This is the age of change and the US Navy is leading the way to racial and gender equality.

For the first time, four women of colour will be commanding warships for the US Navy officers, at the same time.

Kimberly Jones, LaDonna Simpson, Kristel O’Cañas, and Kathryn Wijnaldum&nbsp;have been chosen to break the barriers in the white, male-dominated field.

Based out of Norfolk Naval Station, in Virginia, the four women are “Nuclear Surface Warfare Officers”, which is sought to be an “extremely competitive” position to obtain in the US Navy.

The four women “have spent a considerable amount of their time serving aboard nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and in nuclear-related shore duty billets,” the US Navy said in a statement.

Also watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-us-navy-sings-hindi-song-from-hit-bollywood-movie-swades-373878">US Navy sings Hindi song from hit Bollywood movie 'Swades'</a>

The US Navy “looks different in the fact that as an ensign, I looked around and at that time, there were not many senior female officers that I could necessarily go to for gender-specific questions,” said Kimberly Jones in an interview with People magazine.

“I may not have felt comfortable asking my male boss,” said Jones, who has been serving in the US Navy for the past 20 years. “Now, to their credit, they were phenomenal leaders. However, when it came time [for] some of those more intimate conversations on how to plan your career with a family, as a mom, that did not exist.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/shah-rukh-khan-gets-nostalgic-after-us-navy-members-sing-yeh-jo-des-hai-tera-374159">Shah Rukh Khan gets nostalgic after US Navy members sing 'Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera'</a>

“And I was overseas, so the population was slightly smaller. And now walking this waterfront, there are leaders, there are role models, at every rank...That is something that I hope ensigns, young sailors, gravitate towards and take advantage of,” she added.

This is the age of change and the US Navy is leading the way to racial and gender equality. For the first time, four women of colour will be commanding warships for the US Navy officers, at the same time.

This is the age of change and the US Navy is leading the way to racial and gender equality. For the first time, four women of colour will be commanding warships for the US Navy officers, at the same time. Kimberly Jones, LaDonna Simpson, Kristel O’Cañas, and Kathryn Wijnaldum have been chosen to break the barriers in the white, male-dominated field. Based out of Norfolk Naval Station, in Virginia, the four women are “Nuclear Surface Warfare Officers”, which is sought to be an “extremely competitive” position to obtain in the US Navy. The four women “have spent a considerable amount of their time serving aboard nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and in nuclear-related shore duty billets,” the US Navy said in a statement. Also watch | US Navy sings Hindi song from hit Bollywood movie 'Swades' The US Navy “looks different in the fact that as an ensign, I looked around and at that time, there were not many senior female officers that I could necessarily go to for gender-specific questions,” said Kimberly Jones in an interview with People magazine. “I may not have felt comfortable asking my male boss,” said Jones, who has been serving in the US Navy for the past 20 years. “Now, to their credit, they were phenomenal leaders. However, when it came time [for] some of those more intimate conversations on how to plan your career with a family, as a mom, that did not exist.” Also read | Shah Rukh Khan gets nostalgic after US Navy members sing 'Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera' “And I was overseas, so the population was slightly smaller. And now walking this waterfront, there are leaders, there are role models, at every rank...That is something that I hope ensigns, young sailors, gravitate towards and take advantage of,” she added.

Breaking barriers: Four women of colour to command warships for US Navy

Two crew members of a Greek minesweeper were slightly hurt Tuesday after it collided with a Portuguese container ship off Piraeus, the port next to Athens, the navy said.

There were 27 sailors on board the naval vessel, who were rescued by coastguard patrol boats.

The two injured were taken to hospital for treatment.

The minesweeper suffered serious damage to the stern and was towed back to the naval base on the nearby island of Salamina, the merchant navy ministry said.

Piraeus port authorities opened an inquiry into the incident and confined to port the container ship Maerck Launceston, which flies a Portuguese flag.

Two crew members of a Greek minesweeper were slightly hurt Tuesday after it collided with a Portuguese container ship off Piraeus, the port next to Athens, the navy said.

