The United States Navy has officially commissioned its 14th Freedom-class littoral combat ship, USS Nantucket (LCS 27), in a ceremony held in Boston, Massachusetts. This momentous occasion marks a significant step in the Navy’s ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet, which is part of the broader objective set by the Department of Defense.

The USS Nantucket underwent acceptance trials in 2022, with its formal delivery taking place in July 2024. The construction of the vessel, which began in 2017, was a collaborative effort between Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine. This ship carries a legacy, being the third naval vessel to bear the name Nantucket. The previous incarnations include a coastal monitor from the Civil War era and a gunboat from the early 1910s, the latter of which was repurposed for maritime training.

During the commissioning ceremony, the USS Nantucket was displayed docked near the historic USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the United States Navy. USS Nantucket is now set to sail to her homeport at Naval Station Mayport in Florida. Commander Kari Yakubisin, who will lead USS Nantucket, emphasized the continuity of the Navy’s mission over the centuries, stating, “Our mission on Nantucket is the same as the Constitution was in 1812. While technology has changed over the last 200 years, the mission of the United States Navy remains the same: keep the sea lanes open for commerce, deter piracy, and promote peace around the world.”

The USS Nantucket is an impressive addition to the Navy’s fleet, measuring 378 feet (115 meters) in length and accommodating more than 100 sailors. The ship’s versatile deck is designed to carry an SH-60 Seahawk helicopter as well as two vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones, enhancing its operational capabilities.

The vessel boasts a robust defense system comprised of a steel and aluminum superstructure, electronic warfare and decoy systems, an automatic naval gun, machine guns, surface-to-air and anti-armor missiles, as well as a directed energy weapon system. In terms of speed and range, the Freedom-class ship is powered by four waterjets, twin Rolls-Royce gas turbines, and twin diesel engines, allowing it to achieve speeds exceeding 40 knots (46 miles or 74 kilometers per hour) and a range of 3,500 nautical miles (4,028 miles or 6,482 kilometers).

The commissioning of the USS Nantucket not only highlights the Navy’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities but also reflects on the proud tradition and enduring mission of the naval service throughout the ages.

European powers, along with the United States, have put forth a resolution aimed at censuring Iran due to its inadequate cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to diplomatic sources who spoke to AFP on Wednesday. This action coincides with the commencement of an IAEA board meeting in Vienna, where representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. have formally introduced the resolution.

The motion is anticipated to be voted on Thursday, leading to heightened tensions as Iranian officials respond assertively. In a call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would issue a “proportionate” response should the resolution pass. Araghchi characterized the censure as a move that contradicts the positive engagements previously established between Iran and the agency, expressing deep concerns about the implications of such a resolution.

Earlier in the day, Araghchi voiced strong condemnation of the initiative, claiming it would only exacerbate ongoing tensions. This action follows Grossi’s recent visit to Iran, during which he inspected key nuclear sites at Fordo and Natanz. Notably, Iran has perceived Grossi’s visit as a step in a constructive direction, as the IAEA has noted some progress from Tehran concerning the halt in the expansion of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, based on a confidential report released prior to the board meeting.

The drive for censure embodies an attempt by Western diplomats to exert increased pressure on Iran to comply with international norms and alleviate long-term concerns regarding its nuclear activities. The resolution explicitly demands IAEA chief Grossi deliver a comprehensive report on Iran’s nuclear program by spring 2025, which will explore Tehran’s cooperation with the agency, particularly regarding uranium traces identified at undeclared sites.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has underscored the urgency of the situation, calling Iran’s advancements in its nuclear program “very worrying” and indicative of significant proliferation risks. The backdrop of this development includes a fraught relationship between Iran and the IAEA that has escalated since the breakdown of the 2015 nuclear agreement, which aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for relief from sanctions. The deal unraveled after the U.S. exited the agreement in 2018 and reinstated severe sanctions, prompting Iran to progressively abandon its commitments under the accord and elevate its uranium enrichment levels to near-weapon-grade levels of 60 percent.

Despite these developments, Tehran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are solely for civilian and peaceful purposes, consistently denying any intent to develop a nuclear weapon. Currently, Iran is reported to be the sole non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to this level. The IAEA has noted that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium has ballooned to more than 32 times the limit established under the 2015 agreement, with recent estimates placing this stockpile at approximately 6,604 kilograms as of late October, an increase from preceding reports.

In a recent dialogue with Grossi, Araghchi asserted that Tehran is open to negotiations but will not succumb to external pressures or intimidation. He cautioned that a resolution against Iran could provoke new retaliatory measures in its nuclear program, which he indicated would be unwelcome by international stakeholders. Araghchi’s experience as Iran’s chief negotiator during the 2015 nuclear deal underscores his position as a seasoned diplomat in this complex geopolitical landscape.

