During the recent First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference, Historian Dan Snow and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key engaged in a discussion on the evolution of naval warfare, the influence of digital transformation on contemporary military tactics, and the Royal Navy’s continuous endeavors to confront emerging challenges.

Dan Snow initiated the discussion by inquiring about the evolving dynamics of conflicts and the intricacies of naval procedures.

The First Sea Lord offered a historical perspective, underscoring the significance of shipmasters and wind for navigation two centuries ago. He elaborated on the transition during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, emphasizing the pivotal advancements spearheaded by his predecessors.

In this era, the involvement of engineers became paramount as ships transitioned from sail to steam power, fundamentally reshaping naval strategies and operations.

Key highlighted, “And then towards the end of the 19th, early 20th century, particularly driven by some of my predecessors, it was a real shift into a change of naval warfare, where guns are still the means by which you inflicted damage, but you got around the oceans, basically, based upon the human. This time, we’re going from analogue to digital.”

Transitioning to present-day concerns, Key elaborated on how the Royal Navy is tackling contemporary threats. He underscored the importance of agility and adaptability in naval operations to ensure the fleet remains capable of responding effectively to various tasks.

The First Sea Lord emphasized the significance of integrating new weapon systems and prioritizing digital technologies for a modern fleet.

He underscored the importance of uncrewed and autonomous ships, citing Ukraine’s innovative utilization of such technologies as a compelling example.

Furthermore, he referenced the Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) as a prime illustration of the Royal Navy’s commitment to incorporating digital adaptability into its fleet.

These vessels will be engineered to possess agility and adaptability, mirroring the dynamic landscape of maritime security.

Snow shifted the discussion to address present-day challenges, including issues like data security, the proliferation of offshore wind farms, and the increasingly interconnected global landscape. Key acknowledged the contrasting nature of naval operations compared to four decades ago when the primary focus revolved around countering the Soviet Union.

Key underscored the paramount importance of constructing ships with inherent agility, enabling them to effectively counter diverse and evolving threats.

He referenced the National Maritime Security Strategy, which delineates various threats and advocates for a swift and nimble response to emerging vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, Key provided insights into recent operations, such as the deployment of HMS Diamond in the Red Sea. He commended the ship’s exceptional performance and highlighted the invaluable lessons gleaned, particularly regarding combat readiness and rapid response capabilities.

Reflecting on the experience, Adm. Key remarked, “Fascinating to see just how well she performed. I mean, reassuring brilliant, a degree of combat intensity that we’ve got experience as a Navy since 1982.”

Relevant articles:
– Historian Dan Snow talks to the First Sea Lord, UK Defence Journal
– John Rushworth Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe, npg.org.uk
– Members Lecture Series: The Battle of Trafalgar with Dan and Peter Snow, Royal Museums Greenwich
– The Tragedy of HMS Captain | Dan Snow’s History Hit, Acast