MARITIME
07 Sep 23. PH Navy to Get 2 Brand-New Corvettes from 2025 to 2026. The Philippine Navy (PN) is set to receive two brand-new missile corvettes from 2025 to 2026, an official said on Wednesday.
“We have a lot of naval ships coming. In 2025 and 2026, we will be receiving two brand-new corvettes from [South] Korea. Both of these ships are new,” PN vice commander Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia said in an interview with DZBB.
Valencia said these brand-new corvettes are expected to backstop the two Jose Rizal-class missile frigates – the BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna that are in service.
He was referring to the corvette acquisition program of the Department of National Defense (DND), which was formally awarded to South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) on Dec. 28, 2021.
These corvettes are worth PHP28 bn and are designed to be capable of conducting anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare missions.
Valencia noted that from 2026 to 2028, the PN would also start receiving six brand-new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) worth PHP30 bn and awarded to HHI on June 28, 2022.
“Come 2026-2028, we expect to receive six more brand new OPVs, the main purpose of the OPV is to patrol the seas,” he added.
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Philippine News Agency)
05 Sep 23. Hellenic Navy takes delivery of second batch of Island-class cutters, latest multirole support vessel. The Hellenic Navy has taken delivery of its second pair of ex-US Coast Guard (USCG) Island-class cutters and a fourth multimission support ship.
The three ships arrived at Salamis Naval Base on 1 September, the Hellenic Navy announced the same day. The Hellenic Navy acquired the four ex-Island-class cutters via the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s Office of International Acquisition’s Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme as replacements for its ageing Andromeda (Nasty)-class and Antoniou-class patrol boats, which were built in the 1960s/70s. The delivery of the second pair, ex- Monomoy (WPB-1326) and ex- Wrangell (WPB-1332), follows that of ex- Adak (WPB-1333) and ex- Aquidneck (WPB-1308) on 4 July. Aquidanek and Adak were decommissioned from the USCG in June 2021, followed by Monomoy and Wrangell in March 2022. The vessels will be renamed Mantouvalos Ioannis (P 197), Galanis Georgios (P 198), Liaskos Antonios (P 288), and Gialopsos Ektoras (P 289) in Hellenic Navy service. (Source: Janes)
05 Sep 23. PH Navy to Commission 2 Ex-US Patrol Vessels Sept. 11. The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday said it would christen and commission into service two US-donated Cyclone-class patrol vessels on Sept. 11.
In a statement, Navy spokesperson Captain Benjo Negranza said these ships will be known as the Alvarez-class patrol vessels once commissioned in service.
The christening and commissioning rites would be held at PN headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
“The PN will be conducting the christening and commissioning ceremony of the two newly-acquired Alvarez-class patrol vessels, namely BRP Valentin Diaz (PS-177) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS-178) with Honorable Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., Secretary of National Defense as Guest of Honor and Speaker,” Negranza added.
The US Navy transferred these two Cyclone-class patrol vessels upon decommissioning in Bahrain on March 28 and were delivered to the country last May.
The ships, the former USS Monsoon (PC-4) and USS Chinook (PC-9), were transferred to the PN through the Excess Defense Article (EDA) program.
The 55-meter vessels will be able to complement the PN’s patrol gunboats in ensuring safety and security within the “littoral waters of the porous borders and vast maritime environment of the Philippines, being equipped with the firepower and lethality for littoral operations.”
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Philippine News Agency)
AIR
07 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin and Slovak Republic Minister of Defence Unveil Country’s First F-16 Block 70 Aircraft. The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Slovak Republic was unveiled at Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) facility in Greenville, South Carolina, during a visit from the country’s Minister of Defence, Martin Sklenár. The Slovak Republic will be the first European country to receive this newest and most capable version of the Fighting Falcon. The F-16 Block 70 aircraft will deliver decades of 21st Century Security capabilities in support of the Slovak Republic’s national security.
“These F-16s will enable the Slovak Air Force to stay ahead of threats in the region, and be part of the allied mission in Europe, NATO and around the world,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president, Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. “This jet represents the strong partnership between Lockheed Martin, the United States, the Slovak Republic and allies.”
This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 14 to be delivered to the Slovak Republic.
