https://ift.tt/KNZFDE8 HMNZS Rotoiti (F625), Loch Class Frigates of the RNZN January 29, 2026 at 01:56PM
HMNZS Rotoiti in Dunedin
Singapore, Denmark Plan to Join the P-8 Poseidon Club
By Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor
ARLINGTON, Va. — In recent weeks two more nations have been approved by the U.S. State Department for possible procurement of Boeing-built P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has announced that Denmark and Singapore each have been approved by the U.S. State Department for possible Foreign Military Sales of three and four P-8A aircraft, respectively.
The procurement of the four P-8As and associated systems and support services for Singapore is estimated to total $2.316 billion. The sale also would include MK54 lightweight tordedoes drawn from existing U.S. Navy stocks, the DSCA announced on Jan. 20, 2026.
Earlier, the DSCA announced on Dec. 29, 2025, the State Department approved the possible sale of three P-8As and associated systems and support to Denmark. The value of the sale is estimated at $1.8 billion.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress, the agency said.
Interestingly, the two nations have not traditionally operated long-range MPA. The acquisitions will strengthen the anti-submarine and surface warfare capabilities of allies of the United States and NATO allies.
The P-8A is operated by seven armed forces including the U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, New Zealand Defence Force, Republic of Korea Navy, and German Navy. The Royal Canadian Air Force also has P-8As on order. All of these except the Royal Air Force previously operated versions or derivatives of the P-3 Orion. India also operates a similar version of the Poseidon purchased by direct commercial sale, the P-8I Neptune.
https://ift.tt/OTmpiP7 January 29, 2026 at 01:49PM
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29 January, 2026 Stanley Bay Wharf eyed for Navy takeover
Wharf’s future raised behind scenes
Secret talks have been held over Stanley Bay Wharf ownership being transferred from Auckland Council to the Navy.
Initial discussions over the transfer appear to have been done in secret, without public notification or consultation.
An Auckland Transport (AT) spokesman confirmed the transfer was in progress. “AT is handing the wharf over to council, who will then be in possession of it before it becomes a naval asset,” he said.
“AT is doing minimal maintenance on the wharf until the handover.”
However, Auckland Council said “Stanley Bay Wharf is still being managed by Auckland Transport. We have not received confirmation yet about when it is likely to be transferred across to Auckland Council so it is too soon to comment on the next steps.
“Once the council has taken over management of this asset, we’ll be happy to share more information with you about the process required to determine its future use,” the spokesperson said.
The Navy response to Flagstaff inquiries suggested any transfer was in its early stages.
“The future of the Stanley Bay Wharf was raised during discussions between the New Zealand Defence Force and Auckland Council,” a Defence spokesperson said.
“However, there have been no follow-up discussions or proposals between the parties on this specific subject.
“The NZDF is currently focused on the first tranche of projects already identified and announced for the future naval base development. These include the planned improvements to the Stanley Bay Gate entrance,”
North Shore councillor Richard Hills had heard nothing of the move and was following up with officers on the wharf’s status
Ferry services from Stanley Bay Wharf were controversially cancelled in 2020 due to budget constraints.
At the time, then-councillor and Stanley Point resident Chris Darby said he was “absolutely gutted” about the decision, which came despite behind-the-scenes lobbying. Darby had championed having the pontoon and terminal upgraded in 2012 and fought to retain the service when it was under review in 2018.
More than $1 million had been spent on improvements to the Stanley Bay wharf in the years leading up to the ferry termination.
The wharf is a popular fishing spot and a gathering place for children and teens who enjoy swimming and diving from it.
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https://ift.tt/HVJkNfQ Devonport Naval Base January 29, 2026 at 01:43PM
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USS Namakagon (AOG-53)/HMNZS Endeavour (A184)
USS Namakagon (AOG-53) was a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker built for the United States Navy during World War II. In some sources, the ship’s name is also spelled Namakogon. After her decommissioning from the U.S. Navy in 1957, the former Namakagon served as Antarctic supply vessel HMNZS Endeavour (A184) for the Royal New Zealand Navy (1962–1971), and as ROCS Lung Chuan for the Republic of China Navy. Lung Chuan ended active service when she was decommissioned from the Republic of China Navy in 2005.Royal New Zealand Navy career[edit]
On 27 June 1962, custody of Namakagon was transferred to the Commandant, 12th Naval District for activation, following which she was transferred, under the Military Aid Program, to the Royal New Zealand Navy, on 5 October 1962. Commissioned as HMNZS Endeavour (A184), an Antarctic supply ship, she delivered fuel to research bases on the seventh continent, bringing over 1 million gallons each year to McMurdo Sound alone, since 1963.
Endeavour was decommissioned and returned to U.S. custody in 1971.
Republic of China Navy career[edit]
The former Namakagon was leased to the Republic of China Navy in 1971 and renamed ROCS Lung Chuan (AOG-515).[1] Her pennant number was later changed to AOG-507. Although Lung Chuan remained in the custody of the Republic of China Navy, the vessel was returned to the U.S. on paper in 1976, struck from the American Naval Vessel Register on 15 April, and sold back to the Republic of China. Lung Chuan was decommissioned on 1 April 2005 at Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Her final disposition is unknown.
https://ift.tt/dxctvbR HMNZS Endeavour 2 January 27, 2026 at 03:17PM
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HMNZS Southland (F104)
HMS Dido/HMNZS Southland
HMS Dido was a Royal Navy (RN) Leander-class frigate. Entering service in 1961, Dido was involved in the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, served with NATO’s Standing Naval Force Atlantic on several occasions, and was one of the frigates used for the filming of the drama series Warship.
HMNZS Southland
Following a defence review at the start of the 1980s, the ship was transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), and was recommissioned as HMNZS Southland. Southland remained in service until 1995. After decommissioning the frigate was towed to the Philippines where her boilers were removed, and then sent to India for scrapping.
https://ift.tt/gJrh8bQ Southland (F104) January 27, 2026 at 03:07PM
