News, Articles and Comment

Ed. Expanding upon his previous writing on the theme of maritime homeland defence, the author argues for a more proactive approach by the RN to tackle an increasing array of ‘grey zone’ threats. A 20 minute read.

Ed. With renewed focus on mass and scaling in terms of force employment, the author considers potential options for the RNR’s expansion in wartime. A 15 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers Maritime Britain, produced by the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre, and as the First Sea Lord writes in his foreword, is intended to “catalyse a renewed national conversation about Britain and the sea”.

Ed. The Lieutenant Commander Hooper Prize is an annual essay competition in the memory of the late Lt Cdr Geoffrey William Winsmore Hooper OBE RN. It is open to all Junior Ratings across the Royal Navy and aims to broaden current affairs knowledge. The NR is pleased to present this year’s award winners: The author in this tying third place essay considers how fleet reductions since 1982 have impacted Britain’s ability to develop naval task forces outside the framework of NATO. A 10 minute read.

Ed. With 1SL’s 2024 Seapower Conference in mind, the author reflects on the chequered legacy of RN technical developments and procurement over the past 20 years, and considers priorities for the next decades. A 10 minute read.

Ed. ‘NIHL RHYFEL’

In Spring 2023, Lt Col Cripsin Black’s book Too Thin for a Shroud was published. In it he defends robustly 5 Bde’s C2 and the Welsh Guards’ who were still on board the LSLs RFA Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram on 8 June 1982 when they were attacked by the Argentinian Air Force during the Falklands conflict. Over 40 years after the event the opportunity for many, both Green and Navy Blue involved in these events no longer exists, however, the authors of the following  article layout the reasons why they seriously disagree with the book’s suggestions. The Naval Review is an ideal place to hold this rebuttal on record for the benefit of those that wish to study Operation CORPORATE, Amphibious Operations and the fog of war (nihl rhyfel). The following is a review essay dissecting Black’s claims. A 50 minute read.

Ed. The author notes the danger of assuming unimpeded access for the RFA’s Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ships (MROSS) to contested waters in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere.