Lee Willett

About Lee Willett

Lee Willett is an independent analyst on defense and security matters, specializing in naval and maritime issues. Based in London, Dr. Willett has 25 years’ experience working across the academic, independent, and media sectors: he spent 13 years at the RUSI think-tank, including running the maritime studies program; and he spent four years at Janes, as editor of Janes Navy International. He has spent time at sea onboard: U.K. Royal Navy ships and submarines; U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, amphibious platforms, and surface ships; and (having attended several NATO exercises, including ‘BALTOPS’, ‘Cold Response’, and ‘Dynamic Manta’) surface ships and submarines from various NATO allies. He has given evidence to U.K. parliamentary committees, on topics including sea-based nuclear deterrence, counterpiracy, and maritime surveillance.


Recent Posts By the Author


Western Navies See Strategic, Tactical Lessons from Ukraine Invasion

Western Navies See Strategic, Tactical Lessons from Ukraine Invasion

RTS Moskva (121) following an April 13, 2022 strike from Ukrainian missiles. Russian MoD

The lessons emerging from the war in Ukraine for Western countries and their navies, and for maritime matters more broadly, ranging from the strategic to the tactical levels, the chiefs of the French, U.K. and U.S. navies told the recent inaugural Paris Naval Conference. Read More