Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. With 55,000 men and women, including 5,000 naval aviation personnel and 2,000 Marine Commandos (MARCOS), it is the world's fifth largest navy.^[1] The Indian Navy currently operates more than 155 vessels, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. India uses its navy to enhance its international relations through joint exercises, port visits, and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief. The Indian Navy is increasing its capabilities as a true blue-water navy; the Indian Navy's doctrine states that this is for the collective good of nations.^[2]

Role

File:Indian Maritime History.jpg

A postage stamp commemorating the maritime heritage of India.

File:Qalbat.jpg

Qalbat of the Maratha Navy.

The Indian Navy sees several principal roles for itself:

In conjunction with other armed forces of the union, act to deter or defeat any threats or aggression against the territory, people or maritime interests of India, both in war and peace;
Project influence in India's maritime area of interest, to further the nation’s political, economic and security objectives;
In cooperation with the Indian Coast Guard, ensure good order and stability in India's maritime zones of responsibility.
Provide maritime assistance (including disaster relief) in India's maritime neighbourhood. ^[3]

History

India has a maritime history dating back around 4,500 years to the Indus Valley Civilization. The first tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BCE during the Harappan Civilisation, near the present day Mangrol harbour on the Gujarat coast. The Rig Veda written around 2000 BCE, credits Varuna with knowledge of the ocean routes and describes naval expeditions using hundred oared ships to subdue other kingdoms. There is a reference to Plava, the side wings of a vessel which give stability under storm conditions, to the ship and also to Matsya yantra, the compass used for navigation. Many powerful navies of the Maurya, Chola, Vijayanagara, Kalinga, Maratha and Moghul empires ruled the oceans, in and around India for many centuries.^[4] In the l8th century, the fleet review of the Maratha navy took place at the Ratnagiri fort in which the ships Pal and Qalbat participated. The 'Pal' was a three masted fighter with guns peeping on the broadsides. ^[5]Two notable naval chiefs Kanhoji Angre and Kunjali Marakkar were considered one of India's finest warriors, since they were able to defeat the British and the Portuguese Navies.

The British Indian Navy was established by the British while India was a colony. Indian sailors started a rebellion also known as the The Royal Indian Navy mutiny, in 1946 on board ships and shore estabilshments which spread all over India. A total of 78 ships, 20 shore establishments and 20,000 sailors were involved in the rebellion. When India became a republic on 26 January 1950, it became known as the Indian Navy, and its vessels as Indian Naval Ships (INS).

The first involvement of the Navy in any conflict came with the success of Operation Vijay in the 1961 liberation of Goa. After Portuguese troops fired at commercial vessels and fishing boats passing near Anjadip Island, the decision was taken to militarily intervene to liberate Goa from Portuguese colonial holding. The Indian ships provided fire support to navy and army landing troops. During the operation, the INS Delhi sank one Portuguese naval ship. The Portuguese frigate Alfonso de Albuquerque was also sunk after a brief fight.^[6]

The Navy has been involved in two wars with Pakistan. While its activity in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 largely involved patrolling of the coast, it played a significant role in the bombing of Karachi harbour in the 1971 war. The name given to the attack was Operation Trident, which was launched on December 4. Owing to its success, it has been celebrated as Navy Day ever since. The attack was followed by Operation Python before the center of conflict shifted to the eastern India-Pakistan border and the Bay of Bengal. To show solidarity with its ally Pakistan, the United States sent a nuclear carrier task force led by the USS Enterprise into the Bay of Bengal. A task force led by INS Vikrant was stationed to counter the Enterprise task force; Soviet Navy submarines also trailed the U.S task force. A confrontation was averted when the U.S task force moved towards South East Asia, away from the Indian Ocean.^[7]

The INS Rajput was instrumental in sinking the Pakistani Navy's premier submarine PNS Ghazi, which had posed a significant threat in the Bay of Bengal. The missile boats INS Nirghat and INS Nipat each sank a destroyer; the INS Veer destroyed a minesweeper. The naval aircraft, Sea Hawks and Alizés, operating from the Vikrant were also instrumental in sinking many gunboats and merchant navy vessels. There was one major casualty, the frigate Khukri (sunk by the Hangor), while the Kirpan was damaged in the western sector of conflict. Ultimately, the naval blockade of Karachi Port^[8]^[9] and the complete blockade of East Pakistan's ports were successful in cutting Pakistani troops off from reinforcements, supplies, and evacuation routes.^[10] These actions proved decisive in India's victory in the war.^[11]

