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New
Delhi, 15
December 2003
indian
navy in the 21st century
By
Cmde (Retd.) Ranjit B. Rai
(Courtesy: Naval
forces)
Sea
Power in the broad sense includes not only the military strength
afloat that rules the sea or any part of it by force of arms, but
also peaceful commerce and shipping, from which alone a military
fleet naturally and healthfully springs, and on which it securely
rests.
– Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan 1890
The
present day Indian Navy can trace its pedigree line from two great
Navies, the Royal Navy, and in more recent years, from the Soviet
Navy. It has inculcated the best from both these fighting services.
The origins of the Indian Navy can be traced to a maritime force
established by the East India Company in the seventeenth century.
This force had a variety of names – the Bombay Marine and the
Indian Marine, till in 1934, its identity as the Royal Indian Navy
was established. In the early years, the Indians served primarily in
the lower-level positions. Following the Independence of India in
1947, the Royal Indian Navy inducted Indians into the officer cadre,
to become the Indian Navy in 1952. However, it continued to be
headed by British Admirals till 1958. During this period, the
threats to India were seen by the national leadership to be more
land-based, and this small service was sadly neglected. India’s
‘Cinderella Service’ was spurned by the West, but in the
legendary, late Admiral Sergey Georgyevich Gorshkov of the Russian
Navy, the Indian Navy found a true friend and an ardent admirer,
especially after the missile attacks off Karachi during the 1971
war. India turned to Russia who fulfilled much of its military
hardware requirements against what came to be known as the rupee
rouble easy credit trade. However budgetary constraints could not
support the acquisition plans of the Navy for long as India’s debt
rose sharply.
The
mid 80s witnessed a sea change, with the Indian Navy undertaking
bold and exciting modernization programs, that culminated with the
induction of 1500 HDW and Kilo class submarines, a nuclear Charlie
class missile firing boat INS Chakra on lease for four years, and
the acquisition of the aircraft carrier INS Viraat (Hermes) and IL
38 and TU 142 MR aircraft. It also ambitiously embarked on building
three large indigenously designed 6700 ton Delhi Class KH 35 Uran
missile-firing destroyers with inputs from the Severnoye Design
Bureau. The break up of the former Soviet Union in 1991 led to
disruptions, as supplies and spares from Russia were not easily
available. The Navy weathered the storm with innovations and
cannibalization, and the build up is once again on track, this time
against dollar payments. With the recent acquisition of the most
modern missiles firing Krivack Class frigates INS Talwar and Trishul
the Indian Navy is seen in the light of a powerful and potent
professional force in this region. The ships are fitted with 16
vertical launched Klub 3M-54 E SSMs, Shtil and Kashtan Air Defence
systems and the Fregat M2 EM, Garpun Bal, Cots and Nucleus radars.
The ships can operate the KA-31 AEW and KA-28 ASW helicopters
supported by Indian built hull mounted sonars the HUMSA, and SSN
137( Nagan) towed array sonar and RBU 6000 ASW rockets and multi
purpose DTA 53 torpedo launchers. INS Tabar is to follow shortly and
the Russians have offered a
follow on programme.
India’s
trade in the world’s pecking order is only 1% of the whole, but it
is estimated that 60% of the world’s sea borne trade and energy
resources transits through the Indian Ocean. The third millennium is
witnessing the rapid resurgence of economies in the East, including
those in both China and India. Post 9/11, there is a fear of
instability born of terrorism and piracy at sea, which could disrupt
world trade and transportation of energy resources that are carried
via the sea lines of communications (SLOCs) and choke points, both
in and around the Indian Ocean. These include the Straits of Hormuz
in the Gulf, Bab El Mandeb off Aden and Malacca Straits off the
Singapore, Indonesian and Malaysian waters.
Geographically
India juts into the Indian Ocean and the three functions of its Navy
–– to be a war fighting force, an effective constabulary
policeman in the area as well as contribute to benign and coercive
diplomacy in the littoral, has gained relevance and strategic
importance. In as early as March 2001, Admiral Dennis Blair, the
then Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Command,
accepted that the Indian Navy’s role was closely intertwined with
preserving the sea lines of communication in the Indian ocean for
the future economic security of the world. He sought to take
measures for the Indian Navy and the United States Navy to harmonize
engagement objectives, which could also enhance India’s regional
objectives with US Cooperation. Indian Naval planners took the cue
and planned for a larger Navy. India’s leadership has finally also
appreciated that India’s long coast line of 7500 km, the safety of
the 1000 islands dotted around, and the off shore energy assets have
to be defended under the changed parameters of maritime security
post 9/11. There is an acceptance that India’s Navy needs to
become a reckonable force in the future.
