MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (INDIAN NAVY) - YEAR END REVIEW 2023

INDIAN NAVY

• Indian Navy  (IN) has constantly strived towards achieving ‘Self-Reliance through Indigenisation’ and synchronised the efforts in tandem with various flagship schemes of the Government viz., ‘Make’, ‘Technology Development Fund’ and ‘Innovation for Defence Excellence’, in addition to procurements under the ‘Revenue’ route. IN has been the torch bearer amongst the three Services to leverage the distinct advantages of Govt schemes and has engaged actively with industry partners including MSMEs and Start-ups, to encourage their active participation in our Indigenisation Programmes.

1. Make Scheme: IN is pursuing a total of 38 Make projects iaw Chapter III of DAP 2020. Presently, 26 projects are being steered under Make-II category, 10 projects under Make I category and two projects under Make III Category. In addition, Eight Make II joint projects are being steered with IA and IAF as lead services. Under Make II, AoN has been accorded for 12 projects. Prototype development contracts have been concluded for nine projects (for a cost of Rs 400.84 Cr) and 03 project are at EoI stage. Remaining 14 projects are under various stages of feasibility study/ AIP stage. Under Make I, AoN has been accorded for 02 projects, remaining 08 projects are under various stages of feasibility study/ AIP stage. Under Make III, there are two projects and presently both are at feasibility study stage.
2. Technology Development Fund: In order to introduce cutting edge technology on board IN platforms, 25 projects are being pursued under the ‘Technology Development Fund’ scheme. Contract has been concluded for 10 projects at a cost of Rs 34.92 Cr. One project is at CNC stage, EOI evaluation is in progress for eight projects, and six projects are at pre-AoN stage.
3. Joint iDEX Challenges:  Exchange of various iDEX proposals by both India and US startups under ‘India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)’ initiative was commenced in July 2023. Two proposals pertaining to maritime domain were launched by   Raksha Mantri in presence of US Ambassador to India Mr Eric Garcetti during the NIIO Seminar.
4. iDEX Scheme: IN is progressing 41 problem statements under Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) and Open Challenge (OC) categories through 59 startups.
5. Induction of Niche Technologies: A wide range of niche technologies are being inducted to enhance long range precision attack capabilities. Loitering Munitions in land and sea based versions are being inducted to enhance the targeting capabilities. Additionally, containerised missile systems are being inducted to enhance the operational capability and to augment flexibility in operations.
6. ‘Swavlamban 2023’: Swavlamban 23 seminar was scheduled at Bharat Mandapa, Pragati Maidan from October 04 to 05, 2023.  Day 2 of the seminar focused on interactive session on indigenisation and armament. A dedicated interaction session was scheduled in Session II on the theme, ‘Discussion on Swavlamban 2.0 – Indian Navy’s Indigenisation Roadmap’. The target audience was primarily manufacturer/ import/ export/ service industry in Defence sector. Nearly 300 industry partners participated in the aforementioned session.
7. Indigenisation: Navy has transformed from a 'Buyers Navy' into a 'Builders Navy', with aircraft carrier, destroyers, stealth frigates, corvettes, submarines and other war vessels being constructed in our country. Today, of the 66 ships under construction 64 are being built in India. Further, AoN has been accorded for 24 ships and submarines that are all planned to be constructed in Indian Shipyards. At present, IN has achieved approximately 90% indigenisation in the Float segment, 60% in the Move segment, and 50% in the Fight segment. Indian Navy is committed to becoming a fully  Aatmanirbhar Navy by 2047. As on date, we are on track towards this goal, and 80% of the IN Capital Budget in CFY 2023-24 has been earmarked for domestic procurements in support of GoI vision of ‘ Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
8. New Shipbuilding contracts in 2023:  Five shipbuilding contracts at a total value of Rs 41,742.37 Cr have been concluded with Indian shipyards. Conclusion of five shipbuilding contracts within span of six months is testimony to the importance being accorded to the Indian Navy by the Govt of India. Construction of 25 ships will generate a total employment of 346.30 lakh man-days over the next one decade and engage numerous MSMEs in the shipbuilding activity.

