For maritime powers like India, the U.S., and their regional allies, integrating historical wisdom with modern innovation is not just an advantage but a necessity.
Goa: Throughout history, a sizeable navy that can exercise control of the seas has defined national power, shaping economic prosperity and military dominance. From the Chola naval expeditions to Britain’s Royal Naval campaigns, from the Battle of the Atlantic to Cold War era deployments, maritime supremacy has determined strategic outcomes. Rear Admiral Raja Menon (Retd) once wrote, “An expanding Navy has greater international implications, than is the case with the other two services, being a force that operates beyond territorial limits and therefore associated with regional power.” In an era of rising competition in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with China’s naval expansion, history offers critical lessons for maritime powers today. One can examine four key lessons from naval history: securing sea lanes and trade dominance, asymmetric naval strategies, technological evolution and naval flexibility, and maritime diplomacy and power projection. These insights remain essential for modern navies to maintain strategic influence and regional stability.
MARITIME POWER & CONTROL OF STRATEGIC WATERS
During World War II, the Battle of the Atlantic highlighted the importance of maritime trade protection. Germany’s U-boat wolf packs sought to cripple Allied supply routes, nearly cutting off Britain’s resources. However, strategic countermeasures—including the convoy system, cryptographic intelligence, and technological advancements like radar and sonar—enabled the Allies to secure supply chains and ultimately turn the tide of war.
India’s Chola dynasty (9th-13th century) provides an important case study in maritime dominance. The Chola dynasty’s maritime enterprise exemplifies the importance of a strong navy in securing trade routes and projecting power. Their ocean-going fleet enabled them to establish trading contacts across Southeast Asia, enhancing regional influence. In 1025 AD, Rajendra Chola I launched an expedition against the Srivijaya Empire (modern-day Indonesia and Malaysia), securing vital trade routes in the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia. The Cholas demonstrated that a strong blue-water navy could project power, secure trade, and establish lasting regional influence—a principle still relevant today. The successful naval expeditions against the Srivijaya Kingdom demonstrate strategic military planning and the significance of maritime commerce in fostering economic prosperity.
Maritime chokepoints including the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca or Bab-el-Mandeb, remain areas of critical importance for international trade and global economic security. Closures of such chokepoints can significantly alter trade flows and disrupt supply chains. Securing key strategic waterways like the Strait of Malacca and Bab-el-Mandeb is essential for countries, including India, to maintain uninterrupted access to maritime trade and energy supplies, as disruptions can have long-lasting economic impacts.
A maritime nation like India can address its maritime interests by adopting a Corbettian approach, focusing on strategic objectives rather than solely on naval dominance. This includes prioritising sea control and denial, protecting Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), and enhancing maritime diplomacy. Strengthening partnerships with regional allies, increasing naval capabilities, and engaging in joint exercises can also bolster India’s strategic posture against China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region, ensuring the safeguarding of its national interests. India has reinforced its presence through QUAD partnerships, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the SAGAR doctrine, strengthening its role as a maritime stabiliser.
ASYMMETRY IN NAVAL STRATEGY
The Falklands War showcased how a resource-limited navy could conduct expeditionary warfare far from home. The UK’s use of aircraft carriers (HMS Invincible & HMS Hermes), Harrier jets, and nuclear submarines overcame logistical challenges to defeat Argentina. The war underscored the importance of long-range naval logistics, aerial power, and strategic positioning, proving that smaller forces can achieve victory through technological superiority and operational efficiency.
India’s Operation Trident and Operation Python in 1971 exemplified asymmetric naval strategy. Small Osa-class missile boats launched high-speed, precision attacks on Karachi Harbor, crippling Pakistan’s naval and fuel infrastructure. This high-impact, low-resource approach demonstrated how speed, surprise, and precision can offset numerical disadvantages.
