News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Navy

  • Indian Navy’s first unit of indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopters enters service

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Indian Naval Air Squadron 323 (INAS 323), Navy’s first unit of the indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III, was commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa.

    Speaking on the occasion, junior Defence Minister Shripad Naik, said “The commissioning of INAS 323 marked yet another milestone in the efforts towards enhancing maritime security and safeguarding maritime interests of the nation. It also embodies the spirit of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.” Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command was present on the occasion.

    Commander Samik Nundy is the commissioning Commanding Officer of INAS 323. He is an accomplished ALH pilot with extensive operational experience. The squadron will operate three state-of-the-art ALH Mk III.

    In all, 16 aircraft are under procurement and the aircraft are being delivered in a phased manner to the Indian Navy. It is a multirole helicopter with a Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Mk III version of the ALH has an all-glass cockpit and will be used for Search and Rescue, Special Operations and Coastal Surveillance.

    India is trying to decrease its dependency on imported weapons and equipment by making changes to policies to support purchases from domestic manufacturers. Marking a major shift this year the Defence Ministry has decided to earmark around 64% (Rs 70,000 crore) of its modernisation funds under the capital acquisition budget for 2021-22 for procurement from the Indian manufacturers. 

  • Big catch: Indian Navy seizes boat with narcotics worth Rs 3,000 crore in Arabian Sea

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In a major action against contraband, the Indian Navy has seized a fishing vessel carrying 300 kilograms of narcotics on the western coast in the Arabian Sea. 

    This is in continuation with multiple successful operations of catching such a large cache of contraband by the security forces in recent months.

    Personnel deployed in Naval Ship Suvarna, while on surveillance patrol in the Arabian Sea, encountered a fishing vessel with suspicious movements. The Navy personnel conducted search operations after boarding the vessel and seized more than 300 kg of narcotics substances.

    The Navy said: The vessel with the confiscated contraband and five arrested crew members docked at Kochi port on Monday morning. All of them are Sri Lankan nationals.”

    The approximate cost of the catch in the international market is estimated to be Rs 3,000 crore.”

    “This is a major catch not only in terms of the quantity and cost but also from the perspective of disruption of the illegal narcotics smuggling routes, which emanate from the Makran coast (Pakistan) and flow towards the Indian, Maldivian, and Sri Lankan destinations.”, said the Navy

    As per the Navy, the investigation is not yet complete. “The boat with its crew has been escorted to Kochi port in Kerala for further investigation.”

    Apart from the human costs from drug addiction, the spoils of narcotics trade feed syndicates involved in terrorism, radicalization, and criminal activities, added Navy.

    In the past year, the Indian Coast Guard has successfully seized more than 1.6 tons of narcotics worth approx Rs 5,200 crore. The total drug haul done by ICG since inception amounts to Rs 11,252 crore.

  • Big catch: Indian Navy seizes boat with narcotics worth Rs 3,000 crore in Arabian Sea

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In a major action against contraband, the Indian Navy has seized a fishing vessel carrying 300 kilograms of narcotics on the western coast in the Arabian Sea. 

    This is in continuation with multiple successful operations of catching such a large cache of contraband by the security forces in recent months.

    Personnel deployed in Naval Ship Suvarna, while on surveillance patrol in the Arabian Sea, encountered a fishing vessel with suspicious movements. The Navy personnel conducted search operations after boarding the vessel and seized more than 300 kg of narcotics substances.

    The Navy said: “The approximate cost of the catch in the international market is estimated to be Rs 3,000 crore.”

    “This is a major catch not only in terms of the quantity and cost but also from the perspective of disruption of the illegal narcotics smuggling routes, which emanate from the Makran coast (Pakistan) and flow towards the Indian, Maldivian, and Sri Lankan destinations.”, said the Navy

    As per the Navy, the investigation is not yet complete. “The boat with its crew has been escorted to Kochi port in Kerala for further investigation.”

    Apart from the human costs from drug addiction, the spoils of narcotics trade feed syndicates involved in terrorism, radicalization, and criminal activities, added Navy.

    In the past year, the Indian Coast Guard has successfully seized more than 1.6 tons of narcotics worth approx Rs 5,200 crore. The total drug haul done by ICG since inception amounts to Rs 11,252 crore.

  • Navy chief for free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese dominance

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh reiterated that India is all for achieving free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

    In his opening remarks for Raisina Dialogue- 2021 in New Delhi, Admiral Singh said India will grow together with others having a collective and cooperative connotation, where convergences will be based on ‘achieving something’ rather than being ‘against someone’.

    “And that something is a free, open and inclusive Indo- Pacific,” said the Navy Chief. “Free – means freedom to engage in lawful activities in pursuit of prosperity. Open – implies open to all Nations in the Region, as also others beyond who have a legitimate stake in the common pursuit of progress and prosperity of the Region. And Inclusive – collaborative and cooperative framework that welcomes everyone to join and work together.”

    Indo-Pacific has been in the news with China regularly making emphatic maritime claims in the region. Admiral Philip Scot Davidson, Commander of the US’ Indo- Pacific Command, termed the Chinese behaviour as coercive and corrupt.

