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Xavier Vavasseur

@xaviervav.bsky.social
1.9K followers 76 following 72 posts

Naval reporter, @navalnews.com founder and chief editor. Interest in Defense⚔️, Navy⚓, F1🏎️, Sci-Fi👽. Born in 🇼🇫, 🇫🇷🤝🇺🇸

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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Liberator has emerged from the U.S. Navy’s budget as a high-end standoff capability for uncrewed undersea vehicles (UUVs), enabling the deployment of heavyweight torpedoes on the seafloor 🇺🇸 By @cjohnston.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Liberator: Understanding the U.S. Navy's New Seabed Carrier Killer - Naval News
Liberator is a classified seabed warfare system deployable from uncrewed submarines, capable of firing the U.S. Navy's largest ship-killing torpedoes.
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Babcock and Danske Flådeskibe deepen Anglo-Danish naval partnership on future frigates 🇬🇧🇩🇰 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Babcock and Danske Flådeskibe deepen Anglo-Danish naval partnership on future frigates  - Naval News
Babcock International Group and Danish naval consortium, Danske Flådeskibe K/S (DFS), have signed a Letter of Collaboration to develop a joint UK-Danish industrial approach to potential new frigates f...
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
The Royal Malaysian Navy’s third and final Littoral Mission Ship Batch II (LMSB2) corvette, TUNKU OSMAN JEWA (143), was launched at Istanbul Shipyard 🇹🇷🇲🇾 By @tayfunozberk.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
At Eurosatory 2026, Naval Group is sharing the latest with its “Multi-purpose and Modular Launching System” (MPLS) close-in weapon system (CIWS). The French shipbuilder announced the name for the system: Rampart 🇫🇷 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Naval Group's MPLS Close-In Weapon System Becomes 'Rampart'
At Eurosatory 2026, Naval Group is sharing the latest with its "Multi-purpose and Modular Launching System" (MPLS) close-in weapon system (CIWS). The French shipbuilder announced the name for the syst...
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 02/03/2026
Speaking from the Île Longue ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) base in Brittany, French president Emmanuel Macron revealed that the first of the next generation SSBNs will be known as “Invincible” 🇫🇷☢️🚀 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Future French Ballistic Missile Submarines will be named Invincible-class - Naval News
Speaking from the Île Longue ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) base in Brittany, French president Emmanuel Macron revealed that the first of the next generation SSBNs will be known as "Invincible". T...
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
I recently visited Saab Kockums in Karlskrona. I was shown and was briefed on the A26 (and its unique Multi Mission Portal or MMP) & the new Autonomous Ocean Drone. Poland just selected Sweden and Saab for Orka so we talked about this major topic too. Stay tuned to @navalnews.com for our videos 🇸🇪
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 25/11/2025
[BREAKING] Constellation-class Frigate Program Cancelled, U.S. Navy Looking for Faster Procurement of Alternatives 🇺🇸 By @cjohnston.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Constellation-class Frigate Program Cancelled, U.S. Navy Looking for Faster Procurement of Alternatives - Naval News
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan announced a "strategic shift" away from the Constellation-class frigate program this week shifting the fleet towards viable alternatives that can be built faster and ...
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
I went to Brest this week to meet with ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vice Adm. Xavier Petit, Commander, French Submarine and Strategic Forces. Our interview focused on the Barracuda type / Suffren-class SSN and the capabilities it brings to the Marine Nationale 🇫🇷 Stay tuned to @navalnews.com for the video ⚓
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
I made it to Sydney for Indo Pacific 2025 🇦🇺🦘 Obligatory Sunday stroll in the Royal botanical garden which offers great views on some grey hulls... Including the latest addition to the RAN fleet: Offshore patrol vessel HMAS Arafura
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Access and filming aboard submarines is usually very rare and restricted. Many thanks to the Italian Navy for giving @navalnews.com this exclusive and detailed tour during Sea Future 2025.
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Two weeks ago, I received an unexpected call from the French Navy asking if I would like to witness and cover the firing of an Aster 30 SAM from air defense destroyer Forbin 🚀 It took place on Wednesday. This was an extremely rare opportunity & a highlight in my career Stay tuned to @navalnews.com
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
At the T. Marriotti shioyard in Genoa 🇮🇹 for the christening and commissioning ceremony of the Italian Navy’s new Special Diving Operations – Submarine Rescue Ship (SDO-SuRS)
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H I Sutton @covertshores.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
**BREAKING** China Moves Two Super-Sized ‘XXL’ Uncrewed Submarines To South China Sea www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
China Moves Two Super-Sized 'XXL' Uncrewed Submarines To South China Sea - Naval News
New information reveals that the Chinese Navy (PLAN) is testing its uncrewed submarines on Hainan in the South China Sea. The two underwater drones, by far the world's largest, have not been publicly ...