ROME — The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has spurred a significant increase in military spending across Europe, leading to a remarkable growth in the continent’s defense industry. According to a report released by the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), the sector experienced a 16.9 percent rise in revenue during the previous year, reaching nearly €160 billion (around $170 billion).

This growth in the defense sector was accompanied by a notable increase in employment, with the workforce expanding by 8.9 percent, resulting in a total of 581,000 jobs in the industry. The ASD, representing around 3,000 member firms in 17 countries, highlighted that the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has prompted governments to rapidly enhance their military capabilities, thus benefitting defense companies across the continent.

The report also indicated a significant increase in defense exports, which rose by 12.6 percent in 2023 to reach €57.4 billion. The association emphasized the importance of these exports, stating, “These exports play a vital role in sustaining the competitive economic performance of the European defense industry, considering the relatively modest size of domestic European markets and the substantial development costs involved.”

When examining specific sectors, the ASD found that Europe’s defense aerospace sector saw a revenue increase of 15.8 percent, amounting to €64.8 billion. Both the naval and land sectors experienced identical growth rates of 17.7 percent, generating revenues of €37.9 billion and €56.2 billion, respectively. Collectively, these sectors brought in approximately €158.8 billion.

In terms of employment distribution, of the 581,000 individuals working within the defense sector, approximately 217,000 are engaged in aerospace, which includes 17,700 new positions created during 2023. The remaining workforce of 364,000 individuals is split between the land and naval sectors.

Despite this constructive growth trajectory, the ASD noted that the defense sector is currently facing critical challenges. It pointed out that years of underinvestment and reliance on off-the-shelf procurement from non-European suppliers have severely diminished production capabilities in Europe. This strategic vulnerability became evident following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Moreover, the dependence on external suppliers for essential components such as critical minerals and semiconductors poses additional challenges. The ASD stressed that overcoming these obstacles necessitates a unified approach to boost investments, streamline demand and supply, and formulate strategies to lessen reliance on foreign sources for critical manufacturing supplies.

Since the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, the collective defense budget of EU Member States has increased by only about 20 percent. This figure is starkly lower compared to the near 300 percent and 600 percent growth seen in the defense budgets of Russia and China, respectively, during the same period.

In broader terms, when factoring in the combined aerospace, space, and defense sectors, the ASD reported a total revenue growth of 10.1 percent in 2023, culminating in €290.4 billion. Consequently, firms in these sectors added 76,000 jobs, bringing the total workforce to 1,027,000.

The US Department of Defense has formalized a collaborative agreement with Australia and the UK aimed at advancing both offensive and defensive hypersonic technologies. This partnership seeks to expedite the development, testing, and evaluation of advanced hypersonic vehicles, including long-range missiles that can travel significantly faster than the speed of sound.

This initiative, termed the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation Project (HyFliTE), is set to involve as many as six joint flight test campaigns by the year 2028. Notably, the partnership emphasizes the sharing of resources, knowledge, and expertise among the three nations, reflecting a unified approach to enhancing military capabilities.

With a total funding allocation of $252 million, the project is designed to bolster security measures amid growing global complexities and challenges. UK Defence Secretary John Healey underscored the importance of this collaboration, stating, “This work will keep us ahead of our adversaries on the battlefield, enhance our collective security, and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in an increasingly complex and dangerous world.”

Central to the project is the acceleration of crucial technologies, including high-temperature materials, advanced propulsion systems, as well as guidance and control mechanisms. These technological advancements are essential for the effectiveness of hypersonic weapon systems and are expected to enhance operational capabilities significantly. Heidi Shyu, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, explained that these technologies are fundamental to improving performance in the field.

The collaboration builds upon the AUKUS partnership, which was launched in 2021 and includes security initiatives among Canberra, London, and Washington. This trilateral security alliance not only focuses on hypersonic capabilities but also encompasses joint testing and exercise initiatives under two primary programs. One of these aims to equip the Royal Australian Navy with nuclear-powered submarines, while the other emphasizes operational integration and interoperability across various advanced fields, including cyber defense, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and undersea systems.

In recent developments, AUKUS partners have conducted several tests intended to enhance their systems’ interoperability. Most notably, last month, they successfully managed remotely operated unmanned vessels over a distance exceeding 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers), controlling operations in Australian waters from a command station located in Portugal. Additionally, in August, the three partners announced successful tests of AI-enabled unmanned aerial vehicles capable of precisely intercepting, disabling, and destroying enemy assets.

These ongoing efforts and advancements underline the significance of international collaboration in fortifying military capabilities and ensuring strategic advantage in an increasingly competitive global landscape.