In News:

• Navy day is observed on 4th of December every year to celebrate the magnificence, achievements, and role of the naval force to the country.
  Navy Day is celebrated to commemorate the attack on the Karachi harbour during the Indo-Pakistan war on December 4, 1971, by the Indian Naval Missile boats. Three missile boats of the Indian Navy, INS Nipat, INS Nirghat, and INS Veer, played a pivotal role in the attack.

Strength of the Indian Navy:

• The Indian Navy is one of the largest navies in the world and it possesses 1 aircraft carrier, 1 amphibious transport dock, 8 Landing ship tanks, 11 destroyers, 13 frigates, 1 nuclear-powered attack submarine,1 Ballistic missile submarine, 14 conventionally-powered attack submarines, 22 corvettes, 1 mine countermeasure vessels, 10 large offshore patrol vessels, 4 fleet tankers and various auxiliary vessels and small patrol boats.
• In the future, the Indian Navy is aiming to have a 200-ship fleet by 2027 as per a maritime capability perspective plan in order to guard interests and assets of the nation in waters around them. Indian Navy is aiming to build 3rd aircraft carrier along with the one which is in construction.

Importance of the Indian Navy:

• India aspires to be the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. Many South East Asean nations see india as a alternative to Chinese threat in the region.
• For a country to embark on the path of economic growth, safety and security of the high seas and coastal areas are necessary. Indian Navy has predominant role in securing India’s interest in the IOR because majority of our trade by volume is conducted through seas.
• Indian Navy has played a proactive role in protecting merchant ships of our country and other friendly nations. Indian Naval ships are placed permanently near Gulf of Aden to prevent piracy and have provided safe passage to more than 4000 ships till now.
• As a tool of diplomacy, Indian Navy has provided training, capacity building and enhancement, infrastructure development to the friendly nations.
• Indian Navy is made responsible for coastal security and acts as a lead force in high seas. Patrolling of coastal region and high seas has been strengthened to avoid any surprise attacks. The Indian Navy’s ability to ward-off any 26/11-like misadventure has been strengthened.  It is now seemingly capable of upholding India’s interests in the seas.
• Coastal infrastructure: The most important lesson that was learnt was the need for enhanced maritime domain awareness. Coastal surveillance network has already been established along the coast with first phase- with 46 radars- already completed. The second phase of 38 radars is in the pipeline. India has already commissioned the Information Management and Analysis Centre in Gurgaon for easy collection and dissemination of shipping data for increased awareness.
• As a sign of professionalism many nations are looking upto Indian Navy and want to conduct joint exercises

Joint Exercises conducted by Navy:

• With increasing capabilities Indian navy has truly become blue water navy (A blue-water navy is a maritime force capable of operating globally, essentially across the deep  waters of open oceans)