Sea

HMS Dragon sails east as Britain counters drone attacks again. The Type 45 destroyer and Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles are deploying to the Eastern Mediterranean to bolster air defence for UK interests and allies, drawing on Sea Viper’s rapid-fire missile capability.

Rheinmetall has completed its NVL acquisition, effective 1 March 2026. The takeover brings four German shipyards into a new Naval Systems division, covering surface combatants, coastguard vessels, and maritime autonomous surface systems.

Germany has taken delivery of the BlueWhale autonomous underwater vehicle. TKMS and Israel Aerospace Industries handed over the large AUV at Eckernförde, integrating a towed sonar package aimed at unmanned anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and mine detection missions.

China’s nuclear submarine launches outpaced the United States, IISS finds. The think tank estimates 79,000 tonnes launched in 2021–25, driven by expanded facilities and parallel construction rhythms.

In-Mar is widening its marine equipment offer for US shipyards. The Louisiana supplier is adding bridge human-factors products alongside firefighting, wiper, and wash systems for naval programmes.

SNC has formed a trio to bid for Navy UJTS. Its Freedom Trainer concept pairs a clean-sheet jet with open architecture, plus an integrated ground training and logistics package.

Lockheed Martin has unveiled Lamprey, a multi-mission undersea vehicle design. The internally funded MMAUV uses an open-architecture payload bay and a host-attachment concept to support assured access and sea denial missions.

GXO has renewed Type 26 logistics support for BAE Systems. A six-year UK agreement extends the partnership into a third decade, covering warehousing and materials handling at Glasgow shipyards, plus technology-led inventory visibility across the supply chain.