North Korea Commissions First Guided-Missile Destroyer, Plans Cruiser

On June 23, 2026, North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – DPRK) formally commissioned its largest-ever warship, the first of four 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class guided-missile destroyers (DDG) currently under construction. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presided over the commissioning of the Choe Hyon (51) on Wednesday at the Nampo shipyard on the country’s western coast. During the commissioning ceremony, Kim Jong Un used the occasion to outline the next phase of North Korea’s naval modernization program. He announced that the second destroyer in Choe Hyuon-class, Kang Kon (52) is expected to enter service in the near future and revealed plans to follow the current destroyer program with a new class of 10,000-ton cruisers. My story for Naval News, here.

Chile Launches First Multipurpose LPD

On 18 June, 2026, after 46 weeks of construction, Chile launched the first of four planned 8,000-ton multipurpose landing platform dock (LPD) ships for the Armada de Chile. The vessel is the lead ship of the Escotillón IV program, under which the first two ships are currently under contract valued approximately US$410 million. The event marks one of the most significant milestones in the Continuous National Naval Construction Plan (PNCCN), a strategic initiative designed to strengthen the country’s naval and industrial capabilities. Construction of LPD-93 Magallanes began at Astilleros y Maestranzas de la Armada (ASMAR)’s Talcahuano shipyard in southern Chile on February 27, 2022, with the vessel scheduled to enter service in 2027. Work on the second ship, Rapa Nui, commenced in August 2025 with the ceremonial first steel cutting, and it is expected to be launched in the first half of 2029 and to be delivered by 2030. My story for Naval News, here.

Greece Approves Acquisition of VICTA Diver Delivery Units and V-BAT Drones

On June 11, 2026, the Special Permanent Committee on Armament Programs and Contracts of the Hellenic Parliament approved eight defense procurement programs worth more than €1 billion for the Hellenic Armed Forces. Among them are programs for the acquisition of ten VICTA Diver Delivery Units (DDUs) from British company SubSea Craft (SSC), with six craft intended for the Special Warfare Command (SWC) of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) and four for the Underwater Demolition Command (UDC) of the Hellenic Navy. The approved programs also include the acquisition of ten V-BAT Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) from US company Shield AI. Four systems, comprising eight aircraft and their associated mission payloads, will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy. My story for Naval News, here.

Bulgarian shipbuilder reveals new Medium USV concept

During the International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition HEMUS 2026, held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from 3–6 June 2026, the European shipbuilder MTG-Dolphin officially presented its Proteus 36 MLC concept. The 37-metre Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV), also available in manned option, attracted significant interest from international delegations, defence industry representatives, major equipment and sensor suppliers and naval experts. Designed for modern Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) and contested AntiAccess/Area Denial (A2/AD) environments, the Proteus 36 MLC delivers the combat capability of a conventional corvette within a highly efficient high-speed 160-ton modular platform equipped initially with 3D radar, fire control radar and 30mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and open deck for a number of 20 feet mission modules. My story for Naval News, here.

France’s Second FDI Frigate Launched by Naval Group

French shipbuilder Naval Group on May 16 conducted the “technical launch” of the second Amiral Ronarc’h-class FDI frigate for the French Navy, Amiral Louzeau (D661). A Naval News cameraman was on site to document this major milestone for the program. The official launch ceremony, attended by French government and naval officials, is scheduled to take place tomorrow, May 19, 2026. My story for Naval News, here.

Romania Justifies Warship Acquisition Through SAFE Over Damen’s Offer

In a May 12, 2026 press release, the Romanian Ministry of Defense stated that Damen’s proposal did not meet the programme’s technical requirements, responding to recent media comparisons with the SAFE acquisition of two Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessels  (MMPV 90) from Rheinmetall. The article also outlines the procurement timeline for the Romanian Naval Forces, which shifted from the GOWIND design to OPV 2600, then the Hisar-class OPV, and finally the MMPV 90. My story for Naval News, here.

Ecuador Commissions Its Largest Naval Vessel: BAE Jambeli

On May 7, 2026, the Ecuadorian Navy (Armada del Ecuador) formally commissioned BAE Jambelí (MP-56) during a ceremony at Puerto Bolívar, marking the introduction of one of the country’s most capable offshore patrol vessels (OPV) and the largest ship currently in the fleet. Previously operated by the Korean Coast Guard as KCG-3001, the lead vessel of the Tae Pyung Yang-class, the ship departed the Republic of Korea on January 2 for a 62-day transoceanic voyage to Ecuador which ended in May 5 when it arrived in Ecuadorian waters. My story for Naval News, here.

Mystery USV Possibly Linked to Ukraine Found by Greek Fishermen

Greek fishermen operating in the Ionian Sea discovered an unidentified 5-meter unmanned surface vessel (USV) hidden inside a sea cave near Cape Doukato, on the southwestern tip of Lefkada, on Thursday. The craft’s engine was still running when it was found and recovered. Unofficial sources cited by Greek media suggest the vessel may have been carrying explosives and could be linked to Ukrainian maritime operations. My story for Naval News, here.

Romania Advances MMPV 90 Corvette Acquisition with Rheinmetall

Romania is advancing its naval modernization program with the planned acquisition of four new vessels. Two of these will be large multipurpose offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) built to a light corvette standard, similar to Bulgaria’s procurement of the MMPV 90. The remaining two vessels will be dedicated diver support and intervention ships. These projects form part of a broader package of 16 military procurement programs worth €8.3 billion under the EU-backed Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, according to a parliamentary document. The naval component alone is valued at approximately €920 million, making it the second-largest procurement effort under SAFE. Of this amount, around €836 million is allocated to the two light corvettes. My story for Naval News, here.