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Source: This post on the Importance of Naval Dominance and Aircraft Carriers has been created based on the article “How the Indian Navy can secure its sea lanes” published in “Indian Express” on 12th February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Internal Security – Security challenges and their management in border areas (Maritime borders).
News: The article discusses the rising challenges for India in the seas. It also highlights the importance of aircraft carriers for India.
Background:
The Defence Acquisitions Council has approved, in principle, the need for a third aircraft carrier.
What are the rising challenges for India in the seas?
1) Sea Lanes at Risk: Shipping companies are reluctant to use the Red Sea and the Suez Canal due to Houthi attacks. Insurance rates for cargo have skyrocketed, making both imports and exports costlier.
2) China’s Challenges: The PLA Navy has just commissioned its third carrier of 80,000 tonnes. According to the author, without an Indian carrier force, India may be overwhelmed in its home waters by China. India may also lose its advantageous position over Malacca Strait.
3) India’s Rising Stature and Role: In the future, India will be expected to contribute to the maintenance of world order and the public good. This cannot be done by a defensive posture, concerned only with territorial integrity.
What is the importance of aircraft carriers?
1) Air Dominance in the Seas: Aircraft carriers are essentially sea control ships, used to win naval battles by giving air dominance over the ocean. They are also tools of projecting power.
2) Foreign Policy Tool: When an aircraft carrier is present off the shores of a country, decision-makers in that country are constrained in their freedom to decide what options are open to them.
For instance, presence of the American carrier USS Gerald Ford off Lebanon, while the Israelis were attacking Gaza, prevented Hezbollah from interfering and at the same time deterred Iran.
What should be the way forward?
The CDS should be tasked with forward planning. A beginning can be made by permitting the Indian Navy a true power projection aircraft carrier of about 80,000 tonnes.
Question for practice:
What are the rising challenges for India in the seas? How can aircraft carriers help India in tackling these challenges?
