Indian Navy Day is annually celebrated on 4th December to celebrate the achievements of Indian Navy and commemorate the launch of Operation Trident during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
The theme of Indian Navy Day 2020 is “Indian Navy – Combat Ready, Credible & Cohesive”.
Note:
The year 2021 will be celebrated as “Swarnim Vijay Varsh” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of India’s victory in 1971 Indo-Pak war and the Southern Naval Command (SNC) has planned a series of events which will commence on 4th December 2020 and run through 16th December 2021.
Indian Navy Week:
The activities of the 2020 Indian Navy day are collectively termed as “Navy Week 2020” which commenced with an environment and afforestation drive on 30th November 2020.
The theme of the Navy week 2020 is “Navy to Earth-2020”.
As a part of the Naval week 2020, the Southern Naval Command organised the “Operations Demonstration” in Ernakulam Channel, Kochi to showcase the skills and armed operations of the Indian Navy. This marks the beginning of the activities for celebration of Swarnim Vijay Varsh.
About Operation Trident:
i.The Indian navy launched the Operation Trident on the night of December 4, 1971 during the Indo-Pak war following the attack of Pakistan over Indian Air Bases on 3rd December 1971.
ii.3 missile boats, Nirghat, Veer and Nipat of the 25th Missile Vessel Squadron was dispatched to carry out the mission.
iii.The operation was carried out in the night since Pakistan did not have an aircraft to perform bombing at night.
iv.The Operation Trident successfully sank the minesweeper, a destroyer and an ammunition supply ship at the Karachi Harbour, Pakistan Naval Headquarter.
Events 2020:
i.The Indian Navy annually launches mass contact programmes and organises various events on the Indian Navy Day to reach out to the general public.
ii.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the events of 2020 Navy Day are organised over a virtual platform.
iii.The events include, 360-degree Virtual Reality Tour of INS Vikramaditya which enables the users to explore the flight deck and other unclassified areas.
iv.Virtual tour along with relevant briefing has been organised for the viewers at the Naval destroyer INS Mysore.
v.As a part of Navy Day a webinar on Navy as a Way of Life was organised on 28th November 2020.
vi.A Navy Day Special Film including the Beating Retreat Ceremony were broadcasted in English on 3rd December 2020 and in regional language on 4th December by Doodarshan, Mumbai
vii.A Recorded Naval Symphonic Band Performance will be screened at various locations in Mumbai on 4th and 5th December 2020.
Indian Navy is set to Procure Submarines and other assets:
i.On 3rd December 2020, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh stated that the Indian Navy is set to procure key assets which includes 6 submarines during the press conference at the eve of Navy Day 2020.
ii.The Navy has also made a bid for 3rd aircraft carrier to deal with the challenges including the challenges from China.
iii.Currently India has 1 aircraft carrier – INS Vikramaditya and the 2nd carrier INS Vikrant is under construction; its sea trials are expected to start in 2021.
iv.He mentioned that the Navy, Air force and the army are moving forward to procure 30 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) Predator drones.
Programmes of Indian Navy:
i.The Navy Chief Admiral also stated that the Navy has initiated a standard operating procedure in the event of any violation of its maritime domain in Indian Ocean region by China.
ii.He stated that indian navy is looking to establish a maritime theatre command in the future to enable joint planning and application of force in the maritime domain.
iii.The Indian Navy has taken the Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH) programme under the strategic partnership model.
iv.The Indian Navy has issued a global request for information (RFI) or an initial tender for the procurement of 111 naval utility helicopters under the strategic partnership model.
Additional info:
i.The navy is planning to procure SMASH 2000 rifles which will be used in anti-drone roles.
24 ships and the submarines commissioned into the Navy in the past six years were built in India.
ii.Around 41 ships and submarines of the 43 which are currently under construction are being built at Indian Shipyards. These 41 includes the Aircraft Carrier–Vikrant, P-15B Class Destroyers, P17A class stealth frigates and scorpene class submarines.
About Indian Navy:
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)– Admiral Karambir Singh
Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy)– New Delhi
