TKMS Enjoys Defense Boom in Stock Market Debut
Warship builder TKMS rode a global defence boom to reach a valuation of 6.3 billion euros ($7.35 billion) in its blockbuster stock market debut on Monday, surpassing that of parent and main shareholder Thyssenkrupp.The listing of TKMS is the German conglomerate's latest move to simplify its structure and take advantage of growing demand for defence assets.Shares in Thyssenkrupp, which will keep a 51% stake in TKMS after the spin-off, were down 19% at 1109 GMT, reflecting the transfer of the stake in the naval vessel business…
Survivors from Struck Caribbean Vessel Held Aboard US Navy Ship
The U.S. military is holding two survivors aboard a Navy ship after rescuing them from a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean hit by a U.S. strike that killed two others, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.The disclosure, which has not been previously reported, raises the possibility that the survivors from Thursday's strike are the first prisoners of war in a conflict declared by President Donald Trump against a "narcoterrorist" threat he says is…
TKMS Targets Higher Profit Margins as Defense Spending Rises
TKMS, the defence business that German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp aims to spin off this autumn, plans to raise its profit margin to more than 7% to close a gap with rivals, banking on soaring military demand amid fears of Russian aggression.TKMS, which makes submarines, frigates as well as sensor and mine-hunting technology, has more than tripled its order backlog in five years. It now stands at 18.6 billion euros ($21.8 billion) as governments around the world beef up warship fleets.In the medium term…
Rheinmetall to Buy NVL in Expansion Push
Rheinmetall has agreed to buy Luerssen Group's warship division, NVL, as the German defence group seeks to expand in Europe and tap increased military spending across the continent.The move announced on Sunday by Rheinmetall, Europe's biggest ammunition maker, comes as a long-awaited consolidation in Germany's naval sector picks up speed, with submarine and frigate maker TKMS to be spun off from parent Thyssenkrupp next month.It also highlights Rheinmetall's ambitions to grow in Europe…
China Condemns US, British Warships in Taiwan Strait
China's military on Friday condemned the sailing of a U.S. and British warship through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, saying it ordered naval and air forces to monitor and warn the two ships.The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command said the U.S. destroyer USS Higgins and British frigate HMS Richmond were engaged in "trouble-making and provocation"."The actions of the United States and Britain send the wrong signals and undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait…
Japan Clinches $6.5b Deal To Build Australian Warships
Japan clinched a landmark A$10 billion ($6.5 billion) deal on Tuesday to build warships for Australia, marking Tokyo's most consequential defence sale since ending a military export ban in 2014 as it steps away from postwar pacifism to counter China.Under the agreement, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 7011.T will supply the Royal Australian Navy with three, upgraded Mogami-class multi-role frigates built in Japan from 2029. Eight more frigates will be built in Australia.Designed to hunt submarines…
China: Philippines Sent Supplies to Warship at Disputed Atoll
China's coast guard said on Thursday it had allowed a Philippine civilian vessel to deliver provisions to a warship "illegally grounded" at the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed atoll in the South China Sea.The coast guard questioned and monitored the Philippine vessel throughout its supply mission, it said in a statement, urging the Philippines to work with China to manage the maritime situation.The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.China and the Philippines have traded barbs for months over manoeuvres at Second Thomas Shoal, an atoll within Mani
Carlyle Quits Bidding Process for Thyssenkrupp Marine Arm
Private equity firm Carlyle has dropped out of a bidding process for the warship division of stricken conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, the German company said on Tuesday.Carlyle's withdrawal as a suitor for Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is a major blow to Thyssenkrupp's restructuring, which also includes plans for a 50:50 steel joint venture with Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky."We can confirm that the investment company Carlyle Group has informed us that it is withdrawing from the bidding process for the investment in Thyssenkrupp's marine division," Thyssenkrupp said in a response to email
US Coast Guard Spots Russian Naval Vessels Near Alaska
The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday located four Russian Federation Navy (RFN) vessels 57 miles northwest of Point Hope, Alaska. While on a routine patrol in the Chukchi Sea, the crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) observed the RFN vessels transiting southeast along the Russian side of the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL). The Russian Surface Action Group consisted of a Severodvinsk-class submarine, Dolgorukiy-class submarine, Steregushchiy– class Frigate, and Seliva-class tug. The crew of the Stratton witnessed the RFN vessels cross the MBL into the U.S.
Relic from Third-century Naval Battle Found Off Sicily
An ancient Roman relic from the almost 2,300-year-old naval battle in which Rome defeated its archenemy Carthage has been recovered from waters off western Sicily, regional authorities said on Friday.The 3rd-century B.C.
New US Navy Warship Richard M. McCool, Jr. Sails Away from Ingalls Shipbuilding
The U.S. Navy's new warship, Richard M. McCool, Jr. (LPD 29), set sail from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division on Thursday, heading toward its commissioning location in Pensacola, Fla.Delivered in April, the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship is scheduled to be commissioned on September 7, 2024, at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola.Richard M. McCool, Jr. marks the 13th San Antonio-class vessel built by Ingalls and is the final Flight I transition ship before the shift to the LPD Flight II series.
Damen Naval to Equip ASW Frigates with Kongsberg’s Propellers
Damen Naval has selected Kongsberg Maritime Sweden to deliver controllable pitch propellers and shaft lines for the four Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates for the Netherlands and Belgium.As part of this contract, Kongsberg will supply four shipsets of its controllable pitch propeller systems and associated equipment including blades, hubcaps, hubs, and shaft lines.The four ASW frigates will replace the current Karel Doorman-class multi-purpose frigates. They will be deployed for a wide variety of tasks, with anti-submarine warfare as their main purpose.
Littoral Combat Ship USS Kingsville Complete Acceptance Trials
Last week, on January 31, the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) returned pier side after successfully completing acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico for the U.S. Navy, Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced.During acceptance trials, comprehensive testing is conducted on the ship’s major systems and equipment in order to demonstrate their successful operation and mission readiness. The U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey participates throughout the trials to validate…
Japanese Shipyards to Help Keep US Warships Ready to Fight in Asia
The United States and Japan are looking to make a deal for Japanese shipyards to regularly overhaul and maintain U.S. Navy warships so they can stay in Asian waters ready for any potential conflict, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said on Friday."China watches what ships are coming in and out. It is not like this is a secret, they know what's happening. So therefore, they take an evaluation of your deterrence," Emanuel told reporters at the Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo.Unchallenged in Asian waters for decades, the U.S.
North Korea Is Growing Its Navy with Submarines and Nuclear Drones. But Why?
Over the past year North Korea has moved to boost its navy with new nuclear weapons, including an underwater drone, warships, and its first operational missile submarine, unveiled on Friday.North Korea's navy has historically been dwarfed by the country's land forces, and overshadowed by its rapidly advancing ballistic missile program.Now, leader Kim Jong Un has said the navy will play a key role in the country's nuclear deterrence, and analysts say it may also assure support among naval commanders and boost national pride."Until quite recently…