View source for Blue-water navy

{{short description|Naval force capable of operating across the deep waters of the open oceans}}
[[Image:Rimpac battlegroup 2006.jpg|thumb|upright 1.6|[[USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)|USS ''Abraham Lincoln'']] leads a formation of ships from eight countries during the [[Exercise RIMPAC]] in July 2006.]]
{{war}}

A '''blue-water navy''' is a [[Navy|maritime force]] capable of operating globally, essentially across the deep waters of open [[ocean]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/jscsc/courses/RND/bmd|title=British Maritime Doctrine, BR 1806, Third Edition|year=2004|quote=The operating areas of maritime forces range from the deep waters of the open oceans (known colloquially as blue water).|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225005304/http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/jscsc/courses/RND/bmd|archive-date=2014-02-25}}</ref> While definitions of what actually constitutes such a force vary, there is a requirement for the ability to exercise [[Command of the sea|sea control]] at long range.

The term "blue-water navy" is a [[Maritime geography|maritime geographical]] term in contrast with "[[brown-water navy]]" (littoral waters and near to shore) and "[[green-water navy]]" (near to shore and open oceans).

The [[Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency]] of the United States has defined the blue-water navy as "a maritime force capable of sustained operation across the deep waters of open oceans.  A blue-water navy allows a country to [[power projection|project power]] far from the home country and usually includes one or more aircraft carriers. Smaller blue-water navies are able to dispatch fewer vessels abroad for shorter periods of time."<ref name="DSS Trend Report">{{cite web | url=http://www.dss.mil/counterintel/DSS_UNCLASS_2010/specialFocusArea/special.html | title=Special Focus Area: Marine Sensors | publisher=Defense Security Service (United States Department of Defense) | work=Targeting U.S. Technologies: A Trend Analysis of Reporting from Defense Industry | year=2010 | access-date=July 15, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915162319/http://www.dss.mil/counterintel/DSS_UNCLASS_2010/specialFocusArea/special.html | archive-date=September 15, 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Attributes==
[[File:Defense.gov News Photo 001012-N-0000N-001.jpg|thumb|A blue-water navy still remains susceptible to [[asymmetric warfare|asymmetric threats]], an example being the [[USS Cole bombing|USS ''Cole'' bombing]] in October 2000.]]
In public discourse, blue-water capability is identified with the operation of [[capital ship]]s such as [[battleship]]s, [[battlecruiser]]s, [[aircraft carrier]]s, and [[nuclear submarine]]s. For instance, during the debate in the 1970s whether Australia should replace {{HMAS|Melbourne|R21|6}}, a former [[Chief of Navy (Australia)|chief of navy]] claimed that if Australia did not replace her last aircraft carrier, she "would no longer have a blue-water navy".<ref name="Brown2004">{{citation | url=https://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=2104 | title=Why buy Abrams Tanks? We need to look at more appropriate options | first=Gary | last= Brown | date=31 March 2004 | journal=On Line Opinion | publisher= The National Forum}}</ref> In the end Australia did not buy a new carrier, but former Parliamentary defence advisor Gary Brown could still claim in 2004 that her navy remained "an effective blue-water force".<ref name=Brown2004 /> The [[Soviet Navy]] towards the end of the [[Cold War]] is another example of a blue-water navy that had minimal carrier aviation, relying instead on submarines, missile-carrying surface ships, and long-range bombers based on land.<ref name="Cockburn1984">{{cite book|author=Andrew Cockburn|title=The threat: inside the Soviet military machine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5vjyAAAAMAAJ | page=408 |access-date=30 April 2012|year=1984|publisher=Vintage Books|isbn= 978-0-394-72379-2 |quote=in the past 15 years the Soviet Navy has steadily grown from a coastal defense force into a blue water navy powerful enough to challenge the US Navy in most major ocean areas of the world}}</ref>

A blue-water navy implies force protection from [[underwater warfare]], [[surface warfare]], and [[aerial warfare]] threats and a sustainable logistic reach, allowing a persistent presence at long range. A hallmark of a true blue-water navy is the ability to conduct [[Underway replenishment|replenishment at sea]] (RAS),<ref>{{citation | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2pDfAAAAMAAJ&q=true+blue-water | title=Cold war at sea: high-seas confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union | first=David Frank | last=Winkler | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year=2000 | isbn= 978-1-55750-955-0 |page=32}}</ref> and the commissioning of underway replenishment ships is a strong sign of a navy's blue-water ambitions.<ref name="Cole2001">{{cite book|last=Cole|first=Bernard D.|title=The Great Wall at Sea: China's Navy Enters the Twenty-First Century|url=https://archive.org/details/greatwallatseach0000cole |url-access=registration| access-date=30 April 2012|year=2001|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=978-1-55750-239-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/greatwallatseach0000cole/page/104 104]}}</ref> While a blue-water navy can project sea control power into another nation's littoral waters, it remains susceptible to threats from less capable forces ([[asymmetric warfare]]). Maintenance and logistics at range have high costs, and there might be a saturation advantage over a deployed force through the use of land-based air or [[surface-to-surface missile]] assets, [[Diesel-electric#Submarines|diesel-electric submarines]], or asymmetric tactics with [[fast attack craft]] (FAC). An example of this vulnerability was the October 2000 [[USS Cole bombing|USS ''Cole'' bombing]] in [[Aden]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://proceedings.ndia.org/5560/Wednesday/Session_III-A/Heijster.pdf|title=Smart Range of Burst fuzes|access-date=2009-02-23 |publisher= TNO|date= April 6, 2005|author = Rob van Heijster}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.defense-update.com/newscast/0107/news/110107_fiac.htm|title= Protecting Naval Surface Ships from Fast Attack Boat Swarm Threats|access-date= 2009-02-23|publisher= defense-update.com|date= January 10, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070116024340/http://www.defense-update.com/newscast/0107/news/110107_fiac.htm|archive-date= 2007-01-16|url-status= dead}}</ref>

The term 'blue-water navy' should not be confused with the capability of an individual ship. For example, vessels of a green-water navy can often operate in blue water for short periods of time. A number of nations have extensive maritime assets but lack the capability to maintain the required sustainable logistic reach.<ref name="Routledge">{{cite book|last1=Till|first1=Geoffrey|title=Naval Modernisation in South-East Asia: Nature, Causes and Consequences|date=15 August 2013|publisher=Routledge|location=London |isbn=978-1135953942|page=267}}<!--|access-date=16 March 2015--></ref> Some of them join coalition task groups in blue-water deployments such as anti-piracy patrols off Somalia.

