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Since the past week, the <keyword id="6355100" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Navy" source="Orion">Indian Navy</keyword>'s showdown with <keyword id="19905062" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="somali-pirates" source="keywords">Somali Pirates</keyword> has dominated news headlines, capturing attention not only in India but across the globe. During this period, the navy successfully tracked and intercepted the <keyword id="739169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hijacked-vessel" source="Orion">hijacked vessel</keyword>, executed a 40-hour operation to coerce the pirates into surrendering, rescued hostages, and is now in the process of bringing the culprits back to India for legal action. But what precisely unfolded during these events? Here's a comprehensive recap of the events that transpired in the <keyword id="12350" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Ocean" source="Orion">Indian Ocean</keyword>. <ul><li>Bulk carrier <keyword id="20972354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mv-abdullah" source="keywords">MV Abdullah</keyword>, flying the flag of Bangladesh, is seized by armed Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, approximately 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia. </li><li>Upon receiving notification, a Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) aircraft responds to the piracy attack on MV Abdullah on the evening of March 12, 2024. It attempts to establish communication to ascertain the status of the ship's crew members, but receives no response. </li><li>A diverted Mission Deployed warship intercepts the hijacked MV Abdullah on the morning of March 14. It ensures the safety of the MV's crew (all Bangladesh nationals) held hostage by the armed pirates and remains in the MV’s close vicinity until its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia. </li><li>On March 15, the <keyword id="1155886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-navy-warship" source="Orion">Indian Navy warship</keyword> <keyword id="20119823" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ins-kolkata" source="keywords">INS Kolkata</keyword> intercepts the MV, calling upon the pirates onboard to surrender and release the vessel and any civilians they may be holding against their will. </li><li>The MV opens fire on INS Kolkata, prompting the warship to take actions in self-defence and to counter piracy with minimal force necessary to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers. </li><li>In a display of jointness and integration, an <keyword id="15141" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force" source="Orion">Indian Air Force</keyword> C-17 aircraft executes a precision Airborne Drop of two Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats, along with Indian Navy MARCOS, in the Arabian Sea to support the ongoing anti-piracy ‘<keyword id="7783016" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Operation-Sankalp" source="Orion">Operation Sankalp</keyword>’. </li><li>INS Kolkata, assisted by the Indian warship <keyword id="21000782" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ins-subhadra" source="keywords">INS Subhadra</keyword>, High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE RPA) drones, P8I maritime patrol aircraft, and MARCOS PRAHARs parachuted by HALE RPA, carries out the interception of the Pirate Ship Ruen almost 1400 nm (2600 km) from the Indian Coast. It subsequently forces the pirate ship to stop through calibrated actions that include disabling the vehicle’s steering system and navigational aids. </li><li>On March 14, the 40-hour-long operation culminates with INS Kolkata successfully coercing all 35 Pirates to surrender and ensuring the safe evacuation of 17 crew members from the pirate vessel without any injury. </li><li>The 35 Somalian pirates who surrendered to the Indian Navy are now being brought back to India for prosecution.</li></ul> Typically, the Indian Navy adheres to standard protocols by apprehending pirates, disarming them, and subsequently permitting their departure after ensuring they no longer present a threat to other vessels. However, given the pirates' engagement in an act of aggression against the Indian Navy, coupled with concerns about these pirates regrouping and resuming attacks if allowed to depart freely, authorities have opted to bring them back to India. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence’s statement on this mission read: “The culmination of the ongoing Anti-Piracy operation involving pirate ship Ruen in the Southern Indian Ocean Region (IOR) highlights the commitment of the Indian Navy towards reinforcing peace and stability, and also to thwart the resurgence of Piracy in the region. The Indian Navy remains steadfast in performing its role as the 'First Responder' in IOR.”

Here’s a detailed recap of the Indian Navy's recent showdown with Somali Pirates

The <keyword id="19900359" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="indian-navy" source="keywords">Indian Navy</keyword> has freed an <keyword id="20375812" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Iranian-fishing-vessel" source="Orion">Iranian fishing vessel</keyword> that was hijacked by pirates and rescued its crew of 23 <keyword id="92998" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistani-nationals" source="Orion">Pakistani nationals</keyword>, following "intense coercive tactical measures" as part of an <keyword id="587932" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="anti-piracy-operation" source="Orion">anti-piracy operation</keyword> at sea that lasted for more than 12 hours, officials said. Following Friday's operation, specialist teams from the Navy undertook a thorough sanitisation and seaworthiness check of the fishing vessel in order to escort it to a safe area for resuming normal fishing activities, according to an official statement shared by a Navy spokesperson. The Navy said late on Friday evening that it was engaged in an operation to free the fishing vessel from pirates. Nine armed pirates had reportedly boarded the vessel. The hijacked vessel was intercepted on Thursday, the Navy said. "INS Sumedha intercepted FV 'Al Kambar' during early hours of Friday and was joined subsequently by the guided missile frigate INS Trishul," it said. "After more than 12 hours of intense coercive tactical measures as per the SOPs, the pirates on board the hijacked fishing vessel were forced to surrender. The crew, comprising 23 Pakistani nationals, have been safely rescued," the Navy added. The fishing vessel was approximately 90 nm (nautical miles) southwest of Socotra when the pirates reportedly boarded it, it said. The Indian Navy said it remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers, "irrespective of the nationalities". The <keyword id="9465424" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Socotra-Archipelago" source="Orion">Socotra Archipelago</keyword> is in the northwest <keyword id="12350" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Ocean" source="Orion">Indian Ocean</keyword> near the Gulf of Aden. The Navy will take "affirmative action" to ensure a safer and more secure Indian Ocean Region, its chief, Admiral R Hari Kumar, told a press conference on March 23 while citing the anti-piracy and other maritime security operations undertaken by the naval force in the preceding 100 days under "<keyword id="21061783" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Op-Sankalp" source="Orion">Op Sankalp</keyword>". As part of the maritime security operations, the Navy has undertaken anti-piracy, anti-missile and anti-drones operations. A total of 110 lives -- 45 Indians and 65 foreign nationals -- were saved during "Op Sankalp" in that 100-day period, according to a PPT presentation given by a naval officer before the Navy chief's press conference. It was also mentioned in the presentation that from November last year till March, "more than 90 maritime incidents have happened", including 57 drone or missile attacks or sightings and 39 incidents of <keyword id="6358364" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="piracy" source="Orion">piracy</keyword>, hijacking and suspicious approaches.

