News, Articles and Comment

Ed. Cultivating and transmitting sound leadership practices is a high-stakes lifelong learning process, with consequences for failure liable to undermine interpersonal relationships and organisational culture. Preventing the development of ‘toxic leadership’ requires knowing what the problem is and how to address it. A 10 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent considers some of the formidable challenges the PLAN would need to overcome to make an amphibious invasion of Taiwan a realistic proposition, and the long-term hybrid warfare alternatives to which the PRC may turn. A 10 minute read.

Ed. Firstly a bit of good news. A warm welcome to BMT Group, who have joined the Naval Review as our first Corporate Sponsor. Also, a particular thank you to our female membership and supporters who have been pulling out the stops, and as a consequence I am delighted to report that seven articles in this edition have been written, and contributed to, by women. Dr James Smith’s article on pg 264 deserves special mention, for those that follow the website Forum where we have enjoyed a serious debate over how the country failed to hold on to a maritime strategy in the 20th century. With the weight of articles we are currently receiving we are unable to reproduce this debate beyond the article in this edition, but please consider going online and joining in!

Ed. The author explores the progressive integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into RN fleet operations. The strategic and operational advantages of UAV and autonomous systems in modern naval warfare are undeniable and will only continue to grow. A 10 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent, an expert on the fate of Force Z, responds to Bruce Pascoe’s analysis of Admiral Tom Phillips’ decision-making during the Malay oki kaisen.

Ed. What can public institutions do to rebuild long-term trust in the wake of seismic shifts in public perceptions of government accountability? Clear articulation of goals and persistent public buy-in are essential. The NR is delighted to welcome this sponsored essay from BMT Group. A 15 minute read.

Ed. The author examines the state of the art with regard to generative AI, contending that human-like complex reasoning functions are necessary to improve AI’s usefulness for the RN, potentially introducing an advisory function for AI in the near future, alongside automating many other tasks and functions. A 15 minute read.

Ed. With his trademark dissection of the conventional wisdom, the author argues that the concept of ‘seablindness’ is merely window dressing for the fundamental misunderstanding of the principles of British national strategy that has manifested over the last 60 years. A 20 minute read.

Ed. The fifth article in our series from BRNC Pellew Division officer cadets, here the author considers the advantages of moving to an entirely digital work environment for the RN, future-proofing for talent and inclusion. A 10 minute read.