Episode 754: European Navies' Lessons, with Alessio Patalano

Episode 754: European Navies' Lessons, with Alessio Patalano

April 12, 2026 · 1h 4m

About this episode

Alessio Patalano discusses the lessons learned by European navies from recent conflicts and their implications for maritime defense strategies.

The last four years’ conflicts from the Strait of Hormuz through the Red Sea to the Black Sea have presented a raft of lessons to the navies of Europe. How are they positioned to address the lessons, and what moves are already taking place? Returning to the Midrats Podcast to discuss this and related topics is Alessio Patalano. Alessio is a Professor of War and Strategy in East Asia and senior fellow at the Center for Statecraft and National Security at King’s College London, where he specializes in maritime strategic issues. Summary In this episode, Alessio Politano, Mark, and Sal engage in a deep discussion on the evolving landscape of naval security, strategic innovation, and the importance of historical and contemporary insights in shaping maritime defense policies. Main topics include: The significance of maritime history and its influence on current naval strategies Challenges facing the UK Royal Navy and European navies amid funding and technological gaps Modern threats in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and beyond, including missile and drone warfare Interoperability and technological advancements in NATO naval forces The strategic importance of autonomous systems and undersea…

People in this episode

Guest: Alessio Patalano

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: King’s College London, NATO, UK Royal Navy

Places: Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea, Black Sea

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