BBC – On board Navy’s new hi-tech ship

A look at HMS Daring, the first of six Type 45 Anti Air Warfare Destroyers in production for the Royal Navy.

The Times – John Hutton ‘deceived MPs over Navy cuts’

John Hutton has been accused of deceiving Parliament over his explanation for a two-year delay in the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier programme.

The allegation came after Lockheed Martin, the American defence company, contradicted his account. He had said that the delay was linked to a later delivery date for the aircraft that the vessels will carry.

Defense Technology International – Baby Boomers

A very interesting contract announced yesterday: The UK is paying General Dynamics Electric Boat unit to design a Common Missile Compartment (CMC) for its next ballistic missile submarine (SSN), slated to replace the Vanguard-class SSBNs from 2022 onwards. The contract also states that the CMC is intended for the US Navy’s Ohio-class replacement as well. While the US and UK SSBN programs have long been joined at the hip through the use of the same missiles, this is another step forward in collaboration.

BBC – Passengers rescued from navy ship

The Chilean Navy said Wednesday that the British Navy ice patrol ship HMS Endurance that lost engine power at the eastern mouth of the Strait of Magellan on the southern tip of South America is now safely anchored.

Daily Telegraph – Two aircraft carriers delayed for two years to rescue MoD from budget shortfall

Two major aircraft carriers designed to boost Britain’s world standing will be delayed for two years as part of a package of measures to rescue the Ministry of Defence from a £1.5 billion budget shortfall.

The Times – Royal Navy admiral Phillip Jones heads EU Somali pirate task force

A Royal Navy admiral took charge yesterday of the European Union’s first naval task force, assembled to protect international shipping in the waters off Somalia amid calls for a United Nations pirate court to be set up to try those apprehended at sea.

The Times – Admirals walk the plank after Iranian humiliation

The Royal Navy has been accused of carrying out a discreet purge of senior figures involved in the fiasco over the arrest by Iranian Revolutionary Guards of 15 British sailors and Marines.

Daily Telegraph – Falkland Islands to be left without warship

The Falkland Islands are to be left without the protection of a British warship for the first time since the war with Argentina because the Royal Navy no longer has enough ships to meet all its commitments.

BBC – Navy shoots dead pirate suspects

The Royal Navy has repelled a pirate attack on a Danish cargo ship off the coast of Yemen, shooting dead two men believed to be Somali pirates.

Daily Telegraph – Submarine in worst nuclear leak since 80s

The most serious leak of radioactive liquid for 23 years at a Royal Navy base is under investigation after gallons of contaminated water spilled into a river from a nuclear submarine.

Daily Telegraph – Navy frigates defend world oil prices in the Gulf

In a small corner of the Gulf, British-led forces have been protecting the oil installations key to controlling world oil prices.

Associated Press – Chagos islanders lose legal fight to return home

Britain’s highest court on Wednesday dashed the hopes of Chagos Islanders seeking to return to the Indian Ocean homeland they lost when the island of Diego Garcia was leased to the U.S. for an air base.

Daily Telegraph – The Royal Navy could be given powers to seize Somalian pirates plaguing the Gulf of Aden and hand them over to the wartorn country’s authorities.

The Observer – Britain is to send the frigate HMS Northumberland to combat piracy off the East African coast amid concerns that a spate of violent attacks on shipping could drive up oil prices.

Daily Telegraph – The Royal Navy has mothballed almost half of its remaining fleet of destroyers as it desperately attempts to save money in the face of a plunging budget.

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Defense Technology International – Contractor sea trials of the first of the British Royal Navyís Type 45 air defense destroyers ñ HMS Daring – have now been concluded, with the type to be accepted by the service in December for further tests.

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The Times – The government is planning further big cuts to the Royal Navy after deciding that terrorism is the only serious threat to Britain. Annual accounts from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) show that it is to cut funding for new ships and equipment by more than 20%, from about £1.8 billion a year to a maximum of £1.4 billion.
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Cayman Net News – Royal Navy Warship, HMS Iron Duke and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Wave Ruler have now arrived in the vicinity of the Cayman Islands, ready to render assistance if required in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.
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Guardian – A fire that killed two sailors aboard a nuclear-powered submarine as it patrolled beneath the Arctic ice was caused by a catalogue of errors that could have been avoided.
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Daily Telegraph – The Royal Navy captain in charge of the HMS Cornwall during the Iranian hostage fiasco has suffered a “shattering blow” to his career after he was relieved of command.
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Daily Telegraph – The Royal Navy will this weekend be forced to provide emergency cover for Britain’s coastline because of a two-day strike by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
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BBC -The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth £3.2bn to build the UK’s biggest ever aircraft carriers.
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Associated Press – The British Royal Navy ship on which Prince William is serving made a major cocaine bust in the north Atlantic.
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The Times – Prince William is to go into action fighting the modern-day pirates of the Caribbean. He may be armed if he joins Royal Navy boarding parties that stop cocaine traffickers trying to smuggle drugs in fast launches.

The role is a consolation to the prince after he was banned from going to war in the Gulf with the Royal Navy because of fears his presence could provoke a terrorist attack on British ships.

Daily Telegraph – Prince William to take on Caribbean drug lords
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The Times – A British nuclear-powered submarine was damaged when it collided with rocks in the Red Sea
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