Naval Warfare magazine: Frigates, US power projection, Asia-Pacific focus and more
Read the latest edition of Naval Warfare for free in our app or on your desktop. Register below to be sent the download link and receive future editions direct to your inbox.
What's inside this edition:
Comment
In the same week that the US military stood up its Space Force, concerns elsewhere were firmly concentrated on naval capabilities, threats and opportunities that will have to be faced in the near future.
Features include:
Peer Pressure
USN fleet planning must adapt to face the realities of capable adversaries such as China and Russia. Shephard examines how the service is approaching the challenges ahead.
Strategic balance
The role of the frigate is changing in modern navies, with new threats and missions influencing requirements for this class of warship.
Scratching the surface
While much has been written on the USN’s surface fleet strategy in terms of hull numbers, the service’s willingness to shift towards using unmanned, autonomous surface combatants is equally significant.
Other features include:
Planning ahead
Beijing’s naval ambitions in the South China Sea and further afield have been a cause of concern for some years. Shephard analyses the responses of other regional actors and powers.
New lease of life
Extending the life of surface combatants is often an appealing alternative to procuring new hulls, but changes in budgets and missions, plus delays to upgrade and successor programmes, can disrupt the best intentions.
Coastal command
The doctrinal shift towards preparing for conflicts in contested environments against highly capable adversaries is exemplified by the field of littoral operations.
On the sly
Relied upon to clandestinely insert special reconnaissance teams into an area of operation undetected by enemy forces and indigenous populations, swimmer delivery vehicles remain a mission-critical asset for maritime SOF units around the world.
Taking aim
Navies are on the cusp of a revolution as a first generation of shipborne high-energy laser weapon systems approaches introduction to service. But platform integration challenges remain.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine
The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.
-
Keel laid for third Hellenic Navy frigate as harbour trials start for first
On 24 March 2022, Greece and Naval Group have signed a contract for three defence and intervention (FDI) frigates. Two warships will be due for delivery in 2025 and the third expected the following year, with the deal including an option to add a fourth frigate to be ready in 2027.
-
US senators raise Russian concerns over unprepared Coast Guard fleet
US Congress senators have warned that the US Coast Guard’s fleet cannot protect Arctic waters against Russian naval capabilities.
-
New deal to make AUKUS cooperation easier
The AUKUS agreement will support Australia’s purchase of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines under pillar one. Other pillars of the agreement cover high technology such as cyber, unmanned systems, AI, EW, undersea capabilities and information sharing between the three countries.
-
Kongsberg contracted for Dutch and Belgian frigate propellers and drive shafts
In July 2023, Damen and Thales signed contracts to design, build and deliver four new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates for Belgium and the Netherlands.
-
Leonardo fires up small calibre naval gun development as Italy nears first Lionfish X-Gun handover
Alongside progress on its Lionfish contracts, Leonardo emphasised its shift in focus from traditional larger calibre systems toward smaller calibre solutions, epitomised by the X-Gun’s inception in 2017.