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A blue-water navy is a naval force which has deep ocean power projection capabilities. Such a navy can operate effectively beyond their national shores. A clear way of distinguishing this power is through their ability to deploy a credible force overseas, aka a Task force.
A brown-water navy is commonly accepted as one that is based around a river/riverine system and is not able to deploy at an autonomous level in the major oceans. A green-water navy is commonly accepted as one that is based around a coastal or littorals capability.
List of blue-water navies
Relatively few navies of the world can be truly considered blue water navies. The US and UK navies, as the leading naval forces of the world, have a special position as blue water navies. The French and Spanish Navies are also considered to have blue-water status. However it is quite probable that other navies will attain blue-water status in the future, even if they currently do not enjoy it. It should be born in mind that this is about navies able to project force beyond friendly littoral waters. Quite often the larger green water and potential blue water navies can provide a significant challenge to, and even defeat, any expeditionary fleet from a blue water navy, when the engagement takes place within their home waters.
Current blue-water navies
Potential blue-water navies
- China (People's Liberation Army Navy) China has an ambitious construction programme, including plans to design or procure an aircraft carrier. However, the navy has limited experience beyond China's traditional territorial waters and will take time to upgrade or replace its obsolete assets.
- India (Indian Navy) Sometimes regarded as a blue-water navy in the past (though not currently). The navy does currently have an aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat, but it is unreliable, having spent half its service life in repair or refit. India has secured a decommissoned Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, that is due to enter service in 2008 . Another carrier, the ADS Air Defence Ship (Project 71), is under construction and is due to enter service in 2012 . New escorts are being built as well to modernise the fleet. The Induction of new Supersonic BrahMos cruise Missiles with Land attack capability and introduction of network warfare, Stealth Warships, UAV's has strenghthened the Indian Navy. Senior Indian admirals are on record as saying that India has a blue water navy. However, this has not been claimed by any independant authorities.
- Japan (Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force) Japan has the logistics and political support necessary for extended fleet operations, and its existing fleet includes some of the best destroyers (such as the Kongo class and Atago class, the latter not yet commissioned) in the world. Though its current construction programme does not include any plans to build an aircraft carrier, it has long wished to operate them. The new DDH project has been heralded as an indication that Japan still has that intent. The 13,500 ton (the same displacement as the Spanish Navy's Principe de Asturias) helicopter-carrying destroyers will officially carry up to three SH-60Js and one MCH-101, but it is said to have the capacity to carry the MH-53E and as many as 11 aircraft. The first ship of this class is expected to enter service in 2009.
- South Korea (Republic of Korea Navy) South Korea aims to obtain a blue-water navy by 2020. It has embarked upon an ambitious construction programme, with the Dokdo Class Amphibious Ship due to be commissioned sometime in 2007.
See also
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