HMS Vanguard is expected to return to operations later in 2023 following the completion of its post-refit trial period. (Crown Copyright)

The UK Royal Navy's (RN's) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), HMS Vanguard (S28), has finally departed Babcock International's Devonport Royal Dockyard facility in Plymouth following the completion of a much-delayed deep maintenance and refuelling programme.

An RN spokesperson confirmed to Janes that Vanguard set sail from Devonport Dockyard on 9 May bound for HM Naval Base, Clyde, at Faslane, Scotland, where it will start its post-refit trial period. This will include crew training and will culminate in a demonstration and shakedown operation. The demonstration firing of the Trident weapon system typically takes place off the Eastern Seaboard of the US.

Vanguard started what was originally intended to be a three-year Long Overhaul Period (Refuel) – (LOP[R]) – at Babcock Internationals Devonport facility in Plymouth in December 2015. However, the programme ended up taking more than seven years at significantly increased cost because of technical issues as well as further setbacks arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Japan's new OSA scheme will provide funding for allied countries to procure defence equipment such as radars, transport aircraft, and surveillance ships. Pictured above is Japan's third Hibiki-class ocean surveillance ship on its commissioning in March 2021. (Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force)

Japan has said it will launch a new credit facility to support defence exports. The Official Security Assistance (OSA) scheme – the first of its kind in Japan – will be aligned with the country's national security interests, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Tokyo said on 5 April.

The MOFA described the OSA as a “co-operation framework” to provide developing countries with defence equipment and supplies “for the benefit of armed forces and related organisations”.

“By enhancing [countries'] security and deterrence capabilities, the OSA aims to deepen our security co-operation with countries to create a desirable security environment for Japan, and to contribute to maintaining and strengthening international peace and security,” it added.

MHI will deliver at least one unit of its new laser system (pictured), developed to counter hostile UAVs, to the Japanese MoD in December. (Janes/Oishee Majumdar)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has developed a new laser system to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a manportable version of its cyber-security solution named Intersept.

Both the systems were displayed by MHI at the DSEI Japan 2023 show being held in Chiba from 15 to 17 March.

Company officials told Janes at the show that the laser system can destroy hostile UAVs within a range of 1.2 km. The company is expected to deliver at least one unit of the laser system to the Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) in December, the company officials added.

The company also unveiled a manportable version of Intersept, which can be used to detect targeted cyber attacks on control signals.

According to MHI, Intersept can detect and intercept unauthorised data by monitoring signals. Intersept can be applied without requiring modifications to target systems and monitors the systems without interruption or deterioration in performance.