The 18th and final NH90 Sea Lion naval utility helicopter ‘79+51' arrives at the German Navy's airbase in Nordholz on 31 January 2023. (Bundeswehr/Julia Kelm)

The German Navy has received its final NH90 Sea Lion naval utility helicopter.

The delivery completes the contract for a total of 18 aircraft awarded by Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw) to NHIndustries in June 2015.

Germany selected the Sea Lion, which is based on the NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) variant, as the successor to the navy's ageing Westland Mk 41 Sea Kings in March 2013. Airbus Helicopters delivered the first Sea Lion to BAAINBw in October 2019, and the Germany Navy officially accepted the first unit into service in June 2020.

The NH90 Sea Lions will be deployed for a wide range of roles, including search-and-rescue (SAR), maritime surveillance, vertical replenishment, as well as personnel and material transportation missions. In addition to its land-based use, the Sea Lion will also operate on Type 702 (Berlin class) combat support ships.

The Peruvian Navy Pohang-class corvette BAP Guise (CC-28). The vessel was previously in service with the Republic of Korea Navy. Indonesia is hoping to receive similar vessels from South Korea and has proposed to take on foreign loans to fund the possible acquisition. (US Coast Guard)

In an apparent about-turn, the Indonesian Ministry of Finance (MoF) has approved a previously rejected proposal for the country to purchase ex-Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) Pohang-class corvettes with foreign-sourced loans.

The approval was confirmed in a notice issued by the MoF to the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) on 7 December. A copy of the notice was provided to Janes by a source close to the matter in late January 2023.

Janes first reported in October 2022 that the MoD had requested to procure at least one ex-RoKN Pohang-class corvette as a stopgap measure for the Indonesian Navy. The ministry had also proposed that the procurement be financed with funds from a foreign lender. This proposal was rejected by the MoF then, but no reasons were given.

Planet imagery showing Type 093 SSN hull 8 during launch at Huludao shipyard in China. This is possibly the second Type 093B hull. (Planet Labs PBC/Janes)

China launched the eighth Type 093 Shang-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) at Huludao shipyard in northern China between 13 and 18 January 2023. This is the second Type 093 hull to be launched from the new assembly halls on the eastern side of the harbour.

On 11 January, the SSN was brought out to the graving dock where it was visible on a floating transfer platform with a section behind the sail partially covered. After launch, the hull was relocated to the fitting-out pier on the western side of the harbour by 18 January.

While it remains unclear whether the hull has a vertical launch system (VLS), the 2021 and 2022 annual China military report published by the US Office of the Secretary of Defense stated that a Type 093B guided-missile nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSGN) was expected by the mid-2020s.