Editing Indian Navy

[[File:Naval Ensign of India.svg|thumb|180px|Flag of the Indian Navy]]

The '''Indian Navy''' is the [[navy|naval]] part of the [[Indian Armed Forces]].

In 2010, the Indian Navy had 58,350 personnel, around 170 ships and 180 aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/navy-intro.htm|title=India - Navy|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref> It is the world's fourth largest navy in terms of personnel.

The Indian Navy traces its origins back to the ''[[East India Company's Marine]]'' which was founded in 1612 to protect British merchant shipping in the region. In 1793, the British [[Company rule in India|East India Company]] established its rule over eastern part of the [[Indian subcontinent]] i.e. Bengal, but it was not until 1830 that the colonial navy was titled as ''His Majesty's Indian Navy''. When [[Republic Day (India)|India became a republic]] in 1950, the ''Royal Indian Navy'' as it had been named since 1934 was renamed to ''Indian Navy''.

The primary objective of the navy is to safeguard the nation's maritime borders, and 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. Through joint exercises, goodwill visits and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief, Indian Navy promotes bilateral relations between nations.

As of June 2019, Indian Navy has 67,252 active<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 July 2019|title=Strength of Defence Forces|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1580095|access-date=16 October 2019|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> and 55,000 reserve personnel in service and has a fleet of 150 ships and submarines, and 300 aircraft.<ref name="size">{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Amrita Nayak|date=2020-11-18|title=Hit by budget crunch, Indian Navy now plans to buy 2 Landing Platform Docks instead of 4|url=https://theprint.in/defence/hit-by-budget-crunch-indian-navy-now-plans-to-buy-2-landing-platform-docks-instead-of-4/546361/|access-date=2020-11-27|website=ThePrint|language=en-US|quote=[...] current strength of 150 ships and submarines.}}</ref><ref name="sizedod">{{Cite web|title=FAQ {{!}} Department Of Defence|url=https://www.mod.gov.in/dod/faq#:~:text=The%20Indian%20Navy%27s%20present%20force%20level%20comprises%20about%20150%20ships%20and%20submarines.|access-date=2020-11-27|website=www.mod.gov.in|quote=Q 1. What are the current Force Levels of the Indian Navy? [...] Ans. The Indian Navy’s present force level comprises about 150 ships and submarines. [...]}}</ref>As of October 2020, the operational fleet consists of 1 [[aircraft carrier]] active and 1 more on sea trials, 1 [[amphibious transport dock]], 8 [[Landing Ship, Tank|landing ship tanks]], 10 [[destroyer]]s, 14 [[frigate]]s, 1 [[SSN (hull classification symbol)|nuclear-powered attack submarine]], 1 [[ballistic missile submarine]], 15 conventionally-powered attack [[submarine]]s and more on sea trials, 24 [[corvette]]s, one [[mine countermeasure vessel]], 4 [[Replenishment oiler|fleet tankers]] and numerous other [[Auxiliary ship|auxiliary vessels]], [[Patrol boat|small patrol boats]] and sophisticated ships. It is considered as a multi-regional power projection [[blue-water navy]].<ref name="Lindberg-classification">{{cite book|first1=Daniel |last1=Todd |first2=Michael |last2=Lindberg|title=Navies and Shipbuilding Industries: The Strained Symbiosis|date=1996|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780275953102|pages=56–57|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=he5KL_tWQvMC|access-date=30 November 2015|ref=Todd-1996}}</ref><ref name="Kirchberger">{{cite book|last1=Kirchberger|first1=Sarah| oclc=911616881| title=Assessing China's Naval Power: Technological Innovation, Economic Constraints, and Strategic Implications|date=2015| location=Heidelberg|publisher=Springer|isbn=9783662471272|page=60}}<!--|access-date=4 December 2015--></ref>

==History==
===Early maritime history===
[[File:Ajanta Cave 2 three-mast sailship.jpg|thumb|right|Three-mast sailship, c. 5th century]]
The [[maritime history]] of [[India]] dates back to 6,000 years with the birth of art of the navigation and navigating during the [[Indus Valley Civilisation]].<ref name="Interesting facts about India - India.gov.in Archive">{{cite web|title=Interesting facts about India|url=http://india.gov.in/myindia/facts.php|website=India|publisher=Government of India|access-date=17 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206014250/http://india.gov.in/myindia/facts.php|archive-date=6 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> A [[Kutch district|Kutch]] mariner's log book from 19th century recorded that the first tidal dock India has been built at [[Lothal]] around 2300 BC during the Indus Valley Civilisation, near the present day harbour of [[Mangrol, Kathiawar|Mangrol]] on the Gujarat coast. The Rig Veda, credits [[Varuna]], the [[Hindu]] god of water and the [[celestial ocean]],{{Sfn|Sen|1999|p=48}} with knowledge of the ocean routes and describes the use of ships having hundred oars in the naval expeditions by Indians. There are also references to the side wings of a ship called ''Plava'', which stabilizes the vessel during storms. ''Plava'' is considered to be the precursor of modern-day stabilizers.<ref name="Early History of Indian Navy - IN">{{cite web|title=Early History of the Indian Navy|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1402|website=Indian Navy|access-date=17 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921190102/http://indiannavy.nic.in/node/1402|archive-date=21 September 2016}}</ref> The first use of mariner's compass, called as ''Matsya Yantra'', was recorded in 4 and 5 AD.<ref name="Ship Building & Navigation in Ancient India">{{cite web|title=Ship Building & Navigation in Ancient India|url=http://www.mysteryofindia.com/2015/05/ship-building-navigation-in-ancient-india.html|website=Mystery of India|access-date=17 June 2017|date=2 May 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Rajendra map new.svg|thumb|left|Chola territories during [[Rajendra Chola I]], c. 1030]]

[[Alexander the Great]] during his conquest over India, built a harbour at [[Patala, Uttar Pradesh|Patala]]. His army retreated to [[Mesopotamia]] on the ships built at [[Sindh]]. In the later of his conquest, records show that the Emperor of [[Maurya Empire]], [[Chandragupta Maurya]], as a part of war office, established an Admiralty Division under the Superintendent of Ships. Many historians from ancient India recorded the Indian trade relations with many countries, and even with countries as far as [[Java]] and [[Sumatra]]. There were also references to the trade routes of countries in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] and [[Indian Ocean|Indian]] Ocean. India also had trade relations with the [[Greeks]] and the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. At one instance Roman historian [[Pliny the Elder|Gaius Plinius Secundus]] mentioned of Indian traders carrying away large masses of gold and silver from Rome, in payment for skins, precious stones, clothes, indigo, sandalwood, herbs, perfumes, and spices.<ref name="Early History of Indian Navy - IN" />

During 5–10 AD, the [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] Empire conquered Western Java, Sumatra and [[Malay Archipelago|Malaya]]. The [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] served as an important halt point for trade ships en route to these nations and as well as China. During 844–848 AD the daily revenue from these nations was expected to be around 200 [[maund]]s ({{convert|8|t}}) of gold. During 984–1042 AD, under the reign of [[Raja Raja Chola I]], [[Rajendra Chola I]] and [[Kulothunga Chola I]], the naval expedition by [[Chola dynasty]] captured lands of [[Burma]], Sumatra, [[Sri Lanka]], and Malaya, and simultaneously repressing pirate activities by Sumatran [[warlord]]s.<ref name="Early History of Indian Navy - IN" />{{Sfn|Findlay|2009|p=67}}

{{Quote box|width=300px|bgcolor=#E0E6F8|align=right|quote=... built of fir timber, having a sheath of boards laid over the planking in every part, caulked with oakum and fastened with iron nails. The bottoms were smeared with a preparation of quicklime and hemp, pounded together and mixed with oil from a certain tree which is a better material than pith|source=<ref name="Early History of Indian Navy - IN" />|title='''[[Marco Polo]]'s remark on Indian ships''' (1292 AD)|title_fnt = Arial |tstyle = font size="25";}}

During 14th and 15th centuries, Indian shipbuilding skills and their maritime ability was sophisticated enough to produce ships with a capacity to carry over hundred men. Ships also had compartments included in their design, so that even if one compartment was damaged, the ship would remain afloat. These features of were developed by Indians even before Europeans were aware of the idea.<ref name="Early History of Indian Navy - IN" />

However, by the end of thirteenth century Indian naval power had started to decline, and had reached its low by the time the Portuguese entered India. Soon after they set foot in India, the Portuguese started to hunt down all Asian vessels not permitting their trade. Amidst this, in 1529, a naval war at [[Bombay Harbour]] resulted in the surrender of [[Thane]], [[Karanja, Raigad|Karanja]], and [[Bandora, Goa|Bandora]]. By 1534, the Portuguese took complete control over the Bombay Harbour. The [[Zamorin of Calicut]] challenged the Portuguese trade when [[Vasco da Gama]] refused to pay the customs levy as per the trade agreement. This resulted in two major naval wars, the first one—[[Battle of Cochin (1504)|Battle of Cochin]], was fought in 1504, and the second engagement happened four years later off [[Diu, India|Diu]]. Both these wars, exposed the weakness of Indian maritime power and simultaneously helped the Portuguese to gain mastery over the Indian waters.<ref name="Early History of Indian Navy - IN" />

In the later seventeenth century Indian naval power observed remarkable revival. The alliance of the [[Mughals|Moghuls]] and the [[Janjira State|Sidis of Janjira]] was marked as a major power on the west coast. On the southern front, the 1st Sovereign of the [[Maratha Empire]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]], started creating his own fleet. His fleet was commanded by notable admirals like [[Sidhoji Gujar]] and [[Kanhoji Angre]]. The Maratha Navy under the leadership of Angre kept the English, Dutch and Portuguese away from the Konkan coast. However, the Marathas witnessed remarkable decline in their naval capabilities following the death of Angre in 1729.<ref name="Early History of Indian Navy - IN" />
In 1892 the Marine was rechristened the Royal Indian Marine, and by the end of the 19th century it operated over fifty ships. The Marine participated in World War I with a fleet of patrol vessels, troop carriers, and minesweepers. In 1928, D. N. Mukherji was the first Indian to be granted a commission, in the rank of an Engineer [[Sub-lieutenant]]. Also in 1928, the RIM was accorded combatant status, which entitled it to be considered a true fighting force and to fly the [[White Ensign]] of the Royal Navy.{{Sfn|Singh|1986|pp=45–46}} In 1934, the Marine was upgraded to a full naval force, thus becoming the Royal Indian Navy (RIN), and was presented the King's colours in recognition of its services to the British Crown.<ref name="Genesis of Indian Navy" />

===1612 origins to independence===
[[File:Mahratta pirates attacking the sloop 'Aurora', of the Bombay Marine, 1812; end of the action RMG BHC1085.tiff|thumb|left|A depiction of a [[Maratha Navy|Maratha]] naval attack in 1812 against the [[East India Company]]'s ship [[HCS Aurora (1809)|''Aurora'']].]]

