SP's Navalforces Dec 2009
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Special ISSUE ProcurementMi Proce nis try of Home Af• India IN THIS EDITIO ss fairs Eleʼs elabora Homela m ted • Evenen n N t d - s • IDSS Heecurity & ������������� A N S P GUIDE PUBLICA TION tsʼ Refer ad q ence ua rte rs - S ʼ ro pe l cia e in l Inser t 451964-2009 To seamlessly integrate submarines into Network SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS WIDENING Centric Operations, HORIZONS ... in addition to the technological challenges which require to be overcome, there is also a need to change the way submarines do ‘business 2008 at sea’. ������������������� 4 Page 11 2009 During a recent high-level review, Defence Minister ��������������� ��������������� A.K. Antony directed the IN and the coast guard to plug deficiencies � � � � � � � ������� in the working of D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9 - J a n u a r y 2 0 1 0 ▸ V o l 4 N o 6 “Though territory related issues retain their coastal security network. primacy, other issues, like historical differ- Rs 75.00 (INDIA-BASED BUYER ONLY) www.spsnavalforces.net ences and religious prejudices, are no less Page 9 a contributing factor. Modern day conflicts... 3 have expanded to include terrorists, religious fanatics and ethnic interests.” —Defence Minister A.K. Antony at a meet on ‘Changing Nature of Conflict’ on November 23 The last issue JAYANT MINISTER OF DEFENCE of 2009 also INDIA BARANWAL coincides with the Indian MANAGING Navy Day, EDITOR & thus to com- PUBLISHER Message memorate it, an article am happy to learn that you are publishing the SP’s Naval Forces – Indian Navy Special. tracing the I evolution of Our economic progress is closely linked to the security of our coasts. India will be increasingly called upon to strike a balance and enhance the security in and around the Indian Ocean region. Moreover, coastal security has assumed an increased importance of late. We have initiated � �the � � �Indian � � � � Navy from a fledgling force several measures to strengthen the security along our long coastline. The role and responsibilities of the Navy will increase correspondingly. to a blue water navy, capable of grow- ing into a regional power, has been included. We are committed to the process of modernisation of our Navy. Modernisation must however, not come at the cost of indigenisation. A round up of the year’s milestones achieved, Adequate attention must be paid to the development of physical and human resources and their optimal and judicious utilisation. supported by appropriate images, adds to the I am sure the publication will be read and liked widely. glorious achievements of the navy in the year gone by. No annual day of the defence forces Please accept my best wishes for your endeavours. can be commemorated until we remember (A.K. Antony) our gallant martyrs. In the Navy Hall of Fame, Captain M.N. Mulla’s sacrifice is retraced with touching insights from his wife and daughter, with some rare photographs. There are two articles on submarines, one covering anti-submarine weapons in which the writer traces the evolution of ant- submarine weapons and argues in favour Navy of the torpedo as the most potent weapon. The other article gives out the requirement of communications for submarines while operating in Net Centric Operations as well as touches upon some future trends. The events of 26/11 redefined terrorism for terrorists, the government, media and the average citizen. As the first anniversary of 26/11 was fast Indian approaching, there was a frenzy of activity in the print and electronic media to bring it to the notice of the decision makers as well to increase viewership. Thus, an article on coastal security management was considered most appropriate where a candid review has been carried as to what has been achieved and what are the unfinished tasks. News Digest wraps up this special issue dedicated to the Indian Navy. I would like to take this opportunity to convey our gratitude to our Defence Minister Mr A.K. Antony, for his support and encour- agement towards our efforts. Transition to .nic.in DECEMBER 4, 2009 On the occasion of Navy Day, we at .indiannavy SP’s take this opportunity to extend www our warm wishes to the Indian Navy. Sindhughosh BLUE WATER Class Submarine Photograph: Photograph: Being a technology intensive service, the IN requires upgradation of modernisation plans on a constant basis. Recent times have witnessed considerable openness, liberalisation and access to global market for frontline technologies. JAYANT BARANWAL R E A R A D M I R A L ( R E T D ) S.K. RAMSAY PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF For article, turn to Page 2 INDIAN NAVY SPECIAL • SP’s NAVAL FORCES 6/2009 1 l .mi Sailors stationed aboard .navy INS Viraat (R 22) refuel a www Sea Harrier after it returns from a mission during Malabar 2007 Photograph: Photograph: “To be