===Definitions===
According to a dictionary definition, blue-water capability refers to an oceangoing fleet able to operate on the [[high seas]] far from its nation's home ports. Some operate throughout the world.<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blue-water Dictionary: Blue-water], dictionary.com</ref>

In their 2012 publication, "''Sea Power and the Asia-Pacific''",  professors Geoffrey Till and Patrick C. Bratton outlined what they termed as "concise criteria" with regard to the definitions of brown-, green- and blue-water navies. Quote; "''...a brown-water navy standing for a navy capable of defending its coastal zones, a green-water navy for a navy competent to operate in regional sea and finally [a] blue-water navy described as a navy with capability to operate across the deep waters.''"<ref name="Bratton"/> They go on to say that even with such a definition and understanding of naval hierarchy, it is still "ambiguous". For example, while France and the United States may be considered blue-water navies, he states that the "operational capability and geographic reach of both navies are definitely different."<ref name="Bratton">{{cite book|last1=Bratton|first1=Patrick C|last2=Till|first2=Geoffrey|title=Sea Power and the Asia-Pacific|publisher=Routledge|year=2012|location=London, United Kingdom|isbn=978-1136627248|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RxOpAgAAQBAJ}}</ref>

Another definition states that 'brown-water' refers to the littoral areas within 100 [[nautical mile]]s of the coastline. 'Green-water' begins from 100 nautical miles out to the next major land formation, while 'blue-water' is the ability to project force out to at least 1,500 nautical miles beyond the coast.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Athwal|first1=Amardeep|title=China-India Relations: Contemporary Dynamics|date=10 Oct 2007|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=9781134074662|page=131, note 12}}</ref> Traditionally a distinction used to be made between a coastal [[brown-water navy]] operating in the [[littoral|littoral zone]] to 200 nautical miles (or 370 [[kilometre]]s) and an oceangoing blue-water navy. However, the [[United States Navy]] created a new term, [[green-water navy]], to replace the term 'brown-water navy' in US Navy parlance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/mullen/speeches/mullen051013.txt |title= Q&A with Adm. Michael G. Mullen 2006 CNO's Guidance Release Media Roundtable Pentagon |location=Washington, DC |date=13 October 2005 |publisher=US Navy |access-date=17 March 2015 |archive-date= 15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015040114/https://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/mullen/speeches/mullen051013.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>U.S. Navy [[Chief of Naval Operations]] [[Admiral]] [[Michael Mullen]] pointed out in an interview with KQV ([[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]]): "We are looking at, in addition to the blue-water ships which I would characterize and describe as our aircraft carriers and other ships that support that kind of capability, we're also looking to develop capability in what I call the green-water and the brown-water, and the brown-water is really the rivers . . . These are challenges we all have, and we need to work together to ensure that the sea lanes are secure." FC [https://web.archive.org/web/20061122164224/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/mullen/speeches/mullen060519-kqv.txt KQV RADIO (PITTSBURGH) INTERVIEW WITH JOE FENN MAY 19, 2006]</ref> Today, a brown-water navy has come to be known as a predominantly [[Maritime geography#Riverine|riverine]] and [[littoral zone|littoral]] force.

Despite the above, however, there is no agreed definition of the term.<ref name=Michiko/>

===Classification and naval hierarchy===
[[File:Indian Navy flotilla of Western Fleet escort INS Vikramaditya (R33) and INS Viraat (R22) in the Arabian Sea.jpg|thumb|[[Indian Navy]] flotilla of Western Fleet escort [[INS Vikramaditya|INS ''Vikramaditya'']] (R33) and [[INS Viraat|INS ''Viraat'']] (R22) in the Arabian Sea; according to the Todd & Lindberg classification system, six navies are considered to be ranks 1-3 blue-water "multi-regional power projection" navies, capable of operating in multiple regions adjacent its own.<ref name=Kirchberger/>]]

There have been many attempts by naval scholars and other authorities to classify world navies, including; Michael Morris,<ref name="classification">{{cite book|title=Small Navies: Strategy and Policy for Small Navies in War and Peace (Dr Deborah Sanders, Dr Ian Speller, Professor Michael Mulqueen)|date=28 June 2014|publisher=Ashgate Publishing|location=United Kingdom|isbn=9781472417619|pages=34–43}}<!--|access-date=15 December 2015--></ref> British naval historians Eric Grove<ref name=classification/> and Professor Geoffrey Till,<ref name=classification/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Till|first1=Geoffrey|title=Seapower: A Guide for the Twenty-First Century|date=2 Aug 2004|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=9781135756789|pages=113–120|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CNgIbiDghI4C&q=Seapower%3A%20A%20Guide%20for%20the%20Twenty-First%20Century%202004|access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref> French strategist [[Hervé Coutau-Bégarie]]<ref name=classification/><ref>Hervé Coutau-Bégarie, ''Traité de stratégie'', (Economica: Paris 2002). pp 617-621</ref> and professors Daniel Todd and Michael Lindberg.<ref name=classification/><ref name="Lindberg-classification"/><ref name=Kirchberger/>  All identify basic common criteria for gauging the capability of navies, such as; total displacement and number of ships; modernity and power of weapons and systems; logistical and geographic reach with capacity for sustained operations; and the professional qualifications/disposition of sailors.<ref name=classification/>
[[File:Carriers Cavour (550) - Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and Charles de Gaulle (R91) underway in 2013.JPG|thumb|left|{{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Cavour|C 550|2}} (foreground) operating with {{USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN-75|2}} (middle) and {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}} (background) in the [[Gulf of Oman]], 2013 ]]
The table below shows the world naval hierarchy according to the classification system by professors Daniel Todd and Michael Lindberg.<ref name=Kirchberger/> Their system originates from 1996<ref name="Lindberg-classification"/> and outlines ten ranks, distinguished by capability. Since then it has been used by various other experts to illustrate the subject.<ref name=Kirchberger/><ref name="Howarth2006">{{cite book|last1=Howarth|first1=Peter|title=China's Rising Sea Power: The PLA Navy's Submarine Challenge|date=18 April 2006|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=9781134203956|pages=179}}<!--|access-date=3 December 2015--></ref> According to Todd and Lindberg, a "blue-water navy" is one that can project any sort of power beyond its own territorial waters.<ref name=Kirchberger/><ref name=Howarth2006/> However they used the principle of [[Loss of Strength Gradient|loss of strength gradient]] and other criteria to distinguish navies by capability under the four "blue-water" ranks.<ref name=Kirchberger/><ref name=Howarth2006/> The six ranks of "Non blue-water navies" can be further broken down into "green-water" and "brown-water navies", and according to Todd and Lindberg, these are navies only capable of operating as coastal defence forces, coast guards or riverine forces.<ref name=Kirchberger/><ref name=Howarth2006/>

