News, Articles and Comment

Ed. With Operation HIGHMAST complete, the author, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group (COMUKCSG), provides a retrospective on the deployment, demonstrating the range of defence engagement, diplomacy and deterrence embodying the flagship mission. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author presents a cautionary note as the Royal Navy becomes increasingly reliant on technological developments: the RN’s technological modernisation must be balanced with the enduring principles of resilience, redundancy, and adaptability, which will shape the future course of British maritime power. A 20 minute read.

Ed. The expert author examines the emerging technological risks to aircraft carriers in the drone age. Originally published in the USNI’s Proceedings, February edition. A 15 minute read.

Ed. The author reviews the defence and foreign policy background of Operation FORTIS, HMS Queen Elizabeth’s 2021 Indo-Pacific deployment, considering the operation a watershed in post-Cold War British foreign policy. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author argues against the prevailing binary view of deterrence, favouring instead a grey zone or limited conflict model that places the RN as escalation manager, with nuclear Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD) playing a vital deterrent role. A 15 minute read.

Ed. The author considers the Navy’s global commitments, and questions if the RN can, in fact, develop the real fleet capacity necessary for deterrence in a potentially contested region. A 10 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent provides an appreciation of Royal Navy leadership maintaining strategic direction during the COIN era.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a new e-book examining the on-going evolution of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Naval Aviation branch as it continues its transition to a carrier-centric force.

Ed. Our correspondent continues his narrative of Operation HIGHMAST during the recent transit of the Red Sea, reflecting on developments in those tense waters. A 5 minute read.