Security

Security Vessel News Roundup | September 1 – Swedish and Turkish frigates, US Navy expeditionary sea base and more

Baird Maritime

Recent deliveries include a US Navy expeditionary sea base, an Indian Navy patrol and disaster response ship, and an Indian Coast Guard fast patrol vessel. A Turkish Navy frigate has begun undergoing sea trials. Lastly, the Swedish Government has placed orders for new French-designed warships.

Sweden inks $4b frigate order with French shipbuilder

FDI frigate

Sweden signed an order for four Naval Group frigates during a ceremony in Stockholm on Monday attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Sweden, NATO's newest member, is racing to build up its military strength after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted the country to abandon its long-held policy of neutrality.

European governments more generally have increased defence spending in response to pressure from US President Donald Trump and increased doubt they can rely on US support.

"France and Sweden in the European Union and in NATO show that European sovereignty is being built together," Macron said.

Sea trials begin for Turkish Navy's second Istif-class frigate

TCG Izmir, the Turkish Navy's second Istif-class frigate

Turkey's Anadolu Shipyard has begun conducting sea trials of a new multi-purpose frigate ordered by the Turkish Navy.

The future TCG Izmir is the second of the Istif-class frigates, which belong to the MILGEM family of warships developed by the Turkish Government. Class lead ship TCG Istanbul was delivered to the Turkish Navy in 2024.

Construction of the frigate was undertaken jointly by Anadolu Shipyard and STM Defence.

The 113-metre frigate will be used for anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) as well as secondary roles that include reconnaissance, surveillance, target detection, identification, recognition, and early warning.

Indian Navy takes delivery of new multi-purpose vessel

Delivery ceremony of the future INS Samarthak, a multi-purpose vessel of the Indian Navy, August 27, 2026

The Indian Navy took delivery of a new multi-purpose vessel (MPV) in a ceremony on Thursday, August 27.

The future INS Samarthak ("Proponent") is the lead ship of a new class of MPVs built by local shipyard Larsen and Toubro.

The ship comprises over 75 percent indigenous content in line with the Indian Government's "make in India" initiative.

The MPV has been conceived as a trial and evaluation platform. She has been engineered to perform maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, offshore patrolling, anti-submarine warfare, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

US Navy takes delivery of final expeditionary sea base

The US Navy expeditionary sea base USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. at her christening ceremony in San Diego, March 7, 2026

The US Navy took delivery of its final expeditionary sea base (ESB) in a ceremony in San Diego on Tuesday, August 25.

The 784-foot (239-metre) USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. is named in honour of US Marine Corps Private Hector A. Cafferata Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient recognised for his heroism at the Battle of Chosin during the Korean War.

The US Navy's ESBs are optimised to support a variety of maritime-based missions including: special operations forces support; airborne mine countermeasures; crisis response force sea basing; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and unmanned aviation systems support.

The ship features a four spot V-22-sized flight deck, a mission deck and hangar.

Indian Coast Guard takes delivery of seventh Adamya-class patrol vessel

Representatives of Goa Shipyard and the Indian Coast Guard during the delivery ceremony of the Adamya-class fast patrol vessel ICGS Ajit, August 25, 2026

The Indian Coast Guard took delivery of a new fast patrol vessel (FPV) from local builder Goa Shipyard (GSL) on Tuesday, August 25.

The future ICGS Ajit is the seventh Adamya-class FPV to be built by GSL for the Indian Coast Guard.

The vessel's duties will include patrols of India’s exclusive economic zone waters and island territories, counter-smuggling missions, counter-piracy missions, search and rescue, protection of offshore assets, and fisheries enforcement.

The FPV will also have secondary escort and communications relay functions during wartime.