The Philippine Navy's newest warship has been launched while two US builders have secured US Coast Guard contracts covering the supply of vessels to four partner nations. Construction has been approved for a new US Navy destroyer. Lastly, a Finnish builder has been selected to supply a new class of fast craft to the German Navy's infantry force.
Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has entered into an agreement with Finnish builder Marine Alutech regarding the supply of 15 multi-role combat boats for the German Navy's Seebataillon naval infantry force.
The contract also covers training, documentation, associated equipment and a life cycle support package. BAAINBw said the boats are scheduled to be delivered between 2029 and 2031.
The agency said the procurement supports the Seebataillon's planned role as infantry able to operate afloat in coastal waters and ashore in the adjacent coastal zone.
It added that the unit's own tactical mobility on the water is a key requirement for that role.
South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) launched BRP Rajah Humabon, the third vessel in a six-ship class of 2,400-tonne OPVs for the Philippine Navy, at its Ulsan shipyard on Tuesday, October 13.
The shipbuilder said the vessel is scheduled for delivery in February 2027. The remaining three ships in the programme are due for sequential delivery through 2028.
Rajah Humabon measures 94 metres in length, with a 14-metre beam. HD HHI's specifications give it a range of 5,500 nautical miles and a cruising speed of 15 knots.
Armament comprises a 76mm main gun and two 30mm secondary guns, and the vessel is also fitted with decoy launchers, radar for surveillance and electro-optical equipment for tracking.
Alabama-based boatbuilder Silver Ships has been awarded two US Coast Guard foreign military sales (FMS) projects for the supply of eight boats to El Salvador and the Philippines.
The initial orders, for four boats per country, are worth a combined US$4.33 million. The company estimates the total value at about US$12.2 million over five years, as the El Salvador award is a blanket purchase agreement valued at up to US$10.54 million for a maximum of 16 boats.
The first delivery order under the El Salvador BPA is worth $2.66 million and covers four 36-foot (11-metre) centre console rigid inflatable boats and accessories.
The boats for El Salvador will be configured for counter-drug trafficking operations, coastal and intracoastal patrols, and search and rescue. Equipment will include lockers, a weapons mount, a navigation package from Furuno, shock-mitigating seating, and a trailer.
The US Department of War (Department of Defense) has certified that General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine has the production capacity to build a second destroyer in the guided-missile Arleigh Burke class in fiscal year 2027 (FY27), Senator Susan Collins announced on Monday, October 12.
The certification followed a multi-phase review of the yard's production flow, schedule performance, quality assurance, the resilience of its supply network and its workforce.
The department said construction of the additional ship remains contingent on Congress securing the necessary funding.
Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg said the yard, "must continue this momentum to fully resolve legacy production challenges – sustained performance is essential."
Louisiana boatbuilder Metal Shark has been awarded two US Coast Guard foreign military sales (FMS) contracts to build patrol boats for Cameroon and Georgia, the company announced on Monday, October 12.
Each agreement provides for a patrol boat, a transport trailer, spare parts and operator training.
The two vessels will be constructed at the company's facility in Jeanerette. Contract values and delivery schedules were not disclosed.
Metal Shark said the boats are intended to bolster both countries' capacity for maritime law enforcement and help safeguard territorial waters and critical infrastructure. It added that its vessels are now operated by over 70 military forces from US partner nations.
