DSS701 ASSIGNMENT

NAVAL WARSHIPS AND SUBMARINES

By Ekamvir Singh

The importance of a navy in a country's military and security apparatus cannot be

understated. Navies play a crucial role in ensuring national security, protecting maritime
interests, and contributing to a nation's overall defense strategy. A powerful navy can project
a country's military and political influence beyond its shores. A navy becomes strong and
effective by having a varied fleet of vessels each playing a different role in ensuring national
security. For this article the roles of Warships and Submarines will be discussed to
understand how they help in enhancing naval capabilities of a country and in projection of
power.

Warships
Warships become the primary tool for a navy to showcase power and dominance all the while
ensuring that the security objectives are met. Lets understand what Warships are, their types
and roles.
Warships are naval vessels designed and built for the specific purpose of conducting military
operations at sea. They play a crucial role in protecting a nation's maritime interests,
projecting power, and ensuring maritime security. Warships come in various types, each
tailored for specific roles and missions.

Roles of Warships:

1.Power Projection: Warships can project a nation's military power far from its shores.
Aircraft carriers, for example, serve as mobile airbases, enabling the deployment of fighter
jets and other aircraft to support a wide range of operations.

2.Deterrence: The presence of warships in international waters can act as a deterrent to

potential adversaries. The knowledge that a nation possesses a strong naval force can
discourage aggression and protect national interests.
3.Escort and Protection: Warships often serve as escorts for merchant and military convoys,
providing protection against threats such as piracy and submarines. Destroyers and frigates
are commonly used for these missions.

4.Submarine Warfare: Submarines are a vital component of naval forces and play roles in
intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, and strategic deterrence.

5.Amphibious Operations: Assault ships and landing craft are designed for amphibious
operations, enabling the deployment of troops and equipment from the sea to shore,
facilitating beach landings and other military operations.

6.Anti-Air and Anti-Missile Defense: Guided missile destroyers and cruisers are equipped
with advanced missile defense systems to protect against airborne and ballistic missile
threats.

Types of Warships:

1.Aircraft Carriers: These massive ships carry a fleet of fighter jets and helicopters, serving as
mobile airbases. Carriers have evolved since their inception in the early twentieth century
from wooden vessels used to deploy balloons to nuclear-powered warships that carry
numerous fighters, strike aircraft, helicopters, and other types of aircraft. They are essential
for power projection and air superiority.

2.Battleships: Once the epitome of naval power, battleships are heavily armored and armed
with large-caliber guns. Battleships were a symbol of naval dominance and national might,
and for decades the battleship was a major factor in both diplomacy and military strategy
They are now largely obsolete but remain iconic in naval history.

3.Destroyers: These versatile vessels are equipped with anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-
surface warfare capabilities. They often serve as escort and defense for larger ships. At the
start of the 21st century, destroyers are the global standard for surface-combatant ships.

4.Frigates: Smaller than destroyers, frigates focus on anti-submarine warfare and protection
of naval assets. some navies have regarded frigates as principally large ocean-going anti-
submarine warfare (ASW) combatants, others have used the term to describe ships that are
otherwise recognizable as corvettes, destroyers, and even nuclear-powered guided-missile
cruisers.

5.Submarines: Submarines operate underwater and are used for stealthy surveillance,
intelligence gathering, and offensive capabilities. Submarines encompass a wide range of
types and capabilities. They include small autonomous examples using A-Navigation and
one- or two-person subs that operate for a few hours, to vessels that can remain submerged
for six months.

6.Corvettes: Smaller and faster than frigates, corvettes are often used for coastal defense and
anti-submarine warfare.

7.Amphibious Assault Ships: These vessels can launch and recover Marines and their
equipment, serving as mobile platforms for amphibious operations.

Lets now look at the evolution of Warships to better understand their role throughout history.
The evolution of warships is a fascinating journey that reflects the dynamic nature of naval
warfare and technological advancements over the centuries. The development of warships
can be divided into several key historical periods:
Ancient Warships: In antiquity, warships were primarily powered by oars and sails. Ancient
civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used various forms of galleys, such as
triremes and quinqueremes, for naval warfare. These ships were designed for ramming and
boarding enemy vessels.
Age of Sail: The transition to sail power marked a significant shift in naval warfare. During
the Age of Sail (16th to 19th centuries), large wooden warships with multiple masts and
heavy cannons became the standard. These ships of the line and frigates engaged in naval
battles characterized by broadsides of cannon fire.
Ironclads and Steam Power: The mid-19th century saw the emergence of ironclad warships,
which combined steam propulsion and armored hulls. The USS Monitor and the CSS
Virginia (Merrimack) famously dueled during the American Civil War, demonstrating the
superiority of ironclads over wooden ships.
Dreadnought Era: The early 20th century introduced a new era with the development of the
HMS Dreadnought, a battleship armed with an all-big-gun main battery. This design
revolutionized naval warfare and gave rise to a new class of warships called dreadnoughts.
Naval arms races ensued as major powers sought to build the most powerful and heavily
armed fleets.

