A large number of inter-border disputes, Sino-Indian, Indo-Pakistan,
Pakistan-Afghanistan, Sino-Russia, Russia-Japanese, Sino-Vietnam, have
remained unresolved and even after the superpower detente continue to be
e cause of strife often breaking out into armed conflicts. In a number of
Countries viable political superstructures have emerged and organised
central state power facing periodical challenge. In several countries the
nation state building process has either been not completed or is still in its
factor and has a destabilising effect on the political structure. The Asia-
stages. Ethnicity in itself has emerged as an autonomous political
Pacific region has become a key link on our planet, of vital importance to the countries of Africa and the Persian-Gulf, to Canada and many other
nations. Its unique strategic situation and the complicated and
contradictory balance of forces has not led to unprecedented militarization
and nuclearisation of this region, and it makes a tangible impact on the
military and political situations of the world as a whole.
Unlike Europe, both in terms of political influence and military
strength, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region is not “bipolar”. many of
the region’s states are non-aligned and take independent stand, both
conflicts raging in this region and other international problems.
The Cumulative impact of the unstable political situation in
individual countries and the tensions of interstate relations heighten the
level of military confrontation in the region. It is, therefore, not surprising
that out of more than 250 military conflicts that have occurred in the world
since the Fifties, 240 have taken place in Asian or Pacific countries. Again
it was in Asia that the nuclear arms were used for the first and the only
time.
Quite apart from the fact that three biggest socialist countries; the
Russian Federation, China and Vietnam are located in this region, Japan
occupies a strategic position in this region and the Soviet Union (New
Russian Federation) and American meet each other across the Pacific.
The US concept of security for this region so far has been based on
what was once termed, “Reagan’s doctrine for Asia aimed at achieving
clear maritime superiority.” It is trying to achieve this by creating a
military coalition, in which it helps to be involved not only long-standing
allies such as Japan and South Korea but also the members of ASEAN. It
is a different story that ASEAN countries have begun to assert their
independence.
The large number of strategic, intermediate-range, shorter-range
and battlefield nuclear arms deployed in the region by the US, the Soviet
Union and China make a military confrontation probable and could cause
any local conflict to expand and engulf the entire planet.
The US and the Russia deploy possibly 25 percent of their stockpile
or over 4500 delivery vehicles and up to 25,000 war heads in the Asia
Pacific region.
Out of its strategic trial of landbased intercontinental ballistic missile
(ICBMS), heavy bombers and submarine launched ballistic missile (SLMBS), the United States has traditionally preferred the naval
component in the Asia-Pacific region. According to some sources, about
bmarines are deployed in the Pacific. There include Trident 1 missile
third of the nearly 700 SLMBS on board American missile carrying
with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVS) (eight
var head per missile) carried on board light ohio-class nuclear power
submarine (SSBNS) each carrying 24 SLMBS.
Since 1983, the US has stationed a strategic air wing of 15 B-529
bombers on Guam Island, which has been dubbed a “Nuclear island” in
the region. Each B-529 strategic bomber can carry 12 cruise missile
(ALCMB) fitted with nuclear war head (following the bombers
modernisation this number will be increased to 20.)
The situation in Asia Pacific region is further destabilised large-
scale deployment of Tomahawk sea-launched cruise missile capable of
reaching target with a range of 2600 kilometers. Their deployment on
board surface ships and multi-purpose submarine of the US 7th Fleet
began in 1984. By 1991, it is planned to arm 137 US warships with these
missiles. Tomahawk missile have been already used to arm 17 surface
ships and 25 submarines in the Asia-Pacific region and another 15 ship
with missile will be armed soon.
In addition to strategic forces, responsibility for “nuclear
g deterrence” is borne by airfield and carrier based aviation. Seven of
American’s 15 aircraft carries are permanently assigned to the US 3rd and
7th Fleet operating in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Each carrier can accommodate up to 200 nuclear warhead and up to
nuclear-capable assault planes. The United States Pacific Fleet also
includes 45 diesel and nuclear-powered submarines and about 170 large
Surface ships, all of which are able to carry nuclear arms. US department
of Defence admits that the 7th Fleet alone carries up to 1500 nuclear
Warhead.
There are indications that the US intends to expand the nuclear
factor in the regional military confrontation. In October 1986, the
range missile in South Korea where the American forces already have
Pentagon decided to deploy a battalion of Lance nuclear-capable short-
fairly short range (130 Kilometer), this decision has the potential of
Over 1000 tactical nuclear weapons. Though the Lance missiles have a
further destabilising the situation in the conflict-prone Korean Peninsula. intermediate-range nuclear systems (missile and bombers) in the Asia
In addition to strategic forces, the Russia has a sizable potential of
Pacific region. In conformity with the Russian-American Treaty on the
elimination of intermediate range and shorter-range missile, however,
which was signed in Washington on
are to be scrapped.
à December 8,1987, the Russian missile
China’s nuclear forces have remained virtually unchanged for years,
and include some 400 nuclear warheads and 240 to 250 delivery vehicles
(not more than 10 ICBMS, about 100 intermediate-range missile, 24
ballistic missiles on board two submarines, and 120 medium bombers). A
the same time, China has launched a programme to expand and modernise
its nuclear potential. It plans to build 12 missile carrying submarines, and
by the early 1998, hopes to build a supersonic strategic bomber.
From all indications, it appears that the American strategy in Asia
undergoing important changes. In political terms, the US has now begun
to play the role of a “balancing power” and not that of “dominant” power.
From a position of an “hegmonistic power” it wants to defend its interests
as a “balancing power.” There are both external and internal factors which
have to led to this shift. Washington is struggling to bring its strategic ends
in line with its financial means.
The US-Japan Security Treaty is gradually losing its significance
and will eventually become totally absolute. Though it would be premature
to suggest that the special US-Japan military ties will soon end, it is
becoming increasingly clear that the relationship between these two
countries has begun to change, though as yet slowly.
China is yet I another factor in the militarization of this region. There
are widespread suspicious about Chinese intentions and they are likely to
get more actuate as China asserts her wide ranging territorial claims.
International disputes of China, include, boundary with India; bilater
negotiation are under way to resolve disputed sections of the boundary
with Russia, boundary with Tajikistan in dispute; a short section of
boundary with North Korea is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute
over the Spartly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and
Tankin; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and
possibly Brunei; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of
Taiwan; claim Japanese-administered Senkaku-Shato, as does Taiwan. International disputes of India, include boundaries with Bangladesh
and China; status of Kashmir with Pakistan; water-sharing problems with
downstream riparian, Bangladesh over the Gangs and Pakistan over the
Indus. International disputes of Pakistan also includes status of Kashmir
with India; water-sharing problems (Wular Barrage) over the Indus with
upstream riparian India.