The Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. With 55,000 men and women, including 5,000 naval aviation personnel and 2,000 Marine Commandos (MARCOS), it is the world’s fifth largest navy. The Indian Navy currently operates more than 155 vessels, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. India uses its navy to enhance its international relations through Joint exercises, port visits, and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief. The Indian Navy is increasing its capabilities as a true blue-water navy; the Indian Navys octrine states that this is for the collective good of nations.
The Indian Navy sees several principal roles for itself:
- In conjunction with other armed forces of the union, act to deter or defeat any threats or aggression against the territory, people or maritime interests of India, both in war and peace;
- Project influence in India’s maritime area of interest, to further the nation’s political, economic and security objectives;
- In cooperation with the Indian Coast Guard, ensure good order and stability in India’s maritime zones of responsibility.
- Provide maritime assistance (including disaster relief) in India’s maritime neighborhood.
- To play a key role as part of ‘a pluralistic security order’ for a better world.
The Indian Navy is well known to provide emergency relief to the marooned due to natural cause or conflicts in and around the Indian Ocean.
Each of the three Naval Commands has an active Flag Officer Commanding in Chief. The commander of the Navy is the Chief of Naval staff (CNS).
The Indian Navy is divided into the following broad categories:
- Administration
- Logistics and Material
- Training
- The Fleets
- The Naval Aviation
- The Submarine Arm
The Marine Commando Force (MCF) known as MARCOS is a Special Forces unit that was raised by the Indian Navy in 1987. Modeled after the US Navy SEAL and the Royal Marines it was created to handle reconnaissance, raids and counter-terrorism in a maritime environment. The Indian Navy conducts naval exercises with friendly navies strengthening bilateral relationships with other navies and nations. Some such exercises take place annually like the Exercise VARUNA with the French Navy, KONKAN with the British Royal Navy, INDRA with Russian Navy, MALABAR with the U.S. Navy, SIMBEX with Republic of Singapore Navy. The Indian Navy also conducted exercise with the Chinese PLAN in 2003 and with various other navies. India conducted TROPEX (Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercises) 2007 in Which, the new doctrine of influencing the land and air battle in support of Indian Army and the In was validated. Indian Navy conducted of Indian Army and the Indian Air Force Indian Navy conducted naval exercise with JMSDF and U.S Navy in the Pacific and also exercised with Chinese Navy. The Indian Navy regularly conducts adventure expeditions, the most remarkable among the various adventures being the sailing ship and training vessel INS Tarangini s circumnavigating of all the different ports belonging to different countries this was done intending to foster good relations with various other nations, she returned to India after visiting 36 ports in 18 nations. This helps to bridge gaps between nations and develop strong political and military relations.
The men in white are the ones responsible to safeguard coastal boundaries around India and are the very reason we sleep peacefully. Their never ending determination will always ensure a safe and bright future for India. No wonder there are a million Indians waiting to join the Indian Navy.
