Even as the Indian and Chinese troops are in the approach of disengagement in the north and south banks of Pangong Tso Lake, Indo-Pacific area activities nevertheless have to have to be resolved. There have been a number of sightings of Chinese vessels closer to the Indian waters, Indian Navy has not been in a position to build a deterrent against foreign ships and submarines close to Indian shores. In reality, earlier this year a Chinese analysis vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 was operating ‘dark’ in the eastern Indian Ocean.
During the not too long ago concluded Aero-India 2021, defence authorities told TheSpuzz Online that the Indian Navy has shortage of lengthy-variety aviation assets to patrol the vast expanses of the Indo-Pacific location and it is complicated for them to detect submarine presence. And, “this makes India’s coastal assets vulnerable to Chinese submarine launched missiles.”
Why?
As has been reported by TheSpuzz Online final December, responding to a query at the annual presser ahead of the Navy Day, the Naval Chief had pointed out the concentrate on enhancing underwater capability.
He had stated that the Indian Navy was focussing tough on receiving more awareness inside the underwater space.
: Underwater domain awareness primary concentrate of the Indian Navy: Chief
The Chinese warships and submarines have been increasingly noticed in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Since the Chinese Diesel Electric attack submarines need refueling periodically but the nuclear attack submarines do not need to re-fuel, they pose a grave challenge for Indian Navy and shipping. Thus creating the Indian Navy incapable of detecting and building a deterrence against the covert operations by Chinese submarines. These are also equipped with Air-independent Propulsion (AIP) and are silent submarines. Indian Navy submarines, like the modern day Scorpene class submarines do not have the AIP program and are less complicated to detect than the Chinese submarines. As reported earlier by TheSpuzz Online earlier, the Scorpene class submarines in the Indian navy are devoid of the AIP and there are plans to retrofit these systems when the boat comes for next upkeep docking.
: Air-Independent Propulsion for Kalvari Class Submarines: Urgent have to have for the stealth technologies
Coastal Security
India has quite a few vital facilities close to the sea front and the security and safety of these establishments against an enemy submarine attack is important.
Earlier this year, a two day Ex-Sea Vigil was carried out along the complete 7516 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India. From Jan 12-13, 2020, the drill was coordinated by the Indian Navy and had involved all the 13 coastal States and Union Territories, other maritime stakeholders — coastal and fishing communities.
: Indian Navy’s Sea Vigil-21: To assure maritime safety and retain the vast coastline secure
Post 26/11 Terror attack at Mumbai, which was launched by way of the sea route the complete coastal safety set up has been reorganized. Though quite a few coastal radars have been along the Indian coastline, these radars have the capability of detecting ships on the water surface and not underwater submarines. For this goal more concentrate is required on the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
: China trawlers ravaging the Indian Ocean Region! Indian Navy keeps a tab on its increasing presence
The Chinese Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) are operating unabated in the Indo-Pacific and are mapping the oceans closer to Indian shores. In reality, the Navy’s efforts to expand operations towards the East as aspect of Indo-Pacific cooperation with the US has not shown any considerable benefits however.
: China trawlers ravaging the Indian Ocean Region! Indian Navy keeps a tab on its increasing presence
The Quad
In a virtual meeting on Thursday, February 18, 2020, India joined the US, Japan and Australia for Quad Ministers exactly where the concentrate was on difficulties across Indo-Pacific and military takeover in Myanmar.
Importance of the meeting
The meeting that took spot today assumes significance as the Indian and Chinese forces are in the approach of disengagement from numerous positions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
According to the official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday, “At 3rd India-Australia-Japan-USA Quad Ministerial Meeting, all the ministers noted that the Indo-Pacific concept had gathered growing international support, including in Europe.” And, exchanged views on regional difficulties and also reiterated their vision for a absolutely free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific area, with clear assistance for ASEAN cohesion and centrality.
From India Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne , Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken participated in the meeting.
The ministers of the Quad highlighted their commitment to upholding a guidelines-based international order, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, rule of law, transparency, and freedom of navigation in the international seas and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Indian Navy & Quad
The participation of Indian Navy in QUAD Naval workout routines with US, Japanese and Australian navies has also been noticed as non-inclusive. Why? Though two vital agreements with the US have been inked — COMCASA and BECA agreements, the trouble of interoperability nevertheless exists.
China continues its belligerence in the IOR
Chinese doctrine of ‘String of Pearls’ has established assistance facilities (like in Sri Lanka) and with its ever-increasing ties with Pakistan, its submarines are moving unhindered in the IOR.
: Chinese trawlers on the prowl in the Indian Ocean: IUU pose the greatest maritime threat
Expert View of a former submariner
The current report that a Chinese analysis vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 was operating ‘dark’ in the eastern Indian Ocean is of concern.
“‘Dark’ ships are those which switch off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) if they do not want their movement tracked. It is mandatory for all vessels at sea displacing more than 300 tonnes to have an AIS system on board and to keep it switched on throughout the period at sea. Hence, if a ship goes ‘dark’ there is every reason to suspect its intentions,” says Commodore Anil Jai Singh, who is also Vice President Indian Maritime Foundation.
The former submariner explains to TheSpuzz “The presence of Chinese ‘research’ (a euphemism for spying) vessels operating in the eastern Indian Ocean has been on the rise for collecting oceanographic data, and for mapping the seabed to get a better understanding of the hydrography in their area of interest. Ocean conditions can vary considerably even on a day-to-day basis; they are affected by the season, the time of day, the ocean currents, the tidal streams, the surface weather conditions, the proximity to the coast, the temperature, the pressure and the salinity profile from the surface of the sea down to the sea bed besides the nature of the marine life in the region.”
“Collection and analysis of such data therefore is an extensive and ongoing process to enable a better understanding of the environment and consequently better research and exploitation of the sea. Besides the civilian and scientific benefits, this research has significant military applications which impact maritime security. It is this aspect that is of concern to the Indian Navy and has been flagged on many occasions. In August 2019, another Chinese research vessel, Shi Yan1 was expelled from the eastern Indian Ocean by the Indian Navy for carrying out suspicious activities,” he adds.
According to him, “Hydrological conditions can profoundly impact submarine and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations and influence a submarine’s dived profile. Hydrological conditions can profoundly affect sonar detection ranges and are analysed to determine a submarine’s ideal operating depths for either evading the enemy or attacking it. Hence, more the data and operating experience one has of the undersea environment, the greater is the advantage over an adversary.”
“The Chinese intend to become a permanent and sizable presence in the Indian Ocean, PLA (Navy) submarines have been frequently operating in the Indian Ocean.”
In his view, “The Indian Navy’s effective Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) has enabled the Indian Navy to track these submarines.”
“Besides enhancing our own UDA we have to be wary of Chinese attempts to do the same because the greater the knowledge the Chinese navy gets about these waters, particularly close to the eastern approaches to the Indian Ocean, the more effective will be its ability to evade and slip through undetected. Effective UDA not only provides enhanced situational awareness of the underwater battle space but also enables a better tactical appreciation to counter the enemy’s submarine and ASW efforts,” he concludes.