Indian Navy

Indian Navy

Headquarters
Motto: शं नो वरुणः Transliteration: Sha no Varuna ("May the Lord of the Oceans be auspicious unto us")
New Delhi
History and traditions
History of the Indian Navy
Navy Day: 4th December
Components
Current fleet
Full Indian Navy ship list
Submarines
Naval aircraft
MARCOS (Marine Commandos)
Weapons systems
Personnel
Chief of Naval staff
Officer insignia

**Indian Armed Forces**
Military Man Power
Triservices Crest.
Total armed forces	2,414,700 (Ranked 3rd)
Active troops	1,414,000 (Ranked 3rd)
Total troops	3,773,300 (Ranked 6th)
Paramilitary forces	1,089,700
Components
Indian Army
Indian Air Force
Indian Navy
Indian Coast Guard
Paramilitary forces of India
Strategic Nuclear Command
History
Military history of India
Ranks
Air Force ranks and insignia of India
Army ranks and insignia of India
Naval ranks and insignia of India

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. It currently has approximately 55,000 personnel on active duty, including 5,000 members of the naval aviation branch and 2,000 marine commandos, making it the world's fifth largest navy.^[1] The Indian Navy currently operates more than 155 vessels, including the INS Viraat, the only aircraft carrier in Asia operating jet fighters.^[2]

Though the primary objective of the navy is to secure national maritime borders, India also uses its navy to enhance its international relations through joint exercises, port visits and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief. In recent years, the Indian Navy has undergone extensive modernization and expansion with an intention to increase its capabilities as a true blue-water navy.^[3]^[4] By 2015, the Navy is expected to operate three aircraft carriers and at least three nuclear submarines.^[5]

Role

The Indian Navy sees several principal roles for itself:

In conjunction with other armed forces of the union, act to deter or defeat any threats or aggression against the territory, people or maritime interests of India, both in war and peace;
Project influence in India's maritime area of interest, to further the nation’s political, economic and security objectives;
In cooperation with the Indian Coast Guard, ensure good order and stability in India's maritime zones of responsibility.
Provide maritime assistance (including disaster relief) in India's maritime neighbourhood.^[6]
To play a key role as part of 'a pluralistic security order' for a better world.^[7]

History

Main article: History of the Indian Navy

India has a maritime history dating back to 5,000 years.^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11] The first ^[12]^[13] tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BCE during the Indus Valley Civilization, near the present day Mangrol harbour on the Gujarat coast. The Rig Veda written around 1500 BCE, credits Varuna with knowledge of the ocean routes and describes naval expeditions. There is reference to the side wings of a vessel called Plava, which give stability to the ship under storm conditions. A compass, Matsya yantra was used for navigation in the fourth and fifth century AD.^[14]

The earliest known reference to an organization devoted to ships in ancient India is to the Mauryan Empire from the 4th century BCE. Emperor Chandragupta Maurya's Prime Minister Kautilya's Arthashastra devotes a full chapter on the state department of waterways under navadhyaksha (Sanskrit for Superintendent of ships) ^[2]. The term, nava dvipantaragamanam (Sanskrit for sailing to other lands by ships, i.e. Exploration) appears in this book in addition to appearing in the Buddhist text, Baudhayana Dharmasastra as the interpretation of the term, Samudrasamyanam.

Chola territories during Rajendra Chola I, c. 1030

Sea lanes between India and neighboring lands were the usual form of trade for many centuries, and are responsible for the widespread influence of Indian Culture on other societies. Powerful navies included those of the Maurya, Satavahana, Chola, Vijayanagara, Kalinga, Maratha and Moghul empires .^[15] The Cholas excelled in foreign trade and maritime activity, extending their influence overseas to China and Southeast Asia.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Maratha and Kerala fleets were expanded, and became the most powerful Naval Forces in the subcontinent, even defeating European Navies at various times (See the Battle of Colachel). The fleet review of the Maratha navy took place at the Ratnagiri fort in which the ships Pal and Qalbat participated. The 'Pal' was a three masted fighter with guns peeping on the broadsides.^[16] The Maratha Kanhoji Angre and Kunjali Marakkar, the Naval chief of Saamoothiri were two notable naval chiefs of the period.