Two crew members of a Greek minesweeper were slightly hurt Tuesday after it collided with a Portuguese container ship off Piraeus, the port next to Athens, the navy said. There were 27 sailors on board the naval vessel, who were rescued by coastguard patrol boats. The two injured were taken to hospital for treatment. The minesweeper suffered serious damage to the stern and was towed back to the naval base on the nearby island of Salamina, the merchant navy ministry said. Piraeus port authorities opened an inquiry into the incident and confined to port the container ship Maerck Launceston, which flies a Portuguese flag.

Two hurt as Greek warship collides with freighter

In a historic mission, India successfully tested a Hybrid weapon system ‘Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo’ (SMART) on Monday.

"The @DRDO_India has successfully flight tested the Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo, SMART. This will be a major technology breakthrough for stand-off capability in anti-submarine warfare. I congratulate DRDO and other stakeholders for this significant achievement," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/DRDO_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DRDO_India</a> has successfully flight tested the Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo, SMART. This will be a major technology breakthrough for stand-off capability in anti-submarine warfare. I congratulate DRDO and other stakeholders for this significant achievement.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1313018850108084226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

It is a Hybrid weapon system where two-weapon capabilities are joined to make one weapon system that vastly expands the range and speed of a weapon system which has not changed much over the decades. 
 
SMART is a supersonic anti-ship missile with a medium-weight torpedo as its payload, together the weapon working as a supersonic anti-submarine missile.

According to the reports, the weapon will have a range of around 350 nautical miles (which is about 650 kilometers) and can be used to engage hostile submarines from nearly half a sea away.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a historic mission, India successfully tested a Hybrid weapon system ‘Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo’ (SMART) on Monday. "The @DRDO_India has successfully flight tested the Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo, SMART.

In a historic mission, India successfully tested a Hybrid weapon system ‘Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo’ (SMART) on Monday. "The @DRDO_India has successfully flight tested the Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo, SMART. This will be a major technology breakthrough for stand-off capability in anti-submarine warfare. I congratulate DRDO and other stakeholders for this significant achievement," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted. The @DRDO_India has successfully flight tested the Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo, SMART. This will be a major technology breakthrough for stand-off capability in anti-submarine warfare. I congratulate DRDO and other stakeholders for this significant achievement. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 5, 2020 × It is a Hybrid weapon system where two-weapon capabilities are joined to make one weapon system that vastly expands the range and speed of a weapon system which has not changed much over the decades. SMART is a supersonic anti-ship missile with a medium-weight torpedo as its payload, together the weapon working as a supersonic anti-submarine missile. According to the reports, the weapon will have a range of around 350 nautical miles (which is about 650 kilometers) and can be used to engage hostile submarines from nearly half a sea away. (With inputs from agencies)

India successfully tests Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo

Acting swiftly after the Galwan valley clash on June 15 in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Navy sailed out its frontline warship for deployment in the South China Sea much to the displeasure of the Chinese who raised objections over the move during the talks between the two sides. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-building-missile-air-defence-sites-near-doklam-naku-la-clash-points-satellite-imagery-shows-324009">Also read | China building missile air defence sites near Doklam, Naku La ‘clash points’, satellite imagery shows</a> 
 
The Chinese have been objecting to the presence of Indian Navy ships in the region where it has significantly expanded its presence since 2009 through artificial islands and military presence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-us-has-deployed-its-2-billion-worth-b-2-spirit-bombers-in-south-china-sea-315392#b-2-spirit-bombers-in-south-china-sea-315378">In pictures: Why US has deployed its $2 billion worth B-2 Spirit bombers in South China Sea</a>

"Soon after the Galwan clash broke out in which 20 of our soldiers were killed, the Indian Navy deployed one of its frontline warship to the South China Sea where the People's Liberation Army's Navy objects to the presence of any other force claiming the majority of the waters as part of its territory," government sources told ANI.

