Xavier Vavasseur

France

Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Naval News

Naval reporter, @navalnewscom founder and chief editor, @FloridaTech alumni. Interest in Defense⚔️, Navy⚓, F1🏎️, Sci-Fi👽. Born in 🇼🇫

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Articles

Netherlands abandons Tomahawk integration in submarines

2 weeks ago | navalnews.com | Xavier Vavasseur

Prohibitive cost and time overheads associated with re-starting production of the torpedo tube launched (TTL) variant of Tomahawk have led the Netherlands to abandon plans to integrate the US cruise missile in its submarine fleet. The decision not to equip the Royal Netherlands Navy’s (RNLN’s) current Walrus-class submarines and future Orka-class boats with Tomahawk was disclosed in the latest Defensie Projectenoverzicht (Defence Project Overview) annual report.
Thales to provide its Pathmaster mine warfare system to Singapore

3 weeks ago | navalnews.com | Xavier Vavasseur

The Republic of Singapore Navy becomes the first export customer of Thales’ Pathmaster mine warfare system, which is already in service with the British Royal Navy and the French Marine Nationale as part of the MMCM / SLAMF program. On 28 March 2025, Thales was awarded a contract through ST Engineering to provide the Republic of Singapore Navy with its Pathmaster mine counter measure system.
Philippine Navy LPD arrives at PT PAL Indonesia for maintenance

1 month ago | navalnews.com | Xavier Vavasseur

The Philippine Navy first-in-class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) BRP Tarlac (LD-601) arrived at Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL in Surabaya for a maintenance and repair docking period. PT PAL press releaseSurabaya (17/04) — PT PAL Indonesia has once again been trusted by the Philippine Navy in its warship fleet modernization program.
Safran upgrades submarines optronic masts with AI

1 month ago | navalnews.com | Xavier Vavasseur |a Master

Safran Electronics and Defense is now applying its proprietary AI algorithm to help with the image processing and with the detection, identification and classification of contacts captured from the submarines optronic masts. In this video, Pierre-Olivier Nougues, VP sales and marketing, explains that Safran focuses on three areas when applying AI to optronic masts:1) Image Restoration: Enhancing sensor images for clearer visuals, even in challenging weather conditions.
Fincantieri delivers 9th FREMM frigate 'Spartaco Schergat' to the Italian Navy

1 month ago | navalnews.com | Xavier Vavasseur |a Master

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered the ninth FREMM frigate, Spartaco Schergat (F 598), to the Italian Navy. This FREMM comes in a new configuration which combines Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities.
French Navy’s Second BRF Supply Ship Starts Sea Trials

1 month ago | navalnews.com | Xavier Vavasseur

OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement / Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) announced today that the Jacques Stosskopf started its sea trials campaign on 9 April, 2025. The vessel is the second of four new logistic support ships (LSS) known as “BRF”, or Jacques Chevallier-class, for the French Navy (Marine Nationale).
Danish Navy procures sea mines to strengthen the defence of Denmark

2 months ago | navalnews.com | Xavier Vavasseur |a Master

Denmark is procuring a large number of sea mines to strengthen the defence of the inland Danish waters and contribute to NATO’s overall defence and deterrence. Denmark’s Ministry of Defence press releaseThe acquisition of several hundred sea mines contributes to the Defence’s ability to control and block access to Danish waters. The acquisition increases the Defence’s combat power and is financed with funds from the Acceleration Fund.
Philippine Navy Corvette ‘BRP Diego Silang’ Launched in South Korea

2 months ago | navalnews.com | Xavier Vavasseur |a Master

South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held on 28 March a launching ceremony for the second 3,200-ton Miguel Malvar-class corvette for the Philippine Navy, the ‘BRP Diego Silang‘ (FFG-07) at its Ulsan shipyard. The first-in-class ship, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), launched in June 2023, is set to be delivered on March 31, five months ahead of schedule, according to HD HHI. It is expected to arrive at its homeport of Subic on April 8.
Thales to provide high-performance sonar suite for Dutch Orka-class submarines

2 months ago | navalnews.com | Xavier Vavasseur |a Master

Thales, a long-standing partner of both Naval Group and the Royal Netherlands Navy, will provide a comprehensive suite of high-performance sonar systems for the future Orka-class of submarines that will replace the Walrus-class vessels in service today. The contract will provide the submarines with a comprehensive picture of the underwater acoustic environment, helping the Netherlands to guarantee operational superiority.
France's seabed warfare strategy includes offensive means

2 months ago | navalnews.com | Martin Manaranche |Xavier Vavasseur |Martin has worked

In a recent press conference held at the French ministry of Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Cédric Chetaille – the French Navy’s deputy chief for operations, and director of seabed capability development – revealed that France’s seabed warfare strategy includes offensive means, in addition to defense ones. By Martin Manaranche and Xavier VavasseurFor the first time the Admiral confirmed that this strategy also has an offensive component, notably in the “actions” section of the strategy.