A sailor tests a Mk 38 25mm gun during a live fire exercise aboard Wasp Class amphibious assault ship USS Essex earlier this week in the Pacific. Photo: MCSS Kenyatta Headley/US Navy.
Did Adolf Hitler escape to South America in this U-boat? That's one of the questions considered by host @IBallantyn and guest @Roger_Moorhouse during a dive into the war between the Allies and German submarines in WW2 for our new podcast episode: 'Churchill’s Peril: U-boat
This image shows U-977 off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, being consigned forever to the deep during a weapons test in November 1946, courtesy of an improved steam torpedo fired by USS Atule (left of image). It took ten seconds for the U-boat to be gone after being hit amidships at a
The Damen Landing Ship Transport (LST) 100 design has been selected by the USA's Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to fulfil a need for the US Marines to utilise more, smaller vessels as they gear up for a island war in Indo-Pacific at some future date.
According to Damen 'up
Here's the Russian Navy Kilo Class missile-armed diesel-electric submarine RFS Krasnodar (entered service late 2015) in waters off the UK, with the naval tug RFS Altay (middle right). Commissioned 1988, note Altay's interesting profusion of aerials for a simple 'tug'. Monitoring
Here's the last HMS Formidable of the @RoyalNavy - a WW2 era aircraft carrier, left - along with a depiction of the next ship of the name, right, a Type 31 general-purpose frigate, whose keel has just been laid in the Babcock facility at Rosyth on the Forth, Scotland. There are
The forthcoming episode of our podcast is a deep dive into the world of U-boats in WW2, with host @IBallantyn talking to guest @Roger_Moorhouse whose latest book is 'Wolfpack' @HarperCollinsUK The episode is called 'Churchill’s Peril: U-boat Wolfpacks' and is out this week! In…
THE CASE FOR NUCLEAR & CONVENTIONAL SUBMARINES IN THE ROYAL NAVY - by our Editor @IBallantyn The UK needs nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) and Air-independent Propulsion (AIP) conventional boats. Or, go down the Japanese route to field a SSK that does not use an AIP…
And a fine welcome at Portsmouth for the destroyer HMS Dauntless and aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales as they too returned from the UKCSG 2025 deployment, deserving of their own BZ for a job well done. Photos by our contributor Derek Fox.
The Royal Navy Duke Class (Type 23) frigate HMS Richmond inbound to @HMNBDevonport this afternoon following completion of the eight-month Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment. Vid includes saluting guns firing and a Merlin flyby. BZ to the ship's company for all their defence…
The Royal Navy Duke Class (Type 23) frigate HMS Richmond inbound to @HMNBDevonport this afternoon following completion of the eight-month Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment. Vid includes saluting guns firing and a Merlin flyby. BZ to the ship's company for all their defence…
Here's @USNavy Virginia Class attack submarine (SSN), USS Vermont about to depart the sub base at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia after completing a maintenance period under AUKUS. Submariners of the Royal Australian Navy are in her crew as part of preparation for the RAN…
The @RoyalNavy Duke Class (Type 23) frigate HMS Portland is seen here outbound from @HMNBDevonport this morning. Note the absence of Naval Strike Missiles (NSM). Portland was the second of the Dukes to receive them. Completed 'trials and loading eight of the upgraded Naval Strike…
'Battleships Reborn!?' is the title of the latest Warships Pod episode https://pod.fo/e/357416 in which guest @JamesBosbotinis & podcast host @IBallantyn discuss the prospect of latter-day battleships, as suggested by President Donald Trump for the US Navy. It's a topic James…
One from earlier in the week, Monday to be precise. Daring Class (Type 45) destroyer HMS Dragon of @RoyalNavy outbound from @HMNBDevonport Plymouth, during a slightly dreary period early in the morning. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
Not exactly a surprise, but the troubled Constellation Class frigate programme for the US Navy has been cancelled, though the first two vessels will be completed.
Navy Secretary John C. Phelan said on X: '...we’re reshaping how we build and field the Fleet - working with…
Here's quite a sight, with Duke Class (Type 23) frigate HMS Richmond coming in alongside at Gibraltar, with Daring Class (Type 45) destroyer HMS Dauntless already there (background, if you wait for it) and with the Bay Class auxiliary landing ship RFA Lyme Bay in the foreground.…
By the way, HMS Richmond, like HMS Dauntless has been part of the @RoyalNavy #CSG25 global deployment. Also, @HMS_Richmond is the cover star of our new 'Guide to the Royal Navy' https://sundialmedia.escosubs.co.uk/store/products,guide-to-the-royal-navy-2026_640.htm Out now!
