Indian Navy News & Discussions

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
22-September, 2018 15:20 IST
Golden Globe Race # GGR 2018

Commander Abhilash Tomy KC of the Indian Navy, representing India in the Golden Globe Race 2018(GGR) on an indigenously built sailing vessel ‘Thuriya’ was dismasted and suffered a back injury yesterday.

He is in the south Indian Ocean, approximately 1900 nautical miles from Perth, Australia and 2700 nm (approx 5020 kms on ground) from Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari).

The Australian Rescue Coordination Centre at Canberra is coordinating the rescue mission in conjunction with many agencies including the Australian Defence Department and the Indian Navy.

Commander Abhilash Tomy's boat Thuriya, was dismasted in extremely rough weather and sea condition, with wind speeds of 130 kmph and 10 metre high waves. He was in 3rd position, out of 11 international participants, and has sailed over 10,500 nautical miles in the last 84 days; since commencement of the race on 01 Jul 2018.

All out efforts are being made to rescue Commander Abhilash Tomy.

Indian Naval stealth frigate, INS Satpura with a Chetak Helicopter and tanker INS Jyoti mission deployed/operating in the Indian Ocean have been dispatched for the rescue mission.

Tomy, in his last message via Sat Phone has indicated that he is safe on the boat, however is immobile due to back injury.



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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
24-September, 2018 17:30 IST
Golden Globe Race # GGR 2018 – Commander Abhilash Tomy, KC rescued safely by FV Osiris

Golden Globe Race # GGR 2018 Commander Abhilash Tomy of the Indian Navy, representing India in the Golden Globe Race 2018(GGR) on an indigenously built sailing vessel ‘Thuriya’ was dismasted and suffered a back injury on 21 Sep 18. On 24 Sep 18, at about 1130 hrs Indian Time, Fishing Vessel (FV) Osiris reached in vicinity of ‘Thuriya’ and carried out a successful rescue operation. Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft was also maintaining in the area providing close support and monitoring the rescue operations. Cdr Abhilash Tomy was rescued by a boat and rescue team from FV Osiris. The rescue team shifted Cdr Abhilash in a stretcher from ‘Thuriya’ to Osiris using their Gemini boat. Cdr Abhilash has been reported to be conscious and has been provided with initial medical care. He is presently safe onboard Osiris. Osiris is proceeding to rescue the second sailor from his damaged boat Hanley. Thereafter, Osiris will be moving to take shelter at Ile Amsterdam/ Ile S. Paul about 100 nautical miles north of the rescue position. Indian Naval Ship Satpura is closing the islands to take Cdr Abhilash onboard and bring him back to India safely.

The Indian Navy is truly indebted to all the agencies involved in this rescue operation, especially Royal Malaysian Navy and FV Osiris for their timely and proactive help.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
02-October, 2018 09:28 IST
'SWACHHTA HI SEWA' Campaign at New Delhi

'Swachhta Hi Sewa' campaign was celebrated in all Naval Areas at New Delhi between 15 September to 02 October 2018. Celebrations of 'Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas' on 02 October 2018 marked the culmination of the event. Residents of all residential areas undertook 'Shramdan' in cleaning the common areas and open spaces, planting of trees, sprucing up the area besides removal of roadside vegetation. A poster cum slogan competition for children on the occasion also saw huge enthusiastic participation. Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff and Mrs Reena Lamba, President Naval Wives Welfare Association visited the Naraina Bagh residential area to join the residents in tree plantation and conduct of poster essay competition.

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DKS/AC

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
06-October, 2018 18:05 IST
Cdr Abhilash Tomy, KC reaches Visakhapatnam safely

Commander Abhilash Tomy who was under medical observation at Ile Amsterdam was brought to Visakhapatnam safely onboard INS Satpura on 06 October 18. Vice Adm Karambir Singh FOC-in-C ENC briefly interacted with Cdr Tomy and enquired about his health condition and the rescue operation. Cdr Tomy has now been shifted to INHS Kalyani, the naval hospital of ENC for observation and medical assistance as required. The Commander-in-Chief also interacted with Capt Alok Ananda, the Commanding Officer of INS Satpura who lost his father while the ship was on operational deployment and diverted for the Search and Rescue operation.

