News, Articles and Comment

Ed. The author, a former Bangladesh Army officer currently serving as Research Coordinator at the Osmani Centre for Peace and Security Studies (OCPASS), chronicles the Varyag’s Macau casino story and 15,200-nautical-mile odyssey that became the opening chapter of China’s modern carrier programme. A 15 minute read.

Ed. With Commodore Matthew Perry USN as a case study, the author, associate professor of war studies and naval history at the US Naval Academy, makes the case for maritime balance in the character of the professional naval officer. Originally published in the USNI’s Proceedings, September 2026. A 15 minute read.

Ed. The author, previously published in the NR [113/3, pg. 424] and now with a new book out on the subject, employs his extensive knowledge of Allied mediterranean submarine operations to tell the story of HMS Seraph, a symbol of Allied resolve, which played a critical role in the TORCH landings. A 15 minute read.

Ed. With the Royal Navy declaredly pushing towards a ‘Hybrid’ fleet utilising several classes of complex ‘ship-like’ uncrewed vessels, the author, Associate Professor of International Security and Strategy at the University of Exeter, identifies key limitations of such autonomous naval systems and proposes that a lean-crewed model may instead offer distinctive advantages. A 25 minute read.

Ed. Does the RNZN have its sights set on the right future frigate class? The author believes the answer requires asking difficult questions about force structure and doctrine rather than purely technical specifications. A 25 minute read.

Ed. This article aims to identify the issues the Royal Navy will need to anticipate if it is required to rapidly generate thousands of additional trained personnel during a major crisis. The author argues that planning, skills-based recruitment, modular training and scalable infrastructure must be established before conflict begins. A 25 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book examining the history and conduct of British amphibious operations during the First World War.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book providing an account of the British Pacific Fleet’s contribution to Operation ICEBERG – the battle for Okinawa, in the Second World War.

Ed. With the precedent of HMS Ocean in mind, the author argues that the RN’s future Amphibious Transport Ships (ATS) should be through-deck and built to a mixed standard. A 30 minute read.