Xavier Vavasseur
@xaviervav.bsky.social
Naval reporter, @navalnews.com founder and chief editor. Interest in Defense⚔️, Navy⚓, F1🏎️, Sci-Fi👽. Born in 🇼🇫, 🇫🇷🤝🇺🇸
I went to Brest this week to meet with ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vice Adm. Xavier Petit, Commander, French Submarine and Strategic Forces. Our interview focused on the Barracuda type / Suffren-class SSN and the capabilities it brings to the Marine Nationale 🇫🇷
Stay tuned to @navalnews.com for the video ⚓
Stay tuned to @navalnews.com for the video ⚓
November 22, 2025 at 10:49 AM
I went to Brest this week to meet with ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vice Adm. Xavier Petit, Commander, French Submarine and Strategic Forces. Our interview focused on the Barracuda type / Suffren-class SSN and the capabilities it brings to the Marine Nationale 🇫🇷
Stay tuned to @navalnews.com for the video ⚓
Stay tuned to @navalnews.com for the video ⚓
I made it to Sydney for Indo Pacific 2025 🇦🇺🦘
Obligatory Sunday stroll in the Royal botanical garden which offers great views on some grey hulls... Including the latest addition to the RAN fleet: Offshore patrol vessel HMAS Arafura
Obligatory Sunday stroll in the Royal botanical garden which offers great views on some grey hulls... Including the latest addition to the RAN fleet: Offshore patrol vessel HMAS Arafura
November 2, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I made it to Sydney for Indo Pacific 2025 🇦🇺🦘
Obligatory Sunday stroll in the Royal botanical garden which offers great views on some grey hulls... Including the latest addition to the RAN fleet: Offshore patrol vessel HMAS Arafura
Obligatory Sunday stroll in the Royal botanical garden which offers great views on some grey hulls... Including the latest addition to the RAN fleet: Offshore patrol vessel HMAS Arafura
Two weeks ago, I received an unexpected call from the French Navy asking if I would like to witness and cover the firing of an Aster 30 SAM from air defense destroyer Forbin 🚀
It took place on Wednesday. This was an extremely rare opportunity & a highlight in my career
Stay tuned to @navalnews.com
It took place on Wednesday. This was an extremely rare opportunity & a highlight in my career
Stay tuned to @navalnews.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Two weeks ago, I received an unexpected call from the French Navy asking if I would like to witness and cover the firing of an Aster 30 SAM from air defense destroyer Forbin 🚀
It took place on Wednesday. This was an extremely rare opportunity & a highlight in my career
Stay tuned to @navalnews.com
It took place on Wednesday. This was an extremely rare opportunity & a highlight in my career
Stay tuned to @navalnews.com
At the T. Marriotti shioyard in Genoa 🇮🇹 for the christening and commissioning ceremony of the Italian Navy’s new Special Diving Operations – Submarine Rescue Ship (SDO-SuRS)
October 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
At the T. Marriotti shioyard in Genoa 🇮🇹 for the christening and commissioning ceremony of the Italian Navy’s new Special Diving Operations – Submarine Rescue Ship (SDO-SuRS)
Naval Group gave me access to its Steeris system this morning near Toulon.
➡️ It is a compact containerized solution, which can be deployed on land or on a vessel of opportunity (civilian or military) and is designed to implement and manage the missions of one or more drones / UxVs
@navalnews.com
➡️ It is a compact containerized solution, which can be deployed on land or on a vessel of opportunity (civilian or military) and is designed to implement and manage the missions of one or more drones / UxVs
@navalnews.com
August 27, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Naval Group gave me access to its Steeris system this morning near Toulon.
➡️ It is a compact containerized solution, which can be deployed on land or on a vessel of opportunity (civilian or military) and is designed to implement and manage the missions of one or more drones / UxVs
@navalnews.com
➡️ It is a compact containerized solution, which can be deployed on land or on a vessel of opportunity (civilian or military) and is designed to implement and manage the missions of one or more drones / UxVs
@navalnews.com
Off to 🇻🇳 for some R & R with the family
July 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Off to 🇻🇳 for some R & R with the family
Day 1 at #IDEF2025 🇹🇷
We spent the morning at Istanbul marina where 4 USVs are on display.
