BLUF
Very long-range uncrewed underwater platforms could erode distance as a shield. China’s progress suggests new options to threaten distant ports and sea lanes. This shifts assumptions about reach, deterrence, and how maritime security must be planned.Learning Outcomes
• Understand how range and autonomy can change long-held assumptions about geographic safety.
• Recognise how expendable systems can alter deterrence and escalation dynamics.
• Consider implications for protecting ports, sea lanes, and critical infrastructure at distance.