The origins of the Indian Navy date to 1612, when an English vessel under the command of Captain Best encountered the Portuguese. Although the Portuguese were defeated, this incident along with the trouble caused by the pirates to the merchant vessels, forced the British to maintain fleet near [[Surat]], Gujarat. [[East India Company]] (HEIC) formed a naval arm, and the first squadron of fighting ships reached the Gujarat coast on 5 September 1612. Their objective was to protect British merchant shipping off the [[Gulf of Cambay]] and up the [[Narmada]] and [[Tapti]] rivers. As the HEIC continued to expand its rule and influence over different parts of India, the responsibility of Company's Marine increased too.<ref name="Genesis of Indian Navy">{{cite web|title=Genesis of Indian Navy|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1410|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706075113/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1410|archive-date=6 July 2017}}</ref>

Over time, the British predominantly operated from Bombay, and in 1686, the HEIC's naval arm was renamed the Bombay Marine. At times the Bombay Marine engaged Dutch, French, Maratha, and Sidi vessels. Much later, it was also involved in the [[First Anglo-Burmese War]] of 1824. In 1834, the Bombay Marine became Her Majesty's Indian Navy. The Navy saw action in the [[First Opium War]] of 1840 and in the [[Second Anglo-Burmese War]] in 1852. Due to some unrecorded reasons, the Navy's name reverted to the Bombay Marine from 1863 to 1877, after which it was named Her Majesty's Indian Marine. At that time, the Marine operated in two divisions—the Eastern Division at Calcutta under the Superintendent of Bay of Bengal, and the Western Division at Bombay Superintendent of Arabian Sea.<ref name="Genesis of Indian Navy" />

During the early stages of [[World War II]], the tiny Royal Indian Navy consisted of five sloops, one survey vessel, one depot ship, one patrol vessel and numerous assorted small craft; personnel strength was at only 114 officers and 1,732 sailors.{{Sfn|Singh|1986|pp=32–33}} The onset of war led to an expansion in numbers of vessels and personnel. By June 1940, the navy had doubled its number in terms of both personnel and material, and expanded nearly six times of its pre-war strength by 1942.{{Sfn|Singh|1986|pp=34}} The navy was actively involved in operations during the war around the world and was heavily involved in operations around the Indian Ocean, including convoy escorts, mine-sweeping and supply, as well as supporting amphibious assaults.<ref name="Genesis of Indian Navy" />
[[File:HMIS Bombay (305827).jpg|thumb|{{HMIS|Bombay|J249|6}} of Royal Indian Navy in Sydney Harbour during [[World War II]]]]

When hostilities ceased in August 1945, the Royal Indian Navy had expanded to a personnel strength of over 25,000 officers and sailors. Its fleet comprised seven sloops, four [[frigate]]s, four [[corvette]]s, fourteen [[minesweeper]]s, sixteen [[Naval trawler|trawlers]], two [[depot ship]]s, thirty auxiliary vessels, one hundred and fifty landing craft, two hundred harbour craft and several offensive and defensive motor launches.{{Sfn|Singh|1986|pp=37}} During [[World War II]] the Navy suffered two hundred and seventy five casualties—twenty seven officers, two warrant officers and 123 ratings killed in action, two ratings missing in action and a further 14 officers, two warrant officers and 123 ratings wounded. {{Sfn|Singh|1986|pp=142–143}} For their role in the war, the officers and ratings of the Navy received the following honours and decorations—a KBE (Mil.), a knighthood, a CB (Mil.), 10 CIEs, two DSOs, a CBE, 15 DSCs, an OBE, 28 DSMs, eight OBIs, two IOMs, 16 BEMs, 10 Indian Defence Service Medals, a Royal Humane Society Medal, 105 mentions in dispatches and 118 assorted commendations.{{Sfn|Singh|1986|pp=142}} Immediately after the war, the navy underwent a rapid, large-scale demobilisation of vessels and personnel. 

From the inception of India's naval force, some senior Indian politicians had voiced concerns about the degree of "Indianisation" of the Navy and its subordination to the [[Royal Navy]] in all important aspects.{{Sfn|Singh|1986|pp=46–47}} On the eve of WWII, the RIN had no Indian senior line officers and only a single Indian senior engineer officer.<ref name="The_Navy_List_39">{{cite book|pages=620–622|title=The Navy List for August 1939|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1939}}</ref> Even by the war's end, the Navy remained a predominantly British-officered service; in 1945, no Indian officer held a rank above engineer commander and only a few Indian officers in the executive branch held substantive senior line officer rank.<ref name="The_Navy_List_July45">{{cite book|pages=2098–2101|title=The Navy List for August 1939|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1939}}</ref> This situation, coupled with inadequate levels of training and discipline, poor communication between officers and ratings, instances of racial discrimination and the ongoing trials of ex-[[Indian National Army]] personnel ignited the [[Royal Indian Navy mutiny]] by Indian ratings in 1946.{{Sfn|Singh|1986|pp=105–110}} A total of 78 ships, 20 shore establishments and 20,000 sailors were involved in the strike, which spread over much of India. After the strike began, the sailors received encouragement and support from the Communist Party in India; unrest spread from the naval ships, and led to student and worker ''hartals'' in Bombay. The strike ultimately failed as the sailors did not receive substantial support from either the Indian Army or from political leaders in Congress or the Muslim League.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Meyer|first1=John M.|title=The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny of 1946: Nationalist Competition and Civil-Military Relations in Postwar India|journal=Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History|volume=45|pages=46–69|date=13 December 2016|doi=10.1080/03086534.2016.1262645|s2cid=159800201|url=https://zenodo.org/record/894568}}</ref> On 21 July 1947, [[H.M.S. Choudhry]] and [[Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman]], both of whom would eventually command the Pakistani and Indian Navies, respectively, became the first Indian RIN officers to attain the acting rank of captain.<ref name="higher_rank">{{cite web|title=Higher Ranks for Indian Officers of the R.I.N.|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-07-21_321.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=21 July 1947|access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref>

===Independence to the end of the 20th century===
Following [[independence of India|independence]] and the [[partition of India]] on 15 August 1947, the RIN's depleted fleet of ships and remaining personnel were divided between the newly independent [[Dominion of India]] and [[Dominion of Pakistan]]. 21 percent of the Navy's officer cadre and 47 percent of its sailors opted to join the portion of the fleet which became the [[Royal Pakistan Navy]]. The Indian share of the Navy consisted of 32 vessels along with 11,000 personnel. Effective from the same date, all British officers were compulsorily retired from the Navy and its reserve components, with Indian officers being promoted to replace British senior officers.{{Sfn|Singh|1992|pp=240–241}} However, a number of British flag and senior officers were invited to continue serving in the RIN,{{Sfn|Singh|1992|pp=246}} as only nine of the Navy's Indian commissioned officers had more than 10 years' service, with the majority of them only having served from five to eight years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nationalisation of Armed Forces|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-AUG-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-12-20_075.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=20 December 1947|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Rear Admiral [[John Talbot Savignac Hall]] headed the Navy as its first Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) post-Independence.<ref name="Genesis of Indian Navy" /> In May 1948, Captain [[Ajitendu Chakraverti]] became the first Indian officer to be appointed to the rank of [[Commodore (India)|commodore]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Note|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JAN-JUNE-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-05-08_240.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=8 May 1948|access-date=8 March 2020}}</ref> When India became a republic on 26 January 1950, the ''Royal'' prefix was dropped and the name ''Indian Navy'' was officially adopted. The prefix for naval vessels was changed from ''His Majesty's Indian Ship'' (HMIS) to ''Indian Naval Ship'' (INS).<ref name="Genesis of Indian Navy" /> At the same time, the imperial crown in insignia was replaced with the [[Lion Capital of Ashoka]] and the Union Jack in the canton of the White Ensign was replaced with the Indian Tricolour.<ref name="insignia">{{cite web|title=New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services|url=http://pib.nic.in/archive/docs/DVD_38/ACC%20NO%20807-BR/HOM-1950-01-06_484.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193914/http://pib.nic.in/archive/docs/DVD_38/ACC%20NO%20807-BR/HOM-1950-01-06_484.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref>

By 1955, the Navy had largely overcome its post-Independence personnel shortfalls.{{Sfn|Singh|1992|pp=240–241}} During the early years following independence, many British officers continued to serve in the Navy on secondment from the Royal Navy, due to the post-Independence retirement or transfer of many experienced officers to the Royal or the Pakistan navies.{{Sfn|Singh|1992|pp=240–241}} The first C-in-C of the Navy was Admiral Sir [[Edward Parry (Royal Navy officer)|Edward Parry]] who took over from Hall in 1948 and handed over to Admiral Sir [[Charles Pizey|Charles Thomas Mark Pizey]] in 1951. Admiral Pizey also became the first Chief of the Naval Staff in 1955, and was succeeded by Vice Admiral Sir [[Stephen Hope Carlill]] the same year<ref name="Genesis of Indian Navy" /> The pace of "Indianising" continued steadily through the 1950s. By 1952, senior Naval appointments had begun to be filled by Indian officers,{{Sfn|Singh|1992|pp=242}} and by 1955, basic training for naval cadets was entirely conducted in India.{{Sfn|Singh|1992|pp=254}} In 1956, [[Ram Dass Katari]] became the first Indian flag officer, and was appointed the first Indian Commander of the Fleet on 2 October.{{Sfn|Singh|1992|pp=250}} On 22 April 1958, Vice Admiral Katari assumed the command of the Indian Navy from Carlill as the first Indian Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy.{{Sfn|Stewart|2009|p=185}} With the departure in 1962 of the last British officer on secondment to the Navy, Commodore David Kirke, the Chief of Naval Aviation, the Indian Navy finally became an entirely Indian service.{{Sfn|Singh|1992|pp=243}}

The first engagement in action of the Indian Navy was against the [[Portuguese Navy]] during the [[liberation of Goa]] in 1961. ''Operation Vijay'' followed years of escalating tension due to Portuguese refusal to relinquish its [[Portuguese India|colonies]] in India. On 21 November 1961, Portuguese troops fired on the passenger liner ''Sabarmati'' near [[Anjadip Island]], killing one person and injuring another. During Operation Vijay, the Indian Navy supported troop landings and provided fire support. The [[cruiser]] {{INS|Delhi|C74|6}} sank one Portuguese [[patrol boat]],<ref name="Goa Operations 1961 - IN Off">{{cite web|title=Goa Operations 1961|url=http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/goa.htm|website=Indian Navy|access-date=22 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050905091051/http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/goa.htm|archive-date=5 September 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> while frigates {{INS|Betwa|1959|6}} and {{INS|Beas|1958|6}} destroyed the Portuguese frigate {{ship|NRP|Afonso de Albuquerque}}.{{Sfn|Navy|2016|p=174}} The 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]] was largely fought over the [[Himalayas]] and the Navy had only a defensive role in the war.{{Sfn|Shah|2015|p=89}}
[[File:INS Kursura (S20) underway.jpg|thumb|left|{{INS|Kursura|S20|6}}, an Indian submarine which played a vital role in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|1971 Indo-Pak war]]]]

At the outbreak of [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], the Navy had one aircraft carrier, two cruisers, nineteen destroyers and frigates, and one tanker. Of these twenty-ships ten were under refit. The others were largely involved coastal patrols. During the war, the Pakistani Navy [[Operation Dwarka|attacked the Indian coastal city of Dwarka]], although there were no military resources in the area. While this attack was insignificant, India deployed naval resources to patrol the coast and deter further bombardment.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=33}} Following these wars in the 1960s, India resolved to strengthen the profile and capabilities of its Armed Forces.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=40–41}}

[[File:INS Vikrant (R11) with a Sea King helicopter during Indo-Pakistani war of 1971.jpg|thumb|Aircraft carrier {{INS|Vikrant|R11|6}} during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. The ship played a crucial role in enforcing the naval blockade on [[East Pakistan]] and ensuring India's victory during the war.]]