A moment of fine weather earlier this morning enabled us to catch the Royal Netherlands Navy @kon_marine De Zeven Provincien Class frigate HNLMS Evertsen outbound from @HMNBDevonport Plymouth. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
Worth noting is that sleek new main gun on the sharp end of the upgraded Evertsen, a project we looked at, with some smashing pics, in our July 2025 edition (see cover below, with Evertsen as the star). If you fancy a read https://sundialmedia.escosubs.co.uk/single-issues/warships-ifr.htm
Looking mighty fine on a crisp, sunny afternoon (today) is the @RoyalNavy Daring Class (Type 45) destroyer HMS Dragon inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
BANG! A new edition of the magazine is now deployed with the usual broadside of naval news, commentaries & analysis plus more, including terrific pics. Cover star this time is US Navy battleship USS Wisconsin firing a broadside to port (of 16-inch & 5-inch guns). Pic taken circa…
Amid headlines about the Yantar spy ship ('a laser-armed threat') & recent submarine Novorossiysk incident ('Moscow's sub needs a mechanic') our latest podcast episode sees @JamesBosbotinis & @IBallantyn discuss Russian Navy reality. Plus the air of uncertainty over US commitment…
It's that aggravating Russian spy ship Yantar up to no good again off the British Isles. Thermal image courtesy of the UK MoD. The MoD says Yantar targeting Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPAs) of the RAF with light lasers. It is something that could potentially blind pilots.…
Submariners on the bridge of Russian Navy submarine Novorossiysk happy to be home in the Baltic, after their boat allegedly suffered technical problems in the Med. Photo: Michael Nitz. There's a feature on the saga in our new edition, out end of this week https://warshipsifr.com/subscriptions/
If you want an objective, deep dive into the state of the British navy today - including the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Submarine Service, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Marines, mine warfare and surface forces - then try our new 'Guide to the Royal Navy'
Guide to the Royal Navy 2026 - Warships International Fleet Review
The Royal Navy is a legendary fighting force, with a fine tradition going back centuries. Today it is front and ...
warshipsifr.com
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet replenishment ship HMAS Stalwart (right) conducts a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) HMAS Canberra off Australia. Illustrating sovereign naval capability a nation serious about sea power needs. Photo: LSIS Susan…
During Pt1 of a fascinating discussion with @IBallantyn our podcast guest @JamesBosbotinis provides a perspective on the Russian naval threat & scale of danger faced by NATO. Also some thoughts on the naval significance of the big military parade in China
Warships Pod: 44: Bear and Dragon Rising
During the first part of a fascinating discussion with host Iain Ballantyne, returning guest Dr James Bosbotinis pro...
pod.fo
Imagery from our ever vigilant contributor Michael Nitz - corvette RFS Stoikiy (top) which recently exited the Baltic, in company with tanker RFS Yelnya (bottom) on a six-month voyage to circumnavigate Africa while visiting 'friendly nations' according to the Russian Navy.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary Bay Class @RFAHeadquarters dock landing ship (LSD[A]) RFA Lyme Bay bound for @HMNBDevonport Plymouth y'day. Has been in northern waters, supporting @RoyalMarines during Ex Tarassis as part of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). Video by @StephenJagger4
A rare 'catch' in UK waters: the Portuguese Navy @MarinhaPT Tridente Class diesel-electric submarine NRP Tridente inbound through a frisky Plymouth Sound to @HMNBDevonport this morning. Video courtesy @StephenJagger4 for Warships IFR.
Our latest Warships IFR TV naval news video in case you missed it. A Wildcat helicopter armed with Martlet missiles. Some 'whoosh!' A bit of 'bang!' And some .50-calibre 'rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!' All from the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy
A vision of the future for Royal Australian Navy sailors provided by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force when cutting edge Mogami Class frigate JS Kumano accompanied destroyer HMAS Brisbane into Yokosuka. Australia procuring Mogamis for the RAN. Photo: LSIS Danyellah Hill/RAN.
Our Assistant Editor, and imagery contributor, @StephenJagger4 was at Portsmouth recently and captured some video footage of this historic vessel, MGB 81, which saw combat in the Channel & N. Sea during WW2. Preserved by the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust & looking good!
