NavalConflict – Iranian Frigate Sinking Raises Strategic Questions Across Indian Ocean

NavalConflict – The sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean has intensified discussions among security experts and policymakers about the evolving nature of naval conflict and its broader implications for regional stability. The incident occurred on 4 March, only days after the vessel had participated in naval engagements hosted by India, including the International Fleet Review and the multinational exercise Milan. More than 100 people were reported killed when the warship went down, drawing global attention to the growing tensions linked to the ongoing confrontation between the United States, Israel and Iran.

Incident Raises Questions About Maritime Law

According to maritime security experts, much of the debate surrounding the sinking stems from confusion about international maritime law. The Iranian warship had departed India on 25 February and was reportedly struck about a week later, roughly 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle in Sri Lanka.

Under established international rules, a nation’s territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from its coastline. Any military action taking place beyond that limit occurs in international waters. When hostilities exist between two countries, international law governing armed conflict allows each side to target the other’s military assets in these waters.

From a strictly legal perspective related to the conduct of naval warfare, attacking an enemy warship in international waters during hostilities can be considered permissible. However, analysts note that the political and ethical dimensions of such incidents often generate broader debate beyond the legal framework.

Modern Conflicts Rarely Involve Formal War Declarations

Some commentators have questioned whether the absence of a formal declaration of war between the United States and Iran affects the legality of such military actions. Defence specialists point out that formal declarations of war have become increasingly uncommon in contemporary conflicts.

In many modern situations, military operations begin without the traditional process of a legislative declaration. Once hostilities begin between states, the law of armed conflict applies automatically. This body of law regulates how combat is conducted, identifies legitimate targets, and defines acceptable uses of force.

As a result, the operational legality of attacking an enemy warship does not necessarily depend on a formal war declaration. Instead, the broader debate about whether a conflict itself complies with international law remains a separate question.

Limited Impact on India’s Maritime Role

The incident has also prompted discussion about whether the sinking could affect India’s influence in the Indian Ocean region. Analysts suggest the impact on India’s strategic position is likely to be minimal.

India’s maritime strategy in the region has largely focused on cooperation, capacity building and regional security partnerships. The Indian Navy frequently conducts joint patrols, training programmes and information-sharing initiatives with several Indian Ocean countries.

India has also developed a reputation as a preferred security partner and a first responder in situations involving piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, terrorism or humanitarian emergencies. Since these activities are primarily focused on non-traditional security threats, they remain largely separate from conflicts involving external powers.

Search and Rescue Operations at Sea

Following the sinking of the Iranian frigate, the Indian Navy deployed a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and dispatched naval ships to assist in search and rescue efforts. India also permitted the Iranian frigate IRIS Lavan to dock in Kochi, where crew members were provided support at naval facilities.

Search and rescue missions in the maritime domain are coordinated through an internationally recognised system that divides the world’s oceans into designated response zones. Each region has a specific country responsible for coordinating rescue operations.

In this case, the waters where the incident occurred fall under Sri Lanka’s maritime search and rescue jurisdiction. While other countries can assist in rescue efforts, such support typically takes place under coordination with the designated authority to avoid sovereignty issues.

Experts also point out that the vast scale of the oceans often means that even rapid responses can take time, as naval ships must travel long distances to reach the location of an emergency.

Submarine Warfare and Historical Precedents

Some analysts have described the attack as unusual because it occurred outside the main area of conflict. However, naval historians caution that maritime warfare has rarely been confined to a single geographic zone.

Submarines remain among the most powerful platforms in naval combat due to their ability to operate undetected and strike surface vessels. Although such incidents are relatively rare, there have been several notable examples since the Second World War.

During the 1971 Indo-Pakistan conflict, the Indian Navy lost the frigate INS Khukri after it was torpedoed by a Pakistani submarine. In the Falklands War, a British submarine sank the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano. Another case occurred in 2010 when the South Korean corvette Cheonan was destroyed in an attack attributed to a North Korean mini-submarine.

Operational Limits on Submarine Rescue Efforts

Questions have also emerged about whether a submarine that conducts such an attack is obligated to rescue survivors. Naval warfare doctrine suggests that this is rarely feasible.

Submarines rely heavily on stealth for survival, and surfacing after an attack could expose the vessel to detection or counterattack. Because of this risk, rescue operations by the attacking submarine are usually considered impractical.

In many cases, the submarine may instead report the incident and the approximate location so that other vessels can conduct search and rescue operations.

Lessons for India’s Naval Strategy

Strategic analysts believe the episode reinforces the growing importance of maritime power in global security. Modern naval operations increasingly rely on advanced underwater capabilities, particularly nuclear-powered attack submarines.

These vessels combine speed, endurance and stealth, allowing them to operate across vast ocean areas while posing a significant threat to enemy ships. India already operates nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, which form part of its strategic deterrence capability.

However, India does not yet have operational nuclear-powered attack submarines. The government has approved plans to develop such platforms, reflecting the increasing importance of undersea warfare in modern naval strategy.

Experts note that building and sustaining these capabilities requires long-term investment, a strong industrial base and consistent national commitment to strengthening maritime security.