The dramatic change in the Indian Navy's capabilities and stance was emphatically demonstrated during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. Under the command of Admiral [[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda]], the navy successfully enforced a [[naval blockade]] of [[West Pakistan|West]] and [[East Pakistan]].{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=111}} Pakistan's lone long-range [[submarine]] {{ship|PNS|Ghazi}} was sunk following an attack by the [[destroyer]] {{INS|Rajput|1942|6}} off the coast of [[Visakhapatnam]] in the midnight of 3–4 December 1971.<ref name="Maritime Awareness and Pakistan Navy - Defence Journal">{{cite web|author1=Commander Muhammad Azam Khan (retd.)|title=Maritime Awareness and Pakistan Navy|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/mar/maritime.htm|website=Defence Journal|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309235258/http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/mar/maritime.htm|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=142–143}} On 4 December, the Indian Navy successfully executed [[Operation Trident (1971)|Operation Trident]], a devastating attack on the Pakistan Naval Headquarters of [[Karachi]] that sank a minesweeper, a destroyer and an ammunition supply ship.

 The attack also irreparably damaged another destroyer and oil storage tanks at the Karachi port.<ref name="1971 War: The First Missile Attack on Karachi">{{cite web|author1=Vice Admiral G. M. Hiranandani (retd.)|author-link1=Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani|title=1971 War: The First Missile Attack on Karachi|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/interviews/1971-war-the-first-missile-attack-on-karachi/|website=Indian Defence Review|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217084537/http://www.indiandefencereview.com/interviews/1971-war-the-first-missile-attack-on-karachi/|archive-date=17 February 2017|date=11 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> To commemorate this, 4 December is celebrated as the Navy Day.<ref name="In 1971 Navy Day">{{cite web|title=In 1971, The Indian Navy Attempted One of the World's Most Daring War Strategies on Karachi|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/In-1971-The-Indian-Navy-Attemped-One-Of-The-Worlds-Most-Daring-War-Strategies-On-Karachi/|website=Scoop Whoop|access-date=25 June 2017|language=En|date=9 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209141754/https://www.scoopwhoop.com/In-1971-The-Indian-Navy-Attemped-One-Of-The-Worlds-Most-Daring-War-Strategies-On-Karachi/|archive-date=9 December 2016}}</ref> This was followed by [[Operation Python]] on 8 December 1971, further deprecating the Pakistan Navy's capabilities.<ref name="1971 War: The First Missile Attack on Karachi"/> Indian frigate {{INS|Khukri|F149|6}}, commanded by Captain M. N. Mulla was sunk by {{ship|PNS|Hangor|S131|6}}, while {{INS|Kirpan|1959|6}} was damaged on the west coast.<ref name="The sinking of INS Kukhri">{{cite web|author1=Russell Phillips|title=The sinking of INS Kukhri|url=https://www.russellphillipsbooks.co.uk/the-sinking-of-ins-khukri/|website=Russell Phillips Books|access-date=25 June 2017|date=3 June 2013}}</ref> In the [[Bay of Bengal]], the [[aircraft carrier]] {{INS|Vikrant|R11|6}} was deployed to successfully enforce the [[naval blockade]] on East Pakistan. [[Hawker Sea Hawk|Sea Hawk]] and the [[Breguet Alizé|Alizé]] aircraft from INS ''Vikrant'' sank numerous gunboats and Pakistani [[merchant marine]] ships.<ref name=un-report>{{cite web|title=Items in India/Pakistan/Bangladesh – Report of the high level consultants mission to Bangladesh |url=http://archives-trim.un.org/webdrawer/rec/423368/view/Items-in-IndiaPakistanBangladesh%20-%20general%20-%20report%20of%20the%20high%20level%20consultants%20mission%20to%20Bangladesh%20MarchApril%201972.pdf |publisher=United Nations |access-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728142411/http://archives-trim.un.org/webdrawer/rec/423368/view/Items-in-IndiaPakistanBangladesh%20-%20general%20-%20report%20of%20the%20high%20level%20consultants%20mission%20to%20Bangladesh%20MarchApril%201972.PDF |archive-date=28 July 2011  }}</ref> To demonstrate its solidarity as an ally of Pakistan, the United States sent [[Task Force 74]] centred around the aircraft carrier {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}} into the Bay of Bengal. In retaliation, [[Soviet Navy]] submarines trailed the American task force, which moved away from the Indian Ocean towards Southeast Asia to avert a confrontation.<ref name="COLD WAR GAMES - BRakshak">{{cite web|author1=Vice Admiral Swaraj Prakash (retd.)|title=Cold War Games|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/History/1971War/Games.html|website=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060915093344/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/History/1971War/Games.html|archive-date=15 September 2006}}</ref>  In the end, the Indian naval blockade of Pakistan choked off the supply of reinforcements to the Pakistani forces, which proved to be decisive in the overwhelming defeat of Pakistan.<ref name="A leaf from history: When the war began">{{cite web|title=A leaf from history: When the war began|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/708855|website=Dawn|publisher=Inpaper Magazine|access-date=25 June 2017|date=8 April 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222055336/http://www.dawn.com/news/708855|archive-date=22 February 2017}}</ref>

Since playing a decisive role in the victory, the navy has been a deterrent force maintaining peace for India in a region of turmoil. In 1983, the Indian Navy planned for [[Operation Lal Dora]] to support the government of [[Mauritius]] against a feared coup.{{Sfn|Brewster|2014|p=68–69}} In 1986, in [[Operation Flowers are Blooming]], the Indian Navy averted an attempted coup in the [[Seychelles]].{{Sfn|Brewster|2014|p=58–62}} In 1988, India launched [[Operation Cactus]], to successfully thwart a coup d'état by [[PLOTE]] in the [[Maldives]]. Naval maritime reconnaissance aircraft detected the ship hijacked by PLOTE rebels. {{INS|Godavari|F20|6}} and Indian marine commandos recaptured the ship and arrested the rebels.<ref name="Operation Cactus - Bharat Rakshak">{{cite web|title=Operation Cactus|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/History/1970s/Operation-Cactus.html|website=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203103631/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/History/1970s/Operation-Cactus.html|archive-date=3 December 2008}}</ref> During the 1999 [[Kargil War]], the Western and Eastern fleets were deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea, as a part of ''[[Kargil War#Naval action|Operation Talwar]]''.<ref name="India's national interest had been made coterminus with maritime security">{{cite web|author1=Major General Ashok K Mehta (retd.)|title=India's national interest had been made coterminus with maritime security|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/dec/04ashok.htm|website=Rediff|access-date=25 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214611/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/dec/04ashok.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> They safeguarded India's maritime assets from a potential Pakistani naval attack, as also deterred Pakistan from attempting to block India's sea-trade routes.<ref name="1999 Kargil Conflict - GSec">{{cite web|title=1999 Kargil Conflict|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/kargil-99.htm|website=Global Security|access-date=25 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707090534/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/kargil-99.htm|archive-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> The Indian Navy's aviators flew sorties and marine commandos fought alongside Indian Army personnel in the Himalayas.<ref name="MOD Report Kargil War">{{cite web|url=http://mod.nic.in/reports/cap3.pdf |title=Ministry of Defence Report |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322012643/http://mod.nic.in/reports/cap3.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2012  }}</ref>

In October 1999, the Navy along with the [[Indian Coast Guard]] rescued MV ''Alondra Rainbow'', a pirated Japanese cargo ship.<ref name="Navy, Coast Guard nab pirates, rescue hijacked merchant vessel off Goa coast">{{cite web|title=Navy, Coast Guard nab pirates, rescue hijacked merchant vessel off Goa coast|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19991117/ige17049.html|website=Express India|access-date=26 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114192601/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19991117/ige17049.html|archive-date=14 January 2012|date=17 November 1999|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===21st century onwards===
[[File:Indian Navy flotilla of Western Fleet escort INS Vikramaditya (R33) and INS Viraat (R22) in the Arabian Sea.jpg|thumb|Indian Navy flotilla including aircraft carrier {{INS|Viraat}} escorting {{INS|Vikramaditya}} on its way home in 2014]]
[[File:Divisions at INA.jpg|thumb|[[Guard of honour]] at the [[Indian Naval Academy|INA]], 2012.]]

In the 21st century, the Indian Navy has played an important role in maintaining peace for India on the maritime front, in spite of the state of foment in its neighbourhood. It has been deployed for humanitarian relief in times of natural disasters and crises across the globe, as well as to keep India's maritime trade routes free and open.<ref name=in-vision>{{cite web|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/vision.pdf |title=Indian Navy's Vision |publisher=Indian Navy |access-date=3 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216112716/http://indiannavy.nic.in/vision.pdf |archive-date=16 December 2010 }}</ref>

The Indian Navy was a part of the joint forces exercises, [[Operation Parakram]], during the [[2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff]]. More than a dozen warships were deployed to the northern Arabian Sea.<ref name="Naval Diplomacy: Indian Initiatives - BRakshak">{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE6-1/Sakhuja.html |title=Naval Diplomacy: Indian Initiatives |publisher=Bharat Rakshak |access-date=16 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413170826/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE6-1/Sakhuja.html |archive-date=13 April 2009 }}</ref>
In October, the Indian Navy took over operations to secure the [[Strait of Malacca]], to relieve US Navy resources for [[Operation Enduring Freedom]].<ref name="President Discusses Strong U.S.-India Partnership in New Delhi">{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060303-5.html|title=President Discusses Strong U.S.-India Partnership in New Delhi, India|date=3 March 2006|publisher=The White House|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311105310/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060303-5.html|archive-date=11 March 2011}}</ref>

The navy plays an important role in providing humanitarian relief in times of natural disasters, including floods, cyclones and tsunamis. In the aftermath of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]], the Indian Navy launched massive disaster relief operations to help affected Indian states as well as Maldives, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Over 27 ships, dozens of helicopters, at least six fixed-wing aircraft and over 5000 personnel of the navy were deployed in relief operations.<ref name="Tsunami diplomacy improves India's global image - EI">{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=41752#compstory |title=Tsunami diplomacy improves India's global image |work=Express India |date=9 February 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050506142222/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=41752 |archive-date= 6 May 2005  }}</ref> These included [[Operation Madad (Indian Navy)|Operation Madad]] in Andhra Pradesh and [[Tamil Nadu]], ''Operation Sea Waves'' in the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], ''Operation Castor'' in Maldives, ''Operation Rainbow'' in Sri Lanka and ''Operation Gambhir'' in Indonesia.<ref name="Indian Naval Diplomacy: Post Tsunami - ICPS">{{cite web |first=Vijay |last=Sakhuja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108110646/http://www.ipcs.org/Military_articles2.jsp?action=showView&kValue=1652&keyArticle=1019&status=article&mod=a |url=http://www.ipcs.org/Military_articles2.jsp?action=showView&kValue=1652&keyArticle=1019&status=article&mod=a |archive-date=8 January 2009 |title=Indian Naval Diplomacy: Post Tsunami |publisher=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies |date=8 February 2005}}</ref> Gambhir, carried out following the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 Indian Ocean tsunami]], was one of the largest and fastest force mobilisations that the Indian Navy has undertaken. Indian naval rescue vessels and teams reached neighbouring countries less than 12 hours from the time that the tsunami hit.<ref name="India is projecting its military power IHT">{{cite news|last=Giridharadas |first=Anand |date=22 September 2008 |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/22/asia/power.php |title=India is projecting its military power |newspaper=International Herald Tribune |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925061837/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/22/asia/power.php |archive-date=25 September 2008  }}</ref> Lessons from the response led to decision to enhance amphibious force capabilities, including the acquisition of [[landing platform dock]]s such as {{INS|Jalashwa|L41|6}}, as well as smaller amphibious vessels.<ref name="INS Jalashwa joins Eastern Fleet">{{cite web|title=INS Jalashwa joins Eastern Fleet|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/14/stories/2007091454111600.htm|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112040310/http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/14/stories/2007091454111600.htm|archive-date=12 November 2007|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=2007-09-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:TROPEX 2014 - 05.JPG|thumb|left|From top to bottom: {{INS|Ranjit|D53|6}}, {{INS|Jyoti|A58|6}} and {{INS|Mysore|D60|6}}]]

