SOURCE: AFI
In a compelling vision for the future of maritime transportation and rescue operations, Brigadier Arvind Dhananjayan (Retd) has highlighted the potential of hydrofoil craft and Ground Effect Marine Vehicles (GEMVs) to revolutionize how personnel and stores are moved across large distances. These technologies, characterized by their speed, efficiency, and unique tactical advantages, represent a leap forward in military and commercial maritime transport.
Hydrofoil technology offers a transformative approach to maritime mobility. As a hydrofoil craft picks up speed, the hydrofoils beneath the hull lift the vessel out of the water, significantly reducing drag. This allows for higher speeds than traditional maritime crafts. The strategic benefits of such speed and efficiency are particularly evident in military applications, where the rapid deployment of personnel, equipment, or aid is often critical.
One of the most striking examples of hydrofoil-inspired innovation is the Ekranoplan, a Ground Effect Vehicle (GEV) designed for rapid over-water transit. Capable of speeds up to 500 km/h and a range of 1,500 km, the Ekranoplan operated at altitudes between 4 and 14 meters above the water, leveraging the ground effect to maintain lift and stability. This design enabled it to negotiate sea conditions up to Sea State 3, handling swells of up to 1.2 meters effectively. Such capabilities made the Ekranoplan ideal for calm to mildly turbulent waters, situating it as a unique tool for both strategic transport and maritime rescue missions.
Beyond its speed and operational range, the Ekranoplan’s low-altitude flight rendered it largely immune to radar detection, a quality invaluable in both military and covert operations. This stealth advantage stems from the vehicle flying below the minimum detection altitude of most radar systems, enabling it to traverse contested or surveillance-heavy zones with relative ease.
In the context of modern military and maritime strategy, Brigadier Dhananjayan’s advocacy for GEMVs underscores their potential as a game-changing tool. These vehicles could provide an alternative to conventional naval transport systems, offering unmatched speed, stealth, and efficiency. With advancements in technology, the renewed focus on GEMVs could address challenges in fast, high-capacity overseas transportation, meeting the strategic needs of nations seeking dominance in the maritime domain.
In an era where transportation technologies are breaching new horizons, hydrofoils and GEMVs represent a promising avenue for innovation. Their resurgence could signal a new chapter in maritime operations, blending speed, stealth, and strategic capacity to redefine the possibilities for military and commercial maritime transport.