Sea denial

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Sea denial is a military term describing attempts to deny an enemy's ability to use the sea (usually with naval blockades or port blockades)^[1] but at the same time making no attempt to control the sea itself. It is a far easier strategy to carry out than sea control because it requires the mere existence of a navy. The downside of sea denial is that fleets may become over-stretched as constant hit-and-run tactics can erode unit strength, leaving them unready for direct action in main fleet combat.

During World War I and World War II Germany engaged in a sea denial strategy with their U-boats. They attempted to deny the United States' ability to transport supplies to Britain but did not attempt to gain control of the sea so they could transport their own supplies over the ocean.

[edit] See also

• Fleet in being
• Area denial weapons

[edit] References

1. ^ Sea Denial and Operations Other Than War (from the www.globalsecurity.org website)