ABSTRACT
The post-Cold War maritime strategy was shaped by the absence of peer competitors, confidence in air and maritime supremacy, and concerns over maritime security threats like piracy and terrorism. However, the emergence of rival naval powers and disruptive, cost-effective technologies – seen in Ukraine and the Red Sea – have undermined these assumptions, marking a second revolution in military affairs (2RMA). This revolution, coupled with aging NATO fleets and shipbuilding challenges, demands a reassessment of maritime strategy. While 2RMA minimally affects strategic ends and operational ways, it profoundly impacts means, particularly the speed of technological adaptation. Nations are responding differently, from legacy weapon use to advanced autonomy and electronic warfare. A viable strategy must ensure economic resilience, accelerate defence innovation, and promote maritime power awareness while fostering a shared strategic language among military, industry, and policymakers.
