In his address, Lieutenant General Ajai Singh commended the efforts of the naval air station…reports Asian Lite News
An Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) operating the indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopter MK III has been commissioned into the Indian Navy, in a boost to its combat capability.
The INAS 325 squadron was commissioned into the navy by Lieutenant General Ajai Singh, the Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, at a ceremony held at the INS Utkrosh naval air station in Port Blair on Tuesday, officials said.
The newly-inducted helicopters flew for the first time over the Andaman Islands earlier this year and were officially inducted on January 28, they said.
The unit is the second ALH MK III squadron that has been commissioned into the Indian Navy.
In his address, Lieutenant General Ajai Singh commended the efforts of the naval air station.
The addition of ALH MK III into the air naval station is expected to augment its surveillance capabilities in the region.
This aircraft would not only strengthen the military capabilities in the region, but also be able to provide assistance to the local administration in any need of the hour, the officials said.
The state-of-the-art multi-role helicopter has been developed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL), Bengaluru.
The squadron is commanded by Commander Avinash Kumar Sharma, who is an experienced pilot.
As the Indian Navy seeks to induct MH60R, a modern and very capable multi mission helicopter, the Harpoons are all set to begin their third avatar, writes Swapna Nair
That ‘those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’ is a truism. One of the abiding lessons of the World Wars has revealed the enormous destruction a submarine can cause in terms of obstructing trade and serving as a weapon of war, accompanied by the fact that the best way to deal with the submarine is through an airborne platform.
51 years ago, the Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 330, popularly called the ‘Harpoons’ was commissioned on April 17, 1971 with a motto, ‘Any Sea, Any mission, Any deck’. The squadron began operating the Sea King Mark (Mk) 42 Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopters acquired from British Westland Helicopters — equipped with dunking sonar and lightweight air-dropped homing torpedoes.
These helicopters increased the navy’s anti-submarine capabilities significantly. “INAS 330 has its origins in the developments that followed helicopters being optimised into advanced roles for detecting and attacking submarines. Apart from that, advanced Navies also developed the capabilities to operate such helicopters from helicopter-capable surface ships.
“This led to INAS 330 to operate from India’s lone aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in 1971” says, Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM (Retd), Former Flag Officer Naval Aviation, who was a fully operational pilot and a flying instructor on all marks of Sea King and had also commanded the Indian Navy’s Marine Commando flight.
The Sea King helicopter is a multi-role helicopter and has been used for all-around surveillance, search and rescue operations, warfare, and as a transportation platform for the last several decades. The first Sea King landed on INS Vikrant, the first aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy in July 1971. “Though inducted into the Indian Navy a few months before the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, Sea King operations were restricted during the war given certain training shortfalls,” says, Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM (Retd). However, Sea King did pick up a suspected submarine contact and carried out a vectored attack for the first time in Nov 1971. Besides this, extensive operations were also undertaken, and the Harpoons clocked over 156 hours of the war effort.
Post the war, the Indian Navy worked tirelessly to adapt, integrate and understand the full potential of the Sea King helicopters. And in the decade after the 1971 war, the Indian Navy carefully charted out options for all the upgradation of military equipment. “The aircraft was to be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons, communication systems, navigation systems, torpedoes, depth charges, radar, tactical Air Navigation and certain modifications that included an additional tail rotor blade to overcome certain aerodynamic limitations,” says, Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai (Retd).
He further added that ‘INAS 330 had pioneered such adaptations and heralded a legacy that now has been extended to India operating helicopters from smaller platforms like the Taragiri- and Godavari-class frigates and follow-on ships of the Brahmaputra, Delhi and Kolkata class…’
Between 1988 and 1990, the Sea King MK 42B (Bravo) arrived in India through possibly the best induction process. The core team was deployed to the UK for almost five years of extensive training of over 30 aircrews and an adequate ground crew. “Sea King 42B are known as the Flying Frigates. Rightly so, as they could do almost anything the frigate that carried them could do. And due to the massive coverage of its radars, the Arabian Sea became a pond for the Indian Navy,” says Commodore G. Prakash, NM (Retd), a specialist in aviation and anti-submarine warfare. Simultaneously, Rear Admiral BS Parhar (Retd), who commanded INAS 330 from 1997 to 1999 and is the only person in the Indian Navy to have flown the Sea King from the rank of Sub-lieutenant to Rear Admiral, states that a few important roles of the Sea King are to maintain surveillance, to sanitise the area along with other aircraft and surface ships and to conduct underwater scans for an enemy submarine.
