Chapter 14: To Draw Out and Then Strike Back (2)
Two
In the plans drawn up in New Delhi, the first 48 hours after the outbreak of war were to be crucial: the Indian Navy and Air Force should launch four or five waves of long-range precision strikes against both Taima countries. The aim was to cripple the retaliatory capabilities of both powers as quickly as possible. In fact, after participating in the first wave of attacks on December 8, the two aircraft carrier formations deployed by the Indian Navy off the Malacca Strait did not participate in any further ground attacks against the Malay Peninsula.
The two carrier groups, "Nehru" and "Singh", sailed away from their assigned attack positions and turned northwest. A massive search at sea began in the Andaman Sea, which was supposed to be the backyard of the Indian Navy.
"We have lost our most valuable target, and now it has become the most threatening enemy." In the underground fortress of the Andaman-Nicobar Command, facing a huge electronic map of the war zone, General Prash, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Far Eastern Theater, had bloodshot eyes, and the joy of the day was gone.
Although the land-based air forces and naval aviation of both Thailand and Myanmar suffered heavy losses in the daytime attack, the most threatening target in the eyes of the Indian Navy was the elite gathering of ASEAN navies -
The "Chakri Naruebet" aircraft carrier fleet unexpectedly disappeared from its scheduled attack position.
The original plan of the Indian Navy was to have Admiral Tabras, Commander of the Far East Fleet, personally command the "Nehru" aircraft carrier formation to launch a full-scale attack on ASEAN's strategic mobile force at the first opportunity. Although before the appearance of China's "Directly Governed Municipality" nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the "Nehru" aircraft carrier formation was already enough to dominate the South Asian waters. However, facing the elite "Chakri Naruebet" aircraft carrier formation of ASEAN, Admiral Prash still prepared sufficient follow-up strike means. But all preparations have become a mirage - because it has disappeared from where it should be.
On October 10, 1997, when the aircraft carrier "Chakri Naruebet" (hull number 911) purchased from Spain was formally commissioned at the Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand, Thailand became the first country in ASEAN to be equipped with an aircraft carrier, and also became the second country in Asia and the tenth country in the world to own an aircraft carrier.
Since the outbreak of the Indonesian Civil War, the "Chakri Naruebet" aircraft carrier has been active in the Strait of Malacca as the flagship of the ASEAN fleet. Its formation includes almost all the latest warships from various ASEAN countries: 2 Thai Navy Naresuan-class frigates
A brand new design of F-25T "Naresuan" class missile frigate
2 Chao Phraya-class riverine patrol boats
CLASS) frigates, 2 Ratanakosin-class corvettes and other small ships. In addition to the Thai Navy's own fleet, two Laksamana-class missile corvettes of the Royal Malaysian Navy, two Kasturi-class submarines, and two Formidable-class destroyers of the Republic of Singapore Navy also accompanied HTMS Chakri Naruebet on a long-term patrol in the Strait of Malacca. The Indian Navy had been keeping a close watch on them all along, but they vanished into thin air before the eyes of all Indians.
"Where will it go?"
On the bridge of INS Vikramaditya, another voice was muttering to himself. Vice Admiral Tabrez, Commander of the Indian Navy's Far Eastern Fleet, pressed his hands firmly on the wooden table covered with sea charts in front of him, and he wished he could fly over the battlefield immediately and find it with his own eyes. Outside the window, two MiG-29K carrier-based aircraft took off from the brightly lit flight deck.
"It's as if we've gone back to World War II mode."
Tabras shook his head and sighed, then looked up at the staff on the bridge who were at a loss for what to do. "Get me the navigation charts of the ASEAN joint fleet over the past period, in 2-hour units, I want them all."
A large display screen in the center of the bridge showed a full electronic chart of the Malacca region, with a deep blue circle representing the "Chakri Naruebet" aircraft carrier moving back and forth like a marble between the two shores of Malacca. It finally disappeared near the Similan Islands in the western exit of the strait. That was the last place where the Indian Navy found them. Next, the coastal surveillance radar station responsible for monitoring the entire sea area was attacked by unidentified special forces.
"If it were me, where would I sail an aircraft carrier?"
Tabras walked up to the electronic screen, staring at the ring that lingered in the Similan Islands. "Head east back to our homeland? Impossible! To cross this narrow strait without air superiority would undoubtedly be a foolish suicidal act."
Tabras's hand gently wiped over Malacca. "Head west through the gap between our two aircraft carrier fleets and advance into the Andaman Sea? Foolish idea, what can a light aircraft carrier and several escort vessels do?! Moreover, under our tight surveillance, they should have been discovered long ago."
Tabras finally shifted his gaze to the north. Along the winding coastline, countless islets appeared before his eyes, which was the Tanintharyi Archipelago in southern Myanmar.
The Mergui Archipelago, a group of islands off the coast of Myanmar in the Andaman Sea. It is the largest island group along the coast of Southeast Asia, comprising nearly 900 small and large islands with a total area of approximately 3,500 square kilometers. The archipelago lies between latitudes 9°30＇—13°10＇ north, with major islands including Kadan Kyun, Kanmaw Kyun, Lanbi Kyun, and Zadetkyi Kyun. The coastlines are rugged and mountainous, with the highest point exceeding 1,000 meters. If there were detailed hydrographic data available, even a large warship like the USS Nimitz could navigate through the islands undetected by electronic surveillance.
"Myanmar is China's traditional sphere of influence, and without sufficient confidence, rashly invading Myanmar's airspace for armed reconnaissance would likely lead to international disputes." Although it can almost be confirmed that the ASEAN fleet entered the Danlao Islands, Tabras did not dare to immediately dispatch fighter jets for reconnaissance. After all, behind Myanmar is a powerful China, and the Danlao Islands have long been considered a forbidden zone on the eastern side of the Andaman Sea. Currently, India does not want to have unnecessary friction with China.
"Let's start with the drone swarm. Although Myanmar is within China's sphere of influence, in order for the next phase of the battle to proceed smoothly, we must destroy ASEAN's fleet." Although sharing the same concerns as Tabras, Prash was more aware of the threat that this fleet would pose to the entire battlefield if allowed to continue existing.
On a forward airfield in the Andaman Islands, three Israeli-made Heron drones belonging to the Indian Navy's 342nd Air Squadron.
The "Grey Heron" drones took off in the vast night sky and swooped towards their hunting grounds.