During the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]], the Indian Navy launched [[Operation Sukoon]] and evacuated 2,280 persons from 20 to 29 July 2006 including 436 Sri Lankans, 69 Nepalese and 7 Lebanese nationals from war-torn Lebanon.<ref name="Operation Sukoon for the evacuation of Indian Nationals from Lebanon - PIB">{{cite web|title=Operation Sukoon for the evacuation of Indian Nationals from Lebanon|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=20224|website=Press Information Bureau|publisher=Government of India|access-date=26 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731153033/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=20224|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="‘Op SUKOON’ – Making ‘Sweet Music’ : 24 July 2006">{{cite web|title='Op SUKOON' – Making 'Sweet Music' : 24 July 2006|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/sukoon.pdf|website=Indian Navy|access-date=26 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701035923/http://indiannavy.nic.in/sukoon.pdf|archive-date=1 July 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2006, Indian naval doctors served for 102 days on board {{USNS|Mercy|T-AH-19|6}} to conduct medical camps in the [[Philippines]], Bangladesh, Indonesia and [[East Timor]].<ref name="Indian Navy Doctors Serve on U.S. Navy Hospital Ship Mercy’s Aid Mission in South and Southeast Asia">{{cite web|title=Indian Navy Doctors Serve on U.S. Navy Hospital Ship Mercy's Aid Mission in South and Southeast Asia|url=http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/pr090706.html|website=[[Embassy of the United States, New Delhi|Embassy of United States (New Delhi, India)]]|publisher=[[U.S. Department of State]]|access-date=26 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922193601/http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/pr090706.html|archive-date=22 September 2006}}</ref> In 2007, Indian Navy supported relief operations for the survivors of [[Cyclone Sidr]] in Bangladesh.<ref name="India sends rice for Bangladesh storm victims">{{cite web|title=India sends rice for Bangladesh storm victims|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-30889820071208|website=Reuters|access-date=26 June 2017|date=8 December 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731153345/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-30889820071208|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> In 2008, Indian Naval vessels were the first to launch international relief operations for victims of [[Cyclone Nargis]] in Myanmar.<ref name="India – Myanmar Relations - MEA">{{cite web|title=India – Myanmar Relations|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/myanmar-july-2012.pdf|website=Ministry of External Affairs|access-date=26 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219070157/http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/myanmar-july-2012.pdf|archive-date=19 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="India's assistance to Myanmar must reflect its regional role - RW">{{cite web|author1=Asian Legal Resource Centre|title=India's assistance to Myanmar must reflect its regional role|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/indias-assistance-myanmar-must-reflect-its-regional-role|website=Relief Web|access-date=26 June 2017|date=7 May 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731152111/http://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/indias-assistance-myanmar-must-reflect-its-regional-role|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> In 2008, the navy deployed {{INS|Tabar|F44|6}} and {{INS|Mysore|D60|6}} into the [[Gulf of Aden]] to combat [[piracy in Somalia]].<ref name="India 'to step up piracy battle'">{{cite web|title=India 'to step up piracy battle'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7741287.stm|website=BBC News|access-date=26 June 2017|date=21 November 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227015737/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7741287.stm|archive-date=27 February 2017}}</ref> ''Tabar'' prevented numerous piracy attempts, and escorted hundreds of ships safely through the pirate-infested waters.<ref name="India 'sinks Somali pirate ship'">{{cite web|title=India 'sinks Somali pirate ship'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7736885.stm|website=BBC News|access-date=26 June 2017|date=19 November 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614130617/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7736885.stm|archive-date=14 June 2017}}</ref> The navy also undertook anti-piracy patrols near the Seychelles, upon that country's request.<ref name="Navy responds to SOS from Seychelles">{{cite web|title=Navy responds to SOS from Seychelles|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/navy-responds-to-sos-from-seychelles/449049/|website=The Indian Express|access-date=26 June 2017|date=20 April 2009}}</ref><ref name="Indian Navy in 2010">{{cite web|title=Indian Navy in 2010|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/themes/indiannavy/images/pdf/year-gone-by-2010.pdf|website=Indian Navy|access-date=26 June 2017|pages=6–7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706073459/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/themes/indiannavy/images/pdf/year-gone-by-2010.pdf|archive-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> [[File:INS Viraat with INS Deepak.jpg|thumb|{{INS|Viraat}} approaching {{INS|Deepak|A50|6}} for replenishment at sea]]

[[File:Passage Exercise (PASSEX) during International Fleet Review 2016 (07).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Westland Sea King|Sea King]] helicopters operating aboard INS ''Viraat'']]

In February 2011, the Indian Navy launched [[Operation Safe Homecoming]] and rescued Indian nationals from war torn Libya.<ref name="Naval ships to bail out Indians stranded in Libya">{{cite web|title=Naval ships to bail out Indians stranded in Libya|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Naval-ships-to-bail-out-Indians-stranded-in-Libya/articleshow/7583375.cms?referral=PM|website=The Times of India|access-date=27 June 2017|date=27 February 2011}}</ref> Between January–March, the navy launched ''Operation Island Watch'' to deter piracy attempts by Somali pirates off the [[Lakshadweep]] archipelago. This operation has had numerous successes in preventing pirate attacks.<ref name="Pirate Mother Ship Prantalay Sinks off Lakshadweep during Anti Piracy Operations by India">{{cite web|title=Pirate Mother Ship Prantalay Sinks off Lakshadweep during Anti Piracy Operations by India|url=http://www.marinebuzz.com/2011/01/30/pirate-mother-ship-prantalay-sinks-off-lakshadweep-during-anti-piracy-operations-by-india/|website=Marine Buzz|access-date=27 June 2017|date=30 January 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403182538/http://www.marinebuzz.com/2011/01/30/pirate-mother-ship-prantalay-sinks-off-lakshadweep-during-anti-piracy-operations-by-india/|archive-date=3 April 2016}}</ref><ref name="Indian Navy captures 61 pirates, rescues 13 sailors">{{cite web|author1=Suman Sharma|title=Indian Navy captures 61 pirates, rescues 13 sailors|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-indian-navy-captures-61-pirates-rescues-13-sailors-1519685|website=DNA India|access-date=27 June 2017|date=14 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="India pushes back on Somali pirates' new 'mother ship' offensive">{{cite web|author1=Ben Arnoldy|title=India pushes back on Somali pirates' new 'mother ship' offensive|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2011/0207/India-pushes-back-on-Somali-pirates-new-mother-ship-offensive|website=The Christian Science Monitor|access-date=27 June 2017|date=7 February 2011}}</ref>During the 2015 crisis in Yemen, the Indian Navy was part of [[Operation Raahat (India)|Operation Raahat]] and rescued 3074 individuals of which 1291 were foreign nationals.<ref name="The great Yemen escape: Operation Rahat by numbers">{{cite web|title=The great Yemen escape: Operation Rahat by numbers|url=http://www.thehindu.com/specials/the-great-yemen-escape-operation-rahat-by-numbers/article7089422.ece|website=The Hindu|access-date=27 June 2017|date=10 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201231510/http://www.thehindu.com/specials/the-great-yemen-escape-operation-rahat-by-numbers/article7089422.ece|archive-date=1 February 2017}}</ref> On 15 April 2016, a Poseidon-8I long-range patrol aircraft managed to thwart a piracy attack on the high seas by flying over MV ''Sezai Selaha'', a merchant vessel, which was being targeted by a pirate mother ship and two skiffs around {{convert|800|nmi|lk=in}} from [[Mumbai]].<ref name="Navy plane thwarts piracy bid in Arabian Sea">{{cite web|author1=Rajat Pandit|title=Navy plane thwarts piracy bid in Arabian Sea|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Navy-plane-thwarts-piracy-bid-in-Arabian-Sea/articleshow/51899029.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=27 June 2017|date=19 April 2016}}</ref>

===Current role===
Currently, the principal roles of the Indian Navy are:<ref name="Shaping India's Maritime Strategy - Opportunities and Challenges">{{cite web|author1=Admiral Arun Prakash|title=Shaping India's Maritime Strategy – Opportunities and Challenges|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/cns_add2.htm|website=Indian Navy|publisher=Government of India|access-date=27 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060502124216/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/cns_add2.htm|archive-date=2 May 2006|date=November 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Vision of the Indian Navy">{{cite web|title=Vision of the Indian Navy|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/vision|website=Indian Navy|publisher=Ministry of Defence (Navy)|access-date=27 June 2017|date=12 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602042516/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/vision|archive-date=2 June 2017}}</ref>
* 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, [[Exclusive economic zone of India|economic]] and security objectives;
* In co-operation 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.

==Command and organisation==
===Organisation===
[[File:Indian Navy Dress No. 9 and 10.jpg|thumb|Some of the uniforms of Indian Navy]]

While the [[President of India]] serves as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, the organizational structure of Indian Navy is headed by the [[Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy|Chief of Naval Staff]] (CNS), who holds the rank of [[Admiral]].<ref name="Organisation Of Indian Navy">{{cite web|title=Organisation of Indian Navy|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/organisation|website=Indian Navy|access-date=16 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602045953/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/organisation|archive-date=2 June 2017}}</ref> While the provision for the rank of [[Admiral of the Fleet]] exists, it is primarily intended for major wartime use and honour. No officer of the Indian Navy has yet been conferred this rank.<ref name="Did You Know That Only 3 People Have Been Given The Highest Ranks In The Indian Armed Forces?">{{cite web|author1=Anwesha Madhukalya|title=Did You Know That Only 3 People Have Been Given The Highest Ranks in the Indian Armed Forces?|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/Highest-ranks-in-Indian-Armed-Forces/|website=ScoopWhoop|access-date=7 July 2017|language=En|date=24 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104090735/https://www.scoopwhoop.com/Highest-ranks-in-Indian-Armed-Forces|archive-date=4 January 2017}}</ref> The CNS is assisted by the Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS), a vice-admiral; the CNS also heads the Integrated Headquarters (IHQ) of the Ministry of Defence (Navy), based in New Delhi. The Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS), a vice-admiral, is a Principal Staff Officer, along with the Chief of Personnel (COP) and the Chief of Materiel (COM), both of whom are also vice-admirals.<ref name="Organisation Of Indian Navy"/> The Director General Medical Services (Navy) is a Surgeon Vice-Admiral, heads the medical services of the Indian Navy.<ref name="Director Generals - IN Official">{{cite web|title=Director Generals|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/director-generals|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|access-date=7 July 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602044619/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/director-generals|archive-date=2 June 2017}}</ref>

The Indian Navy operates three operational [[Command (military formation)|Commands]]. Each Command is headed by a [[Flag Officer|Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] (FOC-in-C) of the rank of [[Vice Admiral]].<ref name="The Commands - IN Official">{{cite web|title=The Commands|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/commands/|website=Indian Navy|publisher=Government of India|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602055919/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/commands|archive-date=2 June 2017}}</ref> The Eastern and Western Commands each have a Fleet commanded by a [[Rear Admiral]]. The [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]] based at [[Mumbai]] is commanded by the [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]] (FOCWF) and the [[Eastern Fleet (India)|Eastern Fleet]], based at [[Visakhapatnam]], is commanded by the [[Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet]] (FOCEF). They each also have a Commodore commanding submarines (COMCOS).<ref name="WNC Mumbai Organisation {{!}} Indian Navy">{{cite web|title=WNC Mumbai Organisation|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1499|website=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> The Southern Naval Command is home to the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).<ref name="Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST)">{{cite web|title=Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST)|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/flag-officer-sea-training-fost|website=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602043753/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/flag-officer-sea-training-fost|archive-date=2 June 2017}}</ref>

