Boosting Maritime Surveillance: Denmark Launches Unmanned Surface Vessels

This week, Denmark’s defense ministry initiated a trial to enhance the nation’s maritime surveillance capabilities by launching two unmanned surface vessels (USVs). This move comes in response to heightened security concerns among countries bordering the Baltic Sea following a series of disruptions to critical infrastructure, including power cables, telecom links, and gas pipelines, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

According to defense analyst David R. Strachan, the evolving landscape of seabed warfare underscores the importance of contesting a densely populated battlespace filled with sensor networks, communications nodes, autonomous vehicle hubs, and energy systems. In the latest issue of Marine Technology Reporter, Strachan emphasizes that subsea strikes do not necessarily require complete destruction of a target to achieve operational or strategic impact.

Strachan highlights that even minor damages, such as reduced power throughput, compromised sensor arrays, or disrupted communications, can lead to mission failures like localized information blackout, communication breakdowns, or impaired functionality of critical systems. Repairing or replacing these damaged systems would necessitate specialized vessels, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and skilled crews operating in challenging underwater conditions.

Furthermore, adversaries may struggle to respond effectively due to limited resources or an environment that is not conducive to countermeasures, thereby prolonging the disruption caused by a minor subsea strike. This strategic approach allows for projecting power and imposing costs without escalating to open conflict, all while maintaining a level of discretion and deniability.

For more insights on the evolving landscape of maritime technology and security, be sure to check out the latest issue of Marine Technology Reporter magazine.