Top News of the Week Feb 10 – 16, 2014

Queen Elizabeth to Launch UK’s Biggest Warship

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth will launch the Royal Navy’s USD 5.1 billion (£3.1billion) aircraft carrier, named after her, during her visit to Scotland in summer this year, the Daily Record reported.   HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest ship ever built for the Navy, will be launched in Fife-based dockyard, Rosyth in July.

Image Gallery: Bumpy Ride Home for INS Vikramaditya

INS Vikramaditya, one of the Indian Navy’s latest additions to the fleet, and at the same time the most expensive one, has had a bumpy ride home from the Russian Sevmash shipyard, writes the Hindustan Times.   

Chinese Subs to Come within Striking Range of US

The Chinese Navy is gearing up to send two Jin-class submarines, carrying nuclear missiles, to patrol through the northern Pacific Ocean, according to USNI News.  

USS Topeka Fourth Submarine to Homeport in Guam

The San Diego-based Los Angeles-class submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) will adopt Naval Base Guam as its new homeport, the U.S. Navy said yesterday.   The decision comes as the U.S.Navy strives for rejuvenation of its forward-deployed fleet with more advanced and capable units, making USS Topeka the fourth Los Angeles-class submarine to be dispatched to Guam. 

Alewijnse Gets Second Indonesian Naval Frigate Contract

Alewijnse Marine Systems has received a contract for the complete electrical installation package for the second Indonesian naval frigate.   During the contract, Alewijnse will provide complete electrical installation packages including platform automation and integrated bridge systems on twin guided missile frigates. 

Russia Starts Construction of Mistral Ships Base

Russia started construction of a ship base for its Mistral-class ships on Tuesday, February 11, the RIA Novosti informs.   The Russian Mistral-class helicopter carriers, which are currently under construction in France, will be stationed in the new base, being built at an existing naval base in Vladivostok.