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2nd Kormoran II MCM Vessel Delivered To Polish Navy​

Remontowa Shipbuilding photo

Polish company Remontowa Shipbuilding delivered the second Kormoran-II class minehunter, ORP Albatros (602), to the Polish Navy on 12 August 2022.​

19 Aug 2022

Remontowa Shipbuilding press release

On 12 August this year, at the Remontowa Shipbuilding shipyard, acceptance documents were signed for the second of a series of modern minehunters – the ORP Albatros vessel being built for the Polish Navy.

The ship was built by a consortium consisting of: the leader – Stocznia

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S.A. belonging to the REMONTOWA HOLDING S.A. capital group and members – Ośrodek Badawczo – Rozwojowy Centrum Techniki Morskiej S.A. (OBR CTM S.A.) and PGZ Stocznia Wojenna (formerly Stocznia Marynarki Wojennej).


Remontowa Shipbuilding photo

The handover of the ship was preceded by several months of delivery and acceptance trials, during which the offshore platform and mine threat equipment and systems were checked. Successful completion of the acceptance trials confirmed the ship’s ability to perform its main tasks, which include:

• detecting, identifying and combating sea mines and other objects and explosives in sea areas,
• securing sea communication routes,
• conducting operations in mine threat areas,
• environmental assessment in underwater areas.

The ORP ALBATROS ship is already the second of the KORMOARAN II type mine destroyer series. Five years ago, a prototype vessel ORP KORMORAN was handed over to the Polish Navy.

ORP Kormoran was handed over to the navy five years ago. On the basis of experience gained during its operation, certain modifications were introduced in the construction of subsequent vessels. Thanks to them, ORP ALBATROS, as well as subsequent vessels, is equipped with new devices for verifying sea areas. The ship’s artillery system was also changed to a more modern one.

ORP ALBATROS will become part of the 13th minesweeper squadron, which reports to the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla in Świnoujście.
-End-

Naval News comments:
Poland’s Ministry of National Defence

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for the procurement of three additional Kormoran II.

Czech Republic to Purchase Three Heron Drones From Israel​

Heron drone developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. Photo: Israel Aerospace Industries

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AUGUST 9, 2022​

1 MINUTE READ


The Czech Republic will with Israel to purchase three Heron drones including ground control stations, data terminals, and shipping containers.

The acquisition comes as part of the Czech Army’s “Capability Building Concept,” an initiative to build up the service’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) capabilities for aerial reconnaissance, combat support, and ground unit protection.
The ministry expects contract negotiations to be finalized by the end of this year.

Minister of Defense Jana Černochová explained the Czech and Israeli government are in direct negations with each other. “It will enable us to set up long-term cooperation and ensure the operation, repairs, and supply of spare parts for the supplied military equipment throughout its lifetime,” she added.

Possible Use Outside Czechia​

The defense ministry explained that it chose the Heron as a result of recent market consultations concerning which drone would best meet the Czech Army’s requirements. Israel Aerospace Industries’ Heron emerged as the favorite.

“The selected system most closely corresponds to the expected use within the army and meets future requirements for full-scale use, both on the territory of the Czech Republic as part of training, and for possible use as part of supporting units in foreign operations,” Colonel Pavel Nakládal said.

The next step is negotiating “with the aim of achieving the lowest possible price” and the shortest possible delivery date, the ministry of defense said.

The Heron UAV​

Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, the is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle “for strategic and tactical missions,” according to the company website.

The drone features a maximum flight time of up to 45 hours, maximum altitude of 35,000 feet (10.5 kilometers), and a payload capacity of up to 470 kilograms (1,034 pounds).

SAAB lecture on Gripen this past weekend:

Sinnavuuty said:

SAAB lecture on Gripen this past weekend:

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Spanish Armada selects NSM for F100+F110

Portugal - FAP
Six new helicopters were acquired to integrate the State's own resources in fighting rural fires.

The Sikorski UH-60 Black Hawk, scheduled for delivery in the 1st quarter of 2023, have the capacity to transport up to 2950 liters of water, a team of 12 firefighters and their equipment, having an autonomy of about 150 minutes, with of water.

The NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF) RQ-4D remotely piloted aircraft has returned to Sigonella Air Base, Italy, after receiving technical upgrades.

The plane, named NATO14, undertook a 21-hour flight from Edwards Air Force Base in California, US, and a series of comprehensive tests by manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

NATO14 received a maritime mode software upgrade to support its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operability.

The software uses MISAR (Maritime Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar) to enhance NATO14’s ability to monitor naval vessels and identify non-cooperative targets.

“The return of this aircraft marks a major milestone for AGS and the Alliance,” NAGSF Commander Brig. Gen. Andrew Clark said.

“The upgraded sensor dramatically improves NATO’s ISR capability by enabling effective collection in the Maritime domain.”

After NATO14’s arrival, four additional RQ-4D are expected to return to NAGSF’s base in Italy with the same upgrades.

NATO RQ-4D

NATO’s RQ-4D has a length of 48 feet (15 meters), weight of 14,950 pounds (6,800 kilograms/7 tons), and a payload capacity of 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms/1.5 tons).

The RQ-4D is powered by a Rolls Royce-North American AE 3007H turbofan engine that enables a speed of 310 knots (360 miles/580 kilometers per hour).

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The NATO will hold the annual nuclear exercise next week named "Steadfast Noon", this is an exercise in readiness. Among other things, the air forces will practice using US nuclear bombs placed on European soil, but without actual nuclear weapons.