Page 147 - MDSL Final

CONCEPTS AND APPLICATION OF MARITIME POWER
In terms of the factor of time, sea control can be permanent or temporary.
Permanent sea control exists when the stronger side completely
dominates a given maritime theatre, either because the other side does
not have any means to deny that control or because it’s naval force has
been completely destroyed. In practice, it is more common that the
weaker side still has some means at its disposal to challenge the stronger
side’s control. Permanent sea control does not mean that the opponent
can do nothing but rather that he cannot interfere with one’s shipping
or amphibious landings in such a way as to seriously affect the course of
the war. Permanent sea control means that one’s adversary cannot use
shipping or carry out maritime expeditions except at an unacceptably
high risk.Temporary sea control often results from the inability of either
side to obtain a decision. The weaker side at sea then usually falls back
on the defensive and keeps a major part of its fleet in bases, avoiding
any decisive action at sea. If a weaker opponent succeeds in obtaining
superiority in the air, it could be sufficient for using the sea for a specific
purpose and for a limited time.

In terms of the factor of force, sea control can range from absolute to
contested. It can also mean the free use of particular types of ships but
not others. Absolute sea control means, in practice, that one’s naval
force operates with little threat while the adversary fleet cannot operate
at all. It aims in general to obtain sea control of the entire theatre, or the
major part of the theatre, so that one can employ one’s fleet whenever
and wherever required without threat from the adversary. The weaker
side then cannot employ its submarines, aircraft, or mines. In practice,
control of large sea/ocean areas cannot be absolute in terms of either
space or time in the presence of an undefeated and strong opponent.
The only exception is when one side possesses a fleet and the other does
not and has no other means to dispute control. In theory, absolute but
temporary sea control exists when one side, for only a short duration,
enjoys superiority over its opponent in the entire theatre. However, this
objective could be accomplished only in absence of a peer competitor
on the open ocean.

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 129