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Maritime strategy: Bangladesh perspective

Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam
MARITIME strategy is the set of principles that govern a maritime war, in which the sea is a substantial factor. Naval strategy is but that pan of national strategy which determines the movement of the fleet, in time of war. Maritime strategy determines how and what part of the fleet must be engaged in relation to the land and air strategy.
The greatest Chinese strategist Sunzu said, “War is a matter of vital importance to the state, a matter of life and death, the road either to survival or to ruin. Hence, it is imperative that it be studied thoroughly”. He further said “Strategy of any war whether land, air or at sea should be valued in quick victory, not prolong operations". Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval philosopher said “Those nation who possessed sea power has certain options to them which give them advantages over those nations who do not possess sea power” It was only through the use of this advantage that a nation could become great. Chairman Mao Tse Dong said, "Military (maritime) strategy is nothing but war planning, preparing and direction by war commanders”. There are many strategists who gave their different views on military and maritime strategy but the centre of their strategic philosophy remained same. Some say, 'Strategy is nothing but tactics talked through a brass hat'.
Once the national security policy has been prepared, the military strategy can then be formulated of which maritime strategy becomes an important component. Therefore, maritime strategy has direct relation with national strategy.
National strategy is total in concept and has potential, diplomatic, economic, commercial, cultural and military facets. Being small and a non-aligned country, Bangladesh would most probably define its maritime strategy in terms of the UN charter, that is to say territorial integrity and political independence. Bangladesh would not see threats to its maritime interests from major forces of the world. While preventing or limiting interstate conflicts through diplomatic channels (which would clearly be the desired solution) the best alternatives would be to settle the conflict without external help.
Bangladesh is a maritime country with 710 KM of coast line at the vertex of the Bay of Bengal with India and Myanmar on her three sides. It is a country of 150 million people living in an area of 55,000 square miles, making it the world's most densely populated area. The land mass is not sufficient to provide food and wealth for this vast population so the Bay of Bengal is very vital for providing protein and natural resources for this huge nation. On the other hand, 20% of the entire living resources and 80% of nonliving resources are available at the bottom of the sea. The scientists have discovered half a million various types of living and non-living resources under the sea. Therefore, there will be ever-increasing dependence on the seas. The geologists found out that the most valuable assets are all under the sea - two billion tons of fish are being consumed by human beings every year. We can foresee that the powerful maritime countries would most likely entangle themselves in maritime conflict for controlling the vast seas in the near future.
The provision of 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the laws of the sea convention (UNCLOS 1982) has given right to the littoral states a domain of the sea to a large extent. In case of Bangladesh, this available maritime asset is a sea area equivalent to 73% of the country's total mass. The EEZ, therefore, is of paramount national interest to Bangladesh. Sea lanes are vital for the very survival of the country because it is the most viable economic link Bangladesh has with the rest of the world. Therefore, Bangladesh Maritime Force (BMF) should be able to provide coastal defense, protect EEZ, sea lanes of communication, sea ward defenses and to protect merchant shipping.
In today's world, economy can not be dealt separately. The economic life of a country' relies upon free access and security of the sea ways. Moreover, we have to preserve the freedom of action at sea, being sufficiently strong to defend our presence. We should be aware of the importance of the sea which will play a vital role in coming centuries. In regards to maritime sector comments of transport economists and historians can be mentioned here as saying, “never a country is to expect to establish itself as a developed country without developing its maritime sector; as it is the only cheaper mode of transport [tiiat] exists in the world.” So we can say that we have to learn how to ride the sea.
BMF, therefore, should be made capable of withstanding pressure having the support of other deterrent forces. Bangladesh cannot aspire for command of the sea in this region, but certainly its interests must be safeguarded for both in war and in peace. It would not be wise to maintain large standing maritime forces, but the country needs a small and efficient standing maritime force with substantial reserve as deterrence.
No peace loving human being would like to see war occur, which has the potential for severe devastation. Nevertheless, war takes place because the tendency to flout international law to gain economic interests has become endemic. Availability of lethal weapons, terrorism and sabotage cause sudden crisis and skirmishes leading to wider confrontations.
With satellite communications along with reconnaissance and having devastating missiles at sea, the scenario is going to be favourable for those nations who can claim good knowledge and intelligence of the dimensions of space above, over and under the sea. Bangladesh will have to play its role at least in the Bay of Bengal accordingly. Our maritime force cannot ever say, “Ring off main engines, revert to normal, notice for steam". It will have to lift its head in Bay of Bengal and keep the boilers bunked if not steaming.
The writer is former Chief of Naval Staff.