Sending the currently unemployed Ukrainian mine-hunters working out of Portsmouth in the UK - because they cannot get through the Turkish Straits to operate in the Black Sea - to help tackle the Strait of Hormuz mine menace (at some stage) is a sensible move, if today's reports
Here's some imagery via US @CENTCOM relating to USS Spruance @USNavy intercepting and stopping (via use of several rounds from the destroyer's 5-inch gun and hits on the engine room area) the Iran-bound and cargo vessel M/V Touska. It was part of the American-imposed blockade.
Sub Lieutenant Sean Neiuwenhoven of the @Australian_Navy jumps into the ocean to complete routine inspections and maintenance on the hull of the frigate HMAS Toowoomba. The ship was in the Philippine Sea as part of her current 2026 Regional Presence Deployment. Photo: LSIS Zac
An Ecuadorian Air Force Embraer A-29 Super Tucano flies alongside a F/A-18E Super Hornet above @USNavy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during a bilateral maritime engagement in the Pacific Ocean. Photo: Lieutenant William Shortal/US Navy.
Today saw the launch of NRP D. João II, a Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) 10720 constructed for the Portuguese Navy at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. Sea trials are scheduled to take place later this year. Photo: Damen.
As the world waits to see if the USA will really pile on the firepower to 'end Iranian civilisation', here's our latest podcast to while away the time: 'Iran War Special - Not-so-Grand Strategy Shocker' Host @IBallantyn talks to guests Gary Blackburn
Warships Pod: 48: Iran War Special - Not-so-Grand Strategy Shocker
Host Iain Ballantyne talks to guests Gary Blackburn and James Bosbotinis about the Iran War, including the Strait ...
pod.fo
Our new podcast episode has been unleashed: 'Iran War Special - Not-so-Grand Strategy Shocker' https://pod.fo/e/3ed082 Host @IBallantyn talks to guests Gary Blackburn @gjb70 and @JamesBosbotinis about the Iran War, including the Strait of Hormuz struggle, how the conflict could
The @RoyalNavy Duke Class (Type 23) frigate HMS Sutherland inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth yesterday morning. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
Here's the @RoyalNavy River Class (Batch 1) Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Severn inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth yesterday afternoon. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
UK SUBMARINE IN THEATRE OF WAR
According to a report by the @DailyMail the @RoyalNavy Astute Class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) HMS Anson, armed with Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM), is now lurking somewhere in the Arabian Sea. Basing its claim on 'military
Here is the Royal Netherlands Navy @kon_marine Holland Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) HNLMS Groningen seen inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth yesterday afternoon. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
A @USNavy warship used an SM-3 interceptor against an Iranian ballistic missile aimed at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. According to the @WSJ two Intermediate-range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM) were reportedly fired by Tehran at the UK-owned, but US operated, island airbase and
Speaks volumes on the Navy's failure to penetrate the public consciousness despite the work of the Senior Service being fundamental to the security and prosperity of the nation. More Greens like the Army than the Navy or RAF - v. interesting. Reform seem very Army Barmy, the Lib
Which do you think is the most important branch of the armed forces for UK national security?
