Simulating the IOR: Strategic Maritime Defense Against Chinese Naval Advancements
Alright, here's how I think we can really step up and lock down our maritime defenses. First off, we need to deploy three 800 km BrahMos batteries, along with an ASBM and SMART battery under A&N command. Same goes for Tamil Nadu and Kochi—one battery each of ASBM, SMART, and BrahMos, all backed by a fleet of six or more C-295s armed with BrahMos ALCMs. This setup would give us massive range and strike capability across the Indian Ocean.
Next, we need to get serious about underwater surveillance. Placing SOSUS systems around Malacca and Sri Lanka would give us early warning and tracking on enemy subs. Plus, we should buy six more P-8Is for air patrols, and throw in two Arihant-class SSGNs to boost our underwater muscle. We also need to build up ELINT infrastructure on the Cocos Islands and Seychelles, along with deploying some dedicated satellites. With all this, we’d be able to target any Chinese force in the IOR from up to 1500 km away.
Now, to counter the three key straits that China might use, they’ll likely push for a permanent presence in Africa and start paying more visits to BD and PK. But here’s the thing—if we play our cards right and buy the right systems, we can maintain local superiority in the IOR without breaking the bank.
We should also deploy Agni Prime missiles with 1000-1500 km range in A&N and Kochi, and maybe a few mobile launchers on Agalega. That setup would be a nightmare for any enemy trying to move in the IOR. Plus, SMART missiles can cover potential enemy ports in the neighborhood, while BrahMos keeps their fleets 800 km from our coasts. Honestly, even if we don’t have a huge fleet out there, we can still mess with any enemy forces just from land-based systems. The Arabian Sea? We could turn it into our personal swimming pool, no joke.
By placing sensors from Sri Lanka to A&N in a line, we can lock down that entire region, and with NGMVs patrolling, our eastern fleet would be free to go hunt Chinese ships across the IOR with carriers, frigates, and destroyers. And to put the final nail in Pakistan’s coffin, we should set up similar batteries in Mumbai and Gujarat. That would choke them out entirely—forcing them to sneak supplies through Iranian waters, which we could still block by stationing our warships near Aden.
In my opinion, we need to revive the 1971-style missile boat squadrons. Think about it: four NGMVs each for A&N, Vizag, Mumbai, Kochi, and Lakshadweep—20 boats total, maxing out at $220 million each. That, combined with missile batteries, would have Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia locked down. We could also add a squadron of TEDBFs or Tejas Mk1As for maritime strikes out of Gujarat, just to really send the message home.
With all that in place, Pakistan wouldn’t sleep at night—they’d be haunted by the thought of a repeat of Operation Python 2.0. And we’d be sitting pretty with total control over the Arabian Sea and beyond. That's covering the whole IOR as our lake, from Malaysia to Africa, one piece of our ocean to rule it.