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
06 Sep 23. Dr Martin Longden CMG OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Libya in succession to Ms Caroline Hurndall MBE, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Dr Longden will take up his appointment during October 2023.
07 Sep 23. Mr Neerav Patel has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar in succession to Mr Jonathan Wilks CMG, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Patel will take up his appointment during February 2024.
US APPOINTMENTS
07 Sep 23. Rear Adm. Eric C. Ruttenberg will be assigned as reserve deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Ruttenberg is currently serving as reserve deputy for maritime operations, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
07 Sep 23. Rear Adm. Larry D. Watkins will be assigned as vice commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; vice commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and Joint Forces Maritime Component Commander Europe, Naples, Italy. Watkins is currently serving as deputy commander, Third Fleet, San Diego, California.
07 Sep 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Kenneth R. Blackmon, selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as vice commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Blackmon is currently service as reserve director for maritime operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
07 Sep 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) David H. Duttlinger will be assigned as deputy for naval construction force, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Duttlinger is currently serving as deputy commander, Naval Facilities, Washington, D.C.
07 Sep 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Robert C. Nowakowski, selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as deputy commander, Naval Education and Training Force Development, Pensacola, Florida. Nowakowski is currently serving as reserve vice commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command, Fifth Fleet, Manama, Bahrain.
07 Sep 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Mark A. Schafer, is assigned as commanding general, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Central, U.S. Central Command, Doha, Qatar. Schafer recently served as commander, Navy Region Korea; commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea; commander, Naval Component, United Nations Commander, Korea, Pusan, Korea.
06 Sep 23. Rear Adm. Blake L. Converse for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Converse is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
06 Sep 23. Rear Adm. Jeffrey T. Jablon for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as deputy chief of naval operations for installations and logistics, N4, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Jablon is currently serving as a special assistant to director, Navy Staff, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
06 Sep 23. Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael A. Brookes for appointment to the grade of rear admiral. Brookes is currently serving as director, National Maritime Intelligence Integration Office; and commander, Office of Naval Intelligence, Washington, D.C.
06 Sep 23. Capt. Bryan E. Braswell for appointment to the grade of rear admiral (lower half). Braswell is currently serving as commander, Naval Information Warfighting Development Center, Norfolk, Virginia.
06 Sep 23. USAF LG James C. Slife for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as vice chief of staff, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Slife is currently serving as deputy chief of staff, Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
06 Sep 23. USAF MG Sean M. Farrell for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill USAFBase, Florida. Farrell is currently serving as deputy commanding general, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
06 Sep 23. Space Force MG David N. Miller Jr., for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, Space Operations Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Miller is currently serving as special assistant to the vice chief of space operations, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
06 Sep 23. USAF MG Adrian L. Spain for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy chief of staff, Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Spain is currently serving as director, Training and Readiness, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
06 Sep 23. USAF Col. Matthew S. Allen for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Allen is currently serving as the director, Legislative Affairs, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, Pentagon, Washington, D. C.
06 Sep 23. USAF Col. Trent C. Davis for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Davis is currently serving as the command chaplain, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
06 Sep 23. USAF Col. Lawrence T. Sullivan for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Sullivan is currently serving as the principal military assistant to the secretary of defense, Department of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
06 Sep 23. The Bristol-based light jet manufacturer AERALIS, today announced Robin Southwell will become the Chair of the Main Board, taking over from Brian Hibbert CBE. Brian has been AERALIS’s Chair since 2018 and the inception of the AERALIS company. Under his tenure, Brian has overseen AERALIS’s initial set-up phase, establishing the company in the aerospace marketplace and steering the company’s agile business model. This phase also included key milestones of delivering Barzan Holding’s multi-m-pound investment into AERALIS, and the awarding of a £9 M digital engineering contract from the UK Ministry of Defence. With the initial set-up phase complete, Brian is looking forward to supporting the company in a technical advisory capacity whilst the position of Chair will now evolve to oversee a new phase in AERALIS’s journey – growing the company’s global sales and marketing capability.
