Page 102 - North Atlantic and Nordic Defense

North European and North Atlantic Defense: The Challenges Return

There is no effective deterrence if there is not a credible capability for competitors and adversaries to take
seriously.

But as skill sets are reshaped for the decade ahead, it is not simply bringing back older skill sets; it is about
adapting historical lessons learned to 21st century technologies.

This is notably true with anti-submarine warfare, where the new skill sets adapt the alone and unafraid focus
of the P-3 crews to the mastery of the new technologies, which allow for an ability to leverage reachback
systems, robust networks, and distributed strike.

In the North Atlantic, the U.S. and its allies are shaping what the U.S. Navy calls a kill web approach.

In effect, a Maritime Domain Awareness highway or belt is being constructed from the Canada through to
Norway.

And this belt is about shaping a data stream of actionable intelligence to guide decision making for effective
strike capabilities and operations. It is not ISR; it is a kill web.

With regard to the UK, Denmark, Norway and the United States, P-8s, Tritons and F-35s are being introduced
in shaping a new domain awareness sensor shooter capability for the allied forces.

A key challenge will be establishing ways to share data and enable rapid decision-making in a region where
the Russians are modernizing forces and expanded reach into the Arctic.

The return of the Russians in terms of the threat from the Kola Peninsula and building new submarines has
come at a time when ASW capabilities have eroded for the allies in the North Atlantic.

The two together – the return of the Russians and the erosion of ASW NATO capabilities – defines the
challenge.
How best to meet the challenge in the presence of new 21st century technologies is a work in progress.

Earlier this year, the Norwegians released their threat assessment of the challenges facing Norway.

In that assessment by Norwegian intelligence, NIS head Lieutenant General Morten Haga Lunde stressed when
presenting the report, the following with regard to the Russian submarine threat:

“We are seeing an increase in Russian submarine activity and that the vessels are moving further west.
Meanwhile their submarines have such well-developed technology that they are becoming increasingly
difficult to detect,” he told broadcaster NRK.

Russia's upgraded and newly developed submarines can move almost noiselessly under water, according to
NRK’s report. They also contain advanced missile systems and a water jet system which makes them very
difficult to detect at low speeds.

“Russia has undergone a modernization in recent years. They have new submarines, surface ships, aircraft and
weapons technology,” Lunde said.

https://www.thelocal.no/20170207/norwegian-military-intelligence-warns-of-increased-threats-from-russia

Canada’s approach to engaging in the revival of ASW systems, platforms and skill sets is to evolve the
capabilities of its CP-140 and to add a new innovative helicopter to the mix in the North Atlantic and the
Pacific.
Second Line of Defense

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