The immediate deployment of the Indian Navy warship in the South China Sea had a desired effect on the Chinese Navy and security establishment as they complained to the Indian side about the Indian warship's presence there during the diplomatic level talks with the Indian side, the sources said.

During the deployment in the South China Sea, where the American Navy had also deployed its destroyers and frigates, the Indian warship was continuously maintaining contact with their American counterparts over secure communication systems, the sources informed.

As part of the routine drills, the Indian warship was being constantly updated about the status of the movement of military vessels of other countries there, they said adding that the entire mission was carried out in a very hush-hush manner to avoid any public glare on Navy's activities.

Around the same time, the Indian Navy had deployed its frontline vessels along the Malacca Straits near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the route from where the Chinese Navy enters the Indian Ocean Region to keep a check on any activity of the Chinese Navy. A number of Chinese vessels also pass through the Malacca Straits while returning with oil or taking merchant shipments towards other continents.

The sources said the Indian Navy is fully capable of checking any misadventure by the adversaries on either the eastern or the western front and the mission-based deployments have helped it to control the emerging situations effectively in and around the Indian Ocean Region.

The Navy also has plans to urgently acquire and deploy autonomous underwater vessels and other unmanned systems and sensors to keep a close eye on the movement of PLAN from Malacca Straits towards the Indian Ocean Region, the sources said.

The Navy is also taking care of the Chinese vessels present around the Djibouti area and has deployed its assets in the vicinity for protecting national interest.

Acting swiftly after the Galwan valley clash on June 15 in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Navy sailed out its frontline warship for deployment in the South China Sea much to the displeasure of the Chinese who raised objections over the move during the talks between the two sides.

Acting swiftly after the Galwan valley clash on June 15 in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Navy sailed out its frontline warship for deployment in the South China Sea much to the displeasure of the Chinese who raised objections over the move during the talks between the two sides. Also read | China building missile air defence sites near Doklam, Naku La ‘clash points’, satellite imagery shows The Chinese have been objecting to the presence of Indian Navy ships in the region where it has significantly expanded its presence since 2009 through artificial islands and military presence. In pictures: Why US has deployed its $2 billion worth B-2 Spirit bombers in South China Sea "Soon after the Galwan clash broke out in which 20 of our soldiers were killed, the Indian Navy deployed one of its frontline warship to the South China Sea where the People's Liberation Army's Navy objects to the presence of any other force claiming the majority of the waters as part of its territory," government sources told ANI. The immediate deployment of the Indian Navy warship in the South China Sea had a desired effect on the Chinese Navy and security establishment as they complained to the Indian side about the Indian warship's presence there during the diplomatic level talks with the Indian side, the sources said. During the deployment in the South China Sea, where the American Navy had also deployed its destroyers and frigates, the Indian warship was continuously maintaining contact with their American counterparts over secure communication systems, the sources informed. As part of the routine drills, the Indian warship was being constantly updated about the status of the movement of military vessels of other countries there, they said adding that the entire mission was carried out in a very hush-hush manner to avoid any public glare on Navy's activities. Around the same time, the Indian Navy had deployed its frontline vessels along the Malacca Straits near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the route from where the Chinese Navy enters the Indian Ocean Region to keep a check on any activity of the Chinese Navy. A number of Chinese vessels also pass through the Malacca Straits while returning with oil or taking merchant shipments towards other continents. The sources said the Indian Navy is fully capable of checking any misadventure by the adversaries on either the eastern or the western front and the mission-based deployments have helped it to control the emerging situations effectively in and around the Indian Ocean Region. The Navy also has plans to urgently acquire and deploy autonomous underwater vessels and other unmanned systems and sensors to keep a close eye on the movement of PLAN from Malacca Straits towards the Indian Ocean Region, the sources said. The Navy is also taking care of the Chinese vessels present around the Djibouti area and has deployed its assets in the vicinity for protecting national interest.