Type of Vessel	Indian Navy losses	Pakistan Navy losses
Destroyers	Nil	2, PNS Khaibar and Shahjahan*(damaged)
Frigates	1, INS Khukri**	Nil
Submarines	Nil	1, PNS Ghazi
Minesweeper	Nil	1, PNS Muhafiz
Navy Aircraft	1, (Alize)	Nil
Patrol boats and Gunboats	Nil	7 Gunboats and 3 patrol boats
Merchant Navy and others	Nil	11 (including one US ammunition ship)
Loss on land	Nil	Missile attack on Karachi harbour and oil installations.

*PNS Shahjahan was presumably damaged beyond repair.

**The second frigate INS Kirpan was damaged although it remained in service later on after salvaging it.

It was also instrumental in overthrowing the coup attempt by PLOTE mercenaries in Maldives by pouring troops there in 1988. The campaign led by the Indian Navy was known as Operation Cactus. In October 1999 the coordinated effort by the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard helped in the seizure of the Japanese ship MV Alondra Rainbow, that was taken by pirates and led to the arrest of the pirates. The Indian Navy participated in the U.N peacekeeping operation Operation Restore Hope, off the coast of Somalia from December 1992 to October 2003. The Indian Navy also played a significant role in the Kargil war, by moving the Eastern and Western fleet into the northern Arabian sea and preventing an escalation of the war.^[12] The Indian Navy aviators and commandos participated in the Kargil war.^[13]^[14] The Indian Navy also participated in Operation Parakram. Later in 2001, during Operation Enduring Freedom, Indian Navy provided vital support by relieving American ships securing the Strait of Malacca.^[15]

During the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake crisis, the Indian Navy deployed 27 ships, 19 helicopters, 6 naval aircraft and over 5000 Indian Navy personnel in disaster relief operations.^[16] This was the part of various operations like 'Operation Madath' in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, 'Operation Sea Waves' in the Indian territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 'Operation Castor' in Maldives, 'Operation Rainbow' in Sri Lanka and 'Operation Gambhir' in Indonesia.^[17] Also Indian Naval group was able to start the rescue operations in neighboring countries, in large scale within 12 hours from the time of the tsunami and was the first foreign navy to reach them.^[18] After the 2006 earthquake, 'operation Rahat-II' was launched and INS Rajput which was on a routine deployment in the area, was immediately diverted towards Java to provide medical aid and relief supplies. This was followed by a relief mission by INS Tabar.

During the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, the Indian Navy played an important role in providing assistance in the evacuation of 2,280 persons including Indian, four hundred and thirty six Sri Lankan, 69 Nepali and 7 Lebanese citizens from war-torn Lebanon. This operation was named Operation Sukoon, meaning Peace and tranquility.^[19]^[20] In the year 2006, ten Indian Navy doctors, served for 102 days on the USNS Mercy and conducted 10 medical camps in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and East Timor.^[21]

Personnel

File:RD-Navy.jpg

The Indian Navy's marching contingent during Republic Day Parade.

Each of the three Naval Commands has an active Flag Officer Commanding in Chief. The commander of the Navy is the Chief of Naval staff (CNS). As of 2006, CNS is Admiral Sureesh Mehta. The CNS is assisted by several other high ranking officers. Below is the list of various ranks of officers within the Indian Navy in descending order:

Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral (the rank held by the Chief of Naval Staff)
Vice-Admiral
Rear-Admiral
Commodore
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant
Sub Lieutenant

The Indian Navy does not have Admiral of the Fleet. Admiral, the Chief of Naval Staff is the senior most rank in Indian Navy

Organization

The Indian Navy is organized into three regional commands:

HQ Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam
HQ Western Naval Command, Mumbai
HQ Southern Naval Command, Kochi

Another command, a joint Navy, Army and Air force command was set up in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2001 as a strategic area of defence.^[22]