Indian Navy frees Iranian fishing vessel hijacked by pirates, rescues 23 Pakistani crew members

A C-17 tactical transport aircraft of the <keyword id="15141" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force" source="Orion">Indian Air Force</keyword> (<keyword id="6355075" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IAF" source="Orion">IAF</keyword>) executed a <keyword id="20990311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="precision-airdrop" source="Orion">precision airdrop</keyword> of two combat boats along with marine commandos in the <keyword id="6368835" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arabian-Sea" source="Orion">Arabian Sea</keyword> while assisting the Navy to seize a hijacked cargo vessel from <keyword id="6701762" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Somali-pirates" source="Orion">Somali pirates</keyword>. The IAF described the airdrop of the <keyword id="20990312" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Combat-Rubberised-Raiding-Craft" source="Orion">Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft</keyword> (CRRC) boats and the <keyword id="3679963" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MARCOS-commandos" source="Orion">MARCOS commandos</keyword> as a "remarkable display" of "jointness" between the two forces. The Navy on Saturday captured 35 pirates and freed 17 hostages held by them after seizing the former Maltese-flagged merchant vessel around 2,600 km from the Indian coast in a well-calibrated operation. The nearly 40-hour operation saw the Navy deploying its stealth-guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata, patrol vessel INS Subhadra, long-endurance Sea Guardian drones besides airdropping of the elite marine commandos -- MARCOS -- using the <keyword id="650946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="C-17-aircraft" source="Orion">C-17 aircraft</keyword>. The merchant vessel Ruen was seized by the Somali pirates in December off the coast of Somalia. "In a remarkable display of #Jointness &amp; #Integration, an IAF C-17 aircraft executed a precision Airborne Drop of two Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats, along with <keyword id="6355100" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-navy" source="Orion">Indian Navy</keyword> MARCOS in Arabian Sea in support of ongoing anti piracy Op Sankalp," the IAF posted on 'X'. "Flying for almost 10 hrs to an area 2600 kms off the Indian Coast, the Op was carried out to rescue crew of bulk carrier vessel MV Ruen. The ship was hijacked by Somali pirates near Yemeni island of Socotra recently," it said. "Working seamlessly with @indiannavy, the mission was successful with all the 17 crew on-board recovered safely," the IAF added. In a statement, the Navy said the seaworthiness of MV Ruen is being assessed and the vessel carrying approximately 37,800 tonnes of cargo worth around USD 1 million will be brought safely to India. "The culmination of the ongoing anti-piracy operation involving pirate ship Ruen in the Southern Indian Ocean Region highlights the commitment of the Indian Navy towards reinforcing peace and stability, and also to thwart the resurgence of piracy in the region," it said. The Indian Navy deployed over 10 warships to keep a vigil over the strategic waterways following increasing attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi militants. In the midst of rising global concerns over the Houthi attacks, the Indian Ocean saw rising incidents of piracy.

IAF's C-17 aircraft executes precision airdrop in Arabian Sea, helps Navy seize hijacked vessel

INS Beas is the first of Brahmaputra Class Frigate to be re-powered from steam to diesel propulsion. After completion of Mid Life Upgrade and Re- Powering in 2026, INS Beas will join the active fleet of the Indian Navy with a modernized weapon suite and upgraded combat capability. The transformative maiden re-powering project marks a significant stride in the maintenance philosophy of the Indian Navy and repair capabilities of CSL. The project would involve more than 50 MSMEs and would lead to generation of employment for more than 3500 personnel, the defence ministry said.

Cochin Shipyard bags Rs 313cr deal to upgrade Indian Navy warship

The stealth guided missile destroyer <keyword id="50591" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mormugao" source="Orion">Mormugao</keyword>, the second of the four 'Visakhapatnam' class destroyers, was commissioned into the Indian <keyword id="42407" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="navy" source="Orion">Navy</keyword> on Sunday. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Mumbai, Defence Minister <keyword id="6355121" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rajnath-singh" source="Orion">Rajnath Singh</keyword> said <keyword id="3659561" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ins-mormugao" source="Orion">INS Mormugao</keyword> is evidence of India's excellence in warship design and development. INS Mormugao is among the most powerful Indigenous warships, Singh said. This is the most technologically advanced warship, he added. Singh said the warship's commissioning will boost India's maritime power. Indian economy is among the top five economies in the world, and according to experts, will be among the top three in 2027, Singh said. The Navy chief said the commissioning of the warship, on the eve of the Goa Liberation Day, is indicative of the large strides taken in warship design and building capability over the last decade. Goa Chief Minister <keyword id="864632" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pramod-sawant" source="Orion">Pramod Sawant</keyword>, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Goa governor P S Sreedharan Pillai were present at the ceremony at naval dockyard. INS Mormugao is the second of the four 'Visakhapatnam' class destroyers of 'Project 15B', indigenously designed by the Indian Navy's in-house organisation, Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai. Named after the historic port city of Goa, Mormugao coincidentally undertook first sea trial on December 19, 2021, when Goa celebrated 60 years of liberation from the Portuguese rule. INS Mormugao is 163 metres long and 17 metres wide. It has a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and a maximum speed of 30 knots (55 kmph). The warship is packed with sophisticated state of the art weapons and sensors such as surface to surface missile and surface to air missiles. It is fitted with a modern surveillance radar which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems on board. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/i-am-glad-i-fd-up-so-much-in-life-that-it-is-content-now-says-ankur-warikoo/articleshow/96282722.cms">I am glad I F**%*D up so much in life that it is content now says Ankur Warikoo</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/tech-layoffs-surpass-great-recession-levels-set-to-get-worse-in-early-2023/articleshow/96314678.cms">Tech layoffs surpass Great Recession levels, set to get worse in early 2023</a>