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 24/09/2025
[VIDEO] Copenhagen Orca USV at DSEI UK 2025 🇩🇰 Denmark-based company Copenhagen Global was demonstrating their new "Copenhagen Orca" unmanned surface vessel (USV) during DSEI UK 2025 👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=28hV...
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Copenhagen Orca USV at DSEI UK 2025
YouTube video by Naval News
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Naval Group @naval-group.com · 24/09/2025
At last week’s NID, we presented our latest holistic and disruptive solutions to provide 360° short-range defence. Some are already integrated on our warships, such as the #FDI ‘s Asymmetric Warfare Bridge, bringing unique capabilities to counter emerging & fast-evolving threats.
Asymmetric Warfare Bridge on the FDI
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Naval Group @naval-group.com · 24/09/2025
This example is a testimony of our ability to anticipate in order to reconcile long-term programmes with fast-paced changes. To protect, one needs to detect. Check out this report by @navalnews.com youtu.be/YMt2pzURRlI&...
youtu.be
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 21/09/2025
[VIDEO] @naval-group.com working on the weaponization of drones 🇫🇷 - Weaponization of the Seaquest range of unmanned surface vessels (USV) - New very lightweight torpedo (VLT) and depth charges - Cormorant amphibious UAV www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0Y...
youtube.com
Naval Group working on the weaponization of drones
YouTube video by Naval News
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Naval Group gave me access to its Steeris system this morning near Toulon. ➡️ It is a compact containerized solution, which can be deployed on land or on a vessel of opportunity (civilian or military) and is designed to implement and manage the missions of one or more drones / UxVs @navalnews.com
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Mars Attaque @marsattaqueblog.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Blog - Quand la chasse s'invite dans l'armée de Terre avec l'escadron de drones de chasse (EDC) du 1er RIMA "Disposer de drones armés en grande quantité intégrés dans une unité de mêlée, ici un ancien escadron sur AMX 10 RC, apte à suivre la manœuvre" mars-attaque.blogspot.com/2025/07/dron...
mars-attaque.blogspot.com
Ruches, reines et ouvrières - Quand la chasse s'invite dans l'armée de Terre avec l'escadron de drones de chasse (EDC) du 1er RIMa
Ni Rafale, ni Mirage 2000 pour cet escadron de chasse d’un nouveau genre. Bien ancrée au sol, cette unité d'un nouveau genre imaginée et arm...
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Off to 🇻🇳 for some R & R with the family
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Day 1 at #IDEF2025 🇹🇷 We spent the morning at Istanbul marina where 4 USVs are on display. - Marlin ASW - Marlin ASuW - Ulaq port security - Sancar MCM @navalnews.com video with insights by @tayfunozberk.bsky.social and yours truly coming out tomorrow 👍
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 17/07/2025
[VIDEO] French Navy's future Airbus A321 MPA 🇫🇷 @marinenationale.bsky.social Captain Johann, Head of Naval Air Office, Navy HQ - Plans / Programs, discusses the key requirement that led to the choice of the Airbus A321 MPA solution: Long range & a large weapons bay ✈️⚓️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6mH...
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French Navy's future Airbus A321 MPA
YouTube video by Naval News
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 12/07/2025
[VIDEO] New ship programs of the Belgian Navy 🇧🇪 Admiral Carl Gillis discusses the rMCM and ASW Frigate programs, and how the Belgian Navy is adapting to the new security context in Europe. Interview recorded during Combined Naval Event 2025 👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=w06o...
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New ship programs of the Belgian Navy
YouTube video by Naval News
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 11/07/2025
UK and France pledge coordinated nuclear deterrent 🇬🇧🇫🇷☢️ The respective deterrents of both countries remain under national control ‘but can be coordinated,’ in response to major threats... www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
UK and France pledge coordinated nuclear deterrent - Naval News
UK and France nuclear deterrents can be coordinated in response to major threats against the European continent.