{|class="wikitable"
|+ World Naval Hierarchy, according to the Todd & Lindberg classification system (c.2015)<ref name="Bratton" /><ref name=Kirchberger/>
|-
!
! Rank
! Designation
! Capabilities
! Navies
|-
! rowspan="4"| Blue-water navies
| 1 || Global-reach<br />power projection || Multiple and sustained power projection missions globally || [[United States Navy|United States]]
|-
| 2 || Limited global-reach<br />power projection || At least one major power projection operation globally || {{nowrap| [[Royal Navy|United Kingdom]]}}, [[French Navy|France]], [[Indian Navy|India]], [[Italian Navy|Italy]]
|-
| 3 || Multi-regional<br />power projection || Power projection to regions adjacent to its own || [[Russian Navy|Russia]], [[People's Liberation Army Navy|China]], [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Japan]]
|-
| 4 || Regional<br />power projection || Limited range power projection beyond [[exclusive economic zone]] (EEZ) || [[Spanish Navy|Spain]], [[Brazilian Navy|Brazil]], [[Royal Australian Navy|Australia]], [[Republic of Korea Navy|South Korea]], [[German Navy|Germany]], [[Egyptian Navy|Egypt]], [[Royal Netherlands Navy|Netherlands]]
|-
! rowspan="2"| Non blue-water: green-water navies
| 5 || Regional offshore<br />coastal defence || Coastal defence within and slightly beyond EEZ || Canada,<ref>[https://legionmagazine.com/bringing-the-navy-up-to-date/ Bringing the navy up to date]. Legion magazine. October 4, 2019.</ref> Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Israel, Singapore, Pakistan and others
|-

| 6 || Inshore<br />coastal defence || Coastal defence confined to inner EEZ || North Korea, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Sweden<ref>Friedner Parrat, C., 2022. Swedish Coastal Defence Over Four Centuries: War as a Changing Institution of International Society.  Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies,  5(1), p.350–363.DOI: https://doi.org/10.31374/sjms.156</ref> and others
|-
! rowspan="4"| Non blue-water: brown-water navies
| 7 || Regional offshore<br />constabulary || Maritime policing within and slightly beyond EEZ || Iceland, Ireland, Tunisia, Estonia, Iraq, and others
|-
| 8 || Inshore<br />constabulary || Maritime policing confined well within EEZ || Cambodia, Cyprus, the Philippines, and others
|-
| 9 || Inland waterway<br />riverine || Riverine defence of landlocked states || Bolivia, Paraguay, Burundi, and many others
|-
| 10 || Token navy<br />riverine || Very basic constabulary if at all || Many examples worldwide
|}

===Overseas basing===
{{See also|Unsinkable aircraft carrier}}
Historically, and to present day, blue-water navies have tended to establish overseas bases to extend the reach of supply lines, provide repair facilities and enhance the "effective striking power" of a fleet beyond the capabilities provided by the nation's [[Home port#Navy|homeports]].<ref name="Milan N. Vego">{{cite book|last=Vego|first=Milan N.|title=Naval Strategy and Operations in Narrow Seas|date=5 Sep 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1136317941|pages=61–71|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ea3AAAAQBAJ}}</ref> Generally, these overseas bases are located within areas where potential conflicts or threats to the nation's interests may arise. For example, since [[World War II]] the [[Royal Navy]] and later the [[United States Navy]] have continued to base forces in [[Bahrain]] for operations in the [[Persian Gulf]].<ref name="Milan N. Vego"/> The military importance and value of overseas basing is primarily dependent on geographical location. A base located at [[choke point]]s in narrow or enclosed seas can be of high value, especially if  positioned near, or within striking distance of an enemy's [[sea lines of communication]]s.<ref name="Milan N. Vego"/> However advanced operating bases (''or'' forward operating bases) can be equally as valuable. [[Naval Station Pearl Harbor]] acts as a "gateway" for the US Navy to "operate forward" in the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20140527174306/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=64887 CNO Sees Hawaii as 'Gateway' to Operate Forward], navy.mil, 1/20/2012</ref>

==Examples==
These are examples of navies that have been described by various defense experts or academics as being blue-water navies. Some have successfully used their blue-water capabilities to exercise control on the high seas and from there have projected power into other nations' [[littoral zone|littoral waters]].<ref name="Trident">{{cite web|title=The Royal Navy: Britain's Trident for a Global Agenda|url=http://henryjacksonsociety.org/2006/11/04/the-royal-navy-britains-trident-for-a-global-agenda/|work=henryjacksonsociety.org|publisher=[[Henry Jackson Society]]|access-date=4 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911235404/http://henryjacksonsociety.org/2006/11/04/the-royal-navy-britains-trident-for-a-global-agenda/|archive-date=11 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Bennett">{{cite book|last1=Bennett|first1=James C|title=The Anglosphere Challenge: Why the English-speaking Nations Will Lead the Way in the Twenty-first Century|date=1 January 2007|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|location=United States|isbn=978-0742533332|page=286|quote=...the United States and the United Kingdom have the world's two best world-spanning blue-water navies... with the French being the only other candidate... and China being the most likely competitor in the long term}}</ref> However, there is no agreed upon definition among authorities as to what constitutes a blue-water navy.<ref name="Michiko">{{cite book|last1=Phifer|first1=Michiko|title=A Handbook of Military Strategy and Tactics|date=13 Jul 2012|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|isbn=9789382573289|page=55}}<!--|access-date=6 December 2015--></ref>
<!-- Please do not add further examples without first gaining consensus on the articles talk page. -->

===China===
{{Main|People's Liberation Army Navy}}
{{update|date=March 2023}}
[[File:Aircraft Carrier Liaoning CV-16.jpg|thumb|Chinese aircraft carrier ''Liaoning'']]
The [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] (PLAN) is subject to a variety of assessments regarding its capabilities. China's ambition towards blue-water capability received much attention, particularly from the [[United States Congress]]<ref name="China">Ronald O'Rourke, "China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress", December 10, 2012, page 7</ref> and [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]],<ref name="US DOD Report">{{cite journal|title=Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2013|journal=Dod: Annual Report to Congress|date=2013|pages=38–39|url=http://www.defense.gov/pubs/2013_China_Report_FINAL.pdf|access-date=2014-11-10|archive-date=2015-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113120816/http://www.defense.gov/pubs/2013_china_report_final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/chinas-blue-water-navy-strategy-and-its-implications |title=China's Blue Water Navy Strategy and its Implications |website=Center for a New American Security |date=20 March 2017 |first=Yoji |last=Koda }}</ref> with both acknowledging that China's primary aim was to project power in the [[Island chain strategy|First and Second island chains]].<ref name="US DOD Report"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=O'Rourke |first1= Ronald|title=China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress|journal=Congressional Research Service|date=22 January 2020|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33153.pdf}}</ref> In a 2013 report to Congress, defense experts also asserted that over the coming decades, China would gain the capability to project power across the globe &ndash; similar to Britain's 1982 [[Falklands War]].<ref name="US DOD Report"/> In 2015, Todd and Lindberg's classification system put the PLAN was a rank four "regional power projection navy".<ref name="Lindberg-classification"/><ref name=Kirchberger/> In 2020, assessment of [[United States Naval Institute]] coined Chinese Navy "in terms of modern warships and submarines China far outstrips any erstwhile naval competitors, except for the United States."<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2020/february/chinas-navy-will-be-worlds-largest-2035 |title=China's Navy Will Be the World's Largest in 2035 |publisher=United States Naval Institute |date=February 2020 |journal=Proceedings |volume=146 |issue=2 }}</ref>

Since 2008, the PLAN has conducted anti-piracy missions in the [[Gulf of Aden]] on a [[People's Liberation Army Navy#2008 anti-piracy operations|continuous basis]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Peter A. Dutton & Ryan D. Martinson|title=NWC China Maritime Studies 13: Beyond the Wall Chinese far sea operations|date=13 May 2015|publisher=Naval War College|location=United States|page=33|url=https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/667e7ff9-b1e4-46cb-b709-555d151d5c3f/WEB_CMS13.pdf.aspx|access-date=3 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110023343/https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/667e7ff9-b1e4-46cb-b709-555d151d5c3f/WEB_CMS13.pdf.aspx|archive-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

