As a defense journalist keenly observing the evolution of naval warfare, few developments excite me more than the prospect of dedicated drone carriers. The idea of vessels designed from the keel up to deploy, recover, and manage a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs) represents a monumental leap in maritime power projection. For too long, I’ve advocated for such platforms, watching only Turkey make significant strides with its TCG Anadolu. So, when I stumbled upon a headline promising a new ‘Drone Carrier’ for the Portuguese Navy, my anticipation was palpable. What kind of vessel? What cutting-edge drones? How would it redefine naval combat?

Damen’s ‘Drone Carrier’: A Mission Focus Without Combat

The news article, “Damen launches ‘Drone Carrier’ for the Portuguese Navy”, initially held such promise. However, my excitement quickly dissolved into profound disappointment upon reading the ship’s described mission focus. This vessel, boasting a high degree of system autonomy, is designed for:

• Oceanographic research
• Environmental control
• Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)
• Maritime surveillance and support tasks

Do you notice the glaring omission? The explicit absence of any combat mission, combat support, or even defensive combat capability is, frankly, alarming. While these non-combat roles are undoubtedly valuable, to launch a vessel touted as a ‘drone carrier’ without any mention of its role in future naval warfare or deterring aggression suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of current geopolitical realities.

A Non-Combat Mindset in a Dangerous World

Beyond its utilitarian, frankly non-stealthy design, the most troubling aspect is the underlying philosophy. Portugal, understandably, may not envision itself conducting worldwide combat operations. Yet, what about countering piracy, a persistent threat to global shipping? What about tackling rogue fisheries violators or dealing with the provocative presence of Russian or Chinese shadow fleet merchant ships? What about deterring foreign submarines violating Portuguese territorial waters? Even supporting allied operations against terrorists or in Middle Eastern conflict zones demands a combat-capable platform.

This non-combat mindset, sadly, appears to be an increasingly prevalent norm across many Western militaries. The old adage, ‘During peace, prepare for war,’ seems to have been relegated to the annals of history. How does building a multi-purpose research and HADR vessel, however useful, prepare us for the very real and rapidly escalating threats facing global security?

The Urgent Need for Defense Readiness

The recent events in the Middle East, where even moderate-intensity munitions expenditure seriously depleted US stocks within weeks, serve as a stark warning. If a relatively contained conflict stretches our logistical and industrial capacity, how ready are we for a potential major conflict, say, with China? The US Navy is only now, in its upcoming budget, asking for increased weapons production, a realization that seems dangerously late.

The West, and that emphatically includes the United States, needs an urgent wake-up call. The world is not a peaceful place, and wishful thinking will not deter adversaries. We must re-prioritize combat readiness, invest in innovative platforms like true combat drone carriers, and ensure our forces are equipped and mentally prepared for the inevitable challenges ahead. A ‘drone carrier’ that shies away from combat is, in essence, missing its most critical purpose in modern defense.