India’s nuclear test in 1998 brought on the US Sanctions. Due to this, maintenance support for the Sea King became negligible. The Harpoons had a challenge to not only continue flying but also experiment, adapt, reorient, and add on several equipment to continue to remain operationally credible. Rear Admiral B.S. Parhar shares that when he took over the command of INAS 330, there was only one functional aircraft available with the squadron due to various limitations. Even then the Harpoons continued to execute incredible rescue missions, delivered supplies to disaster-hit areas, and provided service beyond their logical capabilities. The Harpoons were also known to be the “Best Frontline Squadron” and ‘Best Naval Air Squadron’ of the Indian Navy.
Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai (Retd) mentions that INAS 330 has always been mission critical to Indian Naval surface ships and is integral to their anti-submarine capabilities. With the missile-age dawning, the anti-submarine helicopter was further evolved for anti-shipping roles with advanced maritime radars, electronic support, and intelligence suites. This role pioneered by INAS 330 has evolved the Indian Navy into becoming one of the most advanced Navies of the world.
“One important change that the Seaking MK 42Bs brought into our Fleets was a quantum jump in the size of the areas which we marked out for our exercises. The excellent ESM system onboard would pick up far away ‘enemy’ contacts even as aircraft were still on deck, ready for launch. This, combined with the capabilities of the Sea Eagle missiles of the 42Bs, brought in massive standoff ranges, at which the Indian Navy was confident of dealing with the enemy,” says Commodore G. Prakash (Retd).
The Harpoons turned 51, an auspicious number in India and the Indian Navy. As the Indian Navy seeks to induct MH60R, a modern and very capable multi mission helicopter, the Harpoons are all set to begin their third avatar. Whatever the odds, the Harpoons will continue to relentlessly toil and fight with zeal against lurking sharks even at the greatest of depths.
(Swapna Nair is a Senior Research Associate (Academic Operations) at the Maritime History Society)
Russia had been planning to upgrade this 40-year-old cruiser since 2020 to extend her life by at least 10 more years, reports Asian Lite News
RFNS Moskva may have been a potent naval platform till about 10 years ago but was unfit for modern naval warfare when it sank in the Black Sea a few days ago, senior Indian Navy officers, both serving and retired, said.
A few of them wondered whether RFNS Moskva was actually on its way to the port of Sevastopol in Crimea for upgrades when she went down. Russia had been planning to upgrade this 40-year-old cruiser since 2020 to extend her life by at least 10 more years.
“I refuse to comment on who is to blame for the Russia-Ukraine conflict or whether the Moskva was actually sunk by Neptune missiles fired by Ukrainian forces. For any seafarer, the loss of a ship is a sad event. The Moskva was no ordinary ship, mind you. She was first in line of three Slava class cruisers built by the Soviet Union. Born as ‘Slava’ in 1982, she was later rechristened Moskva after the collapse of the USSR in 1991. She was designed to counter threats to other Soviet vessels or aircraft from a US carrier group during the Cold War and was among the best in her Class then,” a senior officer said.
Those wondering how the Indian Navy can comment on Russian warships should remember that India probably had the closest ties with the USSR where naval shipbuilding is concerned. Indian Navy officers were privy to the capabilities of USSR warships and even trained on some of them. After all, several Indian Navy warships were then being built at shipyards in the USSR. A few of them are still in service.
It was not one way traffic though. During the Cold War, the USSR required warm waters to test the capabilities of warships and submarines. India provided them that facility.
Steel behaves differently when the temperature of the water changes and the USSR had to ensure that its naval fleets are capable to counter any threat posed by the US.
“The Russians trusted us. In 2010, a grand welcome was accorded to the Russian Federation Naval Ship (RFNS) Moskva when she sailed into Kochi. She gave a 21 gun salute and INS Dronacharya responded in an appropriate manner on behalf of the President of India. I had the opportunity, among a few others, to go through the ship. She was a huge ship. Much larger than any destroyer that we have. The Moskva had a displacement of nearly 11,000 tonnes (with equipment). However, she was outdated. I even spoke to the Russians on this subject. The ship had much less armour than required. The Russians said that they didn’t need any as they could handle any airborne or sea-borne threat with the array of weapons the ship carried. I had realised then that the ship was destined to die,” a retired officer said.
