Vice Admiral DK Tripathi, Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Indian Navy, as part of his address ahead of the Navy week events in Mumbai on Friday, said that “non-traditional security threats are more crucial”.
“In the recent years, we have seen non-traditional security threats, such as, maritime terrorism, piracy, robbery, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, human/ arms/drugs trafficking, etc., on the rise, thus necessitating the development of a fresh paradigm for maritime security. Maritime terrorism has expanded in recent years and is manifesting in new ways and means. It poses a serious and continuing threat, with the possibility of overlapping traditional challenges. Piracy and armed robbery at sea have also flared up in new regions over the past decade and remain a significant threat to international shipping and seafarers,” said Tripathi.
He added: “The constant challenge of unregulated activities pose a considerable challenge. Over the past decade, there have also been higher instances of natural disasters and regional instabilities, necessitating increased deployment of the Indian Navy for HADKoperations and Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO).”
The Navy Day press conference is important in the background of the Navy Day celebrations, which will happen in Maharashtra this time. PM Narendra Modi will be in Sindhudurg on December 4, to commemorate the 350th year of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation.
A look at his address:
“At the outset, let me wish you and, through you to all our countrymen, a very Happy Navy Day 2023. Indian Navy celebrates the Navy Day on 04 December every year to commemorate the daring missile attack by our ships that left Karachi ablaze and destroyed several enemy warships in the 1971 war. This day, therefore, will always remain a glorious chapter in the history of our Navy.
It is also a day to express our gratitude and remember the supreme sacrifice made by our brave personnel in the line of duty. Today we re-dedicate ourselves to our great nation’s safety and maritime security from any challenge or threat at or from the sea.
Let me reiterate the importance of the maritime domain and the security environment around us that impinges the overall well-being of our country. Ladies and Gentlemen, having withstood the vagaries of time and external influences, including aggression, India has evolved into a thriving democracy and an economic powerhouse today. As we march from ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to complete the first year of the ‘Amrit Kaal’, a share of responsibility towards making India stronger lies with all of us present here today.
As most of you know, global commons are increasingly becoming contested and busy. In this contestation, credible military power remains a crucial enabler for protecting our national interests.
Our country is blessed with a central geographic location at the head of the Indian Ocean, and an extended coastline. These attributes make our country a maritime nation whose economic prosperity, strategic independence and overall growth are closely linked tothe seas. As the principal instrument and manifestation of India’s sea power, the Indian Navy is pivotal in ensuring the security of vital sea lanes critical to our national and global economy. An emerging and resurgent India means our dependence on maritime resources with a safe maritime environment will significantly increase in the coming year.”
THREATS AND CHALLENGES
“We have been closely monitoring trends and patterns of threats and challenges The competition at sea is being played out on a daily basis capable of impacting the maritime domain.at times testing limits – but without escalating into armed action. We remain committed to deter any military adventurism from and at the sea, including preventing any intervention in India’s internal affairs and subversion of our national interests.
During the last one year, the Western Naval Command has remained focused on ensuring combat readiness of our units, and honing of skills in operations at sea with centrality of delivery of ordnance on target. The ‘near continuous presence’ of our units on ‘Mission Based Deployments’ across our area of operations, duly supported by extensive surveillance and cooperative engagements with friendly foreign countries, have contributed significantly towards maintaining peace and tranquility in the seas around us.”
SUCCESSES
“In the year gone by, the Western Naval Command has conducted many operations successfully in close coordination with other security services and agencies. In Apr 23, Op Kaveri was executed, wherein our ships responded swiftly and evacuated 1489 Indian nationals safely from conflict-torn Sudan. Soon thereafter, in May 23. one of our ships intercepted and seized a narcotics shipment of 2,525 kg with an estimated value of 25,000Crore from a boat in the West Arabian Sea, making this the largest narcotics seizure ever by any Indian agency. More recently, our ships were fully prepared for Op Ajay if the need arose to evacuate Indian nationals from West Asia.
The nature of modern warfare demands a greater focus on joint operations by the Armed Forces. This year, the Command interacted, participated in, and conducted joint exercises with greater intensity and frequency. The year began with a theatre-level operational exercise, TROPEX, wherein all three services, and ICG, participated. The Command coordinated the Combined Commanders’ Conference at Bhopal in Mar this year.
