The U.S. Navy is set to bolster its presence in the Middle East with a strategic deployment of four Independence-class littoral combat ships (LCS) to Bahrain, augmenting its mine countermeasures capabilities in response to evolving maritime challenges. This move will see the USS Canberra, USS Tulsa, and USS Santa Barbara, along with a yet-to-be-identified fourth ship, shift from their San Diego base to the strategically located Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
Capt. Nathan Wemett, commander of Naval Surface Group Central, remarked on the pivotal role that pier construction played in accommodating these advanced vessels. The over three-year-long development was essential for provisioning the ships with necessary amenities like power, water, sewage, and internet connections.
Navy officials have highlighted the significance of deploying ships equipped with the mine countermeasure mission package, emphasizing an enhanced flexibility for expeditionary forces. This initiative is poised to address potential sea lane threats, according to Brig. Gen. Marcus Annibale, director of expeditionary warfare and resource sponsor for mine warfare. “We don’t want to put the man in the minefield, we want to put the sensor in the minefield,” Annibale stated at the Surface Navy Association’s Annual Symposium.
Despite earlier hurdles with the littoral vessels’ minehunting module, the recent upgrades mark a significant step forward. The inaugural LCS equipped with a mine countermeasures package was USS Canberra in April, with rigorous testing aboard the USS Cincinnati heralding the initial operating capability of the revamped module. The Navy plans for 15 Independence-class ships to execute this mission, underscoring the increasing importance of sophisticated unmanned vehicles in mine detection and neutralization. “Drone boats have been used as part of increased patrols by the Navy in the Strait of Hormuz since last summer,” according to recent reports, showcasing the growing reliance on unmanned systems in naval operations.
The move comes amid criticism of the LCS program’s high costs and reliability issues. The LCS, with its two variants, was intended to be a versatile force capable of addressing near-shore threats but faced setbacks, including propulsion and hull crack issues, leading to early decommissioning and questioning their suitability for missions like confronting China’s maritime assertiveness. Despite this, the decision to establish an LCS presence in Bahrain reflects the Navy’s commitment to modernizing its force and utilizing new technologies to secure vital waterways.
Capt. Matthew Lehmann, program manager of the LCS Mission Modules, expressed confidence in the modernized MCM mission package that will “remove Sailors from the minefield” and ultimately allow the Navy to retire legacy MCM ships. This focus on unmanned capabilities will also provide a buffer, increasing the ship’s standoff distance from threats.
Relevant articles:
– LCS quartet being lined up by Navy for Middle East mine operations, Stars and Stripes
– 5 Reasons the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships Were a Disaster, nationalinterest.org
– U.S. Navy Announces First Mine Countermeasures Mission Package Embarked on USS Canberra, United States Navy (.mil)
– Navy Looks To Deploy Two LCS To Middle East For Counter, Defense Daily