Indian navy sent warship to South China Sea after Galwan valley clash: Report 

Japan&nbsp;will&nbsp;send&nbsp;a&nbsp;warship&nbsp;and patrol planes to&nbsp;protect&nbsp;Japanese ships in the&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East&nbsp;as the situation in the region, from which it sources nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil imports, remains volatile,&nbsp;Japan's top government spokesman said on Friday.

Under the plan approved by Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-likely-to-visit-indias-imphal-in-december-265170">Shinzo Abe</a>'s cabinet, a helicopter-equipped destroyer and two P-3C patrol planes will be dispatched for information-gathering aimed at ensuring safe passage for&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;vessels&nbsp;through the region.

If there are any emergencies, a special order would be issued by the&nbsp;Japanese defence minister to allow the forces to use weapons to&nbsp;protect&nbsp;ships in danger.

"Peace and stability in the&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East&nbsp;are extremely important for the peace and prosperity of the international community including&nbsp;Japan," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference.

"Also, it is very important to make sure&nbsp;Japan-related ships can sail safely in the&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East, the world's major source of energy."

Friction between Iran and the United States has increased since last year, when US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a> pulled the United States out of a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposed sanctions on it, crippling its economy.

In May and June, there were several attacks on international merchant&nbsp;vessels&nbsp;in the region, including the&nbsp;Japanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous, which the United States blamed on Iran. Tehran denies the accusations.

Oil importers and refiners welcomed the government's decision.

"The&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East&nbsp;situation remains unpredictable. We believe the decision, made against this backdrop, will benefit the safe passage of ships in the region," Petroleum Association of&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;President Takashi Tsukioka said in a statement.

Japan, a US&nbsp;ally that has maintained friendly ties with Iran, has opted to launch its own operation rather than join a US-led mission to&nbsp;protect&nbsp;shipping in the region.

Abe last week briefed visiting Iranian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaishankar-meets-iranian-president-hassan-rouhani-discusses-progress-in-india-iran-bilateral-ties-269834">Hassan Rouhani</a> on Tokyo's plan to&nbsp;send&nbsp;naval forces to the Gulf.

The planned operation is set to cover high seas in the Gulf of Oman, the northern Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, but not the Strait of Hormuz.

The&nbsp;Japanese government aims to start the operation of the patrol planes next month, while the destroyer will likely begin activities in the region in February, a defence ministry official said.

The government decision is effective for one year through December 26, 2020. A fresh cabinet approval is necessary to extend the armed force's activities in the&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East.

A European operation to ensure safe shipping in the Gulf will also get underway next month when a French&nbsp;warship&nbsp;starts patrolling there.

Japan will send a warship and patrol planes to protect Japanese ships in the Middle East as the situation in the region, from which it sources nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil imports, remains volatile, Japan's top government spokesman said on Friday.

Japan will send a warship and patrol planes to protect Japanese ships in the Middle East as the situation in the region, from which it sources nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil imports, remains volatile, Japan's top government spokesman said on Friday. Under the plan approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet, a helicopter-equipped destroyer and two P-3C patrol planes will be dispatched for information-gathering aimed at ensuring safe passage for Japanese vessels through the region. If there are any emergencies, a special order would be issued by the Japanese defence minister to allow the forces to use weapons to protect ships in danger. "Peace and stability in the Middle East are extremely important for the peace and prosperity of the international community including Japan," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference. "Also, it is very important to make sure Japan-related ships can sail safely in the Middle East, the world's major source of energy." Friction between Iran and the United States has increased since last year, when US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposed sanctions on it, crippling its economy. In May and June, there were several attacks on international merchant vessels in the region, including the Japanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous, which the United States blamed on Iran. Tehran denies the accusations. Oil importers and refiners welcomed the government's decision. "The Middle East situation remains unpredictable. We believe the decision, made against this backdrop, will benefit the safe passage of ships in the region," Petroleum Association of Japan President Takashi Tsukioka said in a statement. Japan, a US ally that has maintained friendly ties with Iran, has opted to launch its own operation rather than join a US-led mission to protect shipping in the region. Abe last week briefed visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tokyo's plan to send naval forces to the Gulf. The planned operation is set to cover high seas in the Gulf of Oman, the northern Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, but not the Strait of Hormuz. The Japanese government aims to start the operation of the patrol planes next month, while the destroyer will likely begin activities in the region in February, a defence ministry official said. The government decision is effective for one year through December 26, 2020. A fresh cabinet approval is necessary to extend the armed force's activities in the Middle East. A European operation to ensure safe shipping in the Gulf will also get underway next month when a French warship starts patrolling there.

