In all the world, the Indian Navy is one of just two navies still growing. The other is the Chinese Navy. It is no accident that the rise of the two Asian giants is accompanied by a return to their original status as maritime powers. China had its Admiral Zheng Ho and the Grand fleet that came to collect tribute from the littoral countries of Asia — except India. India’s maritime power overseas is more long lasting, as the Pallavas under Jayavarman inspired the building of Angkor Wat, the largest planned metropolis in the world of 700 AD. The Chinese Army surprisingly is growing smaller as it models itself on the US Army, relying more on UAVs, wide band connectivity, air mobile troops and helicopter gunships. Not surprisingly, most countries seeking strategic partnerships with India are looking either at its soft power (knowledge and culture) or its overseas power projection capability based on its Navy.

The Indian Navy has travelled a long, rough and lonely road to get to where it is, and having got this far, is in danger of losing its way. But to start at the beginning, it was not even a navy in 1947. Endangered by 250 brilliant teak ships built in Bombay by the Wadias, British monopolists forced Wadia to shut down by abolishing the Indian Navy in 1868 and off-sourcing India’s maritime defence to the Royal Navy, from Singapore. The British partially made amends in 1947 by loaning to India, senior officers to fill the posts of admirals, naval planners and technology teachers for almost ten years, under the paternal eye of Lord Mountbatten. Doctrine, strategy and tactical documents came with the British officers and led the Navy to look for a future where India would once again be a maritime power.

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