Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi on Tuesday delivered a sharp warning to Pakistan, asserting that the Indian Navy is prepared to act first if the situation demands, following the lessons of Operation Sindoor.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of two advanced Project 17A multi-mission stealth frigates — INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri — in Visakhapatnam, Admiral Tripathi underscored the Navy’s enhanced deterrence capability and its central role in safeguarding India’s maritime security.
“If need arises again, Navy may do the opening”
“In this era of uncertainties and competition, the Indian Navy’s capability to deliver overwhelming force at sea is a credible deterrence against our enemies. We demonstrated it well during Operation Sindoor. Our swift deployment and aggressive posturing held the Pakistan Navy captive and compelled them to request an end to kinetic actions,” the Naval Chief said.
Referring to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s assurance from the deck of INS Vikrant earlier this month, Admiral Tripathi added:
“Sir, you had assured us that Operation Sindoor has not ended, and if the need arises again, there is a probability that the opening will be done by the Indian Navy.”
Rajnath Singh hails Navy’s growing might
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, present at the ceremony, lauded the Navy’s decisive role in Operation Sindoor and praised the commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri as a “game-changer in dangerous operations at sea.”
“These warships showcase India’s growing naval power and our ability to respond appropriately when our security is threatened. Both ships are indigenously built and equipped with long-range surface-to-surface missiles, supersonic BrahMos, indigenous rocket and torpedo launchers, combat management systems, and advanced fire-control systems,” he said.
Singh also noted that had the Navy been given a greater role in Sindoor, “the message sent across would have been entirely different,” reflecting the confidence in the force’s capability.
Indigenous milestone & strategic boost
The simultaneous commissioning of INS Udaygiri (built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited) and INS Himgiri (built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata) marks the first time two frontline warships constructed at different Indian shipyards have entered service together.
The frigates will be inducted into the Eastern Fleet, significantly boosting India’s maritime strength in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and reinforcing the strategic importance of the eastern seaboard.
Context: Operation Sindoor’s legacy
Conducted between May 7–10, 2025, Operation Sindoor showcased unprecedented tri-service coordination and inflicted heavy costs on Pakistan by striking terror infrastructure and neutralising hostile air and naval assets. Admiral Tripathi’s remarks underline that the Navy stands ready to act swiftly in any future contingency, reflecting India’s evolving maritime posture as a net security provider in the IOR.
