What is the best mix of capabilities in a navy?

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August 16, 2021

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As the global economic landscape becomes increasingly complex, some navies may struggle to keep up with the pace set by their counterparts. If they can’t, they may become obsolete. According to Jeremy Stöhs, vice director of the Austrian Center for Intelligence, Propaganda and Security Studies, navies must strike the right balance between low-end and high-end capabilities. This concept is known as the high-low mix, which refers to the ability to perform a range of tasks, from peacetime operations to high-intensity warfare.

Navies must be able to adapt to different scenarios, from police operations to combat, and have the right mix of capabilities to achieve this. “You need to have the right balance point, because if you get it wrong, you won’t be able to do either one well,” Stöhs warns.

The high-low mix is a challenge, as navies need to invest in the right equipment and training, which takes time. It may take 10-20-30 years to develop and acquire the necessary systems, and it may not be feasible for smaller navies to keep up with the pace set by larger ones.

In addition to the high-low mix, navies face the challenge of home-game and away-game. Home-game refers to operations near home waters, while away-game refers to operations in foreign waters. “You need to have the right balance between the two,” Stöhs notes.

Key to the high-low mix and the home-game/away-game is the need for effective human talent and advanced technology. Stöhs warns that the challenges in this area will only worsen in the future, as the shortage of skilled personnel and increasing costs of advanced technology will put a strain on navies.

In the face of these challenges, navies must adapt and innovate to remain effective and relevant. This may involve exploring new recruitment strategies and ways to retain personnel, as well as finding alternative solutions to the limited resources available. “The competition for talent is fierce, and navies must find ways to compete,” Stöhs warns.