Recent Current Affairs related to Indian Navy

Matangi, an indigenous Autonomous Surface Vessel (USV) developed by Sagar Defence Engineering, has successfully completed a 1,500 km (850 nautical miles) open-ocean voyage from Mumbai to Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

The voyage, which was completed with zero human intervention (no captain or crew on board), was flagged off by Union Minister Rajnath Singh. The mission was conducted under the ‘Swavlamban’ initiative of the Indian Navy to foster self-reliance. The vessel is controlled by an indigenously developed AI-driven operating suite named ‘Genesis’.

The Table Top Exercise (TTX) under the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) has concluded at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The exercise focused on strengthening coordinated responses to illegal maritime activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) has delivered ‘Samarthak’, the first Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) to the Indian Navy (IN).

The vessel features over 75% indigenous content and is designed to serve as a versatile trial and evaluation platform.

Shinjiro Koizumi, the Defence Minister of Japan, has conducted his inaugural visit to India to strengthen bilateral defence ties and maritime security cooperation. In New Delhi, he inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Manekshaw Centre in the presence of Union Minister Rajnath Singh.

During the visit to Mumbai, the minister inspected a Guard of Honour at the Western Naval Command (WNC) and laid a wreath at the Gaurav Stambh at the Naval Dockyard. He also visited the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Chennai, which is an indigenous stealth destroyer.

Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has delivered the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) named ‘Mangrol’ to the Indian Navy.

The vessel features over 80% indigenous content and is equipped for underwater surveillance, ASW operations in coastal waters, and Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), including mine warfare.

The Indian Navy has launched 'Shruti' (Yard 3037), which is the second of four Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) being constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd in Kolkata.

It is to be noted that the Ministry of Defence signed a contract valued at ₹9,781 crore for the NGOPV project, under which four vessels are assigned to be built by GRSE.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth ₹1,943 crore with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) for the lease of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

The leased HALE RPAS will be deployed by the Indian Navy for an operational duration of 30 months.

The Indian Navy (IN) and United States Navy (USN) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 has commenced at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi.

The exercise comprises Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-training, equipment demonstrations, and scenario-based practical exercises. It is to be noted that the IN and USN have been conducting joint Salvage and EOD exercises since 2005.

The Indian Navy (IN) has inducted ’Nipun’, the second Indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV), constructed by the Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).

The vessel features 75% indigenous content and adheres to the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules.

Vice Admiral Manish Chadha has assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO).

He succeeds Vice Admiral AN Pramod.

The Central University of Kerala (CUK) has signed an MoU with the Indian Navy to strengthen collaboration in the fields of maritime studies, defence research, innovation, and strategic knowledge development.

The 5th and final ship of the Diving Support Craft (DSC) Project, named 'DSC A24', has been launched in Titagarh, Kolkata. The vessel is constructed by Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL).

It features a catamaran-hull design with a displacement of 300-400 tonnes. It is to be noted that 70% of the equipment used in these vessels is sourced from indigenous manufacturers.

Vice Admiral AN Pramod has assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, succeeding Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti.

In other event, Air Marshal Tejpal Singh has assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti.

Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has launched the 'Machilipatnam' (BY 529), the 7th of 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) vessels being built for the Indian Navy.

The vessel has over 80% indigenous content and is named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It is equipped for Underwater Surveillance, ASW operations, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Warfare.

The United States of America (USA) has delivered the 21st MH-60R Seahawk multi-role maritime helicopter to the Indian Navy in Kochi, Kerala.

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation, these helicopters are part of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement signed in 2020 to procure 24 units at a total cost of $2.6 billion. The induction of these helicopters is intended to replace the ageing Sea King fleet.

INS Malvan, the second indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), has been commissioned at Karwar, Karnataka.

It is the 2nd of 8 Mahe-class ASW-SWCs being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd and the 6th of 16 ASW-SWCs to be commissioned into the Indian Navy (IN). The ship features over 80% indigenous content.

Named after the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra, it honours the maritime heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and carries the legacy of its predecessor, an inshore Indian Naval Minesweeper that remained in service until 2003.

'Operation Southern Readiness 26-2' has commenced at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. The exercise is hosted by the Southern Naval Command under the the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154), in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

The engagement involves 254 participants from 26 countries. It is to be noted that the CTF 154, which functions as the dedicated Training Task Force of the CMF, is currently commanded by the Indian Navy under the leadership of Commodore Milind M Mokashi.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has launched the 'Seafarer-First' initiative to safeguard Indian seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman.

The initiative is a response to the escalating maritime security concerns in West Asia. It will be implemented through the coordination of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Navy, and the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).

INS Sudarshini, an indigenous three-masted sail training barque of the Indian Navy (IN), has represented India at the 'Sail4th 250' and the 'United States International Naval Review 250' celebrations held in New York Harbour.

The festival was organised to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.

The Indian Navy has commissioned the indigenously built advanced stealth frigate 'INS Mahendragiri (F38)' into its Eastern Fleet at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The frigate was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai, based on an in-house design by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) of the Indian Navy.

The vessel, which has over 75% indigenous content, has a displacement of 6,670 tonnes and is 149 metres long. It uses a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, is capable of reaching a top speed of 28 knots, and has an operational range of 5,500 nautical miles.