Top News of the Week July 15 – 21, 2013

BRP Ramon Alcaraz Departs Guam

After spending four days in Hawaii, BRP Ramon Alcaraz departed for Guam on Tuesday, the last port stop before she finally arrives to her new home, the Philippines on the first week of August.

Construction of Russian Navy’s New Frigate Begins

The Yantar shipyard in Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad has launched construction of a new Project 11356 frigate for the Russian navy, local media reported. The official ceremony, attended by Deputy Commander of the Baltic Fleet, Rear Admiral Sergei Popov, was held Friday, according to Baltic Reporter online news portal. 

Lithuanian Navy Commissions Two Reactivated Minehunters

Following an extensive Thales UK-led refurbishment and reactivation programme, the Lithuanian Navy has formally accepted and commissioned two former Royal Navy minehunters into its fleet. In a ceremony at the Klaipeda naval base, LNS Skalvis and LNS Kuršis were commissioned into the fleet. 

USS George H.W. Bush Returns to Norfolk

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) returned to its homeport of Norfolk after a successful completion of yet another historic underway, July 16.

Kazakhstan Plans to Buy Two Minesweepers from Russia

Kazakhstan is considering  buying two ships from the Russian Navy, Interfax-Kazakhstan reports. The ships are project 10750E minesweepers which are designed to provide anti-mine protection of water areas of naval bases and harbours, fairways, and littoral areas of the exclusive economic zone. 

US, Singapore Navies Hold CARAT Exercise

The United States and Singapore navies are holding Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise from 15th to 26th of July in the South China Sea, channelnewsasia.com reported today.