Write a note on the role of Navy during peace and war.
Answers
Navy is an important instrument of a maritime policy. The maritime policy of a country involves not only its military strategy but its total response to the oceans around it. If involves economic, social, political and diplomatic aspects as well. This implies that a navy as an instrument of maritime policy has a very important and definite role in peacetime also. Nations aware of this fact have always used this very important tool to further their interests. While being the protector of the maritime boundaries, a navy is also the guardian of the economic strength of a littoral. It can project power to far-off areas or act as ambassadors of peace and goodwill. Navies worldwide are known for their political roles during peace, in addition to their fighting capabilities in war. The future trend appears to be the use of naval forces in support of crucial foreign policy objectives. At the same time, navy can be used for protection of fisheries and marine environment, search and rescue, aid to civil power, marine survey and many other humanitarian and developmental projects. Unfortunately, we in Pakistan have failed to realize the role navy can play in national build up and capitalize on it.