NATO sealift assumptions ‘obsolete’, report warns
NATO can no longer assume that commercial ships will be available to move forces during conflict, with declining fleets, shortages of seafarers and limited integration with commercial shipping leaving reinforcement plans exposed.
UK ship requisition may fail in wartime, report warns
Britain's existing system for requisitioning civilian merchant vessels cannot guarantee that suitable ships and crews will actually be available during a military crisis, according to the Council on Geostrategy.
US sealift fleet costs less than five F-35s
The United States guarantees access to 60 commercially operated ships for an annual cost equivalent to fewer than five F-35 fighters, a model NATO should consider adopting more widely, according to the Council on Geostrategy.
Ireland in talks to join British-led naval alliance
High-level talks between British and Irish officials have begun on Ireland joining the Joint Expeditionary Force, the ten-nation grouping led by Britain, according to The Journal in Ireland.
British warship currently defending airspace over Ireland
A Royal Navy warship and a Merlin helicopter are providing air defence for the EU defence ministers' meeting in Wicklow, with the ship kept outside Irish territorial waters, The Irish Times reports.
NATO warships train to defend Iceland
NATO warships and mine countermeasure forces are taking part in Exercise Northern Viking 26 around Iceland, rehearsing the defence of the country and the strategically important sea routes.
Ministers approve extra funding to complete island ferries
Scottish ministers have approved around £20m in additional costs to complete three new ferries being built in Turkey, with the final vessel now expected to be delivered during the second quarter of 2027.
British crews test NATO submarine rescue airlift
The NATO Submarine Rescue System has completed an exercise testing how its 350 tonnes of specialist equipment could be moved rapidly by road and Royal Air Force transport aircraft.
Type 23 frigates get £2.3m navigation radar work
The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £2.33 million contract to procure and support replacement navigation radars for Royal Navy Type 23 frigates after warning that the existing equipment is unsupported and a failure could prevent a ship from sailing.
Sweden signs deal for four French FDI frigates
Sweden has signed a contract with France's Naval Group for four FDI-based air defence frigates, completing a competition that also included British-Swedish and Spanish proposals.