India
has also been accepted as a nuclear power. Hence, the Navy has
scripted ambitions to possess a potent sea based second-strike
capability and that program is being generously funded to induct
nuclear propelled submarines. The Indian Navy of the future has
therefore shifted focus from a Pakistan centric force, to become a
blue water sea control capable maritime force. This was inevitable
in the newly changed geo political and globalised scenario, with the
cold war a relic of the past. The India US strategic relations have
moved forward, from suspicion, to engagement and cooperation.
However, Russia remains the main supplier of both ships and naval
aviation hardware to the Indian Navy and will, in the foreseeable
future, continue to maintain a prime position. This offers the
Indian Navy the best of both worlds and is discussed in this
article, along with a blue print of its future and the challenges
that it faces.
The
Present and the Future Indian Navy
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Today,
the Indian Naval strength stands at 140 Ships comprising one
Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat ex Hermes , three 6700 ton Delhi and
five 3950 ton (Kashins) Rajput Class DDGs and 26 front line
frigates and corvettes with over 100 missile launchers. The
under water strength is 16 Submarines ( 4 HDW 1500 and 10 Kilos
including at least three
capable of under water Novator Klub missile launches and 150
Aircraft and Helicopters (24 Sea Harriers, 5 IL 38, 8 TU 142 ,
27 Dornier 228s , 27 Seakings, 11 Kamovs). The Coast Guard which
has a “hook on policy in war” has 55 ships, 24 Dornier-- 228
aircraft and 18 helicopters, including 2 Indian designed 5 ton
Dhruv ALH helicopters manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
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The
proposed 15 Year Ship Building Program envisages a target of 185
Ships for the Indian Navy by 2017. Maritime security,
anti-terrorism and EEZ security in Indian Ocean has renewed
support for the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard from many
quarters, including USA and Japan. The Coast Guard also plans to
induct 4 more Dorniers, ATR 42 Maritime Patrol Aircraft on
offer by Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd which has license agreements for supply ,
Advanced OPVs, Hovercraft and large Oil Pollution Control
vessels. Interestingly, selected Indian Coast Guard OPVs are
fitted out with the 76 mm Oto Melara gun produced under license
by Government owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd which supplies
the guns to the Indian Navy also.
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The
Naval budget for the financial year 2003 is $ 2.6 billion. It is
18% of the defence budget and is set to increase annually by 3%.
China’s naval budget of 39% of the Defence budget is often
quoted in India, as China is viewed as India’s competitor in
the region, and a possible unstated threat.
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The
target of 185 ships by 2017 is planned to be achieved by
maintaining the ratio of revenue to capital expenditure at 40 /
60%. Aircraft carrier Gorshkov with a complement of 18 MiG 29Ks
and 8 Ka 31/28 helicopters is awaiting clearance and is expected
to join the fleet by 2005. A 37,000 ton STOBAR Air Defence Ship
designed by the Indian Naval Design Directorate with LM 2500 gas
turbines, has been ordered and funds have been advanced to the
Cochin Shipyard and it is hoped, will join the fleet in 2010.
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In
June 2003 the Indian Navy has commissioned 2 ships of project
1135.6 (INS Talwar and Trishul), 1 Missile Corvette (INS Karmukh)
and one Ramta fast attack craft imported from Israel. The Navy
plans to add 4 to 5 ships annually by a twin approach of
indigenous building and acquisition. A line of new Type 17
Frigates and Type 15A improved Delhi class are under
construction and ASW Corvettes of approximately 2400 tons each
are in final stages of order to the Garden Reach Shipbuilders
and Engineers (GRSE) at Calcutta. The 4450-ton INS Beas and
Betwa improved Leander frigates with steam propulsion equipped
with 16 KH 35 Urans and the Rafael/IAI Barak missiles are also
in the final stages of delivery at GRSE. They will be
commissioned by 2004.
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There
are plans to upgrade (2 – 3 large ships) every year. Brahmos,
India’s missile of the future is being developed and Indian
sonars, ESM and CIC systems are being improved.