Cdr Tomy was participating in the Golden Globe Race 2018(GGR) representing India in the historic around the world race without modern navigation aids. On 21 Sep 18 his sailing vessel ‘Thuriya’ was dismasted when the boat was caught in a violent storm in the South Indian Ocean, approximately 1900 nautical miles West of Perth, Australia. Cdr Abhilash Tomy suffered a severe back injury and dropped out of the race. The Australian Rescue Coordination Centre at Canberra coordinated the rescue mission in conjunction with many agencies including the Australian Defence Department and the Indian Navy. Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Raksham’ to rescue the injured officer by immediately deploying the Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft P8I in the area staging through Mauritius for providing close support and monitoring the rescue operations and diverted IN Ships Satpura and Jyoti to undertake Search and Rescue Operations. On 24 Sep 18, French Fishing Vessel (FV) Osiris reached in vicinity of ‘Thuriya’ and carried out a successful rescue operation and later shifted Cdr Tomy to Ile Amsterdam for shelter.

INS Satpura after fuelling from INS Jyoti arrived off the Ile Amsterdam and safely evacuated Cdr Tomy using the ship’s helicopter on 28 Sep 18. He was thereafter provided the requisite medical treatment onboard during the passage to Visakhapatnam. The ship successfully executed ‘Operation Raksham’ and brought Cdr Tomy safely to Visakhapatnam displaying Indian Navy’s reach, mobility and versatility to responding to the challenges of ‘Search and Rescue’ mission. The event is another testimony of the Indian Navy being a credible ‘Net Security Provider’ in the Indian Ocean Region.

 

[Hindustani78]

17-October, 2018 15:05 IST
Indian Navy Augments Submarine Rescue capability


The Western Naval Command has successfully concluded the maiden trials of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) which has ushered in a niche capability into the Indian Navy. The DSRV, which is operated by a crew of three, can rescue 14 personnel from a disabled submarine at one time.

On 15 Oct 2018, the DSRV carried out under water mating with a bottomed submarine, at over 300 feet depth. On successful mating the DSRV opened its hatches and the submarine hatches and carried out transfer of personnel from the submarine to the DSRV. These sea trials have proven the newly inducted DSRV’s ability to undertake rescue operations from disabled submarines at sea and has provided the Indian Navy with a critical capability.

During the trials the DSRV also dived successfully up to 666 m. This is a record for deepest submergence by a ‘manned vessel’ in Indian waters. The DSRV crew has also carried out ROV operations at over 750 metres and Side Scan Sonar operations at over 650 metres, which are all ‘firsts’ for the Indian Navy.

The ongoing trials will also include air transportation of the system by the IAF’s heavy-lift transport aircraft. Completion of the trials will put the Indian Navy into a small league of world navies that have integral submarine rescue capability.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
30-October, 2018 15:27 IST
INS Tarangini returns after Vogage across the World

The sail training ship of Indian Navy, INS Tarangini based at Kochi, returned after a seven month long sailing across the world to a grand reception at naval base, Kochi on 30 Oct 18. The ship was received by Rear Admiral RJ Nadkarni, VSM, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. A welcoming ceremony was conducted by the Southern Naval Command at South Jetty of the naval base to mark the occasion. Captain Varun Singh, SC, Senior Officer First Training Squadron and a number of senior officers, families of the crew and other distinguished guests also attended the function.

The Voyage named “Lokayan 18” was flagged off on 10 Apr 18 from Kochi. During the voyage, the ship has proudly 'shown the flag' and highlighted the diverse culture of India across 15 ports in 13 countries. The ship sailed across the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, Strait of Gibraltar, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, English Channel and North Sea, right up to Norway before commencing her homeward passage back to Kochi. The ship also participated in the culminating event of the ‘Three Festival Tall Ships Regatta’ at Bordeaux, France. As well as the ‘Tall Ships Races Europe 2018’ which started at Sunderland, UK and touched Esbjerg, Denmark and Stavanger, Norway before finishing at Harlingen, Netherlands. During the tall ships regatta, the ship sailed along with hundreds of other sailing vessels, of which 200 were ‘Tall Ships’ like herself, besides taking part in the parade of sails, which was conducted at all these ports.