Colonial Era

Main article: Royal Indian Navy

The British Indian Navy was established by the British while India was a colony. Indian sailors started a rebellion also known as the The Royal Indian Navy mutiny, in 1946 on board ships and shore estabilshments which spread all over India. A total of 78 ships, 20 shore establishments and 20,000 sailors were involved in the rebellion. When India became a republic on 26 January 1950, it became known as the Indian Navy, and its vessels as Indian Naval Ships (INS).

Operation Vijay

Main article: Operation Vijay (1961)

The first involvement of the Navy in any conflict came with the success of Operation Vijay in the 1961 liberation of Goa. After Portuguese troops fired at commercial vessels and fishing boats passing near Anjadip Island, the decision was taken to militarily intervene to liberate Goa from Portuguese colonial holding. The Indian ships provided fire support to navy and army landing troops. During the operation, the INS Delhi sank one Portuguese patrol boat. The Portuguese frigate Alfonso de Albuquerque was also sunk after a brief fight.^[17]

Indo-Pakistan Wars

Main article: Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts

The Navy has been involved in two wars with Pakistan. While its activity in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 largely involved patrolling of the coast, it played a significant role in the bombing of Karachi harbour in the 1971 war. The name given to the attack was Operation Trident, which was launched on December 4. Owing to its success, it has been celebrated as Navy Day ever since. The attack was followed by Operation Python before the center of conflict shifted to the eastern India-Pakistan border and the Bay of Bengal. To show solidarity with its ally Pakistan, the United States sent a nuclear carrier task force led by the USS Enterprise into the Bay of Bengal. A task force led by INS Vikrant was stationed to counter the Enterprise task force; Soviet Navy submarines also trailed the U.S. task force. A confrontation was averted when the U.S. task force moved towards South East Asia, away from the Indian Ocean.^[18]

The sinking of the Pakistani Navy's lone long-range submarine PNS Ghazi under unexplained circumstances^[19], enabled an easy Indian blockade of East Pakistan.^[20]. The missile boats INS Nirghat and INS Nipat each sank a destroyer; the INS Veer destroyed a minesweeper. The naval aircraft, Sea Hawks and Alizés, operating from the Vikrant were also instrumental in sinking many gunboats and merchant navy vessels. There was one major casualty, the frigate Khukri (sunk by the PNS Hangor), while the Kirpan was damaged in the western sector of conflict. Ultimately, the naval blockade of Karachi Port^[21]^[22] and the complete blockade of East Pakistan's ports were successful in cutting Pakistani troops off from reinforcements, supplies, and evacuation routes.^[23] These actions proved decisive in India's victory in the war.^[24]^[25]

Type of Vessel	Indian Navy losses	Pakistan Navy losses
Destroyers	Nil	2, PNS Khaibar and Shahjahan*(damaged)
Frigates	1, INS Khukri**	Nil
Submarines	Nil	1, PNS Ghazi
Minesweeper	Nil	1, PNS Muhafiz
Navy Aircraft	1, (Alize)	Nil
Patrol boats and Gunboats	Nil	7 Gunboats and 3 patrol boats
Merchant Navy and others	Nil	11 (including one US ammunition ship)
Loss on land	Nil	Missile attack on Karachi harbour and oil installations.

*PNS Shahjahan was presumably damaged beyond repair.

**The second frigate INS Kirpan was damaged although it remained in service later on after salvaging it.

Operation Cactus

Main article: Operation Cactus

In 1988, the Indian Navy joined the Indian Air Force in successfully thwarting a coup attempt by Tamil mercenaries in the Maldives.^[26] A naval maritime reconnaissance aircraft detected a vessel hijacked by Tamil rebels. One of the hostages on-board included a senior Maldivian minister and Operation Cactus was launched to secure the vessel. After military intervention by INS Godavari and Indian marine commandos, the rebels surrendered.^[27]

In October 1999, a coordinated effort by the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard led to the rescue of a hijacked Japanese cargo ship, MV Alondra Rainbow, from pirates.^[28]

