INDIAN NAVY DAY OBSERVED ON 4TH DECEMBER
Navy Day is observed on December 4 every year to commemorate the launch of Operation Trident against Pakistan during the 71' Indo-Pak War. The Indian Navy is a well-balanced three-dimensional force, capable of operating above, on, and under the surface of the oceans and safeguarding our national interests. Its objective is also to improve its circumstances in the Indian Ocean Zone. On the night of December 4-5, 1971, the Indian Navy planned the attack at night as Pakistan did not have aircraft that could carry out bombings at night. It was a devastating attack on the Pakistan Naval Headquarters of Karachi. The attack was successful as it sank a minesweeper, a destroyer, and an ammunition supply ship. Therefore, to celebrate the success and achievements of the Indian navy force, every year Navy day is celebrated.
Indian Navy Day 2021: Theme: Each year, a different theme is proposed to celebrate Navy Day. The theme of 2021 Indian Navy Day is 'Swarnim Vijay Varsh' signifying 50 years of India's victory in the Indo-Pakistan war that took place in 1971. Last year, the theme was "Indian Navy Combat Ready, Credible & Cohesive". Every year the Indian Navy Day is celebrated to commemorate Operation Trident. The operation was launched by the Indian Navy during the India-Pakistan war of 1971 to attack Karachi Harbour.
BACKGROUND OF OPERATION TRIDENT
Hostilities between India and Pakistan had broken out on 3 December 1971. While the Indian army pushed forward deeper into East Pakistan (Later Bangladesh) it took steps to ensure that West Pakistan would not provide any assistance whether by land or sea. The port of Karachi was the headquarters of the Pakistani Navy and its entire fleet was based in Karachi Harbour. Karachi was the hub of Pakistan’s maritime trade as well. Blocking Karachi port would cripple its shipping and inadvertently cause an economic crisis in Pakistan. The Western Naval Command along with Indian Naval Headquarters in Delhi planned an attack on Karachi port. A strike group was formed for this purpose consisting of these Vidyut-class missile boats already developed off the coast of Okha. Since these boats had radar and operational restrictions, support vessels like submarines and an oil tanker were assigned.
The following were the Vidyut-class missile boats:
- INS Nipat
- INS Nirghat
- INS Veer
All three were armed with Styx missiles, courtesy of the Soviet Union. The task force was under the command of Babru Bhan Yadav
Aftermath of Operation Trident
The Pakistan Air Force responded by carrying out an attack on Okha Port. But the Indian Navy had already moved its assets like missile boats to prevent any damage. However, a destruction of a large specialized fuel tank did prevent any incursion. Operation Trident put the Pakistan Armed Forces on high alert and . There was a case of friendly fire when a reconnaissance aircraft misreported a Pakistani frigate as an Indian Navy missile boat. Fighter jets scrambled strafed the vessel and caused some casualties and damage. It was later discovered the supposed missile boat was the frigate PNS Zulfiqar. The operation was a resounding success as there were zero casualties on the Indian side. It was regarded as one of the most successful naval operations since World War II. Three days later following the end of Operation Trident, another naval offensive would be carried out – Operation Python.
Operation python: After the first attack during operation Trident, the Pakistan Navy attempted to outsmart the Indian Navy by mingling with merchant ships. Operation Python was launched to counter this move of the Pakistan Navy.
ABOUT INDIAN NAVY
The operational and administrative control of the Indian Navy is exercised by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) from the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy). The Navy has three Commands, each under the control of a Flag officer Commanding-in-Chief.
- The Western Naval Command (Headquarters at Mumbai)
- The Eastern Naval Command (Headquarters at Visakhapatnam)
- The Southern Naval Command (Headquarters at Kochi)
Indian Navy plays a significant role in securing the marine borders of the nation as well as accelerating the international relations of India through various means like seaport visits, joint ventures, patriotic missions, calamity relief, and many others. Modern-day Indian Navy has been transformed in order to improve the position of the navy to the Indian Ocean area. There are three divisions in the Indian Armed Forces: Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Indian Army protects our land, the Navy in water, and the Air Force protects us in the sky.
VICE ADMIRAL HARI KUMAR TOOK CHARGE AS NAVY CHIEF
Vice Admiral Hari Kumar on November 30, 2021, took charge as the new Chief of Naval Staff.
Who is Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar?
Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar was commissioned on January 1, 1983, into the executive branch of the Indian Navy. The Vice-Admiral R Hari Kumar, during his long and distinguished service which spanned nearly 39 years, has served in a variety of command, staff and instructional appointments. Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar’s sea command includes INS Nishank, Missile Corvette, INS Kora and Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvir. Vice Admiral Kumar has also commanded Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Viraat. He also served as the Fleet Operation Officer of the Western Fleet. Vice Admiral Kumar, before serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, was the Chief of Integrated Staff Committee of headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff.
Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar has been decorated with-
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM)
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)
- Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)
ROLE OF CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF
The Chief of the Naval Staff is the head of the military staff of the Indian Navy. The Naval Staff Chief is the highest-ranking naval officer on the active service of the Indian Armed Forces unless the Chief of Defence is a Navy Officer. The Chief of Naval Staff is the primary adviser to the Government of India on naval affairs. The Chief is also responsible for governing and directing the naval staff, the supreme decision-making body which consists of the highest-ranking naval officers of the Indian Navy. They are the Navy’s Chief Executive and the Chief Naval Adviser of the Chief of Defence Staff.
