The Indian Navy is poised to enhance its capabilities with the upcoming commissioning of four advanced warships and submarines, as highlighted by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. During the Navy Day Annual Press Conference onboard the stealth destroyer INS Mormugao in Mumbai, he shared details about the forthcoming vessels, which include INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, INS Tushil, and INS Vagsheer. Notably, INS Tushil, constructed in Russia, marks the last of two foreign-built vessels set to join the Indian fleet.
With an emphasis on self-reliance, Vice Admiral Singh pointed out that 65 vessels are under construction, with 63 being fabricated in Indian shipyards. This initiative reflects the Navy’s ongoing commitment to indigenous construction, reinforcing India’s defense capabilities.
Vice Admiral Singh also addressed the issue of piracy in his remarks. Since 2008, the Indian Navy has been actively conducting anti-piracy operations, maintaining a continuous naval presence in the Gulf of Aden for 16 years. He credited the decline in piracy to adverse weather conditions and the Navy’s robust interventions that disrupted the operations of key pirate leaders. He reassured that the Navy remains vigilant and prepared to counter any potential resurgence of pirate activity.
In a significant update regarding the INS Brahmaputra, which sustained serious damage from a fire earlier this year, Vice Admiral Singh announced that the warship had been successfully set upright and is on track to return to active duty. He expressed confidence in the vessel’s resilience, symbolized by its emblem of the raging rhino.
Further, the Vice Admiral addressed the recent collision involving the submarine INS Karanj and the fishing boat FV Marthoma off the Goa coast. He confirmed that while the submarine incurred damage, it remains operational and repair efforts are currently underway. The incident, which took place on November 21, resulted in the sinking of the fishing boat and the tragic loss of two crew members, while eleven others were rescued. In the aftermath, the Mumbai Police have taken action against the captain of the FV Marthoma. The estimated cost of damages to the submarine exceeds ₹10 crore, and an internal inquiry is being conducted to review the circumstances of the incident.