Operation Talwar and Parakaram

During the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999, the Western and Eastern fleet of the Indian Navy were deployed in northern Arabian Sea.^[29] Known as Operation Talwar, this was primarily done to not only safeguard India's maritime assets from a Pakistani naval attack, but also to deter Pakistan from initiating a full-scale war with India by blocking its naval sea-trade routes.^[30] Indian Navy's aviators and commandos also fought along side Indian Army personnel during the Kargil war.^[31]^[32]

The Indian Navy took part in military exercises during the 2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff. More than a dozen ships from the navy were deployed during the exercise, codenamed Operation Parakaram.^[33] Later in 2001, the Indian Navy provided escort to American warships traveling through the Strait of Malacca to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom.^[34]

Disaster relief

2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

Main article: 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

The Indian Navy has extensively used its air arm for rescue and relief operations. Shown here is the HAL Chetak helicopter in service with INS Rana.

During the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake crisis, the Indian Navy deployed 27 ships, 19 helicopters, 6 naval aircraft and over 5000 Naval personnel in disaster relief operations.^[35] These deployments were a part of various area-specific relief operations including Operation Madath in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Operation Sea Waves in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Operation Castor in Maldives, Operation Rainbow in Sri Lanka and Operation Gambhir in Indonesia.^[36] This was one of the largest relief mobilizations that the Indian Navy had undertaken. Indian Naval groups were able to start large scale rescue operations in neighboring countries within 12 hours from the time of the tsunami, and was the first foreign navy to reach the affected areas.^[37]

The quick deployment of forces during relief operations was a testing ground for the Navy's amphibious, as well as force projection capabilities.^[38] Deficiencies in the response led to modernization of the naval forces after the tsunami, including the acquisition of Landing Platform Docks (LPD) like the INS Jalashwa (formerly the USS Trenton), as well smaller amphibious vessels.^[39]

Operation Sukoon

Main article: Operation Sukoon

During the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, the Indian Navy evacuated 2,280 Indian nationals and people of various other nationalities, including four 436 Sri Lankan and 69 Nepali citizens, from war-torn Lebanon. This operation was named Operation Sukoon, meaning "Peace and tranquility".^[40]^[41] In the year 2006, ten naval doctors from India served for 102 days on USNS Mercy and conducted about 10 medical camps in Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and East Timor.^[42] Indian Navy has also provided relief materials to survivors of cyclones in Bangladesh^[43] and Myanmar.^[44] Two ships from the Indian Navy carried the first international aid material for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.^[45]

INS Mysore is planned to be deployed in the Gulf of Aden to check piracy.

Anti-piracy operations in Somalia

Piracy off the coast of Somalia has caused significant concerns in India as most of its sea-trade routes pass through the region.^[46] The Indian Navy responded to these concerns by deploying the frigate INS Tabar in the Gulf of Aden in October 2008. Within a month of its deployment, the Tabar had prevented attempts by pirates to board two cargo ships and also destroyed a pirate "mother ship".^[47] As of November 11, 2008, the frigate had escorted 35 ships safely through the pirate-infested region.^[48] There were also reports of India deploying destroyer INS Mysore to augment the frigate INS Tabar in anti-piracy operations.^[49] On November 21, 2008 India was granted permission to enter Somalian territorial waters to intercept suspected pirate vessels.^[50]

Personnel

Commissioning ceremony of INS Jalashwa, an amphibious transport dock. Part of the Eastern Fleet, the Jalashwa is the second-largest ship currently in-service with the Indian Navy.^[51]

Each of the three Naval Commands has an active Flag Officer Commanding in Chief. The commander of the Navy is the Chief of Naval staff (CNS). As of 31 October 2006, the CNS is Admiral Sureesh Mehta. The CNS is assisted by several other high ranking officers. Below is the list of various ranks of officers within the Indian Navy in descending order:

Admiral of the Fleet (5-star Ceremonial Rank, held for life)
Admiral (the rank held by the Chief of Naval Staff)
Vice-Admiral
Rear-Admiral
Commodore
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant
Sub Lieutenant

While the provision for the rank of Admiral of the Fleet exists, no officer of the Indian Navy has yet been conferred an equivalent rank. Both the Army and Air Force have had Field Marshals (Sam Manekshaw and Cariappa) and Marshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF) (Arjan Singh) appointed.

