Sea • Page 8 of 326 • The Defense Post

Sep- 2026 -

8 September

The Lightfish unmanned surface vessel. Photo: Seasats

Seasats Expands Military Reach With $24M in US Drone Boat Orders

California-based defense firm Seasats has booked more than $24 million in committed orders for its unmanned surface vessels in a single month.

8 September

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Ukrainian Drone Bombs Russian USV in Black Sea

The Ukrainian Navy successfully struck a Russian drone boat operating near Snake Island, employing a guided munition dropped from an unmanned aerial vehicle to destroy the target.

7 September

HMAS Anzac conducts maritime manoeuvres during the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 21 deployment. *** Local Caption *** Indo-Pacific Endeavour 21 (IPE21) is Australias flagship regional engagement activity, reinforcing Australias strong and enduring partnerships in Southeast Asia. Centred on a maritime task group, IPE21 involves HMA Ships Canberra and Anzac and approximately 700 people, including Australian Defence Force and civilian defence personnel, and sea riders from partner nations. Engagements have been modified in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be carried out primarily through contactless port visits, and will include a range of virtual workshops and at-sea activities.

Inder Singh Bisht

Babcock Wins $93M Contract to Sustain Australian Anzac-Class Frigates

Australia has awarded Babcock a $129-million Australian dollar ($93-million) contract to sustain the Australian navy’s Anzac-class frigates.

7 September

aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

Inder Singh Bisht

HII Receives $336M Advance Procurement Contract for Future Ford-Class Carrier

HII has received a US Navy contract to procure long-lead-time materials for construction of the future USS William J. Clinton carrier.

4 September

Satellite imagery over Crimea showing boathouses for unmanned surface vessels. Photo: CyberBoroshno

Rojoef Manuel

Russia Builds Crimea Base to Launch Naval Drones at Scale

Russia is constructing a specialized base on the western coast of occupied Crimea to store, launch, and service unmanned surface vessels.

4 September

The lead Dolphin II-class submarine, INS Drakon. Photo: Israel Defense Forces

Rojoef Manuel

Germany Delivers Final Advanced Dolphin Submarine to Israel

German shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has shipped the Israeli Navy’s third and final Advanced Dolphin-class submarine.

4 September

Jodesz Gavilan

TKMS, Fincantieri Team Up to Boost Europe’s Underwater Defense

TKMS and Fincantieri have signed an agreement to expand cooperation on submarines and underwater systems.

3 September

USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8), the sixth and final Expeditionary Sea Base vessel

Rojoef Manuel

US Navy Takes Delivery of Final Expeditionary Sea Base Vessel

General Dynamics NASSCO has officially transferred the sixth and final Expeditionary Sea Base vessel to the US Navy as part of a contract signed in 2022.

3 September