generation naval suite, highlighted by the BARAK MX air‑defence system, to address a widening spectrum of maritime threats ranging from missiles and drones to sea mines and unmanned vessels. The solution blends advanced radar,...
Germany’s Final Type 424 SIGINT Ship Enters Production
Germany’s final Type 424 signals‑intelligence vessel entered steel‑cutting at Peene‑Werft, marking the start of construction for all three ships in the class. The 130‑metre platform will be operated jointly by the German Navy and the Cyber and Information Domain Service, replacing...
Exail’s DriX H-9 USV Selected for Counter-UAS Research
Exail Technologies has landed a second contract for its DriX H‑9 uncrewed surface vehicle, this time to support Counter‑Unmanned Aerial System (C‑UAS) research for a leading U.S. defense research organization, likely the Navy’s Office of Naval Research. The H‑9 will...
U.S. Navy Seeks Over 600 Surface-to-Air Missiles in Budget Request
The U.S. Navy’s FY 2027 budget request seeks roughly $8.5 billion to buy 676 Standard Missile interceptors—540 SM‑6 and 136 SM‑3 Block IIA. Funding is split, with $730 million for SM‑6 in the base request and $3.59 billion in a reconciliation package, while SM‑3 IIA costs total...
Pakistan Navy Demonstrates Precision Strike Capabilities with SMASH ASBM Test
On April 15, 2026, the Pakistan Navy conducted a live‑fire test of its home‑grown SMASH ship‑launched anti‑ship ballistic missile. The missile hit a target at extended range with high speed, showcasing advanced guidance and maneuverability. The test was witnessed by...
Airbus and Lakota Connector Partners Successfully Execute Fourth Autonomous Flight Test
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, together with Shield AI, L3Harris and Parry Labs, completed its fourth autonomous flight test on an H145 helicopter, integrating all four partners' technologies for the first time. The test demonstrated real‑time perception, obstacle detection and...