Maritime security in the Indian Ocean: Strategic setting and features

Initially Africa was little affected by European maritime activity as the focus was on trade with the East.

For millennia the peoples living around the Indian Ocean have benefited from its rich trade, while the interaction resulting from these maritime exploits, whether of a cultural and religious nature, or of conquest and slavery, invariable influenced their lives fundamentally. These traditional patterns of trade and communication changed drastically when first the Portuguese and then other European powers began sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to establish trade links and empires in the East.

Initially Africa was little affected by European maritime activity as the focus was on trade with the East. Africa’s primary value was to provide refuge and provisions along a long and often hazardous route. The formidable warships of the European naval powers were rapidly able to establish dominance in the Indian Ocean and projected their influence to the furthest corners of region. Naval forces were crucial for the establishment of national interests and for countering the activities of other European nations. Over the centuries, the British in particular, because of their effective utilisation of sea power, were able to create a large Indian Ocean empire. During the course of the 19th century, European navies also played an important role in maintaining good order at sea, eradicating piracy and countering slavery.  

About the author

Prof. TD (Thean) Potgieter is currently Chief Director Research and Innovation at PALAMA (Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy). His previous appointment was as Director of the Centre for Military Studies, Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University. He has published widely in various countries on topics that include counterinsurgency, technology and warfare, strategic theory, geopolitics and geostrategy, Indian Ocean affairs and maritime security. He serves on numerous academic and editorial boards, is the Secretary-General of the South African of Military History Commission and is the recipient of a number of academic and military awards.