According to this officer, the Moskva didn’t even have sufficient equipment and technology on board to tackle a major fire that can take place on a warship. Such a fire, unless controlled, can cause havoc with the huge quantities of ammunition that these ships carry.
“Unfortunately, the bullish attitude of the Soviet era hadn’t ebbed. The Russian officers felt they could handle any threat. I can’t say whether missiles sunk this magnificent ship or it was a fire on board that the crew failed to contain. All in all, this should remain a lesson for all,” the officer added.
On the other hand, all automobiles manufactured in India, raw materials, food grain and others (produced in India) are exported all over the world via the sea route…writes Sumit Kumar Singh
Towards the end of last year, the Indian Navy had inducted two ‘potent’ indigenously built platforms — INS Visakhapatnam and INS Vela .
Speaking during the induction ceremony at Visakhapatnam on November 21, 2021, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had underlined the Navy’s role in ensuring a safe and open Indo-Pacific and thus safeguarding the country’s economic interests.
In a backdrop to this, it is the right time to ponder over how our seas touch each of our lives, including those living in hinterland.
What is it that the Navy does, which makes it the preferred instrument in safeguarding the nation’s as well as the world’s economic aspirations?
Trade and cultural exchange throughout the known history has been transacted through the sea routes. The seas have traditionally been highways for commerce and exploration.
Picture Credits -Indian Navy Twitter (4)
Maritime trade and commerce are economic activities, which need a safe and conducive environment to thrive. It is this requirement, which led to development of navies.
The Cholas had a powerful navy up until the 13th century, which allowed them to trade and establish their influence right upto Southeast Asia. The largest temple in the world, the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, bears testimony to this fact. India was discovered by the west through the sea route by Vasco Da Gama in 1498.
The imperialistic designs of European powers remained in check till the time there was a credible navy guarding the Indian shores. The decline of Maratha naval power in the mid-18th century allowed the European powers, particularly the British to flex their muscles.
The subsequent conquest and plunder of the great Indian subcontinent by the British also took place through the high seas.
Picture Credits -Indian Navy Twitter (1)
Thus, it becomes amply clear that through the ages, the presence of capable naval forces had allowed us to flourish and the ‘sea blindness’ resulting in weakening of naval power led to the ultimate conquest, downfall and exploitation of the Indian subcontinent.
How this lesson from the past is significant in the present era?
To put it simply, the dependence of the world in general and India in particular on maritime trade has never been greater. A total 95 per cent of all Indian trade by volume or 70 per cent by value is handled through the maritime route.
To further put it more clearly, about 80 per cent of the fuel that we fill in our vehicles at petrol pumps is brought in to the country via the sea route.
Similarly, be it a smartphone, a television or a computer, almost all the semiconductor chips inbuilt devices and components such as batteries, display components are imported into the country through sea.
On the other hand, all automobiles manufactured in India, raw materials, food grain and others (produced in India) are exported all over the world via the sea route.
Picture Credits IANS
To understand the importance of maritime trade a little better, let’s look at what happened in the Suez Canal on March 23, 2021.
MV Ever Given, a 400-metre long container carrier, loaded with 17,000 containers ran aground in the world’s most busy waterway.
After remaining stuck for six days, it was finally towed out. The blockage of Suez Canal during the period sent shock waves throughout the world. The Suez carries 12 per cent of the entire world’s sea trade. So, for six full days, about a tenth of the entire world’s sea trade was disrupted due to a single ship.
It would be interesting to note that the entire loss caused to world maritime trade due to this single incident can perhaps never be quantified accurately because the after effects of this incident may still be catching up with some individuals and agencies. Such is the depth of the extent of dependence on maritime trade on our individual lives.
While the Ever-Given incident may have happened due to human error, the possibility of such an incident happening in other busy constricted waterways by way of deliberate military action or a pre meditated terror attack remains a grim possibility.
DM Rajnath Singh during formal induction of Indigenously developed Ship Visakhapatnam into Indian Navy in Mumbai (2)
The after effects of a coordinated terror attack with such disastrous consequences are almost unthinkable. Imagine the effect it could have on an import dependent country like India. Needless to say, world maritime trade remains vulnerable to all kinds of threats and requires protection.
As the nation progresses towards becoming a global production hub, it need more and more sea trade to bring in raw materials, oil and petroleum and take out finished products to their destinations worldwide, thereby ushering in employment, growth and prosperity.