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
🇸🇪🤝🇫🇷 Saab and the French defence procurement agency DGA have signed a joint declaration of intent regarding the sale of Saab’s GlobalEye Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to France
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
LMC: The 🇫🇷 equivalent to 🇺🇸 Typhon / MRC, but simpler, cheaper and lighter. Perfect for 🇪🇺 urgent requirement. Video interview with MBDA and DGA representatives coming up in a few days 👍
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Productive day at #ParisAirShow2025 I interviewed the head of combat aircraft at DGA regarding 🇫🇷 Rafale Marine future evolutions, UCAV and NGF naval variant. I also interviewed the chief of 🇩🇪 Marineflieger on the new NH90 Sea Tiger Videos to come at @navalnews.com ...
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Off to Jakarta 🇮🇩 to cover Indodefence with @tayfunozberk.bsky.social , Fauzan and Guy for @navalnews.com (ahead of the Paris Airshow 😮‍💨)
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 09/06/2025
[VIDEO] LIG Nex1 K-SAAM II, K-SAAM and CIWS II at MADEX 2025 🇰🇷 LIG Nex1 was showcasing for the first time the K-SAAM II medium range (함대공유도탄-II in Korean). The South Korean defense company was also showcasing the K-SAAM (해궁) and the CIWS-II youtu.be/SJwH3lMuUEM
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LIG Nex1 K-SAAM II, K-SAAM and CIWS II at MADEX 2025
YouTube video by Naval News
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 07/06/2025
At MADEX 2025, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries unveiled a new frigate, HDF-6000, designed for the global naval defense market 🇰🇷 www.navalnews.com/event-news/m...
navalnews.com
HD HHI Unveils New HDF-6000 Export Frigate at MADEX 2025 - Naval News
At MADEX 2025, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries unveiled a new frigate, HDF-6000, designed for the global naval defense market
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 10/05/2025
The Arida-M Counter-Kamikaze USV System, jointly developed by Anadolu Robotik and Sekizaltmış Technology, has successfully completed the initial phase of development and started the sea trial stage 🇹🇷 By @tayfunozberk.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Anadolu Robotik Starts Sea Tests of Arida-M Counter-Kamikaze USV System - Naval News
The Arida-M Counter-Kamikaze USV System, jointly developed by Anadolu Robotik and Sekizaltmış Technology, has successfully completed the initial phase of development and started the sea trial stage.
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Many thanks to the RSN for giving me an exclusive tour of one their Independence class frigates 🙏 It was my first time aboard. I could note the shared DNA of the design with the Lafayette class and the FREMM but at the same time a lot of customization (on the bridge and in the CIC for example) 🇸🇬👍
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Today, ST Engineering took us out for a spin aboard the new MARSEC USV of the Republic of Singapore Navy 🇸🇬 Video report to come...
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Some of the ships at RSS Singapura Changi Naval Base for IMDEX Asia 2025 in Singapore
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Alex Luck @alxluck.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Here's my report for @navalnews.com on the new corvette sized OPV for CCG, launched recently at Huangpu, Guangzhou. This design, if produced in numbers, should neatly complement the existing fleet, especially the naval combatant-based vessels. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
New OPV For Chinese Coast Guard Launched At Huangpu
Huangpu in Guangzhou has launched a new corvette-sized OPV for the Chinese Coast Guard, following several other designs.
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Off to 🇸🇬 to cover IMDEX Asia 2025 with our Australian crew (including @alxluck.bsky.social ) We will also be touring a local shipyard, another @navalnews.com exclusive. Watch this space 👀
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
I went to Peruvian naval shipbuilder SIMA. They are currently outfitting an LPD, conducting the MLU of the Peruvian Navy 209 submarines and building a frigate, opv and LCUs as part of a ToT with HD HHI... I return tomorrow for filming
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 21/04/2025
Lockheed Martin is conducting preliminary discussions with Japanese industry regarding the licensed production of the Mk70 🇺🇸 🇯🇵 Story by @yoshihiro-inaba.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Japan could licence produce Mk70 containerized missile launcher - Naval News
Lockheed Martin has revealed to the author that it is conducting preliminary discussions with Japanese counterparts regarding the licensed production of the Mk70, the company's latest containerized Ve...
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Reposted by Xavier Vavasseur
Naval News @navalnews.com · 17/04/2025
U.S. Marine Corps anti-ship missiles will deploy to the Luzon Strait, a strategic first island chain chokepoint between the Philippines and Taiwan, during Balikatan 2025 🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🚀 #NMESIS story by @aaronmatthewil.bsky.social www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
U.S. Deploys Anti-Ship Missiles Near Taiwan in the Luzon Strait - Naval News
U.S. Marine Corps anti-ship missiles will deploy to the Luzon Strait between the Philippines and Taiwan in Balikatan 2025.
