December 3, 2025: Just as drones revolutionized warfare in Ukraine, the major navies are merging traditional manned naval operations alongside naval surface and submarine drones. The key to underwater operations is sensors. For warships, a recently developed FLS/Forward Looking Sonar can provide a 3-D view one kilometer ahead and beneath the vessel. The data collected of the subsurface geography can be added to a growing database of subsurface terrain.

Others are working on similar technologies. Earlier this year a Chinese firm recently announced the UUV-300 series of AI/Artificial Intelligence controlled unmanned submarines. Described as a research vehicle, it is primarily used for military activities. China is striving to catch up with the United States in this domain. The U.S. Navy began developing and using underwater drones in the 1950s. These devices also had commercial applications, and civilian versions found many eager customers. The Remus line of drones was particularly popular. China is working to close this gap quickly to support its navy, which is projected to be the largest in the world by the end of the decade. Assuming the Chinese can man it.

There are other problems to be solved. American naval strategists are seeking a solution to the problems presented by the potential widespread use of drones by and against naval forces. This is a present reality, not a theoretical problem. In the Black Sea, Ukrainian drones gutted the Russian Black Sea Fleet and forced it to withdraw to the eastern shore of the Black Sea. Sevastopol was no longer a safe place to be, and Russian ships could no longer launch their Kalibr cruise missiles without risking attack by Ukrainian drones. The presence and aggressive use of the drones means that Ukraine’s grain corridor has been kept open despite Russia’s threats to interfere. Beyond symbolic significance, the corridor holds critical economic importance for Ukraine and contributed over 5 percent of GDP growth in 2024 because of the grain shipments.

The aggressive and successful use of Ukrainian drones against the Russian Black Sea fleet was unprecedented in the history of naval warfare. Not only were these drones tactically successful but financially as well. For example, new frigates cost about $1.5 billion each. That much money can also pay for 5,000 drones. Destroyers cost twice as much as frigates. The frigates and destroyers are high seas ships that can travel all over the world. The drones operate in coastal waters although some of the larger drones can operate up to a thousand kilometers from where they were launched. These drones carry video cameras and satellite-based communications systems to collect information and, in peacetime, do so without fear of attack. Severe storms are another matter, but any storm damage will be broadcast as it is happening, at least until the video cameras or communications equipment is disabled.

Commercial cargo ships can carry hundreds of armed drones equipped with satellite communications so operators anywhere in the world can control them. These drones can be unloaded at sea and sent to carry out attacks on targets in the area or move to a nearby harbor and remain tied to a dock until needed, then open up the cargo hatches and attack any targets within range. The only maintenance is keeping the drone batteries charged. These drones are a radical new weapon for naval warfare and the war at sea, plus surprise attacks in general, will never be the same because of the success of Ukrainian drones in their victorious campaign against the Russian Black Sea Fleet and far-away heavy bomber bases.

Initially the Ukrainian water-going drones were Sea Baby, Mother, and MAGURA. At the end of 2023 Cossack Mother, with a top speed of 100 kilometers an hour, entered service. Manufacture of these drones is done in underground facilities to avoid Russian missile and guided bomb attacks.

Sea Baby carrying 850 kg of explosives was used in the mid-2023 Kerch Bridge attack. MAGURA carries 320 kg of explosives while Mother carries 450 kg. These drones are no longer used just for delivering explosives against a target, they can also be used for reconnaissance when equipped with video cameras that broadcast what they see back to the drone operator. Some drones have been armed with small rocket launchers or surface-to-air missiles. Malyuk has a range of over 700 kilometers, which means they are suitable for operations on the high seas. Endurance is about 60 hours, and top speed is over 70 kilometers an hour. MAGURA has similar characteristics. Mamai was used in the long range attack at the distant naval base at Novorossiysk on Russia’s Black Sea eastern, which is a thousand kilometers from Crimea. Such Ukrainian sea drones have shot down Russian aircraft.

Ukraine builds 96 percent of its drones in Ukrainian factories. The other four percent are sent by NATO countries. In 2024 Ukraine produced about 125,000 drones a month. In 2025 production will increase to 4.5 million drones including over 30,000 long range drones to attack targets deep inside Russia.