The new (Sept) edition of the magazine is now deployed, with the Royal Norwegian Navy @Forsvaret_no submarine HNoMS Utstein as the cover star, an image by the redoubtable Michael Nitz and goes with our profile of the RNoN's Ula Class boats inside. As ever the mag is packed full
Royal Fleet Auxiliary @RFAHeadquarters Tide Class replenishment tanker RFA Tideforce inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4 for this mag.
Here’s the Duke Class (Type 23) frigate @HMSSomerset of @RoyalNavy outbound from @HMNBDevonport Plymouth this morning. HMS Somerset, an anti-submarine vessel, was recently deployed into northern waters with the UK Carrier Strike Group (UK CSG). This clip appears to show
The @RFAHeadquarters Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship (MROSS) RFA Proteus is seen here inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth yesterday afternoon. Under the recently published Defence Investment Plan the UK Govt has promised to invest £300 million, between now and 2030, in
For more on the UK’s Defence Investment Plan (DIP) get our latest (Aug) edition. Out now as hard copy and digital versions https://warshipsifr.com/subscriptions/
Warships Pod 51: 'Suez on Steroids And Britain’s Naval Identity Crisis'. Returning guest David Murrin @GlobalForecastr begins the podcast discussion with @IBallantyn by considering US President Donald Trump’s gambits in the Middle East as he seeks to prevail over Iran. Among
Trip down memory lane from our Editor @IBallantyn
A pic of the Royal Navy Landing Platform Dock (LPD) HMS Fearless. Again there are no notes on the back of this print from the 'not for use drawer', so relying on my recollections. I first encountered one of these vessels in 1990 - sister ship HMS Intrepid - during NATO's
The @RoyalNavy strike carrier HMS Prince of Wales returning to Portsmouth yesterday after three months away, including on @NATO duties, in northern waters. Photo by our regular contributor Derek Fox. If you want to know more about @HMSPWLS during the deployment please do check
RUSSIAN FRIGATE CONDUCTS LIVE-FIRING
EXERCISE OFF SOUTHERN ENGLAND
By @IBallantyn
Editor, Warships IFR magazine
Here’s the Russian frigate RFS Neustrashimiy, which carried out a live-firing exercise within international waters off England, more than 40 miles to the south of
Helicopter perspective: a US Navy aircrewman guides an MH-60S Seahawk, as it lands on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during exercises in the Pacific Ocean. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Haro Gonzalez/USN.
The Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (nearest) sails into New York – with US Navy warships at anchor, ahead, in front of a spectacular skyline - to take part in the 250th anniversary of American Independence. The International Naval Review 250 (INR250)
As part of events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence 26 vessels from 13 Allied and partner nations sailed in formation during a multi-national maritime exercise off the east coast of the United States. It was part of Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250. Photo:
Odin sometimes finds it very hard to 'hold fast' in the monthly magazine cycle when he wants to unleash a devastating commentary broadside at numpties destroying our beloved Royal Navy...
Odin is keeping his powder dry for writing about the farcical UK Defence Investment Plan for our leader commentary in the next @WarshipsIFR mag. However, his one good eye is bulging, face is red, teeth grinding and smoke is coming from his ears...I have ordered him to stay off X
The German Navy @deutschemarine Sachsen Class frigate FGS Hessen inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth yesterday afternoon. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
The German Navy @deutschemarine Berlin Class replenishment ship FGS Berlin inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth at the end of last week. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
Any fuel* knows that key to keeping warships on station in operational areas where it isn't possible to call in at a friendly naval base/dockyard for support or repairs is a floating workshop and/or supply vessel.
The Russians don't mind keeping older vessels in commission if
The @RoyalNavy Duke Class (Type 23) frigate HMS St Albans inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth this morning. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
The new edition of the magazine is officially published today, with the Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Iver Huitfeldt as the cover star (an image by Michael Nitz).
Get the mag from shops in the UK and globally or direct from the publisher in hard copy and/or digital
Btw more to come about the Iran War and the deal agreed by Tehran and Washington in a forthcoming Warships Pod episode. In the meantime please do check out the other eps https://podfollow.com/warships-pod/view
Here's the Russian Navy guided-missile frigate RFS Admiral Grigorovich, which, within international waters south of the Isle of Wight, took exception to a British yacht coming a little too close. Someone aboard the warship fired warning shots, possibly an upper deck sentry (or
An alleged Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker called Smyrtos was boarded within international waters in the English Channel. Detained during a combined operation by the UK Armed Forces and law enforcement, the operation was (as shown in officially released video clips here)
Royal Norwegian Navy @Forsvaret_no Skjold Class corvette HNoMS Skjold outbound from @HMNBDevonport Plymouth last week. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
A Tridente Class diesel-electric submarine of the Portuguese Navy @MarinhaPT inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth, England. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
PS: it has been suggested, with a rueful/ironic smile, by one of our chaps that this boat is 'Tridente or Arpao by a process of elimination.' He adds: 'Comes to something when the Portuguese with a grand total of 2 x SSKs have more subs at sea and deployed [1] than we [the UK]
UK Prime Minister (allegedly) thinks the Iran War has mucked up his government's spending plans and so the supposed increase in Defence spending has to be cut, while the Defence Secretary is supposedly being castigated for the Strategic Defence Review of a year ago not being
The Blue Ridge Class @USNavy command ship USS Mount Whitney inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth yesterday evening. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
Action this day! During the second part of their latest fascinating discussion for the Warships Pod @MtarfaL and @IBallantyn have cause to chat about 'the vision thing' - and how it seems to be lacking in today's UK's politicians when it comes to maritime defence, comparing
The Portuguese Navy frigate NRP Bartolomeu Dias inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth this morning. Video courtesy of @StephenJagger4
The @RoyalNavy Astute Class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) HMS Anson is seen here inbound to @HMNBDevonport Plymouth this afternoon. Deploying to Australia at the beginning of 2026, she was ordered to somewhere in the Indian Ocean (it is presumed) after the Iran War
The article in which Andrew Livsey @AL34495737 outlined how future frigates and uncrewed vessels could work with each other to flush out, see off or destroy hostile submarines was in our April 2026 edition 👇
@PVHaltonOBE Suspect most people do not disagree with the direction of travel, nor the need. It is the political super hype that is putting cart before horse. And the suspicion that a goverment is deploying smoke and mirrors to dodge painful decisions on public spending priorities, via
'THE ROYAL NAVY - ITS DECLINE
AND STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE PT1'
With suggestions of a future '1,000-ship' Royal Navy (mainly composed of drones) here's a timely Warships Pod discussion for you.
https://podfollow.com/warships-pod/episode/fe223b49eb95b3d8e1d291808cc615497671479e/view
In the first instalment of this two part discussion @IBallantyn
1/6 The mania for ever bigger warships may be peaking with plans for US Navy battleships. But, even if the Trump Class don't happen, the USN will likely end up with smaller (but still pretty big) 'escort' vessels...such as 15 000 tons cruisers, in addition to an autonomous fleet.
5/6 So, warship admirers will have plenty to salivate over - China's, the USA's, France's, and possibly even the UK's, supercarriers will still be here in 2070s, with more in the works. Unless a war causes an accelerated extinction.
6/6 Submarines are getting big too and will be so for decades to come, with SSNs already doubling in displacement from some of those in the Cold War.
