Existing and new threats from state and non-state actors, a wide variety of tasks to fulfil, new technologies which are changing the way of working and a modification in NATO strategy which makes naval warfare an integrated part of a network centric warfare makes the environment a challenging one, decision makers in the naval industry as navy acting in. Artificial intelligence and new ICT can help to reduce complexity and integrate marine units in the full theatre of war. As part of the full navy system missions can be fulfilled easier and with more efficiency.
Navy units can be ordered to defend own or allied coasts and maritime territory, protect sea lines abroad, fight piracy, ferry troops and material. In an offensive role maritime units can project force into enemy territory, by launching UAVs, usage of classic artillery, or ballistic and even nuclear missiles. There are many targets to hit: ships, infrastructure, enemy ground troops and air force units.
The fleet can cover a wide variety of ships as airplanes/UAVs. Carriers, amphibious vessels, cruisers and destroyers, frigates as submarines, special unit vehicles and patrol boats. A lot of navies have dedicated jets and UAVs with navy specific capabilities like anti-submarine warfare or air-to-air strike capabilities. To fulfil tasks there is a wide variety of shipboard systems which is continuously changing, especially passive radar technology, different kind of stealth technology, faster and more precise missiles and encrypted communication to become part of an C4ISR environment.
China is acting more aggressive towards Taiwan and wants to project power not only regionally but on a global level. As Mr. Stoltenberg (NATO General Secretary) mentioned in 06/2021 during a Brussel conference China has by now the largest fleet globally. China has invested money to build up a fleet of modern destroyers like the Type 052D destroyer (NATO/OSD: Luyang III-class destroyer) with flat-panelled active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and a 64-cell vertical launch system (VLS) to be armoured with HHQ-9 SAM, YT-18 SSM and CY-5 ASW systems. The YT-18 SSM anti-ship missiles is assumed to reach 540 km in range and can carry a 140 to 300 kg warhead reaching a speed of up to 2,5 mach (other sources up to 3 mach). Already in service there are 6 nuclear powered attack submarines of the Type 093 class (NATO name: Shang class) with VLS also able to start the YT-18. The succeeding Type 095 class is assumed to be built with new active/passive flank array sonar and low and high frequency towed sonar array. Laid down 2015 also the first own produced carrier went into service. The Shandong (Type 002 class) can carry 44 planes with a Chinese Type 346 radar; dual-band (S and C bands) naval active electronically scanned array (AESA). This radar – NATO name Dragon Eye – is in the meantime installed also on Type 052C destroyers, Type 052D destroyers and Type 055 destroyers.
Russia has started an intense navy fleet modernization programme; especially with strategic submarines of the Borei-class which are able to carry 16 nuclear intercontinental missiles. One in usage, seven further units planned make this class a new and dangerous player in the game. Another unit is the Admiral-Gorshkov-class frigate, a multi mission role able frigate with an up-to-date radar system (Furke-4 5P-27) and electronic warfare capability. This frigate is able to carry 32 (4 × 8) UKSK VLS cells for Kalibr, Oniks or Zircon missiles.
After years of focussing on asymmetric warfare situation NATO naval forces are today confronted with a Chinese as Russian Navy invested billions of EUR in the modernization of their fleets. The answer is a naval innovation and production program to ensure a full domain superiority on the seven seas, which also the western states are currently pushing forward. E.g. the German Navy decided on the production of four Multi-Purpose Combat ship MKS 180 frigates with an option of further two ships and the development and production of five 212 class submarines together with Norway (ongoing). The US Navy is focusing on the Columbia-class submarine (12 planned units) which intends to replace the Ohio-class nuclear strike capable submarine-class. This class will be capable to carry 16-Trident D5 missiles.
These navy modernization programmes and the involved new technologies must be taken into account for defense OEMs or Tier1/Tier2 production companies to stay competitive and deliver products and services needed from customer side. The market volume is growing, but standardization leads to a market consolidation too. Smaller, but quick and fast acting players are entering the defense market questioning long lasting provider positions.