Green-water navy

Last updated
A Harbin Z-9 in flight near the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Type 052 destroyer Qingdao (113) during a search and rescue exercise Search and Rescue Exercise 130909-N-HA927-015.jpg
A Harbin Z-9 in flight near the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Type 052 destroyer Qingdao (113) during a search and rescue exercise

A green-water navy is a maritime force that is capable of operating in its state's littoral zones and has limited competency to operate in the surrounding marginal seas. [1] It is a relatively new term, and has been created to better distinguish, and add nuance, between two long-standing descriptors: blue-water navy (deep waters of open oceans) and brown-water navy (littoral waters and near to shore).

Contents

As a non-doctrinal term with no concrete legal or political definition, it can be used in several different ways. It originated with the United States Navy, who use it to refer to the portion of their fleet that specializes in offensive operations in coastal waters. Nowadays such ships rely on stealth or speed to avoid destruction by shore batteries or land-based aircraft.

The US Navy has also used the term to refer to the first phase of the expansion of the Chinese Navy into a full blue-water navy. Subsequently, other authors have applied it to other national navies that can project power locally but cannot sustain operations at range without the help of other countries. Such navies typically have amphibious ships and sometimes small aircraft carriers, which can be escorted by destroyers and frigates with some logistical support from tankers and other auxiliaries.

Definitions

The elements of maritime geography are loosely defined and their meanings have changed throughout history. The US's 2010 Naval Operations Concept defines blue water as "the open ocean", green water as "coastal waters, ports and harbors", and brown water as "navigable rivers and their estuaries". [2] Robert Rubel of the US Naval War College includes bays in his definition of brown water, [3] and in the past US military commentators have extended brown water out to 100 nautical miles (190 km) from shore. [4]

During the Cold War, green water denoted those areas of ocean in which naval forces might encounter land-based aircraft. [3] The development of long-range bombers with anti-ship missiles turned most of the oceans to "green" and the term all but disappeared. [3] After the Cold War, US amphibious task forces were sometimes referred to as the green-water navy, in contrast to the blue-water carrier battle groups. [5] This distinction disappeared as increasing threats in coastal waters forced the amphibious ships further offshore, delivering assaults by helicopter and tiltrotor from over the horizon. This prompted the development of ships designed to operate in such waters – the Zumwalt-class destroyer and the littoral combat ships; modeling has suggested that current NATO frigates are vulnerable to swarms of 4-8 small boats in green water. [6] Rubel has proposed redefining green water as those areas of ocean which are too dangerous for high-value units, requiring offensive power to be dispersed into smaller vessels such as submarines that can use stealth and other characteristics to survive. [3] Under his scheme, brown water would be zones in which ocean-going units could not operate at all, including rivers, minefields, straits, and other choke points. [3]

As the preeminent blue-water navy of the early 21st century, the US Navy is able to define maritime geography in terms of offensive action in the home waters of its enemies, without being constrained by logistics. This is not true for most other navies, whose supply chains and air cover typically limit them to power projection within a few hundred kilometers of home territory. A number of countries are working on overcoming these constraints. Other authors have started to apply the term "green-water navy" to any national navy that has ocean-going ships but lacks the logistical support needed for a blue-water navy. It is often not clear what they mean, as the term is used without consistency or precision.

A green-water navy does not mean that the individual ships of the fleet are unable to function away from the coast or in open ocean: instead, it suggests that due to logistical reasons they are unable to be deployed for lengthy periods and must have aid from other countries to sustain long term deployments. Also, the term "green-water navy" is subjective as numerous countries that do not have a true green-water navy maintain naval forces that are on par with countries that are recognized as having green-water navies. For example, the German Navy has near the same capability as the Canadian Navy but is not recognized as a true green-water navy. Another example is the Portuguese Navy that, despite being usually classified as a minor navy, has several times conducted sustained operations in faraway regions typical of the green-water navies. However, the differences between blue-water navies and brown or green-water navies are usually quite noticeable, for example, the US Navy was able to quickly respond to the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and continue operations in the region with relative ease even though the search area covered the Indian Ocean. In contrast, in 2005 the then green-water Russian Navy was unable to properly respond when its AS-28 rescue vehicle became tangled in undersea cables unable to surface, relying on the blue-water Royal Navy to respond and carry out the rescue in time. [7]

