Seaforth World Naval Review 2022

It is always a delight to open the most recent version of Seaforth’s World Naval Review to find out what global navies are up to, and also to see which quote Conrad Waters has chosen to open his introduction – this year a quote from Goethe. His introduction gives a global strategic snapshot dominated by the increasing challenge of China as it expands its naval influence and a “disruptive” Russia. The regional round ups include the issues facing the USN as it tries to build a larger navy. Vast sums have been spent on the DDG-1000 Zumwalt and the Freedom LCS (“Little Crap Ships”) which are being retired due to prohibitive costs of fixing their problems – mainly mechanical. Meanwhile, plans continue to pay off the Ticonderoga class CG whilst building up DDG-51 numbers. The book was published after the AUKUS announcement and the cancellation of the planned Australian purchase of French designed SSKs but comments on the delays and increasing costs of the programme. China’s ambitious naval programme is helped by high construction rates of increasingly sophisticated ships including the Type 075 LHD and the Type 055 destroyers. The UK’s aspiration for a Global Britain is hampered by a lack of ships but the build programme will help build numbers, albeit slowly. The recent successful deployment of the Queen Elizabeth and the importance of the joint US/UK operations of the F-35 is covered in the naval aviation chapter. A separate chapter looks at the Batch II River Class under the heading of “Rebuilding Britannia”. Lightly armed and lacking an embarked helo, they have good endurance and flexibility to embark Royal Marines. Deploying the Batch II overseas is certainly an imaginative use of the ships which are categorised as 21st century colonial gunboats. It is slightly unkind that the preceding chapter covers the Russian Stergushchiy corvettes which although only slightly larger than the River Class, carry an impressive weapon fit including cruise missiles and plans for later ships to have the hypersonic Tsirkon missile. Designed as “green water” ships operating in the Baltic and Pacific, they are a step forward for the Russians, allowing them to retire some of the old Soviet era vessels. The Spanish Navy is also covered in a separate chapter. With US technological help, the revival of the Spanish Navy with the Aegis equipped F100 Bazan Class and the planned F110 (to replace the FFG7) has been coupled with the Navantia shipbuilding firm, with export success to Australia and Norway; however, financial pressures are hindering further modernisation. Other chapters look at the dangerously antiquated Argentine Navy which has recently received French Bouchard OPVs, the role of the Sri Lankan navy and the new USN LCAC. A final chapter looks at the increasing use of AUV with sonar for MCM operations. I have remarked in previous reviews of the series that the World Naval Review is THE book to consult if you wish to keep up to date with naval developments. Its excellent contributors have once again produced an authoritative and highly informative “annual”. Superb stuff!