OPINION | Not like the old days: modern sea control will be episodic and local

These operations do not require continuous control of entire seas: forces can secure particular routes or operating areas long enough to land troops, deliver supplies or strike targets ashore, repeating these windows of control as needed to sustain operations.

New systems may change the methods, but the old strategic logic remains: events ashore will still depend heavily on who can use the sea where and when it matters and who cannot.

Surface combatants, such as destroyers and frigates, therefore are not finished, but they must be used differently. They will need to operate in more distributed formations, with reimagined deception, better networking and faster access to rearmament and repair.

High-end missiles and crewed aircraft will remain vital, but from outside the areas most heavily threatened by drones and only if supported by resilient sensing, communications, industrial depth, basing access and ultimately political will.

Article reprinted with permission from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's analysis and commentary site The Strategist.