HMS Somerset has been working alongside a Norwegian submarine as part of an effort to train to defend Norway
The vessel is participating Exercise Joint Viking 23, alongside NATO allies and partners, in Norway’s fjords.
Mutual Respect. It’s been great working with a @Forsvaret_no submarine over the past few days. Certainly putting us through our paces! Safe winds and following seas. #JointWarrior #JointViking23 @JEFnations pic.twitter.com/5Icf5sF1Cq
— HMS Somerset (@HMSSomerset) March 15, 2023
The exercise is organised by Norway and designed to evaluate allied forces’ cold weather warfare skills, ensuring their readiness to fight across the Arctic’s waters and challenging terrain seamlessly. In the words of NATO, “20,000 NATO troops, plus Finland and Sweden, are training to defend Norway”.
🇳🇴🇬🇧🇺🇸 troops during the largest exercises in Europe’s Arctic this year
This month 20,000 #NATO troops, plus Finland and Sweden, are training to defend Norway⁰⁰ #JointViking23 | #JointWarrior pic.twitter.com/O6aM5xJYYf
— NATO (@NATO) March 15, 2023
The Type 23 Frigate, also known as the Duke-class frigate, is a versatile and sophisticated warship that has been a cornerstone of the Royal Navy fleet since the early 1990s. Designed initially for anti-submarine warfare, these cutting-edge vessels have proven their adaptability over time, taking on various roles in multiple mission types, including maritime security, humanitarian aid, and surveillance.
I see George another half year delay to both the Scottish ferries and another £6m bailout from the government.
It worries me that Fergusons are involved in any warship work at all.
BAE took a huge risk subcontracting anything to them. Utterly clueless way to run a large project. Although I do think the bad news is being drip fed out as if it all came out to start with it would have been a slam dunk scrap ’em ‘n close down the yard.
It is one thing supporting industries that can actually output what the customer wants it is quite another propping up failing industries that cannot get their act together and do sensible commercial work.
The facility and work force is one thing, management is another. Sack the right one. Now.
It would be better if the workforce was absorbed into the local yards that had a clue BAE and Babcock or went to Barrow.
It isn’t as if there are not decent ship building jobs about?
They could have reinstated the Sunderland shipyard to build modules, but it looks like it will be transformed into a studio. Or invest in the empty land next to Cammell Laird. I guess, even if they could invest in Sunderland to build the modules, I could imagine it being a pain in the arse to get it around Scotland to the Clyde. It would have been different if the Mid-Scotland Ship Canal was built.
The addition of Finland and Sweden in this exercise underlines the huge foot in it miscalculation by the Kremlin. Good.
Good – we now have two reliable and sensible allies do deal with Mad Vlad etc.
Spot on!
According to a recent Navy Lookout article, HMS Somerset evidently completed a 4-year LIFEX in March 2022 (which presumably did not include PGMU). On an additional positive note, HMS Somerset is slated to be the first RN vessel to receive NSM. Fair winds and following seas. 😊
They seem to be quite a popular choice at the moment with Japan placing orders for their F-35A.
“Japan is set to take delivery of an initial batch of Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs), manufacturer Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has confirmed to Janes.”
LINK
Believe it or not UK is very well respected for how thoroughly it tests things.
When MOD buys in a foreign product it is like getting a big gold star first prize at the annual weapons tasting show – I’m being tongue in cheek.
Given cooperation with Japan, on projects like Tempest, the data may well have been shared or Japanese observers invited along.
Potential for more cooperation in the future.
“Japanese company Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has unveiled a model of a new long-range cruise missile at the DSEI Japan 2023 exhibition in Chiba.
KHI told Janes that the weapon – known tentatively as the ‘Island Defence’ anti-ship missile (ASM) – is designed to be launched from warships, aircraft, and land platforms. The company said the missile could also be modified to enable submarine launches.”
LINK
Lots of interesting things taking place at the moment.
Lockheed Martin to upgrade F-35 mission data lab for Australia, Canada, and UK
“A company official told Janes on 16 March that a contract notification posted by the DoD the previous week pertained to establishing FOC for the ACURL in support of the F-35 Block 4 configuration.
“The ACURL is used to develop, verify, and validate mission data files and allows Australia, the UK, and Canada the capability to reprogramme F-35 mission data to quickly execute sovereign missions,” the official said.
“Phase 1 established the initial operating capability for the laboratory, providing an initial facility, test line, and tools. Phase 2 provides the path to full operating capability and will support Block 4 configuration.”
LINK
Has the image attachment function been removed?
Hope there is continuing investment in and deployment of ASW assets up in Norway/Russia/Far North. Got to keep a wary eye on this Poseidon nuclear torpedo drone the Russian PR keep threatening the existence Britain with, just in case. Maybe our SF can put a tag on it so we can follow it. It’s not really lol, but I’ll lol anyway. Why doesn’t the West develop one of its own, that might put the wind up them then!? I know we’re getting 7 Astutes, but as has been mentioned here before, would it be worth it to recommission the last too T- boats back into service for a few more years just to beef up the numbers while there’s a bit of tension going on? Would the RN considering purchasing any AOPVs like the Canadian Harry DeWolf class for far north patrols in support of our allies?
Old Ships!