This week, Denmark’s defense ministry took a significant step in bolstering its maritime surveillance capabilities by launching two unmanned surface vessels (USVs). This move comes amidst heightened tensions in the Baltic Sea, where several countries have been on edge following a series of mysterious outages of power cables, telecom links, and gas pipelines since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The most notable incident was the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which sent shockwaves through the region and highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
The deployment of these USVs is not just a response to immediate threats but also a forward-looking strategy to adapt to the evolving nature of seabed warfare. Defense analyst David R. Strachan, in the May/June issue of Marine Technology Reporter, paints a vivid picture of the future battlespace. “Seabed warfare will increasingly be defined by the need to contest a dense battlespace teeming with sensor networks, communications nodes, autonomous vehicle hubs and energy systems,” Strachan writes. This complex web of assets, ranging from commercial and scientific to military, could all find themselves potential targets in a subsea strike.
Strachan’s analysis delves into the potential targets and the weapons that could be used against them. He argues that a subsea strike doesn’t necessarily require the complete destruction of a target to achieve operational or strategic impact. “Minor damage, such as throttled power throughput, a degraded hydrophone array or a compromised pressure housing, could achieve mission kills like localized ISR blackouts, severed C2 comms, drained batteries or the suppression of a prepositioned effectors,” he explains. This means that even seemingly minor disruptions can have significant consequences, forcing adversaries to divert resources to repair or replace damaged systems in challenging conditions.
The implications of this are profound. Subsea strikes offer a means to project power and impose costs without crossing the threshold of open conflict. They allow for the imposition of strategic costs while avoiding detection or attribution, making them a potent force multiplier. This is not just about military strategy; it’s about understanding the new rules of engagement in an increasingly interconnected and vulnerable maritime environment.
For the maritime industry, this shift in seabed warfare dynamics could spur several developments. First, there will likely be an increased demand for advanced surveillance and monitoring technologies to protect critical infrastructure. This could lead to innovations in sensor networks, autonomous vehicles, and underwater communications. Second, the industry may see a surge in the development of defensive measures to protect against subsea strikes, such as improved hull designs, enhanced security protocols, and advanced repair and maintenance capabilities.
Moreover, this news underscores the need for international cooperation in maritime security. As the Baltic Sea becomes a more contested space, countries in the region will need to work together to share intelligence, coordinate responses, and develop joint defense strategies. This could lead to the formation of new alliances and partnerships, as well as the strengthening of existing ones.
In the meantime, the deployment of Denmark’s USVs serves as a reminder that the maritime industry is not just about commerce and exploration; it’s also about security and defense. As the battlespace evolves, so too must the industry’s approach to protecting its assets and ensuring the safety of its operations. The future of seabed warfare is here, and it’s time for the maritime industry to adapt and innovate.