- Marlin ASW
- Marlin ASuW
- Ulaq port security
- Sancar MCM
@navalnews.com video with insights by @tayfunozberk.bsky.social and yours truly coming out tomorrow 👍
We spent the morning at Istanbul marina where 4 USVs are on display.
- Marlin ASW
- Marlin ASuW
- Ulaq port security
- Sancar MCM
@navalnews.com video with insights by @tayfunozberk.bsky.social and yours truly coming out tomorrow 👍
July 22, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Day 1 at #IDEF2025 🇹🇷
We spent the morning at Istanbul marina where 4 USVs are on display.
- Marlin ASW
- Marlin ASuW
- Ulaq port security
- Sancar MCM
@navalnews.com video with insights by @tayfunozberk.bsky.social and yours truly coming out tomorrow 👍
We spent the morning at Istanbul marina where 4 USVs are on display.
- Marlin ASW
- Marlin ASuW
- Ulaq port security
- Sancar MCM
@navalnews.com video with insights by @tayfunozberk.bsky.social and yours truly coming out tomorrow 👍
🇸🇪🤝🇫🇷
Saab and the French defence procurement agency DGA have signed a joint declaration of intent regarding the sale of Saab’s GlobalEye Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to France
Saab and the French defence procurement agency DGA have signed a joint declaration of intent regarding the sale of Saab’s GlobalEye Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to France
June 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM
🇸🇪🤝🇫🇷
Saab and the French defence procurement agency DGA have signed a joint declaration of intent regarding the sale of Saab’s GlobalEye Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to France
Saab and the French defence procurement agency DGA have signed a joint declaration of intent regarding the sale of Saab’s GlobalEye Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to France
LMC: The 🇫🇷 equivalent to 🇺🇸 Typhon / MRC, but simpler, cheaper and lighter. Perfect for 🇪🇺 urgent requirement.
Video interview with MBDA and DGA representatives coming up in a few days 👍
Video interview with MBDA and DGA representatives coming up in a few days 👍
June 19, 2025 at 8:06 AM
LMC: The 🇫🇷 equivalent to 🇺🇸 Typhon / MRC, but simpler, cheaper and lighter. Perfect for 🇪🇺 urgent requirement.
Video interview with MBDA and DGA representatives coming up in a few days 👍
Video interview with MBDA and DGA representatives coming up in a few days 👍
Productive day at #ParisAirShow2025
I interviewed the head of combat aircraft at DGA regarding 🇫🇷 Rafale Marine future evolutions, UCAV and NGF naval variant.
I also interviewed the chief of 🇩🇪 Marineflieger on the new NH90 Sea Tiger
Videos to come at @navalnews.com ...
I interviewed the head of combat aircraft at DGA regarding 🇫🇷 Rafale Marine future evolutions, UCAV and NGF naval variant.
I also interviewed the chief of 🇩🇪 Marineflieger on the new NH90 Sea Tiger
Videos to come at @navalnews.com ...
June 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Productive day at #ParisAirShow2025
I interviewed the head of combat aircraft at DGA regarding 🇫🇷 Rafale Marine future evolutions, UCAV and NGF naval variant.
I also interviewed the chief of 🇩🇪 Marineflieger on the new NH90 Sea Tiger
Videos to come at @navalnews.com ...
I interviewed the head of combat aircraft at DGA regarding 🇫🇷 Rafale Marine future evolutions, UCAV and NGF naval variant.
I also interviewed the chief of 🇩🇪 Marineflieger on the new NH90 Sea Tiger
Videos to come at @navalnews.com ...
