TIG Post

Tag: Warship

  • Ghana, Brazil strengthen Naval ties as Warship docks at Tema Port

    Ghana, Brazil strengthen Naval ties as Warship docks at Tema Port

    The Eastern Naval Command of the Ghana Navy has welcomed the Brazilian warship Guinex V Defender, which docked at the Tema Port as part of efforts to boost maritime cooperation between Ghana and Brazil.

    The June 2 visit marks the beginning of a series of joint training exercises aimed at improving security in the Gulf of Guinea and addressing shared challenges in maritime space.

    Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Mariana Madeira, said the exercise would build capacity, promote dialogue, and strengthen cooperation in maritime defence

    Commanding Officer, Guinex V Defender Commander Matos also mentioned that the training would enhance boarding procedures, inspections, communication, and navigation.

    Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi stated that the visit demonstrates the shared commitment of Ghana and Brazil to enhancing naval cooperation, improving operational capabilities, supporting maritime initiatives and assured them of the Ghana Navy’s commitment to defence and security cooperation between both countries.

    Ghana continues to collaborate with international countries to enhance its naval expertise and infrastructure.

    In January this year, the Ghana Navy in collaboration with the Danish Government, inaugurated a cutting-edge Maritime Simulation Centre at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) in Nutekpor.

    The ceremony  revealed the shared commitment to strengthening maritime security and operational capacity in the Gulf of Guinea.

    The facility funded by the Danish government, which is named the Lill-May Didriksen Simulation Centre in honor of the first female officer in the Royal Danish Navy, boasts advanced technological features, including a 270-degree Full Mission Bridge Simulator, three 120-degree Part-Task Simulators, two Instructor Stations, briefing and server rooms, as well as offices for instructors.

    Speaking at the event, Ms. Marietta Brew-Oppong, Legal Counsel to the President of Ghana and Guest of Honour, lauded Denmark’s long standing support for Ghana’s maritime sector. She acknowledged Denmark’s instrumental role in combating piracy and maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea, which she described as a vital global trade corridor.

    “Thanks to international efforts and partnerships like this, we have seen significant improvements in combating piracy and maritime crimes,” she remarked. Ms. Brew-Oppong expressed confidence that the facility would enhance maritime training and bolster the Ghana Navy’s capabilities.

    The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, underscored the transformative potential of the centre, describing it as a “game-changer” for the Navy’s training programmes. He noted that the advanced simulation technology would allow personnel to master complex navigation and operational scenarios in a controlled environment, thereby improving readiness and safety.

    “This project represents a leap forward in Ghana’s maritime domain,” Vice Admiral Yakubu stated, while also acknowledging Denmark’s steadfast support over the years.

    He highlighted other Danish-backed initiatives, including the UNODC-supported “Ship-in-a-Box” facility for regional maritime training and the construction of a world-class swimming pool with diving capabilities for the Navy.

    Adding his voice, the Deputy Chief of Navy of the Royal Danish Navy, Commodore BO Overgaard, reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to addressing security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in tackling issues such as piracy, illegal fishing, and armed robbery, which threaten trade and regional stability.

    “The Bridge Simulator is an advanced piece of technology that reflects the trust and collaboration between our nations,” Commodore Overgaard stated, describing the project as a model for sustainable development that enhances safety and prosperity in Ghana and the region.

    The facility also allows for effective training without taking operational ships out of service, a feature Commodore Overgaard described as key to improving efficiency and readiness.

    Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, Flag Officer Commanding NAVTRAC, highlighted the Simulation Centre’s role in positioning NAVTRAC as a center of excellence for maritime training in Ghana and beyond. He credited years of meticulous planning and collaboration for bringing the project to fruition.

    “This venture solidifies NAVTRAC’s reputation as a leader in maritime training, and we are deeply grateful to Denmark for their invaluable contribution and to the CNS for his visionary leadership,” he added.