Additionally, the [[Andaman and Nicobar Command]] is a unified Indian Navy, [[Indian Army]], [[Indian Air Force]], and [[Indian Coast Guard]] [[Theater (warfare)|theater command]] based at the capital, [[Port Blair]].<ref name="ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR COMMAND">{{cite web|title=ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR COMMAND|url=http://ids.nic.in/ancommand.htm|website=Integrated Defence Staff|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108131338/http://www.ids.nic.in/ancommand.htm|archive-date=8 January 2017}}</ref> Commander in Chief Andaman and Nicobar (CINCAN) receives staff support from, and reports directly to the chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) in New Delhi. The Command was set up in the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] in 2001.<ref name="INDIA'S HIGHER DEFENCE ORGANIZATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND JOINTNESS">{{cite web|author1=Admiral Arun Prakash (retd.)|author-link1=Arun Prakash|title=INDIA'S HIGHER DEFENCE ORGANIZATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND JOINTNESS|url=http://www.idsa.in/system/files/JDS1(1)2007_0.pdf|website=Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis|access-date=7 July 2017|pages=13–31|date=August 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232945/http://www.idsa.in/system/files/JDS1%281%292007_0.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>
{{Main|List of serving admirals of the Indian Navy}}

{{Equivalent ranks of Indian military}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ At Integrated Headquarters-Ministry of Defence (Navy) level<ref name="Organisation Of Indian Navy" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Principal Staff Officers, Indian Navy|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/principal-staff-officers|access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=DGs and Controllers, Indian Navy|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/dgs-and-controllers|access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref>
! style="background:#ccc;"|Post
! style="background:#ccc;"|Current Holder
|-
| [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]] || Admiral [[Karambir Singh]], PVSM, AVSM<ref name="karambir-cns">{{cite news |title=Admiral Karambir Singh assumes charge as the new Navy Chief |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/admiral-karambir-singh-assumes-charge-as-the-new-navy-chief/articleshow/69592208.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=31 May 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Naval Staff]] || Vice Admiral [[G Ashok Kumar]], AVSM, VSM<ref name="G Ashok Kumar as VCNS" />
|-
| [[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff]] || Vice Admiral [[Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar|M. S. Pawar]], AVSM, VSM<ref name="Vice Admiral MS Pawar DCNS" />
|-
| [[Chief of Personnel (India)|Chief of Personnel]]|| Vice Admiral [[Ravneet Singh (Admiral)|Ravneet Singh]], AVSM,NM<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/375|title=Chief of Personnel (COP)|access-date=3 December 2019|language=en-IN}}</ref>
|-
| [[Chief of Materiel (India)|Chief of Materiel]]|| Vice Admiral S. R. Sarma AVSM, VSM<ref name="Chief of Materiel (COM)">{{cite web|title=Chief of Materiel (COM)|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/380|website=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007121401/http://indiannavy.nic.in/node/380|archive-date=7 October 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Director General of Medical Services||Surgeon Vice Admiral Rajat Datta AVSM, SM, VSM,PHS<ref name="Director General Medical Services (Navy)">{{cite web|title=Director General Medical Services (Navy) {{!}} Indian Navy|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/director-general-medical-services-navy|website=Indian Navy|access-date=11 June 2019|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Director General of Naval Operations||Vice Admiral [[M A Hampiholi]], AVSM, NM<ref name="Director General of Naval Operations">{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi takes over charge as DG Naval Operations on Mar 27|url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/458533-vice-admiral-ma-hampiholi-takes-over-charge-as-dg-naval-operations-on-mar-27|website=Devdiscourse|access-date=28 March 2019|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition||Vice Admiral AK Saxena, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
|-
|Inspector General Nuclear Safety||Vice Admiral [[SV Bhokare]], AVSM, YSM, NM
|-
|Controller of Personnel Services||Vice Admiral [[Biswajit Dasgupta]], AVSM, YSM, VSM
|-
|Director General of Naval Design||Rear Admiral Anil Kumar Saxena, NM<ref name="Director General Naval Design">{{cite web|title=Director General Naval Design|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/13734|website=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007182843/http://indiannavy.nic.in/node/13734|archive-date=7 October 2016}}</ref>
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|+ At operational command level<ref name="Organisation Of Indian Navy" />
! style="background:#ccc;"|Commands
! style="background:#ccc;"|HQ Location
! style="background:#ccc;"|Current FOC-in-C
|-
|[[Western Naval Command]] ||[[Mumbai]] || Vice Admiral [[R. Hari Kumar]], PVSM, AVSM, VSM<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vice-admiral-r-hari-kumar-takes-charge-as-western-naval-command-chief/articleshow/81253791.cms|title=Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar takes charge as Western Naval Command Chief|publisher=Times Of India|date=28 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Eastern Naval Command]] ||[[Visakhapatnam]] || Vice Admiral [[Ajendra Bahadur Singh]], AVSM, VSM<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/vice-admiral-ab-singh-to-take-over-as-foc-in-c-of-enc/article33952380.ece|title= Vice Admiral A.B. Singh to take over as FOC-in-C of ENC |publisher=The Hindu|date=28 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Southern Naval Command]] || [[Kochi]] || Vice Admiral [[Anil Kumar Chawla]], AVSM, VSM, NM<ref name="snc-shief-1">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=181236|title=Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla assumes Command of SNC|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=1 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="snc-shief-2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/vice-admiral-anil-kumar-chawla-assumes-command-snc|title=Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla Assumes Command of SNC |access-date=31 July 2018}}</ref>
|}

===Facilities===
{{Main|List of Indian Navy bases}}
Indian Navy has its operational and training bases in [[Gujarat]], [[Karnataka]], [[Goa]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Lakshadweep]], [[Kerala]], [[Odisha]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[West Bengal]], and [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]. These bases are intended for various purposes such as logistics and maintenance support, ammunition support, air stations, hospitals, [[MARCOS]] bases, coastal defence, missile defence, submarine and missile boat bases, forward operating bases etc.<ref name="WNC Authorities & Units">{{cite web|title=WNC Authorities & Units|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/5184|website=Indian Navy|access-date=16 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731153909/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/5184|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="Eastern Naval Command Authorities & Units">{{cite web|title=Eastern Naval Command Authorities & Units|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1435|website=Indian Navy|access-date=16 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722091156/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1435|archive-date=22 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="Southern Naval Command Authorities & Units">{{cite web|title=Southern Naval Command Authorities & Units|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1437|website=Indian Navy|access-date=16 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731185419/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1437|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> Of these, [[INS Shivaji]] is one of the oldest naval bases in India. Commissioned in February 1945 as HMIS Shivaji, it now serves as the premier Technical Training Establishment (TTE) of the Indian Navy.<ref name="INS Shivaji - IN Official">{{cite web|title=INS Shivaji|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1527|website=Indian Navy|access-date=16 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731151842/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/1527|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref>

In May 2005, the Indian Navy commissioned {{INS|Kadamba}} at [[Karwar]], {{convert|100|km}} from [[Goa]].<ref name="INS Kadamba - Navy Official">{{cite web|title=INS Kadamba|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/ins-kadamba|website=Indian Navy|access-date=16 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731160529/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/ins-kadamba|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> Built under the first phase of the [[Project Seabird]], at first it was an exclusively Navy controlled base without sharing port facilities with commercial shipping.<ref name="INS Kadamba commissioned - The Hindu">{{cite news|author1=Ravi Sharma|title=INS Kadamba commissioned|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/06/01/stories/2005060105071400.htm|access-date=16 July 2017|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=June 2005}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The Indian Navy also has berthing rights in Oman and Vietnam.<ref name="Overseas Military Bases of a budding Super Power - India">{{cite web|title=Overseas Military Bases of a budding Super Power – India|url=http://www.defencenews.in/article/Overseas-Military-Bases-of-a-budding-Super-Power---India-119322|website=Defence News|access-date=16 July 2017|date=28 November 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731150253/http://www.defencenews.in/article/Overseas-Military-Bases-of-a-budding-Super-Power---India-119322|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> The Navy operates a monitoring station, fitted with radars and surveillance gear to intercept maritime communication, in [[Madagascar]]. It also plans to build a further 32 radar stations in Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives and Sri Lanka.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} According to ''Intelligence Online'', published by a France-based global intelligence gathering organisation, Indigo Publications, the Navy is believed to be operating a listening post in Ras al-Hadd, Oman. The post is located directly across from Gwadar Port in Balochistan, Pakistan, separated by approximately {{convert|400|km}} of the Arabian Sea.<ref name="Indian Listening Station In Oman Monitoring Pakistan's Naval Communications [RUMINT]">{{cite web|title=Indian Listening Station in Oman Monitoring Pakistan's Naval Communications|url=http://www.aame.in/2013/02/indian-listening-station-in-oman.html|website=AA Me, IN|access-date=16 July 2017|date=27 February 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731145401/http://www.aame.in/2013/02/indian-listening-station-in-oman.html|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref>

The navy operates {{INS|Kattabomman}}, a [[Very low frequency|VLF]] and [[Extremely low frequency|ELF]] transmission facility at Vijayanarayanapuram near [[Tirunelveli]] in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="INS Kattabomman">{{cite web|title=INS Kattabomman|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/5237|website=Indian Navy|access-date=16 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930184839/http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/5237|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref> {{INS|Abhimanyu}} and {{INS|Karna}} are two bases dedicated for MARCOS.<ref name="INS Abhimanyu">{{cite web|title=INS Abhimanyu|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/5059|website=Indian Navy|access-date=16 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930192553/http://indiannavy.nic.in/node/5059|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="Admiral Lanba commissions Marine Commandos unit ‘INS Karna’">{{cite news|author1=G. S. Subrahmanyam|title=Admiral Lanba commissions Marine Commandos unit 'INS Karna'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Admiral-Lanba-commissions-Marine-Commandos-unit-%E2%80%98INS-Karna%E2%80%99/article14485015.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=16 July 2017|date=12 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223224633/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Admiral-Lanba-commissions-Marine-Commandos-unit-%E2%80%98INS-Karna%E2%80%99/article14485015.ece|archive-date=23 December 2016}}</ref> [[INS Varsha|Project Varsha]] is a highly classified project undertaken by the Navy to construct a hi-tech base under the Eastern Naval Command. The base is said to house nuclear submarines and also a VLF facility.<ref name="How India's pride INS Arihant was built">{{cite news|author1=Jyoti Malhotra|title=How India's pride INS Arihant was built|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/how-india-s-pride-ins-arihant-was-built-113081100745_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard India|access-date=16 July 2017|location=New Delhi|date=12 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211090449/http://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/how-india-s-pride-ins-arihant-was-built-113081100745_1.html|archive-date=11 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="India readies hi-tech naval base to keep eye on China">{{cite web|author1=Rajat Pandit|title=India readies hi-tech naval base to keep eye on China|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-readies-hi-tech-naval-base-to-keep-eye-on-China/articleshow/19203910.cms?referral=PM|website=The Times of India|access-date=16 July 2017|date=26 March 2013}}</ref>

