India's Pursuit Of Sea-Based Strategic Deterrence: Security Concerns On The Path To A Credible Deterrence
Abstract
India continues its resolve in developing a sea-based strategic deterrence in the form of nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) carrying ballistic missiles. India's ability to maintain security and stability within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is increasing as the United States seeks to share its security responsibility. The IOR continues to gain importance within the international order as the stability of the worlds economy depends on the security of these oceans. Rising powers such as China depend heavily upon resources that flow through the IOR and thus have great interest in influencing the security landscape of the region. India, situated in the center of the IOR, is also seeking to achieve great power status through influencing this region of the world. The security situation in this region is also unique in that the three major nations within this region are nuclear powers and have various levels of conflict under the nuclear umbrella. Pakistan and India continue to war over Kashmir and other such partition issues. China and India also have legacy border disputes that occasionally see clashes. This thesis finds that Indias security concerns will not be alleviated with sea-based nuclear weapons. The development of SSBNs will come at the expense of much needed conventional naval modernization, which is more suited for addressing India's security concerns.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1150372
Entities
People
- Tony H. An
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School