Navy doctrine covers int, synergy gaps exposed by 26/11

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) With the 26/11 Mumbai terror
attacks exposing gaps in intelligence sharing and synergy
among maritime forces, the latest Navy's doctrine has laid
greater emphasis on these two critical aspects of security.

"There are subtle, but notable changes in the 'principles
of war' outlined in the revised Maritime Doctrine, released
Friday, with the inclusion of 'synergy' and 'intelligence'
as key factors," Navy officials told PTI Saturday.

The doctrine, first brought out in 2004, lays down its
task as an armed force furthering Indian security interests
and also provides the fundamentals for readiness and response
planning for the Navy.

"The chapter on India's maritime environment and
interests has been significantly revamped and expanded to
include the geostrategic importance of India's location and
the Indian Ocean Region, maritime terrorism, piracy and
coastal security," they said.

Outgoing Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta released the
2009 edition of the doctrine that would provide a common
understanding of universally applicable maritime concepts not
only to the uniformed fraternity, but also to the public at
large.

The review of the doctrine, Navy officials said, was
necessitated by the ongoing changes in the geostrategic
environment, the growing needs of the nation and consequently
the navy, evolving operational complexities and
transformational changes sweeping the maritime domain.

However, the new edition of the maritime doctrine
continues to cover the fundamental framework of the principle
practices and procedures that govern the development and
employment of the military maritime power, they added.

The chapter on concepts of maritime power was also
revamped considerably to reflect the contribution of the
government and the people through a maritime attitude and
consciousness, and economic factors such as ship building,
they said.

"Since doctrines evolve over time, the present edition
maintains its temporal relevance, addressing the tenets of
contemporary maritime thought, with emphasis on the Indian
maritime environment," they said.

An entirely new chapter called Naval Combat Power
highlights the ever-changing demands on conceptual, physical
and human concepts emerging from rapid transformational
changes in technology and consequently tactics, they said.

"The laws governing armed conflict have been covered for
a better understanding of the legal aspects covering combat,"
they said.

A conscious effort was made to move forward from the
commonalities of maritime thought, as applicable to most sea
faring nations, to address specific maritime concepts,
concerns and developments applicable to India and the Indian
Navy, the officials said.

"This is also reflected in the historical preview
provided in the doctrine," Navy officials added.

The doctrine focuses on concepts as well as application
of maritime power and is the primary document from which
other naval doctrines originate.

"Security concepts at the national level from which the
maritime doctrine obtains its strength have been explained in
greater detail in the revised document," they pointed out.

"With increased emphasis on maritime affairs, the revised
doctrine would serve to enhance awareness about India's
maritime environment and interests, and provide the
fundamentals for readiness and response planning," they said.
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