LOCATIONS
MARITIME
07 Jul 25. France commissions third Barracuda-class nuclear submarine. The fourth submarine, De Grasse, was rolled out of the construction hall in late May this year. French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu has commissioned the third Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, SSN Tourville, into active service. The Barracuda-class programme will see the delivery of six nuclear-powered attack submarines by 2030. The programme aims to replace the Rubis-type SSNs, which were commissioned in the 1980s.
“The Tourville presents prodigious technological and thus operational advances. If one stands out, it is the ability to be deployed twice as long,” Minister Lecornu said.
Works on Tourville started on 28 June 2011, with the first steel cut at Naval Group’s Cherbourg shipyard. Named after vice admiral Anne Hilarion de Costentin de Tourville, the submarine took its first dive on 17 July, following sea trials that began on 12 July 2024. Tourville underwent technical adjustments in Cherbourg before being officially handed over to the French Navy on 16 November 2024. The fourth submarine, De Grasse, rolled out of the construction hall in late May 2025. The first and second vessels are named Suffren and Duguay-Trouin. The French Navy’s Barracuda-class submarines will be equipped with MBDA’s naval cruise missiles (NCM), granting them deep strike capabilities. Additionally, these vessels will be armed with the F21 heavyweight torpedo, manufactured by Naval Group, and the SM39 anti-ship missile, also provided by MBDA. According to Naval Group, approximately 2,500 individuals are involved in the design and production of the Barracuda-class submarines, with around 800 of these contributors working for subcontractors associated with the company. Additionally, Lecornu presided over the inauguration of the newly constructed Missiessy Dock No 2 (MY02) in Toulon, an infrastructure project designed to house the new Suffren-class SSNs.
“This dock represents an industrial feat and a symbol: that of a living, modernised naval base, capable of supporting the growth of our fleet,” the minister said.
MY02 has been upgraded to accommodate two nuclear attack submarines at the same time, a critical enhancement in anticipation of the fleet’s expansion by 2028. With a budget allocation of €3bn over 15 years, Barracuda Support Infrastructure Program (ASB PI) encompasses upgrades to docks, utility networks, support buildings, and nuclear safety infrastructure at Toulon. The ASB PI project is structured into three phases with the first phase already completed and facilitated the arrival of the first two Suffren-class submarines. The second phase is underway and will continue until 2030; it includes delivering five berths, modernising two maintenance docks (MY01 and MY02), constructing a logistics building, and completely revamping the secret basic nuclear facility (INBS). The final phase is set to manage major technical shutdowns for the Suffrens. (Source: naval-technology.com)
04 Jul 25. Fincantieri Delivers the PPA “KRI BRAWIJAYA-320” to the Indonesian Navy. The vessel is the first of two multi-mission combat units destined for Indonesia. The delivery ceremony of the MPCS (Multipurpose Combat Ship/PPA) KRI BRAWIJAYA-320 vessel to the Indonesian Navy was held yesterday at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia). The ceremony was attended by Biagio Mazzotta, Chairman of Fincantieri, Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of the Indonesian Navy, H.E. Prof. DR. Junimart Girsang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to the Republic of Italy, Admiral Enrico Credendino, Chief of the Italian Navy, and Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani, National Armaments Director. Their presence underscored the strong defense collaboration between the two nations. KRI BRAWIJAYA-320, built and delivered by Fincantieri in a very short time to the Indonesian Navy, thanks also to the new construction synergies implemented by the Group, is the first of two MPCS/PPA units and, together with its sister vessel, the KRI PRABU SILIWANGI-321, represents an important milestone in the development of the strategic partnership between Fincantieri and the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. These vessels will represent the largest combat ships in the Indonesian Navy, strengthening stability in the Indo-Pacific region and safeguarding Indonesia’s national interests. The MPCS/PPA is a highly versatile class of ship designed to perform a wide range of missions, including frontline combat operations, maritime patrol, rescue, and civil protection activities.The vessel is also capable of operating high-speed boats such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) through lateral crane or a hauling ramp located at the stern.
- Overall length: 143 meters
- Speed: more than 31 knots
- Crew: 171 personnel
- Equipped with a combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion plant (CODAG) and an electric propulsion system
(Source: ASD Network)
04 Jul 25. Rosoboronexport Hands Over Project 11356 Frigate Tamal, built at Yantar USC shipyard in Russia, to Indian Navy. Currently India is already operating 7 Project 11356 frigates. The commissioning ceremony took place on July 1, 2025 in Kaliningrad. The eighth Project 11356 frigate, built in Russia for the Indian Navy, was christened Tamal, which means “Sword” in Sanskrit.