Stealth guided missile destroyer Mormugao commissioned into Indian Navy

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="12500522" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="aircraft-carriers" source="Orion">Aircraft carriers</keyword> have been a dominant naval asset for nearly a century.</li><li>Their high cost and sturdy construction means those flattops often serve for decades.</li></ul>Since World War II, aircraft carriers have been one of the most important weapons in a military's arsenal.A nation with flattops can influence affairs far from its shores, and the more of them it can deploy, the farther it can project force around the world.The financial and technological requirements to build and deploy carriers means only a few countries can develop and maintain them. That barrier to entry means only few countries can field even one carrier.The US can deploy <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-us-navy-aircraft-carriers-supercarriers-to-ford-class-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers</a>, reflecting its superpower status. China is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-chinas-aircraft-carriers-compare-to-us-navy-flattops-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">building or testing three flattops</a>, and the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-uk-aircraft-carrier-ends-first-deployment-with-milestones-2021-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UK has two new carriers</a>. Several other countries, including France, Russia, and India, have at least one.But carriers, once built, can serve for a long time. One of the longest-serving was <keyword id="13638258" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hms-hermes" source="Orion">HMS Hermes</keyword>, which spent a total of 58 years in the British and Indian navies.<h2>HMS Hermes</h2><div type="image" title="UK British aircraft carrier Hermes" height="1371" width="1828" msid="90901032" hostid="261"></div>HMS Hermes was a conventionally powered Centaur-class flattop that was laid down in 1944. Construction was paused for several years and the carrier wasn't launched until 1953. It entered service with the <keyword id="12018460" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="royal-navy" source="Orion">Royal Navy</keyword> in 1959.The flattop began its career as a CATOBAR <keyword id="11898296" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="aircraft-carrier" source="Orion">aircraft carrier</keyword> and could carry up to five fixed- and rotary-wing squadrons.Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery, or CATOBAR, carriers use catapults to launch aircraft and arresting wires to recover them, allowing planes to take off and land on a deck that's only a few hundred feet long instead of a mile or longer.But in the early 1970s, the Royal Navy decided to convert Hermes to support operations by Royal Marine Commandos — like the amphibious assault ships of the US Navy. Berthing space for 800 troops was added, and helicopters became Hermes' primary aircraft.Hermes was refit again in the early 1980s, when the threat from Soviet submarines prompted the Royal Navy to repurpose the ship for anti-submarine warfare. This modification also converted Hermes into a Short Take-Off, Barrier Arrested Recovery, or STOBAR, carrier.A ski jump was added to Hermes' bow and it once more hosted fighter jets, namely the Sea Harrier, which was designed for short and vertical takeoffs and landings.<div type="image" title="Royal Navy crewmen aboard aircraft carrier HMS Hermes" height="1278" width="2000" msid="90901033" hostid="261"></div>During the Falklands War in 1982, the HMS Hermes was the flagship of the British armada, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/falklands-war-almost-had-first-aircraft-carrier-battle-since-wwii-2021-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leading more than 100 ships to the South Atlantic</a> to reclaim the islands from the Argentines.Hermes' sister ship and fellow STOBAR carrier, HMS Invincible, were crucial to the UK's success. Sea Harrier fighter jets operating from the two flattops gave the British air dominance and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sas-revisited-wwii-roots-in-daring-raid-during-falklands-war-2021-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ensured that ground troops could land on</a> and retake the Falklands.The Argentines recognized the importance of the British aircraft carriers and tried to sink them multiple times with daring air attacks. They sunk several escort ships and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/31/world/argentines-assert-they-hit-a-carrier.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claimed to have hit</a> Invincible, but the flattops emerged from the conflict unscathed. (The British armada <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-navy-used-impromptu-aircraft-carriers-to-recapture-falklands-2021-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">included two improvised carriers</a>, one of which was sunk.)Hermes' post-Falklands life was brief. After a refit and an exercise, the carrier was decommissioned in 1984, but that wasn't the end of its career.The British had previously tried to offload Hermes — including a mid-1960s offer to Australia that fell through because of the high cost to man and operate the carrier — and in 1983, they again offered to sell it to Australia, which once more turned them down.<div type="image" title="Indian navy sailor on aircraft carrier Viraat" height="1154" width="2000" msid="90901034" hostid="261"></div>The carrier was sold to India in 1986. After undergoing a refit, the carrier was commissioned into the <keyword id="11895652" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="indian-navy" source="Orion">Indian navy</keyword> as <keyword id="13638259" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ins-viraat" source="Orion">INS Viraat</keyword> in a ceremony held in the UK in May 1987.It became the flagship of the Indian Navy and participated in a number of operations, including in the Indian peacekeeping mission in Sri Lanka in 1989 and in the Indian blockade of Pakistani ports during the Kargil War in 1999. Viraat als took part in exercise Malabar, an annual exercise involving the US, India, and other navies.After almost six decades in service, the Hermes was finally decommissioned by the Indian Navy in 2017. In 2019, the Indian government <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/economy-politics/story/goodbye-ins-viraat-after-33-years-of-serving-indian-navy-warship-put-to-rest-274220-2020-09-29" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided</a> to scrap the carrier.After years of attempts by state governments and private actors to preserve the carrier as a museum, including a last-minute <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-viraat-now-private-property-sc/article34244872.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">legal effort</a> to prevent it from being totally dismantled, the carrier was broken up in 2021.Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate.