    The Maritime Simulation Centre is expected to significantly enhance Ghana’s maritime security efforts, ensuring operational readiness and contributing to the broader goal of securing the Gulf of Guinea’s critical trade routes.

  • Russian navy warship arrives in Eritrea amid regional tension

    Russian navy warship arrives in Eritrea amid regional tension

    A Russian navy warship, the Marshal Shaposhinkov, made a notable arrival at Eritrea’s primary Red Sea port of Massawa amidst regional tension stirred by Iran-backed Houthi militants.

    Senior Eritrean military officials and dignitaries greeted the vessel upon its docking on Thursday, alongside Russia’s ambassador to Eritrea.

    Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Gebre Meskel, revealed that the frigate belongs to Russia’s Pacific Fleet, clarifying that its presence marked the “30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Russia and Eritrea”.

    Amid concerns over Houthi attacks, a US naval task force patrols the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to safeguard commercial and military vessels navigating the critical trade route.

    Eritrea, historically wary of Western military presence in the region, has recently strengthened its relationship with Moscow.

    Houthi militants, controlling northern Yemen, have targeted ships in the Red Sea amid conflict in Gaza, aligning themselves with the “axis of resistance” against Israel. Despite claims of targeting Israeli-affiliated vessels, they’ve attacked others unrelated to Israel.

    In January, US and British warships launched strikes against Houthi positions in response to their missile and drone assaults.

  • Russia verifies a warship’s wreckage in the Black Sea

    Russia verifies a warship’s wreckage in the Black Sea

    In a Tuesday morning airstrike at Feodosiya in Russian-occupied Crimea, the Ministry of Defence reports the large landing ship Novocherkassk damaged by Ukrainian aircraft with guided missiles.

    Ukrainian Air Force claims warplanes destroyed the ship. One fatality and several injuries reported, with six buildings damaged.

    Port’s transport operations are reportedly normal after cordoned-off area and contained fire.

    Footage purportedly showing a huge explosion in the port was shared by Ukrainian air force commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk.

    The images have not been independently verified. However, satellite imagery from 24 December shows a ship at port in Feodosiya that appears to be the same length as the Novocherkassk – a landing ship designed to transport troops, weapons and cargo to shore.

    Meanwhile, a spokesman for Ukraine’s air force has denied that Russia shot down two of its Su-24 bombers about 125km (77 miles) from the occupied Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv.

    It has also recently denied a claim by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu that his troops have seized the key town of Mariinka in eastern Ukraine.

    The area has been used by Ukraine as a defensive barrier since 2014, when Russian-backed fighters seized large swathes of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

    A file image of the Novocherkassk warship
    Image caption,Russia says the Novocherkassk was damaged, while Ukraine says it was destroyed (file image)

    Tuesday’s attack on Feodosiya is not the first time that the Novocherkassk has been targeted by Ukrainian forces.

    In March 2022, Ukraine’s defence ministry reported that the ship had been damaged in an attack on the occupied Ukrainian port of Berdyansk in which another amphibious assault ship, the Saratov, was sunk.

    In a post on Telegram, Lt Gen Oleshchuk wrote that the Novocherkassk had gone the way of the Moskva – the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which sank in the Black Sea last year.

    Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky quipped that he was “grateful” to the country’s air force “for the impressive replenishment of the Russian submarine Black Sea fleet with another vessel,” in reference to other Russian ships that have been sunk during the war.

    “The occupiers will not have a single peaceful place in Ukraine,” he said.

    Russia seized and annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and its forces based there played a key part in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    Russian forces in Crimea have since come under repeated Ukrainian attack. Last month, Ukraine’s military said it had destroyed 15 Russian navy ships and damaged another 12 in the Black Sea since the start of Russia’s war.

    After a missile strike on the headquarters of the Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol last September, satellite images showed that the Russian navy had moved much of its Black Sea fleet away from Crimea to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.