“The successful completion of construction, testing and delivery of the frigate Tamal to India demonstrates Rosoboronexport’s readiness to effectively fulfill any naval contracts, taking into account current global market trends. The eighth Project 11356 frigate is a model of technology cooperation. It incorporates more than 20 Indian-made ship systems, including the BrahMos supersonic missile system, an automated communications system, a surface search and target acquisition radar, and a sonar station,” – said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport JSC. – “Today the Company is actively developing partnerships with Indian public and private enterprises to jointly develop and manufacture military products on the partner’s territory. We are discussing 50+ projects for all services of the armed forces and are already working on a number of them”.
Tamal is a frigate that meets all the current requirements of the global naval shipbuilding market. Its radars are capable of timely detecting all types of air attack weapons, including advanced low-flying anti-ship missiles. The ship has a reliable air defence system based on the Shtil-1 vertical-launch SAM system developed and manufactured by Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation. The ship’s armament is sufficient to counter current and emerging threats. Its artillery armament, consisting of 100mm and 30mm artillery systems, together with an EW system, can repel UAV attacks and effectively counter unmanned surface vehicles. The ship has a reinforced helipad, enabling it to operate a Ka-31 long-range early warning helicopter. The delivered frigate Tamal has excellent seaworthiness: it is able to travel 4,850 miles without refueling and stay at sea for 30 days without resupply. Currently India is already operating 7 Project 11356 frigates. In December 2024 a commissioning ceremony for frigate Tushil took place in Kaliningrad. In addition, India’s Goa Shipyard Limited launched the ninth and tenth frigates of this project, which are being built by Indian shipbuilders with the assistance of Rosoboronexport. Rosoboronexport aims to strengthen the Russian defence industry’s positions in the Indian arms market through unique technology cooperation proposals that none of its competitors can make today. Issues related to the continuation of ongoing projects in the field of joint development and production of naval equipment, aircraft, armored vehicles, small arms, ammunition are being actively considered, and new ones are also being discussed. (Source: ASD Network)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
02 Jul 25. New AMD leadership announced. The Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD) has announced a new Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson following the departure of former SA Air Force Chief Fabian Msimang. Msimang was elected as the Chairperson of AMD earlier this year, but left with effect from 5 June following “a change in personal circumstances”. He was no longer eligible to serve on the AMD board after he stopped representing Swatek Aerospace and Defence and was therefore no longer part of the defence industry. In a letter to all AMD members and stakeholders on 7 July, AMD Executive Director Sandile Ndlovu announced the appointment of Nico Troostheide and Isaac Motale as the new Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, respectively, of the Board of Directors. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
10 Jul 25. DroneSense and MatrixSpace have partnered to accelerate the safe expansion of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations for Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs. The integration brings MatrixSpace Radar’s real-time object detection and airspace awareness capabilities directly into DroneSense Remote (DSR), the leading operational software platform for public safety drone missions. This enables radar tracking across urban and rural settings enhancing safety, responsiveness and mission success. MatrixSpace Radar delivers affordable, AI-powered situational awareness in all conditions, including low-light and low-visibility environments. With AiEdge software for real-time classification and expandable centralized sensor fusion, agencies can scale DFR operations confidently.
“DroneSense is committed to building an open ecosystem that incorporates the best available drone hardware and detect-and-avoid (DAA) technologies,” said Aydin Ghajar, Chief Operating Officer at DroneSense. “This integration with MatrixSpace represents the first of several partnerships to unlock BVLOS operations for public safety agencies. By bringing real-time radar awareness into our OpsHub interface, we’re enhancing both mission execution and safety.”
This capability has already supported some major milestones:
Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) expanded its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, establishing the largest first responder agency coverage area (37 square miles) monitored by radar sensors instead of humans in the United States. Campbell Police Department (CPD) became the first law enforcement agency in California to receive FAA authorization for single-operator BVLOS missions under a Part 91.113(b) waiver using radar instead of human visual observers. The waiver enables safer and more effective drone operations, even during night or adverse weather conditions.
“The partnership between two exceptional technologies—DroneSense and MatrixSpace—is a game-changer,” said Chief Charles L. Werner (Emeritus-RET), Director of DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance. “It delivers critical situational awareness to real-time crime centers, fusion centers, and command staff through a single mission platform.”
As more public agencies, regional consortiums, and critical infrastructure providers turn to drones for real-time intelligence, the integration of ground-based radar is essential to scaling safe and effective BVLOS operations.
“DroneSense is leading the charge in advancing operational best practices and technology for public safety,” said Lori DeMatteis, Chief Revenue Officer at MatrixSpace. “Together, we’re delivering a turnkey radar and software solution that supports next-generation airspace awareness, including nighttime and low-visibility BVLOS operations.”
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
09 Jul 25. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) (“Comtech” or the “Company”), a global communications technology leader, today announced three key leadership appointments within its Satellite and Space Communications (“S&S”) segment. These appointments include Steve Black as the new Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), Mark Dale as the new Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”) and Brent Norman as the new Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”); each reporting to Daniel Gizinski, President of Comtech’s S&S segment.