News, Articles and Comment

Ed. Two letters highlighting institutional learning, whether for better in the service of ceremonial fleet reviews or for worse in terms of political-bureaucratic stagnation.

Ed. If the recent conflict in the Middle East has confirmed anything, it is that sea power remains essential to our nation’s prosperity. Much has been written about Operation EPIC FURY, the rapidly evolving threats we face and our ability to counter them, and how advances in drones, uncrewed and autonomous systems have forever changed the way we fight. But some things remain constant, as evidenced by Iran shutting the Strait of Hormuz, the vital maritime chokepoint through which a fifth of the world’s oil transits.

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 argues that the RN’s shift toward a ‘hybrid’ model of crewed and autonomous systems is necessary but insufficient. As ministers warn of a worsening strategic environment and the need to be ready to fight, the Royal Navy faces an uncomfortable arithmetic: ambition exceeds resources. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author takes a closer look at the radical implications for RN personnel branches in the Hybrid Navy model. A 10 minute read.

Ed. A warm welcome to 2026! What a year, already, which may bring a new world order. The Chairman has outlined the current global challenges, but the current pace of events is such that with a turnaround time of three weeks for the hardcopy there may well be more. As we stand away from the map as far as it is possible, one can see and feel the paradigm shift of global reality underway, probably the biggest and most significant movement in over 100 years.

Ed. The author critiques senior leadership reform in the Royal Navy, demonstrating a chain of unresolved logic, cognitive dissonance, and moral hazards that can arise when cultural diagnosis stops short of self-accountability. A 15 minute read.

Ed. The authors consider the future of Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) in an operating environment increasingly defined by autonomous and hybrid systems, and provide recommendations for adaptation. A 15 minute read.

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