The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India serves as Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff, usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the navy. The Indian Navy is the fifth largest in the world.

As of 2017, the Indian Navy has a strength of 67,109 personnel and a large operational fleet consisting of one aircraft carriers, one amphibious transport dock, eight landing ship tanks, 11 destroyers, 14 frigates, one nuclear-powered attack submarine, one ballistic missile submarine, 13 conventionally-powered attack submarines, 23 corvettes, six mine countermeasure vessels, 29 patrol vessels, four fleet tankers and various other auxiliary vessels.

Some facts about the Indian Navy

#1. The British East India Company established their own navy, East India Company’s Marine in 1612 which was later called Royal Indian Navy. Royal Indian Navy became the Indian Navy on 26th January, 1950. Indian Navy’s first mission was against the Portuguese Navy during the liberation of Goa in 1961.

#2. The missile BrahMos, is the fastest cruise missile in the world with a speed of Mach 2.8 – 3.0. Mach i.e. the ratio of speed of the object to speed of sound.

#3. The Ezhimala Naval Academy in Kerala is the largest naval academy in Asia.

#4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosale is considered as the Father of Indian Navy, because he built a strong naval presence across the coast of Konkan and Goa to protect sea trade.

#5. INS (Indian Naval Ship) Viraat was the navy’s first aircraft carrier and the oldest aircraft carrier in the world. INS Vikrant was the first aircraft carrier to be made in India.

#6. The Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB) formed in March 2009 after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, is the unit of the Indian Navy responsible for patrolling India’s coastal waters.

#7. MARCOS or Marine Commandos, nicknamed magarmach, are the special operations (very secretive) unit of the Indian Navy. They are widely feared by terrorists who call them ‘Dadiwala fauj‘ because of their bearded disguises in civil areas.

#8. In 1971, during the Indo-Pakistan war, the navy used an innovative method of using anti-ship cruise missiles and destroyed oil tank farms in Pakistan. It also executed a blockade, used a carrier aircraft for bombing missions and cruise missiles for land targets.

#9. There are only two naval aerobatic teams in the world and one of them is our country’s navy. It is known as Saagar Pawan.

#10. Indian Navy uses a multi-brand communication satellite called GSAT – 7. It helps Indian Navy to acquire the blue water capabilities.

#11. Indian Navy has successfully completed an expedition to the North Pole and the South Pole.

#12. Indian Navy was the first navy to send a submariner to an expedition to Mt. Everest!

#13. India also uses its navy to enhance the international relations by conducting frequent port visits and going on humanitarian missions like providing disaster relief.

#14. Indian Navy’s first independent operation was against Portuguese Navy during the liberation of Goa in 1961.

#15. The current flag of Indian Navy incorporates St. George’s Cross design, a part of the Union Jack.