secure on land, we must be supreme • Project influence in India’s maritime areas ▸▸▸ The fl eet of 12 Pondicherry attempt of coupe at Maldives. at sea.” of interest, to further the nation’s political, Operation Talwar: Amid the heat of Kargil —Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru economic and security objectives; Class minesweepers are conflict during 1999, the frontline ships • In cooperation with the Indian Coast due for retirement and global of both Western and Eastern Fleets were ndia’s maritime history dates back to Guard, ensure good order and stability in formed into a task force which was deployed some 5,000 years. The first recorded India’s maritime zones of responsibility; tenders have been fl oated in the Northern Arabian Sea to safeguard evidence of shipbuilding capability • Provide maritime assistance, including for eight Mine Counter India’s maritime assets against any possible was found in a tidal dock built during disaster relief, in India’s maritime neighbour- Measure Vessels ◂◂◂ misadventure by the Pakistan Navy. Ithe Indus Valley Civilization, around 2300 hood; and Operation Parakram: To meet any kind of BC at Lothal on the Gujarat coast. In that • Play a key role as part of ‘a pluralistic fallout from the tense situations during 2001- era, the trade between India and its neigh- security order’ for a better world. Python, was launched soon thereafter. On 02, the IN was fully deployed and partici- bouring states was essentially through sea the eastern seaboard, sinking of Pakistan pated in all joint forces exercises. for many centuries. Operational Engagements Navy’s submarine PNS Ghazi heralded the Operation Enduring Freedom: To counter The Maurya, Satavahana, Chola, Since its inception, the IN has undertaken Indian blockade of erstwhile East Pakistan the increasing menace of hijacking at sea, Vijayanagara, Kalinga, Maratha and Moghul numerous operational assignments, a brief through naval aircraft, Sea Hawks and Alizés, particularly in the region of Malacca Strait, empires, were all known to possess powerful account of some of the important ones is operating from the INS Vikrant. In addition Indian naval ships undertook convoy protec- navies. The Cholas excelled in foreign trade enlisted here. frigate and ASW Ships were deployed in tion and security role on the high seas, in the and maritime activity, extending their influ- Operation Vijay, 1961: Indian naval ships Bay of Bengal. Loss of the INS Khukri was latter part of 2001. This operation was called ence overseas to China and Southeast Asia. provided gunfire support for naval and army a major setback. Complete control over exit Operation Enduring Freedom and earned The Maratha and Kerala produced the most landing troops to liberate Goa and success- and ingress ensured a total naval blockade of global accolades for the country. powerful naval forces in the subcontinent fully sunk Portuguese frigate and patrol boats. Karachi Port and the erstwhile East Pakistani and were credited with defeating European Indo-Pak Confl icts: During the Indo-Pakistan ports. Disaster Relief & Rescue navies at various times during 17th and War of 1965, the IN’s role was restricted to Operation Cactus: In 1988, the INS Operations 18th centuries. Admirals Kanhoji Angre and patrolling the areas of conflict. During the Godavari with Indian marine commandos on Operation Madad: The IN deployed 27 Kunjali Marakkar came to be known as out- 1971 war, however, the IN came of age with board was quickly diverted to proceed with ships, 19 helicopters, six naval aircraft and standing chiefs during that era. its two most innovative and daring attacks despatch to intervene in a hijack attempt of a over 5,000 naval personnel in an unprec- on Karachi harbour. The first attack, code- vessel by a rebel group PLOTE of Maldives edented disaster relief operations, post Birth of the Indian Navy named Operation Trident, was launched on who had held a senior minister hostage on Tsunami 2004. These area specific relief Whilst the East India Company in 1612 December 4. The second attack, Operation board. This action decisively put paid the operations were launched for different states. established what was then known as the Operation Madad was for Andhra Pradesh Honourable East India Company’s Marine, it and Tamil Nadu, Operation Sea Waves for was in 1830 that the British government set Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Operation up British Indian Navy (IN). It is believed that Castor in Maldives, Operation Rainbow in Sri the Mutiny of 1946 by the sailors of the Royal Lanka and Operation Gambhir in Indonesia. IN forced the British to hasten the process To augment existing capabilities in this spe- of Independence. Even after Independence, cialised area, a Landing Platform Dock INS the Royal IN continued to function as such Jalashwa, formerly the USS Trenton, was and was commanded by the British officers.