Aircraft Carriers: The interwar period and World War II witnessed the rise of aircraft
carriers as pivotal warships. These vessels could project airpower across vast distances,
changing the nature of naval warfare. The Battle of Midway in 1942 highlighted the decisive
role of carriers.
Submarine Warfare: Submarines came to the forefront during both World Wars. They
played critical roles in naval blockades, commerce raiding, and strategic deterrence. The
development of nuclear-powered submarines further extended their capabilities.
Missile Technology: The latter half of the 20th century saw the integration of guided missiles
on warships, transforming them into potent offensive and defensive platforms. Guided
missile cruisers and destroyers became central to naval operations.
Stealth and Technology: In recent decades, advancements in materials, radar-absorbing
coatings, and advanced electronics have led to the development of stealthy warships, such as
the Zumwalt-class destroyer in the United States. These ships are designed to minimize radar
cross-section and enhance survivability.
Unmanned Systems: The 21st century has seen the emergence of autonomous and
unmanned systems in naval warfare. Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly integrated into naval operations for surveillance,
reconnaissance, and even offensive missions.

The evolution of warships has been marked by a continuous quest for technological
superiority, adaptation to changing strategic environments, and the exploration of new
frontiers in naval capabilities. As technology continues to advance, the future of warships
may involve even more automation, artificial intelligence, and further development of
unmanned systems to ensure maritime superiority and security.

Submarines
As highlighted earlier submarines came to the forefront during the world war 1 and have
since become a vital instrument of sea power. Lets understand their role and types in brief.
Submarines are highly versatile and stealthy naval vessels that operate beneath the water's
surface. They play a crucial role in modern naval warfare and are employed for various
purposes. Submarines can be categorized into several types based on their primary roles:
Roles of Submarines:

1.Attack Submarines (SSN - Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines): These submarines are

designed for offensive operations. They are fast and heavily armed with torpedoes and cruise
missiles, making them capable of engaging surface ships and other submarines. Their primary
role is to hunt and destroy enemy submarines, protect carrier battle groups, and conduct
intelligence and reconnaissance missions.

2.Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN - Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarines):

Ballistic missile submarines are a key component of a nation's nuclear deterrence strategy.
They carry intercontinental ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads, providing a
second-strike capability in the event of a nuclear conflict. These submarines remain hidden
and can launch missiles from a hidden location.

3.Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN - Nuclear-Powered Guided Missile Submarines):

SSGNs are multipurpose submarines armed with both land-attack cruise missiles and special
operations forces. They can conduct precision strikes against targets on land and support
special operations missions.

Types of Submarines:

1.Nuclear-Powered Submarines: These submarines use nuclear reactors for propulsion and
can operate underwater for extended periods without the need to surface. They are typically
faster and have longer endurance than diesel-electric submarines.

2.Diesel-Electric Submarines: These submarines are powered by diesel engines on the surface
and electric batteries when submerged. While they are quieter than nuclear submarines, their
limited underwater endurance is a significant drawback.

Submarines have the advantage of stealth, making them difficult to detect and track. Their
ability to operate covertly and launch surprise attacks, as well as their strategic nuclear
deterrent capability, makes them a critical component of modern naval forces. The roles and
types of submarines continue to evolve with advancements in technology, enabling them to
perform a wide range of missions in both peacetime and wartime.

In conclusion, warships and submarines stand as the stalwarts of maritime security, projecting
power, ensuring deterrence, and adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of naval warfare.
These vessels, with their rich historical evolution, fulfill an array of crucial roles, from
safeguarding trade routes to serving as platforms for precision strikes and strategic nuclear
deterrence. As technology advances and global challenges shift, warships and submarines
remain integral to a nation's naval prowess and its ability to secure its interests on the high
seas. The silent depths of the oceans continue to house these remarkable vessels, always
ready to answer the call of duty, underpinning the security and stability of the world's waters.