Middle East’s maritime security is of high importance given the number of strategic passages that see vital international trade go through daily. Therefore, security technology plays an important role in securing naval ways and deter illicit activity, with minimal impact to international trade. These aims have informed large investments in water-based drones that pave the way for new future in naval security. The unmanned devices promise to be cost effective, and efficient in hitting enemy targets, thus improving the protection offered to allies, and improving maritime security overall.

Emerging Technology

The Mideast has seen an increase in activity by water-based drones in the past period, which could be noted in the following developments:

1. Washington’s digital transformation of international waters project: Seeking to strengthen maritime security in the Middle East, Washington has begun utilising high resolution satellite imagery and interactive monitors to enhance its security deterrence strategy. Earlier this year, Washington announced the deployment of a new fleet of drone ships and underwater drones, which complement its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which all are an integral part of the US digital transformation project.

The US Navy’s Middle East-based 5th Fleet announced February 2022 the launch of a new joint fleet of unmanned sea drones with allied nations to patrol vast swathes of the region’s volatile waters as tensions simmer with Iran. 100 unmanned sea drones, both sailing and submersible, would dramatically multiply the surveillance capacities of the US Navy, allowing it to keep a close eye on waters critical to the flow of the global oil and shipping.

2. A US coalition:

On 31 August 2022, the Wall Street Journal published an article that explored the inside of US maritime drone operation in the Arabian gulf, that seek to track Tehran’s activities. According to the article, the US Navy is working with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern nations to build a network of unmanned drones as it seeks to constrain Iran’s military in the region—a program the Pentagon hopes will be a model for operations around the world. By next summer, the Navy says, it expects to have 100 small surveillance drones—contributed by various countries—operating from the Suez Canal in Egypt to waters off the Iranian coast and feeding information to a command centre in Bahrain, headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet. Capt. Michael Brasseur, who heads the US Navy task force working to build the drone fleet in the Middle East, is quoted by the Wall Street to think that the coalition is “truly on the cusp of an unmanned technological revolution”. [1]

3. Iran deploys its first unmanned fleet:

During US President Joe Biden’s visit to the Middle East in July, Iran announced a new unmanned fleet comprising unmanned carriers capable of launching drone sails and submarines, the first of its kind. The fleet, Tehran has claimed, has the capability to carry reconnaissance and destroy missions.

Commander of the Iranian Navy, Shahram Irani, said on 31 August that a fleet of UAVs has been deployed 2200km out in the Red Sea. The admiral said that “The IRGC naval units have been tasked with the mission to be deployed and present in open seas,” and that these fleets “would continue to protect such interests and support Iranian shipping”.[2]

4. Turkey’s sea drones technology:

On 5 August, Turkish Navy received the latest UAV, Aksungur, built by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). The drone, powered dual-turbocharged diesel engines, is capable of carrying maximum payload of 750kg to an altitude of 25,000ft (7,600m) for up to 50 hours each flight. TAI has also tested a consorted drill through a one unified control unit of a fleet of UAVs and armed drone sails against a single target.

Accelerating its drone technology, Turkey has developed five sea drones, which are: Salvo, Songar, Albatros, Mir, and Ulaq. Diverse in capability, range, and technology, these unmanned vessels offer Turkey an edge to manoeuvre and carry critical armed missions with minimum personnel casualties, bringing Turkey to the forefront of technology developers in this space.

Revealing Indicators

The increasing reliance on drones in the Middle East reveal a series of developments in the region, which might be outlined as follows:

1.    The strategic importance of the Middle East:

International and regional trade routes, as well as oil exports, all run through the region. Hormoz strait is a key passage for Arabian gulf oil vessels. The region also shoulders a vast shores of sea areas, giving it a strategic position. Any security instability in the region threatens not just regional but global critical supplies. The strategic importance of the Middle East, therefore, extends beyond the capability of any single state; thus, advanced technologies in surveillance, monitoring, tracking, and imagery, as well as coalitions of regional partners, play a key role in facing threats and instability in the region.

2.    Securing vessels in the region:

Lately, sea vessels have faced increased threats. For instance, Iran’s navy briefly captured two US 7-meter unmanned surface vehicles, dubbed Saildrone Explorer, on August 30. Iran Navy released the vessels eventually, following a statement by Vice Admira Brad Cooper, the commander of US 5^th fleet, calling the attempt by Iran Navy “flagrant, unwarranted and inconsistent with the behaviour of a professional maritime force.”[3] This incident reveals the sort of risks these vessels may face, from seizure to abduction, regardless of the nature of their missions.

3.    Multiple players, multiple objectives:

The US aims to secure the international waters in the Middle East, by integrating systems and utilising artificial intelligence through the 5^th fleet operations. The main purpose of this operation that encompass regional partners as described above, is to revolutionise the surface vessel industry, secure the strategic waters in the region, and face the growing threat of Iran especially around the Hormoz strait.

Turkey in turn is making strides in sea drone technology, which is driving its presence and influence, politically and militarily, especially in the face of a growing animosity with Greece in the Mediterranean. Moreover, the sales of advanced drone units are securing much needed income for Turkey. Thus, Turkey’s pioneering drone industry is fortifying its commercial and military position as a global leader in this industry.

4.    Growing importance of sea drones:

The capability of some of the models are impressive: some drone vessels can sail for about 6 months non-stop and are able to carry various types of missions at a much lower cost. They require minimal human operation, therefore saving human capital costs. Their precision and imagery quality are massive, being able transmit high volume data. Nevertheless, some experts are being sceptical of the actual effectiveness of these drones as they get bigger in size, heavier, and more expensive. Moreover, experts note that as new states lead the industry, they note the impact this technology might have on the balance of power in the region.

5.    Driving naval cooperation:

The development of new drones has enabled a number of regional states to carry joint military drills in the Middle East, the latest being US International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2022 last February, which included more than 60 states, 9000 personal, 50 vessels, and 80 unmanned vessels from 10 states. This massive drill has facilitated international cooperation and the protection of global trade. Another example is Intrinsic Defender, a bilateral exercise between US and Israeli naval forces taking place in and off the coast of Israel. More than 300 US personnel participated, including navy explosive ordnance disposal dive team, Coast Guard maritime engagement team, and global health engagement team.

In conclusion, the future of maritime security is being shifted by the emergence of new technologies. Unmanned surface drones no doubt play a key role in this rapidly developing industry, adding width to existing aerial drones and aircraft carriers. Latest research, however, argue that these high-tech machines have not been put to a real-world test just yet, such would be the case in tracking human trafficking routes, sensitive espionage missions, or emergency response, which would require collective and highly complex response. Then, this new technology would prove their viability.