Motivations for Submarine Acquisitions in Asia
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Authors
Hutton, Rodney E.
Subjects
Advisors
Lavoy, Peter R.
Eyre, Dana P.
Date of Issue
1995-12
Date
December 1995
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
Submarine acquisitions are on the rise throughout Asia. This thesis examines the national motivations behind this trend in three cases: India, China and Japan. Four hypotheses - focusing on national security, factional interests, technological momentum and institutional theory - are utilized in order to gain insight into the decision making process surrounding submarine acquisitions. The development of a conventional submarine fleet is strongly influenced by national security issues. The remaining three factors are also present in each case of submarine acquisitions, but to a much lesser degree. Indian and Chinese nuclear submarine developments are difficult to justify based solely on security threats due to the submarine's lack of strategic integration and the availability of low cost conventional submarines to cover professed strategic interests. In each case, factional interests influenced the control of the nuclear programs, while at the decision making level, nuclear submarines are perceived as an avenue to higher international standing or as a means to fulfilling the international role to which the country aspires.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
NA
Format
xii, 89 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.