Recently the Indian Navy received a huge boost when INS Kadamba was commissioned at Karwar, 100 km from Goa. This is the third operational naval base after Mumbai and Vishakapatnam and the first to be controlled exclusively by the Indian Navy. It is being described by naval pundits as the largest such base in the area, Called 'Project Seabird'.^[23] It is a multi-billion dollar plan to create an exclusive naval port with full facilities. Another base is being planned for the eastern shores, near Vishakapatnam at a cost of US$ 350 million.^[24] The base, which will be located fifty km south of Vishakapatnam in Rambilli Mandal, will have comprehensive anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and amphibious capability. ^[25]The Indian Navy is setting up a monitoring station in Madagascar,^[26] and to patrol the coast of Mozambique to monitor and prevent terrorist activities.^[27]

The Indian Navy is divided into the following broad categories:

Administration
Logistics and Material
Training
The Fleets
The Naval Aviation
The Submarine Arm

Marine Commando Force

File:Marines2.jpg

MARCOS in action.

The Marine Commando Force (MCF) known as MARCOS is a special forces unit that was raised by the Indian Navy in 1987. Modeled after the US Navy SEALs and the Royal Marines it was created to handle reconnaissance, raids and counter-terrorism in a maritime environment. The MARCOS played a key role in defeating a coup attempt by PLOTE mercenaries as part of Operation Cactus in Maldives by retaking the ship and rescuing the hostages whom included the Maldives Minister for education. At present the MARCOS is deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to prevent infiltration through the Jhelum and Wular Lake and also provides protection to people and tourists in and around Dal Lake, a popular tourist spot.^[28]

Sea based nuclear deterrence

The Indian Navy's nuclear deterrence capability is based on Sukanya class ships armed with the Dhanush ballistic missiles that has a range of 350 km. This will continue until the commissioning of indigenously developed Advanced Technology Vessel into the navy by 2012.^[29] This nuclear submarine will be armed with the Sagarika missile.^[30]

Fleet reviews

The President of India is entitled to inspect his fleet, as he is the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces. President's reviews have taken place nine times, the most recent being in February 2006, when President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam took the review.^[31] The first President's fleet review by India was hosted by Dr. Rajendra Prasad on October 10 1953. The Indian Navy also conducted an International fleet review named Bridges of Friendship in the year 2001 in which many ships of friendly Navies from all around the world participated.^[32]^[33] Once in two years world navies meet at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the event is named as MILAN (Get together). Prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was shown the capabilities of the Indian Navy in a specially organised show.^[34]

Major exercises

The Indian Navy conducts naval exercises with friendly navies strengthening bilateral relationships with other navies and nations. Some such exercises take place annually like the Exercise VARUNA with the French Navy, KONKAN with Royal British Navy, INDRA with Russian Navy, MALABAR with the U.S. Navy, SIMBEX with Republic of Singapore Navy. The Indian Navy also conducted exercise with the Chinese PLAN in 2003 and with various other navies. India conducted TROPEX (Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercises) 2007 in which, the new doctrine of influencing the land and air battle in support of Indian Army and the Indian Air Force was valiated.^[35] Indian Navy conducted naval exercise with JMSDF and U.S Navy in the Pacific and also exercised with Chinese Navy.^[36] Also conducted exercise with the Russian Navy and visited, Singapore, Vietnam^[37] and will be visiting, Philippines and New Zealand.^[38] A joint naval exercise involving India, South Africa and Brazil is likely to be held in May 2008.^[39]

The Indian naval ships made port calls in Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, Greece, Oman, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, South Africa,^[40]Kenya^[41] and other countries in 2005-2006. The Indian Navy is increasingly used in international diplomacy^[42].

Exploration

The sailing ship and training vessel INS Tarangini began circumnavigating the world on 23 January 2003, intending to foster good relations with various other nations; she returned to India in May of the following year after visiting 36 ports in 18 nations.^[43] INS Tarangini, is on a ten month long overseas voyage named Lokayan 07.^[44] A solo circumnavigation voyage named 'Sagar Parikrama' is planned for 2008-09 by Cdr.Dilip Donde.

