Harsha Kakar
“Whoever controls the Indian Ocean will dominate Asia. The Ocean is the key to the seven seas. In the 21st century the destiny of the world would be decided in its waters.”
Admiral AT Mahan (1840-1914)
For decades the Indian army has remained the showcase of the nation, as we desired national security with no territorial ambitions. It thus received maximum share of the budget and its capabilities were considered important to deter misadventures. Further, all wars fought have been predominantly land based and hence the army has remained in the limelight. The navy and the air force have performed, but the showstopper has always been the army. Even presently, it battles militancy in J and K as also the north east and holds defences in Siachen, making it popular in public domain. In every calamity, the nation faces, including agitations, it is the army that the public seeks. It overrides the other services in numerical superiority and hence overshadows them.Even ceremonial occasions such as the Republic day parade are dominated by the army’s display of its weaponry and smartly turned out soldiers.
Geopolitically, India has begun moving out of its cocoon in the recent past. While it continues to have no territorial designs, however it has begun to display its presence to ensure protection of its Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and international investments. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his address to the combined commanders conference had stated that India’s area of interest spans from the Gulf of Aden to the Malacca straits. The same has only expanded, not reduced.
The world visualizes India as a net security provider for the region. It is also an Asian power and could counter balance any nation seeking to dominate the region. Geographically, India’s location astride the Indian ocean and ability to influence shipping movement from its bases on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands gives it a unique advantage. The recent visits of the Prime Minister to the Middle East nations of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and even Iran had one common point in the joint statements. It was to enhance maritime security. The visit to the US last week highlighted the growing maritime cooperation between the two countries. Increased Chinese naval presence in India’s backyard, its claims in the South China Sea and its attempts of encircling India by naval bases are a matter of concern.
The navy has increased its engagements with nations in the region. It has also started enhancing its presence in the island territories by opening smaller bases. Its maritime reconnaissance aircraft have been re-deployed in the Andaman Islands. The navy also played a key role in curbing piracy in the Indian Ocean region. Its participation in the Malabar exercise with Japan and the US over the weekend is an indicator of its growing importance and international presence.
The Indian navy is amongst the two blue water navies in Asia. However, the burning question is whether it is capable of meeting its future obligations? Like its other sister services, it too is plagued by a shortage in its officer cadre. Its development has been hampered by a series of on board accidents and Government apathy. Naval capacity development is a time consuming process. Ships unlike other military hardware can never be procured off the shelf. Even if procured, like INS Vikramaditya, the air craft carrier from Russia, refurbishment takes immense time and cost. For new ships, their design, construction and testing prior to induction is also time consuming.
Naval accidents in the past few yearsin its submarine and frigate fleet, even resulting in the resignation of its chief and affecting its functional efficiency,has not impacted government apathy. The delay in submarine and ship construction schedule has further compounded its shortcomings. The navy presently runs vintage submarines and war ships whose numbers are way below desired levels. Its shortfall of anti-submarine helicopters is well known. The recent action of the Government of scrapping the Rs 1800 Crore Black Shark torpedoes to be purchased from a company, linked to the AgustaWestland scam, has pushed back by at least two years the induction of its Arihant Class Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBMs). This would seriously impinge naval capability development. The Government continues to repeat its errors. By scrapping a contract at this belated stage, it has in reality negated a capability at a time when it is urgently required, rather than just black listing a company.
Another major shortfall has been in allocation of resources to the Andaman and Nicobar Command. This is a tri-service command, allocated resources from the three services. Its location in the Andaman gives it a unique advantage of dominating the Indian Ocean. However, with independent services unwilling to part with integral resources, the command exists only in name and a force multiplier lies wasted. Though the Government plans to enhance the port facilities here, little has moved on ground.
As the navy expands its reach beyond the near region aimed atensuring maritime security, the time has come to consider the raising of a marine force. Naval operations of the future are likely to be independent from those of other services, hence the navy needs to be capable of operating on its own. While it possesses its own marine commando’s, the raising of a marine force would enhance its fighting capabilities in the long term.
Mahan’sstatement, quoted above,is proving true. The Indo-Pacific region is where the world powers are now battling for supremacy. Therefore, the importance of the navy cannot be under stated. It is the only means of power projection beyond the shores of the nation and hence requires due consideration of the government. Boosting its capability by speeding production of under construction vessels, early acquisition of torpedoes and timely induction of under construction SSBMs are some priority actions for the Government. It should consider the raising of a marine force. Naval power enhancement would enable domination ofIndia’s area of interest,act as a deterrent for hostile forces and ensure security of our SLOCs.
(The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army)
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