Organization

INS Godavari, INS Brahmaputra and INS Beas of Indian Navy's Western Fleet take part in a military exercise off the coast of Malabar.

The Indian Navy is divided into the following broad categories:

Administration
Logistics and Material
Training
The Fleets
The Naval Aviation
The Submarine Arm

The Indian Navy is organized into three regional commands:

HQ Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam
HQ Western Naval Command, Mumbai
HQ Southern Naval Command, Kochi

Another command, a joint Navy, Army and Air force command was set up in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2001 as a strategic area of defence.^[52] The joint command is entrusted with security of the Malacca straits and the Indian Navy plays a major role in it by patrolling the area with the Indonesian Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Thai Navy.^[53] India and Australia signed an agreement to provide maritime security in the Asia Pacific region.^[54]

In 2005 the Navy received a huge boost when INS Kadamba was commissioned at Karwar, 100 km from Goa. This is the third operational naval base after Mumbai and Vishakapatnam and the first to be controlled exclusively by the Navy. The other bases share port facilities with civilian shipping, but this one is for purely military purposes. Built under Phase I of the multi-billion dollar 'Project Seabird', it has been described by naval pundits as the largest such base in the region, and will add strategic depth to the Navy.^[55] Another base is being planned for the eastern shores, near Vishakapatnam at a cost of US$ 350 million.^[56] The base, which will be located fifty km south of Vishakapatnam in Rambilli Mandal, will have comprehensive anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and amphibious capability.^[57] The Indian Navy is setting up a monitoring station in Madagascar,^[58]^[59] to patrol the coast of Mozambique to monitor and prevent terrorist activities and piracy.^[60]

Indian Navy's marine commandos during an exercise in the Philippine Sea.

Marine Commando Force

The Marine Commando Force (MCF), also known as MARCOS, is a special forces unit that was raised by the Indian Navy in 1987 for direct action, special reconnaissance, amphibious warfare and counter-terrorism. In 1988, the MARCOS successfully rescued several hostages, including Maldives' then-Minister of Education, aboard a ship hijacked by Tamil mercenaries during Operation Cactus.

The MARCOS are also deployed to prevent infiltration through the Jhelum and Wular Lake and are involved in covert counter-terrorism operations in and around lakes and rivers in Jammu and Kashmir.^[61]^[62]

The MARCOS were also involved in the rescue mission of hostages captured by the terrorists in Taj Mahal Palace & Tower luxury hotel in Mumbai as part of a large terrorist attack in Mumbai metropolis in November 2008.

Ships and weapon systems

Ships

Main article: Ships of the Indian Navy

Destroyer INS Ranjit (D53).

The names of all the commissioned ships (and Naval Bases) of the Indian Navy start with INS, meaning 'Indian Naval Ship'. The fleet of the Indian Navy is a mix of domestic built and foreign vessels and is expanding with new inductions. India often builds destroyers, frigates and corvettes. The Navy currently operates the Delhi and Rajput class destroyers. The frigates in the service include the latest Talwar class, Godavari class, Nilgiri class and Brahmaputra class. The Indian Navy is acquiring from abroad the Kiev class aircraft carrier Soviet aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov (INS Vikramaditya), improved Talwar class frigates, and the Scorpène class submarines. The carrier INS Viraat will be retired by the end of 2012 after the induction of the first domestically built Vikrant class aircraft carrier.

In 2006, India purchased the 16,900 tonne USS Trenton, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, for 48.44 Million USD. The ship was renamed INS Jalashwa and commissioned on June 22, 2007 at Norfolk, Virginia. Six H-3 Sea King maritime utility transport helicopters were also purchased and will operate from the ship which arrived at the Eastern Command's Vishakhapatnam Naval base in September, 2007 and was promptly inducted into the Indian Navy. One corvette, INS Prahar, sank after colliding with a merchant vessel.^[63]