===Training===

Indian Navy has a specialized training command which is responsible for organisation, conduct and overseeing of all basic, professional and specialist training throughout the Navy. The Commander in Chief of Southern Command also serves as the Commander in Chief of Training Command. The Chief of Personnel (CoP) at HQ of Indian Navy is responsible for the framework of training, and exercises the responsibility through Directorate of Naval Training (DNT).<ref name="The Training Command">{{cite web|title=The Training Command|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/themes/indiannavy/images/pdf/the-training-command.pdf|website=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803044008/http://indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/themes/indiannavy/images/pdf/the-training-command.pdf|archive-date=3 August 2016}}</ref> The training year of Indian Navy is defined from 1 July to 30 June of the following year.<ref name="Foreign Training">{{cite web|title=Foreign Training|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/foreign-training|website=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602054933/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/foreign-training|archive-date=2 June 2017}}</ref>

Officer training is conducted at [[Indian Naval Academy]] (INA) at [[Ezhimala]], on the coast of [[Kerala]]. Established in 2009, it is the largest naval academy in Asia. Cadets from [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] also move to INA for their later terms.<ref name="History Of INA">{{cite web|title=History of INA|url=http://ina.gov.in/?q=History|website=Indian Naval Academy|publisher=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130081110/http://ina.gov.in/?q=History|archive-date=30 November 2016}}</ref> The Navy also has specialized training establishments for gunnery, aviation, leadership, logistics, music, medicine, physical training, educational training, engineering, hydrography, submarines etc. at several naval bases<ref name="Training Establishments">{{cite web|title=Training Establishments|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/training-establishments|website=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606183508/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/training-establishments|archive-date=6 June 2017}}</ref> along the coastline of India.<ref name="Geographical Location of Academies">{{cite web|title=Geographical Location of Training Academies|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/geographical-location|website=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602040411/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/geographical-location|archive-date=2 June 2017}}</ref> Naval officers also attend the tri-service institutions [[National Defence College (India)|National Defence College]], [[College of Defence Management]] and [[Defence Services Staff College]] for various staff courses to higher command and staff appointments. The Navy's [[War college]] is the [[Naval War College, Goa]].<ref name="The Training Command"/> A dedicated wing for naval architecture under Directorate of Naval Architecture at [[IIT Delhi]] is operated by the Navy.<ref name="Naval Construction Wing (NCW)">{{cite web|title=Naval Construction Wing (NCW)|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/themes/indiannavy/images/pdf/naval-construction-wing.pdf|website=Indian Navy|access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803004726/http://indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/themes/indiannavy/images/pdf/naval-construction-wing.pdf|archive-date=3 August 2016}}</ref> Indian Navy also trains officers and men from the navies of friendly foreign countries.<ref name="Foreign Training"/>

===Rank structure===
{{As of|2017|7|1}}, the Navy has 10,393 officers and 56,835 sailors against a sanctioned strength of 11,827 officers and 71,656 sailors.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/20-sailor-shortage-in-navy-15-officer-posts-vacant-in-army-nirmala-sitharaman-tells-parliament-1616303.html|title=20% Sailor Shortage in Navy, 15% Officer Posts Vacant In Army, Nirmala Sitharaman Tells Parliament|last1=Rana|first1=Uday Singh|date=27 December 2017|work=News18}}</ref> This is inclusive of naval aviation, marine commandos and [[Sagar Prahari Bal]] personnel.<ref name="Strength of Manpower - PIB">{{cite web|author1=Dr. Subhash Bhamre|author-link1=Subhash Bhamre|title=Strength of Manpower|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:159474)|website=Press Information Bureau|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=8 July 2017|date=17 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731154753/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=%28Release%20ID%20%3A159474%29|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref>

====Officers====
India uses the [[Midshipman]] rank in its navy, and all future officers carry the rank upon entering the [[Indian Naval Academy]]. They are commissioned [[Sub-lieutenant]]s upon finishing their course of study.<ref name="Rank, rating and promotion">{{cite web|title=Rank, rating and promotion|url=http://nausena-bharti.nic.in/rank.php|website=Nausena Bharati|publisher=Indian Navy|access-date=8 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606034633/http://nausena-bharti.nic.in/rank.php|archive-date=6 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="Indian Navy - Rank and Ratings">{{cite web|title=Indian Navy – Rank and Ratings|url=http://nausena-bharti.nic.in/uniform4.php|website=Nausena Bharati|publisher=Indian Navy|access-date=8 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228175021/http://www.nausena-bharti.nic.in/uniform4.php|archive-date=28 December 2016}}</ref>

While the provision for the rank of [[Admiral of the Fleet]] exists, it is primarily intended for major wartime use and honour. No officer of the Indian Navy has yet been conferred this rank. Both the [[Indian Army|Army]] and [[Indian Air Force|Air Force]] have had officers who have been conferred with the equivalent rank – [[Field Marshal (India)|Field Marshals]] [[Sam Manekshaw]] and [[Kodandera Madappa Cariappa|Cariappa]] of the Army and [[Marshal of the Air Force#India|Marshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF)]] [[Arjan Singh]].<ref name="Did You Know That Only 3 People Have Been Given The Highest Ranks In The Indian Armed Forces?" />

The highest ranked naval officer in organization structure is the [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of Naval Staff]], who holds the rank of admiral.<ref name="Indian Navy - Rank and Ratings"/>

{| style="border:1px slid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/India}}
|}

====Rating personnel====

In the Indian Navy, the sailors are initially listed as, Seaman 2nd class. As they grow through the ranks they attain the highest rank of enlisted personnel, Master chief petty officer 1st class. Sailors who possess leadership qualities and fulfill requisite conditions in terms of education, age etc. may be commissioned through Commission worthy and Special Duties (CW & SD) scheme.<ref name="Rank, rating and promotion" />

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/India}}
|}

===Naval Air Arm===
[[File:Deployment of P-81 to Seychelles for EEZ Surveillance (1).JPG|thumb|left|Indian Navy [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8I Neptune]] aircraft deployed in Seychelles]]
[[File:An Indian Navy MIG-29K Fulcrum flies over the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during Exercise Malabar 2017.jpg|thumb|[[Mikoyan MiG-29K|MiG-29K]] operates from INS ''Vikramaditya'']]
The naval air-arm of the Indian Navy currently operates twenty-one [[Squadron (aviation)|air squadron]]s. Of these, ten operate fixed-wing aircraft, eight are helicopter squadrons and the remaining three are equipped with [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAV). Building on the legacy inherited from the Royal Navy prior to Indian independence, the concept of [[naval aviation]] in India started with the establishment of Directorate of Naval Aviation at Naval Headquarters (NHQ) in early 1948. Later that year officers and sailors from the Indian Navy were sent to Britain for [[pilot training]]. In 1951, the Fleet Requirement Unit (FRU) was formed to meet the aviation requirements of the navy.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=262}}

On 1 January 1953, the charge of [[Cochin]] airfield was handed over to the navy from the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]]. On 11 March, the FRU was commissioned at Cochin with ten newly acquired [[Short Sealand|Sealand]] aircraft. The navy's first air station, [[INS Garuda|INS ''Garuda'']], was commissioned two months later. From February 1955 to December 1958, ten [[Fairey Firefly|Firefly]] aircraft were acquired. To meet the training requirements of the pilots, the indigenously developed [[HAL HT-2]] trainer was inducted into the FRU. On 17 January 1959, the FRU was commissioned as [[INAS 550|Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 550]], to be the first Indian naval air squadron.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=262}}

Currently the air arm operates an aircraft carrier INS ''Vikramaditya'' with ability to carry over thirty aircraft including MiG 29K, Kamov 31, Kamov 28, Sea King and domestic-built HAL-Dhruv and Chetak helicopters.<ref name="Antony to commission MIG-29 K fighters into Navy">{{cite web|title=Antony to commission MIG-29 K fighters into Navy|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/antony-to-commission-mig-29-k-fighters-into-navy-607512.html|website=News 18|access-date=17 July 2017|date=6 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115193746/http://www.news18.com/news/india/antony-to-commission-mig-29-k-fighters-into-navy-607512.html|archive-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="About INS Vikramaditya - The newest & largest ship of Indian Navy">{{cite web|title=About INS Vikramaditya – The newest & largest ship of Indian Navy|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/about-ins-vikramaditya-newest-largest-ship-indian-navy|website=Indian Navy|access-date=17 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731153146/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/about-ins-vikramaditya-newest-largest-ship-indian-navy|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> The Kamov-31 choppers also provide the [[airborne early warning]] cover for the fleet.<ref name="Kamov Ka-31 Helix Airborne Early Warning Helicopter">{{cite web|title=Kamov Ka-31 Helix Airborne Early Warning Helicopter|url=http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/kamov_ka31.htm|website=Military Today|access-date=17 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731162627/http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/kamov_ka31.htm|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> In the anti-submarine role, the [[Westland Sea King|Sea King]], [[Ka-28]], and the domestic built [[HAL Dhruv]] are used.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2005|pp=88–89}}<ref name="Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH- DHRUV) - HAL">{{cite web|title=Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH- DHRUV)|url=http://www.hal-india.com/Product_Details.aspx?Mkey=54&lKey=&CKey=24|website=Hindustan Aeronautics Limited|access-date=17 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702093758/http://hal-india.com/Product_Details.aspx?Mkey=54&lKey=&CKey=24|archive-date=2 July 2017}}</ref> The [[MARCOS]] also use Sea King and HAL Dhruv helicopters while conducting operations. Maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations are carried out by the [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon]]<ref name="Indian Navy to induct 24 Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft">{{cite web|title=Indian Navy to induct 24 Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft|url=http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1272_Navy_to_induct_P8I.htm|website=India Strategic|access-date=17 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206232151/http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1272_Navy_to_induct_P8I.htm|archive-date=6 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="Indian Navy gets its most sophisticated system yet in P8-I Maritime Aircraft">{{cite web|author1=Gulshan Luthra|title=Indian Navy gets its most sophisticated system yet in P8-I Maritime Aircraft|url=http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1877_Indian_Navy_gets_most_sophisticated_system_in_P8-I_maritime_aircraft.htm|website=India Strategic|access-date=17 July 2017|date=January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501152303/http://indiastrategic.in/topstories1877_Indian_Navy_gets_most_sophisticated_system_in_P8-I_maritime_aircraft.htm|archive-date=1 May 2013}}</ref> and the [[Ilyushin Il-38|Ilyushin 38]].<ref name="llyushin ll-38 May 'the Russian Orion">{{cite web|last1=Borst|first1=Marco P.J.|title=llyushin ll-38 May 'the Russian Orion|url=http://www.p3orion.nl/il-38%20may.pdf|website=Airborne Log|access-date=17 July 2017|date=1996|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910130518/http://www.p3orion.nl/il-38%20may.pdf|archive-date=10 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="INAS 312 – The Albatross">{{cite web|title=The Albatross|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/tu-142m|website=Indian Navy|access-date=17 July 2017|language=en|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731154459/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/tu-142m|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="INAS 315 – The Winged Stallions">{{cite web|title=INAS 315 – The Winged Stallions|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/il38|website=Indian Navy|access-date=17 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116022459/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/il38|archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> The [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] arm consists of the [[IAI Heron]] and Searcher-IIs that are operated from both surface ships and shore establishments for surveillance missions.<ref name="INAS 342 – The Flying Sentinels">{{cite web|title=INAS 342 – The Flying Sentinels|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/uav|website=Indian Navy|access-date=17 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116164957/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/uav|archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Indian Naval Air Squadron 343">{{cite web|title=Indian Naval Air Squadron 343|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/inas-343|website=Indian Navy|access-date=17 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116164907/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/inas-343|archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="UAV SQUADRON COMMISSIONED ON EAST COAST">{{cite web|title=UAV SQUADRON COMMISSIONED ON EAST COAST|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/files/press_release_document/PRel_120411_INAS-344-Commissioned.pdf|website=Indian Navy|access-date=17 July 2017|date=11 April 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116164352/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/files/press_release_document/PRel_120411_INAS-344-Commissioned.pdf|archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref>

The Indian Navy also maintains an aerobatic display team, the ''[[Sagar Pawan]]''. The Sagar Pawan team will be replacing their present Kiran [[HAL Kiran|HJT-16]] aircraft with the newly developed [[HAL HJT-36|HJT-36]] aircraft.<ref name="KIRAN MK 1/1A/2">{{cite web|title=KIRAN MK 1/1A/2|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/kiran-mk-11a2|website=Indian Navy|access-date=17 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116164944/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/kiran-mk-11a2|archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref>

===MARCOS===
[[File:Beating Retreat and Tattoo ceremony at Gateway of India, 2018 (7).jpg|thumb|A demonstration by [[MARCOS]] during [[Navy Day (India)|Navy day]] 2018.]]

