By Kamal Shah
Maritime security is a top priority for a nation like India, with its vast coastline and inimical navies surrounding it. Power on the waters is a mandate, and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi shares his thoughts on the way forward and the firepower needed to ensure the country’s safety and security.
Q. As China’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean has grown over the past several years, questions have been raised concerning the country’s strategic goals. The Indian Navy is planning to oppose China’s expanding influence and its marine militia in the region, notably in disputed regions and major fishing lanes. What action does the Indian Navy intend to take?
A. The Indian Navy, along with other stakeholders is fully prepared to safeguard the maritime interests of the nation. We have credible capability and are continuously evolving to meet the new challenges. We are constantly fine-tuning our concept of operations and formulating our capability perspective plans to cater to developing threats. Our efforts are not aimed at any specific nation but rather at ensuring the security of India’s maritime interests and contributing to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
In the last 10 years, China has modernized its Navy at an intense pace and has inducted more warships than the size of the IN. Consequently, China has maintained a permanent presence in the IOR under the pretext of an Anti-Piracy Escort Force (APEF) since 2008. In addition, Chinese Research Vessels, Satellite Tracking Ships, and Deep-Sea Fishing Boats are also being increasingly deployed in the IOR. The Chinese are also investing in port and maritime infrastructure development projects worldwide, with about 20 of them being undertaken in the IOR itself, reflecting their desire to stay in the Region. Pertinently, augmentation of existing Naval facilities, and construction of a new naval base, besides existing full-fledged naval facilities and submarine bases in our immediate neighbourhood could facilitate the enhanced presence and sustenance of Chinese warships in the Region.
Since security challenges are only bound to increase in the times to come, the IN’s capability development plan has also been tailored to meet this requirement. The IN aims to build a well-balanced multi-dimensional networked force that is capable of delivering ordnance on target and effects across the spectrum of conflict. Towards this, we aim to induct capabilities across all the five domains that the Navy seamlessly operates in, i.e. Air, Surface, Sub-surface, Space and Cyber.
We are also enhancing our operational reach and MDA through increased deployments, joint exercises and collaborations with like-minded navies across the world. Partnerships through bilateral and multilateral exercises like RIMPAC, MALABAR, and MILAN and initiatives like IONS help strengthen collective maritime security and ensure an enabling environment for maritime trade and commerce.
Our focus is on building credible deterrence by modernizing our Fleet with capable multi-dimensional platforms while also integrating emerging technologies including long-range surveillance and space-based sensors as well as autonomous vessels, to monitor and secure critical sea lanes of communication and choke points. The Indian Navy remains a Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready Force committed to ensuring safe seas and a secure maritime environment in consonance with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Vision of Security And Growth for All in the Region.
Q. The global maritime environment is shifting towards a state characterized by ‘no war, no peace’ and grey zone operations. In this context, how is the Indian Navy modifying its operational strategies to address non-traditional threats, including cyber warfare, disinformation campaigns, and coercive tactics at sea?
A. The contemporary global maritime order is in transition today, marked by deep structural changes in the international system. Catalyzed by rapid advancements in niche and disruptive technologies, there is now a wide array of options that can be deployed seamlessly across military and civil domains. This has led to a blurring of the distinction between peace and war; civil and military; public and private; real and virtual; legitimate and illegitimate. The participation of corporate giants and private entities in enabling and empowering belligerents has resulted in the corporatization of conflicts.At the same time, the recent spate of activities in the South China Sea has amply demonstrated how economic weight and military might be leveraged to pursue vested interests and expansionist designs. IN recognizes the growing relevance of such grey zone operations, especially in the maritime domain. These have been manifesting in the form of cyber warfare, disinformation campaigns and coercive actions at sea.
The Indian Navy always prepares for what our philosophy describes as ‘Dharma Yudh’ or Righteous War, involving pitched battles, clear demarcation of enemies and allies, adherence to the laws of armed conflict and regular fighting. However, we are also always ready for other kinds of warfare, identified by Chanakya as, Mantrayudha or war by counsel/ diplomatic means, Goodhyudha or clandestine warfare and Kootyudha or concealed warfare. All of these together could be extrapolated as contemporary Grey Zone Operations. In fact, since our independence in 1947, we have been facing sub-conventional threats, including the use of proxies and the scourge of state-sponsored terrorism, orchestrated by our hostile neighbours. In countering such threats, as a nation, we will have to employ all levers of national power in cohesion through a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach while leveraging strategic partnerships to safeguard our country’s interests and citizen’s well-being.
As the prime instrument of the nation’s maritime military power, the Indian Navy has always attempted to stay one step ahead of adversarial actors and their nefarious acts. Preparedness, therefore, has always been an ever-evolving process in the Navy and we have adopted a multi-pronged approach involving technological development and absorption, doctrinal innovation as well as organizational adaption including greater intra and inter-agency coordination between all stakeholders.
We have credible capabilities and are continuously upgrading our warfighting tactics, techniques and procedures to meet new challenges. At the same time, we are focused on building a well-balanced multi-dimensional networked force that is capable of delivering ordnance on target and effects across the spectrum of conflict. The aim is, to be able to provide our national leadership with punitive options both at and from the sea, against actors inimical to our national security and interests. Our efforts are not aimed at any specific nation, but rather at ensuring the security of India’s maritime interests and contributing to the Security & Growth for All in the Region.