The ships/submarines which have been commissioned this year, as also the status of shipbuilding projects underway are highlighted below:-

Commissioning/ Delivery

1. INS Vagir, fifth Submarine of Kalvari class, was commissioned on January 23, 2023 by the Chief of the Naval Staff.
2. Maldivian CG Ship Huravee, a Trinkat Class Fast Attack Craft was returned to India by Maldives post handing over INS Tarmugli to Govt. of Maldives in May 2023. The ship, post refit, was re-commissioned into Indian Navy as INS Tarmugli on December 14, 2023.
3. Imphal, the third Ship of Project-15B successfully completed her Sea Trials followed by Final Machinery Trials on August 25, 2023. The ship was delivered to the Indian Navy on October 20, 2023 by M/s MDL, Mumbai. The ship is planned to be commissioned on 26 December 2023.
4. Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of the four Survey Vessel (Large) ships was delivered to Indian Navy by M/s GRSE on December 04, 2023. The ship would be commissioned in January 2024.

Launch of Ships

1. The third GRSE ship of Project P17A Frigates, Vindhyagiri (Yard 3024), was launched on Aug 17, 2023 at GRSE, Kolkata, by the   President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu.
2. The fourth ship of Survey Vessel Large, i.e. Sanshodhak (Yard 3028) was launched on June 13, 2023 at M/s L&T Kattupalli by Chief Hydrographer to GoI.
3. Two ASW Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) namely Androth (Yard 3035) and Anjadip (Yard 3030) were launched on March 21 and June 13, 2023 respectively at GRSE, Kolkata.  Three more ASW SWC namely Mahe (Yard 523), Malvan (Yard 524) and Magrol (Yard 525) were concurrently launched on November 30, 2023 at CSL, Kochi.
4. The last of the seven P17A ships, i.e. Mahendragiri (Yard 12654) was launched on September 01, 2023 at M/s MDL, Mumbai. The   Vice President of India was the Chief Guest for the event.
5. 1st Diving Support Craft A-20 (Yard-325) was launched on August 31, 2023 at M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, Kolkata.

• Initial Operational Clearance of Indigenous Carrier, INS Vikrant: Successful maiden landing of LCA (Navy) and MIG-29K aircraft was achieved onboard INS Vikrant as part of Aviation Integration trials on 06 Feb 23. Maiden day landing of indigenous LCA (Navy) demonstrated ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in India’s capability to design, develop, construct and operate indigenous Aircraft Carrier with indigenous Fighter Aircraft. INS Vikrant completed Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) on May 31, 2023. With the IOC, the ship has proven the Aviation Facilities Complex, achieved day and night landing of MiG-29K, completed landing trials of all helicopters in the Naval inventory.

Gender Neutral Force

IN has taken remarkable steps for becoming a true gender-neutral and inclusive force, in letter and spirit. It has commenced the induction of women into all branches. Women have been appointed onboard warships commencing December 2020. In the last two decades, newer ships have been inducted into the Navy that cater for the gender-specific needs of women. Accordingly, towards becoming a gender-neutral and inclusive force, by respecting and facilitating gender-specific needs, all avenues for career progression are now available for women in the IN. Key highlights in this regard are as follows:

