European Naval Power

This book charts new waters in the study of European naval power. It explores the evolution of Europe’s navies from the final days of the Cold War to a period of hybrid wars and renewed strategic competition, manifest in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s increasingly aggressive behavior in the Asia-Pacific Region. The study compares and contrasts the development of maritime forces across the continent during a period of fundamental change within the global security environment. By applying a novel methodology that links strategies, force structures, and operations, the book determines when, why, and to what degree each navy either continued to focus on competitive and state-centric missions, aimed at the defense of national territory and interests, or rather embraced an entirely new naval paradigm, based on collaborative and system-centric understanding of shared maritime security. The author highlights how inconsistencies and shortsighted naval policies have led to dangerouscapability shortfalls and offers several recommendations for navies to navigate successfully the future maritime environment. This book provides an invaluable resource for policymakers, practitioners, scholars, and students interested in European security, transatlantic defense cooperation, and global maritime security issues.

“In his latest work, Stöhs expands his analytical horizon to assess post-Cold War European naval operations, driven by national and transnational requirements, and their role within the traditional NATO alliance structure. Stöhs skillfully teases apart strategy, force structures, and operations to reaffirm a vital truth – that collective naval employment amongst NATO allies and partners remains the most desirable policy choice.” (Admiral James Stavridis, USN, (Ret), 16th Supreme Allied Commander at NATO)

“Naval forces play a critical role in safeguarding Europe’s prosperity and constitute the linchpin upon which rests the defense of the transatlantic alliance. Stöhs does a masterful job in providing an in-depth view of the evolution of European naval power from the end of the Cold War to today’s era of hybrid threats.” (Admiral James Foggo III, USN, (Ret), Former Commander of United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples)

“This book will further cement Jeremy Stöhs’ reputation as a leading commentator on European naval policy and maritime strategy. Demonstrating mastery of the topic, Stöhs explores the evolution of European naval strategy, force structures and operations from the Cold War to the present, offering insightful analysis on the implications of this for Europe today and into the future. The book is highly recommended for anyone interested in naval policy or European security more generally.” (Professor Ian Speller, Director: Centre for Military History and Strategic Studies, Maynooth University)

“Western navies are facing both, a looming cold war and an ongoing hybrid war at sea. For that, they must be readied. This is the definitive study on European naval power. The insights of this book will be indispensable to policy-makers, naval analysts, military officers, and industry leaders alike.” (Dr. Sebastian Bruns, Senior Researcher Institute for Security Policy Kiel University, author of “US Naval Strategy and National Securityˮ; fmr. Distinguished Visiting Professor, US Naval Academy)

“A wide-ranging fresh assessment of the evolution of contemporary European naval power. Stöhs provides a comprehensive framework to understand the influences upon navies, their evolving structures and roles in an era of wide-ranging security threats. A foundational text on the function and parameters governing naval power today. (Dr. Marcus Faulkner, Department of War Studies, King’s College London)

“Jeremy Stöhs is today's foremost expert on European navies. His analysis is first class and this book will lead the way in aiding our understanding of contemporary seapower. It is a 'must read' for policy makers, practitioners, and strategists - a superb resource which will be a ready reference for years to come.” (Dr. Kevin Rowlands, Head, Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre)

“In an age of radically increased uncertainty about European security and Europe’s global role, Stöhs’ new book shines important light on the naval dimension of European military power. Dissecting historical choices and future options in European navy development, this book is a must for all who are interested in Europe’s maritime and naval strategy agenda.” (Dr. Henrik Breitenbauch, Dean Royal Danish Defence College)

“This is a fascinating and much-needed account of the evolution of Europe’s navies since the Cold War. This excellent work intricately and expertly charts the challenges facing Europe’s navies, at a time when there is more demand on Europe as a naval power. If Europe is to have its own maritime century, this is the book that defines the challenges and ambitions while providing a guide to the future.” (Professor Daniel Fiott, Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

“Jeremy Stöhs provides a much needed clarion call to action by European policy-makers toreverse the persistent decline in European naval power. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Chinese political aggressive behaviour necessitate co-ordinated, long-delayed modernization of platforms and weapons.  This book fills a critical deep void in the literature of contemporary European navies.” (Thomas-Durell Young, Ph.D. Senior Academic Advisor, Defense Security Cooperation University, Washington, DC)

“Stöhs analyses the navies post-Cold War Europe has built, and how they have been used for the past three decades. He explains why NATO and the European Union must now shift focus from policing the world’s oceans, instead building navies needed to support statecraft and deter peer competitor nations at sea. This book will be essential to scholars of security studies and maritime affairs, while offering crucial context for naval professionals.” (Sarandis Papadopoulos, Ph.D., Naval historian and principal co-author of “Pentagon 9/11”)

“This book will stand out as the definitive modern history of European navies for many years to come. It reveals the decline of European naval power during the post-Cold War era as European powers grappled with an ever-changing geopolitical landscape and up until recently, shrinking budgets. Even with the 2022 Zeitenwende, Stöhs argues that Europe will continue to lean heavily on the United States for collective defense.” (John D. Sherwood, Ph.D., Naval historian and author of “A Global Force for Good: Sea Services Humanitarian Operations in the Twenty-First Centuryˮ)

“In the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, increased strategic interest in the Indo-Pacific amongst European powers and lately expanded maritime presence in the region, Jeremy Stöhs’ European Naval Power from Cold War to Hybrid Wars takes readers through a masterful review of the continent’s evolving naval postures allowing for a better understanding of the future trajectory of Europe’s naval development and its evolving relevance to the international community.” (Dr. Collin Koh, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies)

“Guided by a compelling periodisation of European naval decline and reform, this book proves authoritatively that the hardest choice in Europe today is not between modern and post-modern navies; rather, it is about how to strike a balance between the two.” (Prof. Alessio Patalano, Department of War Studies, King’s College, London)

Dr. Jeremy Stöhs is an Austrian-American security and defense analyst and policy advisor. He is the Deputy Director of the Austrian Center for Intelligence, Propaganda & Security Studies at the University of Graz (ACIPSS) and is a senior fellow at the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University (ISPK). His publications include The Decline of European Naval Forces: Challenges to Sea Power in an Age of Fiscal Austerity and Political Uncertainty (Naval Institute Press, 2018) and How High? The Future European Naval Power and the High-End Challenge (Djøef Publishing & Centre for Military Studies Copenhagen, 2021). Jeremy holds a Ph.D. in political sciences and regularly teaches at several universities and defense colleges.