Welding or laser-cutting machine in operation, bright light and sparks shining on a metal workpiece in a dim workshop.

Robots to weld American warships in shipyard pilot

HII and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries are running a pilot programme to install intelligent mechanised welding equipment at HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Mississippi, extending automation into areas of warship construction that currently rely on manual welding.
Gray military helicopter hovering low above an airstrip by the coast, with green hills and blue sky in the background.

AI submarine hunter flown on American helicopters

Lockheed Martin has demonstrated an artificial intelligence system for anti-submarine warfare aboard United States Navy MH-60R helicopters during RIMPAC 2026 off Hawaii, retraining the software on newly encountered underwater sounds.

American warship downs drones with laser weapon

The US Navy has confirmed that a frontline destroyer has successfully used a ship-mounted laser weapon to defeat multiple uncrewed aerial threats during a recent at-sea demonstration.
Small boat on rough water with a large white spray behind it, suggesting a splash or plume from the vessel.

Submarine sinks American cruiser in Pacific Exercise

The decommissioned US Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay has been sunk during a live-fire exercise at RIMPAC 2026 in the Pacific, the US Navy stated.

Australian warship ignores Chinese warnings

An Australian frigate has conducted what Canberra described as a routine transit through the South China Sea, with Chinese state media claiming the vessel was tracked and monitored throughout its passage.
A dark submarine gliding at the ocean surface, creating a white wake with a blue sky and clouds above, a small American flag on the conning tower.

America places huge order for 14 more nuclear submarines

The U.S. Navy has placed work worth around $76.6 billion with the two yards that build its nuclear submarines, covering nine further Virginia-class boats, five more Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and funding for shipyard infrastructure.
Two warships sailing on the open sea near the horizon, silhouetted against a pale sky.

Russian warship opens fire near UK as British ship closes in

HMS Tyne closed to five nautical miles and kept watching as the Russian frigate Neustrashimy fired her 100mm gun outside UK and French waters, part of 21 days of Royal Navy monitoring operations in July.

Defence Secretary tours frigate build hall at Rosyth

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has visited Babcock's Rosyth facility, where Type 31 frigates are under construction, on his first trip to Scotland since taking the post.

GE to train RFA engineers on Tide class switchboards

The Ministry of Defence has awarded GE Energy Power Conversion UK a five-year contract to deliver technical training on the 690V switchboards and frequency converters fitted to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Tide-class tankers.
Gray cabin cruiser speeding across a bay with a tree-lined shoreline in the background, creating wake in the water.

Navy survey team maps seabed in the Firth of Clyde

A specialist Royal Navy hydrographic team has been carrying out continuous seabed surveys in the Firth of Clyde since the spring, gathering data on water depth, seabed features and composition in support of operations.