NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) envisages the Indian Navy, by 2020, as a formidable force, capable of controlling the entire spectrum of maritime warfare. The force would be catapulted to the status of a dominant player in the region.
In the next 10 years, the naval force of the country is expected to be in a ‘sea control’ mode through operation carrier battle groups. Also, it would acquire the ‘sea denial’ capability by pitching an entire facet of submarine warfare.
There would be power projection deployments of warships, displaying its blue water capabilities.
These aspects of maritime force are part of the Technology Perspective and Capabilities Road Map, 2010, prepared by the MoD.
The sea control strategy would see its warships, led by aircraft carriers dominating the spectrum. The Navy had long desired to operate three aircraft carriers and this plan was expected to be in place in the next decade.
The roadmap wants to prevent enemy from operating freely in an area of Indian interest through naval blockades and extensive use of submarines and anti-submarine tactics.
The current submarine fleet of the country was clearly inadequate to meet such an objective. If the MoD had to realise its vision, it needed to accelerate submarine induction programmes which had not moved much in that direction in the recent years.
The maritime strategy also has a special thrust on the coastal defence, including minesweeping.
The coastal security had been a cause of major concern and the Navy now had total command of ensuring the safety of vast coastline.
The blue water capability would test the Navy’s capability to operate in deep oceans. It would mean substantial increase in the number of
warships. The current fleet strength of around 150 was not adequate and needed to be augmented substantially.
The Navy was also working on developing the expeditionary and the amphibious capabilities. The tri-service command on the Andaman and Nicobar islands already had a big amphibious programme, but it would need more platforms to carry out such tasks.
The document said that maritime forces might be involved in an extremely wide range of operations, including Military, diplomatic, constabulary and benign roles.
It also points out those futuristic maritime threats will be dynamic and not limited to particular potential adversaries.