Lt. Cdr. M.S. Kohli led the Indian Navy’s first successful expedition to Mount Everest in 1965; the Navy’s ensign was again flown atop Everest in 19 May 2004 by a similar expedition. Another Navy team also successfully scaled Everest from the North Face- the technically more challenging route. the expedition was led by Cdr Satyabrata Dam, belonging to the elite submarine arm. Cdr. Dam is a mountaineer of international repute and has climbed many mountains including the Patagonias, the Alps among others. This team's record is unmatched by any other navy. The Navy also sent a submariner to summit Everest.^[45]

An Indian Navy team comprising 11 members successfully completed an expedition to the Arctic pole. To prepare, they first traveled to Iceland, where they attempted to summit a peak.^[46] The team next flew to eastern Greenland; in the Kulsuk and Angmassalik areas, they used Inuit boats to navigate the region’s ice-choked fjords. They crossed northward across the Arctic Circle, reaching seventy degrees North on skis. The team scaled an unnamed peak of height 11,000 feet and named it ‘’Indian Peak’’.^[47]

The Indian Naval ensign first flew in Antarctica in 1981.^[48] The Indian Navy succeeded in Mission Dakshin Dhruv 2006 by traversing to the South Pole on skis. With this historic expedition, they have set the record for being the first military team to have successfully completed a ski traverse to the Geographic South Pole.^[49] Also, three of the ten member team - the expedition leader - Cdr. Satyabrata Dam, leading medical assistants Rakesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar are now amongst the few people in the world to have visited the two poles and the mount Everest.^[50] The Indian Navy also conducts other type of expeditions as a means of fostering resoluteness, determination, courage, mutual trust, teamwork, self-confidence, and self-control among Navy personnel.^[51]

Electronic warfare and systems management

Sangraha is a joint electronic warfare program of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy. The system comprises a family of electronic warfare suites, such as Ajanta and Ellora, for use on different naval platforms capable of intercepting, detecting, and classifying pulsed, carrier wave, pulse repetition frequency agile, frequency agile and chirp radars. The systems employ a modular approach facilitating deployment on various platforms like helicopters, vehicles, and small ships. Certain specific platforms apart from ESM (electronic support measures) also have ECM (electronic countermeasure) capabilities. Advanced technologies like multiple-beam phased array jammers are employed in the system for simultaneous handling of multiple threats.^[52]

The Indian Navy also relies on information technology to face the challenges in the 21st century. The Indian Navy is implementing a new strategy to move from a platform centric force to a network-centric force by linking all shore-based installations and ships via high-speed data networks and satellites.^[53]^[54] This will help in increased operational awareness. The network is referred to as the Navy Enterprise Wide Network (NEWN). The Indian Navy has also provided training to all its personnel in Information Technology (IT) at the Naval Institute of Computer Applications (NICA) located in Mumbai. Information technology is also used to provide better training, like the usage of simulators and for better management of the force.^[55]

Ships and Weapon systems

File:INS Mysore.jpg

The destroyer INS Mysore during Malabar-07 exercise.

Ships

The names of all the commissioned ships in the Indian Navy start with INS, meaning 'Indian Naval Ship'. The fleet of the Indian Navy is a mix of indigenously built and foreign vessels and is expanding with new inductions. India often indigenously builds destroyers, frigates and corvettes. The Navy currently operates the Delhi and Rajput class destroyers. The frigates in the service include the latest Talwar class, Godavari class, Leander class and Brahmaputra classes. The Indian Navy is acquiring from abroad, the Kiev Class Aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov (INS Vikramaditya), improved Talwar class frigates and the Scorpene class submarines. The Carrier INS Viraat, will be retired by the end of 2012 after the induction of the first Vikrant class aircraft carrier.

In 2006, India purchased the 17,000 tonne USS Trenton for 50 Million USD. The ship will arrive in India by April 2007, after its commissioning in February 2007. The ship is renamed as the INS Jalashva. Also six H-3 Sea King maritime utility transport helicopters were purchased that will operate from the ship. A delegation from the Indian Navy is already in the US to prepare for the 'hot transfer' of the ship and its passage to India. The ship is likely to be based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.

INS Dunagiri, INS Magar and INS Trishul was involved in accidents at sea. One corvette, INS Prahar was sunk after colliding with a merchant vessel.^[56]

Submarines and AUVs

The Indian Navy currently maintains a fleet of 16 diesel powered submarines. These are primarily of Russian and German origin. India signed a deal for six Scorpene submarines with MESMA. These submarines would begin to join the Indian Navy from 2010-11 onwards.^[57] The Indian Navy may arm its Kilo class submarine fleet with the BrahMos cruise missiles after successful completing the test launching of BrahMos from the submarine. There is also a possibility of the production of Amur class submarines in India.^[58]

Nuclear Powered Submarines

In January 1988 India leased for three years an ex-Soviet Charlie class nuclear powered guided missile submarine with eight Ametist (SS-N-7 Starbright) anti-shipping missile launchers. In the Indian Navy, the ship was christened INS Chakra, and the submarine was manned by an Indian crew. Upon expiration of the ship leasing term in 1991, the submarine was returned to Russia and joined the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy.

