Maritime and island defence operations is a type of strategic operations conducted in a highly specific environment, in which water commandos serve as a crucial combat element. In order to effectively employ and leverage the combat power of this important force, both theoretical and practical aspects must be thoroughly studied.

Viet Nam is a maritime nation. Its seas and islands are a sacred part of the Fatherland’s territory and serve as the “gateway” and living space of strategic importance in terms of economy, national defence, security, and diplomacy. The history of our nation’s resistance against foreign invaders shows that, of the 14 wars of invasion, 10 were launched from the sea. Therefore, in a war to defend the Fatherland (if it were to occur), the maritime direction would remain a strategically important one, where the enemy might initiate attacks from the outset or during the course of the war to capture our maritime territories and islands, divide our strategic posture, or create a new direction of attack that forces us to disperse our response efforts. The direct adversary in the maritime and island battlefield would be the opponent’s joint forces, with the marines at its core, equipped with high-tech weaponry and modern equipment, capable of high mobility, conducting cyber and electronic warfare on a large scale. Regarding our side, multiple forces are involved in maritime and island defence operations, among which water commandos play a critical combat role. During the war of liberation, Vietnamese water commandos achieved numerous victories and accumulated valuable combat experience. However, in the new conditions of a war to defend the Fatherland, the nature of maritime and island defence tasks has evolved in terms of adversaries, tactics, and operational methods. To successfully accomplish assigned tasks, commanders, staff sections at all levels, and water commando units must synchronously implement a range of political, ideological, technical, tactical, and operational measures. Among these, the organisation and employment of forces are matters of military art and essential to shape the posture and maximise the combat power of water commandos.

First, forces must be employed in a concentrated manner, aligned with assigned tasks and operational capabilities. This is a matter of principle in operational art in general and the art of commando employment in particular, aimed at generating posture, combat power, and comprehensive strength in maritime and island defence. Water commandos, as an elite force of the Commando and our military, are tasked with special missions. Given their relatively modest numbers and limitations in weaponry and equipment, the demand placed on field and campaign commanders and staff is to focus the water commando force on key operational areas, missions, and targets, especially high-value objectives and vulnerable zones, in order to disrupt enemy formations, break their command and control, and create favourable conditions for the main forces to launch decisive battles.

Moreover, in maritime and island defence operations, water commandos are composed of diverse elements, including regular water commando units, local commando units, water commandos of militia and self-defence units. There are units under direct command of the Ministry of National Defence (MND), the Navy, and coastal military regions. These include water commandos, combat divers, counterterrorism commandos, boat teams, and so on. Each component has its own strength and tactics. Some components specialise in annihilating enemy forces and recapturing islands and marine platforms while others focus on attacking and destroying vessels, depots, and ports. Some are in change of combat support and battlefield remediation. They may operate independently through launching surprise attacks, raids, and deep operations or in coordination with other forces in combined-arms operations. Therefore, depending on the situation, mission, position, and nature of each target, the commanders and staff at the operational level of war must properly utilise each unit’s strength and tactics at appropriate scale, whether section, platoon, company, or battalion, to ensure mission success. In general, water commandos under the MND and Navy should be used in far seas operations, while those under coastal military regions are more suited for operations on near seas islands. When retaking occupied islands, targets must be of strategic or operational importance, and favourable for water commandos to access by swimming, insertion, or boat. In coordinated attacks involving multiple forces, water commandos should strike critical objectives such as command posts, firepower positions, destroy enemy warships, survey ships, or lay naval mines to blockade ports and logistics bases. The operation must be meticulously planned and resourced in terms of command, personnel, weapons, equipment, and logistical support, ensuring thoroughness, precision, sufficiency, and timeliness.

Water commandos practise training

Second, flexible and creative combat techniques must be applied to capitalise on the unique strength and fighting style of water commandos. The defining feature of commando warfare, especially water commando warfare, is “using the few to defeat the many” through deep penetration and surprise strikes, based on the principles of secrecy, surprise, cunning, and audacity, aiming to destroy enemy troops and high-tech weaponry. In maritime and island operations, the water commando’s combat techniques must be diverse and adaptable to specific situations and battles. However, targets assigned to water commandos are often far from shore, where witnesses harsh weather, oceanic, and hydrographic conditions. The enemy possesses modern aerial, surface, and underwater surveillance systems, with multi-layered defences and strict patrols, making covert approach extremely difficult. Therefore, when performing missions, water commandos must continuously develop new, effective, and creative tactics. Deep infiltration and targeting vital enemy points via stealthy movement, pre-positioning, covert, or disguised attacks should be prioritised. Additionally, commanders should focus on attacking where and when the enemy least expects, at their weakest points and times, to convert opportunity into combat power, increase effectiveness, and cause the enemy to be shocked, fearful, and quickly defeated.

Third, close coordination and overall power of participating forces must be well leveraged in operations. Given the unique nature of the maritime combat environment, close operational coordination is critical. To synchronise water commando actions with related forces and amplify joint combat effectiveness at every phase and mission, commanders, units, and water commando staff must be proficient in operational planning and coordination theory and possess flexible, proactive working methods tailored to specific conditions. Accordingly, coordination must be detailed at every phase and task, with anticipated enemy actions, friendly unit movements, assigned targets, locations, timing, signals, communications, and mutual support measures clearly defined. Coordination methods should combine mission- and target-based planning with map and field rehearsals according to operational phases. When retaking occupied islands, water commandos must coordinate tightly with the Navy regarding the sequence of seizing beachheads, isolated targets, and securing corridors for deep-penetration forces. With island defence forces and local armed units, coordination should involve establishing footholds such as troop deployment areas, concealment zones, and mobility routes, understanding the enemy, terrain, weather, and tides, and conducting small-scale operations to distract and disperse enemy responses, thus facilitating commando movement and attacks on designated targets.

Fourth, operational support must be ensured. Maritime and island operations take place across vast areas with highly variable weather, tides, and currents. The enemy has advantages in surveillance technology and can thwart infiltration from afar, while water commandos must operate far from bases. To ensure successful engagement requires comprehensive, timely support in every aspect, from reconnaissance and communications to meteorological, hydrological, mobility, and logistical, technical support. High effectiveness requires pre-planned preparations in peacetime and intensive support during the immediate phase before combat. Special focus must be placed on reconnaissance, mobility, and technical equipment for water commandos.

It is common knowledge that, in maritime operations, especially in far seas operations, mobility is of critical importance. Without the ability to approach targets covertly, commando strikes cannot be launched. Therefore, to improve mobility and position forces advantageously, alongside establishing base corridors in each island and maritime zone, water commandos must closely coordinate with the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, island defence forces, and local armed units to monitor conditions and secure mobility resources. Movement should take full advantage of night, fog, tides, and channels, combining boat or vessel transportation with swimming or drops for final approach. Furthermore, effective counter-surveillance measures must be implemented against enemy aerial, surface, and underwater reconnaissance. Protection from harmful marine wildlife such as sharks, fire jellyfish, and sea snakes must also be ensured for the safety of personnel.

The organisation and employment of water commandos in maritime and island defence during a war to protect the Fatherland is a matter of strategic importance. Although this is not a new topic, it pertains to military art that is constantly evolving, thus requiring continued research, supplementation, and refinement in both theory and practice.

Sr. Col., Dr NGUYEN XUAN BINH, Rector of the Commando College