Japan to send warship, aircraft to Middle East to protect vessels

A major fire broke out at an under-construction warship of the Navy at Mazgaon Dockyard in Mumbai on Friday evening.

One contract worker succumbed to his injuries, while another has sustained minor burns.

The fire took place on Yard 12704 (Visakhapatnam), the first class of Project 15 B during operations in tank at MDL.

The fire which broke out at around 5:44 pm was brought under control by 7 pm.

About eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire which did not spread to any other deck except for the second and the third.&nbsp;

The authorities have launched an enquiry to ascertain the cause of the fire.

"Under-construction warship 'Visakhapatnam' caught fire at 5.44 pm. The blaze erupted on the second deck of the ship," said P S Rahangdale, the chief of city fire brigade.

Eight fire-fighting engines, along with quick-response vehicle, have been pressed into service to extinguish the blaze, he said.

"Fire is confined to second and third deck of the warship. Fire-fighting operation is underway along with Dockyard fire-fighters. Smoke has spread in the warship," Rahangdale said.

"The cause of the fire will be ascertained after a proper inquiry, but the first priority is to douse the fire with a minimum loss," another fire brigade official said.

Mazgaon Dockyard is the only facility in India having the capability to build submarines. Visakhapatnam, the largest warship of its class, was unveiled for construction in Mazgaon Docks in April 2015.

It is the first of the four stealth guided missile destroyers to be built under Project 15-B Class.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A major fire broke out at an under-construction warship of the Navy at Mazgaon Dockyard in Mumbai on Friday evening. One contract worker succumbed to his injuries, while another has sustained minor burns.

A major fire broke out at an under-construction warship of the Navy at Mazgaon Dockyard in Mumbai on Friday evening. One contract worker succumbed to his injuries, while another has sustained minor burns. The fire took place on Yard 12704 (Visakhapatnam), the first class of Project 15 B during operations in tank at MDL. The fire which broke out at around 5:44 pm was brought under control by 7 pm. About eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire which did not spread to any other deck except for the second and the third. The authorities have launched an enquiry to ascertain the cause of the fire. "Under-construction warship 'Visakhapatnam' caught fire at 5.44 pm. The blaze erupted on the second deck of the ship," said P S Rahangdale, the chief of city fire brigade. Eight fire-fighting engines, along with quick-response vehicle, have been pressed into service to extinguish the blaze, he said. "Fire is confined to second and third deck of the warship. Fire-fighting operation is underway along with Dockyard fire-fighters. Smoke has spread in the warship," Rahangdale said. "The cause of the fire will be ascertained after a proper inquiry, but the first priority is to douse the fire with a minimum loss," another fire brigade official said. Mazgaon Dockyard is the only facility in India having the capability to build submarines. Visakhapatnam, the largest warship of its class, was unveiled for construction in Mazgaon Docks in April 2015. It is the first of the four stealth guided missile destroyers to be built under Project 15-B Class. (With inputs from agencies)

Fire breaks out at under-construction Navy warship in Mumbai, 1 dead

The U.S. Is Sending A Warship To The Gulf, A Carrier Strike Group & A Bomber Task Force. Here Are The Possible Repercussions.

Gravitas: Is The World On The Brink Of A Fourth Gulf War?

South Korea has deployed an anti-piracy warship to the sea off Ghana after three South Korean sailors were kidnapped by pirates, Seoul's foreign ministry said late Saturday.

