Application of Maritime Power PDF

APPLICATION OF MARITIME POWER Anti-Trafficking Operations Drug trade, transnational terrorism and gun running work hand in hand, with much of the finances to terrorist organizations being funded through illicit drug money. Many of th...

APPLICATION OF MARITIME POWER Anti-Trafficking Operations Drug trade, transnational terrorism and gun running work hand in hand, with much of the finances to terrorist organizations being funded through illicit drug money. Many of the drug deals and transhipment take place in the waters of the IOR. The Indian Navy may be tasked for operations, including with other navies and law enforcement agencies to combat the drug trade. The issue of illegal immigration is also increasingly relevant, especially in the littorals of the IOR, where human beings are smuggled across the seas, often in dangerous and unhygienic conditions. Illegal immigration and its more virulent form of human trafficking have serious implications to good order not only at sea but also on land. The Indian Navy may be tasked to contain the rampant spread of illegal immigration and human trafficking. BENIGN ROLE The ‘benign’ role is so named because violence has no part to play in its execution, nor is the potential to apply force a necessary prerequisite for undertaking these operations. Examples of benign tasks include humanitarian aid, disaster relief, Search and Rescue (SAR), ordnance disposal, diving assistance, salvage operations, hydrographic surveys, etc. Maritime forces, because of their quick mobilisation, are extremely useful in the early stages of a crisis for providing relief material, first aid and succour. Much of the capacity to perform these functions derives itself from the mobility, reach and endurance inherent in naval task forces, coupled with their sealift capability. For example, in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, one of the biggest challenges is the disbursement of food, water and relief material. It is under such conditions that military mobility, coupled with reliable communications are most effective in ensuring distribution to even the most remote afflicted areas. While specialised civilian agencies may take over at a later stage, maritime forces can provide the first helping hand and may be deployed to complement their efforts. The ICG is the designated national agency for SAR. Naval units may also be called upon to undertake SAR operations, as required. 119 INDIAN MARITIME DOCTRINE Table 7.4: Objectives, Missions and Tasks in Benign Role Objectives in the Benign Role Support Civil Safety and Security People living along India’s long coast line and on its numerous island territories, as also our large seafaring community, including both fishing and shipping, frequently face challenges to their safety and security due to environmental changes and natural disasters. The Maritime forces undertake a variety of benign operations across the maritime domain, so as to provide support to civil safety and security. Project National Soft Power In India’s maritime neighbourhood, there are similar challenges to civil safety and security. India has often provided support to regional states facing civil environmental challenges. The IN has been the preferred instrument of the state for delivering relief material and services via sea to help India’s maritime neighbours in their hour of need. This has also helped project national soft power, towards improving relations and the regional maritime environment. Missions in the Benign Role Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) is most required in the 120  APPLICATION OF MARITIME POWER immediate aftermath of natural disasters and devastation. The essence of disaster management is to improve preparedness so as to provide the right item at the right place and at the right time. INBR 1920(A) on Disaster Management lays down procedures in handling various types of disasters. With its reach and sealift capability, the IN is adequately poised to render timely assistance. This was amply demonstrated in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami of December 2004, when 27 IN ships were sailed within the first 12 hours for disaster relief. This was built up to a force of 36 ships, large numbers of aircraft, and about 5,000 naval personnel, over the next few days, who were deployed for HADR not only on India’s east coast and island territories, but also to Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia. Humanitarian assistance has been rendered by the Indian Navy on many other occasions. The more recent ones include medical augmentation of US Navy hospital ship Mercy during her humanitarian mission to East Asia, and medical-engineering support to the USS Peleliu ‘Pacific Partnership’ mission in 2007. Aid to Civil Authorities In addition to HADR assistance during floods, cyclones, and other adversities, naval forces provide many other diverse forms of assistance to civil authorities whenever called upon to do so. These include maintenance of law and order, manning of essential services, diving assistance, etc. Hydrography The Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India is the NAVAREA VIII Coordinator and provides hydrographic services including NAVAREA warnings. This is an important peacetime naval mission, for which naval resources are constantly deployed. Naval survey ships also provide assistance to friendly foreign countries in preparing nautical charts. 121 INDIAN MARITIME DOCTRINE Search and Rescue All vessels on the high seas are required under international law to assist in Search and Rescue (SAR). The three Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC) located at Mumbai, Chennai and Port Blair operate under the ICG, which is the National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority for SAR operations in the Indian Search and Rescue Region (SRR). The IN works in close coordination with the ICG and augments efforts as required. Benign Tasks Missions like hydrography and SAR mentioned above are also the tasks of the IN. Other tasks are comprised within the larger mission ambit of HADR/aid to civil authorities. Given the inherently versatile attribute of naval power, the IN could provide various forms of assistance to local and foreign governments during natural or man-made crisis situations. These include the following : - Administration Logistics Medical Relief Sea Transportation Distribution and management of relief material Diving Assistance Assistance of Hydrographic Vessels 122