Just as states build up naval capability, some lose it. For example, the Austro-Hungarian Navy was a modern green water navy of the time, but as the countries lost their coasts during World War I, their navies were confiscated, and their ports became parts of Italy and Yugoslavia. The Axis powers lost naval capabilities after their defeat in World War II, with most of Japan's Imperial Navy and Germany's Navy being disarmed and their troop and ship numbers capped and monitored by the Allies. The collapse of the USSR also brought with it the collapse of the second-largest naval force in the world, and the largest submarine force in the world. Although the Russian Federation made sure to inherit the most capable ships, passing most older models to successor states, as it had lost the logistical capabilities of the Soviet Navy, it was no longer able to operate away from Russian shores for extended periods of time. Moreover, budget cuts forced large cuts in the submarine force, such as the retirements of the Typhoon-class submarine. As the Soviet Navy was built largely around submarine warfare the losses in the submarine capability have adversely affected the capability of the newly formed Russian Navy as well.

Examples

.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} green-water navies blue-water navies Navy capabilities.png
  green-water navies

Australia

HMAS Canberra HMAS Canberra (LHD 02) at berth prior to commissioning.jpg
HMAS Canberra

The Royal Australian Navy is well established as a green-water navy. [8] [9] The navy sustains a broad range of maritime operations, from the Middle East to the Pacific Ocean, often as part of international or allied coalitions. [10] The RAN operates a modern fleet, consisting of destroyers, frigates, conventional submarines as well as an emerging amphibious and power projection capability based on the commissioning of HMAS Choules and two Canberra-class landing helicopter docks: [11]

Brazil

The Brazilian aircraft carrier Atlantico GLAM MB Chegada do PHM "Atlantico" (29323273127).jpg
The Brazilian aircraft carrier Atlântico

The Brazilian Navy has frequently been dubbed a "green-water" force by experts. [12] The navy is primarily focused on securing the country's littorals and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), but also maintains the capacity to operate in the wider South Atlantic Ocean. Since the early 2000s, the Brazilian Navy has contributed to a number of peacekeeping and humanitarian missions:

Canada

HMCS Halifax HMCS Halifax (FFH 330) en route to Haiti 2010-01-18.jpg
HMCS Halifax

According to the criteria as outlined in the 2001 publication, "Leadmark: The Navy's Strategy for 2020", the Royal Canadian Navy had met its description of a 3rd tier "Medium Global Force Projection Navy" – a green-water navy with the capacity to project force worldwide with the aid of more powerful maritime allies (e.g. United Kingdom, France and the United States). [9] In this context, the Royal Canadian Navy ranked itself alongside the navies of Australia and the Netherlands: [9]

Japan

JS Izumo DDH-183 izumo (9).jpg
JS Izumo

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is considered to be a green-water navy. [8] Overseas JMSDF deployments include participation in the Combined Task Force 150, [13] [14] and an additional task force in the Indian Ocean from 2009 to combat piracy in Somalia. The first postwar overseas naval air facility of Japan was established next to Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport: [15]

The Netherlands

HNLMS De Ruyter (F804), a De Zeven Provincien-class frigate HNLMS De Ruyter (F804) NATO Gdynia 25 05 07 200.jpg
HNLMS De Ruyter (F804), a De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate

The Royal Netherlands Navy has been officially described as a 3rd tier "Medium Global Force Projection Navy" – or a green-water navy with the capacity to project force worldwide with the aid of more powerful maritime allies (e.g. Britain, France and the United States). [9] In this context, the Royal Netherlands Navy ranks alongside the navies of Australia and Canada, while the USN is a 1st tier global blue-water navy and Britain and France are 2nd tier blue-water navies. [9] For many years since the end of the Cold War, the Royal Netherlands Navy has been changing its role from national defence to overseas intervention: [16]

Spain

Juan Carlos I 08.05.11 Las Palmas 001.JPG
Juan Carlos I

The Spanish Navy is a green-water navy, and participates in joint operations with NATO and European allies around the world. [17] The fleet has 54 commissioned ships, including; one amphibious assault ship (also used as an aircraft carrier), two amphibious transport docks, 5 AEGIS destroyers (5 more under construction), 6 frigates, 7 corvettes (2 more under construction) and three conventional submarines. (4 under construction)