The 500-tonne Marine 711 with about 40 Ghanaian and three South Korean sailors was boarded by unidentified pirates last Monday.&nbsp

The pirates seized the three South Koreans and escaped on a separate speedboat, with their current whereabouts unknown.&nbsp

The Marine 711, registered in Ghana, later arrived at a port at Ghana where the Ghanaian sailors disembarked, according to the South's Yonhap news agency.&nbsp

South Korea's military said the pirates had been identified as Nigerians, Yonhap reported. Munmu the Great, a South Korean warship that had been involved in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, had been sent to the nearby sea, it said. &nbsp

"We are closely coordinating with local countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Benin as well as the US and the EU to locate our nationals and secure their release," the foreign ministry said.

The pirates have not yet demanded a ransom in return for the release of the abducted sailors.&nbsp

The 500-tonne Marine 711 with about 40 Ghanaian and three South Korean sailors was boarded by unidentified pirates last Monday. The three South Korean sailors were kidnapped

South Korea has deployed an anti-piracy warship to the sea off Ghana after three South Korean sailors were kidnapped by pirates, Seoul's foreign ministry said late Saturday. The 500-tonne Marine 711 with about 40 Ghanaian and three South Korean sailors was boarded by unidentified pirates last Monday. The pirates seized the three South Koreans and escaped on a separate speedboat, with their current whereabouts unknown. The Marine 711, registered in Ghana, later arrived at a port at Ghana where the Ghanaian sailors disembarked, according to the South's Yonhap news agency. South Korea's military said the pirates had been identified as Nigerians, Yonhap reported. Munmu the Great, a South Korean warship that had been involved in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, had been sent to the nearby sea, it said. "We are closely coordinating with local countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Benin as well as the US and the EU to locate our nationals and secure their release," the foreign ministry said. The pirates have not yet demanded a ransom in return for the release of the abducted sailors.

South Korea deploys warship to Ghana after pirates kidnap sailors

Japan&#39;s navy on Tuesday appointed the first woman to command a warship squadron, including the flagship Izumo helicopter carrier, as it tries to lure more females to make up for a dearth of male recruits in greying Japan.

Ryoko Azuma, will command four ships with a combined crew of 1,000, of which only 30 are women, that make up the Maritime Self Defense Force&#39;s (MSDF) First Escort Division.

&quot;I don&#39;t think about being a woman. I will concentrate my energy on fulfilling my duties as commander,&quot; Azuma, 44, said at a change of command ceremony attended by 400 sailors aboard the Izumo, which was docked at a shipyard in Yokohama near Tokyo for repairs.&nbsp;

When she joined the MSDF in 1996 women were barred from serving on warships, a rule that the navy abolished ten years ago. Submarines, however, are still crewed only by men.

Japan&#39;s military, like the wider economy, is turning to women to make up a shortfall in personnel as the nation&#39;s working-age population shrinks amid a drop in birthrates. The number of people aged between 18 and 26 years old is forecast by the government to shrink to seven million people by 2065 from 11 million last year.

Unlike commercial companies, however, Japan&#39;s military is unable to relocate units overseas or hire foreigners to supplement to their Japanese staff.

By 2030, the SDF plans to increase the combined number of women serving in the air-sea and ground forces to 9 percent of the total from 6 percent, or 14,000 people now. In addition to Azuma, other senior female officers in the MSDF include four captains and a rear admiral in charge of logistics.

&quot;I want to devote myself to becoming a person that will inspire others,&quot; Azuma said when asked if she wanted to serve as a role model for other women.&nbsp;

Ryoko Azuma, will command four ships with a combined crew of 1,000, of which only 30 are women