1. Induction of Women: IN has commenced induction of women into all branches wef June 2023. With regards to NDA, entry of women cadets was commenced wef June 2022 and three vacancies were allocated to IN.  Commencing Jan 24 batch, the number of vacancies for women cadets at NDA have been increased from three to 12. At Indian Naval Academy (INA), women cadets are now eligible to join through ‘10+2 B Tech’ entry scheme. Applications for the same have been received and their training would commence wef January 2024. Also, women induction through ‘UPSC/ NDA Entry’ into INA would commence wef June 2024.
2. Permanent Commission to Women Officers: SSC women officers in the Indian Navy are eligible for consideration for grant of Permanent Commission. As on date, 63 women officers (excluding Medical and Dental officers) have been granted PC.
3. Women Agniveers: The first batch of Agniveers comprising 272 women candidates have completed their basic training at INS Chilka. Further, the interest of women candidates towards joining Indian Navy as Agniveers has been growing and a total of 454 women have been recruited in the second batch, who are presently undergoing training at INS Chilka. After the commencement of the training of the third Agniveer batch, more than 1000 women Agniveers have been inducted into the Navy.
4. Appointment to Frontline Combat Platforms: Women officers of all seagoing specialisations are being appointed onboard warships at par with male officers. Further, in a historic move, IN has allowed women in the Navy to opt for MARCOS in a step towards opening all cadres in the IN for women. One Women Officer has also been appointed as the Commanding Officer, for the first time, of warship INS Trinkat.
5. Naval Air Operations (NAO) Officers on Helicopters: Until 2019, women officers were being commissioned as Pilots and NAOO only for shore based aircraft. However, in order to employ women at par with male officers, women officers have also been streamed as specialist NAOO into helicopters commencing 2020, wherein they will operate from shipborne flights.
6. Provost Specialisation: Commencing 2020, Provost Specialisation has been opened up for women officers and the first woman Provost Officer has joined the specialisation in March 2021 after successful completion of At- Arms course.
7. RPA Stream: Women officers can join the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) stream and the first woman officer joined RPA squadron in March 2021.
8. Overseas Assignments: Woman NAO officer are being deputed overseas as part of Dornier aircrew. Though the aircrew is being rotated after one year, at least one women officer has continued to figure in the selection merit. In addition, women officers are also deputed abroad for shorter durations as part of Mobile Training Teams and other foreign cooperation engagements.
9. Participation Outside Navy: Women officers from IN participated in the following activities/ forums/ discussion panels:

• Representation by five officers in News X panel discussion.
• Participation by one officer in discussion on Women, Peace and Security in Peacekeeping Operations at USI, New Delhi.
• Felicitation of one officer by CNBC TV 18 and two officers by India TV on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
• Felicitation of two officers during the International Women’s Day awards.
• Participation of 10 women officers during G20 discussions.

• Adopting Gender-Neutral Language: An institutional policy has been issued to adopt gender-neutral language in all verbal and non-verbal correspondence in the Service so as to weed out use of gender biased stereotypes. The adoption of gender-neutral language in all forms of correspondence is a vital step in IN’s evolution process by reaffirming commitment to gender equality and inclusivity.

