Why do submarine tactics resemble guerrilla warfare at sea?

Submarine tactics are frequently compared to guerrilla warfare because they rely on concealment, surprise, and the ability to strike when an enemy is weak or unprepared, rather than relying on a concentration of force.1

Unlike traditional fleet actions that seek to establish control through a concentrated presence, submarines typically operate as soloists. Their tactical approach involves:

• Stealth and Surprise: Submarines stalk their targets while remaining hidden, forcing the enemy to search for clues of their presence.1
• Sea Denial: Rather than acting as champions of sea power, submarines function as spoilers, focusing on sea denial by raiding lines of communication and commerce.1
• Evasion and Attrition: When threatened by antisubmarine forces, they must either fight or attempt to slip away into the vastness of the ocean. This creates a cycle of dispersion and disappearance that erodes enemy morale and dilutes their resources.1

This tradition of isolation and stealth continues the historical role of naval raiders, utilizing the environment to offset an opponent's superior numbers or firepower.1