58 years, 2 navies, one war: A short history of one of the world's longest-serving aircraft carriers

Finance Minister <keyword id="129243" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="Orion">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword>’s budget on February 1 has made all the right noises regarding defence, with ₹<a href="https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/bh1.pdf">5.25 lakh crore</a> being allotted to the <keyword id="6369097" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Defence" source="Orion">Ministry of Defence</keyword> (MoD), a hike of 10%, and an emphasis on <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/defence-budget-2022-23/">self-reliance</a> in defence manufacturing. While challenges of resource availability persist, the MoD still continues to grab the largest share of the central government’s expenditure. But beyond the numbers about revenue (₹2.39 lakh crore) and capital allocation (₹1.52 lakh crore) to the MoD, this budget has also demonstrated the Indian government’s long-term view of the China threat through two crucial steps: reinforcing greater budgetary support for the <keyword id="6355100" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Navy" source="Orion">Indian Navy</keyword> and the border infrastructure. This comes in the backdrop of the prolonged border-standoff with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the Himalayas, which has amplified India’s threat perception. Accordingly, the government has made necessary emergency purchases—from <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-acquires-11000-extreme-cold-gear-sets-from-us-army/articleshow/78922920.cms">winter clothing</a> to <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-to-buy-21-mig-29-and-12-sukhoi-fighter-jets-from-russia-report-11592495559415.html">fighter jets</a>—to ensure that the Indian military is geared to face the PLA. The focus on naval capabilities and border infrastructure facilities complement this approach. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Prioritising Indian Navy" comment="subhead" text="Prioritising Indian Navy">Prioritising Indian <keyword id="42407" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="navy" source="Orion">Navy</keyword></cmsannotation> With <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2021/Nov/03/2002885874/-1/-1/0/2021-CMPR-FINAL.PDF">approximately 355 ships and submarines</a>, the PLA Navy has now emerged as the largest navy in the world. In response, India has stepped up its naval activities, including increased patrols in the Indian Ocean. In addition, India’s growing Indo-Pacific ambitions have brought a greater naval presence and engagement with the region. However, with a fleet of about 130 ships and submarines, one-third in size of the PLA Navy, the strain on the Indian Navy is immense. This is accentuated by delays in shipbuilding and induction, which have substantially affected the pace of naval modernisation. Hence, the Navy has now re-worked its aspiration for a 200-ship fleet to a more realistic goal of a <a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/nov/16/navy-will-achieve-its-170-ship-force-level-timelines-being-revised-navy-vice-chief-2384329.html">170-ship fleet</a>. Partially addressing this problem, the government in this budget has increased the <a href="https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/sbe21.pdf">capital allocation for naval modernisation</a> from ₹33.2 thousand crore (FY 2021-22 BE) to ₹47.5 thousand crore (FY 2022-23 BE). This includes ₹29.4 thousand crore for the naval fleet. The funds allocated are more than what the Navy had demanded (₹<a href="http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/17_Defence_25.pdf">37.6 thousand crore</a> for FY 2021-22) and hopefully, in the subsequent years, the defence ministry will manage to fulfil the Navy's demand. Besides boosting the Indian naval presence, this greater budgetary allocation will also contribute to the expansion of India’s shipyards as most of the naval expenditure is incurred in shipbuilding. At present, India’s public sector shipyards are manufacturing<a href="http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/17_Defence_24.pdf"> 48 ships and submarines</a>, making the Indian Navy the most indigenised of the three services. Two significant naval inductions expected this year are the Cochin Shipyard Ltd.-built indigenous aircraft carrier, IAC-1 (or INS Vikrant), and INS Vagir from Mazagon Dock Limited, likely to enter service in the second half of 2022. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Strengthening northern borders" comment="subhead" text="Strengthening northern borders">Strengthening northern borders</cmsannotation> Another key dimension of the China challenge has been the border infrastructure. China has determinedly pursued infrastructure build-out to give the PLA a sustained presence on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the last two decades. India has been late to this game but is slowly catching up, as seen by its current <a href="https://www.gatewayhouse.in/indias-border-infrastructure/">border infrastructure push</a> with border roads, strategic railway lines, and Advance Landing Grounds (airfields in areas closer to the LAC). The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the primary agency to construct border roads along the LAC, has received a substantial hike annually in the last few budgets. Keeping up with that trend, this year, the BRO has been allocated <a href="https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/sbe19.pdf">Rs. 3500 crore</a>, 40% more than the FY 2021-22 BE of Rs. 2500 crore. This sustained enhanced allocation has ensured that the BRO has completed many long-pending projects, including the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang and Umling La pass in Ladakh. In addition, Sitharaman also announced the “<a href="https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/bh1.pdf">Vibrant Villages Programme</a>” that will focus on developing remote villages on the LAC. To be administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1794161">development activities</a> under this programme will include constructing infrastructure, housing, tourist centres, road connectivity projects, provisioning for renewable energy, expanding access to satellite television, and support for livelihood generation. This programme is vital due to the glaring difference in living standards in the villages on the Indian and Chinese sides of the LAC. China’s <a href="http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-05/21/c_139959978.htm">white paper on Tibet</a> has noted that between 2017 and 2020, the Chinese government implemented a host of schemes to ensure better access to housing, electricity, roads, and the internet. These initiatives on naval modernisation and border development will yield the desired outcome only if India sustains them with the required budgetary support. While the government has to bear the cost of naval modernisation, it can engage the private sector to defray the border development costs by potentially through the corporate social responsibility framework. Sameer Patil is <keyword id="1188891" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="senior-fellow" source="Orion">Senior Fellow</keyword> at the Observer Research Foundation. The views expressed are his own.