Operational Deployments

• IN undertook Mission Based Deployments in Areas of Interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to safeguard national maritime interests and maintain continuous/ near continuous presence in areas of significant maritime importance in the IOR. These deployments were in consonance with the Prime Minister's vision of 'Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)'. IN ships and aircraft were regularly deployed in the Gulf of Oman/ Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden/ Red Sea, South and Central IOR, off Sunda Strait, Andaman Sea/ approaches to Malacca Strait and Northern Bay of Bengal. These deployments facilitated enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness, swift Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) assistance to IOR littorals, security to Indian and international maritime community and operational engagements with friendly navies through capability development and capacity building programmes.
• Anti-Piracy Patrol in Gulf of Aden commenced in 2008 to ensure safe passage of IFMVs. 107 IN ships have been deployed in the Gulf of Aden since commencement of patrols in 2008.
• Maritime Security Operation Code-named Op Sankalp in the Gulf Region commenced in 2019 to ensure safe passage of IFMVs transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. Since June 2019, IN has deployed 41 warships and escorted approximately 624 Lakh Tons of cargo onboard 503 IFMVs.
• In 2023, Indian Navy, has intercepted huge heroin shipments in the Arabian Sea. On May 10, 2023 an Anti-Narcotics Operation (ANO) lead to seizure of 2500 kg of contraband worth Rs. 12,000 Cr.  Since April 2021, 12 such operations have been undertaken by the IN. Narcotics worth Rs. 29000 Cr (approx. 3.5 Bn Dollars) has been seized over six operations in last three years.
• P8I aircraft from INS Hansa, Goa was deployed in Northern Sector for surveillance on various occasions in support of Army/ Air Force tasking. Such deployments ensure seamless operability between all three forces and encourages jointmanship.
• A Naval Special Warfare exercise off Carnic, was conducted on September 21, 2023 which included twin Air Droppable Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (ADR) drop in tandem with Combat Free Fall (CFF).
• The IN undertook its maiden operations with both the carriers in company off Goa in Early June 2023. The Western Naval Command enabled the embarkation of the largest number of carrier-borne aircraft, which included 20 helicopters of various types. These included the indigenously manufactured ALH MK III helicopters and the recently inducted, MH 60R. The event was a potent demonstration of IN’s fast-growing blue water capability and gained considerable attention from national and international media.
• IN Submarine Vagir, was deployed for Long Range Deployment to Fremantle, Australia wef July 24, 2023. The submarine crew interacted with the Australian Naval representatives during OTRs at Fremantle (August 20 – 23, 2023 and August 25 – 28, 2023). The submarine returned to Visakhapatnam in early October 2023.
• The Test Vehicle Abort mission (TV-D1) was launched on October 21, 2023 from Satish Dhavan Space Centre (SDSC), Shriharikota. The aim of TV-D1 launch was to validate the efficiency of Crew Escape System (CES) during an emergency abort condition while the crew module is within atmospheric limits. Post launch and successful ejection, recovery of Crew Module and recording of the launch (as required by ISRO) was successfully undertaken by IN. INS Shakti recovered the crew module which was later disembarked at Chennai. The video of crew module decent phase was also live streamed to SDSC. Assets deployed for the mission included three IN ships (Shakti, Gharial and Battimalv), SCI Saraswati, one HALE UAV and a Chetak Helicopter.
• For International Day of Yoga 2023, partnered with Ministry of AYUSH, under the GoI initiative “Ocean Ring of Yoga” (symbolizing unity and solidarity) and Min of External Affairs, IN deployed nearly 3,500 Naval personnel onboard 19 Indian Naval ships, who travelled over 35,000 Km as ambassadors of Yoga in both National and International waters. This includes over 2400 personnel on 11 IN ships in foreign ports/ international waters.

S No	Date	Ship	Country
	June 16 – 19, 2023	Shivalik	Jakarta, Indonesia
	June 19 – 22, 2023	Trishul	Toamasina, Madagascar
	June 19 – 22, 2023	Vagir	Colombo, Sri Lanka
	June 19 – 22, 2023	Tarkash	Muscat, Oman
	June 19 – 22, 2023	Kiltan	Chattogram, Bangladesh
	June 21 – 24, 2023	Deepak	Safaga, Egypt
	June 20 – 22, 2023	Chennai	Safaga, Egypt
	June 20 – 22, 2023	Brahmaputra	Dubai, UAE
	June 20 – 22, 2023	Sumitra	Phuket, Thailand
	June 20 – 23, 2023	Sunayna	Mombassa, Kenya
	June 20, 2023	Saryu	MALDEP

• IN’s Theatre Readiness Operational Level Exercise (TROPEX), a major biennial exercise, was conducted across the Indian Ocean Region from January to February, 2023. Intense operations by more than 150 warships, submarines and aircraft, with significant participation of other Services, were conducted. The exercise culminated with a debrief at Kochi.
• Tri-Services Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX 23) was conducted at Naval Enclave Kakinada, with Visakhapatnam as the mounting base. This edition of the exercise was the largest in terms of force levels from Indian Army, with over 800 troops (being the maximum participation till date). Further, loading of large number of A and B type vehicles was also undertaken, which was the highest thus far in any AMPHEX.
• IN Sailing Vessel Tarini was deployed for Open Sea Sailing Expedition wef 22 Nov 22 with a crew of five (including 02 Women Officers). Tarini successfully completed a 17,000 Nm trans-ocean inter-continental voyage to South Africa and South America (Cape to Rio Race). A grand Flag-in ceremony for the crew of INSV Tarini was conducted at INS Mandovi on May 23, 2023, with Shri Pramod Sawant,   Chief Minister of Goa, as the Chief Guest. Smt Smriti Irani, the Union Minister of Women and Child Welfare, accompanied by CNS, also graced the occasion.

