Naval Systems

Canberra has selected an upgraded Mogami-class frigate for the Navy’s general-purpose program after a full competition. Ministers described it as a practical choice-one that closes the gap between need and delivery without starting from scratch. Defense officials reported that cabinet signed off on the plan on August 5, 2025, and commercial talks are now moving on a fixed timetable. The first hulls will come from a mature production line in Japan, with work shifting to Western Australia under a staged handover.

The U.S. Navy issued a formal solicitation on July 28, 2025, for a new class of unmanned surface vessels-Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC)-designed to move from contract award to prototype delivery within 18 months and then scale production across multiple shipyards. White papers are due August 11 at 18:00 Eastern Time. The program will use Other Transaction Authority under 10 U.S.C § 4022 to speed concept development and at-sea demostration.

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded Saab a contract for 22 additional CB90 fast assault boats, placing a fresh £70 million order that lifts Sweden’s amphibious capacity at a moment when Baltic security demands rapid response craft.

The Royal Australian Navy has added a new hull to its order of battle. On 28 June the service commissioned HMAS Arafura, first of the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels, during a ceremony at Fleet Base West near Fremantle. Defense officials confirm the ship is now on the active list under pennant 203 and ready to start work while post-commissioning trials continue.

The Republic of Singapore Navy rolled out RSS Indomitable, its fifth Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV). The slip at Benoi Yard filled fast with brass, engineers, and overseas guests keen to see what fresh hull adds to regional sea security.

Australia’s $45 billion Hunter-class frigate program faces fresh scrutiny after Senator David Shoebridge asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to examine how the Royal Australian Navy chose the British Type 26 design despite warnings it carried “extreme risk.” The referral follows a May Auditor-General report that found officials kept no minutes for two critical meetings, skipped a value-for-money study, and failed to update risk registers while costs climbed.

General Dynamics Mission Systems, a key arm of General Dynamics Corp., landed an $882 million Navy deal to build large vertical sonar arrays for next-wave submarines. The award cements plans to widen undersea reach and signals faith in U.S. industry. Navy buyers praise the gear’s sharp range boost. Analysts call the move timely, since rival fleets keep fielding quieter boats that slip past older ears.

Trieste — The Italian Navy’s new landing helicopter dock Trieste is finishing fit-out work in its namesake port. Crews install last cables, test pumps, and seal bulkhead gaps that slipped first reviews. Yard teams say hand-over stays on the late-2024 window, with sea trials set for early summer 2025.