Q. Piracy and maritime terrorism remain critical issues in essential sea routes such as the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Hormuz, off the coast of Somalia, and the Strait of Malacca. The involvement of various state and non-state actors adds a layer of complexity to the situation. What specific measures has the Indian Navy put in place to enhance maritime security, and in what ways is it collaborating with international partners to safeguard these vital routes?
A. The Indian Navyhas been at the forefront of ensuring maritime security in our maritime neighbourhood including the Western IOR. Our units have been deployed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy and escort missions since 2008, and over the years we have ensured the safety of more than 3400 vessels. These deployments provided us with invaluable insights and meaningful lessons that have been incorporated into our concept of operations and operational plans.
In response to the ongoing maritime security situation in the Western IOR, the Indian Navy has been taking bold, affirmative and decisive actions through proactive deployment of our front-line platforms. Over the past year, we have deployed more than 30 warships with integral helicopters, Marine Commandos, and Specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams. These operations were ably augmented by near-persistent surveillance by our aviation assets as well as critical information from the Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR). At the same time, we have also been maintaining functional linkages with various international and regional constructs including CMF, EUNAVFOR, etc, to coordinate maritime security operations.
These measures enabled us to save more than 400 lives and safely escort close to 100 lakh Metric Tonnes of cargo amounting to about 4.5 Billion USD embarked onboard around 250 vessels, without making any differentiation based on the flag of the vessel or nationality of the crew. These efforts have not only resulted in a substantial reduction in maritime security incidents over the past 3-4 months but have demonstrated that we ‘walk the talk’, lending further credence to our role as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in the Region.
Q. The Indian Navy has demonstrated considerable progress in the acquisition of new platforms, encompassing submarines and advanced warships. Can you provide an overview of the recent acquisitions and upgrades in the pipeline that are set to improve the Navy’s combat capabilities, especially in the areas of anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance?
A. Indian Navy is modernizing its fleet based on well-conceived Force Structuring and Capability Development plans to realize an optimum force mix to safeguard our interests and meet all envisaged missions in the maritime domain.
We aim to evolve as a well-balanced multidimensional, seamlessly networked and multi-mission capable force representing a rising maritime power and aspirational nation. Accordingly, the future expansion plan of IN caters to an optimum mix of blue water capabilities including aircraft carrier and state-of-the-art warships; credible underwater fleet comprising nuclear-powered and conventional submarines; ably augmented by integral deck-based and shore-based aviation assets; and supported by multi-purpose vessels and auxiliaries. We are also progressively inducting autonomous and uncrewed systems across all domains to achieve optimum Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T).
As far as surface platforms are concerned, the induction of the fourth Project 15B or Visakhapatnam class destroyer and the first of the seven P17A or Nilgiri class frigates is expected shortly. Similarly, IN’s ASW capabilities will witness a significant boost through the induction of 16 ASW Shallow Water Crafts, with the first one joining the Fleet soon. In the underwater domain, the sixth Scorpene class submarine is being prepared for commissioning by the end of the year. The Auxiliary Fleet including Fleet Support Ships, Survey Vessels, Training Ships, Diving Support Vessels and Multi-Purpose Vessels, all of which are at various stages of construction, are also slated for induction in the next few years.
In terms of maritime surveillance, the Navy is enhancing its ISR capabilities through optimum utilization of space-based surveillance, Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft, as well as induction of autonomous and uncrewed systems across all domains. The contract for 31 MQ-9B HALE RPAs under Buy (Global) from the USA was concluded recently. Further, AoN for nine MRMR Aircraft was accorded on Mar 24 and the case is at the RFP stage now. With adequate impetus on AI and Robotics, autonomous solutions are being explored to gradually replace crewed platforms for specific tasks to balance capability and cost. We are progressively building our communication infrastructure to augment network-centric operations and generate a comprehensive MDA of our areas of interest.
Q. Unmanned systems are increasingly essential to contemporary naval warfare. Considering the capabilities of UAVs, UUVs, and USVs, is there a necessity for a specialized common directorate to manage unmanned systems operations across aerial, surface, and underwater environments? What significance will these systems hold in the future operations of the Indian Navy?
A. Autonomous and Uncrewed systems offer several advantages such as reduced requirement of manpower, reduction of risk and operating costs. These assets also offer greater persistence and range, improved speed and accuracy of data processing, and aid in a faster decision cycle. The ongoing conflicts in Europe and West Asia have amply demonstrated the capabilities and advantages of such systems. They have also highlighted the increasing availability and affordability of low-cost lethal uncrewed systems and their disproportionate impacts. Therefore, I firmly believe that autonomous and uncrewed vessels will form an integral part of any future-ready force, including the Indian Navy.
Realizing the role of autonomous and uncrewed systems in strengthening our combat potential, the Indian Navy released its Vision Document for Unmanned Systems (2022-30) in July 2022. The roadmap charts the progression envisaged by the Indian Navy towards the induction and integration of autonomous and uncrewed vessels. While the Roadmap is unified, we believe they would continue to be steered by individual professional directorates as these assets need to also be integrated with manned acquisitions in their respective domains to ensure MUM-T. Accordingly, respective Subject Matter Experts of each domain are steering the procurement, policy and tactics of autonomous systems, and we have made considerable progress on this front.
We are also undertaking joint procurement of autonomous systems as and when the situation and circumstances demand. The recent conclusion of a contract for MQ-9B HALE RPAs is one such endeavour. The case was progressed by the Indian Navy as the lead service. Of the 31 systems, the Indian Navy would be inducting 15 Sea Guardian Drones, while the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army would be receiving eight Sky Guardian Drones each.