Exercises with Friendly Countries

• IN ships Kolkata, Sahyadri and P8I participated in the
  31st edition of Exercise MALABAR 23 scheduled at/off Sydney, Australia from
  August 11 to 23, 2023, along with ships and aircraft from US Navy, JMSDF and RAN. MALABAR 23 was conducted in two phases viz the Harbour Phase (August 11-15, 2023) encompassing cross deck visit, pre-sail conferences and delegation visits, followed by the Sea Phase (August 16-21, 2023) comprising various surface, sub-surface and air exercises involving units from all participating countries. The ships also participated in the 77th Independence Day Celebrations at Sydney, Australia.
• IN ships Chennai and Teg, along with aircraft (MiG 29K, P8I, Dornier, ALH and Sea King), participated in the 21st edition of Exercise Varuna - 23 with French Navy Carrier Strike Group (comprising Charles De Gaulle, Forbin, Provence and Marne), alongwith maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique 2 off Goa from January 15 to 20, 2023. Subsequently, the FN ships Charles De Gaulle, Forbin and Provence entered Goa, while Marne entered Mumbai for the Harbour Phase of the Exercise. French aircraft Atlantique, A330 MRTT and A400M operated from INS Hansa, Goa.
• IN ships Sahyadri and Jyoti participated in the
  3rd edition of the Multilateral Exercise La Perouse conducted in Southern Bay of Bengal from March 13 to 14, 2023. Eight warships from six countries (Australia, India, France, Japan, UK and USA) participated in the exercise.
• Sea Dragon is a multilateral Air ASW exercise conducted by US Navy. IN P8I aircraft participated in the 5th edition of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Theatre Exercise Sea Dragon 23 conducted at Guam, USA from March 15 to 29, 2023. Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from four countries (USA, Japan, Canada and South Korea) and USS Hampton (Los Angeles Class SSN) participated in the exercise.
• IN Ship Trishul and Dornier aircraft participated in the annual bilateral maritime exercise Konkan 23 with Royal Navy ship HMS Lancaster off Mumbai from March 20 to 22, 2023. Both ships undertook multiple maritime drills to enhance interoperability and imbibe best practices. The exercises covered all domains of maritime operations viz air, surface and sub-surface.
• IN ships Delhi and Satpura, alongwith P8I aircraft, participated in the maiden ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME) and International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) conducted at Singapore from May 02 to 08, 2023.
• INS Sumedha participated in Multilateral Tri-Services Exercise Bright Star 23 conducted in the Mediterranean Sea from 06 to 13 Sep 23. The Exercise was conducted in two phases, Harbour phase and Sea phase.
• IN and USN have been participating in a combined Salvage exercise since 2005. Seventh edition of IN - USN Diving, Salvage and EOD exercise (SALVEX) was conducted from June 26 to July 06, 2023 at Kochi. For the duration of the exercise, USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) made port call at Kochi.
• IN Ships Savitri and Kiltan participated in India - Sri Lanka bilateral exercise SLINEX 23 with Sri Lankan Navy ships SLNS Vijaybahu and Samudura at/ off Colombo, Sri Lanka from April 03 to 08, 2023. IN SLN SF exercise was also conducted as part of SLINEX 23 from April 03 to 06, 2023 at Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• INS Kavaratti, along with one Dornier aircraft participated in the 4th edition of Exercise Samudra Shakti 23 conducted at Batam, Indonesia from May 15 to 19, 2023.
• IN ships Tarkash and Subhadra, alongwith one Dornier aircraft, participated in bilateral exercise Al-Mohed Al-Hindi conducted at Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, from May 21 to 25, 2023. Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) ships Badr, Abdul Aziz and two HIS-32 FACs, one Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), MH60R helicopter and Karayel UAV participated in the exercise.
• INS Tarkash participated in the maiden India - France - UAE trilateral exercise with FS Surcouf and Maritime Patrol Aircraft ex-UAE in Gulf of Oman from June 06 to 08, 2023.
• Maiden India - France - UAE trilateral PASSEX was conducted from June 07 to 08, 2023, off Gulf of Oman. INS Tarkash, FS Surcouf and UAE Navy helicopter (Panther) participated in the exercise.
• INS Satpura participated in the fourth edition of Multilateral Naval Exercise KOMODO - 23 conducted at Makassar, Indonesia, from June 04 to 08, 2023. The exercise saw the participation of navies from 36 countries and was conducted between Borneo and Sulawesi.
• The 5th edition of AUSINDEX was conducted from August 22 to 25, 2023 at/ off Sydney, Australia. IN Ships Sahyadri and Kolkata participated in the exercise, along with HMAS Choules and HMAS Brisbane from RAN. In addition to the ships and their integral helos, the exercise also witnessed participation of fighters and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
• IN ships Ranvijay and Kavaratti, alongwith submarine Sindhukesari and P8I aircraft, participated in the 30th edition of SIMBEX-23, with Singapore Navy ships Stalwart, Valour, submarine Invincible and Fokker aircraft at/ off Singapore from September 20 to 27, 2023.