Japan's navy on Tuesday appointed the first woman to command a warship squadron, including the flagship Izumo helicopter carrier, as it tries to lure more females to make up for a dearth of male recruits in greying Japan. Ryoko Azuma, will command four ships with a combined crew of 1,000, of which only 30 are women, that make up the Maritime Self Defense Force's (MSDF) First Escort Division. "I don't think about being a woman. I will concentrate my energy on fulfilling my duties as commander," Azuma, 44, said at a change of command ceremony attended by 400 sailors aboard the Izumo, which was docked at a shipyard in Yokohama near Tokyo for repairs. When she joined the MSDF in 1996 women were barred from serving on warships, a rule that the navy abolished ten years ago. Submarines, however, are still crewed only by men. Japan's military, like the wider economy, is turning to women to make up a shortfall in personnel as the nation's working-age population shrinks amid a drop in birthrates. The number of people aged between 18 and 26 years old is forecast by the government to shrink to seven million people by 2065 from 11 million last year. Unlike commercial companies, however, Japan's military is unable to relocate units overseas or hire foreigners to supplement to their Japanese staff. By 2030, the SDF plans to increase the combined number of women serving in the air-sea and ground forces to 9 percent of the total from 6 percent, or 14,000 people now. In addition to Azuma, other senior female officers in the MSDF include four captains and a rear admiral in charge of logistics. "I want to devote myself to becoming a person that will inspire others," Azuma said when asked if she wanted to serve as a role model for other women.

Japan's navy appoints first woman to command warship squadron

India unveiled its latest instalment of modern warship named &#39;Mormugao&#39; in Mumbai on Saturday. 
 
The 60 per cent indigenised-warship, which is equipped with range of hi-tech missiles, is the second ship of Project 15B. Visakhapatnam was the first such destroyer to be launched by India in April 2015. 
 
Mormugao is a destroyer designed to launch precision-guided missiles. 
 
Project 15B is a class of stealth guided missile destroyers which feature better stealth characterisitics and accommodate Barak 8 surface-to-air missile. The Barak 8 enables India to defend itself from any type of airborne threat such as aircraft, anti-ship missiles and helicopters. 
 
The warship also incorporates anti-submarine rocket launchers and surface-to-surface missiles. 
 
The latest warship, which weighs 7,300 tonne and is 163.2 metres long, has been named after Mormugao port in Goa, the home state of Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar. 
 
Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said the new warship could be compared with the best in the world. 
 
Two other Project 15B destroyers will get launched any time between 2022 and 2024. Paradip is expected to be launched in 2022 and Porbandar is expected to be rolled out two years after that. 
 
In 2011, the government had sanctioned the four ships at a cost of Rs 29,700 crores (roughly $44 billion).&nbsp; 
 
Vice Admiral G S Pabby, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, said the navy is aiming to add 212 ships in its fleet by 2027. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
 
&nbsp;

Part of Project 15B, the destroyer is equipped with a range of hi-tech missiles

India unveiled its latest instalment of modern warship named 'Mormugao' in Mumbai on Saturday. The 60 per cent indigenised-warship, which is equipped with range of hi-tech missiles, is the second ship of Project 15B. Visakhapatnam was the first such destroyer to be launched by India in April 2015. Mormugao is a destroyer designed to launch precision-guided missiles. Project 15B is a class of stealth guided missile destroyers which feature better stealth characterisitics and accommodate Barak 8 surface-to-air missile. The Barak 8 enables India to defend itself from any type of airborne threat such as aircraft, anti-ship missiles and helicopters. The warship also incorporates anti-submarine rocket launchers and surface-to-surface missiles. The latest warship, which weighs 7,300 tonne and is 163.2 metres long, has been named after Mormugao port in Goa, the home state of Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said the new warship could be compared with the best in the world. Two other Project 15B destroyers will get launched any time between 2022 and 2024. Paradip is expected to be launched in 2022 and Porbandar is expected to be rolled out two years after that. In 2011, the government had sanctioned the four ships at a cost of Rs 29,700 crores (roughly $44 billion). Vice Admiral G S Pabby, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, said the navy is aiming to add 212 ships in its fleet by 2027. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India launches 'world-class' stealth guided missile destroyer Mormugao

warship

Warship, News on Warship, stories on Warship, articles on Warship, Warship stories at Wion, Warship news, Warship latest news