South Korea

ROKS Dokdo haegun dogdoham (7438321572).jpg
ROKS Dokdo

The Republic of Korea Navy is considered to be a green-water navy. [8] In 2011, the government authorized the building of a naval base on Jeju Island to support the new Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships, the base will also be capable of supporting joint forces with the US Navy. [18] A ski-jump for the operation of V/STOL jet fighters is being considered for the second ship of the Dokdo class. [19] The Korean government is considering to buy surplus Harriers as a possible interim for the F-35 Lightning II if they choose to operate VTOL aircraft at all. [20] On December 3, 2021, the National Assembly passed the budget to fund a fixed-wing aircraft carrier tentatively named CVX-class aircraft carrier capable of operating F35B, expected to enter operations possibly as early as 2033 Link Link Link South Korea participates in the Combined Task Force 151 with the expeditionary force Cheonghae Unit:

Turkey

TCG Anadolu is an amphibious assault ship (LHD) that can be configured to a STOVL aircraft carrier currently under construction at Sedef Shipyard, Tuzla, Istanbul, and is expected to enter the Turkish Armed Forces in 2022 TCG Anadolu (L-400).jpg
TCG Anadolu is an amphibious assault ship (LHD) that can be configured to a STOVL aircraft carrier currently under construction at Sedef Shipyard, Tuzla, Istanbul, and is expected to enter the Turkish Armed Forces in 2022

According to a report by Haifa University, Turkey's naval might has become a significant source of concern for the Middle East and the Balkans, as they have greatly modernized its maritime force in recent years. [21] The study puts the Turkish Naval Forces as the strongest in the region (Middle East), and describes the Turkish navy as being a "green-water navy". According to Israeli Colonel Shlomo Guetta, one of the report's authors, Turkey is building a Navy that characterises a regional power and can conduct long-range operations. Guetta also highlighted the Turkish Navy's strike force and intervention capacity. A flagship project is the construction of TCG Anadolu, an amphibious assault ship that can serve as a light aircraft carrier. Quoting US military expert Richard Parley's estimates, [22] the report argued that the new warship will offer Turkey unprecedented strike capabilities in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. The Turkish Navy, as of 2021, has a total of 156 naval assets, but Turkey plans to add a total of 24 new ships, which include four frigates, before the Republic reaches the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2023:

Iran

IRIS Deylaman nwshkhn dylmn.jpg
IRIS Deylaman

Recently Iran has tried to expand its naval presence out of its own territorial waters by building new indigenous warships like Mowj-class frigates. Iran also participates in joint naval exercises with countries like Russia, China and India. The Iranian navy mostly operates in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Caspian Sea, and the Mediterranean and has a fleet of 9 frigates (2 under construction), 17 corvettes and 35 conventional submarines (2 under construction). [23]

Additionally, Iran has a second navy branch, The IRGC-N. Naval branch of IRGC mostly operates land-based cruise missiles and speedboats each carrying a variety of weapons, from anti-ship missiles to torpedoes and even rockets. This is suitable for the mission this force has, protecting local waters in Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Caspian Sea. Though this force expanded its arsenal by building missile corvettes and forward base ships, Like 4 Shahid Soleimani-class double hulled ships (1 under construction)to operate much further than Iranian local waters:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aircraft carrier</span> Warship that serves as a seagoing airbase

An aircraft carrier is a warship that serves as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. Typically, it is the capital ship of a fleet, as it allows a naval force to project air power worldwide without depending on local bases for staging aircraft operations. Carriers have evolved since their inception in the early twentieth century from wooden vessels used to deploy balloons to nuclear-powered warships that carry numerous fighters, strike aircraft, helicopters, and other types of aircraft. While heavier aircraft such as fixed-wing gunships and bombers have been launched from aircraft carriers, these aircraft have not landed on a carrier. By its diplomatic and tactical power, its mobility, its autonomy and the variety of its means, the aircraft carrier is often the centerpiece of modern combat fleets. Tactically or even strategically, it replaced the battleship in the role of flagship of a fleet. One of its great advantages is that, by sailing in international waters, it does not interfere with any territorial sovereignty and thus obviates the need for overflight authorizations from third-party countries, reduces the times and transit distances of aircraft and therefore significantly increases the time of availability on the combat zone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier battle group</span> Type of naval fleet with an aircraft carrier

A carrier battle group (CVBG) is a naval fleet consisting of an aircraft carrier capital ship and its large number of escorts, together defining the group. The CV in CVBG is the United States Navy hull classification code for an aircraft carrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army Navy</span> Maritime service branch of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army

