Historian Dan Snow talks to the First Sea Lord

At this year’s First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference, Historian Dan Snow and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key chatted about the evolution of naval warfare, the impact of digital transformation on modern military strategy, and the Royal Navy’s ongoing efforts to adapt to new challenges.

I was lucky enough to be there.

Dan Snow began by asking about the changing nature of conflicts and the specifics of naval operations. The First Sea Lord provided a historical overview, highlighting the importance of the ship master and wind for navigation 200 years ago. He described the transition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when naval warfare shifted due to advancements led by his predecessors.

During this period, the role of engineers became crucial as ships moved from sail to steam power, fundamentally transforming naval operations.

Key stated:

“And then towards the end of the 19th, early 20th century, particularly driven by some of my predecessors, it was a real shift into a change of naval warfare, where guns are still the means by which you inflicted damage, but you got around the oceans, basically, based upon the human. This time, we’re going from analogue to digital.”

The discussion moved to the present day, with Key outlining how the Royal Navy is addressing current threats. He emphasised the need for agility and adaptability in naval operations to keep the fleet able to respond to tasks.

The introduction of new weapon systems and the focus on digital technologies are crucial for a modern fleet, the First Sea Lord argued, highlighting the importance of uncrewed and autonomous ships, pointing to Ukraine’s innovative use of such technologies.

He mentioned the Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) as an example of how the Royal Navy is integrating digital adaptability into its fleet. These ships will be designed to be agile and adaptable, reflecting the evolving nature of maritime security. Key stated:

“What we’re looking for there for is agility and adaptability. And I hope that what we all demand at the moment… is a navy which has adaptability digital at its heart, digital, because that’s how you’re going to win agility, because that’s how you get around and deal with the various challenges that are growing up around the world.”

Snow then turned to contemporary challenges, such as data security, offshore wind farms, and the interconnected nature of the world. Key noted the differences in naval operations compared to 40 years ago when the focus was primarily on confronting the Soviet Union.

Key highlighted the importance of building ships with inherent agility, allowing them to respond to diverse and evolving threats. He mentioned the National Maritime Security Strategy, which identifies multiple threats and emphasises a fast and agile response to emerging vulnerabilities.

Key also shared insights into recent operations, such as the deployment of HMS Diamond in the Red Sea. He praised the ship’s performance and the valuable lessons learned, particularly in terms of combat readiness and rapid response. Adm. Key commented:

“Fascinating to see just how well she performed. I mean, reassuring brilliant, a degree of combat intensity that we’ve got experience as a Navy since 1982.”

He also discussed the significance of international collaboration, mentioning the upcoming Indo-Pacific deployment in 2025.

This deployment, he said, underscores the Royal Navy’s commitment to global partnerships and its role in maintaining international security. Adm. Key remarked:

“The Prime Minister has recommitted us to do another Indo-Pacific deployment in 2025. I think that really matters to us.”

Snow inquired about the balance between regional and global responsibilities. Key stressed that NATO remains the cornerstone of the UK’s defence obligations, but it’s not an either-or scenario. The Royal Navy must be globally connected while safeguarding home waters. This dual focus ensures the UK can respond to international crises and fulfil its NATO commitments. Adm. Key stated:

“NATO is the cornerstone of his our principal obligation that we must fulfil, but, but it’s not, it’s not an either or conversation, which is the bit that I think is kind of too binary, too simplistic. You can’t be globally connected not worried about your home water.”

Admiral Key acknowledged past mistakes in recruitment and retention efforts but highlighted recent improvements. The Royal Navy is now focusing on competing for talent across the UK with a more agile recruitment system.

The goal is to attract and retain personnel by offering compelling opportunities and career prospects. Adm. Key noted:

“It’s getting better. We’ve made some mistakes in the last few years about how to go about recruiting people and retaining them. And we’re learning from that very fast.”