OPINION: How India is trying to tackle China’s military challenge

<ul><li>The Indian government may not be able to fully utilise the budget it had allocated for the defence equipment and weapons purchases in 2021.</li><li>Strengthening the Navy may be one of the main focus for India's defence ministry as the threat coming from China rises.</li><li>India’s Defence budget has remained consistent roughly at 2% of the GDP in the last five years. </li></ul>The Indian government promised to spend 19% — of the ₹4.78 crore crore set aside for the defence sector — in buying new equipment, weapons, fighter jets et al before March 2022. That money may not be fully spent as planned, a national security and defence expert told Business Insider. The money may go into a corpus and is likely to be spent in the next year, according to <keyword id="300102" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sameer-Patil" source="Orion">Sameer Patil</keyword>, senior Fellow at ORF, who also believes that the upcoming budget on February 1 may focus more on strengthening India’s Navy. Not just Patil, another national security analyst Bhartendu Singh, also believes that while India’s allocation for defence will go up in absolute terms, it may remain small as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). India’s defence budget has remained consistent roughly at 2% of the GDP in the last five years. Even though the recommended <a href="https://prsindia.org/budgets/parliament/demand-for-grants-2021-22-analysis-defence#:~:text=Growth%20of%203%25%20over%20Budget,central%20government%20expenditure%20of%2014%25.">share is 3%</a>. <div type="image" title="This year’s defence budget may focus on building submarines, drones, warships and aircraft carriers" msid="88989454" hostid="261"></div> Here’s why India needs to strengthen the Navy While India has been constantly battling China on its land borders, the budget this year may focus on building up and modernising its forces on the sea. This is largely because the Chinese threat in the Indian ocean has also been rising simultaneously, according to Patil. Commodore Anil Jai Singh, a submarine veteran, has also <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/china-raises-bay-of-bengal-security-concerns-with-ming-presence/2398960/">raised </a>concerns over China ‘gifting’ Type 035 Ming class diesel-electric submarine — the oldest class of submarines in the Chinese inventory — to Myanmar last month. China has been growing its presence in the Indian ocean even before the Galwan clash of 2021, Patil added. Some steps are already visible. “We have seen both L&amp;T and Mazagon dockyard have been shortlisted as India’s strategic partners for building the next set of submarines,” Patil added. This project — which aims to build P75i submarines — is likely to see an investment up to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/the-defence-acquisition-council-dac-clears-the-issuing-request-for-proposal-rfp-for-the-indian-navys-mega-deal-to-procure-six-submarines/articleshow/83229317.cms">₹45,000 crore</a>. The Indian Armed Forces is also looking to defend itself by building anti-submarine warfare capabilities, purchasing more maritime surveillance drones and building a fleet of 300 for the <keyword id="6355100" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-navy" source="Orion">Indian navy</keyword>. According to Elara Capital’s report published in October 2021 the Indian Navy's Fleet stands at 150 ships and submarines,and the Coast Guard fleet is at 130 vessels. Each of these is expected to grow to 200 vessels by 2027. Orders are likely to be placed for 165 warships in the medium term, the report added. Government of India’s undertaking Garden Reach Shipbuilders &amp; Engineers (GRSE), in its red herring prospectus, highlighted that the Navy’s estimated capital budget up to 2027 is expected to be ₹4.5 lakh crore. <div type="image" title="This year’s defence budget may focus on building submarines, drones, warships and aircraft carriers" msid="88989438" hostid="261"></div> If indeed, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman makes provisions for higher spending on the Navy, these are some of the stocks to watch out for on Budget day. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Stock </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Change in last one month </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Reliance Naval </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-2.7% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cochin Shipyard </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.98% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Garden Reach Shipbuilders &amp; Engineers </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">16.52% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bharat Electronics </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6.26% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Paras Defence </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.28% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Hindustan Aeronautics Limited </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">14.15% </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: BSE SEE ALSO <a class="tout-title-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/bajaj-finance-bajaj-auto-hero-motocorp-and-other-hot-stocks-on-january-19/slidelist/88985936.cms">Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp and other hot stocks on January 19</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indias-daily-covid-19-cases-surge-by-7-8-in-a-day-active-cases-stand-at-1831000/articleshow/88987362.cms">India’s daily COVID-19 cases surge by 7.8% in a day, active cases stand at 18,31,000</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/ags-transact-technologies-ipo-cash-management-firm-looking-to-halve-its-debt-with-ipo-money/articleshow/88987025.cms">AGS Transact is a cash management firm looking to halve its debt with IPO money</a>

This year’s defence budget may focus on building submarines, drones, warships and aircraft carriers

