Kochi: The Indian Navy officially stated on Sunday that it had deployed a Carrier Battle Group (CBG) including INS Vikramaditya, nuclear submarine (INS Chakra) and scores of ships, submarines and aircraft in North Arabian Sea last month.
The deployment of these top assets on combat role was necessitated soon after the JEM-backed terror strike on the CRPF convoy in Pulwama on February 14.
This led to the rapid redeployment of naval assets in an operational role in North Arabian sea.
The naval assets were on top alert following escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, a fact reiterated by the Indian Navy during the tri-Services briefing in New Delhi on February 28.
A clear and resolute message regarding the operational posture of the Indian Navy to prevent, deter and defeat any misadventure by Pakistan in the maritime domain was also issued during the tri-Services press meet.
The naval assets were redeployed from the largest naval war games of Indian Navy codenamed the TROPEX-19 (Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise 2019).
The exercise began on January 7 and was planned to be terminated by March 10.
The availability of large number of combat-ready assets in the theatre of operations for TROPEX-19 allowed the Indian Navy to expeditiously respond to the developing situation in synergy with the three Services.
The overwhelming superiority of Indian Navy in all three dimensions forced the Pakistan Navy to remain deployed close to the Makran coast and not venture out in the open ocean.
Debrief in Kochi tomorrow
Navy said Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba will be in Kochi on March 18 to preside over the debrief of TROPEX-19.
During the day-long review, Admiral Lanba will interact with all Operational Commanders and assess the operational preparedness of the Indian Navy.
The Navy Chief will undertake a realistic audit of the deployment philosophy and fighting capabilities.
The lessons learnt from the exercise will provide the planners accurate assessments to fine-tune force structuring requirements, operational logistics, as also material and training imperatives.
TROPEX-19 began early this year with the tri-Services amphibious exercise in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands with participation of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
Later, as part of the exercise, the Coastal Defence Exercise code named Sea Vigil was held with the participation of all 13 coastal states and Union Territories along with all maritime stakeholders.
Navy terms TROPEX as the largest exercise geographically covering the India Ocean Region and also taking into account the number of participating units.
Close to 60 ships of the Indian Navy, 12 ships of the Indian Coast Guard and 60 aircraft were part of TROPEX 19.
Swift deployment
Speaking to Onmanorama on Sunday, Cdr Sridhar Warrier, spokesperson, Southern Naval Command, said owing to TROPEX-19, Indian Navy could swiftly plan and redeploy its ships.
“The availably of ships and air assets at short notice owing to the exercise came handy soon after the Pulwama incident. We were all ready to take on any overzealousness on Pakistan Navy’s side,” Cdr Warrier said.
He said it was the first TROPEX held after mission-based deployment concept was introduced in the Indian Navy one and a half years ago.
“Effectively it gave a real time scenario and we could redeploy our assets within no time,” he said.
With the expected induction of home-grown Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) by 2020, the Indian Navy will strengthen its CBG. The IAC-1 (INS Vikrant when commissioned) will be effectively the second CBG for Indian Navy.
“Any navy which has an aircraft carrier will exercise sea control through CBG,” Cdr Warrier added.
Right now the CBG operates around INS Vikramaditya and once IAC-1 joins it will add more options to the sea roles. Navy's Maritime Capability Perspective Plan envisions two CBGs, adding teeth to war-fighting capabilities.