The People's Liberation Army Navy is the maritime service branch of the People's Liberation Army, and the largest navy per number of ships in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval ship</span> Military ship used by a navy

A naval ship is a military ship used by a navy. Naval ships are differentiated from civilian ships by construction and purpose. Generally, naval ships are damage resilient and armed with weapon systems, though armament on troop transports is light or non-existent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing platform helicopter</span> Hull classification used by a number of the worlds navies

Landing platform helicopter (LPH) is a term used by some navies to denote a type of amphibious warfare ship designed primarily to operate as a launch and recovery platform for helicopters and other VTOL aircraft. As such, they are considered a type of helicopter carrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maritime geography</span> Collection of terms used by naval military units

Maritime geography is a collection of terms used by naval military units to loosely define three maritime regions: brown water, green water, and blue water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-water navy</span> Naval force capable of operating across the deep waters of the open oceans

A blue-water navy is a maritime force capable of operating globally, essentially across the deep waters of open oceans. While definitions of what actually constitutes such a force vary, there is a requirement for the ability to exercise sea control at long range.

Surface combatants are a subset of naval warships which are designed for warfare on the surface of the water, with their own weapons and armed forces. They are generally ships built to fight other ships, submarines, aircraft or land targets, and can carry out several other missions including counter-narcotics operations and maritime interdiction. Their primary purpose is to engage space, air, surface, and submerged targets with weapons deployed from the ship itself, rather than by manned carried craft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Command of the sea</span> Complete control of naval warfare

Command of the sea is a naval military concept regarding the strength of a particular navy to a specific naval area it controls. A navy has command of the sea when it is so strong that its rivals cannot attack it directly. This dominance may apply to its surrounding waters or may extend far into the oceans, meaning the country has a blue-water navy. It is the naval equivalent of air supremacy.

The Force d'action navale is the 9,600-man and about 100-ship force of surface warships of the French Navy. As of August 2023, it is commanded by L’amiral Nicolas Vaujour.

A joint support ship (JSS) is a multi-role naval vessel capable of launching and supporting joint amphibious and airlift operations. It can also provide command and control, sealift and seabasing, underway replenishment, disaster relief and logistics capabilities for combined land and sea operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleet Air Arm (RAN)</span> Naval aviation arm of the Royal Australian Navy

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA), known formerly as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy. FAA personnel fought in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and participated in later conflicts and operations from host warships.

The Royal Australian Navy, although a significant force in the Asia-Pacific region, is nonetheless classed as a medium-sized navy. Its fleet is based around two main types of surface combatant, with limited global deployment and air power capability. However, in 2009, a white paper, Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030, was produced by the Australian government which set out a programme of defence spending that will see significant improvements to the RAN's fleet and capabilities.

<i>Canberra</i>-class landing helicopter dock Australian naval amphibious ship class

The Canberra class is a ship class of two landing helicopter dock (LHD) ships built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Planning to upgrade the navy's amphibious fleet began in 2000, based on Australian experiences leading the International Force for East Timor peacekeeping operation. With a new climate for growing Australian Navy spending, a desire existed for forward defence capability for landing and supporting troops on Asian territory, that had never existed in Australian history, even with the old Majestic-class light fleet carriers, HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Sydney in the 1970s. In 2004, French company Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) and Spanish company Navantia were invited to tender proposals, with DCN offering the Mistral-class amphibious assault ship and Navantia proposing the "Buque de Proyección Estratégica" design. The Spanish design was selected in 2007, with Navantia responsible for construction of the ships from the keel to the flight deck, and BAE Systems Australia handling the fabrication of the combat and communications systems. Finally, Siemens (Germany) supplied and fitted the azimuth thrusters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force</span> Surface warfare branch of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy

The People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force is the surface warfare branch of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), consisting of all surface vessels in operational service with the PLAN. The PLAN Surface Force operates 661 ships organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, the East Sea Fleet and the South Sea Fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Australian naval aviation</span>

The first involvement Australia had with naval aviation was in 1911, when an Australian-born Royal Navy officer became one of the first four naval officers to receive pilot qualifications. During World War I, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) experienced several forms of airborne operation, with HMAS Brisbane operating a seaplane, while HMA Ships Sydney and Australia were used for experiments with aircraft launch platforms. An aircraft embarked aboard Sydney was also involved in one of the first naval air battles. Several Australians also flew as part of the Royal Naval Air Service.