The <keyword id="6355100" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Navy">Indian Navy</keyword> has conducted exercises with Russia and 'Quad' countries - an informal security forum comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia - in a message to China on getting a wider footprint in the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific region is seen from the west coast of India to the US. The Indian Navy carried out a three-day bilateral maritime exercise with Japan in the north Arabian Sea from September 26, 2020 to September 28, 2020. It was the fourth edition of India-Japan Maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX, which is conducted biennially. The last edition of JIMEX was conducted in October 2018 off Visakhapatnam in India. Naval cooperation between India and Japan has increased in scope and complexity over the years. Advanced level of operations and exercises took place during three days. It is indicative of the continued upswing in Indo-Japanese defence relations and continued efforts by both governments to work closely for a more secure, open and inclusive global commons, in accordance with international regulations. The helicopter carrier of Japan JS Kaga took part in the recent exercise. The Kaga and its sister ship the Izumo are being converted into aircraft carriers that will carry US-built maritime planes, the F35-B. India, Japan, China and South Korea are the countries now involved in what is seen in strategic circles as the Asian carrier race. The Australian Navy and Indian Navy carried out passage exercise in the East Indian Ocean Region from September 23 to September 24. The exercise involved participation of HMAS Hobart from the Australian side and Indian naval ships Sahyadri and Karmuk. In addition, an Indian maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters from both sides carried out coordinated exercise. The exercise, aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding and imbibing best practices from each other, involved advanced surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firings, seamanship exercises, naval manoeuvres and cross deck flying operations. To boost mutual confidence and cooperation, a bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy took place in the Bay of Bengal on between September 4 and September 5. "The exercise was aimed at imbibing best practices between the two navies," Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal told IANS. He also said that the exercise helped to further boost mutual confidence and cooperation between the two Navies and would reinforce the longstanding bond of friendship between the two countries. The exercise is known as 'Indra Navy' and is the 11th edition. It is a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy. Indian Navy units undertook Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with units of US Navy - Nimitz Carrier Strike Group as they transited through Indian Ocean Region on July 20. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/lakshmi-vilas-bank-down-5-as-concerns-over-clix-capital-merger-deepen/articleshow/78399789.cms">Lakshmi Vilas Bank is down nearly 5% as concerns over Clix Capital merger deepen</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/airtel-launches-new-cybersecurity-product-with-cisco-radware-vmware-and-forcepoint-for-enterprises-it-took-100-crore-and-over-a-year-to-set-up/articleshow/78403006.cms">Airtel launches new cybersecurity product with CISCO, Radware, VMware, and Forcepoint for enterprises — it took ₹100 crore and over a year to set up</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/babri-masjid-demolition-case-cbi-special-court-acquits-all-accused-judge-says-demolition-was-not-pre-planned/articleshow/78401534.cms">Babri Masjid demolition case: CBI Special Court acquits all accused, judge says ‘demolition was not pre-planned’</a>

Indian Navy takes to seas with Russia and QUAD countries

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Friday cleared the issuing of a Request For Proposal (RFP) for the <keyword id="6355100" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Navy">Indian Navy</keyword>'s mega deal to procure six <keyword id="117400" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Submarines">submarines</keyword> under Project-75I through a strategic partnership route worth over ₹45,000 crore. Two Indian companies and five foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers had already been shortlisted earlier. The mega deal was approved during the DAC meet on Friday led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The mega submarine project for building of indigenous submarines for the <keyword id="42407" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Navy">Navy</keyword> got the final clearance wherein two Indian companies that can work in collaboration with a foreign manufacturer. The RFP has been issued to Mazagon Docks (MDL) and private company <keyword id="45475" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Larsen-Toubro">Larsen &amp; Toubro</keyword>. Under the Project 75I, the submarines for the Indian Navy are going to be constructed in India and will be through ToT by the OEMs. This project is under the strategic partnership model which was adopted in an effort to ensure building capacity in the Indian industry. The idea is that this is going to help in the local manufacturing of major military platforms. The project received a clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) way back in 1999 and Acceptance of Necessity granted in 2007. The strategic partnership model aims at promoting India as a manufacturing hub for defence equipment, in addition to establishing an industrial and R&amp;D eco-system capable of meeting the future requirements of the Armed Forces besides giving boost to exports. The Indian Navy currently has 12 submarines. In addition there are two nuclear submarines <keyword id="45878" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="INS-ARIHANT">INS Arihant</keyword> and INS Chakra in the navy's fleet. Upgrading its submarine operations and the naval fleet has been the top priority for the Indian Navy in wake of the increased presence of Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean region. SEE ALSO <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-nord-ce-5g-mobile-phone-full-specifications-leaked-days-ahead-of-launch/articleshow/83195375.cms">OnePlus Nord CE 5G full specifications leaked days ahead of launch – heavily inspired by the original Nord</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/top-five-fintech-ideas-that-are-drawing-the-most-amount-of-money/slidelist/83194276.cms">Five fintech ideas that are raking in the most amount of money</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/reliance-industries-rossari-biotech-tata-power-and-other-stocks-to-watch-out-for-on-june-3/slidelist/83193921.cms">Reliance Industries, Rossari Biotech, Tata Power and other stocks to watch out for on June 3</a>

Defence Ministry clears Indian Navy's ₹45000 crore deal to procure six submarines