To carry forward operational-level discussions between specific commands of the three Services, the Western Naval Command conducted the Tri-Services Commanders Conference in Aug this year. The annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise Chakravat was conducted at Goa in October in close coordination with the National Disaster Relief Force and various national and state agencies. Western Naval Command also participated actively in the Tri-Service exercise Tri-Shakti Prahar, in which the Army was the Lead Service in Nov 23.”
DIPLOMATIC PURSUIT
“In our diplomatic pursuit, the Command engaged with friendly foreign navies, fostering cooperation in consonance with India’s national security and foreign policy objectives. Surface, sub-surface and aerial assets built bridges of friendship and strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation through various exercises. In 2023, these included two editions of Varuna (France), AUSINDEX (Australia), Malabar (USA, Australia, Japan), IONS Maritime Exercise-23 and various Maritime Partnership Exercises with countries as far as the West Coast of Africa. We also had the maiden deployment an Indian submarine to the continent of Australia. As a flexible instrument of national power, ships of the Command conducted regular port calls at foreign ports, promoting peace, …. stability, goodwill, capability and national intent. We also hosted various friendly foreign government and military delegations at Mumbai and other stations of the Command.
In addition to our military and diplomatic role, Coastal Security continued to occupy a place of equal importance, wherein Western Naval Command worked closely with the Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, and other agencies. Coastal security exercises were conducted regularly along all four coastal states and coastal union territories. Our endeavour this year has been to enhance interagency coordination, consolidate the multi-layered system of surveillance and improve Standard Operating Procedures for the constabulary role of all agencies. Meanwhile, ships and aircraft of Western Naval Command have continued to maintain surveillance, vigilance, and security around Offshore Development Areas (ODA) and platforms.”
GEARED UP
“Ships and aircraft of Western Naval Command have remained totally geared up for responding with alacrity to various calls for aid to civil authorities during adversities and mishaps. It was indeed fortunate that the year went by without witnessing any major natural disaster or devastation in the Command’s Area of Responsibility.
The Indian Navy is like a mini-Bharat, with personnel from different parts of India living as a joint family, held together by bonds of camaraderie and a sense of common purpose. The Command’s ‘men and women behind the machine’ have been the backbone of the Navy’s structure and cutting edge of the naval sword. Physical fitness, sports and adventure activities remained prominent in Western Naval Command’s annual calendar. The Command’s well-developed support organisations and programmes expanded the scope of their outreach to naval veterans and ex-servicemen through many maiden initiatives.
Proactive engagement with the civil world enhances the public’s understanding of the Navy’s vital role in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests. Thus, our outreach with the people and coastal communities of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka has continued with more enthusiasm and commitment.
The Command carried out extensive Community Interaction Programs during monsoon this year to engage local fishing communities covering 102 villages in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and Gujarat. Unveiling the crest of the Indian Navy’s latest under-construction guided missile destrover in Surat, various outreach programmes and ongoing work for the National Maritime Heritage Museum at Lothal would further the Command’s connection with the people of coastal states.
We organised a day at sea for MPs, MLAs, govt officials and media personnel of Maharashtra which enabled them to understand the crucial role which the navy plays and exposed them to the rigours and challenges of life at sea. WNC also hosted the G20 ThinQ Quiz to celebrate the spirit of education, knowledge and learning amongst our youth.”
STRENGTHEN THE ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT
“Indian Navy has also spearheaded efforts to mission by focusing on indigenisation. With the commissioning of 21 ships and five submarines in the last nine years, all constructed in Indian shipyards, the Indian Navy is determined to be self-reliant, contributing to the Make in India initiative. We have also concluded 12 shipbuilding contracts worth over Rs 1.15 Lakh Cr, and as on today 65 out of 67 ships and submarines are being constructed in Indian shipyards.
Towards strengthening our roots with our past, on 12 September this year, at Hodi shipyard, Goa, falling in the area of responsibility of the Western Naval Command, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Culture, Smt Meenakshi Lekhi launched the recreation of the’Ancient Stitched Ship’ that will retrace the old sea routes used by Indian mariners in the days of the yore.
Finally, as a maritime nation, India seeks freedom to use the seas to connect with the world to further its national interests. With a blueprint of its growth and modernisation anchored firmly on indigenisation and Atmanirbharta, the Indian Navy and its Western Naval Command are committed to fulfilling their duty with honour and courage to pursue India’s national growth in all dimensions.
Therefore, a ‘Mission Deployed and Combat Ready’ Western Naval Command will continue to extend the Indian Navy’s aim in the region as a ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and be capable of always countering threats and challenges and live up to the saying “JalmevaYasya Balmeva Tasya”.”
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