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#19
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Mike Burleson
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Apr 01, 2004 06:35 PST
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Greetings!
Today I have enclosed two articles previously published elsewhere for
your enjoyment.
Mike Burleson
Charleston, SC
Israel's Blue Water Future
Israel is considering a bold plan to turn its coastal defense navy into
the dominant fleet in the eastern Mediterranean. New types of warships
are under consideration, including a 12,000 ton cruiser, a 9000 ton
destroyer, and a 4000 ton frigate. The new vessels will protect the
nation’s air space, launch long range cruise missiles, and fire
satellite guided munitions from 155 millimeter naval guns.
The move to a sea base deterrent is logical for a nation about the size
of New Jersey, hemmed in on all sides by potential enemies. During a
brief era of expansion in the 1960’s Israel seized vast chunks of
territory from neighboring Arab states, but gradually gave them up after
a series of peace settlements. Conquests in Sinai, the West Bank, and
Golan Heights were seen as vital buffers against Arab invasion. A land
attack from invading armies is increasingly seen as unlikely, however.
The more immediate threat comes from terrorist attacks against her air
bases, or a ballistic missile strike on her population centers.
For decades the Air Force has been the nation’s first line of defense.
Each of Israel’s 11 air bases are on hair trigger alert, a situation
comparable to the US Strategic Air Command in the height of the Cold
War. Today the air arm remains the primary defense of Israel, and
recently received 102 new F-16I fighters from America at a cost of $4.5
billion. A conservative Air Force, protective of its traditional role,
will prove a significant obstacle to any naval expansion.
Whatever the future composition of the fleet becomes, it will almost
certainly include up to 4 new missile corvettes, armed with Aegis and
the Israeli built Arrow anti-ballistic missiles. Bath Iron Works is
proposing to build these large warships with the American SPY-1F air
defense radar. At 2750 tons and 328 feet long, they will be the smallest
such vessels to carry Aegis, and double the size of corvettes bought by
Israel in the 1990’s.
Israel recently deployed 3 Dolphin class diesel submarines, built and
financed by Germany. Last year it was learned these 1900 ton warships
carried nuclear tipped cruise missiles, which were converted by Israel
from American supplied Harpoon missiles. The country sees these ships as
a vital second strike capability in case her air bases are overrun or
destroyed.
The Israeli Air Force is not seeing this new challenge to their funding
as an immediate concern. The Navy has always been looked on as a poor
relation when compared to the great land and air battles of the army and
air force. Yet, the Israeli public has always been ready to sacrifice to
ensure the security of the country. The sea is increasingly being seen
as the last area of expansion left to her, where she is less likely to
antagonize the Arabs.
A Little Help From Friends
Warships from America’s allies are seen more often operating with US
carrier strike and surface groups. Just last month USS George Washington
left port with its air wing and four other vessels, including the
Canadian frigate HMCS Toronto. Last summer an Argentine destroyer
participated in exercises with USS Enterprise, and Toronto herself
deployed with carriers Roosevelt and Stennis during a six-month
operation in the Mediterranean, ending in May of 2002.
US forces are stretched thin with its many global commitments and the
ongoing War on Terror, and the navy is calling for more allied
participation in its operations. In the case of Canada, a long time NATO
member, the possibility of integration is seen as seamless. NATO
warships all carry standard communications gear, while the Internet
further increases interconnectivity.
Although allied navies lack many capabilities found in major seapowers,
such as supercarriers and large amphibious groups, they do possess
valuable assets and capabilities. Guided missile frigates, corvettes,
and fast attack craft, often seen as liabilities in the US Navy, are
looked on as valuable resources in smaller navies. Since September 11,
and the increasing emphasis on littoral warfare, such light and
inexpensive ships have become the weapon of choice. Slowly the Americans
are doing an about face on this deficiency in its capabilities, by
building new littoral ships especially tailored for coastal operations.
Frigates from Canada and other nations have proven invaluable to
America’s War on Terror. Immediately following the attacks of 2001, NATO
established Operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean. This show of
resolve by 8 European countries have been essential in interdicting
terrorists on the high seas and protecting friendly shipping. A Canadian
led Task Group was also created in the Arabian Sea during Operation
Enduring Freedom, the US war in Afghanistan. Vessels from 12 navies have
assisted the Canadians in intercepting and boarding vessels suspected of
transporting members of Al Quedi from Pakistan and Afghanistan, to
Arabia. In December 2002, the Spanish frigate Navarra detained a North
Korean merchant ship bound for Yemen and loaded with Scud missiles.
Though the ship was eventually released, its capture revealed the
seriousness of WMD proliferation on the high seas.
Allied warships also provide American sailors with valuable expertise in
naval exercises. The threat from rogue states operating diesel/electric
submarines in littoral waters is seen as increasing, and only friendly
navies with conventional subs give the Navy the opportunity to test
countermeasures. The US has long been out of the d/e sub business,
relying on its allies to play the “aggressor” in naval maneuvers. This
was dramatically underscored recently when an Australian Collins class
d/e boat “sank” its American nuclear-powered counterpart during a mock
attack with a dummy torpedo.
The coalition invasion of Iraq last year seemed to place a wedge in
allied cooperation, yet at sea it was business as usual. Germany, one of
the more vocal critics of the war, sent a frigate and tanker to the
Arabian Sea. The French carrier Charles De Gualle briefly operated in
the eastern Med, in case Saddam used WMD on coalition forces. Warships
from Canada and elsewhere continued to intercept and board suspect
vessels, releasing American, Australian, and British ships for combat
duty.
One of the surprising participants of the terror war has been Japan.
Long an active partner since the Cold War and possessed with a large and
capable fleet, she only recently has been allowed by law to partake in
foreign excursions. Japanese support ships are seen resupplying US ships
in rear areas, while her powerful Aegis destroyers provide valuable air
cover. It is obvious Japan is awakening from its self-imposed isolation
after World War Two, and becoming more active in world conflicts,
thankfully on the side of the West.
The overstretched US Fleet is smaller than it’s ever been in modern
times. With less than 300 vessels there is no sign of an increase in
numbers in sight. These reductions in size will only make America more
dependent on the navies of friendly countries, and make it less likely
to antagonize them politically in the future.
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