Major power competition in the Indian Ocean and doctrinal development in Pakistan

Abstract

Written military doctrines are generally seen as declaration of intent and strategic objectives by military forces. Pakistan has typically stayed averse to the trend of formal military doctrines owing to its strategic culture. However, in a first precedent Pakistan Navy released a formal military service doctrine in 2018. Yet it remained short of being a truly comprehensive formal naval doctrine. This article explores the naval doctrinal developments in Pakistan since the end of last century, its relationship with the ensuing major power competition in the Indian Ocean region, and its possible implications on doctrinal development in Pakistan.