Indian Navy: How indigenous warships, submarines helped bolster India’s maritime strength
The Indian Navy has acquired several weapons, submarines and warships over the years either indigenously made or purchased from abroad over the years. The arsenal with the Indian Navy has helped it to bolster its maritime strength.
Indian Navy: How indigenous warships, submarines helped bolster India’s maritime strength
New Delhi: Over the years, the Indian Navy has acquired a large number of weapons to strengthen itself in any kind of need. Apart from the weapons imported from abroad, the Indian Navy also boasts of weapons which are ingeniously made.
With Pakistan lying in India’s east and China in the West, the Indian Navy is always on a vigil and keeps its eyes on movements of ships from both countries. Time and again, the Indian Navy has also tracked ships passing through its ocean boundaries carrying illegal weapons. Also, with Beijing putting its claim on the South China Sea (a bone of contention between China and other countries), India has increased its vigilance in the region to prevent any kind of untoward incident.
Several Indian Navy ships equipped with ingenious weapons
Currently, the Indian Navy has several ships that are equipped with indigenous weapons. Among them included INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer. These ships are equipped with various weapons which include guns, missiles, and torpedoes. Among the weapons that could be found on these ships include- BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Torpedos, Barak – 8 medium -range surface-to-air missiles, among others.
Notably, while BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be hit from surface to surface, Torpedos can be used to target the enemy from the sea. Barak-8 medium-range missiles can be used from surface to air which can target the advancing enemy aircraft. Apart from these, the ships are also equipped with AK-630M CIWS, a gun that can be used against small craft and for anti-air warfare.
Three naval combatants were included in January this year
Earlier on January 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three frontline naval combatants to the nation. Among them included INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer. Pointing out that the day was very important for India’s maritime heritage, he added, "It is for the first time that the tri-commissioning of a destroyer, frigate, and submarine was being done”. Pointing out that Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave a new vision and strength to the Navy in India, the PM noted that it was also a matter of great pride for India that all the three frontline platforms were made in India.
Apart from above-said weapons, the Indian Navy is currently also operating 17 diesel-powered attack submarines and 1 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, known as the INS Arihant. The country’s submarine fleet is currently based at two locations: Visakhapatnam on India’s east coast and Mumbai on the country’s west coast.
Know about INS Tushil (F 70), INS Vikrant
In December last year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned INS Tushil (F 70), the multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate into the Indian Navy. It is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate of the Project 1135.6 of which six are already in service. Among them are three Talwar class ships and three follow-on Teg class ships. Also, INS Tushil, which is the seventh in the series, is the first of the two upgraded additional follow-on ships, the contract for which was signed in October 2016 between JSC Rosoboronexport, the Indian Navy, and the Government of India.
One of India’s most significant aircraft carriers INS Vikrant was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2022. The warship highlighted the abilities of a maturing military-industrial complex. It has an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles. The warship consists of 18 floors 14 decs with 2300 compartments, in which 1600 crew members can be accommodated. The aircraft carrier also consists of a 16-bed hospital, 2 operation theaters, ICU, and isolation wards. Apart from military operations, INS Vikrant can be utilized for non-military purposes, including the evacuation of people during natural disasters or from other countries during any kind of crisis.
Noted submarines with the Indian Navy
Among the submarines with the Indian Navy included Arihant-class, Scorpène-class, Type 209, and Kilo-class. Of them, INS Arihant (S2) and INS Arighaat (S3) are the two nuclear submarines. Those Diesel-electric submarines included INS Kalvari (S21), INS Khanderi (S22), INS Karanj (S23), INS Vela (S24), INS Vagir (S25) and INS Vaghsheer (S26). While the two nuclear submarines have 6,000 tonnes of weight, the 5 diesel-electric submarines have 1,775 tonnes of weight.
Apart from other diesel-electric submarines, there are 4 others with Type 9 features including, INS Shishumar (S44), INS Shankush (S45), INS Shalki (S46), and INS Shankul (S47).