    “China’s approach to the region includes efforts to coerce, corrupt and coopt governments…,” he said.

    Asked about the possibility of military cooperation among the Quad countries, Admiral Singh did not give a direct reply but said there is no dearth of issues that it can handle and that there has been a robust engagement among the navies of the member nations of the grouping.

    Last month, the top leadership of the Quad grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia vowed to expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific at a time China was increasing its military assertiveness in the region.

    Admiral Philip Scot Davidson, Commander of the US’s Indo-Pacific Command, said the Quad has tremendous potential for cooperation, going far beyond the security sphere.

    Admiral Singh said there is a “natural desire” among most nations in the region to cooperate and collaborate for greater prosperity, adding the Indo-Pacific provides tremendous opportunities for “issue based convergences”.

    “Convergence, as you know, can lead to cohesion,” he said, adding Indo-Pacific is going through churn.

    Admiral Singh said the opportunities for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific can outweigh the challenges that are being faced, noting that the “oceans connect and they don’t divide”.

    Referring to China’s attempts to expand presence in the Indian Ocean, the Navy Chief said its energy sources, markets and resources are located to the west.

    He said it is not surprising that China has come into the Indian Ocean as it is often said “the flag follows trade”.

    The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical for India’s strategic interests.

    China has been making concerted efforts to increase its presence in the region.

    Indian Navy has been ramping up presence in the Indian Ocean to keep a hawk-eyed vigil over Chinese activities.

    Admiral Singh said most threats in the maritime domain are transnational in nature and that there has been a realisation that it is not possible for one nation to go it alone.

    He said India has several areas of convergence and alignment with other nations in the Indo-Pacific.

    The Navy Chief said Indian Navy has been working with regional navies to build their capacities to secure their interests and also cooperating with like minded navies to build interoperability and trust.

    Admiral Davidson also said that the US has an interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, adding China is looking at militarily threatening and diplomatically isolating Taiwan.

    He said US engagement with Taiwan is commensurate to China’s actions.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Pay anomaly for three armed forces personnel below officer rank resolved

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: A major pay anomaly — which started in 2006 and affected the soldiers directly recruited to the Army, Navy and Air Force — has been resolved. 

    Those recruited in ‘Other Ranks’ in X and Y groups in 2003, 2004 and 2005 can seek re-fixation of their pay to get the arrears of the last 15 years, which will work out to a substantial amount.

    The issue is regarding the pay of Other Ranks of 2006 which was at a higher rate when compared to the pay table suggested for those recruited in 2005.

    Effectively, pay for sepoy of X or Y group who joined in 2005 was Rs 6,250 and Rs 5,880, respectively. 

    For those who joined in 2006, it was Rs 6,460.

    Hence a junior three years younger in service was drawing Rs 210 and Rs 580 more per month. Most technically qualified sepoys are recruited in X group.

    Others are recruited in Y group.

    The posts to get the benefit are that of those recruited at the rank of Havaldar, like Education Instructors, Sportsman, Surveyor Automated Cartographer and those recruited as Naib Subedar, like Religious Teacher, Catering Junior Commissioned Officer, Direct Entry Artificers (diploma holders) and Sportsmen in Navy and Education Instructor (Sergeant) in Air Force.

  • DRDO develops advanced technology to safeguard Indian Navy ships from enemy missiles

    Express News Service
    BHUBANESWAR: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard Indian Navy ships from enemy missile attacks.

    The Defence Laboratory Jodhpur (DLJ), a DRDO unit, has indigenously developed three variants of the critical technology — Long Range Chaff Rocket (LRCR), Medium Range Chaff Rocket (MRCR) and Short Range Chaff Rocket (SRCR) — meeting the Indian Navy’s qualitative requirements.

    The Indian Navy recently conducted trials of all three variants in the Arabian Sea and found the performance satisfactory.

    A defence official said chaff is a passive expendable electronic countermeasure technology used worldwide to protect naval ships from enemy’s radar and radio frequency missile seekers.

    “The new development assumes significance as a very small quantity of chaff material deployed in the air acts as a decoy to deflect enemy missiles for the safety of our ships. DRDO has also gained the expertise to meet futuristic threats from adversaries. The technology is unique and not available elsewhere. It will be handed over to industries for production of chaff rockets in large quantities,” he added.

    Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar has applauded DRDO efforts in indigenously developing strategically important technology in a short span. The technology has been validated clearing the decks for bulk production, he added.

    Secretary of the Department of Defence (Research and Development) and DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy appreciated the efforts of teams involved in indigenous development of this vital technology to safeguard Indian Navy ships.

    “Successful development of Advanced Chaff Technology by DLJ is one more step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, Indian Navy and the industry for the achievement.

  • India, US begin two-day naval exercise in eastern Indian Ocean region

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India and the US on Sunday kicked off a two-day naval exercise in the eastern Indian Ocean Region, reflecting the growing congruence in their defence and military partnership.

    The Indian Navy deployed its warship Shivalik and long-range maritime patrol aircraft P8I in the ‘PASSEX’ exercise while the US Navy was represented by the USS Theodore Rosevelt carrier strike group, officials said.