INS <i>Shakti</i> (A57) Deepak-class fleet tanker

INS Shakti (A57) is a Deepak-class fleet tanker in service with the Indian Navy. She was built by Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company based in Trieste. She is the second and final ship of her class. Shakti, along with her predecessor Deepak, is one of the largest ships of the Indian Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSM-73</span>

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM-73) is a United States Navy Maritime Strike helicopter squadron based on Naval Air Station North Island, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CVX-class aircraft carrier</span> Class of South Korean aircraft carriers

The CVX is a class of aircraft carriers proposed for the Republic of Korea Navy. The class is follow-on from the previous Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships which prioritized amphibious capability, while the CVX will be designed for fixed wing and rotary wing operations instead, constituting a traditional aircraft carrier. The planned development of the class was formally announced and funded as part of the 2020~2024 Mid-Term Defense Plan (국방중기계획), published in December 2020. The Korean presidential administration that entered power in 2022 is not supportive of the CVX project, and it was not funded in the 2023 and 2024 defense budgets.

References

  1. ↑ Bratton, Patrick C (2012). Sea Power and the Asia-Pacific. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. ISBN   978-1-136-62724-8.
  2. ↑ "Naval Operations Concept 2010 – Implementing the Maritime Strategy" (PDF). US Naval Service. p. 16. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Rubel, Robert C. (Autumn 2010), "Talking About Sea Control" (PDF), Naval War College Review, 63 (4): 44–46, archived (PDF) from the original on September 9, 2013
  4. ↑ Burkitt, Laurie; Scobell, Andrew; Wortzel, Larry M. (July 2003). "The Lessons of History : The Chinese People's Liberation Army at 75" (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College. p. 185. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  5. ↑ Gillespie, T.C.; Lesher, S.M.; Miner, P.D.; Cyr, B.P. (23 March 1992), Composite Warfare and The Amphibians (PDF), Marine Corps University, pp. 9–24, archived (PDF) from the original on September 9, 2013, retrieved 7 May 2012
  6. ↑ Abel, Heiko (September 2009). "Frigate Defense Effectiveness in Asymmetrical Green Water Engagements" (PDF). Naval Postgraduate School. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  7. ↑ "Russian submarine surfaces with entire crew alive". USAToday.com. Associated Press. 6 August 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 Till, Geoffrey (15 August 2013). Naval Modernisation in South-East Asia: Nature, Causes and Consequences. London: Routledge. p. 267. ISBN   978-1-135-95394-2.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Leadmark: The Navy’s Strategy for 2020, Directorate of Maritime Strategy, Department of National Defence
  10. ↑ "Operations". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Canberra commissioning marks new era in ADF amphibious warfare". Australian Aviation. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  12. ↑ Pryce, Paul (19 January 2015). "The Brazilian Navy: Green Water or Blue?". Offiziere.ch. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  13. ↑ Japan Ministry of Defense. "Activities based on Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law (December 2001 – October 2007) – Replenishment Operations" . Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  14. ↑ Asahi Shimbun. "Japan's New Blue Water Navy: A Four-year Indian Ocean mission recasts the Constitution and the US-Japan alliance" . Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  15. ↑ Japan Ministry of Defense. "MOD/JSDF ANSWERS – Anti-Piracy Efforts". Archived from the original on 2013-01-08. Retrieved 2012-11-16.
  16. ↑ Warship 2006, Conway's Maritime Press – World Navies in Review 2006)
  17. ↑ "Rayo Joins EU Naval Force Operation Atalanta". eunavfor.eu. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  18. ↑ Sang-Hun, Choe (18 August 2011). "South Korean Navy Base Divides Jeju Island Residents". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  19. ↑ Sung Ki, Jung (26 October 2013). "S. Korea Envisions Light Aircraft Carrier". defensenews.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  20. ↑ "Dokdo Class Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH)". naval-technology.com. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  21. ↑ "Israeli study: Turkey is strongest maritime force in the region | TRT World".
  22. ↑ "How Turkey became a strong naval power in recent years".
  23. ↑ "Gulf III: Iran's Power in the Sea Lanes". The Iran Primer. 2013-03-12. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  24. ↑ "H I Sutton - Covert Shores". www.hisutton.com. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.