ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the many strategic options open to those who possess a form of sea power, as well as how to offset the sea power of others. It outlines the characteristics of the maritime environment. The chapter addresses the most important questions in the discipline. It also addresses the issue of sea power’s relative significance in the outcome of strategy. The formation of harbours, inland seas, and the existence of choke points all shape sea power to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the context. The nature of the maritime environment endows sea power with some significant characteristics in the practice of strategy. The appearance of unmanned vessels, such as Sea Hunter, may lead to an increase in smaller but more numerous units. An important prerequisite for taking full advantage of the aforementioned characteristics of sea power is to gain some form of command or control of the sea.