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The
30 year two Line Submarine Building Programme has been accepted.
Six Type 75 (Scorpene) submarines will be built in India at
Mazagon Docks and the deal is awaiting final signature. Another
line, possibly the Amur class will follow.
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By
2017, if India’s economy continues doing well and can support
the build up, the Indian Navy could possibly possess a three
Carrier Battle group Fleet with 20 MR Aircraft and 50 potent
helicopters and 185 ships and submarines.
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2
Deep Submerged Rescue Vessels ( DRSVs) and additional FACs are
under acquisition. Other import options for ships and MR
aircraft are under consideration.
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Nuclear
Submarines, including India’s own ATV is being built at the
Ship Building Facility at Vishakapatnam and Air Cushion Vehicles
from abroad will be inducted.
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The
Indian Naval Hydrographic arm is capable of, and has assisted
Oman and Indonesia in charting their waters. The present survey
fleet has 8 ships and the Government has offered funding for 6
ships to the Navy, to steer the program. The Navy is on the look
out for an economical catamaran design , and plans to fit the
platform with the latest surveying equipment.
The
Para Military Border Security Force (BSF) Water Wing is also
expanding. It will have a large aviation wing of 6 MI 17 and Dhruv
helicopters, Embraer 135 Legacy planes and flat bottomed platforms
for deployment along the territorial
borders. 12 Large craft with imported Australian speed boats on
board are on order at Mazagon Docks Ltd. Four of these have already
been delivered and the induction of manpower to man and operate
these is the challenge that faces the BSF.
The
Navy’s 15-Year Plan
Navies
are not built overnight, but require many years of sustained
planning. Great navies also require, both to inculcate and also
preserve traditions, as well as acquire the latest technology, with
strong support from within the country and its government. The
Information Technology boom in India could not have come at a more
opportune time for the Navy to induct computer systems off the shelf
for its C4I capabilities, which is denied by Western
countries. The top brass of the Navy have been able to convince the
government that a long term plan is essential for the Navy to raise
its strength from the present 140 to 185, in what is accepted as the
15 year plan and a 30 year two line submarine building programme.
The results are already in evidence, with India’s four
government-owned shipyards having received firm contracts for
long-term projects and backed by ample funds. The challenge now lies
in the execution and construction of ships within costs and time
bound parameters, as even today, warships bought from Russia and
fast attack craft from Israel, are cheaper and faster to induct.
The
Navy has accordingly articulated a “build and also buy,” policy
to ensure progressive increase in the strength of its fleet, and to
cater for de commissioning. The government has assured adequate
funding and the Navy’s share of the Defence budget has already
increased by 3% to 18% of the $14 billion amounting to $2.6 billion
for financial year 2003-04. Of this $1.1 billion is provided under
the head revenue for the running of the Navy, the pay and allowances
of its personnel (57,000 uniformed and 60,000 civilian) and $1.5
billion capital expenditure for purchases, inductions and expansion
of shore facilities.
The
Pride and Hope of the Navy –– The Type-17 and DELHI Repeats
A
revolutionary in house Type 17 design (Canadian assisted for stealth
features) of a 4400 tons frigate with CODOG propulsion provided by 2
General Electric LM 2500 gas turbines, supplied under license by
Hindustan Aircraft Ltd, and a Pielstick diesel, with Wartsila power
generators and seals was conceived by the Indian Navy and Mazagon
Docks design teams. The first three are on order at Mazagon Docks,
and the hull of the first, INS Shivalik, has been launched soon and
the keel for the second, has been laid. The weapon systems will be
both indigenous and imported (having learnt from the experience of
the Krivacks and others), and could include the Barak MK 1 and the
Brahmos missile. This project is predicted to be path breaking like
the earlier Leander project was, and will provide the Indian Navy
with a thin grey line of missile frigates in the coming years.
