Sea Lane Defense

The protection of sea lines of communication (SLOCs), the ocean routes carrying trade, fuel, and military supply, against submarine, surface, mine, and air threats. Methods include convoy and escort, anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol aircraft, and control of chokepoints. The concept is central to Julian Corbett’s view that the object of maritime strategy is securing one’s own lines of communication while denying the enemy theirs. Japan’s interest in defending its tanker SLOCs is a frequent modern reference case.