===France===
{{Main|French Navy}}
[[File:Charles De Gaulle (R91) underway 2009.jpg|thumb|French aircraft carrier {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}}]]
The [[French Navy]] is recognised as being a blue-water navy by various experts and academics.{{ref|A|[A]}}<ref name="Bratton"/><ref name="Trident"/><ref name="Bennett"/> According to professors Daniel Todd and Michael Lindberg, the French Navy is a rank two "limited global-reach power projection navy".<ref name="Lindberg-classification">{{cite book|first1=Daniel |last1=Todd |first2=Michael |last2=Lindberg|title=Navies and Shipbuilding Industries: The Strained Symbiosis|date=1996|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780275953102|pages=56–57|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=he5KL_tWQvMC|access-date=30 November 2015|ref=Todd-1996}}</ref><ref name="Kirchberger">{{cite book|last1=Kirchberger|first1=Sarah| oclc=911616881| title=Assessing China's Naval Power: Technological Innovation, Economic Constraints, and Strategic Implications|date=2015| location=Heidelberg|publisher=Springer|isbn=9783662471272|page=60}}<!--|access-date=4 December 2015--></ref>

The navy operates a single nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ({{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}}) which forms the centrepiece of the  Navy's principal expeditionary task group (known as the Aeronaval Group). In addition to this, the navy maintains a secondary Amphibious Group (known as Le Groupe Amphibie) based around the {{Sclass|Mistral|amphibious assault ship|1}}s. Both these formations are part of the [[Force d'action navale]] (or Naval Action Force). The '[[Submarine forces (France)|''Forces sous-marines'']]' operates four nuclear-powered [[Triomphant-class submarine|ballistic missile submarines]] and six nuclear-powered [[fleet submarine]]s. France retains a network of overseas naval facilities around the world; from [[Fort-de-France|Fort de France]] in the Caribbean, to [[Le Port, Réunion]] in the Indian Ocean, [[Papeete]] in the Pacific and in several other parts of the world too, including the Gulf, South Atlantic and the Western Pacific.<ref>[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/dv/sede300309studype407004_/SEDE300309StudyPE407004_en.pdf The overseas military installations of the Member States of the European Union], uroparl.europa.eu, Published 2009, Retrieved 26 June 2014</ref>

The navy's operational duties include the protection of French interests abroad and the security of the nation's many [[Overseas departments and territories of France|overseas departments and territories]], as such the Navy undertakes a number of [[Standing French Navy Deployments|standing commitments]] worldwide.<ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine French Navy official website], defense.gouv.fr</ref>
{{Clear}}

===India===
{{Main|Indian Navy}}
[[File:INS Vikrant (R11) and INS Vikramaditya (R33) with the carrier battle group.jpg|thumb|Indian aircraft carriers [[INS Vikramaditya]] and [[INS Vikrant (2013)|INS ''Vikrant'']] with the carrier battle group sailing together]]
The [[Indian Navy]] is unique among Asian navies due to its long experience in carrier power projection since 1961.<ref name="George-Gilboy">{{cite book|first1=George J.|last1=Gilboy|first2=Eric|last2=Heginbotham|title=Chinese and Indian Strategic Behavior: Growing Power and Alarm|date=12 Mar 2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=United Kingdom|pages=175–176|isbn=9781107661691}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Freeman|first1=Carla P|title=Handbook on China and Developing Countries|date=30 Apr 2015|publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing|isbn=9781782544210|page=455}}<!--|access-date=4 December 2015--></ref> This, according to Dr. George J. Gilboy and political scientist Eric Heginbotham, gives the Indian Navy the "leading power projection capability in the region".<ref name="George-Gilboy"/> The Indian Navy is also the only Asian navy considered to be a rank three "multi-regional power projection navy" per Todd and Lindberg's classification system.<ref name="Lindberg-classification"/><ref name=Kirchberger/> In his discussion paper for Consultancy Africa Intelligence, Greg Ryan asserts that in recent years, the Indian Navy has emerged as a "global power in the blue water sense".<ref name="CAI">{{cite journal|last1=Ryan|first1=Greg|title=The expansion of India's blue water capabilities into African maritime territories|journal=Consultancy Africa Intelligence|date=8 September 2014|issue=Discussion paper|url=http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1709:the-expansion-of-indias-blue-water-capabilities-into-african-maritime-territories&catid=58:asia-dimension-discussion-papers&Itemid=264|access-date=15 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121239/http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1709:the-expansion-of-indias-blue-water-capabilities-into-african-maritime-territories&catid=58:asia-dimension-discussion-papers&Itemid=264|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>

India initially outlined its intentions of developing blue-water capabilities under the 2007 ''Maritime Capabilities Perspective Plan'',<ref name="India">{{cite journal | url=http://www.jmss.org/2008/winter/articles/scott.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528002213/http://www.jmss.org/2008/winter/articles/scott.pdf | archive-date=2008-05-28 | title=India's drive for a 'blue water' navy | author=Scott, David | journal=[[Journal of Military and Strategic Studies]]| date=Winter 2007–2008 | volume=10 | issue=2 | page=42}}</ref><ref name="India1">{{cite book|first1=Atish|last1=Sinha|first2=Madhup|last2=Mohta|title=Indian Foreign Policy: Challenges and Opportunities|year=2007|publisher=Academic Foundation|isbn=978-81-7188-593-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9lKEJBadmAQC}}</ref> with the navy's priority being the projection of "power in India's area of strategic interest", the [[Indian Ocean]] Region.<ref name="wcmp">{{cite book|editor1-first=Antony|editor1-last=Preston|editor2-first=John|editor2-last=Jordan|editor3-first=Stephen|editor3-last=Dent|title=Warship|year=2007|publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=London|isbn=978-1844860418|page=164|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dytTKHJ0_mUC&q=kolkata+class+destroyer&pg=PA164}}</ref><ref>[https://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=275 India's Military Modernization: Plans and Strategic Underpinnings], Gurmeet Kanwal, September 24, 2012</ref> Since 2007 the navy has increased its presence in the [[Persian Gulf]] and the [[Horn of Africa]] to the [[Strait of Malacca]], and routinely conducts [[Piracy in Somalia#Military presence|anti-piracy]] operations and partnership building with [[Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation|other navies]] in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Ocean: Reviving IOR-ARC forum|url=http://www.strategic-affairs.com/details.php?task=other_story&&id=502|publisher=Strategic Affairs|access-date=11 December 2013|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124833/http://www.strategic-affairs.com/details.php?task=other_story&&id=502|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Navy - Naval Operations|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/naval-operations|publisher=Indian Navy|access-date=23 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625095547/http://indiannavy.nic.in/naval-operations|archive-date=25 June 2014}}</ref> It also conducts routine two to three month-long deployments in the [[South China Sea|South]] and [[East China Sea|East China sea]]s as well as the western [[Mediterranean]] simultaneously.<ref>{{cite news|title=The power of the sea|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140523/commentary-op-ed/article/power-sea|access-date=23 May 2014|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|date=23 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Brewster|first=David|title=India as an Asia Pacific power|date=2012|publisher=Routledge|location=Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon|isbn=978-1136620089|pages=140–143|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1RGpAgAAQBAJ&q=indian+navy+deployments+south+china+sea&pg=PA141}}</ref> The navy has a listening post in [[Madagascar]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pubby|first1=Manu|title=India activates first listening post on foreign soil: radars in Madagascar|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/india-activates-first-listening-post-on-foreign-soil-radars-in-madagascar/205416/|access-date=15 March 2015|agency=The Indian Express|date=18 July 2007}}</ref>

