New Frontier in Naval Warfare

Atul Chandra

Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) are now rapidly gaining in capability and expected to be in widespread use before the end of this decade. The emergence of USVs as a new frontier in military capability will dramatically change naval warfare in the coming decades. The UK, US and Israel are the early pioneers in the realm of USVs and India should make use of her strong ties with these nations to rapidly establish USV capability.

The medium-displacement unmanned surface vessel Sea Hunter

India has an unmatched opportunity to work with the navies of these countries and quickly begin the process of inducting USVs, which in future will liberate manned warships and patrol vessels for more important tasks. As an example, moving towards autonomous mine-hunting capability will enable the Indian Navy to defend against the rapidly evolving threat of modern sea mines while reducing the risk to its own sailors.

US Innovation

In May 2022, the US Navy announced that it would increase its unmanned capabilities with newly established Unmanned Surface Division One (USVDIV One). To encourage innovation, experimentation and combat readiness of USVs, the US Pacific Fleet had established the Surface Development Squadron ONE in May 2019. Vice Adm Roy Kitchener, Commander, Naval Surface Force, US Pacific Fleet, said: “USVDIV One will be a catalyst for innovation as we employ unmanned surface capabilities in the Pacific Fleet. The implementation of unmanned systems will increase decision speed and lethality to enhance our warfighting advantage.”

USVDIV One will oversee medium and large USVs with the US Navy including the Sea Hunter and its sister vessel, the Sea Hawk. “To meet the challenges of the 21st Century, we must continue to innovate the surface forc