Submarines, Deterrence and Leadership Underwater with Fernando Tagle Valle

Fernando Tagle Valle is a former executive officer (XO) in the Chilean Navy with 21 years of service. He brings rare operational depth to one of today's most consequential and underreported military domains.In this episode, Hunter and Fernando cover:Submarine as a deterrence tool: The most powerful thing about a submarine isn't the weapon it carries, it's that no one can find it. Fernando explains why that uncertainty is itself a strategic asset, available to middle powers and great powers alike, and why a single conventional submarine can pose a serious threat to an entire carrier strike group.The global procurement crisis: The submarine production line is full. If a nation wants one today, it's looking at a 10–15 year wait. Fernando walks through how countries like Canada, Poland, Brazil, and the UK are navigating this reality and why the decisions being made now will determine defence capability for the next 30–40 years.Leadership and human performance underwater: Leading 40 people at 300 metres below the surface, with no communication to the outside world and no room for error, demands a specific kind of leadership. Fernando breaks down what it actually takes — starting with leading yourself.