India has been working since 1985 to develop an indigenously constructed nuclear-powered submarine, one that is based on the Soviet Charlie II-class design, detailed drawings of which are said to have been obtained from the Soviet Union in 1989. The secretive Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project to provide nuclear propulsion for Indian submarines has been one of the ill-managed projects of India. The 190 MW pressurized water reactor (PWR) is reported to be fitted into the submarine's hull. The Prototype Testing Centre (PTC) at the (Indira Gandhi Centre For Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, will be used to test the submarine's turbines and propellers. A similar facility is operational at Vishakapatnam to test the main turbines and gear box.

India plans to have as many as five nuclear submarines capable of carrying missiles with nuclear warheads. The Indian nuclear powered attack submarine design is said to have a 4,000-ton displacement and a single-shaft nuclear power plant of Indian origin. Once the vessel is completed, it may be equipped with Danush/Sagarika cruise missiles and advanced Indian made sonar systems. However, according to some analysts the most probable missile for the Indian submarine would be the BrahMos anti-ship cruise missile. But others point out that with a 300 km range, the BrahMos would not be adequately long ranged, for a strategic asset requiring long reach. According to defense sources, the ATV program is scheduled to be launched in 2007 and to be commissioned sometime between 2008 to 2010. The other four will be delivered sometime between 2010 to 2025. Each unit will cost one billion U.S dollars. This submarines will have a displacement of 9,000 lbs.

According to some very reliable defense sources India is leasing two Akula class submarines. India is paying two billion dollars for the completion of the submarines which were 40-60% completed.^[59] Three hundred, Indian Navy personnel are being trained in Russia for the operation of these submarines. India has finalized a deal with Russia, in which at the end of the lease of these submarines, it has an option to buy them. According to reports, the submarine must have been handed over to the Indian Navy.^[60]

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

The National Institute of Oceanography has developed the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (Underwater Robot) that has applications in the field of Oceanographic research. Also an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) has been developed.^[61]

Aircraft

File:Tu-142m1.jpg

Tupolev 142.

The naval air-arm is an important component of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy air arm consists of Sea Harrier jets that operate from the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. Recently, the Harriers were modernized for Beyond Visual Range missile capability. The Kamov-31 provide the AEW cover for the fleet. In the anti-submarine role the Sea king, Ka-28 and the indigenously-built HAL Dhruv are used. The MARCOS use Sea King and HAL Dhruv helicopters while conducting operations. Reconnaissance operations are carried out by Tupolev 142, Ilyushin 38, Dornier Do 228 and also by HAL Chetak helicopter. The UAV arm consists of around 30 UAVs like Heron and Searcher-IIs that are operated from ships and shore for better surveillance. Indian Navy also maintains a four aircraft aerobatic display team, the Sagar Pawan. The Sagar Pawan team will be replacing the present Kiran HJT-16 with the HJT-36.

The Indian Air Force also has a maritime strike role, providing support to the Indian Navy.^[62]^[63] These Jaguars are armed with the Sea Eagle missile. There are reports of IAF going for the Harpoon or the Exocet missiles to arm these Jaguars.^[64] The IAF is also using its Su-30MKI aircraft for maritime roles.^[65] Su-30MKI and the Il-38 will be armed with the air-launched version of the Brahmos cruise missile.

Weapon systems

File:BrahMos.gif

The Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile.

The Indian Navy uses modern technology and weapon systems, some of which are indigenously developed. Others, like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, are jointly developed with Russia. The Navy inducted the Lakshya PTA into service.^[66] There are reports on the joint development by India and Israel of the Barak-II missile system, an improved, longer range version of the Barak-I air defence missile.^[67] The Barak-I is used on most of the main ships of the Indian Navy.