Submarines and AUVs

INS Sindhuvijay, a Sindhughosh class submarine

Main article: Submarines of the Indian Navy

The Indian Navy currently maintains a fleet of 16 diesel powered submarines. These are primarily of Russian and German origin. India signed a deal for six Scorpène submarines with MESMA air-independent propulsion, and construction has begun. These submarines will join the Indian Navy from 2010-11 onwards.^[64] The Indian Navy may arm its Kilo class submarine fleet with the BrahMos cruise missiles after successfully completing test launches from the submarine.^[65] India will issue request for proposals for another six submarines in financial year 2008-09.^[66]

The National Institute of Oceanography has developed the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) that has applications in the field of Oceanographic research. Also an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) has been developed.^[67]

Nuclear powered submarines

A Charlie class nuclear submarine, then known as INS Chakra, under service with the Indian Navy. India leased the submarine from the Soviet Union from 1988 to 1991 to gain experience in the operation of a nuclear submarine.

In January 1988 India leased for three years an ex-Soviet Charlie class nuclear powered guided missile submarine with eight Ametist (SS-N-7 Starbright) anti-shipping missile launchers. In the Indian Navy, the ship was christened INS Chakra, and the submarine was manned by an Indian crew. Upon expiration of the ship leasing term in 1991, the submarine was returned to Russia and joined the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy.

India has been working since 1985 to domestically construct a nuclear-powered submarine, one that is based on the Soviet Charlie II-class design, detailed drawings of which are said to have been obtained from the Soviet Union in 1989. The secretive project is known as the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project. The nuclear reactor is reported to have been fitted into the submarine's hull. The Prototype Testing Centre (PTC) at the (Indira Gandhi Centre For Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, will be used to test the submarine's turbines and propellers. A similar facility is operational at Vishakapatnam to test the main turbines and gear box.

Once the vessel is completed, it may be equipped with Sagarika/Agni-III ballistic missiles and advanced Indian made sonar systems. According to defense sources, the ATV is expected to be launched in 2009 and commissioned in 2010. Each unit will cost one billion U.S. dollars.^[68]

India is reportedly paying two billion dollars for the completion of two Akula-II class submarines which were 40-60% completed.^[69] Three hundred Indian Navy personnel are being trained in Russia for the operation of these submarines. India has finalized a deal with Russia, in which at the end of the lease of these submarines, it has an option to buy them. According to report, the first submarine will be commissioned into the Indian Navy in September, 2009.^[70] The first submarine will be named INS Chakra, it is currently undergoing trials in the Pacific ocean.^[71]^[72]

Aircraft

Main article: Indian Naval Air Arm

BAe Sea Harrier lands at the deck of INS Viraat.

The naval air-arm is an important component of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy air arm consists of Sea Harrier jets that operate from the aircraft carrier INS Viraat and also from INS Jalashwa. Recently, the Harriers were modernized for Beyond Visual Range missile capability. The Kamov-31 provide the Airborne Early Warning cover for the fleet. In the anti-submarine role the Sea King, Ka-28 and the domestic built HAL Dhruv are used. The MARCOS use Sea King and HAL Dhruv helicopters while conducting operations. Reconnaissance operations are carried out by Tupolev 142, Ilyushin 38, Dornier Do 228 aircraft, as well as HAL Chetak helicopters. The UAV arm consists of around 30 UAVs like Heron and Searcher-IIs that are operated from ships and shore for better surveillance. The Indian Navy also maintains a four aircraft aerobatic display team, the Sagar Pawan. The Sagar Pawan team will be replacing their present Kiran HJT-16 aircraft with the newly developed HJT-36 aircraft.^[73]

The Indian Air Force also has a maritime strike role, providing support to the Indian Navy. It operates SEPECAT Jaguar^[74]^[75] and Sukhoi Su-30MKI^[76] Aircraft in this role. The Jaguars are armed with the Sea Eagle missile, which will be replaced with the Harpoon missile.^[77] Su-30MKI and the Il-38 will be armed with the air-launched version of the Brahmos cruise missile.

Weapon systems

Main article: Weapon systems of the Indian Navy

The Indian Navy uses modern technology and weapon systems, some of which are domestically developed. Others, like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, are jointly developed with Russia. Some major strides in defense research. There are reports on the joint development by India and Israel of the Barak-II missile system, an improved, longer range version of the Barak-I air defence missile which is operational on Indian Navy ships.^[78] The Barak-I is used on most of the main ships of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy's nuclear deterrence capability is based on Sukanya class ships armed with the Dhanush ballistic missiles that has a range of 350 km.

