Introduction

This chapter attempts to understand what is driving this uncharacteristic focus on the Navy, concentrating on developments in the 20-year period since the end of the Cold War. Despite the international attention given to the Indian Navy's recent acquisitions, some observers argue the fleet is actually withdrawing platforms faster than it is adding them. In 1991, the Navy's warships possessed a total 72 missile cells: in 2011, it carried 402 an increase in striking power, air defence and anti-submarine capability of more than five-and-a-half times, in addition to the improvements in range and accuracy of modern systems. Although a cause for concern during the Cold War, the burgeoning Indo-American strategic partnership means that the US Navy is now a welcome sight in the Indian Ocean. The Navy's 2007 maritime strategy would appear to sanction this view as it repeatedly mentions the need to project power to support the country's foreign policy objectives and achieve its national aim.