On December 4, 2024, the Indian Navy is set to celebrate Navy Day. Ahead of this event, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi shared insights into the strength, achievements, preparations, and modernization of the armed forces. This year, Navy Day will be celebrated at the coast of Puri in Odisha.
Navy Day...
Navy Day has been celebrated continuously since 1972. It commemorates the 1971 war when the Indian Navy devastated Karachi with missile strikes. Admiral Tripathi said this day is to remember our martyrs. Last year, Navy Day was observed in Sindhudurg where Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself was present. Since then, it has been decided to celebrate Navy Day in different coastal cities of India.
Source: aajtak
Guardians of the Seas
Admiral Tripathi explained that the Navy plays a vital role in securing the surrounding seas. For instance:
Anti-Piracy Mission...
Engages in missions to protect merchant ships from sea pirates in the Gulf of Aden and northern Arabian Sea.
Counter-Narcotics Operations...
The Navy undertakes anti-drug missions across the Indian maritime domain to curb international smuggling.
Rescue and Relief...
Stories like that of MV Ruen highlight how the Indian Navy successfully completes rescue and relief missions at sea.
Long-Range Operations...
Deploys MARCOS commandos 2000 kilometers from the coast of India for complex operations.
Modernizing and Strengthening the Navy
The Navy is continuously modernizing and becoming more lethal, as Admiral Tripathi highlighted...
Source: aajtak
Rafale-Marine Fighter Aircraft...
The Navy is finalizing the purchase of Rafale-Marine fighter jets for its aircraft carriers, with the deal expected to conclude in the next two months.
Scorpene-Class Submarines...
Three submarines of this class will join the fleet, significantly boosting the Navy’s strength in the Indian maritime zone.
Indigenous Construction...
Currently, 62 warships and a submarine are under construction in India, moving towards self-reliance, a mission the Navy is proudly supporting.
Nuclear Attack Submarines...
Government approval has been granted for two nuclear attack submarines set to be operational by 2036-37, enhancing underwater strength and boosting the defense industry's ecosystem.
Source: aajtak
Strategic Importance of Indian Maritime Zone
Admiral Dinesh Tripathi stated that the ocean is open for all, allowing operations in international waters as long as India's security is not compromised. The Naval Force promises a strong response to any hostile acts by neighboring countries. The Indian Navy, with the aid of the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), vigilantly monitors the Indian maritime area.
Regarding Pakistan's aim to build a 50-ship fleet, Admiral Tripathi expressed surprise over Pakistan's choice to prioritize arms over public welfare amidst economic challenges. Additionally, the Navy monitors China, which possesses strength, resources, and ambition to become a world power, ensuring no disruption to Indian interests.
Preparing for Modern Warfare...
Repeating Prime Minister Modi's words, Admiral Tripathi emphasized the evolving nature of war, resources, and techniques.
Explore more on how devastating a nuclear bomb explosion could be in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with insights from Little Boy and Fat Man's historic image analyses.
Source: aajtak
What's Next for the Indian Navy...
The Indian Navy has introduced its second nuclear ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighat, which is undergoing trials along with ongoing missile tests. The first nuclear submarine INS Arihant remains actively patrolling. Recently, the nuclear ballistic missile K-4 was successfully launched. Starting next year, at least one warship is set to be commissioned into the Navy every month.