India inducted its first aircraft carrier in 1961, and the navy has ever since operated two independent carrier task forces. After {{INS|Viraat}} and {{INS|Vikrant|1961|6}} were decommissioned, the country's strike force currently centers on the two carrier battle groups: {{INS|Vikramaditya}}, and a new indigenous aircraft carrier, {{INS|Vikrant|2013|6}} commissioned in September 2022, restoring India's two-carrier capability. The Indian Navy also possesses an [[amphibious transport dock]], {{INS|Jalashwa}}, and currently operates 3 [[Arihant-class submarine|''Arihant''-class]] indigenously developed nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine with one more under construction, along with leasing one {{Sclass|Akula|submarine|0}} nuclear-powered attack submarine and has many more ships of different types planned or under construction.
{{Clear}}

===Italy===
{{Main|Italian Navy}}
[[File:Cavour Napoli 2010.jpg|thumb|Italian aircraft carrier [[Italian aircraft carrier Cavour|''Cavour'']]]]
The [[Italian Navy]] was categorised as a "regional blue-water navy" in [[Liu Huaqing]]'s Memoirs (1994),<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=SDDDP_a3yIQC&q=regional-blue+water+type&pg=PA100 The Chinese Navy: Expanding Capabilities, Evolving Roles?], 2012 (Footnote no. 16, page 139)</ref> and as a rank three "multi regional power projection navy" by Professors Daniel Todd and Michael Lindberg in 1996.<ref name="Lindberg-classification" /> In the former 1989 publication "''The Atlantic Alliance and the Middle East''", Joseph I. Coffey asserted that Italy's blue-water capabilities didn't extend beyond the Mediterranean sea.<ref name="Coffey">{{cite book|last1=Coffey|first1=Joseph I.|title=The Atlantic Alliance and the Middle East|date= 1989 |publisher= University of Pittsburgh Press|location=United States|isbn= 9780822911548|page=89|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RmttAAAAMAAJ&q=The+Atlantic+Alliance+and+the+Middle+East |access-date= 30 November 2015}}</ref> Today the navy possesses two [[aircraft carrier]]s ({{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Cavour|C 550|2}} and [[Italian landing helicopter dock Trieste|''Trieste'']], with {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Giuseppe Garibaldi|C 551|2}} being retired in 2024).
[[File:Italian LHD Trieste.jpg|thumb|222x222px|Italian LHD [[Italian landing helicopter dock Trieste|Trieste]]]]
The Marina Militare routinely deploys to the [[Indian Ocean]] and [[Persian Gulf]] as part of multinational anti-piracy missions such as [[Operation Ocean Shield]] and [[Operation Atalanta]],<ref>[http://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/operations/Pagine/default.aspx Marina Militaire – Operations], marina.difesa.it, (In Italian)</ref> and is capable of deploying a carrier battle group in support of NATO or EU operations such as during [[Participants in Operation Enduring Freedom#.Italy|Operation Enduring Freedom]] (2001) and [[EU Navfor Med]] ([[European migrant crisis]]). In 2015 scholar Sarah Kirchberger mentioned Italy as a blue-water navy capable of operating in the high seas far from its home.<ref>{{cite book|first = Sarah |last = Kirchberger|title = Assessing China's Naval Power: Technological Innovation, Economic Constraints, and Strategic Implications |publisher = Springer|date = 2015|page = 69|isbn = 9783662471272|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tbr-CQAAQBAJ&q=blue%20water%20navy%20italy%20spain%20russia%20brazil%20india%20france%20uk%202015&pg=PA69}}</ref> 

As of June 2024 the Italian Navy has deployed a Carrier Strike Group, based on the Cavour (CVH 550) STOVL aircraft carrier (with [[F-35]]B on board), for a five-months deployment to the [[Indo-Pacific]] region, reaching [[Singapore]], [[Australia]], [[Japan]] and the [[Philippines]]. Italian Navy will also participate to the [[Exercise RIMPAC]], the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise. This is an indisputable evidence of the top level capabilities reached by the Italian Navy, which place the same at the level of the Royal Navy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peruzzi |first=Luca |date=2024-06-05 |title=Italian Carrier Strike Group starts five-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/06/italian-carrier-strike-group-starts-five-month-deployment-to-the-indo-pacific/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Urso |first=Stefano |date=2024-06-24 |title=Italian Carrier Strike Group Arrives In Singapore As Part Of Indo-Pacific Operational Campaign |url=https://theaviationist.com/2024/06/24/cavour-indo-pacific-campaign/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=The Aviationist |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lariosa |first=Aaron-Matthew |date=2024-01-10 |title=Italian Navy to Ramp up Indo-Pacific Engagement in 2024 |url=https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sna-2024/2024/01/italian-navy-to-ramp-up-indo-pacific-engagement-in-2024/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Russia===
{{update|date=December 2023}}
{{Main|Russian Navy|Soviet Navy}}
[[File:Russian aircraft carrier Kuznetsov.jpg|thumb|Russian aircraft carrier {{ship|Russian aircraft carrier|Admiral Kuznetsov||2}}]]
The [[Soviet Navy]] maintained naval forces able to rival those of the United States; however, following the end of the [[Cold War]] and dissolution of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1991, the [[Russian Navy]] experienced a severe decline due to lack of funding.<ref name="Austin">{{cite book|last1=Austin|first1=Greg|title=The Armed Forces of Russia in Asia|date=14 Jul 2000|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=9781860644856}}<!--|access-date=5 December 2015--></ref> By the late 1990s, there was little tangible evidence of Russian blue-water capability.<ref name=Austin/> It was not until 2007, under President [[Vladimir Putin]], that "naval ambition broadened in scope and aimed at re-creating a large blue-water navy".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Dutton|first1=Peter|title=Twenty-First Century Seapower: Cooperation and Conflict at Sea|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=978-1136316968|pages=119–120}}</ref> Today, the Russian Navy is considered to be a rank 3 "multi-regional power projection navy" by Todd and Lindberg's classification system.<ref name="Lindberg-classification"/><ref name=Kirchberger/> The Russian Navy has also been described as a blue-water navy by British naval historian Professor Geoffrey Till.<ref name="Routledge"/>
{{Clear}}