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A months-long clash between <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> and <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> on their Himalaya border has dramatically increased tensions.</li><li>But the growing rivalry between the two Asian powers is also likely to play out in the <keyword id="12350" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Indian-Ocean">Indian Ocean</keyword>.</li><li>China's navy is capable and only getting bigger, and India is trying to catch up.</li></ul>Last year, an all-out brawl between Chinese and Indian troops along the disputed Sino-Indian border killed 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers.The medieval-style battle in the Himalayas showed that the countries' rivalry is entering a new phase of intensity."China is definitely factoring larger and larger in India's defense strategy today," Timothy Heath, a senior <keyword id="6356001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="international">international</keyword> and defense researcher at the Rand Corporation think tank, told Insider.The military focus of that rivalry has primarily been on the ground, as reflected by <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-india-tanks-armor-could-make-future-war-much-deadlier-2021-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the buildup in the Himalayas</a>, but another <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-china-border-clashes-could-cause-more-indian-ocean-activity-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">area is growing in importance</a>: the Indian Ocean.<div type="image" title="India China troops soldiers Pangong Ladakh border" height="1000" width="2000" msid="83204985" hostid="261"></div>With some of the world's most <a href="https://lki.lk/publication/the-importance-of-the-indian-ocean-trade-security-and-norms/" target="_top">important</a> trade routes running through it, the Indian Ocean's value is hard to understate, which <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-is-guarding-against-chinas-big-plans-across-asia-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China has already recognized</a>."Given its importance for China, it's pretty obvious the Chinese are elevating in priority the security needs for the maritime silk road," Heath said. "That means India has to be ready for possible situations involving China."But Indian dominance in its home waters is far from assured. While India's navy has some advanced capabilities, China's People's Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN, is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-challenged-to-build-balanced-to-compete-with-us-navy-2021-5">substantially larger</a> and more sophisticated.With the rivalry entering a new phase, India is trying to catch up.<h2>Outnumbered at sea</h2><div type="image" title="Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya" height="1098" width="2000" msid="83204986" hostid="261"></div>The <keyword id="6355100" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Indian-Navy">Indian navy</keyword> isn't small or weak. Its primary combatants include 10 destroyers, 13 frigates, 17 submarines, and one aircraft carrier.A number of India's warships, like its <a href="http://www.military-today.com/navy/kolkata_class.htm" target="_top">Kolkata-class destroyers</a> and <a href="https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/world-naval-forces/asian-navies-vessels-ships-equipment/india-indian-navy-ins-vessels-ships-equipment/india-indian-navy-destroyers-and-frigates/2492-shivalik-class-frigate-india-indian-navy-ins-guided-missile-frigate-satpura-sahyadri-datasheet-pictures-photos-video-specifications.html" target="_top">Shivalik-class frigates</a>, were commissioned within the last decade and have stealth capabilities.Some Indian ships have modern vertical launching systems and are armed with Russian and Israeli anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles. India's navy also has the <a href="https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/brahmos/" target="_top">BrahMos</a> supersonic missile, a joint Indian-Russian design that is one of the fastest missiles in the world.Two of India's submarines are nuclear-powered: one attack submarine (SSN) on loan from Russia and one <a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/arihant-class/" target="_top">Arihant-class</a> domestically designed and built ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) - the first SSBN for a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.India <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/navy-to-get-aircraft-carrier-vikrant-missile-destroyer-visakhapatnam-in-2021-101619498533809.html" target="_top">expects</a> to commission a second Arihant SSBN and a second aircraft carrier (also domestically designed and built) within the year. But the Indian navy is outnumbered and outclassed by the PLAN.Chinese ships are "largely composed of modern multi-role platforms featuring advanced anti-ship, anti-air, and anti-submarine weapons and sensors," according to a <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2020/Sep/01/2002488689/-1/-1/1/2020-DOD-CHINA-MILITARY-POWER-REPORT-FINAL.PDF" target="_top">2020 Pentagon report</a>.By comparison, India is "still quite a way behind the Chinese in their warship development," Heath said. "The Chinese have certainly developed some very impressive platforms, and the Indians are really trying to catch up."<div type="image" title="Indian Navy Scorpene-class submarine Karanj" height="1287" width="2000" msid="83204988" hostid="261"></div>The Indian navy's primary fighting vessels are outnumbered by the PLAN's <a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP68058.html" target="_top">South Sea Fleet</a> alone, which has some 11 destroyers, 19 frigates, 22 submarines (including two SSNs and four SSBNs), and one aircraft carrier. The PLAN, now the largest navy in the world, can draw on even more vessels from its two other fleets.To address the imbalance, the Indian navy plans on <a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/features/future-ships-indian-navy/" target="_top">acquiring</a> a number of new and advanced vessels, especially <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20210426-india-s-nuclear-sharks-1791817-2021-04-17" target="_top">nuclear-</a><a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20210426-india-s-nuclear-sharks-1791817-2021-04-17" target="_top">powered</a><a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20210426-india-s-nuclear-sharks-1791817-2021-04-17" target="_top"> and diesel-electric submarines</a>.Two more Arihant-class SSBNs are in production and are expected to join the fleet by 2025. Three more larger SSBNs from the new <a href="http://www.hisutton.com/S-5_SSBN.html" target="_top">S5-class</a> are also being planned.The Indian navy also <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/project-to-build-n-powered-attack-subs-set-to-get-ccs-nod/articleshow/81770216.cms?from=mdr" target="_top">hopes</a> to build six Project-75 Alpha-class SSNs and to <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2019/03/08/india-signs-3-billion-contract-with-russia-for-lease-of-a-nuclear-submarine/" target="_top">replace</a> its leased Russian SSN INS Chakra (which will be returned soon) with another leased Akula-class SSN by 2025.Six new <a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/p75i-scorpene-class-attack-submarines/" target="_top">Project 75I-class</a> diesel-electric attack submarines have <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/the-wait-for-more-submarines-gets-longer-project-75-i-gets-delayed-further/2209149/" target="_top">been delayed</a> but could start entering Indian service by 2030.A third aircraft carrier, INS Vishal, is planned to replace the aging INS Vikramaditya. The new carrier, not expected to be completed before 2030, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-uk-in-talks-to-build-copycat-naval-supercarrier-report/articleshow/69186727.cms" target="_top">may be based on</a> the UK's Queen Elizabeth-class supercarrier.Seven brand-new <a href="https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/12/indian-navys-2nd-project-17a-frigate-himgiri-launched-by-grse/" target="_top">Nilgiri-Class</a> stealth frigates are also under construction, and four Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, two built by Russia and two by India, are also <a href="https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2021/january/9586-india-procures-from-ukraine-gas-turbine-engines-for-admiral-grigorovich-class-frigates-of-indian-navy.html" target="_top">expected</a> to join India's navy before the end of the decade.