The
Indian DRDO and the NPO Mach of Russia have endorsed a business
collaboration to co-produce the 290 km multi role cruise missile
Brahmos in India. All the three services have an interest in this
Yakhont based missile. Dr A Sivathanu Pillai a DRDO scientist has
been appointed CEO and MD of the Brahmos Aerospace and a large
building to house the establishment is coming up in the outskirts of
Delhi. Hopes are also pinned on this missile to capture some of the
export market in the region. The missile is reported to have inputs
for homing and inertial navigation gained from
the Indian experience of the Prithvi and Agni missiles. Five
successful trial firings including one from INS Rajput have taken
place and over 45 Russian scientists witnessed the latest one in
November 2005 at the Chandipur test range. As the private sector
defence company Larsen and Tubro had successfully engineered the
stabilization launch of the Dhanush sea-based version of Prithvi
from an OPV, great hopes rest on this missile for deployment on
ships.
The
order for three improved 15A 6700 ton Delhi class frigates has also
been placed on Mazagon Docks and the keel for the first has been
laid. This class of the three ships in service have proved
themselves and have shown the Flag all around the world including
the USA and Japan. Recently in October 2003 INS Delhi was berthed at LIMA 03 at Lamgkawi with a Barak Air Defence system
strapped on her, and this evinced keen interest from the 17 Navies
gathered for the Review by out going Prime Minster Mahathir
Mohammed. Three large 5700 ton Landing Ship Tank (LST) with
helicopter decks capable of operating India’s Dhruv ALH have been
ordered at the GRSE yard at Calcutta. The first is planned to be
delivered in 2005. There are other orders for fast attack craft on
GRSE and with Tribon CAD CAM systems in place in all Defence
shipyards, there is healthy exchange of designs and information
which could see the construction time reduced. But improving
productivity in government owned yards is their great challenge. All
shipyards are headed by former Naval Admirals so the level of
commitment is high.
India’s
Submarine Program. Derailed But Due To Restart
The
inventory of the submarine arm of the Indian Navy was at its peak in
1991 with 20 submarines
including a nuclear boat. The operational effectiveness of the
submarine arm owes its glory to the dedication of its men who work
under hardship conditions and enough cannot be said in its praise.
The arm was born in the late 60s with the operation of 8 Foxtrot
class boats. It then went on to swiftly induct the silent double
decked Kilos and the Charlie class INS Chakra in 1987, imbibing the
tenets of nuclear propulsion, which also carried out under water
missile launches before being returned in 1991. But what is
remarkable is that Mazagon Docks and the Indian Navy successfully
built two, top of the line HDW-1500 class submarines with AEG SUT
MOD 1 torpedoes, Singer Librascope weapon controls and Kollmorgen
periscopes at Mumbai at the same time. Regrettably due to a scandal,
India’s HDW program was halted at Mazagon Docks. INS Sindhushastra,
the last of the Kilo class, joined the Fleet in 2000, and in its
very first exercise showed how effective the under water launched
Klub missile was. It is reported that three more Kilos
have been converted in their refits at the Admiralty Shipyard
in Russia. The Hindustan Shipyard Ltd at Vishakapatnam has also
signed an agreement with the Russian counterparts to execute EKM 877
Kilo class refits at its yard.
For
the future, the government has accepted two lines of submarine
building in India, with transfer
of technology to be included in the contracts. The Navy has designed
its own Type 75 boat based on an audited design of the HDW/Scorpene,
with options for the yet-to-prove MESA system, whilst the fuel cell
technology remains an option. The price negotiations for six
conventional boats to be built at Mazagon Docks at a cost of over
$1.4 billion are reported to be completed with the newly formed DCN
and Thales combine, Armaris. The final go-ahead is eagerly awaited.
This will be a new challenge as the old workers in MDL have left and
the yard is being activated de novo. The Amur 1650 has also been
doing the rounds as the second line. The private contractor Larsen
and Tubro, which has facilities to build reactor hulls at Hazira
North of Mumbai, (and is reported to be building a module for the
ATV, India’s own nuclear boat), has indicated its interest in this
project, with Russian collaboration. Government has recently
permitted 26% Foreign Investment in the Defence sector by
private companies. Post the Kursk calamity the Government has
accepted that rescue facilities are essential for that
unlikely submarine accident. It has sanctioned the induction of two
Deep Submerged Rescue Vessels (DSRV) and the Navy has been looking
into the LR5 from the UK, as well as a Canadian design, amongst
others. The Indian Navy has always experimented with innovation and
is seeking to have additional facilities in the proposed self
propelled DSRV for Special Forces for rescue operations.