Such a vast and diverse sea trade requires protection against traditional and non-traditional threats. As history shows us, such protection can be provided only by a capable and a professional navy.
The Indian Navy is mandated to ensure safety of the nation’s maritime trade through protection of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs). This remains the Indian Navy’s primary military mission. The mission is achieved by ensuring that the SLOCs are monitored and patrolled by the naval ships and aircraft.
DM Rajnath Singh during formal induction of Indigenously developed Ship Visakhapatnam into Indian Navy in Mumbai (1)
Through sustained presence and continuous surveillance, the merchant traffic emanating from and bound for Indian ports remains unhindered in times of peace and war.
While protection of trade remains a continuous and omnipresent mission for the Indian Navy, protection of country’s vast coastline, offshore development areas and island territories — which are far from the mainland is also a crucial mission.
Just as the Indian Army and the Border Security Force are responsible to ensure that country’s land borders with neighbouring countries are well guarded and protected from external attacks, the Indian Navy take continuous measures to ensure that anti-national elements do not infiltrate into our country through the sea route.
In the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai, an extensive coastal radar network and surveillance mechanism has been put into place. The coastal areas are continuously patrolled by ships, aircraft, RPAs and boats of the Indian Navy, coast guards and marine police assets from various states.
The Indian Navy has also been highly successful in thwarting large scale drug trafficking attempts that is known to take place along the ‘Hash Highway’. The narcotics, which emanate from Afghanistan, are trafficked by the sea route from Makran coast for further distribution into East Africa, Middle East, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
In April 2021, the INS Suvarna seized narcotics worth Rs 3,000 crore originating from Pakistan from a fishing boat off the Kerala coast. The seizure of these narcotics consignment ensured that the money generated from their sale would not go into funding of international terror outfits.
The missions and deployments of the assets of the Indian Navy are aimed to ensure that the conducive conditions are created on the high seas as well as coastal waters to further guarantee that the economic progress of the nation remains unhindered.
So the next time you see a large sophisticated windmill churning away silently or a solar power panel on top of your house, remember that there are ships and aircrafts of the Indian Navy on 24×7 patrol, ensuring that the ships that are carrying these vital cargo proceed to their destinations unharmed to bring about prosperity and realise the dream of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
The merchant vessel MV Lyric Poet was enroute from Gibraltor to Machong. …reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have rescued a Phillipino male crew member of a merchant vessel who was suspected to be Covid-19 positive.
The crew member, who was evacuated from onboard the vessel off Kochi in Kerala on Tuesday, is being treated at the Indian Navy hospital INHS Sanjivini.
The merchant vessel MV Lyric Poet was enroute from Gibraltor to Machong.
Providing details of what was described as “a swift coordinated operation”, the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday said the medical evacuation on the high seas was undertaken by the Headquarters Southern Naval Command (SNC) using an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
The evacuation exercise was launched after SNC received information regarding a suspected Covid-19 positive case of a Phillipino male crew member from the Coast Guard Headquarters at about 4 pm on Tuesday.
The Merchant Vessel’s (MV) local agent had informed that the medical condition of the Chief Officer Michel John Abaygar was severely deteriorating with depleting oxygen levels and that he required immediate medical evacuation, the defence ministry said.
An ALH was immediately launched from INS Garuda to undertake the Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC).
“The pilots of the helicopter displaying tremendous skill and professionalism successfully completed the mission in adverse weather conditions and ensured safe evacuation of the patient,” the defence ministry said.
The patient was brought to INS Garuda and transferred to the Naval Hospital, INHS Sanjivini, for further medical assistance adhering to all Covid-19 protocols. (India News Network)
It uses the help of Radar, Electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and Radio Frequency (RF) detectors to detect and jam the micro drones….reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Navy will get the first indigenous comprehensive Naval Anti Drone System (NADS) with both hard kill and soft kill capabilities from the premier defence PSU Bharat Electronic Limited.
To this regard a contract was signed between the Indian Navy and BEL on Tuesday in New Delhi.
The NADS can instantly detect and jam micro drones and use a laser-based kill mechanism to terminate targets. It will be an effective all-encompassing counter to the increased drone threat to strategic naval installations.
Indian Navy participates in maritime drill along East Coast of Africa
It uses the help of Radar, Electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and Radio Frequency (RF) detectors to detect and jam the micro drones.
