Commandant Jean-Baptiste Charcot (French explorer): “The experience of those who came before us serves as a compass for those who follow at sea.”
The Center for Maritime Strategy (CMS), under Admiral Jamie Foggo’s leadership, has published a significant quantity of analyses on maritime security. A recent publication by Nicholas Weising, Program Associate at CMS, titled “What a NATO-Skeptic U.S. means for NATO Maritime Security” (December 17, 2024), presents a perspective that warrants further discussion.
The article suggests that European naval capabilities are limited compared to those of the U.S. Navy. However, European nations, while operating on a different scale, do possess significant maritime assets. The European Operation ASPIDES is currently deployed in the Red Sea, ensuring the protection of merchant shipping alongside U.S. and UK forces. The French Carrier Group is presently operating in Asia, and the Italian carrier group was recently in the region as well. The omission of France’s contributions in the original analysis does not fully capture the extent of European engagement. European naval forces remain active and operationally relevant, not solely under the control of NATO’s Maritime Command (MARCOM).
While the need for increased defense spending is widely acknowledged given the current international climate, the characterization of European reliance on U.S. naval power requires nuance. French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, recently underscored the necessity of effective military expenditure, emphasizing that the government’s appropriations must translate into tangible military capabilities for operational forces. France has already surpassed the two percent GDP defense spending benchmark and anticipates reaching a sum of 67 billion euros by 2030, compared to 32 billion euros in 2017. This increase aligns with the demands of emerging threats, technological advancements, and the imperative to develop independent weapons production.
Thus, the assertion that Europe relies exclusively on the U.S. Navy for maritime security may be overstated. Post-Cold War force structures have indeed decreased in size, but this trend applies to the United States as well. The examples of Ireland and Germany as cases of European underinvestment require contextualization. Ireland adheres to a policy of neutrality, while Germany has consistently deployed forces to the Indian Ocean and Asia in recent decades. Furthermore, European navies, including those of the UK, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, and Poland, have conducted extensive operations in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. Their involvement in counterterrorism and counter-piracy efforts alongside the United States and Canada has provided them with valuable combat experience while demonstrating their sustained commitment to international security and cooperation.
For accuracy, it is essential to clarify that NATO Operation Ocean Shield was an anti-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa and was never conducted in the Mediterranean. In contrast, MARCOM currently leads a maritime security operation in the Mediterranean called Sea Guardian.
Continued investment in naval assets remains crucial for ensuring security and power projection. The French Carrier Group is currently operating in the Far East, the Italian carrier recently concluded a deployment in the region, and a British carrier will follow. The transatlantic link and the NATO alliance remains central to collective security efforts. Ongoing collaboration in maritime culture, operational experience, and strategic vision is essential for maintaining a robust and effective security framework for all.
Hilaire Ducellier is a retired French Navy Rear Admiral. A surface warfare officer by training, he commanded three warships and the Maritime Operations Center for the Atlantic. His NATO assignments included Joint Force Command Lisbon, the Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre, the French delegation to NATO, and Planning Director at JFC Norfolk. He also served as Deputy Commander of EU Operation ATALANTA. Since retiring from active duty, he provides training and mentoring in NATO and partnership environments.
The views expressed in this piece are the sole opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Center for Maritime Strategy or other institutions listed.
Center for Maritime Strategy
By Rear Admiral (Ret.) Hilaire Ducellier, FN
Commandant Jean-Baptiste Charcot (French explorer): “The experience of those who came before us serves as a compass for those who follow at sea.”
The Center for Maritime Strategy (CMS), under Admiral Jamie Foggo’s leadership, has published a significant quantity of analyses on maritime security. A recent publication by Nicholas Weising, Program Associate at CMS, titled “What a NATO-Skeptic U.S. means for NATO Maritime Security” (December 17, 2024), presents a perspective that warrants further discussion.
The article suggests that European naval capabilities are limited compared to those of the U.S. Navy. However, European nations, while operating on a different scale, do possess significant maritime assets. The European Operation ASPIDES is currently deployed in the Red Sea, ensuring the protection of merchant shipping alongside U.S. and UK forces. The French Carrier Group is presently operating in Asia, and the Italian carrier group was recently in the region as well. The omission of France’s contributions in the original analysis does not fully capture the extent of European engagement. European naval forces remain active and operationally relevant, not solely under the control of NATO’s Maritime Command (MARCOM).
While the need for increased defense spending is widely acknowledged given the current international climate, the characterization of European reliance on U.S. naval power requires nuance. French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, recently underscored the necessity of effective military expenditure, emphasizing that the government’s appropriations must translate into tangible military capabilities for operational forces. France has already surpassed the two percent GDP defense spending benchmark and anticipates reaching a sum of 67 billion euros by 2030, compared to 32 billion euros in 2017. This increase aligns with the demands of emerging threats, technological advancements, and the imperative to develop independent weapons production.
The growing threat to undersea infrastructure is another pressing concern in Europe, prompting multiple initiatives aimed at risk mitigation. These include the establishment of a Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure within NATO’s MARCOM in Northwood, the implementation of the multi-domain vigilance activity (Baltic Sentry), and the appointment of a dedicated Rear Admiral within the French Naval Headquarters to address this specific issue.
Thus, the assertion that Europe relies exclusively on the U.S. Navy for maritime security may be overstated. Post-Cold War force structures have indeed decreased in size, but this trend applies to the United States as well. The examples of Ireland and Germany as cases of European underinvestment require contextualization. Ireland adheres to a policy of neutrality, while Germany has consistently deployed forces to the Indian Ocean and Asia in recent decades. Furthermore, European navies, including those of the UK, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, and Poland, have conducted extensive operations in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. Their involvement in counterterrorism and counter-piracy efforts alongside the United States and Canada has provided them with valuable combat experience while demonstrating their sustained commitment to international security and cooperation.
For accuracy, it is essential to clarify that NATO Operation Ocean Shield was an anti-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa and was never conducted in the Mediterranean. In contrast, MARCOM currently leads a maritime security operation in the Mediterranean called Sea Guardian.
Continued investment in naval assets remains crucial for ensuring security and power projection. The French Carrier Group is currently operating in the Far East, the Italian carrier recently concluded a deployment in the region, and a British carrier will follow. The transatlantic link and the NATO alliance remains central to collective security efforts. Ongoing collaboration in maritime culture, operational experience, and strategic vision is essential for maintaining a robust and effective security framework for all.
Hilaire Ducellier is a retired French Navy Rear Admiral. A surface warfare officer by training, he commanded three warships and the Maritime Operations Center for the Atlantic. His NATO assignments included Joint Force Command Lisbon, the Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre, the French delegation to NATO, and Planning Director at JFC Norfolk. He also served as Deputy Commander of EU Operation ATALANTA. Since retiring from active duty, he provides training and mentoring in NATO and partnership environments.
The views expressed in this piece are the sole opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Center for Maritime Strategy or other institutions listed.