07 Sep 23. Melrose Industries (MRON.L) said on Thursday CEO and co-founder Simon Peckham will step down in March and be replaced by Chief Operating Officer Peter Dilnot as the British aerospace supplier takes a new strategic direction after the spin-off of Dowlais. The group also announced a £500m ($625.05m) share buyback to start next month and raised its annual profit expectations on the back of higher-than-anticipated margins at its engines division. (Source: Reuters)
07 Sep 23. Geoffrey Martin will step down as finance director at Melrose. His role will be taken by Matthew Gregory, chief financial officer at GKN Aerospace. (Source: The Times)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
07 Sep 23. Cyemptive Technologies, an award-winning provider of preemptive cybersecurity solutions for business and government, today announced that it has named former Branch Chief for Cyber Policy and Capabilities at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired U.S. Navy Commander Vince Dova, as Vice President of Security. At the Pentagon, Dova advised the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on behalf of the Director, J6 Command, for cyber-related matters such as military network defense and cybersecurity for the Defense Industrial Base and Defense Critical Infrastructure, including coordinating across the Department of Defense, Interagency, National Security Council, and Congress. In his new role with Cyemptive, Dova is responsible for ensuring the security of intellectual property and client data, developing organizational and technical governance to enable the secure delivery of best-in-breed cybersecurity solutions to a rapidly-growing customer base, and planning security-relevant training/certification for company and client workforce. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
07 Sep 23. Frontier Technology Inc., a leading provider of mission-tailored technology, deep data expertise and services for the U.S. Department of Defense, Intelligence Community and other agencies of the Federal Government, today announced the promotion of Jose Hidalgo to president. After five years driving growth as FTI’s CFO, Jose now assumes full responsibility for day-to-day operations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
07 Sep 23. MatrixSpace announces the addition of three highly accomplished military and security leaders: Vice Admiral (VADM) Rich Brown (R); Brigadier General Peter L. Jones (R); and Tom Bush, retired Department of Homeland Security executive.
Vice Admiral (VADM) Rich Brown (R) is a senior defense operations leader with over 35 years of experience leading transformation throughout the Navy, retiring in 2020.
He was appointed Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in 2017 and revamped the career and training continuum of over 6,500 Surface Warfare Officers and introduced a Culture of Excellence to over 55,000 sailors. Leading a staff of 475, he influenced a $40bn annual enterprise-wide budget, directly executing a $3bn annual Naval Surface Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet budget.
Brigadier General Peter L. Jones (R) is a recognized leader, team builder and innovative thinker, operationally adept at balancing risk and priorities to solve complex problems. He retired in 2017 as the Commandant and Chief of Infantry at the United States Army Infantry School in Fort Benning, GA, following 32 years of service in the U.S. Army.
Peter is a decorated combat leader with over 48 months of combat deployments with broad overseas experience and cultural understanding in Europe and the Middle East, including Afghanistan.
Tom Bush, retired Department of Homeland Security senior leader, is a seasoned public security expert with leadership roles across the Department of Homeland Security, the TSA and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), working closely with Homeland Security Secretaries to implement new policies.
06 Sep 23. Strider Technologies, Inc. (“Strider”), the leading provider of Strategic Intelligence, today announced that Admiral Sir Tim Fraser is joining the company as an Advisor. In this role, Sir Tim will help guide Strider towards scalable growth in the U.K. and European markets. Admiral Sir Tim Fraser served in the Royal Navy and UK Defence for over 40 years. His final appointment was as the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in the Ministry of Defence. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
05 Sep 23. Babcock Australasia has formally announced the appointment of the company’s new chief financial officer and managing director for the company’s Australasian marine business. Jamie Hollamby has been appointed as the company’s new chief financial officer (CFO) and Simon Spratt has been appointed as managing director (MD) of the Australasian marine business unit. Hollamby joins Babcock from Sydney Water, where he is currently general manager, finance and business performance, tasked with overall commercial performance of the organisation. Prior to that, he worked at SA Water as general manager, business services, where he led numerous teams including finance, IT, procurement and logistics, engineering and performance. Additionally, Hollamby draws on defence industry experience having also previously worked at BAE Systems in a variety of roles, including as interim general manager and at Henderson Shipyard as head of finance, corporate and head of audit, businesses. (Source: Defence Connect)