Western European Navies (week 40)

Political News
As of 10-10-10 the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist and the Kingdom of the Netherlands is now comprised of the countries Aruba, Curacao, the Netherlands and Sint Maarten. The smaller islands that were in the Netherlands Antilles -Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius- are now part of the Netherlands proper, as special municipalities.
So the main question is: Does this affect the Dutch armed forces?
Answer: Nope. There will be no changes to the defence of the Kingdom.

The discussions about the SDSR in the UK are still ongoing. Galrahn has contributed to the discussion here.

And while the British-French cooperation possibilities get the most press. The UK is also looking at other countries, like Spain.

Global Operations
Galrahn mentioned here that the French will deploy their carrier Charles de Gaulle to Afghanistan. That's only a part of Agapanthe 2010 and will be during November and December while the whole trip is from October-February. Read all about it in this press release from the French navy.

BNS Louise-Marie left for the Horn of Africa to join Operation Atalanta. If you understand Dutch, there are 2 blogs you can follow to read what's happening on the ship.

Shipbuilding
Lets start with a big one that I forgot to mention last week.
SPS Juan Carlos I has entered service with the Spanish navy.

The Dutch navy has ordered one more Gatekeeper system, to be installed on HNLMS Amsterdam.

Replenishment ship SPS Cantabria has completed its first Operational Evaluation

Spain wants to sell 3 old patrols ships, that will be replaced by the BAMs.

Portugal has received it's first P-3C CUP, which they bought from the Dutch.

The Swedes have modified a CB90, so that it can be taken in a davit of HNLMS Johan de Witt.

Exercises
A truly big exercise is being held from 4-15 October, Joint Warrior 102. The Joint Warrior exercises are the biggest exercises being held in Europe. There are 15 countries participating with 30 surface ships, 3 submarines, fighter jets, helicopters, AWACS and MPA's.

Spain, Portugal, France and Marcocco had SEABORDER 2010 from 5-7 October.

Upcoming Execercises
Emerald Move 2010. An exercise from the European Amphibious Initiative (EAI) to be held in Senegal in November. While original plans were to put a force of 2,500 ashore and support them for 10 days, all countries involved have since decided to scale the exercise down, due to costs.