The Indian Ocean is at the crossroads of trade between Asia, Australasia, Africa and Europe, a location which gives it a global strategic importance. The principal guardian of these waters is the Indian Navy, long the region’s dominant maritime power. Its fleet plays a critical role ensuring the security of the all-important trade routes, while keeping a watchful eye on the other naval powers that operate in its own ‘back yard’.
Although the Indian Navy enjoys regional superiority, it still faces significant challenges. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has established an enduring presence in the Indian Ocean since first embarking on antipiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden at the end of 2008. China has also built close links with India’s neighbour and rival, Pakistan, and the Pakistan Navy is currently being revitalised through the acquisition of new Chinese-built frigates and submarines.
To date, the Indian Navy has only been partly successful in responding to this challenge. Its extensive land borders mean that it needs to maintain a large and expensive army, which has typically had first call on
