Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said the Navy has significantly intensified its maritime posture to counter emerging global threats, including attacks on commercial shipping by non-state actors in the Red Sea. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Navy Day celebrations, he said the Navy has deployed 40 capital ships to secure crucial sea lanes and ensure the safe movement of cargo worth nearly USD 5.6 billion.
Tripathi said Indian warships have been continuously deployed in the Gulf of Aden since 2008, with 138 ships escorting around 7,800 merchant vessels during anti-piracy missions. In recent operations, the Navy has apprehended 52 pirates, and in the past year alone, naval crews have saved 520 lives at sea.
He also spoke about Operation Sindoor, India’s maritime response launched in May following the April terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 22 people. The Admiral stated that the Navy’s aggressive deployments in the northern Arabian Sea, including the positioning of the Carrier Battle Group, deterred the Pakistan Navy from leaving its ports or the Makran coast. According to him, Pakistani naval units “never ventured out,” leading to significant economic losses for Pakistan.
Tripathi added that Operation Sindoor is still ongoing, and many operational details cannot be disclosed. He emphasised that the Navy has maintained high-tempo operations for seven months, ensuring that India’s sea lanes and maritime interests remain secure.
