Replied by Col Shashank Sharma
Most of the combat platforms, forward deployed units (with the exception of nuclear submarines) and all means of transport of the armed forces run on petroleum based fuels. Any disruption in the supply of fuel supply would adversely effect the combat capability of the armed forces. The armed forces are completely dependent on public sector and state-owned companies for supplyof oil and electricity respectively. The national energy security strategy and actions to mitigate the energy security concerns of the country would subsume the military requirements including through the national strategic petroleum reserves. The crude and petroleum products storage capacity of the country is currently being improved from existing 74 days of national consumption to 90 days1.Catering for conflict, last year during the conflict with China in Ladakh, the defence forces have also been authorised to increase their reserve stocks to minimum 15-day intense war (15-I) levels from 10-day stocking earlier, to prepare the defence forces for a two-front war with both China and Pakistan2.
Armed forces, primarily the navy, also play a critical role in security of the energy by safeguarding the energy assets in the littoral waters, energy sea lines of communication (SLOC) and energy storage and distribution networks as outlined in India’s maritime militarystrategy. India relies overwhelmingly on the seas for its energy needs including crude and liquefied hydrocarbon imports. Nearly 80% of the country’s crude oil requirement is imported by sea,using the International Shipping Lanes (ISL) across the Indian Ocean. Another 11% of national crude oil requirementis met from offshore energy sources within the Indian EEZ. Taking into account the total oil imports by sea, offshore oil production and petroleum exports, the country’s cumulative ‘sea dependence’ for oil is estimated to be about 93%. The maritime strategy, therefore designates safety and security of the SLOCs i.e seaborne trade and energy routes, especially in the IOR its area of primary interest.3
Endnotes
- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1659993
- Hindustan Times, 13 Dec 2020,https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-defence-forces-to-stock-weapons-ammo-for-15-day-intense-war/story-9fcJFRv3lqYgadntsM6UWK.html
- Ensuring Secure Seas: India’s Maritime Security Strategy, Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence, 2015;