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Green-water navy

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The littoral combat ship USS Independence was designed for green-water operations

Green-water navy is terminology created to describe a national naval force that is designed primarily to provide coastal defense and may be beginning to acquire the ability to sustain operations on the open ocean. It is a relatively new term, and has been created to better distinguish, and add nuance, between two long-standing descriptors: blue-water navy and brown-water navy.

It is a non-doctrinal naval term used in different ways. It originates with the US 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 China's 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. The term is sometimes applied to navies that focus solely on coastal defence, replacing the older term of brown-water navy.

Definitions

The elements of maritime geography are loosely defined and their meanings have changed throughout history. The USA'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".[1] Robert Rubel of the US Naval War College includes bays in his definition of brown water,[2] and in the past US military commentators have extended brown water out to 100 nautical miles (190 km) from shore.[3]

During the Cold War, green water denoted those areas of ocean in which naval forces might encounter land-based aircraft.[2] The development of long-range bombers with antiship missiles turned most of the oceans to "green" and the term all but disappeared.[2] After the Cold War, US amphibious taskforces were sometimes referred to as the green-water navy, in contrast to the blue-water carrier battlegroups.[4] 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; modelling has suggested that current NATO frigates are vulnerable to swarms of 4-8 small boats in green water.[5] 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.[2] 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.[2]

The first and second island chains; China could use a green-water navy to control the South China Sea out to the first island chain

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 kilometres of home territory. A number of countries are working on overcoming these constraints, most notably China. China is expanding her navy in order to project power first over the South China Sea out to the first island chain (Japan/Taiwan etc.), and subsequently to the second island chain (Marianas and Carolines). The US military refer to the first phase as a green-water navy and the second as China's blue-water navy.[3] 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's often not clear what they mean, as the term is used without consistency or precision.

List of green-water navies

  Blue-water navy
  Green-water navy


Chile Chilean Navy

The Chilean Navy is developing an amphibious expeditionary capability centered around the ex-French Navy vessel Foudre.

Brazil Brazilian Navy

The Brazilian Navy operates one aircraft carrier and two dock landing ships.

Brazil is known to have plans for two new CATOBAR aircraft carriers, likely replacing the one in service.[6]

Italy Italian Navy

The Italian Navy operates aircraft carriers and landing ships.

India Indian Navy

The Indian Navy operates one aircraft carrier - INS Viraat and the landing ship INS Jalashwa. The Indian Navy has undertaken an extensive rearmament and modernization program.

Indonesia Indonesian Navy

The Indonesian Navy operates Makassar class landing platform dock. There are 4 ships in this class. The first long-range operation conducted by the Indonesian Navy was to rescue 20 Indonesians that were kept hostage by Somali Pirates in the Gulf of Aden on March 2011.[7][8]

Japan Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force operates two Hyuga Class helicopter carriers. Naval aviation consists of 179 fixed-wing aircraft and 135 helicopters.

  • Helicopter Carrier - JDS Hyūga
  • Helicopter Carrier - JDS Ise
  • Helicopter Carrier - 19000t class destroyer (one currently under constructed, currently two are planned but that may change due to budget cuts)

China People's Liberation Army Navy

The People's Republic of China Navy is undergoing a modernization program. The PRC Navy has deployed assets in the Mediterranean Sea and conducted counter-piracy operations off the Somali coast.

The navy currently comprises one aircraft carrier, 3 transport docks, ~80 major surface combatants (destroyers/frigates) and up to 70 submarines (nuclear and conventional), along with hundreds of auxiliary/support vessels and landing ships.

The People's Liberation Army Navy also operates a naval air arm consisting of 500 aircraft and 56,000 naval infantry marines.

South Korea Republic of Korea Navy

The Republic of Korea Navy aims to operate a blue-water navy by 2020. They are undertaking an ambitious fleet build-up program.

  • Amphibious Warfare Ship - ROKS Dokdo
  • Amphibious Warfare Ship - ROKS Marado (Under Construction)
  • Amphibious Warfare Ship - ROKS Baeknyeongdo (Under Construction)
  • Amphibious Warfare Ship - ROKS Ieodo (Planned)

These ships could also serve as small aircraft carriers if fitted with a ski jump module. The Korean government is considering to buy surplus harriers as a possible interium for the F-35 lightning II if they choose to operate VTOL aircraft at all.[9]

In addition to these Landing Ships new surface combatants are being built under the KDX (Korean Destroyer eXperimental) program. Other smaller patrol boats, tank landing ships and mine warfare ships are being constructed as well. This significant build up is not only because of South Korea's blue-water ambitions, but the switch of wartime operational command from the US to South Korea by 2015.

Australia Royal Australian Navy

In December 2007 the Royal Australian Navy ordered two Canberra class Helicopter Landing Docks (LHD) from a Spanish company based on the design of the Spanish Navy's Juan Carlos I. It is expected that they will receive the two ships starting in 2014.

Netherlands Royal Netherlands Navy

The Royal Netherlands Navy is changing its role from national defence to intervention.[10] Royal Netherlands Navy operates Rotterdam class amphibious ships. Lead Ship was HNLMS Rotterdam, the second ship of the class is HNLMS Johan de Witt.

Russia Russian Navy

The Cold War era Soviet Navy maintained a force on par with the United States Navy. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, it was renamed as the Russian Navy and the fleet experienced a rapid deterioration due to lack of financing. However, in recent years, more funds are being spent on the armed forces.

The Russian Navy currently operates one aircraft carrier: Admiral Kuznetsov. In addition, it operates the Ivan Rogov class and Ropucha class amphibious ships.[11]

Russia is currently undergoing a massive rearmament and modernization program. In 2007 it planned to replace at least 45% of the equipment of its army and navy by 2015,[12] although the global financial crisis has reduced their ambitions since then. However there are still ambitious plans for future aircraft carriers. Under this building program the Admiral Kuznetsov will be replaced by two nuclear powered carriers. This new fleet will be at full strength by 2027.[13]

Singapore Republic of Singapore Navy

The Republic of Singapore Navy operates Formidable class frigate and the Endurance class landing platform dock ship. This ships have been deployed to places as far as Somalia for counter piracy operation. The Endurance class landing platform dock ship have also been used to travel to regional destinations as part of the midshipman sea training term.[14][15]

Amphibious Capability - centered around the Endurance class landing platform dock ship

Spain Spanish Navy

The Spanish Navy is conducting a modernization program.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Naval Operations Concept 2010 - Implementing the Maritime Strategy" (pdf). US Naval Service. p. 16. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e Rubel, Robert C. (Autumn 2010), "Talking About Sea Control" (PDF), Naval War College Review, 63 (4): 44–46
  3. ^ a b 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. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  4. ^ 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, retrieved 7 May 2012
  5. ^ Abel, Heiko (September 2009). "Frigate Defense Effectiveness in Asymmetrical Green Water Engagements". Naval Postgraduate School. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  6. ^ Rafale News: Brazil, 2 new Aircraft carriers in sight ?
  7. ^ Indonesia sends troops for hostage rescue operation against Somali pirates
  8. ^ Antara News : RI govt already sent mlitary troops to Somalia
  9. ^ Dokdo Class Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) - Naval Technology
  10. ^ Warship 2006, Conway's Maritime Press - World Navies in Review 2006)
  11. ^ see List of amphibious warfare ships#Russia.2FSoviet_Union
  12. ^ Kislyakov, Andrei (5 October 2007). "Unmanned aerial vehicles increase in numbers". RIA Novosti.
  13. ^ Aircraft carrier#cite note-28
  14. ^ www.navy.sg/thepassage
  15. ^ Er is iets misgegaan. - YouTube
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