    A carrier battle group or carrier strike group is a mega naval fleet comprising an aircraft carrier, accompanied by a large number of destroyers, frigates and other ships.

    “In a first, enhancing jointmanship, Indian Air Force fighters were also included in the exercise affording the IAF an opportunity to practice air interception and air defence with the US Navy,” a spokesperson of the Indian Navy said.

    The exercise came over a week after US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin flew into India as part of his three-nation first overseas tour that signalled the Joe Biden administration’s strong commitment to its relations with its close allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

    During the visit, both sides resolved to further consolidate their robust defence cooperation through deeper military-to-military engagement with Austin describing the partnership as a “stronghold” of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    The officials said the exercise began on Sunday and will conclude on Monday.

    The spokesperson said the exercise is aimed at consolidating the synergy and interoperability achieved during the Malabar exercise that took place in November last.

    Besides the Indian Navy, the Malabar naval exercise was participated by the navies of the US, Australia and Japan.

    The four countries are part of the Quad or Quadrilateral coalition.

    China has been suspicious about the purpose of the Malabar exercise as it feels that the annual war game is an effort to contain its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

    In July last, the Indian Navy carried out a military exercise with a US Navy carrier strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off the coast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

    The USS Nimitz is the world’s largest warship.

     

  • 787 incidents of suicide reported in armed forces since 2014: Government data

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: A total of 787 armed forces personnel died by suicide since 2014 with the Army reporting a maximum of 591 such cases, according to data provided by the government on Monday.

    In response to a question, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik told Rajya Sabha there were 18 incidents of fratricide in the Army and two in the Indian Air Force during the period.

    According to the details furnished by the minister, the Army reported 591 cases of suicide, the Navy 36, while the number in the Indian Air Force was 160 between 2014 and 2021 (till date).

    Naik said the armed forces have devised measures to deal with mental health issues of their personnel and prevent incidents of suicide and fratricide.

    “The issue of stress and strain is being addressed by the commanders in a comprehensive manner at various levels.

    Sessions for stress management are organised by commanders and psychiatrists at all major stations,” Naik said.

    He said counselling has been an intrinsic component of 23 psychiatric centres in the Army which are manned by well-trained and qualified psychiatrists.

    “Specific measures have been put in place as part of the multi-pronged strategy to address stress in Army,” Naik said, adding these include sensitisation of commanders on the subject, welfare measures like provision of adequate married accommodation and recreation facilities.

    He said various workshops and lectures on mental health and stress management are being organised by the IAF as part of its ‘Mission Zindagi’ campaign which is conducted quarterly at all stations.

    The Indian Navy has established mental health centres in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Port Blair, Goa and Karwar where family counsellors provide psychological counselling, the minister added.

    “In addition, based on the finding of the studies conducted by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), the government has taken several steps towards stress amelioration amongst troops,” Naik said.

    If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call AASRA’s 24×7 Helpline: +91-9820466726 for assistance.

  • Navy flags off sailing expedition from Chennai

    By Express News Service
    CHENNAI: Indian Navy flagged off a sailing expedition from Chennai to mark the 50th anniversary of INS ‘Virbahu’, the Indian Navy’s submarine base located at Visakhapatnam, headquarters of Navy’s Eastern Naval Command. Sailing Vessel ‘Neelkanth’ was flagged off by Rear Admiral Puneet Chaddha, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval  Area (FOTNA).

    The vessel has five officers from INS Virbahu as crew, and skippered by Commander Deepak Raj. The expedition  from Chennai to Visakhapatnam forms the first leg of this commemorative sailing. The first leg will cover a distance of 366 nautical miles. 

    The wind powered sailing is expected to take three days. It will consolidate the sail training of the young crew. It will help to showcase the courage, discipline, commitment and expertise of the crew in handling any adverse conditions and also their hold on the nuances of sailing, a release stated.

  • From aircraft to submarines, Navy takes local route to boost operation capacity

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Indian Navy has gone for local to boost the country’s maritime operational capacity.  

    There have been orders placed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for fixed wing aircraft and rotary wing helicopters. Shripad Naik, Minister of State (MoS), Defence said on Wednesday: “Indian Navy has placed orders for Aircraft 12 Dorniers, 16 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH MK III), 8 Chetak helicopters by (HAL).”

    MoS Defence was replying in Lok Sabha to a question asked by Ravindra Kushwaha, MP from Salempur in UP.  

    The minister admitted delays into the delivery process and also informed about delays in delivery of the submarines being constructed in Mazgaon Dockyard Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

    “Six Scorpene class submarines are built by Mazagon Dock and Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project-75,” the minister said. He added there have been delays in the projects. The pandemic has further impacted the delivery schedule.

    Aircraft deliveries have been delayed due to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and delays in submarine delivery have been caused due to defects observed during trials.

    “In the interest of national security, details cannot be divulged,” Naik.

    “However, the existing submarine fleet is being maintained combat worthy through life extensions and modernization/ upgradation.”

    Indian Navy has been facing issues of obsolescence in underwater combat capabilities.  Projects 75 and 75 (India) will plug this gap.