=== United Kingdom ===
{{Main|Royal Navy|UK Carrier Strike Group}}
[[File:HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group during Westlant 19.jpg|thumb|Aircraft carrier {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}} and her [[Carrier Strike Group]] during Exercise Westlant 19]]
The [[Royal Navy]] is considered to be a blue-water navy by naval experts and academics. This position has been further cemented with the introduction of two new {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier|1}}s, eighteen new frigates (8 [[Type 26 frigate|Type 26]], 5 [[Type 31 frigate|Type 31]], and 5 [[Type 32 frigate|Type 32]]), and other warships currently being procured.<ref name="Trident"/><ref name="Bennett"/>{{ref|A|[A]}}{{ref|B|[B]}} A term used commonly in the [[United Kingdom]] is that the Royal Navy maintains a maritime [[Expeditionary warfare|expeditionary]] capability.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ian |last=Speller |date=2002 |url=https://eprints.nuim.ie/844/1/Speller.pdf |title=UK Maritime Expeditionary Capabilities and the Lessons of the Falklands Conflict}}</ref> According to Todd and Lindberg's classification system, the Royal Navy is a rank two "limited global-reach power projection navy".<ref name="Lindberg-classification"/><ref name=Kirchberger/>

The Royal Navy supports a number of [[Standing Royal Navy deployments|standing commitments]] worldwide on a continuous basis and maintains an expeditionary task force known as the [[Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime)]] (JEF (M)).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Royal Navy Deployed Forward Operating Globally|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/About-the-Royal-Navy/~/media/Files/Navy-PDFs/About-the-Royal-Navy/Current%20RN%20Operations.pdf|work=royalnavy.mod.uk/|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref> The [[Royal Navy Submarine Service]] operates four {{sclass|Vanguard|submarine|0}} nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and seven nuclear-powered {{sclass|Astute|submarine|5}} and {{sclass|Trafalgar|submarine|4}} [[fleet submarine]]s which operate globally.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Navy - A Global Force 2012/13|url=http://www.newsdeskmedia.com/images/Upload/PDFs/Global-Force-2013.pdf|website=www.newsdeskmedia.com/|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=26 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116192947/http://www.newsdeskmedia.com/Images/Upload/PDFs/Global-Force-2013.pdf|archive-date=16 January 2014}} p. 45 (The Submarine Service)</ref> The [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] (RFA) maintains a number of ships which support Royal Navy operations globally by resupplying personnel, food, water, armament and fuel to their ships. The RFA also augment the Royal Navy's amphibious landing capabilities by operating the {{sclass2|Bay|landing ship|4}}.<ref>[https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/201110_RDS_Michell2.pdf The Royal Fleet Auxiliary – Delivering Maritime Operational Support] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415225950/http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/201110_RDS_Michell2.pdf |date=2012-04-15 }}, rusi.org, Published 2011, Retrieved 26 June 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/201110_RDS_Willett.pdf The Royal Fleet Auxiliary – Adding Value to UK Defence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416042623/http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/201110_RDS_Willett.pdf |date=2012-04-16 }}, rusi.org, Published 2011, Retrieved 26 June 2014</ref> The United Kingdom maintains five overseas naval facilities, including a naval support facility, named the [[British Defence Singapore Support Unit]], in [[Sembawang]], [[Singapore]] in the [[Far East]].<ref name="europarl">{{cite journal|title=The Status and Location of the Military Installations of the Member States of the European Union |journal=Policy Department External Policies|date=February 2009|pages=13–14|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/dv/sede300309studype407004_/SEDE300309StudyPE407004_en.pdf|access-date=21 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=UK opens naval support facility in Bahrain|url=http://www.janes.com/article/65481/uk-opens-naval-support-facility-in-bahrain|access-date=24 November 2016|agency=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly|date=15 November 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125110458/http://www.janes.com/article/65481/uk-opens-naval-support-facility-in-bahrain|archive-date=25 November 2016}}</ref><ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130617/text/130617w0002.htm#13061746000236  House of Commons Hansard Written Answers] (publications.parliament.uk) 17 June 2013</ref>

The [[Naval War College|U.S. Naval War College]] identifies the Royal Navy's tasks as fighting wars, conducting distant expeditions, maintaining good order at sea and preventing and deterring conflict.<ref name="USNWC Geoffrey Till">{{cite web|last1=Till|first1=Geoffrey|title=Great Britain Gambles With The Royal Navy|url=https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/42a6d74d-a770-4f61-94f6-9386d0f37a2a/Great-Britain-Gambles-with-the-Royal-Navy|website=www.usnwc.edu|publisher=U.S. Naval War College|access-date=26 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051724/https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/42a6d74d-a770-4f61-94f6-9386d0f37a2a/Great-Britain-Gambles-with-the-Royal-Navy|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> As such, the Navy views the retention of its "world-class" high-end disciplines in anti-air and anti-submarine warfare as strategically important.<ref name="USNWC Geoffrey Till"/> The Royal Navy has shown many examples of its expeditionary capabilities{{ref|C|[C]}} since [[World War II]], such as the [[Korean War]], the 1982 [[Falklands War]], the 1990–91 [[Gulf War]], [[British military intervention in the Sierra Leone Civil War|Sierra Leone]], the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]], the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]],<ref name="USNWC Geoffrey Till"/> and during the [[2011 military intervention in Libya]].
{{Clear}}

===United States===
{{Main|United States Navy}}
[[File:USS Nimitz in Victoria Canada 036.jpg|thumb|United States Navy [[supercarrier]] {{USS|Nimitz}}]]
[[File:USS_America_(LHA-6)_off_Rio_de_Janeiro_in_August_2014.JPG|thumb|United States Navy [[amphibious assault ship]], {{USS|America|LHA-6|6}}]] 
The [[United States Navy]] is considered a blue-water navy by experts and academics.<ref name="Bratton"/><ref name="Trident"/><ref name="Bennett"/> It is distinguished from other power projection navies in that it is considered a global blue-water navy, able to operate in the deep waters of every ocean simultaneously.<ref name="Routledge"/> According to Todd and Lindberg's classification system, the United States Navy is a rank one "global-reach power projection navy", and the only navy to occupy this rank.<ref name="Lindberg-classification"/><ref name=Kirchberger/>

The USN maintains eleven [[carrier strike group]]s<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/Ships/Carrier-Strike-Group-COMCARSTRKGRU-9/About/ |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=www.surfpac.navy.mil}}</ref> (centered on the {{Sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|1}} and {{Sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|1}}s), of which six are deployed or ready for deployment within 30&nbsp;days, and two ready for deployment within 90&nbsp;days under the Fleet Response Plan (FRP). The USN also maintains a continuous deployment of nine [[expeditionary strike group]]s that embark a [[Marine Expeditionary Unit]] with an [[Aviation Combat Element]] on [[List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships|amphibious warfare ships]].<ref>[http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=146 Status of the U.S Navy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221114823/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=146 |date=December 21, 2010 }}</ref> The US [[Military Sealift Command]] is the largest of its kind in the world and is responsible for delivering military transport and ship replenishment around the globe.<ref>[http://www.msc.navy.mil/ Military Sealift Command] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210032557/http://www.msc.navy.mil/ |date=2007-02-10 }}, msc.navy.mil, Retrieved 23 June 2014</ref>

The US Navy has shown countless examples of its blue-water combat capabilities and has the ability to [[power projection|project force]] onto the [[littoral zone|littoral regions]] of the world, engage in forward areas during peacetime, and rapidly respond to regional crises. Some examples of such are [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]], the [[Vietnam War]], the [[Persian Gulf War]], the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] and the [[Iraq War]].

