News, Articles and Comment

Ed. In this second place Hooper Prize article, the author argues that information warfare versus conventional forces represents a false dichotomy, as both bring associated risks and rewards for long term deterrence. A 10 minute read.

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. The author, a former Richmond Fellow with the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre, reflects on the evolution of nuclear deterrence as a component of sea power, wherein the development of technology underscores fundamental maritime strategic conceptualizations. A 10 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book exploring the history and development of the destroyer, from its origins in the 19th century to the present day.

Ed. Channeling Stephen Biddle’s concept of systemic military technology and Herman Kahn’s escalation ladder, the author considers potential contemporary scenarios impacting the preservation of deterrence for the UK’s Armed Forces. A 15 minute read.

Ed. In our third article from the BRNC Pellew Division, the author considers the Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) options available to protect helicopters against First Person View (FPV) drones and the loitering munitions that now saturate the modern battlespace, and what offensive options might yet enable rotary aviation to turn the tables. A 20 minute read.

Ed. The author considers the re-balancing likely to emerge from SDR24, with the imperative to focus hard power in Europe and the Atlantic, while simultaneously maintaining global soft power commitments. A 15 minute read.

Ed. The author’s Gold Prize winning essay for the First Sea Lord’s 2024 essay competition imagines what lessons the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet might impart to a successor. A 10 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent expresses his concern about the future of the nuclear submarine force, noting that the risk nature of the fleet requires the utmost attention to revitalise the Service.