INS Tarangini is a three masted 'square rigged' barque which carries a total of 20 sails. She is the First Sail Training Ship in Indian Navy and was commissioned on 11 Nov 1997. In her 21 years of glorious service, she has sailed over 2,20,000 nautical miles to date across the world's oceans. The ship is under the command of Cdr Rahul Mehta. She has a crew of nine officers and 43 sailors and can also embark 30 Officer Sea Trainees. She is the first of two Sail Training Ships in the First Training Squadron, the other being INS Sudarshini. The primary role of these Sail Training Ships is to develop character and professionalism, as well as inculcate the qualities of initiative, courage, resilience and esprit-de-corps amongst the Sea Trainees and also impart practical training to them, primarily on navigation, sailing and seamanship. Over the years, INS Tarangini has been extensively deployed for long voyages away from her base port of Kochi, which includes one circumnavigation of the globe (2003-04) and three previous ‘Lokayans’ (2005, 2007 and 2015).

DKS/SW/AC

 

[Hindustani78]

Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, November 02, 2018 17:26 IST
Updated: November 02, 2018 17:26 IST
https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...sailor-rank/article25403612.ece?homepage=true

In a first, the Indian Navy is looking at enrolment of women in sailors rank and the issue was discussed at the threee-day Naval Commanders Conference,which concluded on Friday.

“Addressing the conference, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged the Navy to give impetus to the enrolment of women. To this Navy Chief Adm Sunil Lanba confirmed that enrolment of women in sailors rank is one of the agendas of the Conference,” an official source said.

The source stated that inclusion of women in sea going cadre will also be looked into in near future and more work is needed on that.

Sailors are equivalent to jawans in the Army.

 

[lemurian]

SIMBEX-18 (Port Blair)

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
16-November, 2018 13:47 IST
Navy Children School Delhi Celebrated Annual Day

Navy Children School, Delhi celebrated its Annual Day 2018 function on 29 Oct 2018. The occasion was graced by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Mrs Reena Lanba and other eminent dignitaries. The theme for the Annual day was ‘Hope and Aspiration’.



The event highlighted the need to sow hope and aspiration in young minds in order to harvest a world based on equality, equanimity and harmony. The event was a medley of music, theatre and dance. The inaugural performance ‘Invocation’ was a soulful symphony in Raag Yaman. The street play titled ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ enthralled audience with its energetic depiction of the mottos of Shiksha, Swacchata and Ekta. The dance drama on Einstein transported the audience into the magical world of light. The harvest dances from across the world kept the audience’s feet tapping. The students’ presentation of the French and Spanish songs depicted the power of music to unite the world. The ‘Khelo India Brigade’ spread the message of fitness.



The school principal, Mrs Oshima Mathur along with Head Boy and Head Girl presented the school report which showcased the achievements of the students in the previous academic year in academics, sports and extra curricular activities. The finale was a powerful bi-lingual rendition of Tagore’s ‘Where the mind is without Fear’. The Chief Guest appreciated the effort of the school in motivating its students to spread the vision of one world through hope and aspiration. Furthermore, he urged the students to study, play and participate wholeheartedly in all activities to maximize their potential and capabilities. The Chief Guest gifted Rs. 5 lakh for the development of the school. The release of the school magazine was the highlight of the extravaganza.



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DKS/AC

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
20-November, 2018 17:07 IST
Indian Navy sets up a Free Health Screening Camp for children at Dwarka, New Delhi

Indian Navy is conducting a Free Health Screening Camp for the children of Government Co-Ed Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Site 2, Sector 6, Dwarka from 19 to 22 Nov 18. This camp has been organized in co-ordination with Directorate of Education & Sports, NCT, Delhi, as part of the outreach programme of the Indian Navy.

In an impressive function, Surg Rear Admiral Joy Chatterjee, VSM inaugurated the camp in the premises of the school on 19 Nov 18. Surgeon Commodore S Narayan, VSM, Cmde (MS) – HS welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. Smt Bimla Kumari, Deputy Director of Education, South West Delhi addressed the gathering.

The Camp endeavors to screen all 1900 children of the school by Medical Officers of Indian Navy. Specialists such as Paediatrician, ENT & Eye are also part of the camp to provide specialist opinion and treatment. The Camp will also have a Dental Officer with Dental Chair to treat minor dental ailments.