India has a number of foreign made cruise missile systems, including the Klub SS-N-27. It also has its own Nirbhay cruise missile systems under development. The Sagarika (Oceanic) submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which has a range of at least 700 km (some sources claim 1000 km) forms part of India's nuclear triad. Another successful program has been the adaptation of the Yakhont anti-ship missile system into the BrahMos by the NPO and the DRDO. The BrahMos has been tailored to Indian needs and uses a large proportion of Indian-designed components and technology, including its fire control systems, transporter erector launchers, and its onboard navigational attack systems. The successful test of Brahmos from INS Rajput (D51) provides Indian Navy with precision land attack capability.^[79]

Electronic warfare and systems management

INS Rana of the Western Fleet during a multinational naval exercise which are often conducted to increase military coordination between India and its allies.

Sangraha is a joint electronic warfare program of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy. The system comprises a family of electronic warfare suites, such as Ajanta and Ellora, for use on different naval platforms capable of intercepting, detecting, and classifying pulsed, carrier wave, pulse repetition frequency agile, frequency agile and chirp radars. The systems employ a modular approach facilitating deployment on various platforms like helicopters, vehicles, and small ships. Certain platforms, apart from ESM (electronic support measures), have ECM (electronic countermeasure) capabilities. Advanced technologies like multiple-beam phased array jammers are employed in the system for simultaneous handling of multiple threats.^[80]

The Indian Navy also relies on information technology to face the challenges of the 21st century. The Indian Navy is implementing a new strategy to move from a platform centric force to a network-centric force by linking all shore-based installations and ships via high-speed data networks and satellites.^[81]^[82] This will help in increased operational awareness. The network is referred to as the Navy Enterprise Wide Network (NEWN). The Indian Navy has also provided training to all its personnel in Information Technology (IT) at the Naval Institute of Computer Applications (NICA) located in Mumbai. Information technology is also used to provide better training, like the usage of simulators and for better management of the force.^[83]

Fleet reviews

Indian naval ships led by INS Viraat during the "Presidential Fleet review" in 2006 near Vishakapatnam.

The President of India is entitled to inspect his fleet, as he is the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces. The first President's fleet review by India was hosted by Dr. Rajendra Prasad on October 10 1953. President's reviews usually take place once in the President's term. In all, nine fleet reviews have taken place, the most recent being in February 2006, when President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam took the review.^[84] The Indian Navy also conducted an International fleet review named Bridges of Friendship in February 2001 in Mumbai. Many ships of friendly Navies from all around the world participated, including two from the U.S. Navy.^[85]^[86]

Once in two years navies from the Indian Ocean region meet at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the event is named as MILAN (Sanskrit: Get together).^[87]

Naval exercises and cooperation

Naval ships from five nations in formation during Malabar 2007, the largest war-game hosted by India.^[88]

India often conducts naval exercises with other friendly countries designed to increase naval interoperability and also to strengthen cooperative security relationship. Some such exercises take place annually like the Varuna with the French Navy, Konkan with the Royal Navy (UK), Indra with Russian Navy, Malabar with the U.S. Navy and Simbex with the Republic of Singapore Navy. The Indian Navy also conducted exercise with the People's Liberation Army Navy in 2003. In 2007, the TROPEX (Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercises) was held during which Indian Navy experimented the doctrine of influencing a land and air battle to support the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.^[89] Apart from the Indian Ocean, India has steadily gained influence in the Pacific Ocean. In 2007, Indian Navy conducted naval exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S Navy in the Pacific^[90] and also signed an agreement with Japan in October 2008 for joint naval patrolling in the Asia-Pacific region.^[91]

India has also held naval exercise with Vietnam,^[92] Philippines and New Zealand.^[93] In 2007, India and South Korea decided to conduct annual naval exercise^[94] and India will also be participating in South Korean international fleet review.^[95] In addition, Indian Navy will also be increasing naval cooperation with other allies, particularly with Germany^[96] and Arab states of the Persian Gulf including Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.^[97]^[98] India held the first Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)^[99] with an objective to provide a forum for all the littoral nations of the Indian Ocean to cooperate on mutually agreed areas for better security in the region.^[100] The Indian Navy is increasingly used in international diplomacy.^[101] Since 2000, the Indian naval ships have made port calls in Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, Greece, Oman, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, South Africa,^[102]Kenya,^[103] Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait^[104] and other countries in 2005-2007.

