The Indian Navy has launched 8 submarines simultaneously for the first time in three decades. The submarines took part in an exercise in the Arabian Sea. Be it China’s increasing activity in the Indian Ocean or the terror of pirates in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden, India has made a special strategy to deal with them. Under which the Navy has launched a campaign named Operation Sankalp.
Under Operation Sankalp, warships along with submarines have been deployed at many strategically important locations including the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. According to the Indian Navy, Eleven submarines, 35 ships and five aircraft are operating at sea. Out of them 10 ships are in the western seaboard where the deployment will continue till the areas becomes safe for commercial traffic.
India had not deployed such a large number of submarines at one time for several decades. The last time submarines were deployed together in large numbers was in the early 1990s, when the Navy deployed 8 Russian Kilo-class, 4 German HDW and four Russian Foxtrot submarines.
This preparation of India is being seen as an answer to China and Pakistan. In recent years, China has strengthened its presence in the Indian Ocean. Sometimes China sends spy ships and sometimes satellite trackers.
At the same time, after living in peace for almost six years, pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Northern and Western Arabian Sea have shocked the entire world.
According to the Indian Navy, the task is to ensure safety and stability for merchant vessels carrying cargo to reach shores safely. Because they are deployed there, they can respond to attacks or incidents as first responders.
Indian Navy is ranked seventh among the 10 most powerful navies in the world and if we talk about the strength of the Indian Navy, the Indian Navy currently has 16 conventional submarines. These include 5 Scorpion class, 4 HDW and 7 Kilo-class. Another Scorpion class submarine is awaiting commissioning. The Navy also has two nuclear ballistic missile submarines. The Indian Navy has two aircraft carriers, 8 tank landing ships and more than 11 bases.
Indian Navy has always had a presence in the Arabian Sea but since December, the Indian Navy is seen here in a new form. The Navy has conducted six major operations in the last three months and saved ships from attacks by pirates and Houthi rebels.
