The maritime security sector can be relied on to produce almost endless interesting and impressive developments as governments, generally, strive to achieve some kind of strategic or tactical advantage over their competitors or enemies, actual or potential. Maritime security, here includes, naval, coast guard, police and rescue operations.
Often those enemies are not necessarily other sovereign nations but local or foreign criminal gangs involved in drug-, people- and weapon-smuggling or terrorism. The subject of maritime security, more generally, also covers search and rescue operations, pollution prevention or recovery, and marine firefighting.
The vessels and their equipment used in maritime security range from large naval warships down to tiny rigid inflatable boats. More recently, they have come to include some very interesting unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vessels (UUVs). They represent a usually economical solution to the maritime security task. They may be armed or unarmed and are generally small and fast.
Whether manned or unmanned, maritime security vessels and their equipment continue to improve in all their measures of efficiency, safety, seaworthiness, comfort and economy. Hull designs and construction methods advance remorselessly. They make for a very interesting naval architectural area of focus.
Their equipment, too, continues to advance rapidly. Electronics, engines, propulsion systems, seating and ride-control are all areas where relentless improvement is expected and provided. The maritime security "arms race" does have its benefits!
Baird Maritime remains entranced by the maritime security sector and, as it has done for 44 years, it continues to bring to its readers the latest developments engendered by the sector. In the following week, we will present a tasty smorgasboard of this sector's new vessels and their equipment.
– "The prime catalyst for the Egyptian Navy's growth has been the regional security situation, which includes unstable governments, territorial disputes, and terrorist activity."
– by Trevor Hollingsbee, Baird Maritime's maritime security expert and columnist
– "The US 7th Fleet's statement that it was 'challenging' India seems a provocation, suggesting that Washington disregarded the enduring strategic partnership it enjoys with New Delhi."
– by Sarosh Bana, executive editor of Business India and the regional editor for the Asia–Pacific of Naval Forces
– "Russia will not leave the Pacific and it is not beyond imagination that one day it could again be a partner, even an ally."
– by Steve Raaymakers, veteran practitioner in international development with a focus on environmental security, small island states, oceans governance and integrated marine resource management in the Asia–Pacific
Remember to come back every day to see the latest news, opinion and vessel reviews!
Any news or views about the global maritime security sectors? Send it through to editor@baird.com.au ASAP (between now and June 11), so we can add it to this current edition of Maritime Security Week!
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