LONDON - The sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine for the Royal Navy has been named, ahead of its formal launch ceremony later this year.

On April 22, the U.K. named the submarine Agamemnon at BAE Systems’ facilities in Barrow-in-Furness. In a statement, the Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said, "HMS Agamemnon will play a vital role in defence of the nation, providing our armed forces with a competitive edge for decades to come."

Cartlidge added, "The Astute-class programme continues to support tens of thousands of jobs, with these submarines being a leading example of our commitment to investing in British sovereign capabilities."

BAE Systems’ Steve Timms, managing director of the company’s submarine segment, said the company is "fully focused on completing the remainder of Agamemnon's programme so she can join her sister submarines in service with the Royal Navy."

Agamemnon is the sixth of seven submarines in the class. It should be floated out and commissioned before the end of this year, joining the five submarines that are already in service. Construction of the seventh submarine is "well under way," BAE Systems said.

Source: European Security & Defence
Associated URL: https://euro-sd.com/2024/04/major-news/37746/agamemnon-ssn-named/

LORIENT, France - Naval Group has laid the keel for the third Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention (FDI) frigate for the Hellenic Navy.

HS Formion was laid down at the company’s facilities in Lorient on April 15, according to a Naval Group statement issued on April 23. The company highlighted industrial partnerships with Greek companies in its press release, noting that pre-outfitted hull blocks were built locally in Greece by Salamis Shipyards earlier this year before being delivered to Naval Group.

Greece is the first export customer for the FDI design. Two other frigates for the Hellenic Navy, Kimon and Nearchos, have already been laid down. Both should be delivered in 2025. Formion will follow in 2026. Greece also has an option to add a fourth frigate to its order.

The Greek FDI frigates will come equipped with Aster 30 surface-to-air missile systems and Exocet MM40 Block 3C anti-ship missiles.

France has purchased the FDI frigates for its own Navy, as well. Lead ship Amiral Ronarc'h was laid down in December 2021 and is expected to join the French Navy in the coming months.

Source: Naval News
Associated URL: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/04/naval-group-lays-keel-of-3rd-fdi-frigate-for-the-hellenic-navy/

LONDON - The United Kingdom has agreed to provide more military aid to Ukraine. To date, this will be the largest British military aid package to Kyiv.

The value of this new aid package is GBP500 million. This additional aid will bring the total assistance provided this year by the U.K. to Ukraine to GBP3 billion.

This new British aid package includes the delivery of: 60 boats, as well as naval guns; more than 1,600 strike and air defense missiles, including additional Storm Shadows; 400+ vehicles, including 160 Husky mine protected vehicles, 162 armored vehicles and 78 all-terrain vehicles; and around 4 million rounds of small arms ammunition.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda
Associated URL: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/04/23/7452471/
Author: Ivashkiv Olena