The overarching aim of this report is to provide a framework for what role maritime forces can play in military crisis management operations. The first section provides some fundamental principles of maritime strategy where special emphasis is put on the flexibility, readiness, and manoeuvrability of maritime forces. The second section describes the development of a crisis management capability within the EU and what missions maritime forces can be expected to undertake during: the so called Petersberg tasks. The third section of the report provides an analysis of the future conflict situation in and around Europe. The conclusion is reached that the patterns of conflicts are most likely going to be characterised by intrastate conflicts and that they are more likely to be located in the vicinity of Europe rather than on the European continent. The final section of the reports evaluates the implications of the patters of conflicts for the need of maritime forces. The main thesis of the report is that maritime forces has to be more oriented toward the littorials. Thus, functions such as intelligence gathering, precision strikes against targets on land, force protection and helicopter capability to provide are going to be important functions in the future.