Assistance to Foreign Govts

• INS Tarmugli was handed over to Maldives on May 02, 2023 towards capability building. The ship was re-commissioned into Maldivian Navy as MCGS Huravee. The handing over ceremony was attended by   RM. Further one Landing Craft Assault (LCA) was also handed over to Maldives.
• INS Kirpan was decommissioned and handed over to Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) on July 22, 2023 at Cam Ranh, Vietnam in the presence of CNS and RAdm Pham Manh Hung, Deputy C-in-C & Chief of Staff, VPN. CNS also visited VPN Headquarters at Hai Phong for bilateral interaction with Vice Adm Tran Thanh Nghiem, C-in-C, VPN. The transfer of ex-Kirpan symbolises the status of IN as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the IOR and would be a catalyst for enhancing the existing bilateral relations between the two navies.
• Towards providing assistance to friendly foreign nations, IN is undertaking refits of MCGS Victory from Mauritius. Further, INS Sharda undertook towing operation to tow MCGS Victory from Port Louis, Mauritius to Visakhapatnam.
• A Tri-Services Scoping Delegation was deputed to Suriname in Jul 23 to identify and evaluate the requirement of Surinamese Armed Forces. On the Naval front, technical assistance to undertake repairs of 06xPatrol Craft was highlighted by the Suriname side and accordingly, suitable technical team is planned to be deputed.
• A five member IN Technical Team was deputed to Sri Lanka in February 2023 to assess the existing Trials Team infrastructure of Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) and indicate measures in setting-up of Trials Unit of SLN akin to IN units. As a follow-up of the visit, IN is conducting customised courses for SLN in India, as per the request of SLN. Further, spares worth Rs. 1.7 Cr were gifted to SLN, towards ensuring optimal availability of GoI gifted ships.
• Indian Navy has progressed WSIE agreements with 25 countries and one multinational construct, till date. While such agreements with several other friendly foreign countries are being progressed, a WSIE agreement was concluded with Tanzania on October 09, 2023.
• IN ships Tir, Sujata and CGS Sarathi as part of 1st Training Squadron, whilst on overseas deployment, were utilised to provide assistance to foreign countries besides enhancing foreign cooperation as follows:-

1. Assistance to Mauritian Coast Guard towards removal of pollutants from a grounded fishing vessel on 09/10 March, 2023.
2. Joint EEZ surveillance off Mauritius (March 08 - 10 and March 14 – 16, 2023) and Mozambique (March 21-23, 2023).
3. Trans-shipment of two Dornier engines from Seychelles (Port Victoria) to India for maintenance/ repairs at HAL, Bengaluru. Critical spares were handed over to Seychelles Coast Guard, in addition to foreign cooperation activities at Madagascar.

