ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the role of small navies in European security. It addresses the ways in which such navies have tried to fulfil a variety of traditional and non-traditional duties and how they have adapted to meet new and emerging challenges. The book identifies and addresses gaps in our understanding of maritime security and the role of small navies in Europe, including governance, information sharing, capacity building and capability development alongside actions aimed at achieving more efficient and effective maritime security operations. It explores the role of small navies in meeting ‘traditional’ security threats. The book also examines how maritime security and naval development in Europe might evolve given that financial reality will continue to impact on naval procurement, which means that European states will increasingly have to do more with less in the maritime domain.
