Planning an Arctic Dieppe: A Consideration of Recent Concepts for a Future UK Amphibous Force Structure

Abstract

Amphibious forces, both in the UK and elsewhere, are undergoing a process of change as they evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st Century post-unipolar era. At the core of the challenge of creating an appropriate force structure is the problem of penetrating an Anti-Access / Area Denial (A2/AD) zone established by an opponent. Such zones hold at risk high value assets such as aircraft carriers and amphibious warfare vessels, and NATO is adopting measures to counter them, including the restructuring of amphibious forces. In attempting a similar planning evolution for UK amphibious forces, there is a danger that current proposals will fall short in Arctic operations, where a combination of a near peer adversary, challenging environment and technological change could see the UK overmatched. This paper identifies flaws in current amphibious force concepts, and describes measures to correct them.