The year 2022 appears to be a curtain raiser on the US Indo-Pacific strategy. Three important events in short succession during the very first month of this year, 2022, must have caught the attention of observers around the world. On January 15, the USS Nevada, which is the US Navy’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, made a port call at Guam. It was the first visit of such a vessel to Guam since the year 2016 and only the second announced visit since the 1980s. USS Nevada, an Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarine carries 20 Trident ballistic missiles and dozens of nuclear warheads; some of the most powerful weapons in the US Navy’s inventory. Movements of these submarines which can stay an average of 77 days at sea are usually closely-guarded secrets.
Guam, situated in the western Pacific, is an unincorporated territory of the US. There are elaborate military setups on the island, which serves as a look-out and a jump-off base for the US Navy. Anderson Air Force Base is also located at the northern end of the island; US Navy facilities are located around the island which include a naval air station, a naval base with a ship repair yard, communication centres and a hospital. The availability of a ship repair yard is worth noting here, as it provides the US Navy flexibility for longer deployments in the area. The distance of Guam from the South China Sea is 1819 Nautical Miles, which is a three-and-a-half-day journey by a vessel doing 20 knots; the designed speed of Ohio class submarines.
The US Navy has termed this basing as the sign of strengthening cooperation with allies in the region, besides demonstrating US capability, flexibility, readiness, and continuing commitment to Indo-Pacific regional security and stability. When viewed in the backdrop of new arrangements such as the Quad and AUKUS, the stationing of the Ohio-class submarine at Guam is a clear statement by the US to deter China from further assertions. It reminds us of the Cold War era when submarines of the USSR and NATO frequently used to cross over to each other’s seas.
On January 19, a US warship USS Benfold entered waters near the Paracel Islands in South China Sea, which was followed and warned away by the Chinese Navy. It was termed by China as an illegal entry, violating the country’s sovereignty. The Chinese authorities made a harsh statement by demanding the US to immediately stop such provocative actions or bear the serious consequences of unforeseen events. The US Navy, however, rejected the Chinese claim that the ship was warned away but intrinsically agreed that the ship was operating in the area. The US Navy would have never acceded that her ship was deterred so it refuted the Chinese claim. But the tacit agreement claimed this deployment as a freedom of navigation operation and an act of defending nations’ right to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows.
On January 24, a F35C fighter aircraft crashed while landing on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson operating in the South China Sea. Seven sailors were injured as a result of this incident; however, the pilot ejected safely. It was the maiden deployment of the F35C aircraft on-board the carrier. Downing of one of the most modern aircraft dents US’ capability to an extent, yet it also signifies that the US is determined to maintain her stance even at considerable cost. USS Carl Vinson was reportedly carrying out an exercise in the South China Sea when the incident occurred. The US frequently conducts exercises in the South China Sea, either alone or with some other allies. These exercises are portrayed as a capability demonstration by the US and her allies for ensuring the freedom of navigation and also an intention to deny China of her claims.
It is obvious that tensions in the Pacific Ocean have significantly increased, and more such military displays are likely from Washington in the current environment. Since it is in the name of the Indo-Pacific strategy, all the nations aligned with the US under this notion have to become conscious. The importance of alliances such as the Quad and AUKUS is therefore ratcheting up and the US is in fact encouraging partner states to come forward and challenge China openly. Interestingly, the US is using its military muscle to affect Chinese aspirations, whereas China, without going into direct military confrontation with any state, is countering with a two-pronged eco-military strategy, causing a dilemma for all participating nations; how much to annoy China.
Which of the two strategies shall prevail is something only time will tell. But one thing is obvious; that the US as well as China seem to be serious in their respective stances as the evolving situation is challenging for the littorals of the Indo-Pacific. Pakistan has considerable stakes in this situation as its arch rival India is part of Quad 2.0 as well as the Mediterranean Quad. The US’ challenge to China in the Pacific Ocean may encourage India to flex her muscles in the Indian Ocean. Such a situation affects Pakistan as any enhancement in Indian capability, even though specific to China, shall confront Pakistan inadvertently.