<h1>Forward naval deployment raises use-of-force, necessity, proportionality and freedom of navigation concerns under Article 2(4) UN Charter.</h1> The defence minister reported that a naval operation established a deterrent posture that confined a neighbouring state's naval forces to port, with carrier strike, submarine and aviation assets forward-deployed and held at readiness to strike select sea and land targets. Legally, such deployment raises issues of use-of-force thresholds, necessity and proportionality under the law of armed conflict, freedom of navigation and innocent passage in the exclusive economic zone and high seas, and obligations to avoid escalation. Continued forward presence and targeting posture also carry implications for maritime security cooperation, rules of engagement and regional stability.