HADR & SAR operations

• ‘Operation Kaveri’ was executed towards evacuating Indian nationals from Sudan owing to military clashes between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Force (RSF). In order to contribute to the national effort for evacuating Indian nationals from Sudan, three mission deployed IN ships viz Teg, Tarkash and Sumedha, with HADR items and medical teams, were diverted to Red Sea. In a challenging mission, in the absence of any support infrastructure ashore, Sumedha, the first ship to arrive, valiantly entered the warzone and undertook Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations. This action showcased Indian Navy's maritime prowess to international milieu by being the first Navy to evacuate citizens from alongside, setting a precedence. Thereafter, various Multi National Forces including China, France, USA and UK also undertook alongside evacuation. IN also provided security cover by MARCOS during maiden  landing of C 130 aircarft at Port Sudan airfield on April 25, 2023. A total of 1490 Indian nationals were evacuated by three IN Ships.
• In the aftermath of devastation caused by Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha off Sittwe, Myanmar, on May 14, 2023, India launched Operation Karuna, as part of Mission SAGAR, to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material to Myanmar. Four IN ships namely Shivalik, Kamorta, Savitri and Gharial, were deployed to Yangon, Myanmar for transhipment of HADR items from May 18 to 20, 2023. The operation involved loading of Portable Containerised Medical Facility (PCMF), 10 HADR bricks, medications and a highly specialised team comprising Medical Officers, Specialist Officers and Nursing Staff. Apart from provision of immediate healthcare, the IN teams also organised and conducted lectures and exercises for trauma care, basic life support, first aid and transportation of patients.
• P8I aircraft was launched on a Benign mission on May 17 and 18, 2023 for search of Chinese fishing vessel Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028. P8I sighted the capsized CFV Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 and a life raft. The positions were relayed to PLA(N) 44th APEF operating in the area. This was the first occasion in which an IN aircraft provided SAR assistance to a Chinese vessel. This has reaffirmed IN’s role as the first responder to crisis and Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
• On March 02, 2023, a major fire broke out at the solid waste dumping yard in Brahmapuram, Kochi (21 Km from Naval Base, INS Venduruthy), which left residents suffocated due to toxic fumes. Based on the request from civil administration, IN assisted the local authorities in firefighting effort from March 02 to 14, 2023 by positioning IN firefighting teams, use of helicopters for Large Area Aerial Liquid Dispersal (LAALDE) operations and aerial surveillance.
• Based on a request from civil authorities, diving assistance was provided for search and recovery of fishermen in a sunken boat off Kanyakumari from October 05 to 07, 2023. INS Jamuna was deployed to undertake a search with her integral equipment, and after extensive search, the fishing vessel was detected. In a coordinated operation, INS Nireekshak conducted diving operations at a depth of 60 m and recovered mortal remains of one fisherman from the sunken boat, which was handed over to the locals.
• On July 10, 2023, based on request from District Administration, IN team of five divers was deployed for rendering SAR assistance off Muthala Pozhi Bridge, Trivandrum (approximately 190 Km South of Kochi), where a fishing vessel (with 04 personnel onboard) was reported sunk. Aerial search by IN Dornier ex- Garuda was also undertaken on Jul 11, 2023. The IN divers recovered mortal remains of two personnel from the river. Further, on Jul 17, 2023, an IN unit mission- deployed in the Bay of Bengal rescued and towed 03 Fishing Vessels (36 fishermen) from approximately 100 nm East of Chennai. The FVs were also taken under tow by the IN unit. The ship along with three Fishing Vessels arrived at Chennai PM Jul 28, 2023.
• On March 21, 2023, IN Ship Karuva whilst forward deployed near Indo-Pak IMBL received distress message regarding extensive damage and consequent flooding in the Engine Room compartment of Indian Fishing Vessel (IFV) Nilkanth. The ship responded swiftly to the distress call and arrived at the scene. Technical assistance was rendered by the ship to arrest the flooding and make the boat seaworthy and the distressed boat was later towed safely to harbour by another fishing vessel.

