Naval Experts Call for ‘Offensive Sea Control,’ More Tomahawks, Improved Air and Missile Defenses

Three authorities on naval warfare argued July 25 that the Navy needs to dramatically revise its operational concepts and acquisition policies to make the surface fleet more capable and relevant to the rapidly changing and increasingly dangerous global security environment.

One urged the Navy and Congress to reverse decisions to stop buying new Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles or risk losing the ability to project force ashore from long range.

Another argued for a return to the “offensive sea control” strategy the Navy embraced during the Cold War and to take the burden of low-order naval missions, such as anti-piracy, from the large surface combatants so they can concentrate on the offensive duties.

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