    Map showing Feodosiya and areas of Russian control around Crimea
  • UK to deploy warship to Guyana amid rising tensions with Venezuela

    UK to deploy warship to Guyana amid rising tensions with Venezuela

    The United Kingdom is gearing up to dispatch a warship to Guyana as a demonstration of both diplomatic and military support for the former British colony, according to BBC sources.

    This move comes in response to renewed claims by neighboring Venezuela over a disputed part of Guyanese territory, known for its abundant oil and mineral resources.

    The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that HMS Trent, an offshore patrol vessel originally tasked with drug-smuggling interdiction in the Caribbean, will engage in joint exercises with Guyana after the Christmas season.

    The decision to redirect HMS Trent was prompted by Venezuela’s recent threats to annex the Essequibo region of Guyana, heightening concerns of a potential invasion and the specter of South America’s first interstate war since the Falklands Conflict in 1982.

    As South America’s sole English-speaking nation and a member of the Commonwealth, Guyana finds itself at the center of this territorial dispute.

    Venezuela has persistently asserted ownership over Essequibo, a sprawling 61,000 square mile region that encompasses a significant portion of Guyana. Notably rich in gold, diamonds, bauxite, and with substantial offshore oil deposits, the region has become a focal point of contention between the two nations.

    While Guyana’s economy is experiencing rapid growth, Venezuela faces severe economic challenges. President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela conducted a controversial referendum on December 3 to reaffirm popular support for the country’s claim to Essequibo, a move widely contested. Despite challenges to the results, Maduro proceeded to publish new maps and legislation, officially incorporating Essequibo into Venezuela. He appointed a new governor, offered identity cards to residents, and directed the state oil company to issue extraction licenses in the disputed region.

    Following a meeting with Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, Maduro committed to avoiding the use of force. However, he maintains his territorial claim, and both nations remain in disagreement over the legal resolution of the border dispute.

    This heightened tension has led the Lloyd’s insurance market in London to designate Guyana as one of the riskiest shipping zones, reflecting the uncertainty and potential hazards arising from the ongoing territorial dispute.

    A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the BBC: “HMS Trent will visit regional ally and Commonwealth partner Guyana later this month as part of a series of engagements in the region during her Atlantic Patrol Task deployment.”

    HMS Trent has a crew of 65, a top speed of 24 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles.

    It is armed with 30mm cannon and a contingent of Royal Marines. It can also deploy Merlin helicopters and unmanned aircraft.

    HMS Trent left its home port of Gibraltar in early December and is currently alongside in Bridgetown, Barbados for Christmas.

    The warship is expected to anchor off the capital of Guyana, Georgetown, and conduct visits, joint activities and training with the country’s navy and other allies. It cannot go alongside because the port is too shallow.

    The vessel is mainly used for tackling piracy and smuggling, protecting fisheries, counterterrorism, providing humanitarian aid, and search and rescue operations, but the Royal Navy says it is also designed for border patrols and defence diplomacy.

    The decision to send HMS Trent to Guyana is part of a growing UK effort to show international diplomatic support for Guyana.

    Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (right) with the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali
    Image caption,Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana (left), and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have agreed not to use force but tensions remain

    This week the Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said the UK would “continue to work with partners in the region to ensure the territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld and prevent escalation”.

    David Rutley, the Foreign Office Minister for the Americas, visited Georgetown on 18 December, the first G7 representative to do so since Venezuela renewed its claim.

    He promised Guyana the UK’s “unequivocal backing” and welcomed Venezuela’s promise to avoid using force.

    Mr Rutley continued: “The border issue has been settled for over 120 years. Sovereign borders must be respected wherever they are in the world.

    “The UK will continue to work with partners in the region, as well as through international bodies, to ensure the territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld.”

    Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil, criticised the visit, accusing the UK of destabilising the region.

    In a post on X – formerly Twitter – he said: “The former invading and enslaving empire, which illegally occupied the territory of Guayana Esequiba and acted in a skilful and sneaky manner against the interests of Venezuela, insists on intervening in a territorial controversy that they themselves generated.”