India has a number of foreign made cruise missile systems, including the Klub (SS-N-27). It also has some indigenous cruise missile systems under development, including the Sagarika and Lakshya variants. The Barak-I missile is operational on Indian Navy ships. The Sagarika (Oceanic) began development in 1994 as a submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM), which will have a range of at least 300 km (some sources claim 1000 km). Another successful program has been the adaptation of the Yakhont anti-ship missile system into the BrahMos by the NPO and the DRDO. The BrahMos has been tailored to Indian needs and uses a large proportion of Indian-designed components and technology, including its fire control systems, transporter erector launchers, and its onboard navigational attack systems.

Ongoing expansion

File:Project 17 frigate.gif

Computer generated image of Shivalik class frigate.

In April 2005, India began construction of a 37,500 tonne Vikrant class aircraft carrier at a cost of 4,000 crore and scheduled to operate 30 aircraft, including Naval LCA, MiG-29K, and Sea Harrier combat aircraft, as well as HAL Dhruv, Ka-31, and Sea King Mk.42 helicopters. Four turbine engines will power the ship. The carrier is being constructed by state-run Cochin Shipyard Limited.^[68] and will be commissioned by 2012-13. The Indian Minister of State for Defence, Pallam Raju, went on record in September 2006 stating that the aircraft carrier is likely to be commissioned by 2011.^[69] There are plans to build more Indigenous aircraft carriers.^[70]

File:Project 71 Aircraft carrier.gif

Vikrant class aircraft carrier will join the Indian Navy in 2012.

In 2004, India bought the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov for the equivalent of US$1.5 billion. It will cost US$800 million to refit, and is expected to join the Indian Navy in 2008. A further US$700 million will be spent to purchase 12 single-seat Mig-29K and four dual-seat Mig-29KUB fighters, six Kamov-31 attack and reconnaissance anti-submarine helicopters; also included are training facilities for pilots and technical staff, delivery of simulators and spare parts, and establishment and maintenance of Indian Navy facilities. Upgrades include removing missiles from the carrier foredeck to make way for a 14.3-degree ski-jump.^[71] The Mig-29's will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2007.^[72]

File:IndianNavalOPV.jpeg

Design of the proposed Offshore Patrol Vessel.

The Indian Navy is currently undergoing rapid expansion and modernisation.^[73] Yantar, a plant in Kaliningrad, Russia, was awarded a US$1.56 billion contract to build three additional 1135.6 frigates. The increased price is due to more sophisticated armaments such as BrahMos cruise missiles. The Navy has government approval for an additional eight warships.

Future prospects

In 2004, the Ministry of Defence spent US $5.7 billion in arms purchases making India the developing world's leading military buyer. A major chunk of those purchases were made for the Indian Navy. India, is currently focusing on expanding its submarine fleet. The ordering of the six Scorpene submarines is part of project 75 which calls for 24 submarines in 30 years. Request for proposals to acquire and build six new range of submarines would be floated shortly.^[74] Also newer technology like the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) named Flatfish is being developed for the Indian Navy to protect the littoral domain.^[75] The Indian Navy is also planning to induct new maritime patrol aircraft.^[76] Shortly the P-8I aircraft will undergo field trials in India.^[77]Work on the third aircraft carrier is to start in 2010 and will be inducted into the Navy by 2017.^[78]

With the recent and ongoing upgrades and inductions, independent analysts expect that the Indian Navy may soon become a blue-water navy.^[79] India's navy is already the most powerful in the region.^[80] India is also the only Asian navy to regularly operate aircraft carriers.^[81]

References

Notes

Books

Blue print to blue water 1951-65 Rear Admiral (Retd) Satyindra Singh AVSM
The Transition to Triumph and Transition to Eminence written by Vice Admiral(Retd) GM Hiranandani PVSM, AVSM, NM, PhD
The Indian end of the telescope: India and its navy, Naval War College Review, Spring, 2002 by Gulab Hiranandani.
India in the Indian Ocean, Naval War College Review, Spring, 2006 by Donald L.Berlin
India’s Maritime Security: Author: Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, (ISBN 81-86019-24-4)
A Shared Destiny : The Indian Navy and the City of Kochi Author:P.J. Cherian[2]
No easy answers: The Developments of the Navies of India, Pa Author: Commander James Goldrick, RAN (ISBN 1-897829-02-7)
War in the Indian Ocean: Author:Vice Admiral Mihir K Roy, PVSM (ISBN 1-897829-11-6)
My Years At Sea: Author: Vice Admiral SH Sarma (Retd), PVSM (ISBN 81-7062-121-6)