Exploration

INS Tarangini is the only sail training ship in the Indian Navy and is an icon of India's rich maritime history.

The Indian Navy regularly conducts adventure expeditions. The sailing ship and training vessel INS Tarangini began circumnavigating the world on 23 January 2003, intending to foster good relations with various other nations; she returned to India in May of the following year after visiting 36 ports in 18 nations.^[105] INS Tarangini returned to port, after a ten month long overseas voyage named Lokayan 07.^[106] A solo circumnavigation voyage named 'Sagar Parikrama' is planned for 2008-09 by Cdr. Dilip Donde.

Lt. Cdr. M.S. Kohli led the Indian Navy’s first successful expedition to Mount Everest in 1965; the Navy’s ensign was again flown atop Everest on 19 May 2004 by a similar expedition. Another Navy team also successfully scaled Everest from the north face, the technically more challenging route.^[107] The expedition was led by Cdr Satyabrata Dam, belonging to the elite submarine arm. Cdr. Dam is a mountaineer of international repute and has climbed many mountains including the Patagonias, the Alps among others. This team's record is unmatched by any other navy. The Navy was also the first to send a submariner to summit Everest.^[108]

An Indian Navy team comprising 11 members successfully completed an expedition to the Arctic pole. To prepare, they first traveled to Iceland, where they attempted to summit a peak.^[109] The team next flew to eastern Greenland; in the Kulusuk and Angmassalik areas, they used Inuit boats to navigate the region’s ice-choked fjords. They crossed northward across the Arctic Circle, reaching seventy degrees North on skis. The team scaled an unnamed peak of height 11,000 feet and named it ‘’Indian Peak’’.^[110]

The Indian Naval ensign first flew in Antarctica in 1981.^[111] The Indian Navy succeeded in Mission Dakshin Dhruv 2006 by traversing to the South Pole on skis. With this historic expedition, they have set the record for being the first military team to have successfully completed a ski traverse to the Geographic South Pole.^[112] Also, three of the ten member team - the expedition leader - Cdr. Satyabrata Dam, leading medical assistants Rakesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar are now amongst the few people in the world to have visited the two poles and summited Mt. Everest.^[113]^[114] Indian Navy became the first organization to reach the poles and Mt.Everest.^[115]

Ongoing expansion

Shivalik class frigate under construction.

In 2004, India bought the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov for the equivalent of US$1.5 billion. It will cost an additional US$1.5 billion to refit, and is expected to join the Indian Navy in 2012 after much delay over cost overruns. A further US$700 million will be spent to purchase 12 single-seat MiG-29K and four dual-seat MiG-29KUB fighters, six Kamov-31 attack and reconnaissance anti-submarine helicopters; also included are training facilities for pilots and technical staff, delivery of simulators and spare parts, and establishment and maintenance of Indian Navy facilities. Upgrades include removing missiles from the carrier foredeck to make way for a 14.3-degree ski-jump.^[116] The Mig-29's will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2008.^[117]

In April 2005, India began construction of a 37,500 tonne Vikrant class aircraft carrier at a cost of 4,000 crore and scheduled to operate 30 aircraft, including Naval LCA, MiG-29K, and Sea Harrier combat aircraft, as well as HAL Dhruv, Ka-31, and Sea King Mk.42 helicopters. Four turbine engines will power the ship. The carrier is being constructed by state-run Cochin Shipyard Limited.^[118] and will be commissioned by 2012-13. The Indian Minister of State for Defence, Pallam Raju, went on record in September 2006 stating that the aircraft carrier is likely to be commissioned by 2011.^[119] There are plans to build more aircraft carriers domestically.^[120]

The Indian Navy is currently undergoing rapid expansion and modernisation.^[121] Yantar, a plant in Kaliningrad, Russia, was awarded a US$1.56 billion contract to build three additional 1135.6 frigates. The increased price is due to more sophisticated armaments such as BrahMos cruise missiles. The Navy has government approval for an additional eight warships.

