Relevance Of Submarines In Future Wars

V VENUGOPAL argues why in the Indian context, the status of current submarine force level is alarming and there is an urgent need to address the threat perceptions expeditiously

By the end of the second world war, the submarine and the aircraft carrier had established themselves as the dominant weapons of war at sea. The American carriers had soundly defeated the Japanese Navy and the submarines had decimated their commercial ships. Over 60 percent of Japanese freighters sunk by the Americans were accounted for by the submarines. Submarines can be a force multiplier to any navy when used properly and can frustrate an opponent by their presence or even the perceived absence.

Role of submarines Submarines are versatile platforms at sea and can contribute to all areas of maritime operations viz sea denial, surveillance, intelligence gathering missions, offensive mine laying operations, anti-submarine warfare, land attack missions, special boat operations, interdiction of naval and commercial shipping. Most importantly, a submarine is a deterrent platform which ties the adversary’s assets in a “search for the unknown.

Today, the advent of conventional submarines with air independent propulsion and nuclear-powered submarines are a force multiplier and a deterrent platform for any credible navy. Enhancement in endurance, combined with the weapon punch, has made these platforms nearly invincible in the maritime domain.