Technology
Transfers to the Indian Navy –– A Fine Balance
The
Indian Navy has always been a “ tech hungry Navy” and in the
1970’s the task of integration of Soviet with western and
indigenous systems on Godavari class led to the formation of WESEE
– Weapon & Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment in
New Delhi – to develop bus bars and complex interfaces to
integrate systems of different origins indigenously. The Navy did
not depend entirely on the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO). The Navy’s best brains were appointed to
WESEE which subsequently flourished in Corvettes and other
follow on programmes and continues to be the hub of electronics
integration today. It has produced
the “EMCCA” CAIO System for the Brahmaputra class frigates and
integrated transfer of technology from Italy from Electronica for EW,
and other countries for sonars. The new class of frigates for the
Indian Navy will have systems with greater automation eg ‘Buria’
for main propulsion machinery control, ‘Angara’ for generation
controls, ‘Onega’ for ship system controls, ‘Korracks’ for
steering gear controls, and ‘Dolomite’ for Stabiliser Systems
amongst others. CAE Marine Systems of Canada has been given the
contract for Integrated Platform Management of Systems (IPMS) for
the Type-17 frigates and LST(L) under construction. The Indian
collaborations with GE for LM 2500,Cummins and Pielstick for
diesels, Brown Brothers for steering gears and stabilizers and
Vosper Thornycraft and Kelvin Hughes and BARCO for displays has also
paid rich dividends.
With
the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the sanctions placed by
USA after the May 1998 nuclear blasts, the Navy found itself in a
precarious situation. The aviation wing suffered when the Sea King
and Sea Harrier spares were denied to them, whilst the submarines
could not get support for their periscopes and systems. This is now
in the past as the USA, Israel and European suppliers are no longer
reluctant to offer the latest technology. With Russia the formation
of the JISWOG, a half yearly/quarterly meeting forum of specialists
irons out all issues at one platform, and only those issues not
resolved are raised to ministerial level.
At
present, Russia and Israel are the main providers of technology to
the Indian Navy and the Israel connection has elevated
the Navy to a higher plane. Israel has supplied the Barak Air
Defence System, which the Navy has been able to transfer between
ships. Reports indicate that seven Barak systems have been supplied,
and more are in the pipeline. The Navy had to take this decision
when the home- grown DRDO Trishul system failed for the Bramhaputra
class and INS Viraat. Israel has also supplied the Searcher II and
Heron UAVs with ground stations and multiple mission optical,
infrared and radar sensors and the Indian Navy had planned to
operate these from Porbunder, Cochin and Port Blair to augment their
surveillance and reconnaissance abilities. Seven ESM systems from
Israel at a cost of $110
million have been recently sanctioned to augment the home built
Ajanta line of EW systems. More recently, the US India High
Technology group meetings led by the US Deputy National Security
Adviser Stephen Hadley, with India’s National Security Advisor
Brajesh Mishra, is likely to lead to the opening of gates for India
to receive amongst other items, defence technology as well. The
agreement has been dubbed as the trinity glide path agreement for
defence, trade and technology. Colin Powell has said. “The glide
path was a way to bring closure to the debate” (of dual technology
denials.)
The
DRDO’s sonar research establishment set up in the proximity of
IN’s ASW school at Cochin in the 60s, the Naval Physical
Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) has successfully pioneered the HUMSA
hull mounted, Nigam towed and HUMVAD VDS line of sonars. These are
now manufactured by Bharat Electronics Ltd at Bangalore and fitted
with BARCO consoles in all front line ships and towed arrays are
being experimented. Credit for pioneering the projects and
sustaining them goes to retired naval officer Arun Raj now at
Stanford in USA and Dr
V K Aatre a sonar specialist trained in Canada, who now head’s
India’s DRDO. The Navy is now working on low frequency dipping
sonars for the ALH.
Indian
Naval Aviation of the Future
The acquisition of an aircraft-carrier capable of launching CTOL
(Conventional Take-Off and Landing) or STO-BAR (Short
Take-Off-Barrier Arrested Recovery) aircraft gained momentum in the
mid 90s after the Pakistani Navy received the American P-3C Orion
capable of firing Harpoon AShMs (Anti-Ship Missiles) from stand-off
ranges. The Indian Navy felt insecure, vulnerable. The endurance of
P-3Cs meant attack on Indian surface fleets from unexpected
quarters. It became necessary for the Indian Navy to establish local
air-superiority over stretches of seas without the help of land
based air cover. The STOVL (Short Take-Off Vertical Landing) Sea
Harrier fighters lacked the range and endurance for the projected
mission.
