Means and methods of naval warfare

Abstract

Armed conflicts at sea present challenges due to a complex interplay of regulations from conventional and customary sources. These rules intersect with those of the law of the sea and international humanitarian law (IHL) creating a nuanced framework . The law of naval warfare is a subset of international humanitarian law that governs conduct in international armed conflict, prohibiting excessive harm and the targeting of civilian populations. IHL generally prohibits means and methods that cause excessive injury or unnecessary suffering. The parties involved in an armed conflict do not have unlimited rights to choose their methods and means of warfare. Therefore, certain types of weapons are prohibited, and the use of other weapons is restricted.