Seabed Warfare

Seabed Warfare refers to strategic, technological, and military activities conducted on or near the sea floor.
Its main objectives are to protect, monitor, or attack vital undersea assets such as maritime communication lines, cable networks, oil and gas pipelines, ocean survey equipment, or other strategic installations.

It is sometimes considered a part of "Undersea Warfare," but Seabed Warfare specifically focuses on activities related to the seabed surface itself.

Key Elements of Seabed Warfare:

• Submarine cables laid on the sea floor (for internet and communications)
• Oil and gas pipelines (related to offshore drilling)
• Survey and surveillance equipment (such as hydrophones, sonar arrays)
• Military sensor networks (like the SOSUS system — Sound Surveillance System)
• Drones and robotics (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, UUVs)

Objectives of Seabed Warfare:

1. Disrupting Communications:
   Cutting internet cables to impact the enemy’s communication networks.
2. Protection of Assets:
   Safeguarding a nation’s maritime resources and infrastructure.
3. Covert Surveillance:
   Installing sensors on the seabed to monitor enemy submarine activities.
4. Strategic Control:
   Establishing dominance over underwater resources such as oil, gas, and minerals.
5. Preventing Foreign Interference:
   Blocking enemy intrusions into national maritime boundaries.

Technological Developments:

• UUVs (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles):
  Machines that operate underwater without a human pilot.
• ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles):
  Underwater robots operated via cable connections.
• Seabed Sensors:
  Sound and motion-detecting sensors installed on the seabed.
• Seabed Mines:
  Specialized bombs deployed on the sea floor.

Why is Seabed Warfare Becoming More Important?

• 95% of global data is transferred through submarine cables.
• A significant portion of oil and gas comes from offshore platforms.
• Increasing competition in maritime boundaries (Exclusive Economic Zones - EEZs).
• New technologies are making the seabed more accessible.
• Countries like China, the USA, and Russia are focusing on the militarization of the seabed.

Major Countries Involved in Seabed Warfare:

• United States:
  Operates seabed sensor networks like SOSUS (Sound Surveillance System).
• Russia:
  Developing capabilities to target seabed communication networks.
• China:
  Leading in seabed surveillance and underwater drone deployment.
• France and Britain:
  Developing seabed structures for defense purposes.

India and Seabed Warfare:

• India has launched the Deep Ocean Mission, focused on exploring marine resources.
• INS Arihant Class submarines and other naval initiatives are strengthening India’s strategic seabed surveillance.
• Research is ongoing by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and NIOT (National Institute of Ocean Technology) to enhance India's presence on the seabed.

Challenges in Seabed Warfare:

• Operations on the seabed are extremely difficult and expensive.
• Legal disputes due to international maritime laws (UNCLOS - United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
• Risk of damage to the marine ecosystem.
• Growing threat to data security (e.g., submarine cable hacking).

Relevant International Laws:

• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
  • Defines the rights and duties of countries concerning the seabed.
  • Principle of "Common Heritage of Mankind" — the deep-sea area is considered the shared heritage of all humanity.
• Certain restrictions have been placed on the construction of any military infrastructure on the seabed under specific conditions.

MCQs on Seabed Warfare (Quiz for UPSC Level)

1. Which of the following statements is correct?

1. Seabed Warfare involves only the use of submarines.
2. Seabed Warfare can target maritime communication cables and oil pipelines.

Code:

• (a) Only 1
• (b) Only 2
• (c) Both 1 and 2
• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) Only 2

2. In relation to Seabed Warfare, which principle is recognized by ‘UNCLOS’ (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)?

• (a) First Use Doctrine
• (b) Common Heritage of Mankind
• (c) Balance of Power
• (d) Principle of Collective Security

Answer: (b) Common Heritage of Mankind

3. Which of the following devices is specifically used in Seabed Warfare?

• (a) AWACS
• (b) UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle)
• (c) UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)
• (d) Surface-to-Air Missile

Answer: (b) UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle)

4. Why is Seabed Warfare becoming a threat to global security?

1. Vulnerability of submarine cables
2. Dependence on oil and gas pipelines
3. Legal disputes over deep-sea territories

Choose the correct option:

• (a) Only 1 and 2
• (b) Only 2 and 3
• (c) Only 1 and 3
• (d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3

5. Seabed Warfare is related to the protection of energy resources in which area?

• (a) Deep Space
• (b) Arctic Region
• (c) Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)
• (d) Surface Warfare Zones

Answer: (c) Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)

6. Which of the following devices is used for monitoring beneath the ocean surface?

• (a) Hypersonic Missiles
• (b) Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles
• (c) Seabed Sensors
• (d) Laser Dazzlers

Answer: (c) Seabed Sensors

7. Under UNCLOS, which article declares the deep-sea area as the "Common Heritage of Mankind"?

• (a) Article 55
• (b) Article 76
• (c) Article 136
• (d) Article 101

Answer: (c) Article 136

8. Which of the following is NOT considered part of "Seabed Warfare"?

• (a) Attacking submarine communication cables
• (b) Installing sensors on the seabed
• (c) Missile attack on aircraft carriers
• (d) Protecting oil and gas pipelines

Answer: (c) Missile attack on aircraft carriers

9. The Deep Ocean Mission in India falls under which ministry?

• (a) Ministry of Defence
• (b) Ministry of Earth Sciences
• (c) Ministry of External Affairs
• (d) Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer: (b) Ministry of Earth Sciences

Model Mains Answer (in English, within 150 words)

Question:
"Analyze the growing significance of Seabed Warfare and its impact on global security. Suggest necessary steps from India's perspective."

Answer:
Seabed Warfare refers to military activities on the ocean floor, including control over communication cables, oil-gas pipelines, and surveillance equipment. A large portion of the modern global economy depends on undersea communication networks and energy supply lines, making seabed warfare a serious threat to global security.

Nations like China, Russia, and the United States are deploying military drones and sensors on the seabed. This could disrupt internet communication, commercial activities, and national security.

For India, the issue holds strategic importance, especially in the Indian Ocean Region. India must:
• Enhance maritime surveillance under the Deep Ocean Mission.
• Develop UUVs (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles) and seabed sensor networks.
• Advocate for stronger maritime laws through multilateral platforms.

Alertness and preparedness towards seabed warfare are essential to safeguarding India's maritime interests.

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