Mine warfare likely to be on NATO menu
Mine countermeasure (MCM) capabilities will likely be high up on NATO’s agenda for the upcoming summit in Brussels, Belgium, in July this year.
A number of alliance members are working on determining their next step in MCM platforms, which is expected to see a significant emphasis on unmanned systems providing much of the enduring scanning and surveillance.
Another factor in the perceived benefits of unmanned systems in naval MCM is bringing about a reduction in overall costs with the cessation of replacement for expensive mine clearance vessels.
‘Nations are struggling with the fiscal challenges of like-for-like replacement. The
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
![Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule]()
Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule
The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.
-
![Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates]()
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