The [[United States Coast Guard]], while not technically a navy, is also a blue-water naval force capable of deploying to waters throughout the world.

==From green-water to blue-water==
{{See also|Green-water navy}}

Some green-water navies have ambitions towards the development of blue-water capabilities.<ref name=Michiko/><ref name="Skaridov">{{citation | url= http://community.middlebury.edu/~scs/docs/ScienceDirect%20-%20Marine%20Policy%20%20Naval%20activity%20in%20the%20foreign.htm | title= Naval activity in the foreign EEZ—the role of terminology in law regime | first= Alexander S. | last= Skaridov | publisher= St. Petersburg Association of the Law of the Sea, 7 Kazanskaya St., St. Petersburg 191186, Russia, Available online 11 November 2004 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061017183601/http://community.middlebury.edu/~scs/docs/ScienceDirect%20-%20Marine%20Policy%20%20Naval%20activity%20in%20the%20foreign.htm | archive-date= 17 October 2006 }}</ref>

[[File:USMC F-35B conducting a vertical landing aboard the JS Izumo.jpg|thumb|An [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#F-35B|F-35B]] conducting a vertical landing aboard [[JS Izumo|JS ''Izumo'']]]]
[[File:Bayraktar Kızılelma on the deck of TCG Anadolu (L-400) - 1.jpg|thumb|[[TCG Anadolu|TCG ''Anadolu'' (L-400)]] and the [[TF2000-class destroyer]]s will provide blue-water operational capabilities for the [[Turkish Naval Forces|Turkish Navy]]. [[Baykar Bayraktar Kızılelma|Baykar MIUS Kızılelma]] is a jet-engined [[UCAV]] designed to operate on TCG ''Anadolu''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/turkeys-drone-carrier-amphibious-assault-ship-enters-service|title=Turkey's 'Drone Carrier' Amphibious Assault Ship Enters Service|author=Emma Helfrich|website=thedrive.com|date=11 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/video/strait-talk/turkish-navy-officially-welcomes-its-new-flagship-tcg-anadolu/64356f5e9d32a80017b0933d|title=Turkish Navy Officially Welcomes Its New Flagship, TCG Anadolu|publisher=[[TRT World]]|date=11 April 2023}}</ref><ref name="Baykar MIUS Official">{{cite web|url=https://baykartech.com/en/press/baykars-unmanned-fighter-aircraft-completes-first-flight/|title=Baykar's unmanned fighter aircraft completes first flight|website=baykartech.com|date=15 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/05/here-is-how-uavs-will-be-recovered-aboard-tcg-anadolu/|title=Here Is How UAVs Will Be Recovered Aboard TCG Anadolu|website=navalnews.com|publisher=Naval News|author=Tayfun Özberk|date=1 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgs.stargazete.com/imgsdisk/2022/12/14/carpici-tcg-anadolu-acikl-819_2-41.jpg|title=Image of Baykar MIUS Kızılelma UCAVs deployed on TCG Anadolu (L-400)|website=stargazete.com|date=14 December 2022}}</ref> Its maiden flight took place on December 14, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwJ7fyvexGc|title=Bayraktar Kızılelma: Maiden Flight|publisher=Baykar Technologies|date=14 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8gkHRMewMg|title=Maiden flight of Baykar MIUS Kızılelma UCAV (14 December 2022)|publisher=SavunmaSanayiST|date=14 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Herk |first=Hans van |title=Kızılelma takes to the sky! |url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/k-z-lelma-takes-to-the-sky |date=14 December 2022 |website=www.scramble.nl |language=en-GB}}</ref>]]

While considered to be a green-water navy,<ref name="Routledge"/> the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] is undergoing transition to develop blue-water capabilities.<ref name="Hatou">{{Cite journal|author=Tomohisa Takei|date=November 2008|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/navcol/SSG/topics-column/images/c-030/c-030_eng.pdf|title=Japan Maritime Self Defense Force in the New Maritime Era|journal=Hatou|access-date=2012-12-03}}</ref><ref name="SLOC">{{cite journal|last=Katsumata|first=Hidemichi|date=February 2009|title =Japanese sealane defense today|journal=Ships of the World|volume=702|pages=76–81|location =Japan|publisher=Kaijin-sha}}</ref> It began in 1981 when [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Zenkō Suzuki]] put forward a new doctrine requiring the JMSDF to expand its operations by 1,000 miles for defense of the nation's [[sea lines of communication]].<ref name="Hatou"/><ref name="SLOC"/> To respond to the growing blue-water requirements, the JMSDF has been developing impressive capabilities, most notably the creation of destroyer flotillas centered on large helicopter destroyers (such as the [[Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer|''Hyūga''-class helicopter carrier]]) and large [[Aegis Combat System|Aegis]]-equipped destroyers.<ref name="Koda2011">{{cite journal|last=Koda|first=Yoji|author-link=:ja:香田洋二|date=November 2011|title =History of Fleet Escort Force since 1961|journal=Ships of the World|volume=750|pages=76–85|location =Japan|publisher=Kaijin-sha}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Euan Graham|date=January 2006|title =Japan's Sea Lane Security, 1940-2004: A Matter Of Life And Death?|publisher=Routledge|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EaiT_nSgsMcC|isbn=9780415356404}}</ref> The first Japanese post-WWII overseas naval air facility was established next to [[Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport]]; it supports a number of [[Lockheed P-3 Orion]] maritime patrol aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|author=Japan Ministry of Defense|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/e/about/answers/anti/index.html|title=MOD/JSDF ANSWERS - Anti-Piracy Efforts|access-date=November 16, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108094155/http://www.mod.go.jp/e/about/answers/anti/index.html|archive-date=January 8, 2013}}</ref> It was then decided to operate F-35B fighters on board the [[Izumo-class multi-purpose destroyer|''Izumo''-class]], a development of the ''Hyūga''-class, and by July 2021 [[JS Izumo|JS ''Izumo'']] had completed modifications for this purpose,<ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/07/japans-izumo-helicopter-destroyer-modified-to-operate-f-35b-fighters/|title=Japan's Izumo Helicopter Destroyer Modified To Operate F-35B Fighters|newspaper=Naval News|date=July 20, 2021}}</ref> followed by an operational test using the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B in October.<ref>{{Citation|url=https://news.usni.org/2021/09/30/u-s-marine-f-35bs-to-embark-on-japans-largest-warship-in-october|title=U.S. Marine F-35Bs to Embark on Japan's Largest Warship in October|author= Dzirhan Mahadzir|newspaper=USNI News|publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]]|date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>

