Indian Navy Archives - Defence Monitor

28 Jul

More opportunities for women in Coast Guard; policy reforms also to benefit kin of those missing at sea

New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is set to get more gender neutral through the induction of women candidates into both Short Service Appointments (SSA) and Permanent Appointments (PA) at par with their male counterparts. The SSA has also been opened for male candidates. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled two significant policy reforms for the ICG on Tuesday aimed at promoting gender parity in the induction and service conditions of officers, and streamlining the administrative procedures for granting ex-gratia to the families of personnel reported missing at sea while on duty. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh,…

18 Jul

Indian missing in attack on commercial vessel in Hormuz confirmed dead, says family

Pune, July 15 (IANS) Heramb Karmarkar, a marine engineer from Pune who had gone missing following an attack on the merchant vessel 'GFX Galaxy' near the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, has died, his family confirmed on Wednesday. The commercial vessel GFS Galaxy, carrying Indian nationals off the coast of Oman, was attacked on Sunday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had stated that 10 of the Indian nationals on board were rescued, while one person is still reportedly missing. Karmarkar's father-in-law, Vivek Tandon, verified the report of his death. Speaking to IANS, Vivek Tandon said, "He…

13 Jul

INS Sudarshini showcases India’s maritime heritage at Boston’s Parade of Sail

Boston, July 13 (IANS) Indian Naval Sail Training Ship (STS) INS Sudarshini arrived in Boston to join dozens of tall ships from over 20 nations for the 'Parade of Sails' at Sail Boston 2026, the Indian Navy stated on Monday. "Lokayan26, Tricolour at Boston! Post spectacular Sail4th250 celebrations in New York, INS Sudarshini reached Boston on 12 Jul 26 to join 60-plus tall ships from 20-plus nations for the Grand Parade of Sails at Sail Boston 2026," the spokesperson of the Indian Navy wrote on X. "Shri Raghuram Sastry, Consul General of India in Boston, embarked the ship for the…

02 Jul

Strengthening maritime partnership, Indian Naval Ships arrive in Singapore

Singapore, July 2 (IANS) Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet Ships - INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti - have arrived at the Changi Naval Base in Singapore as part of their operational deployment to South East Asia, reaffirming India's commitment to strengthening maritime partnership between the two nations. The High Commission of India in Singapore noted that naval ships' visit to Singapore demonstrates India's commitment to strengthening maritime partnership in the region in line with its Act East Policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. "Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet Ships INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti, led by RAdm Alok Ananda, FOCEF…

01 Jul

Indian Naval Ships conclude visit to Sattahip, accorded warm farewell by Royal Thai Navy

Bangkok, July 1 (IANS) Indian Naval Ships INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti of the Eastern Fleet undertook a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Thai Navy's HTMS Chao Phraya, reaffirming the shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability. The exercise was conducted after ships of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet concluded their visit to Thailand's Sattahip. "Indian Naval Ships INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti of the Eastern Fleet undertook PASSEX with HTMS Chao Phraya of the Royal Thai Navy following their visit to Sattahip, Thailand. The exercise provided an opportunity to enhance interoperability between the two…

27 Jun

INS Sudarshini arrives in US’ Baltimore, to strengthen maritime cooperation

Washington, June 27 (IANS) Indian naval ship INS Sudarshini arrived at the Port of Baltimore in the United States' Maryland, underscoring India's rich maritime heritage as well as the enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between the navies of both countries, the Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday. As part of its landmark transoceanic expedition, Lokayan 26, the vessel reached Baltimore on Friday (local time) after sailing from Norfolk, Virginia. The passage included a transit through the historic Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal, beneath major mid-Atlantic bridges. According to the Ministry, during the visit, the ship will undertake maritime engagement…

27 Jun

DGS withdraws restrictions on movement of Indian ships through Strait of Hormuz

Kolkata, June 27 (IANS) The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has withdrawn restrictions on Indian ships moving across the Strait of Hormuz, while instructing masters and crews to remain vigilant and strictly follow prescribed security protocols. “The International Maritime Organization (IMO), in close coordination with Coastal States and industry partners, has initiated measures for the evacuation of stranded seafarers through a coordinated mechanism involving IMO, UKMTO, MICA Center, and Coastal States. The Directorate General of Shipping is closely monitoring the evolving situation in coordination with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy, Indian Missions…

24 Jun

SAIL supplied 5,700 tonnes of special steel for three newly commissioned Indian Navy ships

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) State-run Maharatna steel giant SAIL on Wednesday said it supplied 5,700 tonnes of special steel for three recently commissioned Indian Navy vessels. The three naval platforms -- stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Agray and survey vessel (large) INS Sanshodhak -- were commissioned into the Indian Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremony held at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. According to the PSU firm, the steel supplied for the vessels comprised special quality DMR 249A grade hot-rolled sheets and plates manufactured at its Bokaro, Bhilai and Rourkela…

15 Jun

DG Shipping directs firms to restrict deployment of Indian seafarers in Gulf zone

Mumbai, June 14 (IANS) The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has advised shipping companies as well as maritime recruitment and placement agencies to restrict deployment of Indian seafarers to in the Middle East conflict areas until further orders, days after three Indian seafarers onboard MT Settebello were killed after the US military strike on the commercial vessel off the Oman coast. DG Shipping, in a circular, said masters of vessels operating in or transiting through the Gulf region, including the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters, are advised to maintain heightened security awareness, closely monitor navigational warnings received and advisories…

09 Jun

MT Marivex exchanged communication with US Navy before fire incident: MEA

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) India on Tuesday said that there had been an exchange of communication between the Palau-flagged vessel MT Marivex and the US Navy before the fire incident that disabled the ship off the coast of Oman. Addressing the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that all 24 Indian crew members aboard the vessel had been rescued safely and expressed gratitude to the Omani government for its support in the rescue operation. "The ship MT Marivex was disabled off the coast of Oman. We have learned that it…