WEB SPECIAL - Indo-Chinese Naval Dynamic

Indo-Chinese Naval Dynamic

By Special Correspondent Usman Ansari

With China an established Asian power and India an aspirant it is not hard to predict that at some point their interests may clash (as in some areas they already do). What this translates to in the maritime sphere is a competition that ranges from the energy rich Middle East to the South China Sea, and takes in the Indian Ocean littoral.

Pictured: The Indian Navy (IN) destroyer INS Mysore makes an impressive sight, her upper-decks packed with high-tech weapons. Photo: Guy Toremans.

Pictured: The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) guided-missile destroyer Shenzhen. Photo: US Navy.

In the past twenty years the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has made considerable strides to evolve into a more modern, active 'green water' organisation that seeks to operate and influence matters further away from shore. Its area of maritime interest stretches from the Malacca Straits, to Vladivostok, and out to the so-called “first island chain" (Aleutians, Kuriles, Ryukyus, Taiwan, Philippines, and Greater Sunda Islands). It seeks to be a regional maritime power able to protect Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) and to capture and defend the islands that are in its maritime area of interest. It is also being used more frequently to promote friendly relations with other states by making foreign port calls, something quite alien for much of China's recent history. Though similar efforts by the IN to dominate or otherwise influence the area between the Straits of Hormuz and the Malacca Straits, and Indian Ocean littoral, may not initially seem to be related they are in fact closely inter-linked. This is due to the SLOC from the Arabian Gulf that carry the energy resources that both nations need to sustain their growing economies. This is especially so of the Chinese whose energy needs seem to be growing exponentially. Their respective maritime areas of interest also 'merge' at the Malacca Straits, one of the planet's most important maritime choke points, which leaves ample potential for the two regional powers to clash.

As a response to this both nations have been actively fostering and expanding relationships with nations that are deemed to be in the area of interest of the 'opposing' party. For example India seeks to develop a closer economic, political and military relationship with the ASEAN states, and actively courts countries such as Vietnam, a nation that has had a somewhat fractious relationship with China.

The Chinese, who consider the South China Sea to be beyond India's legitimate area of maritime interest, no doubt regard this 'intrusion' with much suspicion. India also takes a keen interest in the Malacca Straits, having built up an impressive military infrastructure on the Andaman and Car Nicobar island chains from where it can dominate the Indian Ocean entrance into the straits. In response China has constructed bases in Burma that may one day grow to house PLAN ships, enabling them to operate in the Bay of Bengal, an area jealously guarded by India as its own back yard.

Furthermore China has a strong strategic relationship with India's arch-foe Pakistan and has funded important infrastructure projects such as the new port at Gwadar. She has also sought to develop stronger relations in Africa (again in direct conflict with India) mainly through political and economic endeavours but the military aspect of such relationships can never be far behind.

WITH both states actively promoting themselves in the same areas, a clash of sorts at some future date may be inevitable though at present neither country would not wish to harm their economic growth and prosperity.

The area in question is essentially a maritime region, which would favour the nation that can influence matters at sea and in the littoral better than the opponent. In this regard both nations are building up their naval capabilities with increasingly powerful and sophisticated ship designs being built or procured (ironically in this regard both have turned to the former eastern superpower, Russia). Though it lacks an aircraft carrier capability (unlike India, which seeks to expand its) China does know the value of submarines. It's latest submarine is an indigenous development of the Russian Kilo design and appears to have impressive capabilities.

Clearly both China and India are at present, actively seeking the military capability to secure their respective interests.

Whatever the outcome of this competition the key lies in having a modern and powerful navy able to project power far from home shores and the ability to secure friends and allies among other states in the region.