Indian Navy's new frigate to be fitted with BRAHMOS

NEW DELHI (PTI): India will get a new frigate within six to eight months from Russia that will be equipped with the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile system.

"During his visit to Russia, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma reviewed the progress of the Talwar Class follow-on warships, under construction at the Yantar shipyard there and was reassured that the first ship 'Teg' would commence trials shortly and be delivered in six to eight months," the Navy said in a release here.

Indian Navy commissions FAC INS Koswari

VISAKHAPATNAM (PTI): Aiming at extending its coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol, the Indian Navy has commissioned indigenously built Fast Attack Craft (FAC) in a function held at the eastern naval command here.

Designed and built by state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, INS Koswari is a highly manoeuvrable craft and ideally suited for deployment along the coast, a defence release said.

Indian Navy to procure new multi-role helicopters

NEW DELHI (PTI): Augmenting its fleet of multi role helicopters, the Navy is looking to procure more such choppers for carrying out anti-submarine warfare and Special Forces' operations.

In a Request for Information (RFI) issued recently, the Navy has said it intends to procure new Naval Multi Role Helicopters (NMRH) for anti-submarine, anti-surface and Special Commando operations roles.

India, Pakistan accuse each other's Navies of aggression on high seas

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani humanitarian effort that secured the release of Indians along with Pakistanis from Somalian pirates is fast turning into a war of words between the two governments. Each is accusing the other's Navy of aggression on the high seas while escorting m.v. Suez, which was released earlier this week after 10 months in captivity.

A day after Pakistan officially protested against the aggression by INS Godavari towards PNS Babur, India on Saturday lodged a similar protest with the Pakistan High Commission about its naval vessel. “PNS Babur, by its risky manoeuvres, jeopardised the safety of INS Godavari and its crew.”

Indian Navy Chief visiting Moscow next month

NEW DELHI (PTI): In the backdrop of the Russian Navy backing out of a joint exercise with the Indian Navy at the last minute, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma will travel to Moscow next month for discussions with the country's top military leadership.

The Navy chief will meet the top military leadership of Russia and discuss ongoing military projects such as the retrofit of Admiral Gorshkov and construction of the three Talwar class frigates there, officials said here.

India to build 34 naval ships, submarines

NEW DELHI (PTI): Marking a modernisation spree, Indian Navy is constructing 34 ships and submarines and is in the process of acquiring aircraft, destroyers and missiles to equip it to meet all challenges.

Addressing top Naval Commanders here, Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said thrust was being given to indigenous capabilities while modernising the force.

Indian Navy operationalises JOCs at three naval commands

NEW DELHI (PTI): To improve coordination among agencies involved in maritime security, Indian Navy has operationalised Joint Operation Centres at its three Naval Commands and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

It has also put in place Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to conduct joint maritime drills. 

"JOCs have been established at Western, Eastern and Southern Naval Commands and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Navy has also issued a set of SOPs to coordinate with Indian Coast Guards (ICG) and other stake holders in maritime security," Defence Ministry officials said here. 

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Indian Army, Air Force joint exercise to start tomorrow

JAIPUR (PTI): A six-day long joint exercise of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force will begin Monday in the deserts of Bikaner and Suratgarh near Pakistan border.

'Vijayee Bhava', the May 9-14 inter-services exercise, will involve tank to tank wars, helicopter operations and others, Army officials said.

Personnel from both the services are practising for 15 days to successfully carry out the drill.

Indian Navy concludes exercise 'Sagar Kavach'

NEW DELHI (PTI): Seeking to enhance coordination between agencies involved in the country’s coastal and maritime security, the Indian Navy has completed a two-day exercise – Sagar Kavach – off the coast of Goa and Maharashtra.

“The exercise was a drill for all the stake holders in maritime security. It was a periodic exercise aimed at improving coordination between Navy, Coast Guard, customs, port authorities and marine police,” an Indian Navy official said here. 

Vice Admiral Joshi new Western Naval Command chief

MUMBAI (PTI): Vice Admiral D K Joshi Saturday took charge as the chief of the Western Naval Command headquartered in the metropolis.

He succeeded Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin, who retired from the Navy after four decades of illustrious service.

"A specialist in anti-submarine Warfare, Vice Admiral D K Joshi assumed Command of the Western Naval Command at a ceremonial parade at `INS Shikra' here," said Defence Assistant PRO Narendrakumar Vispute.

Joshi has commanded the guided-missile corvette `Kuthar', Guided-Missile Destroyer `Ranvir' and the aircraft carrier `Viraat'.

Indian warships pay friendly visit to Vladivostok

Five Indian warships arrived in Russia's Pacific Fleet (PF) main naval base Vladivostok on Monday to pay a friendly visit; guests were met with martial music and bread-and-salt hospitality.

