Underwater drone warfare: a new front? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Naval Drones: Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) capable of various military missions.
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): Drones that operate independently without human intervention.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Used for navigation and decision-making in UUVs.
• Sonar: A technology used for detecting objects and navigating underwater.
• Hydrogen Power: An energy source for some advanced UUVs, enabling extended underwater endurance.
• Undersea Infrastructure Vulnerability: The susceptibility of pipelines, cables, and other submerged assets to sabotage.
• Choke Points: Strategically important narrow waterways that are crucial for maritime trade and security.
• Shadow Fleet: A fleet of oil tankers, often operating under sanctions, used to circumvent international regulations.
• Unmanned Nuclear-Powered Torpedo: A new class of weapon being developed for underwater warfare.

The Rise of Underwater Drones in Warfare

The future of warfare may be shifting to the underwater domain, as evidenced by recent events. Ukrainian naval drones successfully attacked two sanctioned tankers in the Black Sea en route to a Russian port for oil loading. This incident highlights the growing capability and impact of underwater drones, mirroring the way aerial drones have transformed land warfare.

Capabilities and Evolution of Submarine Drone Technology

Underwater drone technology is rapidly advancing beyond simple speedboats carrying explosives. Modern models are designed for a variety of military missions.

• Grey Shark (German Company): This autonomous underwater drone is being supplied to European governments.

  • Functions: Mine detection, monitoring of undersea cables, and listening for enemy submarines.
  • Operation: Fully autonomous, requiring no human presence on-site.
  • Propulsion: Powered by hydrogen.
  • Navigation: Utilizes AI and sonar for navigation.
  • Endurance: The newest model can remain submerged for up to four months.

• Global Arms Race: Several nations are investing heavily in this technology.

  • United States: Pouring billions into projects like the "Mansurray" (likely referring to a specific program or class of UUV).
  • Russia: Has tested an unmanned, nuclear-powered torpedo, indicating a significant leap in offensive underwater capabilities.

Motivations Behind Increased Interest in Underwater Operations

The surge in interest in underwater drone technology is driven by several factors:

• New Threats: The emergence of novel challenges in the maritime environment.
• Contested Waters: Increasing geopolitical tensions and competition in maritime zones.
• Vulnerabilities: The exposed nature of critical undersea infrastructure.

Undersea Infrastructure Vulnerability and Security Concerns

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, a series of sabotage incidents in the Baltic Sea have underscored the extreme vulnerability of undersea cables and pipelines. This has led to:

• Increased Patrols: European countries are enhancing patrols of crucial choke points.
• Concerns over Shadow Fleets: The growing presence of Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers necessitates greater maritime surveillance and security.

Advantages of Drones Over Manned Submarines

Underwater drones offer several distinct advantages over traditional manned submarines:

• Practicality: More practical for certain missions compared to manned submarines.
• Endurance: Human crews limit the depth and duration a submarine can stay submerged. Drones, with their advanced power sources and lack of human life support needs, can operate for much longer periods and at greater depths.
• Stealth: Smaller and quieter drones are more difficult to detect, allowing them to remain submerged and operate undetected for extended durations.
• Reduced Risk: Drones significantly lower the risk to human life in dangerous missions.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Producing drones is generally cheaper than building and maintaining large manned submarines.

Cost Considerations and Challenges

Despite the cost advantages, there are significant financial considerations:

• High Unit Cost: A "Grey Shark" drone is reported to cost over €100 million.
• Maintenance Costs: Experts warn that the ongoing maintenance of these sophisticated systems can be substantial.
• Dual-Use Technology: A critical concern is that if producing drones for infrastructure protection becomes more affordable, the production of drones for sabotage purposes will also become cheaper and more accessible.

Conclusion

The development and deployment of underwater drones represent a significant evolution in naval warfare. Driven by the need to protect vulnerable undersea infrastructure, counter new threats, and operate in contested waters, these autonomous systems offer advantages in endurance, stealth, and risk reduction over manned submarines. However, the high initial cost and ongoing maintenance, coupled with the dual-use nature of the technology, present complex challenges for future maritime security. The arms race in this domain is intensifying, with nations like the US and Russia making substantial investments in advanced underwater drone capabilities.