India - Navy 9/2/10 2:51 PM

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MILITARY

Indian Navy
History
Chain of Command
The Indian Navy (IN), the world’s fifth Rank and Ratings
largest navy, is a well-balanced Uniforms
three-dimensional force consisting of
Maritime Doctrine
sophisticated missile-capable Development
warships, aircraft carriers, Shipbuilding
minesweepers, advanced Ship Names
submarines and the latest aircraft in
its inventory. Many of the warships
Ministry of Defence Report 2003
are of indigenous design and have
been constructed in Indian shipyards.
These ships compare well with the
ships of similar capability constructed Units/Commands
by advanced countries. The Naval forces are maintained and
supported by modern dockyard facilities encompassing state-of-the- Marine Commando Force
art technology. At present the Navy has two major Naval bases at Coast Guard
Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.
Western Command
The navy is relatively well-armed among Indian Ocean navies, Eastern Command
operating one aircraft carrier, over 40 surface combatants, and over Southern Command
a dozen submarines. The fleet is aging, and replacement of ships Andaman and Nicobar Command
and aircraft has not been adequately funded. India's coast guard is
small and is organized along the lines of the U.S. Coast Guard. With Naval Aviation
India's long coastline and extensive Exclusive Economic Zone, the Submarines
navy and coast guard work hard to patrol the waters dictated by Goa Area
India's economic and strategic interests.

The Navy consists of ships such as aircraft carrier, cruisers, Links

destroyers, frigates, mine-sweepers, survey ships, store carriers,
tankers, submarines etc., and shore establishments, such as Official Homepage of the Indian Navy
training institutions, dockyard, storage deposits and other Indian Navy @ Bharatiya Nau Sena
miscellaneous, technical and administrative establishments. It also
has a separate Aviation Wing consisting of Naval Air Stations and a
Fleet Requirement Unit. The training establishments cater for the
training of new entry Sailors, apprentices and boys as well as for Read More On:
specialised training of officers and men in mechanical and electrical
engineering, gunnery, communication, navigation, anti-submarine U.S. Coast Guard
and naval aviation etc,. There are also schools for training in
seamanship, physical culture, supply and secretariat duties, etc. The United States Coast
Guard ( USCG) is a
branch of the United
States armed forces and
Indian Navy Operations one of seven uniformed
A “banner year” for bilateral training exercises, 2003 will likely be a services. The Coast Guard is a maritime,
military, multi-mission service unique
model for future exercise planning. As a U.S. partner in the war on
among the military branc...
terrorism, the IN did little this year other than bilateral training
exercises to bolster anti–terrorism efforts.
Read More >>
After several years of meticulous preparation, by 2003 the outlines
powered by Kosmix
of a new operational philosophy of the Indian Navy were becoming
increasingly perceptible. This is an operational philosophy whose
contours are well suited to the current perception of the Indian Navy
- that of a competent, confident, operationally viable and regionally visible maritime power. Ships of the Indian Navy are not
merely visible in the Indian Ocean Region and its environs - but also further afield.

In keeping with the 2003 naval slogan, the Indian Navy is indeed "Tacking to the Blue Waters". "Tacking" is a sailing term,

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India - Navy 9/2/10 2:51 PM

indicating a change of direction of a sailing vessel. "Blue Waters" is a common maritime term implying deep seas, far away
from one's own shores.

In keeping with this change in thrust and direction, Indian Naval ships are demonstrating the Navy's emergence as a
regionally viable stabilising force. For Instance, in April of this year, the active assistance of the Indian Navy was requested
by the Republic of Mauritius - 2,500 nautical miles away - to tow their Coast Guard Vessel Vigilante to Mumbai for repairs at
the Naval Dockyard. This arduous and professionally challenging task was flawlessly executed by INS Gaj. In recognition of
the demonstrated capability of the Indian Navy, the Government of Mauritius additionally requested surveillance of its
Exclusive Economic Zone. First, INS Sharda, and now, INS Suvarna, maintained presence in the area, sharing with them
information of importance.

Similarly, in June 2003, INS Ranjit and INS Suvarna executed a month-long deployment in and off Maputo, the capital of
Mozambique - over 3,500 nautical miles away from India. This was at the specific request of the Government of Mozambique
to provide security and training assistance.

Closer home, responding to a call, by the Government of Sri Lanka in mid-May 2003 for Indian assistances in providing
succour to the flood-stricken southern and central districts of the country, the swiftness and comprehensiveness of the
response by INS Sharda were instrumental in showing that a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Indian Naval ships were visible in or headed for the eastern choke points of the Indian Ocean, building professional
partnerships with other navies of South East Asia, IN ships Rajput and Rana renewed contacts with old friends in Singapore,
as well INS Mumbai with the Indonesian Navy.

Farther out still, the three masted sail training barque INS Tarangini proudly bore the Indian flag as far away as Canada and
the US, carrying through the Great Lakes India's desire and, ability to build bridges of friendship across the seas. After taking
part in tall ship races, she will transit the Panama Canal, cross the Pacific and return home.

For the Indian Navy, "Bridges of Friendship Across the Seas" had a particular relevance, for it knows that it is the sea itself
that is the bridge - and the Indian Navy is determined to travel upon this bridge, reaching across to its maritime neighbours
intimately connected by the sea, no matter where in the world they are.

Following the 28 December 2004 tsunami, rescue and relief operations under taken by Andaman and Nicobar Command
included intensive search and rescue for survivers by Marine Commandos of Indian Navy at Indira Point light house and
adjoining areas. Indian Naval Ships Brahmaputra with its two chetak helicopters, Sandhayak with one chetak helicopter,
Darshak with one chetak helicopter, Jyoti, Trinket, Sharabh and LCU- 38 operated off Great Nicobar Island and Nancowry
group of islands. INS Rajput with chetak helicopter on board operated off Car Nicobar whereas Indian Naval Ships Magar,
Kumbhir, LCU- 35 and LCU- 36 were deployed off Hut Bay. Helicopters on board INS Brahmaputra carried out aerial recce
of Pilomilo, Pilobabi, Pilokunji and Kyang Island along with tribal captain.

All commissioned Indian Naval Ships, Submarines and Shore Establishments fly the Indian Naval Ensign. After January 26,
1950, the ships and submarines of the Indian Navy displayed the Indian Naval Ensign. This Ensign was white in colour,
divided into four parts by a Red Cross and had the Indian Flag in its left quarter. From 15th August 2001, Indian Naval Ships,
Submarines and Shore Establishments are now adorned with a new Indian Naval Ensign. The present design of the Ensign
was made keeping in mind simplicity, commonality of the Ensign with the two other Services and the use of white and Navy
blue colours which are traditional to the Navy. The new Naval Ensign now displays the National Flag at the left, top corner
and a Navy Anchor with the National Crest above it in Navy Blue. In addition, the Naval Ensign is also flown at the shore
Headquarters of a ship or senior officer, at detach Naval Establishments. Naval Ensign can also be flown at Naval Recruiting
Office with the permission of Naval Headquarters. Besides, Inter-service establishments like National Defence College, New
Delhi, National Defence Academy, Khadakvasala, Defence Service Staff College, Wellington and College of Defence
Management, Secunderabad are also authorised to fly the Naval Ensign.

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