Amphibious Forces: A Game-Changer in Modern Warfare

Amphibious forces have long been romanticized in movies, where landing crafts deposit troops onto a beach amidst a hailstorm of gunfire. The scene is intense, with soldiers battling against the odds, trying to secure a foothold until reinforcements arrive. But in today’s world, with anti-ship missiles capable of reaching hundreds of miles, the very act of reaching the battlefield has become a battle in itself. This raises the question: Are the days of amphibious forces numbered? If so, why have countries like the U.S. and the U.K. continued to invest heavily in this strategy?

Marine units, regardless of how they are described, offer military commanders a unique capability. They can approach the often-overlooked flanks of rivers and seas and launch or threaten to launch assaults. The mere presence of marine forces off a coast can be a strategic game-changer. Today, they might be hovering off one part of the shore, and by tomorrow, they could be miles away. This mobility forces the defender into a game of cat and mouse, constantly second-guessing the attacker’s next move. The ability to threaten without actually landing is a valuable tool in military strategy.

Historically, marine forces have played a significant role in warfare. Britain’s Royal Marine Commandos, formed in 1664, and the U.S. Marine Corps, established about a century later, have storied pasts. These forces have their own unique cultures and terminologies. For instance, the Royal Marines have a distinct way of expressing themselves, using terms like “yaffling irons” for cutlery and “hoofing” to express approval.

In recent times, the Royal Marines and army commandos, along with international partners, trained 900 Ukrainian Marines in amphibious warfare. This training is particularly relevant as Ukraine seeks to expand its foothold across the Dnipro River, potentially opening a new front or forcing Russia to divert its forces. The exact nature of the operations across the Dnipro remains unclear, but it seems to be more than just a series of raids.

The challenge of projecting military force from sea to land is not new. With a significant portion of the world’s population and many economic and political centers located near coasts, dominating the littoral zones has always been crucial. However, the rise of land-based systems that can target ships and carriers from great distances has introduced the concept of Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD). Penetrating and operating within an enemy’s A2AD zone, as seen in Ukraine, is a challenge that many nations are grappling with, especially when considering potential conflicts in regions like Taiwan.

Post the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, nations like the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, and Australia have shifted their focus from counter-insurgency operations to high-end state-on-state warfare. The U.S. Marine Corps, under General David H. Berger, initiated this shift with the Force Design 2030 plan. This plan aims to make the force more agile, lethal, and connected, emphasizing operations in the Indo-Pacific region. The specifics of which country in the Indo-Pacific prompted this shift remain unspecified, but the implications are clear.

The modern battlefield demands flexibility. Concentrating forces in one location or having a significant electromagnetic signature can be disastrous. The massive logistic bases of the past, like Camp Bastion during the Afghanistan war, are no longer viable. Forces need to be dispersed, connected when necessary, and invisible when not.

For the U.S. Marine Corps, the goal is to challenge the A2AD problem in the Indo-Pacific region. Small, connected, and lethal groups of Marines scattered across strategic locations can deter any East Asian country trying to dominate regions like the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait. The U.K. has similar plans, albeit on a smaller scale, with the Future Commando Force.

The strategies being tested in Ukraine, especially the incorporation of drone technology for various purposes, are being closely watched by global powers. The outcomes will shape the future of amphibious warfare. And yes, China is undoubtedly paying attention.

In conclusion, amphibious forces remain a vital component of modern military strategy. Their flexibility, mobility, and ability to threaten without landing make them indispensable. As technology evolves and the nature of warfare changes, these forces will continue to adapt, ensuring they remain at the forefront of global defense strategies.