Company insight
Underwater warfare rises to the surface
Jori Harju, the former commander of the Finnish Navy, sheds light on the future of underwater warfare and the pivotal role of cutting-edge technologies by FORCIT.
T
he underwater domain is rapidly becoming a critical battleground in modern warfare, with navies and non-state actors alike seeking to exploit the vast potential of the oceans. Look no further than undersea communications cables between Germany and Finland being severed in November 2024 to highlight just how current this threat is. According to Jori Harju, former commander of the Finnish Navy, the underwater threat landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies and tactics emerging all the time. “We are seeing a proliferation of submarines, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and other underwater platforms,” he says. “These platforms are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect and track.” This proliferation of advanced underwater platforms presents a significant challenge to naval forces around the world. Submarines, in particular, are becoming increasingly quiet and difficult to detect, making them a potent threat to surface vessels and maritime infrastructure. Harju also highlights the growing threat posed by seabed warfare, which involves the use of mines and other weapons to disrupt or deny access to critical underwater infrastructure. “Seabed warfare is a particularly challenging threat because it is often difficult to detect and counter,” he says. The increasing reliance on undersea cables for communication and energy transmission has made seabed warfare a critical concern. The ability to disrupt or destroy these cables could have a significant impact on a nation’s economy and security.
Technology in underwater warfare In the face of these evolving threats, Harju emphasises the importance of technology in maintaining underwater dominance. “Technology is essential for
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detecting, tracking and engaging underwater threats,” he says. “We need to invest in advanced sensors, sonar systems and other technologies to stay ahead of the curve.”
The development of advanced sonar systems is critical for detecting and tracking underwater threats. These systems use sound waves to identify and locate objects in the water, providing naval forces with crucial situational awareness. Additionally, the development of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) is transforming the way underwater warfare is conducted. These autonomous vehicles can be used for a variety of missions, including intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance. Harju also highlights the importance of developing new and innovative underwater warfare capabilities. “We need to be constantly developing new capabilities to counter the evolving threat,” he says. “This includes developing new weapons, platforms and tactics.” One promising area of development is the use of AI in underwater warfare. AI can be used to analyse vast amounts of data collected by sensors and sonar systems, helping naval forces to identify and track threats more effectively. Additionally, AI can be used to develop autonomous underwater vehicles that can operate independently, without the need for human intervention.
FORCIT is a leading provider of explosives and related technologies, including solutions for underwater warfare. Harju praised FORCIT’s contributions to the field, particularly their work on smart sea mines. “FORCIT’s smart sea mines are a valuable tool for defending against underwater threats,” he says. “These mines are highly effective and can be used to deter or deny access to critical areas.” FORCIT’s smart sea mines are equipped with advanced sensors and
target recognition capabilities, allowing them to distinguish between hostile targets and neutral vessels. This technology ensures that these mines are used responsibly and ethically, minimising the risk of unintended casualties.
The future of underwater warfare Looking to the future, Harju believes that underwater warfare will become increasingly important. “The underwater domain is becoming increasingly contested,” he says. “We need to be prepared to defend our interests in this critical environment.”
The growing importance of the underwater domain is due to several factors, including the increasing reliance on undersea cables for communication and energy transmission, the presence of valuable resources on the seabed and the strategic importance of maritime chokepoints.
Harju also believes that international cooperation will be essential in addressing the challenges of underwater warfare. “No country can address these challenges alone,” he says. “We need to work together to develop a common understanding of the threats and to develop effective countermeasures.”
International cooperation is essential for sharing information about underwater threats, developing common standards for underwater warfare technology and conducting joint exercises to improve interoperability.
As the underwater domain becomes increasingly contested, it is clear that technology and international cooperation will play a critical role in maintaining security and stability. FORCIT, with its innovative solutions and commitment to excellence, is well positioned to contribute to this important effort. ●
www.forcit.fi Defence & Security Systems International /
www.defence-and-security.com
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