NATO's fleet faces growing threats from new combat technologies - Business Insider

There are many dangers for NATO warships, key among them related to the impact of advanced technologies. Therefore, there is no doubt - it is time to rethink naval defense.

This was stated by NATO commanders in comments to BI, reports UNN.

Details

From the Black Sea to the Red Sea, Russia's aggressive war in Ukraine and the events of wars in the Middle East have revealed key vulnerabilities, and these also apply to the NATO fleet.

Currently, surface warships face an expanded range of threats:

• these include anti-ship cruise missiles;
• ballistic missiles;
• and torpedoes;
• aircraft and drones.

It is important that some types of weapons currently in use have only recently seen their first combat engagement, but they are actively developing.

Events at Sea

Vice Admiral James Morley, Deputy Commander of NATO's Joint Forces Command Norfolk, explains:

• In the Black Sea, Ukrainian forces have repeatedly used naval drones to damage and destroy Russian warships, Business Insider writes.

The risks and impact of relatively cheap, asymmetric combat solutions have been demonstrated. It is becoming clear what this poses for conventional naval forces.

• On the other hand, at the southern end of the Red Sea, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have launched missiles and drones at merchant vessels and NATO warships, the publication reminds.

These ships attempted to protect international shipping lanes.

The high tempo of operations in the Red Sea has informed Western military planners of some limitations.

Morley emphasizes:

NATO warships are at increased risk due to the number of global actors willing to use military force.

The proliferation of weapons has given actors, who previously may not have been able to threaten advanced fleets, a new opportunity to do so.

Vice Admiral James Morley also noted that with the increase in weapons that can threaten warships, the defensive capabilities of vessels at risk must also increase.

The days of having to carry ammunition that is never used are, unfortunately, a thing of the past

It is important to invest in missile stockpiles and ensure that NATO's industrial defense bases can produce enough, and ships can carry enough, if they engage in combat.

Among the examples:

• US Navy warships have expended a significant number of SM series interceptor missiles for air defense;

Air defense, this is also money, it's a 'cost curve', the expert emphasized.

Now NATO forces are trying to figure out how they can cheaply defeat threats associated with the growing number of inexpensive attack drones. Because "some of them cost only tens of thousands of dollars each."

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At the same time, warships need expensive, high-quality missiles to deal with truly complex threats.

Among the examples

American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are equipped with options like .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns, Mark 38 turret systems, five-inch naval guns, and various surface-to-air missiles.

These weapons allow warships to counter a range of threats. But some options, such as deck guns, have drawbacks, such as allowing threats to approach warships much closer than desired, Morley summarizes.

Recall

European NATO allies are concerned about the rapid withdrawal of US troops from Europe amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Gulf countries are stepping up security measures after US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

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