Other Major Events

• INS Dronacharya was awarded the President’s Colour on March 16, 2023 by  President Smt Droupadi Murmu, in recognition of its yeoman service to the Navy and the Nation.
• The President visited INS Vikrant on March 16, 2023.
• Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankar visited Eastern Naval Command on October 28, 2023. The Vice President reviewed a Ceremonial Guard of Honour at INS Dega and planted a sapling at the premises of Headquarters of ENC. He was also conducted in the harbor for familiarisation and briefed on the facilities at the Naval Dockyard.
• As part of Navy Day celebrations, an Operational Demo by frontline Naval ships/aircraft to demonstrate the credible Naval power and preparedness of the Indian Navy to deal with maritime threats and challenges in the region was conducted at Sindhudurg, Maharashtra on December 04, 2023. The demo was conducted in consonance with the Government policy to celebrate respective Service Days of each Service in various cities apart from Delhi. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi graced the occasion.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy during the Naval Commanders’ Conference held aboard India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant in March. He interacted with the Naval Commanders and witnessed the operational demonstrations at sea, highlighting the Navy’s capability to undertake multi-dimensional missions towards safeguarding the maritime interests of the country.
• In June, the Raksha Mantri visited the Survey ships at Kochi on the occasion of World Hydrography Day. On the 9th International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2023, the Raksha Mantri performed Yoga onboard Vikrant alongside Naval personnel.

Sports/Awards

• 15 IN sportsmen and two officials, the largest IN contingent in Asian Games ever, represented the country in Asian Games 2023 held from September 23 to October 08, 2023 at Hangzhou, China. The details of medal winners are as follows:-

Ser	Name, Rank & P.No	Discipline	Remarks
	MD Anas, CPO (RP), 242454-H	Athletics	1 Gold & 1 Silver Medal
	MD Ajmal, AG PO (GW), 256514-N	Athletics	1 Gold & 1 Silver Medal
	TPS Toor, CPO (PT), 195225-W	Athletics	Gold Medal
	Parminder Singh, AG  PO (PT), 195244-N	Rowing	Bronze Medal
	Satnam Singh, AG PO (UW), 256518-Y		Bronze Medal

• Other major sports achievements during the year are tabulated below.

Ser	Event	Date and Venue	Name	Rank	Remarks
	Asian Junior       U-23 Canoe Sprint and 3rd Asian Para -Canoe Championship 2023.	26 - 30 Apr 23 at Samarkand, Uzbekistan.	PH Gyaneshwar Singh	LOG II (STD)	Bronze
			N Ribason Singh	SSR/UT	Gold
	U-23 Asian Senior Wrestling Championship 2023.	14 - 18 Jun 23 at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.	Shubham	PO (US)	Bronze
	11th Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023.	25 Jun - 01 Jul 23 at Busan, Republic of Korea.	Surjeet	MCPO II (GW)	Gold
	25th Asian Athletics Championship 2023.	12 - 16 Jul 23 at Bangkok, Thailand.	Tajinderpal Singh Toor	CPO(PT)	Gold
			Vikash Singh	PO LOG (F &A)	Bronze
			MD Ajmal	Ag PO (GW)	Silver
	Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2023.	11 - 16 Jul 23 at Greater Noida, UP.	Lovepreet Singh	PO COM (TEL)	Silver
	U20 World Wrestling Championship 2023.	14 - 20 Aug 23 at Jordan, Amman, City.	Jaideep	COM II (TEL)	Bronze
	ION Cornianu and ladislau Simon International Wrestling Tournament	18 - 20 Aug 23 at Romania.	Neeraj	PO (PT)	Bronze
	53rd ISSF World Championship 2023.	12 Aug - 01 Sep 23 at Baku, Azerbaijan	Niraj Kumar	PO LOG (MAT)	Gold

• Mohit, PO(GW) of the IN Polo & Equestrian Contingent, Delhi, was the Team Captain of the Indian Tent Pegging team, which won the Bronze (among nine participating countries) in the World Championship in August 2023, organised in South Africa under the aegis of International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF). The sailor had also participated in the pre-cursor championship held in Moscow in July 2023 under the aegis of ITPF and was declared the ‘Best Individual Tent Pegger’.
• The overall medal tally of Naval sportsmen in International and National events for the year 2023 is as follows: -

 

Event	Players Participated	Gold	Silver	Bronze
International	83	12	06	10
National	117	25	09	17

 

PIB (Release ID: 1989502)