Indian Navy

Flag of the Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is the naval part of the Indian Armed Forces.

In 2010, the Indian Navy had 58,350 personnel, around 170 ships and 180 aircraft. 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 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 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.

Aircraft carriers

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.