New Delhi: In a detailed press briefing, Vice-Admiral AN Pramod of the Indian Navy highlighted the strategic role of the Navy during Operation SINDOOR following the Pahalgam terror attack. His statements stressed the capabilities of India’s maritime forces amid escalating regional tensions with Pakistan.
Vice-Admiral Pramod emphasised that the deployment of the Indian Navy’s Aircraft Carrier, equipped with a substantial contingent of Mig-29K fighters and airborne early warning helicopters, effectively thwarted any unauthorised or hostile aircraft from approaching the Carrier Battle Group within several hundred kilometres. “Our Aircraft Carrier with a large number of Mig-29 K fighters and Airborne Early Warning helicopters prevented any suspicious or hostile aircraft from closing the Carrier Battle Group within several hundred km. Our Navy has been proactive, ensuring combat readiness immediately after the attack,” he asserted.
He elaborated that the Indian Navy operates as a “composite networked force”, addressing multi-domain threats that arise from the air, surface, and sub-surface. This capability is achieved through the integration of advanced sensors synchronised with the Combat Management Systems, enabling comprehensive maritime domain awareness.
“Our maritime forces are equipped to conduct persistent surveillance, detection, and identification across all domains, thereby neutralising threats as they arise,” he stated. Vice-Admiral Pramod highlighted the importance of a layered Fleet Air Defence mechanism that is capable of countering various threats, including drones, high-speed missiles, and different types of aircraft.
In addressing the naval preparedness during the recent standoff with Pakistan, he described the Fleet’s ability to maintain an extensive surveillance bubble utilising advanced radar technology. “Any aerial target entering this bubble is swiftly detected and identified, allowing us to distinguish between commercial, neutral, and hostile aircraft,” he explained.
Notably, he highlighted the validation of the Navy’s anti-missile and anti-aircraft defence capabilities, particularly after the attack attributed to Pakistani-sponsored terrorists in Pahalgam. “Our powerful Carrier Battle Group (CBG) possesses formidable offensive capabilities and has operated unchallenged in the area, effectively keeping Pakistani air elements confined near the Makaran coast,” he stated.
Vice-Admiral Pramod emphasised that the Indian Navy maintains credible capabilities to detect, identify, and neutralise any aerial threats targeting its units at sea. In closing, he reinforced the Navy’s dominance by asserting, “Should we choose to act, we can strike at will”.
