* Airspace (land or water) in which the identification, location, and control of civil aircraft is required in the interest of national security.
* They extend beyond a country's airspace to give the country more time to respond to foreign and possibly hostile aircraft.
* The authority to establish an ADIZ is not given by any international treaty nor prohibited by international law and is not regulated by any international body.
The first ADIZ was established by the United States soon after World War II
Usually such zones only cover undisputed territory, only apply to civilian aircraft, and do not overlap
ADVANTAGES OF ADIZ
* Provides an added measure of security
* Can help reduce the risk of midair collisions
* Combat illicit drug flows
* Facilitate search-and-rescue missions
* Reduce the need for fighter jet sorties for purposes of visual inspection.
* Can increase transparency, predictability, and strategic stability by reducing uncertainty on both sides about when, where, and how aerial interceptions might take place.
INDIAS ADIZ: 6 zones
Stringent clearance requirements for all aircraft entering them
1. NORTH: Along the International Border / Line of Control with Pakistan and Line of Actual Control with China
2. WEST: Along the International Border with Pakistan
3. CENTRE: A point over the International border with Nepal and then line along the Indo-Nepal boundary and Line of Actual Control with China
4. EAST: Along the borders of India in the East excluding the airspace covered by territories of Bangladesh, Bhutan and part of Nepal
5. SOUTH: Includes airspace over and upto the territorial waters of Lakshadweep Islands.
6. SOUTH-EAST: sub-ordinate organisation under ADIZ South
Chinas ADIZ Controversy
* On 23rd Nov. 2013, China set up an air defence zone covering the international airspace over parts of the disputed East China Sea.
* This requires all non-commercial aircraft to notify its authorities of their flight plans to avoid triggering a response from air defence forces.
What is the Issue then?
* Chinese ADIZ overlaps with the Japans ADIZ already established in the region,
* Both zones cover the disputed Diaoyu or Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
* It also includes SOCOTRA rock which is claimed by south korea.
* Chinas ADIZ has deepened regional fears about Chinas long-term intentions, it has actually increased this risk
In a reaction, U.S. dispatched two B-52 bombers to fly through the contested area
Why did China establish its East China Sea ADIZ?
1. Reducing the risk of surprise attack - No
* Because there was no real danger of that to begin with.
* Though Tensions in the region are undoubtedly high at the moment, but this is not a Cold War.
* No country wants a major shot to the heart of the global economy.
2. To reduce drug smuggling in the East China Sea - No
* It is not a significant drug route.
* Due multiple and overlapping maritime jurisdiction claims in the area, there is no shortage of willing search-and-rescue providers.
Neither motive figured in the Chinese defense ministry's statement announcing the establishment of the zone.
1. To reduce the risk of midair collisions Somewhat yes
* E.g.: In 2001 when a U.S. Navy EP-3 collided with an F-8 fighter from the Chinese Navy over the South China Sea.
* In the case of military flights, the risk of midair collision primarily stems from conflicting understandings of overflight rights.
* ADIZ puts even more pressure on China to intercept foreign military flights; it actually increases the risk of such accidents.
2. Prospect of increasing transparency, predictability, or strategic stability No
* It has prompted confusion among commercial airlines
* Ostentatious demonstrations of noncompliance by the U.S., Japanese, and South Korean militaries.
* Since Chinas ADIZ overlaps with Japans, there is now a very real possibility that a plane in the area could receive conflicting instructions and face simultaneous Chinese and Japanese interception.
* From a security and safety perspective, Chinas announcement clearly makes things worse, not better.
Then why the hell they declared?
In the belief that it would aid in its dispute with Japan over the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands.
Three reasons
1. They believed that an ADIZ signals or confers sovereign rights. Completely wrong belief
2. Declaring an ADIZ covering the disputed islands would enhance their bargaining position.
Can only be justified if bargaining was taking place and if Washington and Tokyo could be cowed
1. Chinese government may have intended to remind the U.S. that it is the dominant power in the region - Ironically, this episode has brought the U.S. and its allies together in a huddle
Way Ahead
* It is evident that China miscalculated
* China cannot walk back - Would be a major embarrassment.
* Noncompliance also represents an embarrassing loss of face for Beijing.
* It also reinforces Chinese misconceptions about the legal implications of an ADIZ.
* Also South Koreas tit-for-tat expansion of its own ADIZ is full of misconceptions.
* This will only further increase the dangers of inadvertent confrontation.
* Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington have already reacted.
* But they can drop the subject publicly and start quietly arranging some something with Beijing, behind the scenes that let it save face while operationally returning to the status quo ante.
Links
1. The Hindu
2. Foreignaffairs.com
3. AAI website
pushpender singh
