Quad Quandaries: U.S. Leadership Must Plan for Quad(-) Fuel Gaps in Conflict
Abstract
Since 2012, the U.S. has reinvigorated regional security relationships with India, Australia, and Japan, known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (or the Quad), to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, and to prevent an open conflict over Taiwan. Due to the nature of these security concerns, naval requirements are a specific consideration in any military response. Appreciating the link between resource availability and operational requirements helps prevent points of operational culmination, especially when building a diverse coalition force. Therefore, it is important to assess the nature of the existing Indian, Australian, and Japanese, hereafter referred to as the "Quad(-)," fuel resources in supporting a Quad-based effort against China. The Quad(-)'s current naval fuel supply chain is vulnerable in conflict due to existing domestic energy security shortfalls, deficiencies in civilian and combat tankers, and geographic import dependencies. Understanding constraints in Quad(-) fuel operations suggest that U.S. Indo-Pacific policy should expand the Quad to increase collective fuel reserves, develop a coalition staff to help manage sustainment taskings and tanker allocations, and protect the Quad(-)'s sea lines of communication through Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) collaboration and diversifying oil import routes. Despite efforts to stockpile resources and increase procurement options within the Quad, the singular reliance on diesel fuel stands out as a force flaw that the Quad must address to ensure endurance of maritime operations in conflict.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 12, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1207460
Entities
People
- Alice Bechtol
Organizations
- Naval War College