Africa's Indian Ocean Navies: Naval evolution in a complex and volatile region

Africa's mostly under-developed Indian Ocean navies and coastguards are now receiving increasing attention and resources to combat the rise of asymmetrical threats. The modernisation is indicative of the international community's expanding maritime security awareness and the willingness of African Indian Ocean states to move away from a traditional land-centric focus. This is welcome news in a region that endures perhaps the most complex and challenging maritime security environment in the world.