    Venezuela disputes the border which was established under an international agreement in 1899.

    Guyana was formerly known as British Guiana before it secured its independence in 1966.

  • Russian frigate docks in South Africa ahead of joint drills

    Russian frigate docks in South Africa ahead of joint drills

    Prior to joint naval exercises with South Africa and China, a Russian military frigate made a port call in Cape Town’s harbour on Monday.

    The Admiral Gorshkov battleship was pictured in the harbour in a tweet from the Russian consulate in Cape Town.

    The drills will take place in Richards Bay and the port city of Durban for ten days starting on February 17th.

    There has been some criticism that the exercise is not appropriate, given that it coincides with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    But the defence ministry has defended the planned drills, saying that South Africa has in the past hosted similar exercises with France, the US and countries from the Western Nato military alliance.

  • US warship sails through Taiwan Strait, angers Beijing

    US warship sails through Taiwan Strait, angers Beijing

    On Thursday, a US warship crossed the Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from the Chinese mainland, drawing ire from Beijing.

    According to the US military, the USS Chung-passage Hoon’s demonstrated US support for a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.

    However, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington claimed the trip was made to “flex muscles” and charged that the US was “undermining peace and stability.”

    Last year, tensions in the Taiwan Strait rose sharply.

    After former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s visit to the island in August, China conducted its largest military drills ever there.

    China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to unify it, by force if necessary. Self-ruled Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the mainland.

    The Chinese military said it had monitored the USS Chung-Hoon’s transit. Its embassy spokesman added the country would “safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

    The vessel is named after Rear Admiral Gordon Pai’ea Chung-Hoon, who served in the US navy during the Second World War.

    Tensions between Washington and Beijing have risen in recent years and Taiwan is a flashpoint in the relationship, with the US walking a diplomatic tightrope on the issue.

    The US abides by the “One China” policy – a cornerstone of the two countries’ diplomatic relationship which recognises only one Chinese government – and has formal ties with Beijing and not Taiwan.

    But it also maintains a “robust unofficial” relationship with the island. That includes selling weapons for Taiwan to defend itself.

    Last month, the US accused a Chinese air force jet of carrying out an unsafe manoeuvre after it flew within 20 feet of a US air force plane over the South China Sea.

    China subsequently accused the US plane of carrying out an unsafe action.

    Source: BBC.com

  • Thailand warship capsizes leaving 31 sailors missing

    A warship carrying more than 100 crew members collapsed and sank in the Gulf of Thailand during a storm, according to the Thai navy, leaving 31 servicemen unaccounted for.

    The HTMS Sukhothai sank after water flooded its power controls on Sunday night. Images shared by the navy showed some crew who survived in a life raft.

    On Monday, authorities said they had rescued 75 sailors, but 31 were still missing in rough seas.

    “We will keep looking,” a navy spokesman told the BBC.

    Search crews worked through the night to find survivors, with the operation continuing on Monday with air force assistance.

    The navy also announced an investigation into the cause of the disaster.

    “This has almost never happened in our force’s history, especially to a ship that is still in active use,” spokesman Admiral Pogkrong Monthardpalin told the BBC.

    Footage shared by the navy on Twitter showed crew members wrapped in blankets and receiving treatment after they had been rescued. Some were being airlifted to hospital.

    Other images showed sailors from the Sukhothai in a life raft, having jumped from the sinking vessel.

    One unnamed crew member said he had been in the water for several hours before he was rescued.

    “The waves were quite high, about three metres when the ship sank,” he said in a clip shared on local media. “I put on the life jacket and jumped. I swam for three hours.”

    Officials said the ship went down after it took on water, which flooded its hull and short-circuited its power room.

    With the power lost, the crew battled to retain control of the ship which listed on to its side before sinking around 23:30 local time Sunday (16:30 GMT).

    The ship had been on a patrol 32km (20 miles) east of Bang Saphan, in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province, when it got caught in the storm on Sunday.

     

    Source: BBC