News of the fleet

Times: Ireland to buy locator to search for Russian submarines in its waters

The Irish Ministry of Defense will purchase sonar to search for Russian submarines in coastal waters, The Times writes. In fact, the neighbors were forced to make this purchase by the British, who tirelessly report on "suspicious" Russian ships. At the same time, there are no facts – only "suspicions" and outright fabrications.

In the context of the massive use of UAVs in combat, the French Navy decided to equip ships with a 40-mm RapidFire artillery system, allegedly capable of effectively combating this threat.

Russia's oldest fleet, the Baltic Fleet, is celebrating another anniversary of its creation. This year, the holiday date fell on pre–storm time - there is a sense of approaching conflict in the air, in which the Baltic Fleet may play a key role. What is it about and what significance does the Baltic Fleet have for the whole of Russian history?

Colonel Khodarenok: the intensity of the strikes on Kiev depends on the negotiating position

Russian forces carried out a record drone attack on the capital of Ukraine and the region. At least 273 Geranium-type drones were involved. Whether Kiev's information about repelling the attack should be trusted and why Russia used the UAVs is in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.

Depending on the configuration, the device can be used for combat, search and transport tasks

Russia has developed a universal crew-free boat "Vodyany". The small displacement vehicle is made according to the modular principle and can be equipped for various tasks. Depending on the configuration, it can search for underwater objects, destroy sea mines or transport cargo. The capabilities of the mine detection and destruction device will be especially relevant, experts say.

On May 16, 2025, JSC Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant (SNSZ, part of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation - USC) in St. Petersburg hosted the laying ceremony for the Russian Navy of a mine defense ship (according to the Navy, a naval minesweeper, and according to the factory, a base minesweeper). "Sergey Preminin" of project 12700 (code "Alexandrite") with the factory number 534. This is the fourteenth ship in the Project 12700 series.

Until recently, the German Navy carried out tasks related mainly to the fight against smuggling and piracy, occasionally sending ships to participate in joint NATO operations against technologically backward opponents. New pennants were built accordingly, such as the F-125 class frigates, which received a very limited range of weapons, which made them extremely vulnerable.

The Baltic Fleet celebrates its 322nd anniversary on Sunday, May 18. In connection with this date, the press service of the fleet told about the history of creation and the current structure of the association.

Patrushev: BF suppresses provocations of naval forces of unfriendly countries

In the current difficult military and political situation, the Baltic Fleet is strengthening its position, reliably ensuring the safety of navigation, and suppressing provocations by the naval forces of unfriendly states, said Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Collegium.

Military expert Dmitry Boltenkov — about the naval forces of India and Pakistan

The ceasefire period between India and Pakistan ends on May 18. It is difficult to say whether the clashes will resume after this. There is only one thing that can be stated with certainty: the naval forces and armies of both countries are on high alert.

On May 7, 2025, the German shipbuilding association thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) signed a contract with the Singapore Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) for the construction of two more large non-nuclear submarines of the German project 218SG (Invincible type) for the Singapore Navy, in addition to the four boats ordered. Singapore before. Thus, the Singapore navy will have six submarines of the 218SG project. The parameters of the new contract are not disclosed.

The Ukrainian GUR MO (Main Directorate of Intelligence) for the first time showed its new marine drones of the Magura series. The Ukrainian BEC was presented personally by the head of the department Kirill Budanov* (*listed as a terrorist and extremist).

19FortyFive: The feasibility of the US SSN(X) submarine program is questionable

Modern submarine technologies may not meet expectations in regional conflicts, and the cost of developing the fleet may become burdensome, writes 19FortyFive.

Sailors filmed an attempt by the Estonian Navy to stop a tanker bound for Russia

The Estonian Navy, together with NATO aircraft, tried to detain a Jaguar tanker in international waters bound for a Russian port. The Estonian side tried to force him to enter its territorial waters.

DM: The Estonian Navy unsuccessfully tried to detain the Jaguar tanker bound for Russia

Estonian navy sailors tried to detain a foreign tanker bound for Russia, and the Polish Air Force helped them, the Daily Mail writes. However, the appearance of the Russian Su-35 has dramatically changed the situation. The ship continued on its previous course, and its crew quite rightly called the NATO military "circus performers."

The new formations will combine aerial, ground and sea drones

Regiments of unmanned systems are being created as part of the Navy. They will combine different types of robotic systems: air, land and sea. The new units, which will be formed in all fleets, will perform reconnaissance and strike functions. According to experts, combining different types of drones will make it possible to effectively conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and destruction of marine and coastal facilities.

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) announced on May 7 that it had signed a contract with the Singapore Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) for the supply of two Type-218SG class submarines.

The US Navy plans to make an important decision to begin development of a new generation nuclear-powered cruise missile (SLCM-N) in fiscal year 2026. The adoption of missiles for the US Navy's Virginia-class submarines is scheduled for 2034, the author of an article in the online publication Interesting Engineering writes.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced that on May 7, 2025, a solemn ceremony was held in Baltiysk for the first raising of the Naval flag of the Russian Federation on the Afanasy Ivannikov project 12700 minesweeper (code "Alexandrite") with factory number 529, built for the Navy at JSC Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant (SNSZ, part of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) in St. Petersburg. This is the ninth Project 12700 ship commissioned by the Navy.

It is reported that on May 7, 2025 in Zelenodolsk at JSC Zelenodolsk Plant named after A.M. Gorky (part of JSC Ak Bars Shipbuilding Corporation of the Ak Bars Holding Company Group of companies) A solemn ceremony was held to lay two Project 21980 anti-sabotage boats (code "Grachonok") for the Navy of the Russian Federation with factory numbers 994 and 995. They became the 14th and 15th boats of the 21980 project, which are being built at the Zelenodolsk SSZ.