A strong, resurgent and a vibrant nation is matched by a young and a dynamic Navy. The Indian Navy proudly shoulders the responsibility of our nation of ensuring safe and secure seas. A strong nation needs a strong navy for ensuring peace. Geo-Political realities are hard to dismiss and the challenges are many. With the region combating religious strife, terrorism and border disputes, the Indian Navy has a vital role to play in ensuring peace and stability.
Combining power and mobility, the Indian Navy plays a vital role to perfection in all spheres and dimensions of warfare. Be it surface, sub-surface, air and space dimension, combat readiness at all times is the hallmark of the Indian Navy.
India’s location in the Indian Ocean is unique and so is the role of the Indian Navy. The seas are vital for food, natural resources, energy, trade and transportation. A world-class navy backs the economic aspirations of a resurgent nation. The Indian Navy is always on the prowl, never lets down its guard even for a second. India’s immediate geo-strategic environment is synonymous with the IOR but its influence is carried much beyond in making it truly a ‘Blue Water Navy’.
The mandate is clear-cut :: maintain stability and security in our area of operations in order to enable and catalyze economic progress and national consolidation.
Maintenance of peace in the IOR is a key National security imperative. The Indian Navy has a strategic presence in the region which is key to stability in the region.
Indian Navy Admiral Robin K. Dhowan ::
“The seas around us are gaining new found importance as each day goes by and there is no doubt that the current century is the century of the seas. India is essentially a maritime nation with a natural outflow towards the seas and the country sits aside busy sea-lines of communication over which nearly a hundred thousand ships transit every year. We have vast maritime interests and the responsibility of protecting these interests falls squarely on the shoulders of the men in white uniforms because it is the responsibility of the Indian Navy to ensure India’s Maritime interests which have a vital relationship with the nations economic growth are allowed to develop unhindered both in peace and war”.
India’s maritime interests face many a challenges. Surveillance and presence to ensure deterrence, combat readiness for a decisive victory in case of war, keeping territorial integrity intact & safeguarding national maritime interests is the primary role of the men in white and their deadly war machines. The Indian Navy is a multi-dimensional force, always mission ready. The combat fleet and operational authorities remain focused on their missions and are always ready.
Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya ::
The induction of INS Vikramaditya has added a new dimension to the operational edge of the Navy. The new flagship has added to the strength of the Indian Navy. With a displacement of 44,500 tonnes armed with around 20 Mig-29K’s this ship is truly is awe inspiring. An engineering marvel with integral Mig-29K fighter jets, and Kamov-31 Helicopters, INS Vikramaditya symbolizes the Indian Navy’s professionalism and capability as a true Blue Water Navy.
Nuclear & Conventional Submarines ::
With the induction of INS Chakra Nuclear Submarine and undergoing sea-trials of INS Arihant, a new dimension of prolonged under-water sustenance is added with it. The under construction Scorpene class submarines will enhance the conventional deterrence and punch to our under water capabilities.
Induction of Stealth Warships ::
INS Kolkatta and INS Kamorta are the latest addition to the Indian Navy’s arsenal. The commissioning of these two ships has showcased our ship-building industry’s coming of age. INS Kolkatta exemplifies our naval might and our indigenous capability to design and build the most potent of warships. With a very large indigenous combat component, INS Kolkatta is the new face of the Indian Navy’s multi-dimensional surface capability.
The ship is packed with the mot sophisticated state-of-the-art weapons and sensors including vertically launched long-range surface-to-air missiles and the deadly BrahMos surface-to-surface missile.
INS Vikrant :: A New Aircraft Carrier Under Construction
India’s biggest indigenous warship, the under construction aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant would help the Indian Navy match the worlds leading navies and also make India one of the few countries that operate two aircraft carriers simultaneously.
The goal of Self-Reliance ::
In true National spirit, the self-reliance program of the Navy is well entrenched with significant indigenization of platforms, sensors and equipment. The blue-print of the Indian Navy is firmly anchored on self-reliance and indigenization. The Navy currently has 41 warships and submarines under construction in various public and private shipyards within the country.
The Indian Navy has an ambitious target of inducting five to six warships every year. The Indian Navy remains committed to its goal of modernization with indigenous capacity building.
India’s coastline is vast, stretching over 7500 kms and the Exclusive Economic Zone spans a staggering to over 2 million sq. kilometers. The Indian Navy fulfills its mandate to maintain the security of our coast and the Exclusive Economic Zone with round the clock patrols by ships and aircrafts.
Air Supremacy by the Indian Navy ::
For supremacy at sea, Air power is vital. The air-to-air & air-to-surface missiles on-board fighter jets and anti-submarine helicopter squadrons make a deadly combination. With the induction of the P8-I anti-submarine aircraft, Hawk advance jet trainers and plans to induct the latest medium range multi-role helicopters, will provide the requisite air-superiority to the air arm of the Indian Navy.
Space Domain ::
The Indian Navy has taken a gigantic leap in the domain of space based communication and intelligence gathering with the launch of ‘Rukmani’ which is India’s maiden dedicated military satellite.
It makes network operations over a wide oceanic region possible. The tactical fleet picture is made available to the decision makers at shore with the help of state-of-the-art infrastructure. Each of the ships in the naval fleet will have comprehensive communication between them, facilitated with the satellite ‘Rukmani’. The satellite integrates a variety of warships, submarines and aircrafts.
The advance multi-band GSAT -7 Rukmani Satellite is an advance communication satellite capable of providing a wide range of communication services. The Indian Navy now joins the group of a select few navies adept in net-centric warfare.
The Indian Ocean has emerged as the world’s centre of gravity in the maritime domain and the Indian Navy has to maintain a high operational tempo and display its footprint and operational proficiency across the seas at all times.
On the high seas or in the air or under water, challenges bring out the best in a Navy personnel. Its their sheer will and grit to surmount all challenges that make them different.
The Indian Navy is like a Mother to those who have the will to dedicate their youth for the country. The Indian Navy is indeed on a steady course striving for unmatched supremacy and excellence.