Off to Jakarta 🇮🇩 to cover Indodefence with @tayfunozberk.bsky.social , Fauzan and Guy for @navalnews.com (ahead of the Paris Airshow 😮💨)
June 9, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Off to Jakarta 🇮🇩 to cover Indodefence with @tayfunozberk.bsky.social , Fauzan and Guy for @navalnews.com (ahead of the Paris Airshow 😮💨)
Many thanks to the RSN for giving me an exclusive tour of one their Independence class frigates 🙏 It was my first time aboard. I could note the shared DNA of the design with the Lafayette class and the FREMM but at the same time a lot of customization (on the bridge and in the CIC for example) 🇸🇬👍
May 9, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Many thanks to the RSN for giving me an exclusive tour of one their Independence class frigates 🙏 It was my first time aboard. I could note the shared DNA of the design with the Lafayette class and the FREMM but at the same time a lot of customization (on the bridge and in the CIC for example) 🇸🇬👍
Today, ST Engineering took us out for a spin aboard the new MARSEC USV of the Republic of Singapore Navy 🇸🇬
Video report to come...
Video report to come...
May 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Today, ST Engineering took us out for a spin aboard the new MARSEC USV of the Republic of Singapore Navy 🇸🇬
Video report to come...
Video report to come...
Some of the ships at RSS Singapura Changi Naval Base for IMDEX Asia 2025 in Singapore
May 5, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Some of the ships at RSS Singapura Changi Naval Base for IMDEX Asia 2025 in Singapore
Off to 🇸🇬 to cover IMDEX Asia 2025 with our Australian crew (including @alxluck.bsky.social )
We will also be touring a local shipyard, another @navalnews.com exclusive. Watch this space 👀
We will also be touring a local shipyard, another @navalnews.com exclusive. Watch this space 👀
May 4, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Off to 🇸🇬 to cover IMDEX Asia 2025 with our Australian crew (including @alxluck.bsky.social )
We will also be touring a local shipyard, another @navalnews.com exclusive. Watch this space 👀
We will also be touring a local shipyard, another @navalnews.com exclusive. Watch this space 👀
I went to Peruvian naval shipbuilder SIMA. They are currently outfitting an LPD, conducting the MLU of the Peruvian Navy 209 submarines and building a frigate, opv and LCUs as part of a ToT with HD HHI...
I return tomorrow for filming
I return tomorrow for filming
April 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I went to Peruvian naval shipbuilder SIMA. They are currently outfitting an LPD, conducting the MLU of the Peruvian Navy 209 submarines and building a frigate, opv and LCUs as part of a ToT with HD HHI...
I return tomorrow for filming
I return tomorrow for filming
Great to meet @tayfunozberk.bsky.social 🇹🇷 and @corporalfrisk.bsky.social 🇫🇮 this week, in Paris.
Two regular and long standing @navalnews.com contributors
Two regular and long standing @navalnews.com contributors
April 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Great to meet @tayfunozberk.bsky.social 🇹🇷 and @corporalfrisk.bsky.social 🇫🇮 this week, in Paris.
Two regular and long standing @navalnews.com contributors
Two regular and long standing @navalnews.com contributors
I interviewed RADM Berdal, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy 🇳🇴
#UDT2025
➡️ The RNoN fleet today
➡️ The main threats
➡️ Renewing the fleet: U212CD, new frigates, new patrol vessels
➡️ NATO presence in high North / GIUK hap
#UDT2025
➡️ The RNoN fleet today
➡️ The main threats
➡️ Renewing the fleet: U212CD, new frigates, new patrol vessels
➡️ NATO presence in high North / GIUK hap
March 25, 2025 at 8:48 AM
I interviewed RADM Berdal, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy 🇳🇴
#UDT2025
➡️ The RNoN fleet today
➡️ The main threats
➡️ Renewing the fleet: U212CD, new frigates, new patrol vessels
➡️ NATO presence in high North / GIUK hap
#UDT2025
➡️ The RNoN fleet today
➡️ The main threats
➡️ Renewing the fleet: U212CD, new frigates, new patrol vessels
➡️ NATO presence in high North / GIUK hap
F-47 / USAF NGAD goes to Boeing
March 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
F-47 / USAF NGAD goes to Boeing
We will be publishing our exclusive video report tomorrow at @navalnews.com and on our YT channel.