The DRDO’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) detects the frequency which is being used by the controller and the signals are then jammed.
The anti-drone technology system of DRDO provides for both ‘soft kill’ and ‘hard kill’ options to the Indian Armed Forces to tackle fast-emerging aerial threats.
Both the static and mobile versions of NADS will be supplied to the Indian Navy within a short time from the signing of contract.
The anti-drone system was first deployed to provide security cover for the Republic Day Parade this year and later during the Prime Minister’s Independence Day Address to the Nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. The system, which offers 360-degree coverage, was also deployed in Ahmedabad for the Modi-Trump roadshow.
Multiple Units of BEL, namely Bangaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Machilipatanam; and DRDO Labs, namely Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Bengaluru; Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) and Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad and Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE)Dehradun; in close collaboration with the Indian Navy, were involved in the making of this fully indigenous system, as part of the Atmanirbar Bharat initiative to counter drone threats of adversaries. (India News Network)
Maritime security and other strategic issues were also discussed during the meeting….reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Navy is ready to participate in the Maritime Task Force at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff has said.
The issue of increasing participation of Indian armed forces in UN Peacekeeping operations was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) of the Indian Navy Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh and India’s Permanent Representative to the UN T S Tirumurti on Tuesday.
Maritime security and other strategic issues were also discussed during the meeting.
Vice Admiral Singh also had discussions with Military Advisor at UN HQ Lt Gen Carlos Loitey & Deputy Military Advisor Maj Gen Maureen O’ Brien on a series of issues including pledging of ship for UNIFIL and India’s outreach during the recent pandemic.
“VAdm Ravneet Singh, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) had discussions with Military Advisor at @UN HQ, Lt Gen Carlos Loitey & Dy Military Advisor Maj Gen Maureen O’ Brien on series of issues incl pledging of ship for @UNIFIL_ & India’s outreach during the recent #pandemic,” the Indian Navy said on Twitter.
“Held discussions with @ambtstirumurti at Permanent Mission of @IndiaUNNewYork (PMI) on strategic issues with specific reference to #MaritimeSecurity. Increasing participation of #IndianArmedForces in UN Peacekeeping Ops & acknowledgement of their Mil prowess discussed,” the Spokesperson of the Indian Navy tweeted about the meeting between the DCNS and India’s PR to UN.
The Deputy Naval Chief in the meeting conveyed readiness of the Indian Navy to participate in Maritime Task Force at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and brought out importance of military wings in various missions abroad.
“DCNS conveyed readiness of #IndianNavy to participate in Maritime Task Force @UNIFIL_. He also brought out imp of Mil wings in various missions abroad. The Ambassador highlighted importance of increasing #India’s engagement with @UN & that he looked fwd to Mil Advisor joining PMI.
India has a long and deep tradition of contributing to UN Peacekeeping.
More than 200,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.
Indian peacekeepers have served in UN peacekeeping missions around the world.
They have served in some of the most physically demanding and harshest environments, including South Sudan.
Currently, there are more than 6,700 troops and police from India who have been deployed to UN peacekeeping missions, the fourth highest amongst troop-contributing countries.
More than 160 Indian peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price in service to peace, losing their lives serving under the UN flag.
Formed in 1978, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was tasked by the UN Security Council to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area.
Over 10,000 Peacekeeping have been stationed in UNIFIL that is currently monitoring cessation of hostilities and helping ensure humanitarian access to civilian population.
India is the fourth largest constituent of the UNIFIL with 847 troops.
Following a series of successful engagements and operations in the Mediterranean, the Carrier Strike Group is now sailing East across the Indian Ocean towards India, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
The UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2021, led by the HMS Queen Elizabeth, has sailed into the Indian Ocean region having recently transited the Suez Canal, the British High Commission here said on Friday.
Following a series of successful engagements and operations in the Mediterranean, it is now sailing East across the Indian Ocean towards India.
It will then meet with ships from the Indian Navy to conduct routine maritime exercises.
The deployment represents the UK’s commitment to deepening diplomatic, economic and security ties with India and in the Indo-Pacific region.
HMS_Queen_Elizabeth
It demonstrates both the UK’s support for the freedom of passage through vital trading routes and for a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The UK Carrier Strike Group deploymen is a major moment for UK defence as we develop this cutting-edge capability across the globe. The group is sailing the Indian Ocean and will shortly conduct exercises with the Indian Navy, building on our already strong partnership with an important ally and friend.