The [[Republic of Korea Navy]] also has ambitions to develop blue-water capabilities.<ref name="autogenerated2001">[http://www3.yonsei.ac.kr:8888/kdjlibrary/historyData/researchData/viewNew.asp?pkid=30009&searchValue=&sYear=2001&sMonth=03&sDay=01&eYear=2001&eMonth=04&eDay=17&searchFlag=Y&historyYear=&itemGubun=1&page=1 "김대통령, 해군사관학교 졸업 및 임관식 참석말씀"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121219201811/http://www3.yonsei.ac.kr:8888/kdjlibrary/historyData/researchData/viewNew.asp?pkid=30009&searchValue=&sYear=2001&sMonth=03&sDay=01&eYear=2001&eMonth=04&eDay=17&searchFlag=Y&historyYear=&itemGubun=1&page=1 |date=2012-12-19 }}. <U>Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library Official Website</U>. Retrieved March 12, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://belfercenter.hks.harvard.edu/publication/22419/republic_of_korea_navy_and_chinas_rise.html | title=Republic of Korea Navy and China's Rise: Balancing Competing Priorities | publisher=Belfer Centre | work=Maritime Asia Report | access-date=2013-04-24 | author=Roehrig, Terence}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | title=The Emergence of a Korean Navy — A Japanese Perspective| journal= [[Naval War College Review]] | date=Spring 2010 |volume=32 |number= 2| url=https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1595&context=nwc-review| author=Koda, Yoji | pages=23| issn= 0028-1484}}</ref> In 2001, the South Korean President, [[Kim Dae-jung]], announced plans to build a "Strategic Mobile Fleet".<ref name="autogenerated2001"/> The plan includes the construction of up to three {{Sclass|Dokdo|amphibious assault ship|1}}s, with a [[Flight deck#Ski-jump ramp|ski-jump]] for the operation of [[V/STOL]] jet fighters being considered for the second vessel currently under construction.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131026/DEFREG03/310260005/S-Korea-Envisions-Light-Aircraft-Carrier S. Korea Envisions Light Aircraft Carrier] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20131026174917/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131026/DEFREG03/310260005/S-Korea-Envisions-Light-Aircraft-Carrier |date=2013-10-26 }}, defensenews.com, 26 October 2013</ref> On 3 December 2021 the National Assembly passed the budget to fund a fixed-wing aircraft carrier tentatively named [[CVX-class aircraft carrier]] capable of operating F35B, expected to enter operations possibly as early as 2033.<ref>Dominguez, Gabriel & Dae Young Kim (24 February 2021). [https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/south-korea-to-begin-work-on-light-aircraft-carrier-in-2022 "South Korea to begin work on light aircraft carrier in 2022"]. www.janes.com. Retrieved 2 December 2021.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hankyung.com/politics/article/202112033171i |title=결국 되살아난 '경항모 예산' 72억…해군, 내년 기본설계 추진|publisher=hankyung.com|date=3 December 2021|access-date=3 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="yna1">{{cite web|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20211202169100001?section=politics/all&site=major_news01_related|title=국방 분야 핵심공약 좌초 우려에 정무라인 물밑작업 끝 원안 통과문대통령, 경항모 중요성 거듭 강조…예산부활 보고받고는 '반색|publisher=yna.co.kr|date=3 December 2021|access-date=3 December 2021}}</ref>

The [[Brazilian Navy]] is experiencing a "shift in maritime priorities" with ambitions of developing a blue-water navy.<ref name="Brazil1">{{cite journal|last1=Pryce|first1=Paul|title=The Brazilian Navy: Green Water or Blue?|journal=Offiziere.ch|date=19 January 2015|url=http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Detail/?lng=en&id=187085|access-date=17 March 2015}}</ref> While the navy maintains a mix of capabilities enabling it to operate in the wider South Atlantic Ocean, the Brazilian government wishes to be recognized as "the leading maritime power in the Southern Hemisphere" and is seeking to develop a modern naval shipbuilding industry.<ref name="Brazil1"/>

The [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy|Iranian Navy]] aims to develop blue-water capabilities: in July 2016, it announced plans to establish a presence in the [[Atlantic Ocean]],<ref name="fas.org_2016">{{citation |author=Kenneth Katzman |title=Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies |date=6 February 2017 |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R44017.pdf |work=Congressional Research Service |page=22 |access-date=1 March 2017 |publisher=Federation of American Scientists}}</ref> and as of May 2021 has sent ships into the region.<ref name="The Iran Primer">{{cite web |author=Michael Connell |date=March 12, 2013 |title=Gulf III: Iran's Power in the Sea Lanes |url=http://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2013/mar/12/gulf-iii-iran%E2%80%99s-power-sea-lanes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523221533/http://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2013/mar/12/gulf-iii-iran%E2%80%99s-power-sea-lanes |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |access-date=January 5, 2016 |publisher=The Iran Primer, [[United States Institute of Peace]]}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Maritime geography]]
*[[Expeditionary warfare]]
*[[Power projection]]

==Footnotes==
:A. {{note|A}} Professor of International Politics, Adrian Hyde-Price, highlights that in the post-[[Cold War]] era both Britain and France have re-focused their attention "towards [[expeditionary warfare]] and [[power projection]]. Power projection has always been an element of British and French military thinking given their residual overseas interests, but it has now moved centre stage."<ref name="France&UK">Adrian Hyde-Price - "European Security in the Twenty-First Century: The Challenge of Multipolarity", published 9 Jan 2007 by [[Taylor & Francis|Taylor & Francis Group]]. Chapter - Britain, France and the multipolar challenge.</ref>

:B. {{note|B}} [[Royal United Services Institute]] (Occasional Paper, September 2013): "As a [[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council|permanent member of the UN Security Council]], the independent ability to deploy a credible and powerful conventional force that enables access to most of the globe by sea is compelling. This force offers Britain the opportunity to commit political support in emerging crises to deter, prevent, coerce or – if necessary – destroy an aggressor, as envisaged in the [[National Security Strategy (United Kingdom)|UK's National Security Strategy (NSS)]]."<ref name="RUSI2014">{{cite web|last=Ellwood|first=Tobias|title=A Study into the Preparation for and Use of the Queen Elizabeth-Class Carriers (September 2013)|url=https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/201309_OP_Leveraging_UK_Carrier_Capability.pdf|work=rusi.org/|publisher=[[Royal United Services Institute]]|access-date=25 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001144311/https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/201309_OP_Leveraging_UK_Carrier_Capability.pdf|archive-date=1 October 2014}}</ref>

:C. {{note|C}} The Royal Navy does not typically use the term ''blue-water navy'', but rather the term ''expeditionary''. "The Navy is always expeditionary and is able to deal with threats to our nation's interest at range."<ref name="Royal Navy 2014">{{Citation |url =  http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/About-the-Royal-Navy/The-Navy-and-the-Environment/At-Sea | title = Royal Navy At Sea (Archive) |date=2013 | publisher = The [[Royal Navy]]|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140514123414/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/About-the-Royal-Navy/The-Navy-and-the-Environment/At-Sea |archive-date=2014-05-14}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{wiktionary|expeditionary}}
*[https://www.naval-history.net/F15invasion.htm Description of the Falklands War] (naval-history.net)
*[http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/Table_Of_Contents.htm The Pacific War] (pwencycl.kgbudge.com)

{{Warship types of the 19th & 20th centuries}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blue-Water Navy}}
[[Category:Navies by type|Blue-water]]
[[Category:Military doctrines]]
[[Category:Military logistics]]
[[Category:Military geography]]