<h2>China's 'string of pearls'</h2><div type="image" title="India navy Malabar" height="1429" width="2000" msid="83204989" hostid="261"></div>There is little doubt in India that the new vessels are needed. Although China is relatively far from the Indian Ocean, it has ramped up its activity there.Over the last few years, China has taken control of ports across the Indian Ocean that have the potential to support the PLAN - a network that has been called China's "String of Pearls.""People have been theorizing about the so-called String of Pearls for years," Heath said. "We are actually starting to see some evidence of the Chinese implementing something along these lines."China has <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/13/784084567/in-sri-lanka-chinas-building-spree-is-raising-questions-about-sovereignty" target="_top">taken control</a> of a port in Sri Lanka, is <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2020/06/02/chinas-new-high-security-compound-in-pakistan-may-indicate-naval-plans/?sh=2180b3d21020" target="_top">building</a> naval facilities in Pakistan, and is pursuing port projects in <a href="https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/china-signs-deals-myanmar-create-back-door-indian-/" target="_top">Myanmar</a>, <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/china-bangladesh-strategic-linkages/" target="_top">Bangladesh</a>, and <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/falling-apart-a-story-of-the-tanzanian-bagamoyo-port-project/" target="_top">Tanzania</a>.China already has a <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/China-adds-carrier-pier-to-Djibouti-base-extending-Indian-Ocean-reach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">military base in Djibouti</a>, but other "pearls" appear to be primarily for civilian use.That doesn't mean those facilities couldn't be used to support PLAN vessels. A number of Chinese ships and submarines have <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/sri-lanka-china-submarine/chinese-submarine-docks-in-sri-lanka-despite-indian-concerns-idINKBN0IM0LU20141102" target="_top">already docked</a> at Sri Lanka to refuel and resupply. Sri Lanka has since <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-china-submarine/sri-lanka-rejects-chinese-request-for-submarine-visit-sources-idUSKBN1871P9" target="_top">denied</a> Chinese requests for other warship port visits due to Indian concerns."The Chinese are not interested in building full-fledged bases in the US model," Heath said. "These are facilities that primarily offer refueling, repair, and replenishment to passing warships."<div type="image" title="India Australia US Navy P-8" height="1125" width="2000" msid="83204991" hostid="261"></div>India does have a few advantages over China. As the region is its backyard, it will always be able to bring more to bear against threatening Chinese vessels, such as land-based aircraft and anti-ship missiles.India also has its own overseas outposts. It <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-sets-up-coastal-radars-in-neighbourhood-to-keep-eye-on-china-1744751-2020-11-27" target="_top">has set up</a> radar stations for maritime surveillance in Sri Lanka, Seychelles, and Mauritius; it's <a href="https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/agalega-glimpse-india-s-remote-island-military-base" target="_top">constructing</a> facilities on the Mauritian island of North Agalega, and <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/Seychelles-in-crosshairs-of-India-s-maritime-security-axis" target="_top">it's pursuing</a> military facilities elsewhere in the region.India also controls the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-india-navy-set-to-open-third-base-in-strategic-islands-to-counter-china-2019-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strategically important islands</a> on the Indian Ocean side of the Malacca Strait. India has beefed up its military presence there, and some <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/militarising-andamans-the-costs-and-the-benefits/story-J3mGWFQS3NgLUiPYwIVb2N.html" target="_top">advocate</a> allowing partner countries to have a presence there as well. (A US Navy patrol plane <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-intelligence-sharing-with-india-helps-monitor-chinese-military-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has already refueled</a> there.)Despite the government's renewed attention, India's navy still has a ways to go. Most of its new ships and submarines will not be fully operational until the end of the decade at the earliest, and its budget is still smaller than that of India's army or air force.India's navy will also have to compete with the considerable attention that remains <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-intelligence-sharing-with-india-helps-monitor-chinese-military-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">focused on India's land borders</a>, where New Delhi also has to worry about Pakistan, the rival it has focused on almost exclusively since independence.But the rivalry with Pakistan also has a naval element. The Pakistani terrorists who carried out the deadly 2008 attack in Mumbai <a href="https://www.stimson.org/wp-content/files/file-attachments/Mumbai-Final_1_1.pdf" target="_top">arrived by sea</a>, and Islamabad, which is a Chinese military partner, is <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/10/14/outgoing-pakistan-navy-chief-reveals-details-of-modernization-programs/" target="_top">modernizing its </a><a href="https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/10/14/outgoing-pakistan-navy-chief-reveals-details-of-modernization-programs/" target="_top">own</a><a href="https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/10/14/outgoing-pakistan-navy-chief-reveals-details-of-modernization-programs/" target="_top"> navy</a>, including with Chinese submarines and drones.

You Searched For "The Indian Navy" and got 11 results

Here’s a detailed recap of the Indian Navy's recent showdown with Somali Pirates

Kunal Kambli

Indian Navy frees Iranian fishing vessel hijacked by pirates, rescues 23 Pakistani crew members

PTI

IAF's C-17 aircraft executes precision airdrop in Arabian Sea, helps Navy seize hijacked vessel

PTI

Cochin Shipyard bags Rs 313cr deal to upgrade Indian Navy warship

IANS

Stealth guided missile destroyer Mormugao commissioned into Indian Navy

PTI

58 years, 2 navies, one war: A short history of one of the world's longest-serving aircraft carriers

Stavros Atlamazoglou

OPINION: How India is trying to tackle China’s military challenge

Sameer Patil

This year’s defence budget may focus on building submarines, drones, warships and aircraft carriers

Kritti Bhalla

Indian Navy takes to seas with Russia and QUAD countries

IANS

Defence Ministry clears Indian Navy's ₹45000 crore deal to procure six submarines

IANS

A year after a showdown on 'the roof of the world,' India is gearing up to take on China at sea

Benjamin Brimelow

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