Royal Air Force: 22%
The Army: 21%
Royal Navy: 16%
Don't know: 41%
Results link in replies
Odin says: with the reported '£10 billion of savings' and delays to the Defence Investment Plan, the verdict is in on the current @GOVUK when it comes to protection of the nation - its home seas, skies and territory. And on its lack of interest in preserving and properly
1/9 As part of an alleged £10 billion in @GOVUK defence savings - amid major wars in the Ukraine (with the Russians having the UK high on their current & future hit list) and in the Middle East (exposing the poor state of the Royal Navy) - it has been reported, the RN will suffer
8/9 The future HMS Cardiff, seen here shortly before being floated off. She is currently fitting out on the Clyde, second of what is meant to be eight new City Class (Type 26) frigates being built for the Royal Navy. However, the current UK government will, under a £10 billion
9/9 If you want to check out the considerable fleet of ex @RoyalNavy vessels that continue to sail on and give good service for foreign fleets after being discarded in UK Government defence cuts since the 1990s check out a four-page feature in our 'Guide to the Royal Navy 2026'
The Royal Navy has been monitoring the Russian Navy corvette RFS Soobrazitelny and sanctioned oil tanker MV Anatoly Kolodkin as they sailed through the English Channel. The task was carried out by the patrol ship HMS Mersey and a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron
On the roof of the world, despite the discord over opening the Strait of Hormuz far to the south, allied naval forces are co-operating in order to safeguard mutual defence and security, during Operation Ice Camp Boarfish. It is 'a three-week operation designed to research, test,
During the Australian-hosted Exercise KAKADU 2026 dolphins came out to play, and are seen here in company with the Philippine Navy guided-missile frigate BRP Diego Silang and from above the bulbous bow of Royal @Australian_Navy landing ship HMAS Choules. Both images by SMNIS
Someone has suggested to us that the Iranian merchant ship converted into 'drone carrier' Shaihid Bagheri was not actually sunk by US forces earlier in March. The vessel (seen below) seems now to be combat ineffective, and likely burned out. Its civilian origins were possibly
Odin observes: the sheer lack of awareness in some quarters - amid a naval war in the Middle East - on what modern warships (and navies) are about is extraordinary. There sometimes seems to be no clue ref what warships need to be like in order to survive modern combat. There are
Odin observes: the sheer lack of awareness in some quarters - amid a naval war in the Middle East - on what modern warships (and navies) are about is extraordinary. There sometimes seems to be no clue ref what warships need to be like in order to survive modern combat. There are
For those, including @johnredwood and other politicians/people who find themselves trying to work out what navies are about all of a sudden - plus if they fancy news, commentaries and analysis on global combat fleets - here's what the current edition of our mag, as mentioned by
@johnredwood With respect, this is the kind of 1990s thinking that got the Navy where it is today. If I may shed a little ligh...Do merchant vessels have to be armed with guided missiles, guns, torpedo launch systems, operate anti-submarine weapons, possess speed thanks to powerful
7/7 And if you want to check out the US Navy – its ships, submarines, aviation, the US Marines and much more, plus commentaries and analysis – as it squares up to Iran, we suggest our ‘Guide to the US Navy’ https://warshipsifr.com/news/guide-to-the-us-navy-2025/
6/7 If you want to read a feature on the many former British naval vessels - from landing ships and helicopter carriers, patrol vessels, mine-hunters to frigates etc - still sailing on and giving good value to other nations while Britain's navy struggles, please check out our
1/7 Odin on breaking news: The very role the ancient jack-of-all-trades auxiliary vessel RFA Argus performed, is apparently now possibly to be undertaken in the eastern Med by RFA Lyme Bay. Argus, recently sent to be prepared for scrap at Falmouth, had the edge via a lift and
'keep reading' - no edit function allowed...
Great Warships Pod episode for you to listen to here https://pod.fo/e/394393 called 'Cold War & 1990s Submarines & the Hybrid Navy' - host @IBallantyn talks to guest Steve Kershaw, a former Royal Navy submarine officer - about his amazing career under the sea and his work today
Here's the German Navy @deutschemarine (F125) Baden-Wurttemberg Class frigate FGS Baden-Wurttemberg inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth yesterday afternoon. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
Here's an image just a few days old of the Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena, which has allegedly just been sunk by a US Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine in waters off Sri Lanka.
She is seen participating in an International Fleet Review hosted by the Indian Navy, at
Odin's Eye Extra: People are asking why HMS Dragon has been selected for the likely mission to the Mediterranean to protect British sovereign territory on Cyprus from attack. It is worth waiting a few days to get her out of maintenance because that Daring Class (Type 45)
And here's our item on last year's Ex Formidable Shield that prepped HMS Dragon for a likely Cyprus mission, as published in the July 2025 edition of the mag.
Also, here's a video clip from our YouTube channel showing Wildcats of the Royal Navy training to take down drones with the formidable Martlet missile, last year. Not the first time their aircrews had rehearsed the sort of missions they could now be performing to defend British
The Editor's morning perspective 👇
Yes, US Navy units have cleared the Gulf itself, which is sensible - and normal practice - but they are still in theatre. The UK's immobile frigate in Bahrain and a MCMV somewhere are symbolic of decline, and neither of which can offer anything useful right now.
Even if adopting
