Modular Gun Systems Might Make Drone Strikes Optional

A small handful of shipowners have accepted drone and missile strikes as a cost of doing business on high-revenue, high-risk routes - a recurring hazard that causes damage, disrupts operations, and may injure or kill crewmembers. But there may be an alternative to accepting kinetic hits: installing air defense systems. Multiple defense contractors are coming up with modular gun and missile systems that could abate aerial threats, and the risk of suicide drone boats as well.

At this year's Euronaval show, BAE Systems and Aselsan are both marketing self-contained deck gun systems for merchant ship installation. The units are adapted from standard-issue naval air defense systems, common on NATO warships and proven against a variety of threats.

Merchant ships are almost universally unarmed in peacetime, and for good reason: guns on board create questions for customs authorities in any foreign seaport, and can swiftly lead to legal problems for the crew and the owner. When there is a critical need for armed guards, the generally accepted practice is to embark and disembark them (and their arms) at sea, away from any port.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →