Small Navies Research Articles

Under the radar: Ireland, maritime security capacity, and the governance of subsea infrastructure

ABSTRACT Subsea infrastructure is typically out of sight, but in recent times, seldom out of mind. The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in October 2022 has magnified the vulnerability and critical importance of subsea infrastructure. It also exposed a lack of understanding on how subsea networks operate, how they are regulated, who controls them and how they are protected. Ireland matters in this context. Despite its official policy of neutrality, Ireland occupies an important strategic position in terms of transatlantic telecommunications cables between the United States, Britain and continental Europe. The conflict in Ukraine has amplified tensions in this context in terms of the increased threat of grey-zone/hybrid warfare activity. This article will consider for the first time how a global connectivity hub on the western periphery of Europe governs critical underwater infrastructure. It will discuss the context and agencies involved in subsea cable governance in Ireland and identify the gaps in this protection before formulating suggestions for the long-term improvement of Ireland’s maritime security capacity. The Irish case is important as it can help inform defence policy and security practice in other island states with large maritime jurisdictions and in particular states with small navies.

Emerging from obscurity: small navies and sea-launched land-attack cruise missiles

ABSTRACTSea-launched land-attack cruise missile (SLCM) strikes, one of the most common expeditionary force projection tasks, is traditionally performed by major navies using long-range offensive platforms such as major surface warships and nuclear submarines prized for their range, endurance and capacity. By contrast, small navies are deemed unsuited for such a role, since they typically comprise small warships and conventional submarines, which thereby suit them for peacetime constabulary and wartime sea denial and defensive sea control missions. However, the Russian Navy's use of such assets in late 2015 to launch SLCM strikes against Islamic State (Daesh) targets in Syria demonstrates that expeditionary force projection is not an exclusive province of major navies. Attendant challenges such as the lack of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities may limit such roles by small navies but will still potentially spark greater interest amongst them in acquiring SLCMs to bolster their deterrent capabilities.

Small navies: strategy and policy for small navies in war and peace. Edited by Michael Mulqueen, Deborah Sanders and Ian Speller

Small navies: strategy and policy for small navies in war and peace. Edited by Michael Mulqueen, Deborah Sanders and Ian Speller

Exploiting the Value of Small Navies: The Experience of the Royal Netherlands Navy

The capabilities inherent in small naval forces are examined, using the Royal Netherlands Navy as a case study. International partnerships and effective strategies for control of littoral, estuarine and riverine areas are ways in which a small navy can make the most of limited resources.

The growing importance of small navies

The growing importance of small navies

Narrow seas, small Navies, and fat merchantmen: naval strategies for the 1990s

Narrow seas, small Navies, and fat merchantmen: naval strategies for the 1990s

Small Navies and Soviet Strategy

Small Navies and Soviet Strategy

Do small navies still make sense?

Do small navies still make sense?