News, Articles and Comment

Ed. The expert author continues his ongoing survey [113/1, p. 61] of the Ukraine War, providing updates on the conflict’s military, economic, and geopolitical developments, with the resulting implications for the Royal Navy. A 30 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent returns to the question of the Fleet Solid Support Ships, and points to the unprecedented nature of their proposed operation.

Ed. The author considers the lessons of the late-19^th century Jeune École, a historical cautionary tale reflective of the introduction of naval drone warfare. A 10 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent continues his narrative of Operation HIGHMAST during the recent transit of the Red Sea, reflecting on developments in those tense waters. A 5 minute read.

Ed. The RNSSC author provides an appreciation of the strategic situation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), and endorses an organic ‘multiplex’ as against a hegemonic ‘multipolar’ order for the region. A 35 minute read.

Ed. The author provides a biographical history of his father, Lt R S Frost RNR, a consummate professional who served aboard liners in the interwar period and met his fate as a Mediterranean submariner during the Second World War. A 20 minute read.

Ed. The author reviews some principles of sea power, highlighting the differences between land and maritime-based operations and tactics. A 10 minute read.

Originally published in October 1928 [16/4, p. 609], Admiral Sir Reginald Custance conducted a tactical study of the naval battles of the First Dutch War (1652-1654), with due regard to the institutional learning of the Commonwealth’s ‘generals at sea’ against the Dutch seapower. A 40 minute read.

Ed. An important retrospective on the RN’s role in the Pacific, revealing patterns in the history of the last 150 years. Delivered originally as a Royal Navy Club speech onboard HMS Belfast, 6 June 2025. A 20 minute read.