HMS Northumberland seen during Exercise ‘Cold Response' in March 2022. The new Ardent Wolf CESM capability will replace the current Hammerhead system on RN Type 23 frigates. (Royal Navy/Crown copyright)

UK engineering and services group Babcock has been contracted by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide a new maritime communications electronic support measures (CESM) capability to replace the Hammerhead CESM suite fitted to Royal Navy (RN) Type 23 frigates.

US Coast Guard icebreaker Healy calls in Seward, Alaska, while embarking on North Pole deployment. (Janes/Michael Fabey)

The US Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Healy (WAGB-20) reached the North Pole on 30 September after traversing the frozen Arctic Ocean, marking only the second time a US ship has reached the location unaccompanied, the USCG confirmed on 4 October.

Healy first accomplished that feat in 2015. This is the third time Healy has travelled to the North Pole since its commissioning in 1999.

Malaysian defence budget from 2010 to 2030. (Janes)

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has issued rare appeals to the government for more funds to be made available under the country's 2023 national budget.

The appeals were detailed in two media releases issued by the Strategic Communications Divisions of the RMN's Western and Eastern armadas on 3 and 4 October, respectively.