Proper Conceptualization of Naval Operational Doctrine—A Case Study of the Israeli Navy

US Naval War College Review – The character of naval warfare is changing profoundly, and traditional conceptions of victory may no longer apply. Naval warfare requires systematic reconceptualization to ensure that operational doctrine is applicable to the future environment and that navies are tasked with, train to, and are structured for missions they actually are able to accomplish. The Israeli navy’s early successes, more-recent challenges, and current contribution to the ongoing response to the 7 October Hamas attacks are illustrative.

CMSI Translations #19: Lessons and Thoughts from the Struggle for Command of the Sea in the Red Sea

China Maritime Studies Institute – Since mid-November 2023 to the present Houthi armed forces in Yemen have continued to hijack and attack vessels in the Red Sea that “use Israeli ports” or “engage in trade with Israel” to oppose Israel’s military operations in Gaza and disrupt military assistance to Israel from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries. As of April 1, 2024, over 86 vessels related to the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and other countries have been attacked. The Houthis continue to maintain control over the Red Sea, forcing vessels from these countries to risk damage and loss of life while navigating through the area. The crisis in the Red Sea is worsening.

Is Autonomy the End of the Naval Warfare Officer

Wavell Room – In a rain-beaten marina on a rugged coastline, near a nameless village more familiar with fishing than fleet operations, a teenage Able Seaman sits inside a converted shipping container. Watching a laptop screen, they remotely pilot a small crewless boat through choppy waters via a suite of cameras and RADAR feeds. For all intents and purposes, they are the Captain…

Get Ready for the New Rules of War in the Indo-Pacific

War on the Rocks – If you play the game, you must know the rules. How will the laws of targeting and rules of engagement apply in such a contingency? Unfortunately, U.S. military commanders are poorly trained on these matters, if they are even trained at all.

As the Defense Department shifts toward deterring war or winning a conflict in the Western Pacific, a grasp of the legal concepts required for mission accomplishment has lagged.

Submarines “As-a-Service” Will Get More Players on the Field Today

Naval News – Incoming Navy Secretary John Phelan, a seasoned investor with decades in private equity, takes office with a clear mission: to rebuild America’s Navy and revitalize the maritime industrial base. This will require bold, unconventional solutions to expand the fleet, integrate advanced combat capabilities, and, most importantly, restore fleet readiness. To do this, the Navy must look beyond traditional shipbuilding solutions. A “submarines-as-a-service” model—leveraging private industry and allied diesel-electric submarine producers—presents a way to quickly field Navy-trained, civilian-crewed undersea vessels that can fill critical training and development gaps.

UK SSN AUKUS grand plan hinges on ‘significant’ shipbuilding investment: Analysts

Breaking Defense – It will take huge investment in local shipbuilding for the UK to acquire “up to” 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) under the trilateral AUKUS program, with each vessel estimated to cost $3.4 billion, according to analysts. Even then, potential obstacles tied to shipyard expansion, and financial risk for BAE Systems could conspire to ruin the big ticket procurement altogether, said one expert.

Voyage to the Island of Hope – Three days underway with the Philippine Coast Guard in the South China Sea.

USNI News – It was a lazy afternoon on the bridge of the Philippine Coast Guard patrol boat. The crew snacked on crackers and listened to music from an officer’s phone, all the while scanning the horizon and checking their Furuno radar for any new contacts that could join the two China Coast Guard cutters stalking their three-ship formation…