US 5th Fleet enhances Middle East maritime security with unmanned capabilities

Agencies | Washington                                 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Naval forces in the Middle East region have successfully integrated unmanned platforms with traditionally crewed ships and aircraft to enhance maritime security operations in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula.

According to the NAVCENT Public Affairs, the US 5th Fleet, comprising of seven task forces, integrated 12 different unmanned platforms with manned ships for “manned-unmanned teaming” operations.

This initiative aimed at tracking Iranian Navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) ships and small boats during routine patrols in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

The operation helped strengthen presence in this critical chokepoint, which has witnessed Iran’s unlawful seizure of internationally flagged merchant ships. Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were utilised during this operation.

“We have been operating UAVs and UUVs in the region for years,” said Capt. Joe Baggett, Director of Maritime Operations for US Naval Forces Central Command and US 5th Fleet.

“Adding our new USVs, and then integrating all of these platforms into fleet operations, is how we expect to fly and sail well into the future.” Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, ships and aircraft from Task Force 51/5 (Amphiious/Marine), Task Force 52 (Mine Countermeasures), Task Force 53 (Logistics), Task Force 55 (Surface Warfare), Task Force 56 (Expeditionary), Task Force 57 (Patrol/Reconnaissance) and Task Force 59 (Unmanned/Artificial Intelligence) conducted the operations.

Maritime domain

“The integration of new, multidomain unmanned platforms into routine fleet operations provides more ‘eyes on the water,’ enhancing maritime domain awareness and increasing deterrence in the region,” said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander, US Naval Forces Central Command and US 5th Fleet.

Vice Admiral Cooper added that collectively, these platforms support the safe navigation and free flow of commerce through vital regional chokepoints, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

“This enhanced maritime security serves as a deterrent against malign activity and strengthens regional stability, which is good for everybody,” he said. US Naval Forces Central Command/US 5th Fleet’s area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.

This expanse, comprising 21 nations, includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb.