Security Vessel News Roundup | August 5 – French Navy's newest supply tanker, Indian and Italian frigates and more
Deliveries include new frigates to the Italian and Indian Navies and a fleet support tanker to the French Navy. The US Navy and Coast Guard have meanwhile announced plans to acquire additional vessels.
US Navy exercises option for additional Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
The US Navy has exercised an option to add an additional Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer to a multi-year contract awarded in 2023 to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (GDBIW).
The company currently has seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers under construction. These include the flight IIA destroyers USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. and USS Patrick Gallagher and the flight III configuration destroyers USS Louis H. Wilson Jr., USS William Charette, USS Quentin Walsh, USS John E. Kilmer and USS Richard G. Lugar.
French Navy's second BRF replenishment tanker arrives in new homeport
The French Navy's newest fleet replenishment tanker recently arrived at its new homeport in Toulon.
Jacques Stosskopf is the second in a planned class of four naval auxiliary vessels that have been designated as "force supply ships" (batiments ravitailleurs de forces; BRF). Class lead ship Jacques Chevallier was delivered to the navy in 2023.
Indian Navy takes delivery of new stealth frigate
The Indian Navy took delivery of a new stealth frigate during a ceremony in Kolkata on Thursday, July 31.
The future INS Himgiri belongs to the seven-strong Nilgiri-class. Construction took place at the Kolkata facilities of state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
Italian Navy takes delivery of tenth FREMM frigate
The Italian Navy took delivery of its tenth FREMM multi-purpose frigate in a ceremony at Fincantieri's La Spezia shipyard on Wednesday, July 30.
The vessel is the second FREMM frigate to bear the name Emilio Bianchi. The first FREMM frigate to be named Emilio Bianchi had been sold to Egypt, and has since been renamed and commissioned into service as ENS Bernees.
Contract negotiations begin for 10 more US Coast Guard fast response cutters
Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards has begun contract negotiations with the US Coast Guard for the construction of at least 10 additional Sentinel-class fast response cutters (FRCs).
Included in the recently enacted "one big beautiful bill" was a US$25 billion investment to strengthen every facet of the coast guard and support the comprehensive effort to modernise the service. The now law includes US$1 billion for the acquisition of additional FRCs.
