News, Articles and Comment

Ed. As the perils of global conflict increase, alarm bells ring in defence analysts’ corridors. Concern over immediate deficiencies renew calls for Jeune Ecole and continentalist approaches, when, as Nelson knew, there simply may be no alternative to ‘want of frigates’.

Ed. With a clear-eyed appraisal of historical trends since the 19^th century, the author argues that, contrary to alarmist concerns of retrenchment, Britain today has more room to maneuver as a strategic counter-weight than has been the case for the last 80 years. Awarded the RUSI Trench Gascoigne prize and originally published in the RUSI Journal. A 25 minute read.

Ed. The author describes the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) developments in the Royal Norwegian Navy and NATO that will revolutionize mine countermeasure operations in the coming years. A 25 minute read.

Ed. Increasing challenges to the Rules-Based International System require a back-to-basics approach and renewed public support for the Services. Focusing on quantity and capability, the author argues that restocking critical munitions, and building new Minor War Vessels, is an essential foundation for the future credibility of the Royal Navy.

Ed. Capt Stocker’s forthcoming Navy Records Society volume The Postwar Fleet is highly anticipated. Provided here is a sample document, written in 1949 by the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ralph Edwards, later Controller of the Navy and then Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean. It was circulated to the First Sea Lord and other members of the Admiralty Board. The original is held at the National Archives, Kew [ADM 205/83]. A 20 minute read.

Ed. The author gives his state of play on the current socioeconomic conditions impacting British seapower, and proposes a possible RN force structure financially tailored for a ‘regional’ rather than a ‘global’ Britain.

Ed. The author argues that the expense of Astute and delays in Dreadnought development threaten success of the AUKUS plan for a next generation SSN. Both the RAN and RN should consider buying future USN Virginia-class submarines to quickly fulfill the SSN-AUKUS mandate. A 10 minute read.

Ed. The author revisits the status of the Ukraine War, a year after his initial analysis [111/2, p. 18]. The failure of either side to deliver a knockout blow, and the systemic nature of new military technology, has reduced the conflict to grinding attrition with few prospects for definitive victory. A 25 minute read.

Ed. Monday 15 Jan 24 – In a media round before a Lancaster House speech on today’s threats and a rose tinted view of the state of our Armed Forces’, https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/defending-britain-from-a-more-dangerous-world the new Secretary of State for Defence managed to get a Nation of Naval Officers shouting at the Radio. If only our own government could address the flashing red lights on the dashboard of their Armed Forces in the same vein as our adversaries are! He rightly suggest the peace dividend no longer exists and that “An age of idealism has been replaced by a period of hard-headed realism.” If that is the case he will also realise that by any indicator he chooses to pick to measure ‘hard-headed realism’ the Defence of the UK is no longer fit for purpose. An illustrious former Editor has also kindly put pen to paper!  For those who missed Mr Shapps’ interview and would like another opportunity to choke on their wheaties it is available on BBC Sounds at 2:15:20 – 2:19:50 (Mon 15 Jan)  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001vc9p