With China’s expanding naval footprint, India must prepare for conflicts beyond its immediate waters. The lessons of 1971 apply to modern deterrence strategies, where small, high-speed missile boats, AI-driven surveillance, and unmanned vessels can act as force multipliers against larger adversaries. Developing autonomous and cyber warfare capabilities will be critical for sustaining naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific.
FLEXIBILITY AND TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
The shift towards aircraft carrier dominance and the development of nuclear submarines significantly influenced naval superiority post-1945. Aircraft carriers became central to power projection and strategic deterrence, allowing for versatile and long-range operations. Meanwhile, nuclear submarines introduced stealth and survivability, enabling nations to maintain a credible second-strike capability. Together, these advancements reshaped naval tactics and strategies, emphasizing the importance of technological superiority in maintaining dominance in a nuclear environment. The Cold War continued to transform naval warfare, with U.S. and Soviet strategies shifting toward aircraft carrier dominance, nuclear submarines, and missile deterrence. The introduction of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), naval surveillance, and cyber warfare reshaped naval doctrine, proving that technology, rather than fleet size alone, dictates naval superiority.
Following the 1971 Indo-Pak War, India’s Navy transitioned from a coastal defense force to a blue-water navy. Key interventions, including Sri Lanka’s IPKF operations (1987-1990), Operation Cactus in the Maldives (1988), and deterrence patrols during Kargil (1999) and Operation Parakram (2001-02), highlighted the importance of flexible naval deployments. The 2004 Tsunami relief missions further solidified India’s role as a regional stabiliser through Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
India needs to stay on course to modernise its naval capabilities to counter China’s rise and its A2/AD strategies in the Indo-Pacific. India’s strategic evolution has kept focus on enhancing partnerships with Indo-Pacific nations and expanding its influence. By integrating AI-powered maritime surveillance and predictive systems, India can improve data processing, anomaly detection, and real-time decision support, which are crucial for countering A2/AD strategies. This technological advancement, alongside traditional naval capabilities, can significantly bolster India’s maritime superiority in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring a proactive approach to threat management and operational efficiency.
FROM GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY TO SAGAR
In the 19th century, Britain’s gunboat diplomacy secured global trade dominance through naval presence and coercion. Control over strategic chokepoints, from the Suez Canal to the South China Sea, allowed Britain to dictate international trade, proving that naval power shapes geopolitical influence.
Unlike Britain’s coercive model, India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Doctrine prioritises cooperation, regional security, and economic connectivity. The Chola naval expeditions set a historical precedent, while modern initiatives like the Andaman & Nicobar base expansion, Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS), and Malabar exercises reflect India’s role as a stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific.
In an era of rising maritime competition, India’s balanced approach of naval deterrence and diplomatic outreach strengthens its position as a net security provider. Investing in strategic bases, force projection capabilities, and naval partnerships will be essential to counter China’s increasing maritime assertiveness.
VISION AND STRATEGY
History proves that naval dominance is shaped by strategy, adaptability, and technological foresight. Lessons from the Battle of the Atlantic, the Chola naval campaigns, asymmetric warfare in the Falklands and 1971, and Cold War naval rivalries all reinforce the timeless importance of controlling trade routes, leveraging technology, and balancing power projection with diplomacy.
For maritime powers like India, the U.S., and their regional allies, integrating historical wisdom with modern innovation is not just an advantage but a necessity. Future naval dominance will rely on multi-domain operations, AI, cyber warfare, and hypersonic weaponry while maintaining core principles of deterrence, power projection, and regional security. India’s SAGAR doctrine marks a shift from gunboat coercion to cooperative maritime leadership, ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains open, secure, and strategically stable. The next era of naval power will belong to those who can blend history’s lessons with cutting-edge innovation, shaping the oceans as both a conduit for prosperity and a domain for strength.
Commodore (Dr) Johnson Odakkal (Retd) is an Indian Navy Veteran and Adjunct Research Faculty (Strategic & Security Studies) at Naval War College, Goa.