The recent submarine action by theUSagainst a vessel from Iran in the Indian Ocean has once again drawn attention to the strategic importance of subsurface capabilities in modern naval warfare. The incident highlights the growing relevance of underwater strike capabilities and covert maritime operations.
For India, whose primary maritime theatre lies in theIndian Ocean, the development of such capabilities is increasingly central to strengthening deterrence and maintaining credible counter-strike options. In this context, the preparedness and long-term planning of the Indian Navy assume particular importance as the character ofnaval competitioncontinues to evolve beneath the surface.
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The strategic significance of underwater operations is not new. During the Cold War, the United States demonstrated the value of covert subsurface intelligence operations through a highly classified mission known as Operation Ivy Bells. Conducted jointly by the US Navy and intelligence agencies, the operation sought to intercept Soviet military communications by accessing an underwater cable located in the Sea of Okhotsk, a region that the Soviet Union considered among its most secure maritime zones.
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To execute the mission, a specially modified submarine, the USS Halibut, covertly entered Soviet waters. Divers deployed from the submarine installed an advanced wiretapping device around the underwater communications cable. The device recorded Soviet naval communications, enabling the United States to collect extensive intelligence on submarine deployments, naval movements and missile tests. The operation continued successfully for nearly a decade before it was compromised in 1981.
The episode remains a massive illustration of how underwater operations can shape strategic outcomes without direct confrontation. As India and Germany move closer to finalising one of India’s largest defence procurement agreements—estimated at nearly $8 billion—to advance the Project 75I and construct six next-generation conventional submarines, the broader strategic lesson is clear. Beyond fleet expansion, the evolving maritime environment demands sustained attention to underwater warfare capabilities, an area that will increasingly influence the operational effectiveness of the Indian Navy in the years ahead.
The Changing Nature of Underwater Warfare
Source: The Probe: Investigative Journalism & In-Depth News Analysis