The [[MARCOS (India)|Marine Commando Force]] (MCF), also known as ''MARCOS'', is a [[special operations]] unit that was raised by the Indian Navy in 1987 for [[Amphibious warfare]], [[Close quarters combat|Close Quarter Combat]] [[Counter-terrorism]], [[Direct action (military)|Direct action]], [[Special reconnaissance]], [[Unconventional warfare]], [[Hostage rescue]], [[Personnel recovery]], [[Combat search and rescue]], [[Asymmetric warfare]], [[Foreign internal defence]], [[Counterproliferation]], [[Amphibious reconnaissance]] including [[Amphibious reconnaissance|Hydrographic reconnaissance]].<ref name="INS Abhimanyu"/> Since their inception MARCOS proved themselves in various operations and wars, notable of them include [[Operation Pawan]], [[1988 Maldives coup d'état|Operation Cactus]], [[United Nations Operation in Somalia II|UNOSOM II]], [[Kargil War]] and [[Operation Black Tornado]].<ref name="15 Reasons The Indian Navy MARCOS Are The Best In The World">{{cite web|author1=Abhishek Saxena|title=15 Reasons The Indian Navy MARCOS Are The Best in the World|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/15-reasons-the-indian-navy-marcos-are-the-best-in-the-world-232296.html|website=India Times|access-date=17 July 2017|date=2 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126093127/http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/15-reasons-the-indian-navy-marcos-are-the-best-in-the-world-232296.html|archive-date=26 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="The Emerging Role of the Indian Navy in the New World Order - I">{{cite web|author1=Vice Admiral G. M. Hiranandani (retd.)|author-link1=Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani|title=The Emerging Role of the Indian Navy in the New World Order – I|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/the-emerging-role-of-the-indian-navy-in-the-new-world-order-i/2/|website=Indian Defence Review|access-date=17 July 2017|date=11 April 2011}}</ref> They are also actively deployed on anti-piracy operations throughout the year.<ref name="Indian navy captures 61 Somalian pirates and stolen 'mother ship' after deadly gun battle">{{cite web |title=Indian navy holds 61 pirates after skirmish at sea |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/14/indian-navy-pirates-holds-61 |website=Guardian |access-date=2 January 2020 |date=14 March 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102154023/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/14/indian-navy-pirates-holds-61 |archive-date=2 January 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Indian Navy foils pirates' attempt to attack Liberian vessel in Gulf of Aden">{{cite web|title=Indian Navy foils pirates' attempt to attack Liberian vessel in Gulf of Aden|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170517/indian-navy-foils-pirates-attempt-to-attack-liberian-vessel-in-gulf-of-aden.html|website=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=17 July 2017|date=17 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519075333/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170517/indian-navy-foils-pirates-attempt-to-attack-liberian-vessel-in-gulf-of-aden.html|archive-date=19 May 2017}}</ref>

==Equipment==

{{Main|List of active Indian Navy ships}}
{{See also|List of ships of the Indian Navy}}

===Ships===
[[File:INS Vikramaditya in Baltic Sea.jpg|thumb|right|[[INS Vikramaditya (R33)|INS ''Vikramaditya'']]]]

The names of all in service ships and naval bases of the Indian Navy are prefixed with the letters '''INS''', designating ''Indian Naval Ship'' or ''Indian Navy Station'',<ref name="Ship Naming in the United States Navy">{{cite web|title=Ship Naming in the United States Navy|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/customs-and-traditions/ship-naming.html|website=Naval History and Heritage Command|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|quote=India and Israel both use "INS" to mean Indian Naval Ship or Israeli Navy Ship.}}</ref> whereas the sail boats are prefixed with INSV (Indian Naval Sailing Vessel).<ref name="Tir Class, Sail Ships/Boats, Sagardhwani Class" /> The fleet of the Indian Navy is a mixture of domestic built and foreign vessels, {{as of|2018|1|lc=y}}, the surface fleet comprises 1 [[aircraft carrier]],<ref name="Vikramaditya, Viraat, Delhi Class, Rajput Class, Kolkata Class">{{cite web|title=Vikramaditya, Viraat, Delhi Class, Rajput Class, Kolkata Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/vikramaditya-viraat-delhi-class-rajput-class-kolkata-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731154754/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/vikramaditya-viraat-delhi-class-rajput-class-kolkata-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="INS Viraat Decommissioned">{{cite web|title=INS Viraat Decommissioned|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/ins-viraat-decommissioned|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731160452/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/ins-viraat-decommissioned|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> 1 [[amphibious transport dock]],<ref name="Austin Class, Shardul Cass, Magar Class">{{cite web|title=Austin Class, Shardul Cass, Magar Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/austin-class-shardul-cass-magar-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731151637/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/austin-class-shardul-cass-magar-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> 8 [[Landing Ship, Tank|Landing ship tanks]],<ref name="Austin Class, Shardul Cass, Magar Class"/><ref name="Kumbhir Class, LCU (MK-3) Class">{{cite web|title=Kumbhir Class, LCU (MK-3) Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/kumbhir-class-lcu-mk-3-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731154710/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/kumbhir-class-lcu-mk-3-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> 11 [[destroyer]]s,<ref name="Vikramaditya, Viraat, Delhi Class, Rajput Class, Kolkata Class"/> 13 [[frigate]]s,<ref name="Shivalik Class, Talwar Class, Kamorta Class">{{cite web|title=Shivalik Class, Talwar Class, Kamorta Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/shivalik-class-talwar-class-kamorta-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731154548/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/shivalik-class-talwar-class-kamorta-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="Brahmaputra Class, Godavari Class">{{cite web|title=Brahmaputra Class, Godavari Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/brahmaputra-class-godavari-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731154924/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/brahmaputra-class-godavari-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> 23 [[corvette]]s,<ref name="Shivalik Class, Talwar Class, Kamorta Class"/><ref name="Kora Class, Khukri Class">{{cite web|title=Kora Class, Khukri Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/kora-class-khukri-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731153200/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/kora-class-khukri-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="Veer Class, Abhay Class">{{cite web|title=Veer Class, Abhay Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/veer-class-abhay-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731151626/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/veer-class-abhay-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="Indian Navy Corvettes INS Veer And Nipat Decommissioned After 29 and 28 Years Of Service To The Nation">{{cite web|author1=Surabhi Nijhawan|title=Indian Navy Corvettes INS Veer And Nipat Decommissioned After 29 and 28 Years of Service to the Nation|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/indian-navy-corvettes-ins-veer-and-nipat-decommissioned-after-29-and-28-years-of-service-to-the-nation-254218.html|website=India Times|access-date=18 July 2017|date=28 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731151456/http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/indian-navy-corvettes-ins-veer-and-nipat-decommissioned-after-29-and-28-years-of-service-to-the-nation-254218.html|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> 10 large offshore [[Patrol boat|patrol vessels]],<ref name="Sukanya Class, Saryu Class, Karwar Class">{{cite web|title=Sukanya Class, Saryu Class, Karwar Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/sukanya-class-saryu-class-karwar-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731185745/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/sukanya-class-saryu-class-karwar-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> 4 [[Replenishment oiler|fleet tankers]],<ref name="Fleet Tankers, Torpedo Recovery Vessels, Ocean Going Tugs, Nireekshak Class">{{cite web|title=Fleet Tankers, Torpedo Recovery Vessels, Ocean Going Tugs, Nireekshak Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/fleet-tankers-torpedo-recovery-vessels-ocean-going-tugs-nireekshak-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731153154/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/fleet-tankers-torpedo-recovery-vessels-ocean-going-tugs-nireekshak-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> 7 Survey ships,<ref name="Sandhayak Class, Makar Class">{{cite web|title=Sandhayak Class, Makar Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/sandhayak-class-makar-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731151020/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/sandhayak-class-makar-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> 1 research vessel,<ref name="Tir Class, Sail Ships/Boats, Sagardhwani Class"/> 3 training vessels<ref name="Tir Class, Sail Ships/Boats, Sagardhwani Class">{{cite web|title=Tir Class, Sail Ships/Boats, Sagardhwani Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/tir-class-sail-shipsboats-sagardhwani-class|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731153206/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/tir-class-sail-shipsboats-sagardhwani-class|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> and various [[Auxiliary ship|auxiliary vessels]], [[Landing Craft Utility]] vessels,<ref name="Kumbhir Class, LCU (MK-3) Class"/> and small patrol boats.<ref name="Fleet Tankers, Torpedo Recovery Vessels, Ocean Going Tugs, Nireekshak Class"/><ref name="Trinket Class, Super Dvora II Class, Bangaram Class, Car Nicobar Class, Immediate Support Vessels">{{cite web|title=Trinket Class, Super Dvora II Class, Bangaram Class, Car Nicobar Class, Immediate Support Vessels|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/trinket-class-super-dvora-ii-class-bangaram-class-car-nicobar-class-immediate-support|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731155125/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/trinket-class-super-dvora-ii-class-bangaram-class-car-nicobar-class-immediate-support|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref>

After INS ''Viraat'' was decommissioned on 6 March 2017, the Navy is left with only one aircraft carrier in active service, [[INS Vikramaditya (R33)|INS ''Vikramaditya'']], which serves as the flagship of the fleet.<ref name="INS Viraat Decommissioned" /> ''Vikramaditya'' (formerly ''Admiral Gorshkov'') is a modified {{Sclass|Kiev|aircraft carrier}} procured at a total cost $2.3&nbsp;billion from Russia in December 2013.<ref name="India's Vikramaditya to undergo final trials in mid-2013">{{cite web|author1=Greg Waldron|title=India's Vikramaditya to undergo final trials in mid-2013|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/indias-vikramaditya-to-undergo-final-trials-in-mid-2013-381535/|website=Flight Global|access-date=18 July 2017|date=28 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703161755/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/indias-vikramaditya-to-undergo-final-trials-in-mid-2013-381535/|archive-date=3 July 2017}}</ref> The Navy has an [[amphibious transport dock]] of the {{sclass|Austin|amphibious transport dock|4}}, re-christened as INS ''Jalashwa'' in Indian service. It also maintains a fleet of [[Landing Ship, Tank|landing ship tanks]].<ref name="Austin Class, Shardul Cass, Magar Class" />

[[File:INS Shakti A57.jpg|thumb|left|{{INS|Shakti|A57|6}}, a {{sclass|Deepak|fleet tanker|1}}]]

