Insights on Amphibious combat strategies drawn from a conflict characterised by minimal amphibious operations: Abundant Learnings
In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been primarily focused on striking land targets rather than conducting amphibious operations. This shift in strategy is due to several key factors.
Ukrainian forces have effectively used advanced land-based anti-ship missiles and naval mines to keep the Russian fleet at bay, limiting their freedom of movement near the coast. The deployment of kamikaze sea drones starting in late 2022 has further constrained Russian naval operations and posed asymmetric threats to Russian vessels in the Black Sea.
Without control of Ukrainian territorial waters, Russia cannot guarantee the security of amphibious landing forces, making large-scale landings too risky. Consequently, Russia's naval infantry force, which fields five brigades plus additional battalions, has been used more for missile strikes against land targets from the sea and the increased use of sea drones.
The sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva with a Neptune antiship missile, potentially in coordination with a Bayraktar TB2 drone, is a testament to Ukraine's effective anti-ship capabilities. The danger of naval mines to a Russian amphibious assault is significant, as seen in the reported damage to a modern Russian missile-armed patrol boat, the Vasily Bykov, with BM-21 Grad 122-millimeter multiple-launch rocket systems.
The United States has pledged to deliver at least one hundred Switchblade loitering munitions to Ukraine, weapons that are capable of causing damage to modern warships with their small payloads. This decision comes as there have been calls to provide Ukraine with antiship missiles, and US officials have indicated they are "consulting with allies on providing anti-ship missiles to Ukraine."
Despite the challenges, amphibious operations remain a key strategic and operational capability for major militaries around the world. The US Marine Corps, especially, should pay attention to the capability requirements and ideal application of a modern amphibious force.
The annexation of Crimea by Russia more than doubled its coastline along the Black Sea, giving it a significant advantage in the region. However, the loss of the Moskva will make Russian ships significantly more cautious operating in the Black Sea.
Russia possesses the Black Sea region's dominant maritime military, a fact that has been evident in its repeated exercises for an amphibious assault in the Black Sea since annexing Crimea in 2014. The Russian navy boasts dozens of amphibious assault ships of different sizes, and there have been reports of Russian amphibious ships shifting equipment from the Russian Far East to make up for combat losses in Ukraine.
The United Kingdom may supply Harpoon antiship missiles to Ukraine, adding another layer to Ukraine's growing anti-ship capabilities. The Japanese government has also announced it spotted a group of four Russian amphibious ships loaded with trucks, likely shifting equipment from the Russian Far East to make up for combat losses in Ukraine.
The sinking of the Moskva and the damage to the Vasily Bykov serve as reminders of the risks and challenges faced by naval forces in modern warfare. Modern warships are vulnerable to attacks by weapons with even small payloads, like loitering munitions, given that they strike sensitive equipment like radars and communications.
In the contested maritime environment of the Black Sea, Ukrainian forces have demonstrated capabilities in amphibious raids and sabotage inside Russian-controlled areas. This indicates the risks Russia faces in conducting amphibious operations and the need for caution and strategic planning in its naval operations.
References:
- The Economist
- CNN
- The Diplomat
- Defense News
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