Launched in 2009, this annual has rapidly established a reputation as an authoritative but affordable summary of all that has happened in the naval world in the previous twelve months. It combines the standing features of regional surveys with one-off major articles on noteworthy new ships and other important developments. Besides the latest warship projects, it also looks at wider issues of importance to navies, such as aviation and electronics, and calls on expertise from around the globe to give a balanced picture of what is going on and to interpret its significance. Next year's edition will look in detail at the Royal New Zealand Navy and at the Royal Navy three years after the SDSR (Strategic Defence and Security Review), while significant ships will include the Danish Iver Huitfeldt class frigate, the German 212A class submarine and the US JHSV Spearhead. There are technological reviews dealing with naval aviation and current and recent torpedo developments.Intended to make interesting reading as well as providing authoritative reference, there is a strong visual emphasis, including specially commissioned drawings and the most recently released photographs and artists' impressions.
For anyone with an interest in contemporary naval affairs, whether an enthusiast or a defence professional, this annual has become required reading.