MARITIME security is on the “cusp of an unmanned technological revolution” which requires regional navies to work closely with their US ally, stated a top commander yesterday.
Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said it was high time to put “more eyes out on the water” in the Arabian Gulf and beyond and this required a combination of unmanned systems with artificial intelligence (AI).
“I believe that we are on the cusp of an unmanned technological revolution, and this calls for regional navies to work together more closely,” said Vice Adm Cooper during a telephonic briefing attended by the media including the GDN yesterday.
“We established the world’s first unmanned and artificial intelligence Task Force 59 (based in Bahrain), and we conducted the largest maritime unmanned exercise in the world with 10 regional partners.”
Vice Adm Cooper was referring to the ‘New Horizon’ exercise conducted last October that was led by the US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in partnership with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF) and Bahrain Coast Guard.
This marked the first time the two nations worked together and operated unmanned surface vessels (USV) alongside manned US patrol craft and BDF maritime assets.
An unmanned system (US) or vehicle (UV) is controlled by a remote pilot and can navigate autonomously based on pre-programmed plans or specific targets.
Vice Adm Cooper stressed the Middle East waterways are dynamic and critical for global commerce.
“We look to the future and we’ve set a big goal.
“And that goal is to have 100 of these advanced unmanned surface vessels into Navy fleets across the Middle East waters, working in close co-operation with our regional partners by the summer of 2023.
“These vessels will operate alongside our cruise ships, and further enable us to have a clearer picture of what’s happening above and below the water.”
He said that the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can send information they detect either by radar or camera using AI back to a command centre for better decision-making.
Vice Adm Cooper also provided an update on the new international task force focused on the Red Sea (CTF 153) and other initiatives in the Middle East.
In response to a question by the GDN regarding the reposturing of the US defence to the Indo-Pacific, and its impact on regional allies including Bahrain amidst ongoing Iranian threats, he assured that the US was here to stay and deter future threats.
“I can confidently tell you that we are highly engaged in and deeply committed to the region,” he said citing the example of the 34-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the nine-nation International Maritime Security Construct that are both based in Bahrain.
“If I look at 2021, the US navy conducted 33 exercises with their partners in this region and I think this is a great signal of our commitment on a practical basis,” he added.
Meanwhile, he highlighted regional coalition efforts that helped in the seizure of drugs worth about $500 million, more than the four previous years combined, and 9,000 weapons, which were three times more than the previous year.
The CMF includes three task forces: CTF 150 (counterterrorism and maritime security operations), CTF 151 (anti-piracy operations) and CTF 152 (Gulf maritime security operations).
Furthermore, the commander added they were closely working with Saudi Arabia that will assume command this summer of CTF 150, and RBNF will soon command CTF 152 during the same period.
“None of what we do here at our headquarters (in Juffair) is possible without the leadership and support of the Bahrain government,” stressed Vice Adm Cooper.
“We also have our families who live here, our children go to school side by side with many brothers and sisters.
“And so really this our second home for the Naval Forces Central Command of this fleet.”
The Fifth Fleet’s area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
It also covers three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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