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
Off to Peru 🇵🇪🦙
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Armée française - Opérations militaires @etatmajorfr.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
📍Mer des Caraïbes | Unis contre les trafics. 📸 Le groupe 🇫🇷 Jeanne d’Arc, 🇨🇴 Almirante Padilla et 🇺🇸 USS Normandy en patrouille conjointe. 🎯 : lutte antidrogue & sécurité maritime. ➡️ 🇫🇷🤝 🇨🇴 🤝 🇺🇸 pour la stabilité régionale
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 16/04/2025
Fincantieri of Italy and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems of Germany have signed an Industrial Collaboration Agreement as part of a broader strategic partnership aimed at providing the Philippine Navy with advanced solutions in the submarine sector 🇮🇹🇩🇪 🇵🇭 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Fincantieri and TKMS partner for Philippines Submarines Project - Naval News
Fincantieri of Italy and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany have signed an Industrial Collaboration Agreement as part of a broader strategic partnership aimed at providing the Philippine Na...
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 16/04/2025
[VIDEO] Safran Electronics and Defense is now applying its proprietary AI algorithm to help with the image processing and with the detection, identification and classification of contacts captured from the submarines optronic masts. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Safran upgrades submarines optronic masts with AI - Naval News
Safran is now applying its proprietary AI algorithm to help with the image processing and with the detection, identification and classification of contacts captured from the submarines optronic masts.
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 14/04/2025
Greece has announced a 12-year Long-Term Defence Armaments Plan for the Armed Forces, which includes, among other initiatives, the acquisition of new frigates, submarines, and patrol vessels, as well as multiple upgrade programs for the existing fleet 🇬🇷 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
New Frigates, Submarines, Patrol Vessels and Several Upgrade Programs for Greece - Naval News
Greece has announced the acquisition of new ships and submarines, as well as multiple upgrade programs for the existing Hellenic Navy Fleet
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 13/04/2025
[VIDEO] Anduril unveils Seabed Sentry and Copperhead at #SAS2025 Anduril unveiled an integrated series of autonomous underwater vehicles and sensors at Sea Air Space 2025 🇺🇸 Interview by @cjohnston.bsky.social youtu.be/xTD_8tfixVE
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Anduril unveils Seabed Sentry and Copperhead
YouTube video by Naval News
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Xavier Vavasseur @xaviervav.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
"Anduril’s systems appeared to be defeating a People’s Liberation Army invasion fleet scenario in a conceptual animation displayed by the company at Sea Air Space."
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 11/04/2025
Japan has started installing the first Mk 41 vertical launching system (VLS) for a planned fleet of 12 Mogami-class multirole frigates (also known as FFM) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) 🇯🇵🚀 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
First Mogami-class FFM fitted with Mk 41 VLS emerges in Japan - Naval News
Japan has begun installing the first Mk 41 VLS for a planned fleet of 12 Mogami-class multirole frigates for the JMSDF.
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 11/04/2025
[VIDEO] Thales CAPTAS-4 and SonoFlash sonars at SAS 2025 Thales advocates for the U.S. Navy to use vessels of opportunity to start training crews with the CAPTAS-4 system, until the Constellation-class frigates are delivered. Interview by @cavasships.bsky.social 👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYkw...
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Thales CAPTAS-4 and SonoFlash sonars at SAS 2025
YouTube video by Naval News
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 07/04/2025
[VIDEO] At UDT 2025 in Oslo, @BAES_Maritime was showcasing a large scale model of the Type 26 frigate in Royal Norwegian Navy configuration. The British company is proposing this design to answer Norway's requirement of up to six new ASW frigates 🇬🇧 🇳🇴 www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyPS...
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BAE Systems pitching Type 26 frigate to Norway
YouTube video by Naval News
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Naval News @navalnews.com · 08/04/2025
The Philippine Navy received today BRP Miguel Malvar, the first of its two guided-missile corvettes from South Korea, amid China’s growing aggression in the South China Sea 🇵🇭 www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
navalnews.com
Philippine Navy receives first guided-missile corvette, BRP Miguel Malvar - Naval News
The Philippine Navy received today BRP Miguel Malvar, the first of its two guided-missile corvettes from South Korea...
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