Russia expected to deploy maritime drones to escort vessels in an alleged hidden navy fleet, according to a former defense official's prediction.
A video posted by Janis Garisons on Facebook shows a Russian exercise involving a combined attack on a naval target by both an air and a sea drone. The exercise is part of the ongoing Russian military exercise, July Storm, taking place in the Baltic Sea.
Garisons, the Chairman of the Board of maritime drone manufacturing company NEWT21 and former State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Defense, suggests that Russia may soon intensify the use of drones at sea for operations beyond sabotage, potentially including escorting vessels transporting oil products. However, he does not provide new information about the possible use of drones for escorting vessels or the analysts' conclusions on Russia's weapon production.
The increased use of maritime drones by Russia is a cause for concern for NATO. Reports indicate that Russia will soon escalate the use of drones not only for sabotage but also for escorting its Shadow Fleet vessels at sea. These vessels are involved in sanction evasion and covert maritime operations.
In response, NATO has deployed advanced drone fleets in strategic areas like the Baltic Sea to restrict Russian naval access, block critical maritime routes, and surveil Russian fleet movements. This reliance on autonomous maritime technology reflects a broader adaptation to new naval warfare technologies, emphasizing AI-driven combined operations.
Garisons raises the question whether NATO is prepared for a war involving new technologies. He believes that Russia is quickly adapting to the lessons of the Ukraine war in its use of drones at sea. The implications for NATO are significant, as they must continue advancing and integrating unmanned surface, underwater, and aerial drones into their maritime defense strategies to monitor, block, and respond to Russia's hybrid naval tactics.
This involves simulating full-scale drone-based blockades and preparing for complex electronic warfare scenarios related to GNSS manipulation and shadow fleet evasion techniques. Such efforts underline an evolving naval battlefield where unmanned systems and electronic countermeasures will play a central role.
Despite the growing concern, Russia still has the resources to hold military exercises like July Storm, even though most of its military assets are engaged in Ukraine. The exercise is receiving little attention, according to Garisons, which raises questions about the level of vigilance and preparedness among international observers.
In conclusion, the increasing use of maritime drones by Russia poses a significant challenge to NATO's maritime defense strategies. The organization must continue to adapt and integrate unmanned systems into their strategies to counter Russia's hybrid naval tactics and ensure readiness for potential conflicts involving new technologies.
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