“The deployment illustrates the UK’s enduring commitment to global defence and security, strengthening our existing alliances and forging new partnerships with like-minded countries as we face up to the challenges of the 21st century.”
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “The Carrier Strike Group deployment marks the start of a new era of defence cooperation with allies in India and the Indo-Pacific. By visiting 40 countries and working alongside our partners, the UK is standing up for democratic values, seizing new trading opportunities and tackling the shared threats we face together.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab
“The deployment will interact with India, strengthening our already deep ties for the benefit of both our peoples’ security and prosperity.”
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, said: “The Carrier Strike Group is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to the security of India and the Indo-Pacific. Its arrival follows the UK’s first International Liaison Officer joining the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram.
“Today marks another step towards delivering the ambition set out jointly by our Prime Ministers in the 2030 Roadmap, bringing our countries, economies and people closer together.”
As part of its maiden operational deployment, the Carrier Strike Group will sail over 26,000 nautical miles, engaging with 40 countries from the Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific and back again.
This deployment will provide tangible reassurance and security to the UK’s friends and a credible deterrence to those who seek to undermine global security.
As the spearhead of UK’s Joint Expeditionary capability and a cornerstone of the UK’s conventional military deterrent, the Carrier Strike Group comprises nine ships, 32 aircraft and one submarine and is manned by 3,700 sailors, aviators and marines from the combined forces of the UK, US and the Netherlands.
The fifth generation HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier, at 65,000 tonnes, is the largest surface vessel ever constructed in the UK. Taller than Niagara Falls, her propellers generate the power of 50 high-speed trains.
She leads six Royal Navy ships, a Royal Navy submarine, a US Navy destroyer and a frigate from the Netherlands in the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the UK in a generation.
It is equipped with the fifth generation F-35B Lightning multi-role aircrafts. They are being jointly crewed by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the US Marine Corps.
These engagements are aimed to further strengthen maritime security in the region and to consolidate combined operations against maritime threats…reports Asian Lite News.
Towards enhancing military cooperation with friendly nations, Indian Navy has deployed INS Tabar to make port calls and participate in joint exercises with the navies of Africa, Europe and Russia.
On June 13, Indian Naval Ship Tabar commenced her prolonged deployment and is to visit a number of ports in Africa and Europe till end September, informed a defence ministry statement on Saturday.
INS Tabar will transit across the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea and Baltic Sea while making port calls at Djibouti, Egypt, Italy, France, UK, Russia, Netherlands, Morocco, and Arctic Council countries like Sweden and Norway.
In addition to PASSEX with host navies of countries being visited, the ship is also scheduled to participate in bilateral exercises like Exercise Konkan with Royal Navy, Exercise Varuna with French Navy and Exercise Indra with Russian Federation Navy.
During port visits, Tabar will conduct professional, social and sporting interactions and also participate in a number of joint exercises with friendly navies, it stated.
The ship will operate in conjunction with the friendly navies, so as to build military relations, develop interoperability and project long range sustenance, the statement added.
The deployment will also see participation by the ship in the Russian Navy Day celebrations from July 22 to 27.
Indian Navy undertakes regular overseas deployments particularly in the maritime areas of primary interest.
These engagements are aimed to further strengthen maritime security in the region and to consolidate combined operations against maritime threats.
These interactions will also offer an opportunity to navies to observe and imbibe the ‘Best Practices’ followed in each other’s Navy.
INS Tabar, is a Talwar-class stealth Frigate built for Indian Navy in Russia. The ship is commanded by Captain M Mahesh and has a complement of 300 personnel.
The ship is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors and is among the earliest stealth frigates of the Indian Navy.
The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet which is based at Mumbai under Western Naval Command. (INN)
Indian Navy join the rescue and relief mission at flood hit villages in Kerala
Indian Navy join the rescue and relief mission at flood hit villages in Kerala. They were active at Malaghapadi, Kampanipadi and Maruvakad in Chellanam panchayat in Kochi. Three Navy diving teams from southern Naval Command swung into action along with one Quick Reaction Team from INS Dronacharya.
The teams are braving harsh weather conditions while undertaking rescue and providing relief assistance to people trapped in houses. They are also helping flood victims staying at St Mary’s High School Chellanam.