In addition to medical examination, the medical team will also organise health awareness activities on promotive health for the children through health exhibition.

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DKS/AC

 

[RPK]

 

[lemurian]

https://www.financialexpress.com/de...l-vessel-launched-by-grse-in-kolkata/1390285/

Made in India Fast Patrol Vessel launched by GRSE in Kolkata

Two Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ships for Indian Coast Guard were simultaneously launched on Thursday at the defence PSU and warship builder – Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. at Kolkata. These FPV ships are each 50M long, 7.5M wide with a displacement of around 308 tons and are designed for a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1500 nautical miles.

According to Rear Admiral VK Saxena, Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, “The FPV designs, exclusive to GRSE, are an improvisation on the Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) built by the Shipyard for the Indian Coast Guard, few years ago.”

“The vessels come with an efficient hull form developed in-house and proved after extensive model testing. These are fuel efficient and the powerful platforms are well suited for patrolling, anti-smuggling, and anti-poaching and rescue operations.”

These come fitted with state-of-the-art Main Engines with Advanced Control Systems and Water Jet Units and an ‘Integrated Bridge System’ assimilating all Communication and Navigation Systems.

The key armament of a 40/60 Gun and improved habitability features with fully air conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel are the other salient features of the ships.

With the launch now over the company is gearing up for the post launch activities which include balance fitting out of the ship, readiness of ship systems and setting to work of equipment / systems. Once over, the ships would be put to sea for trials before final delivery, the CMD added.

These Vessels, ICGS Amrit Kaur and ICGS Kamla Devi are third and fourth in the series of five FPVs built by GRSE for the Indian Coast Guard.

Upholding the best of maritime traditions, the ships were “Launched” by Veena Naravane, wife of Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, General Officer Commanding-In-Chief; Eastern Command, Indian Army. The ceremony was held in the presence of Rear Admiral VK Saxena, CMD, GRSE, and other Senior Officials of GRSE, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Indian Army.

As part of Make in India initiatives, through indigenisation efforts, GRSE has made commendable progress by successfully incorporating a high percentage of indigenous content in the ships made in shipyard.

INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt, the first two of Class of 4 ASW Corvettes became the first warships built in the country with indigenously developed warship grade steel, thus having the distinction of achieving over 90 % indigenous content and hence a major step towards achieving self reliance in state of the art warship design and construction space.

On the Landing Craft Utility (LCU) class of ships delivered so far, almost 90% indigenous equipment fit has been achieved. Also, 70 % indigenous content in construction of four follow on WJFACs and 72 % indigenisation of the Railless Helo Traversing System on board 3rd ASW Corvette, INS Kiltan, have been achieved at the shipyard.

To its credit in over five decades the shipyard has successfully developed an array of world-class platforms including frigates, missile corvettes, anti submarine warfare corvettes and LCU ships for the Indian Navy, all of them armed with high-tech infrastructure.

It has the capacity to construct 20 ships in tandem. With the keel-laying of the 1st Advanced Stealth Frigate of P17A Project, it has once again touched a key milestone. It has also bagged orders for four Survey Vessels (Large) for Indian Navy on competitive basis and emerged a successful bidder through competition for 8 ASWSWCs, with private players active in the fray.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
26-November, 2018 15:36 IST
Passing out parade for Autumn term 2018 held at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala

1. A spectacular Passing out Parade (POP) held at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala today, Monday, 26 November 2018, marked the culmination of training for 317 Midshipmen and cadets of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard including one International cadet from Tanzania.

2. The passing out Midshipmen and cadets belonged to four different courses of Autumn Term 2018, viz., 95 Indian Naval Academy Course (BTech), 95 Indian Naval Academy Course (MSc), 26 Naval Orientation Course (Extended) and 27 Naval Orientation Course (Regular). The parade also saw 16 female cadets marching shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts to join the ranks of the Indian Navy.

3. The grand parade was reviewed by Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, AVSM, NM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, who awarded medals to nine meritorious Midshipmen and cadets after the ceremonial review. The Reviewing Officer, in his address, congratulated the passing out courses and advised them to imbibe by the core values of Indian Navy “Duty, Honour and Courage”. Dr Sudhir K Jain, Director, IIT Gandhinagar, Vice Admiral RB Pandit, AVSM, Commandant, INA, senior officers of the station and outstation dignitaries witnessed the momentous occasion.

