LOCATIONS
LAND
03 Mar 14. BAE Systems has opened a new ammunition factory in Britain with a production capacity of a million rounds a day. The factory, which is also a company centre of excellence for bulk ammunition production, is located near Crewe in Cheshire at an existing company site. “The official opening is a major milestone in the modernization of our U.K.’s munitions manufacturing facilities,” said Ian Anderton, the managing director of BAE Systems’ munitions business area. This facility, alongside similar transformed facilities at Glascoed, South Wales and Washington, near Newcastle will help drive down costs and maximize future efficiencies to the benefit of our customers, both in the U.K. and in our export markets.” The plant/centre is part of a 15-year $3.3bn partnering agreement between the company and Britain’s Ministry of Defense to improve the country’s supply of ammunition. “Thanks to a £2bn ($3.3bn) investment from the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems, a state of the art munitions facility has opened,” Minister for Defense Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said. “Capable of producing 1 million rounds every day, it will not only protect 450 local jobs but leaves no doubt of British expertise and skills in manufacturing. This is not only a vital boost for the local economy, but will improve supplies to our armed forces on the frontline.” (Source: Open Source Information Report/UPI.com)
28 Feb 14. Russia Says Its Building Naval Bases in Asia, Latin America. Russia’s defense minister says the country will soon build military bases everywhere from Vietnam to Cuba. Russia’s defense minister says the country will soon build military bases everywhere from Vietnam to Cuba. A senior Russian defense official has announced that Moscow is looking to build military bases throughout different countries in Asia and the Western Hemisphere. According to RIA Novosti, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia is looking to build military bases in Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Seychelles, Singapore and several other countries. (Source: Open Source Information Report/The Diplomat)
MARITIME
04 Mar 14. Australian Navy’s first Canberra-class LHD sets sail for sea trials. NUSHIP Canberra, the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) first Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) ship, has set sail to Sydney from BAE Systems’ dockyard at Williamstown, Australia, for its first period of sea trials. Prior to acceptance by the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) later this year, the vessel will undergo a series of trials to validate its systems and equipment under a number of scenarios. BAE Systems Maritime director Bill Saltzer said that the ship will undergo a series of tests, including platform tests and testing of the ship’s combat and communication systems. Upon completion of sea trials, NUSHIP Canberra will begin the final testing of communication and combat systems. Meanwhile, preparation works for the consolidation of the superstructure for the second LHD, NUSHIP Adelaide, are well underway. The BAE-led team for the RAN’s LHD ship programme includes Navantia, Saab and L3. (Source: naval-technology.com)
28 Feb 14. HMS Daring was given a special welcome by top Philippines officials as she returned home from a marathon nine-month global deployment which included vital humanitarian relief in the wake Typhoon Haiyan. Two senior officials from the Philippines Embassy in London greeted the Type 45 destroyer in Portsmouth, thanking the 220 crew for their efforts across the devastated country. Philippines Minister and Consul General Senen Mangalile was first to greet the ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Angus Essenhigh, as he came ashore to hundreds of cheering families. The Minister – who was accompanied by First Secretary and Consul Emma Sarne – presented Cdr Essenhigh with a special floral garland as a tribute to his crew’s relief work after the typhoon struck in November. Mr Manga