The navy currently operates three {{sclass|Kolkata|destroyer|5}}, three {{sclass|Delhi|destroyer|5}} and four {{sclass|Rajput|destroyer|5}}-class [[guided-missile destroyer]]s.<ref name="Vikramaditya, Viraat, Delhi Class, Rajput Class, Kolkata Class" /> The ships of the ''Rajput'' class will be replaced in the near future by the next-generation {{sclass|Visakhapatnam|destroyer|1}}s (Project 15B) which will feature a number of improvements.<ref name="INS Visakhapatnam', First Ship of Project 15B launched">{{cite web|title=INS Visakhapatnam', First Ship of Project 15B launched|url=http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/news-events/ins-visakhapatnam-first-ship-project-15b-launched|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034817/http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/news-events/ins-visakhapatnam-first-ship-project-15b-launched|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In addition to destroyers, the navy operates several classes of frigates such as three {{sclass|Shivalik|frigate|5}} (Project 17 class) and six {{sclass|Talwar|frigate|5}}-class frigates.<ref name="Shivalik Class, Talwar Class, Kamorta Class" /> Seven additional ''Shivalik''-class frigates ([[Project 17A class frigate]]s) are on order. The older {{sclass|Godavari|frigate|0}} frigates will systematically be replaced one by one as the new classes of frigates are brought into service over the next decade.<ref name="Stealth Frigates for the Indian Navy">{{cite web|title=Stealth Frigates for the Indian Navy|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/stealth-frigates-for-the-indian-navy/|website=Indian Defence Review|access-date=18 July 2017|date=1 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731152126/http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/stealth-frigates-for-the-indian-navy/|archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref>

Smaller [[littoral zone]] [[combatant ship|combatants]] in service are in the form of corvettes, of which the Indian Navy operates the [[Kamorta-class corvette|''Kamorta'']], {{sclass|Kora|corvette|5}}, {{sclass|Khukri|corvette|5}}, {{sclass|Veer|corvette|5}} and {{sclass|Abhay|corvette|0}} corvettes.<ref name="Shivalik Class, Talwar Class, Kamorta Class" /><ref name="Kora Class, Khukri Class" /><ref name="Veer Class, Abhay Class" /> [[Replenishment ship|Replenishment tankers]] such as the [[Komandarm Fedko-class oiler|''Jyoti''-class tanker]], {{INS|Aditya|A59|6}} and the new {{sclass|Deepak|fleet tanker|1}}- help improve the navy's endurance at sea.<ref name="Fleet Tankers, Torpedo Recovery Vessels, Ocean Going Tugs, Nireekshak Class" />

== Aircraft carriers ==

{{Further|Indian Naval Air Arm}}
[[File:Mikoyan MiG-29K of the Indian Navy.jpg|thumb|A MiG-29K of the Indian Navy]] 
[[File:Boeing P-8I of the Indian Navy (modified).jpg|thumb|right|A Boeing P-8I of the Indian Navy]]
[[File:Indian Navy Kamov Ka-31 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right| A Kamov Ka-31 helicopter lands on the [[USS Bunker Hill (CG-52)|USS ''Bunker Hill'']]]]

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat Aircraft]]
|-
| [[MiG-29]]
| [[Russia]]
|[[Multirole combat aircraft|multirole]]
| [[Mikoyan MiG-29K|MiG-29K]]
| 41<ref>{{Cite web|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=2020-11-29|title=Engine, design deficiencies — Third crash puts Russian MiG-29K back in focus|url=https://theprint.in/defence/engine-design-deficiencies-third-crash-puts-russian-mig-29k-back-in-focus/553973/|access-date=2020-11-30|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=29 November 2020|title=Indian Navy finds some debris of crashed MiG-29K in Arabian sea|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-navy-finds-some-debris-of-crashed-mig-29k-in-arabian-sea/articleshow/79478462.cms|access-date=2020-11-30}}</ref>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Airborne early warning and control|AWACS]]
|-
| [[Kamov Ka-31]]
| Russia
| [[Airborne early warning and control|AEW]]
|
| 14<ref>{{Cite web|title=Russia to Supply a Batch of KA-31 AEW Helicopters to India|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/26554/Russia_to_Supply_a_Batch_of_KA_31_AEW_Helicopters_to_India#.X8Ska7dX4VE|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.defenseworld.net}}</ref>
|employs a [[Planar array radar]]
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol]]
|-
|[[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|Boeing P-8]]
| United States
| [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] / [[Maritime patrol aircraft|patrol]]
|[[Boeing P-8 Poseidon#India|P-8I]]
|9<ref>{{Cite web|title=Boost to anti-submarine warfare capabilities! Indian Navy receives ninth Boeing P-8I surveillance aircraft|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/indian-navy-receives-ninth-boeing-p-8i-surveillance-aircraft/683574|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en}}</ref>
|3 on order
|-
| [[Ilyushin Il-38]]
| [[Soviet Union]]
| [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] / [[Maritime patrol aircraft|patrol]]
| 
|5
|
|-
| [[Dornier 228]]
|Germany
|[[Surveillance aircraft|surveillance]]
| 228-201
|25
|12 on order
|-
| [[Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander|Britten-Norman BN-2]]
| United Kingdom
| utility / [[Maritime patrol aircraft|patrol]]
| [[Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander#Variants|BN-2B/2T]]
| 10<ref>{{Cite web|title=DORNIERS {{!}} Indian Navy|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/dorniers-1|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Helicopters]]
|-
| [[HAL Dhruv]]
| India
| [[Utility helicopter|utility]] 
| MK. I / Mk. III
| 10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/02/hal-hands-over-alh-dhruv-mk-iii-to-the-indian-navy-and-coast-guard/|title= HAL hands over ALH Dhruv Mk III to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard |publisher=Naval News|date=6 February 2021}}</ref>
| 15 on order
|-
| [[Kamov Ka-27]]
| [[Russia]]
| [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]]
| [[Kamov Ka-27#Variants|Ka-28]]
| 14<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ka-27/28 and Ka-29 Helix - Naval Technology|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ka272829-helix/|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.naval-technology.com}}</ref>
| 4 on order
|-
|[[Westland Sea King]]
| United Kingdom
|[[Search and rescue|SAR]] / utility  
|[[Westland Sea King#Variants|Mk.42B/C]]
|31<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hiranandani|first=G. M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1WxI9TlAxIQC|title=Transition to Eminence: The Indian Navy 1976-1990|date=2005|publisher=Lancer Publishers|isbn=978-81-7062-266-6|language=en}}</ref>
|six are [[Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King#Sikorsky designations|UH-3H]] variants 
|-
|[[HAL Chetak]]
| France
| liaison / utility
|
|35
|6 on order
|-
|[[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk|SH-60 Seahawk]]
| [[United States]]
|[[Anti-surface warfare|ASW]] / [[Search and rescue|SAR]]
|[[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk#U.S. versions|MH-60R]]
| 
|24 on order<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=2020-02-27|title=Purchase of 24 Seahawk helicopters a 'force multiplier': Indian Navy|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/purchase-of-24-seahawk-helicopters-a-force-multiplier-indian-navy-11582793734554.html|access-date=2020-11-30|website=mint|language=en}}</ref>
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer Aircraft]]
|-
| [[MiG-29]]
|[[Russia]]
| [[Trainer (aircraft)#Operational conversion|Conversion trainer]]
| [[Mikoyan MiG-29K#Variants|MiG-29KUB]]
| 8<ref name="World Air Forces 2020">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-2020/135665.article|title = World Air Forces 2020|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2020 |access-date= 4 May 2020|url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=ANI|number=1195596711156076544|title=A MiG-29K fighter aircraft crashed in Goa soon after it took off for a training mission. Both the pilots have managed to eject safely. The aircraft involved in the crash was a trainer version of the fighter jet.|date=2019-11-16}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[BAE Systems Hawk|BAE Hawk]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
|Jet trainer
|[[BAE Systems Hawk#Hawk 132|Hawk 132]] 
|17
|
|-
| [[HAL Kiran]]
| [[India]]
|Jet trainer
| 
| 20
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]
|-
|[[IAI Heron]]
|Israel
| surveillance
|Heron 1
|<ref name="bs-sipri">{{cite news|last1=Mallapur|first1=Chaitanya|title=India tops list of drone-importing nations|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/india-tops-list-of-drone-importing-nations-115050400136_1.html|work=IndiaSpend|publisher=Business Standard|date=4 May 2015}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[IAI Searcher]]<ref name="janes-16sep15">{{cite journal|last1=Bedi|first1=Rahul|title=India to buy Heron TP UAVs|journal=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly|date=16 September 2015|volume=52|issue=44|issn=2048-3430}}</ref>
|[[Israel]]
| surveillance
|Mk. I / II
|
|
|-
|[[DRDO Lakshya]]
|[[India]]
| [[target drone]]
|
|39<ref>{{cite news|title=Hindustan Aeronautics Limited delivers 'Lakshya-1' aircraft to Bharat Dynamics Limited|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hindustan-aeronautics-limited-delivers-lakshya1-aircraft-to-bharat-dynamics-limited/1147596/|access-date=3 August 2013|newspaper=Indian Express|date=27 July 2013}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper]]
|[[United States of America]]
| [[surveillance drone]]
|
|2(leased)<ref>{{Cite news|last=Peri|first=Dinakar|date=2020-11-25|title=Navy inducts two Sea Guardian drones on lease from U.S.|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-inducts-two-sea-guardian-drones-on-lease-from-us/article33178519.ece|access-date=2020-11-30|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|
|-
|}

[[File:INS Viraat (R22) Malabar 07.jpg|thumb|180px|INS ''Viraat'']]
Currently, the Indian Navy has one aircraft carrier. Two more are being built and will enter service by 2012 and 2015.

The carrier that the Indian Navy currently uses is called INS ''Viraat''. INS ''Viraat'' was bought by India from the [[United Kingdom]] in 1986.<ref>{{cite book| title = Students' Britannica India| url = https://books.google.com/?id=kEj-2a7pmVMC&pg=PA20| year = 2000| publisher = Popular Prakashan| isbn = 978-0-85229-760-5| page = 20 }}</ref>

====Submarines====
[[File:INS Chakra.jpg|thumb|[[Russian submarine K-152 Nerpa|INS ''Chakra'']], the nuclear attack submarine of the Indian Navy]]

{{As of|December 2020|}}, the Navy's sub-surface fleet includes one [[SSN (hull classification symbol)|nuclear-powered attack submarine]], one [[ballistic missile submarine]], 15 conventionally-powered attack [[submarine]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=We are closely watching Chinese navy|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2020/12/17/we-are-closely-watching-chinese-navy.html|access-date=2020-12-28|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref> The conventional attack submarines of the Indian Navy consist of the {{sclass|Kalvari|submarine|5||2015}} (French {{sclass2|Scorpène|submarine|2}} design), the {{sclass|Sindhughosh|submarine|5}} (Russian {{sclass2|Kilo|submarine|2}} design) and the {{sclass|Shishumar|submarine|5}} (German [[Type 209 submarine|Type 209/1500]] design) classes.<ref name="Submarines Active">{{cite web|title=Submarines Active|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/submarines-active|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602043152/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/submarines-active|archive-date=2 June 2017|access-date=18 July 2017|website=Indian Navy}}</ref><ref name="Sindhughosh Class">{{cite web|title=Sindhughosh Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/5336|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001221714/http://indiannavy.nic.in/node/5336|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="Shishumar Class">{{cite web|title=Shishumar Class|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/node/5337|website=Indian Navy|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref>

== References ==
<references/>


[[Category:Navies]]
[[Category:Military of India]]


{{military-stub}}