4. The Passing out Parade was also witnessed by the proud parents and guardians of all Midshipmen and cadets. The ‘President’s Gold Medal’ for the Indian Naval Academy B.Tech course was awarded to Midshipman Vikrant Nagpal. The ‘Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal’ for the Naval Orientation (Extended) Course was awarded to Cadet Hrushikesh Vengurlekar. The ‘Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal’ for the Naval Orientation (Regular) Course was awarded to Cadet Samson Moses and the ‘Flag Officer Commanding in Chief (South) Medal’ for the best women cadet was awarded to Cadet Anuradha.

5. The glittering ceremony culminated with the successful trainees forming up in two columns and marching with their gleaming swords and rifles held in salute, past the Academy’s Saluting Dias, the Quarterdeck, in Slow March, to the traditional notes of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, the poignant farewell tune played by Armed Forces around the world when bidding adieu to colleagues and comrades. Passing out courses were bid farewell by cadets of junior terms who manned the mast and a batch of three Naval Dornier Aircraft from Indian Naval Air Squadron 550 carried out a low fly past over the quarterdeck welcoming the new officers to the Navy.

6. On completion of the parade, the proud parents and guardians of the Passing Out courses shipped the Naval, and Coast Guard, epaulettes, known as ‘Stripes’ on the shoulders of their wards, thus symbolising their transformation from ‘cadets’ into full-fledged Navy and Coast Guard Officers. The Reviewing Officer and other dignitaries shipped the stripes of the medal winners and congratulated all the trainees for their successful completion of the rigorous training. On completion of the training at the Indian Naval Academy, these officers will proceed to various Naval and Coast Guard ships / establishments to further consolidate their training in specialised fields.

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DK

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
30-November, 2018 17:09 IST
Ninth edition of International Admiral’s Cup Regatta 2018 scheduled at Indian Naval Academy

The ninth edition of the Admiral’s Cup Regatta, the prestigious international military sailing event hosted annually by Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala will be conducted at Ettikulum Bay from 02 December to 06 December 2018. The Regatta will witness participation by teams from 31 foreign Naval Academies competing in the Laser (Radial) class of sail boats.

The Indian Navy instituted the ‘Admiral’s Cup Regatta’ as a ‘Fleet Race’ in a single crew Olympic class ‘Laser Radial’ sail boat in 2010 with eight foreign Naval Academies participating that year.

This year’s participants are from 31 foreign countries viz., Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Sri Lanka, UK, USA, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Qatar, Germany, Italy, UAE, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Portugal, South Africa, Singapore, Bahrain, Iran and China in addition to two teams from India (INA and NDA). This year’s Admirals Cup Regatta will see the highest number of participants in the cup series. The closest other military event was the 2011 Military World Games held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with 26 countries participating in that event. The participating teams will be competing in 16 races spread over four days with each country fielding by two boats. The coveted ‘Admiral’s Cup’ would be awarded to the team winning the championship on the basis of their combined performance. In addition, individual medals will also be awarded.

The teams are scheduled to arrive INA on Saturday, 01 December 2018. Registration of team members, practice racing and opening ceremony are scheduled on Sunday, 02 December 2018. The competitive races are scheduled from 03 December – 06 December 2018. Admiral’s Cup Regatta 2018 is expected to be much more exciting and challenging given the highest ever number of countries participating in the event and first time participation of teams from Bulgaria. It will thus be a tough challenge for the winners of 2017 (Team USA) to hold on to their title, with the competition hotting up!.


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DKS/DJ/AC

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
01-December, 2018 17:52 IST
Defence Acquisition Council Approves for Acquisition of Defence Equipment

The Defence Acquisition Council accorded approval for acquisition of defence equipment for about Rs 3,000 crore.

As a follow up of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decision in October 2018 for procurement of four P1135.6 Follow-on Ships, the Defence Acquisition Council granted approval for procurement of indigenous BrahMos Missile for two Indian Navy ships. The indigenously designed BrahMos Missile is a tested and proven supersonic cruise missile and will form the primary weapon on-board these Ships.