Future prospects

India is expected to spend about US$40 billion on military modernization from 2008 to 2013.^[122] A major chunk of those purchases were made for the Indian Navy. India is currently focusing on expanding its submarine fleet. Also newer technology like the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) is being developed for the Indian Navy to protect the littoral domain.^[123]^[124]

After ordering six Scorpene submarines as part of Project 75, Indian Navy is now on the look out for six next-generation submarines in a project worth over Rs 30,000 crore. These six diesel-electric submarines built in India under Project-75A, will be equipped with air-independent propulsion boosting their operational capabilities and will have high degree of stealth, land-attack capability and ability to incorporate futuristic technologies. RFI has been issued to Rosoboronexport, French (Armaris), HDW and other firms, two rounds of discussions have already taken place. The RFP or global tender will be issued in late-2008 or early-2009.^[125]

The Indian Navy is also planning to induct 8 P-8I maritime patrol aircraft by the year 2012 at a cost of $2.2 billion dollars.^[126] Work on the third aircraft carrier is to start in 2010 and will be inducted into the Navy by 2017.^[127]

INS Tabar, a Talwar-class frigate. India will purchase 3 additional Talwar-class stealth frigates.

The RFP (request for proposal) for six MRMR aircraft with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities was issued on July 11 2008 to Italian Alenia Aeronautica's ATR-72-500MP aircraft, Brazilian Embraer's P-22, French Dassault's Falcon 900DX and Russian Antonov-72P. The contract is expected to be signed by June 2009 and deliveries to begin by 2012. The Navy is also planning to induct more UAVs. The India-Israel joint venture to convert the Chetak helicopters into unmanned UAV's that can operate from ships is progressing steadily. All these will be linked with space-based reconnaissance systems.^[128]

Indian Navy has issued a tender for procurement of 16 advanced, multi-role naval helicopters to AgustaWestland, EADS and Sikorsky. The order is likely to be expanded to 60 helicopters. The helicopters will be equipped with anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare equipment including cruise missiles and torpedoes, and also be capable of being refuelled in flight. The type will operate from both naval vessels and land bases.^[129]

Global bids has been floated to acquire eight mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs), to replace the twelve Pondicherry class ocean minesweepers in service. France's DCN International, Fincanteri of Italy, Izhar of Spain, Kangnam of South Korea and Northrop Grumman of the U.S have been invited to participate in the bidding process. Six of the craft will be produced at Goa shipyard under transfer of technology.^[130]

With the recent and ongoing upgrades and inductions, independent analysts expect that the Indian Navy may soon become a blue-water navy.^[131] India's navy is already among the most powerful in the region,^[132] and with further upgrades in the future, aims to control the Indian Ocean Region, from the coast of East Africa to Australia.^[133] India is also the only Asian navy to regularly operate aircraft carriers.^[134]

References

Notes

Books

Blue print to blue water 1951-65 Rear Admiral (Retd) Satyindra Singh AVSM
The Transition to Triumph and Transition to Eminence written by Vice Admiral(Retd) GM Hiranandani PVSM, AVSM, NM, PhD
The Indian end of the telescope: India and its navy, Naval War College Review, Spring, 2002 by Gulab Hiranandani.
India in the Indian Ocean, Naval War College Review, Spring, 2006 by Donald L.Berlin
India’s Maritime Security: Author: Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, (ISBN 81-86019-24-4)
A Shared Destiny: The Indian Navy and the City of Kochi Author:P.J. Cherian[3]
No easy answers: The Developments of the Navies of India, Pa Author: Commander James Goldrick, RAN (ISBN 1-897829-02-7)
War in the Indian Ocean: Author: Vice Admiral Mihir K Roy, PVSM (ISBN 1-897829-11-6)
My Years At Sea: Author: Vice Admiral SH Sarma (Retd), PVSM (ISBN 81-7062-121-6)