We were the first media allowed aboard the FDI at sea during the trials.
Naval Group, the French Navy and DGA gave us total access: Asymmetric combat bridge, CIC, Data centers... You'll see it all!
We were the first media allowed aboard the FDI at sea during the trials.
Naval Group, the French Navy and DGA gave us total access: Asymmetric combat bridge, CIC, Data centers... You'll see it all!
March 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM
We will be publishing our exclusive video report tomorrow at @navalnews.com and on our YT channel.
We were the first media allowed aboard the FDI at sea during the trials.
Naval Group, the French Navy and DGA gave us total access: Asymmetric combat bridge, CIC, Data centers... You'll see it all!
We were the first media allowed aboard the FDI at sea during the trials.
Naval Group, the French Navy and DGA gave us total access: Asymmetric combat bridge, CIC, Data centers... You'll see it all!
Two propulsion engines of the first Fleet Solid Support Ship (FSS) for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have completed its FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) in a new milestone that marks the progress of the programme. The first diesel generator of the programme has also successfully passed its FAT. 🇪🇸🇩🇪🇬🇧
March 10, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Two propulsion engines of the first Fleet Solid Support Ship (FSS) for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have completed its FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) in a new milestone that marks the progress of the programme. The first diesel generator of the programme has also successfully passed its FAT. 🇪🇸🇩🇪🇬🇧
🇺🇸🇫🇷
US Navy with French CSG during Pacific Steller:
- F/A-18E, F/A-18F and CMV-22B cross deck aboard the @marinenationale.bsky.social aircraft carrier
- F-35C fly over
📸 by Admiral Jacques Mallard (French CSG commander) on LinkedIn
US Navy with French CSG during Pacific Steller:
- F/A-18E, F/A-18F and CMV-22B cross deck aboard the @marinenationale.bsky.social aircraft carrier
- F-35C fly over
📸 by Admiral Jacques Mallard (French CSG commander) on LinkedIn
February 12, 2025 at 7:48 AM
🇺🇸🇫🇷
US Navy with French CSG during Pacific Steller:
- F/A-18E, F/A-18F and CMV-22B cross deck aboard the @marinenationale.bsky.social aircraft carrier
- F-35C fly over
📸 by Admiral Jacques Mallard (French CSG commander) on LinkedIn
US Navy with French CSG during Pacific Steller:
- F/A-18E, F/A-18F and CMV-22B cross deck aboard the @marinenationale.bsky.social aircraft carrier
- F-35C fly over
📸 by Admiral Jacques Mallard (French CSG commander) on LinkedIn
I interviewed RADM Kjeldsen, the new chief of the Royal Danish Navy 🇩🇰 about his priorities, new ASW capabilities for the Absalon-class, future Fleet Plan, protection of CUI...
I also met with RADM Berdal, the Chief of the Norwegian Navy 🇳🇴 We made plans for an interview next month in Oslo 👍
I also met with RADM Berdal, the Chief of the Norwegian Navy 🇳🇴 We made plans for an interview next month in Oslo 👍
February 5, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I interviewed RADM Kjeldsen, the new chief of the Royal Danish Navy 🇩🇰 about his priorities, new ASW capabilities for the Absalon-class, future Fleet Plan, protection of CUI...
I also met with RADM Berdal, the Chief of the Norwegian Navy 🇳🇴 We made plans for an interview next month in Oslo 👍
I also met with RADM Berdal, the Chief of the Norwegian Navy 🇳🇴 We made plans for an interview next month in Oslo 👍
I had the amazing opportunity to spend the day (well, 14 hours) at sea aboard Amiral Ronarc'h, the future FDI frigate for the Marine Nationale. Impressive design: From its distinctive inverted bow providing great sea keeping to the data centers and asymmetric warfare bridge making it truly unique.
February 4, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I had the amazing opportunity to spend the day (well, 14 hours) at sea aboard Amiral Ronarc'h, the future FDI frigate for the Marine Nationale. Impressive design: From its distinctive inverted bow providing great sea keeping to the data centers and asymmetric warfare bridge making it truly unique.