The Indian Navy has settled for the decommissioned Russian Kiev
class aircraft carrying cruiser “Admiral Gorshkov” that is to be
reconfigured as an aircraft-carrier with a 14 degree ski jump. It is
planned to embark customized MiG-29K fighters and ASW
(Anti-Submarine Warfare) Kamov 28s and 31 AEW (Airborne Early
Warning) helicopters. "Admiral Gorshkov" along with the
MiG-29K fighters and helicopters will provide the vital integrated
air support, both in terms of Fleet area air defence and
"on-spot" ASW screening. The MiG-29Ks assisted by
Kamov-31s will be able intercept enemy strike and MR/ASW
platforms like P-3Cs at long ranges, thus preventing them
from closing in and firing accurate
anti-ship missiles like the Harpoon and Exocet. This necessity
becomes more acute if the enemy airborne platforms are guided to
their targets by an AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System)
aircraft. In such situations land based air cover may be too late to
react. The Indian Air Force has contracted for three Uzbeck IL 76s
to be integrated with the Israeli IAI Phalcon AWACS system which
could arrive in India in 2005 giving India a leap forward in air
space control.
MiG-29Ks
will also deny the operation of enemy MR/ASW aircraft in the
vicinity of India’s vital submarine operations, while assisting
Indian MR/ASW platforms in their operational role by establishing
local air superiority. Another vital role of India’s CVBG
(aircraft-carrier battle group) will be deployment of air defence
fighters in the Arabian sea to destroy enemy airborne strike
platforms in defence of India’s vital nuclear and oil
installations on the West coast. This is a very important
requirement as enemy strike formations may deliberately try to avoid
the IAF (Indian Air Force) ADGES (Air Defence Ground Environment
System).
The MiG-29K is well suited to this task, as it was derived from
fly-by-wire MiG-29M, with a more advanced Zhuk (Beetle) PH radar
capable of conducting four simultaneous attacks with BVR (Beyond
Visual Range) R-77RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder) AAMs (Air-to-Air Missiles).
Special mention needs to be made of the Naval Tejas light combat
aircraft ( LCA) that is being projected to operate from ADS. It
could represent the cutting-edge technology if it enters service.
Marine
Commandos and Shore Facilities
In
1987 an elite Indian Marine Commando Force called MARCOS came into
being. This 1500 strong force highly trained toughies are capable of
diving and assault operations from the sea and air, have proved
their mettle in the Sri Lanka OP Pawan India’s foray in to Sri
Lanka in 1987 and in the lakes of terrorist infected Kashmir. Many
officers and men have been trained abroad. The plans post 9/11, and
the lessons learnt from the Iraq war are to upgrade the MARCOS as
special forces both in numbers and with equipment of quality. The
old Italian Cosmos mini submersibles have out lived their lives. The
Navy is also speedily completing the first phase of its large new
Naval base “Seabird” and fitting it out with the $ 32 million
Syncrolift received from Florida USA, whose sub contractor is TTS
Handling Systems of Norway for the transverse systems being built in
India. The new Naval Academy at Ezhimalai on the West coast near
Calicut where Vasco da Gama landed is also progressing well and
dockyards are being upgraded.
Conclusion
The
Indian Navy is by far the most pro active and capable naval force in
South Asia which with “India’s
Look East Policy” can
contribute to stability in the Indian Ocean as also
enhance cooperation with other navies. It has already
facilitated many exchanges of visits including one in November 2003
by INS Ranjit, INS Kulish and Tanker Jyoti to China for SAR
exercises with whom India is engaged to solve its border disputes.
The Navy held an impressive International Fleet Review in 2001 in
Mumbai, hosted conferences and conducted multilateral SAR and other
exercises with most navies, as well as coordinated patrols with USA
in the Malacca straits and hosted ship visits additionally . It has
assisted neighbours in hydrographic surveys and disaster relief
operations. The Indian Navy trains
a few hundred foreign naval personnel annually
and its hardware is coming of age. The mission statement of
the present Navy Chief Admiral Madhvendra Singh is prophetic,
“Most of all, I would like to be remembered as one who
instilled and reinforced enduring core values and traditions in the
Service for A World Class Navy.”
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