India Deploys Unprecedented Naval Might Near Red Sea
India has deployed at least a dozen warships east of the Red Sea to provide security against pirates and has investigated more than 250 vessels as Western powers focus on attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, Indian officials said.India has not joined the U.S.-led task force for the Red Sea and does not have any warships there. But it currently has two frontline warships in the Gulf of Aden and at least 10 warships in the northern and western Arabian Sea, along with surveillance aircraft…
India Keeps Close Watch on Chinese Research Vessel
A Chinese research vessel is on its way to the Maldives, according to an Indian military official and an independent researcher, as new Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu deepens ties with Beijing, distancing from New Delhi.It is likely to raise concern in New Delhi, which has previously viewed the presence of such vessels close to its shores, including in Sri Lanka in 2022, as problematic.These vessels are not military ships, officially, but India and others worry about the military use of their research.Relations between traditional friends New Delhi and Male have soured since President Muiz
US Allies Reluctant on Red Sea Task Force
U.S. President Joe Biden hoped to present a firm international response to Yemen's Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping by launching a new maritime force, but a week after its launch many allies don't want to be associated with it, publicly, or at all.Two of America's European allies who were listed as contributors to Operation Prosperity Guardian - Italy and Spain - issued statements appearing to distance themselves from the maritime force.The Pentagon says the force is a defensive…
GPS Unreliability
The Global Positioning System (GPS) has become vital to the maritime community. Proper use of properly functioning equipment can allow ships to safely navigate worldwide. It’s signals are now integrated into a variety of shipboard items, including the automatic identification system (AIS) and the electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS). It has been copied by Russia’s GLONASS, Europe’s GALILEO, China’s BeiDou, India’s IRNSS, and Japan’s QZSS. Originally developed for the US Navy for ship positioning and navigation…
Saudi-Indian Naval Ties Renewed
Reviving glorious memories of historic bonds and trade relations between Saudi Arabia and India that date back to the time of Prophet Muhammad and beyond, an Indian sailing ship docked at Jeddah Islamic Port, reports Saudi Gazette. Relations between India and Saudi Arabia are going from strength to strength, said Hemant Kotalwar, charge d’affaires at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. He was speaking at a press conference on board the Indian Navy ship, Tarangini, which is on a good will visit to Saudi Arabia and is docked at Jeddah Islamic Port. “The favorable winds that have blown since centuries, helping to dock sailing ships of indian traders on the Arabian coast in the past are still blowing in a highly positive note,” Col.
Nuclear Submarine Joins India's Eastern Fleet
China enjoys military advantages on the land frontier, India’s ability to choke Chinese shipping at straits like Malacca and Hormuz constitutes a powerful strategic lever says Indian Military online. The 8,140-tonne INS Chakra vessel can be equipped with four 533mm and four 650mm torpedo tubes. The Russian-built Chakra has a maximum speed of 30 knots (30-35 kts dived) and can operate at a maximum depth of 600m, having on board a crew of 73. As it is nuclear-powered, this submarine emits very low levels of sound while operating underwater, making it difficult to detect by enemy warships and helicopters. The Akula II-class submarines have a strike range of 3…
India Intends To Become Significant Maritime Player
India’s defense minister declared the country’s intention to be able to project maritime force throughout the Indian Ocean, underscoring the shift toward a littoral-warfare capability. About 40 percent of the world’s sea traffic passes through the Malacca Strait between Malaysia and Indonesia, including ships carrying oil from the Persian Gulf. Indian military strategists are concentrating on protecting the approaches to these sea lanes, which is the basis for India’s drive to become a major regional power in military terms as well. This means that India is becoming a significant maritime player for two reasons — its geostrategic location and disposition astride the key Indian Ocean sea-lines, and its potent naval power.
