Most of the areas of instability and social strife are in major cities and urban areas easily accessible from the sea. Under such circumstances, a littoral enabled force is of immense help.
The term ‘Littoral’ is derived from the Latin word ‘littoris’, meaning ‘shore’. ‘Littoral Zone’ is the area which extends from the high water mark to shoreline areas. Due to the movement of water, typical landforms like sand dunes and estuaries are made. In military naval terms, ‘Littoral Warfare’ implies operations in and around the littoral zone including surveillance, mine-clearance and support for landing operations. Littoral warfare thus involves landward as well as seaward portions of the battle space. Likewise, missions for the navy could range from forward positioning of forces to control an adverse situation, to the landing of naval expeditionary forces for power projection.
Littoral warfare thus requires specially designed ships and adoption of new techniques to support the changed battle environment. Countries, like the US and UK, are already adapting to the changed strategic naval environment. The Royal marines have received a new troopship/carrier HMS Ocean. Plans are afoot for new helicopter carriers. The US Navy is planning to provide accurate fire power to the next generation of destroyers for supporting ground troops. Designing of arsenal ships is underway and these are going to be purely cruise missile carriers to support ground operations. Littoral warfare may also involve conducting non-traditional military missions like humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, counter-terrorism and operations for political stability.
As per the US perspective, most of the areas of instability and social strife are in major cities and urban areas, which are easily accessible from the sea. Statistically speaking, 60 per cent of the critically significant urban areas across the world are located within 40 km of the coastline and 75 per cent are located within 240 km of it. The military actions required to protect the interests of the US in the region, will most likely come from the sea, and thus it is necessary for the US Navy to operate in the littorals. The other aspect is that due to financial constraints and political opposition, it will not be possible for the US to maintain the US bases in every potential area of interest. Under such circumstances, a littoral enabled force will be of immense help.
Equipment & Force Structure
Air Defence: The air threat will include tactical ballistic and cruise missiles. Stealth technology will reduce the radar cross section of aircraft and missiles. The land clutter and reduced reaction time in the littoral environment increases the problems for existing navy early warning, tracking and targeting systems which were designed for the sea. Thus, effective AD of the fleet and the troops ashore, which can operate in the littoral environment, will be of great importance for the success of the operations.
Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW): The aircraft carrier continues to play a central role in ASUW operations for the navy. It is because of its ability to launch power-projection sorties at the time and place of our choice, destroying or interdicting enemy ground forces and infrastructure, and providing close-air support for expeditionary forces during amphibious operations. There may be fewer carriers in the future, which imply that smaller surface combatants should be able to operate independently from the carrier and carry out similar, but limited role. These surface combatants must have the capability to carry helicopters and weapon systems to counter threat of small craft.
Submarine Warfare: Submarines can influence the land battle by conducting stealth strikes against land-based targets with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Submarines can also be used to conduct covert surveillance and induction/ de-induction of the Special Forces against the enemy close to shore. The ability to conduct shallow-water (<200 feet) ASW is essential to littoral warfare. As the existing systems are meant for blue water operations, a few sonar systems and weapons with shallow water capability have to be acquired.
Amphibious Warfare: Amphibious warfare plays an essential role in projecting sustainable combat power ashore. Successful amphibious warfare has the ability to conduct operational maneuvoer from the sea (OMFTS), which includes maneuver warfare, speed, firepower, surprise, and lift to break down enemy defences without the traditional frontal assaults of the past. In OMFTS, the amphibious battle starts at sea and the launches can occur out as far as 100 nm to ensure security and tactical surprise or they can occur closer offshore. In OMFTS, naval forces use their speed and combat power to penetrate a number of different sites on the beach and establish a beachhead or rapidly drive inland. One view point is that the combination of helicopters, air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC) and light-armored infantry are the most suitable combination for conducting Amphibious Warfare. A modern amphibious fleet is essential for successful amphibious warfare like LHD-class amphibious assault and command ships, new class of amphibious ship called LX, more of LCACs, a new amphibious assault vehicle, a new medium lift helicopter etc.
Naval Shore Fire Support: NSFS is not a classic naval warfare function but is inherent to littoral warfare. NSFS should integrate all fire support means available and within a range like naval gunfire support, use of land-attack cruise missiles like Tomahawk, both carrier and ship based aviation conducting close air support and close-in-fire support etc. The other essential aspect is joint training to ensure coordination and safety of own troops.
Mine Warfare: Mine Warfare and in particular the Mine Countermeasures (MCM), is an integral part of amphibious warfare and therefore plays a critical role in littoral warfare. Lessons from past experiences state that mines are a serious threat to the ability to achieve and maintain sea control and power projection. This threat is amplified in the littoral battle space. Former Soviet Union had about 250-450,000 mines on its inventory, which could have been sold to other smaller countries and would add to the existing stock of about 100,000 mines. Thus practically all maritime nations need to develop effective MCM capabilities.
Space and Electronic Warfare (SEW): SEW is a force multiplier for protecting own C4I systems and collecting data to attack enemy’s C4I systems. The importance of SEW becomes more critical in littoral warfare and thus needs to be strengthened and improved. Operation Desert Storm had clearly demonstrated that SEW is a true force multiplier.
Force Mix and Operations: Any navy which plans on littoral warfare must apply itself to make the optimum use of the existing fleet, including the submarines and fleet air arm. The US Navy is experimenting with a new concept called Adaptive Force Packaging that applies innovative force mixes to create naval expeditionary forces centered on the LHD, LPH, LHA, as well as the carrier.