Indian and Russian national anthems were played on the pier at the Golden Horn Bay where entered the Indian task unit. It consists of of three destroyers INSDelhi, INS Ranvir, and INS Ranvijay, corvette INSKirch, and tanker INS Jyoti. Girls dressed in Russian national costumes handed over bread and salt to Indian officers; that is a symbol of Russian hospitality. 

Indian Navy boosts Eastern Naval command, appoints Vice Admiral

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Indian Navy has upgraded the post of the Chief of Staff (CoS) at its Eastern Naval Command (ENC) by appointing a three-star officer at the command for the first time. 

Rear Admiral S Lanba is set to take over as the first three-star Chief of Staff of the Vishakhapatanam-based ENC on May 1 after his elevation to the rank of Vice Admiral. 

The move comes in the wake of increased Chinese presence at the Bay of Bengal. 

Japan pulls out of tri-nation naval war games

NEW DELHI (PTI): Japan has pulled out of the tri-nation Malabar series of war games in the wake of the devastating earthquake-tsunami and nuclear radiation leaks, even as the Indian and the US navies will be starting the exercise on April 2 in the western Pacific Ocean.

The visit by Indian warships to the Japanese port city of Okinawa has also been called off, Navy officials said here.

The navies of India and the US will now exercise in the western Pacific Ocean involving their destroyers, frigates and submarines.

Indian Coast Guard base in Ratnagiri to be launched today

NEW DELHI (PTI): Enhancing the coastal security network in Maharashtra, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will commission its base in Ratnagiri on Saturday.

"The station would play an effective role in undertaking joint coastal patrol along with the state police, Customs and Fisheries Department to thwart maritime security threats," Defence Ministry officials said here.

Indian, Singaporean navies hold war game in China's backyard

New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) The Indian Navy is engaged in a week-long advanced war game with its Singaporean counterpart in the South China Sea, the backyard of giant neighbour China.

The 'Simbex' exercise, which began March 18, is the 18th in a series that began in 1994.

China has claimed most part of the South China Sea as its territory and has a maritime boundary dispute with several countries of the region, including Singapore.

Hosted by Singapore this year, the exercise is witnessing joint naval warfare training involving air, surface and sub-surface dimensions, aimed at enhancing the interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies, an Indian Navy press release said here Thursday.

Indian Navy's INAS 310 celebrates 50 glorious years

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian Navy's only aircraft carrier-based squadron, INAS-310 'COBRA', celebrated its golden jubilee on Monday at its home base in Goa.

"The COBRA has won six Vir Chakras (VrC), six Nao Sena Medals and three mention-in-Despatches for its role in 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. It also participated in Kargil war in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2002," Navy officials said here.

Raised on March 21, 1961 in France, COBRA flew the French Alizes aircraft on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions, and operated from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant till May 1987.

Indian, Singapore navy to engage in five-day naval exercise in South China Sea

SINGAPORE (PTI): The five-day joint naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Singapore Navy will start Saturday in the South China Sea.

Five Indian navy ships, under the command of Rear Admiral Harish Chandra Singh Bisht, arrived in Singapore on Friday for the drill that aims to strengthen bilateral maritime security relations.

The joint exercises, held on alternate year in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, has built up understanding and knowledge between Indian and Singapore navies, Rear Admiral Joseph Leong, Fleet Commander of the Republic of Singapore Navy told PTI at a reception hosted on board INS Jyoti.

INS Vikramaditya to start sea trials in the falls

Indian carrier INS Vikramaditya (former Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov) which is being modernized at defense shipyardSevmash will conduct her first sortie in the falls of 2011, reported ITAR-TASS referring to Anastasia Nikitinskaya, the head of Sevmash's press service, having specified that "approximately, in October or November". 

The carrier undergoes mooring trials since March 1. According to Sevmash's press service, test of main propulsion plant will be the most complicated and critical. Another high-end task is testing of radioelectronic systems including those made in India, and air-technical facilities. End objective of mooring trials is preparation of shipborne systems for coming sea trials. 

Russia will lease SSN Nerpa to India no later than in Oct 2011

Russia will lease nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) Nerpa to India no later than in Oct 2011, reported RIA Novosti referring to a high-ranking source in Russian Navy Main HQ. 

Some media agencies previously reported that SSNNerpa had been allegedly leased to India for a 10-year term. 

"Nerpa is fully ready for leasing. Currently, Indian crew is trained in the sub along with Russian instructors. The training must be completed by October, as we're behind the schedule", said the interviewee. 

First Scorpene submarine delivery in 2015: Antony

NEW DELHI (PTI): The delivery of the first Scorpene submarine under Project-75 to the Indian Navy has been put off till second half of 2015, Parliament was informed Monday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister A K Antony said, "The first submarine is now scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2015. There has been delay due to initial teething problems, absorption of complex technology, augmentation of MDL Infrastructure and procurement of purchased material."