The Role of Submarine Forces in Balancing Geo - strategic Equations in the Indian Ocean

Abstract

The foreign policies of the USA and those of China appear to be based on an implied aspiration to an uni polar world. The resulting tensions call for careful management to avoid conflict that may dislocate the global developmental process. Strategic access to the potential inherent to Sri Lanka - which straddles important maritime routes, has the world?s largest natural harbor and functions as the centre inking the IORA, SAARC, BIMSTEC and ANTARCTICA - will play an important role in the management of such tensions. Balancing global geo-strategic relations through the adoption of sound foreign policies, strong international relations and clear strategic defences while facilitating economic and technological competition, collaboration and cooperation is essential for peace and development and is of particular interest to the islands human inhabitants. During the Second World War, German ?U? boat operations played a significant offensive role that required dedicated resistance in order to be contained and overcome. Submarine forces continue to generate strategic uncertainties that have the potential to generate tensions and increase resource consumption unless effectively engaged, creatively managed and structurally and procedurally contained. Submarine forces of several nation states operate and interact with each other within the Indian Ocean. These same nation states compete with each other for resource extraction and for access to manufacturing capacity and service delivery in the region. The balancing of geo-strategic equations within the Indian Ocean is therefore essential to ensure access to such resources, manufacturing capacities and services. This paper addresses the specific questions: How will submarine forces impact the distribution of power in the Indian Ocean Region? What impact will submarine forces have on peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region? And what is the specific role that Sri Lanka should play in balancing regional geo-strategic equations? The paper quantitatively analyses distribution pattern of submarine forces referring Jean?s Fighting Ships 2008-2009 and qualitatively discusses observed movements of submarine forces in Indian Ocean Region in order to identify and articulate elements that may be considered in the generation of an Indian Ocean Treaty Organization (IOTO) that balances geo-strategic relations within the Indian Ocean..