The US Navy is trying to develop directed energy systems like HELIOS to counter low-end threats. (Lockheed Martin)

While underscoring effective US Navy (USN) surface-fleet operations in the Red Sea since October, Rear Admiral Fred Pyle, USN surface warfare director, acknowledged a need to not only replenish weapons stocks but also to find additional options to defend forces against low-end threats.

Speaking on 14 May during a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) event on Red Sea surface warfare operations, Rear Adm Pyle said, “Should we find a more cost-effective way of downing drones? Absolutely.”

The scale of the operations has indeed exacted a cost for the USN, Rear Adm Pyle pointed out.

“What our forces are engaged in Red Sea now we've not seen since probably World War II,” he said. “We're operating in weapons-engagement zone.”

Referring to the air and missile defence demand signal for surface forces, he said, “I don't think it's ever been stronger.”

As a result, “we have spent a billion dollars in munitions since last October”, he said.

The USN now must replenish the missile inventory, he noted.

A keel-laying ceremony for the Italian Navy's new large oceanographic ship was held on 14 May. (Fincantieri)

Fincantieri held a keel-laying ceremony for the Italian Navy's new large oceanographic ship (Nave Idro-Oceanografica Maggiore: NIOM) in Riva Trigoso on 14 May, the shipbuilder confirmed the same day.

The vessel is being procured as part of the Italian Navy's hydro-oceanographic fleet renewal programme. It is intended to replace the navy's ageing 83 m research and survey ship Ammiraglio Magnaghi (A 5303) – which has been in service since 1975 – from around 2026.

Construction is being carried out at Fincantieri's integrated Riva Trigoso-Muggiano shipyard under a design and build contract awarded to the shipbuilder in December 2022.

The ship will be able to perform bathymetric, topographical, and geodetic surveys and acquire hydro-oceanographic, marine, and meteorological geophysical data in depths ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 m (with the ability to survey bottom and natural/artificial features up to 10,000 m).

The 7.5 m Scout S45 surveillance USV and a 15 m Cavalry A150 attack USV are pictured on display at DSA 2024. The A2000 surveillance and attack USV is seen in the background. (Janes/Vinod Kumar CV)

China's Poly Defence displayed models of a series of new combat and reconnaissance unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and diver support vessels at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

The displayed vessels included the Scout S45 surveillance USV, the Cavalry A150 attack USV, the A2000 attack and surveillance USV, the SDV-1 surface/underwater diver delivery vehicle, and the UPV-3D underwater diver propulsion vehicle.

The company provided few details about the products, apart from clarifying that all vessels were under development. The company also confirmed that a separate project is under way to deploy the systems in a networked environment for co-ordinated reconnaissance and combat operations in littoral waters.

A Poly Defence official also said the Scout S45 surveillance USV and Cavalry A150 attack USV can be networked with each other to carry out coastal interdiction operations. The A2000 USV is integrated, although its specific role was not stated.