A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Goa, where an Indian fishing vessel, Marthoma, collided with an Indian Naval submarine, resulting in two crew members going missing. The incident happened approximately 70 nautical miles northwest of Goa, involving a Scorpene-class submarine and the fishing vessel with 13 crew members on board.
The Indian Navy’s assertion of being the net security providers in the Indian Ocean has raised eyebrows, given their track record of repeated collisions and accidents. It’s alarming to note that these incidents have resulted in damage to their own ships, putting the lives of sailors at risk. The safety record of the Indian Navy’s submarines is particularly concerning, with accidents like the sinking of INS Sindhurakshak in 2013 and the damage to INS Chakra in 2017.
The Indian Navy’s inability to protect its own ships and sailors raises serious questions about its capability to safeguard the region. The frequency of accidents and collisions is not only embarrassing but also a threat to regional security. It’s crucial to acknowledge that the Indian Navy’s safety record and inability to secure their own ships make them a liability, rather than an asset.
The Indian Navy has experienced a series of mishaps and accidents between 2005 and 2024, resulting in significant damage to vessels, injury, and loss of life.
In December 2005, INS Trishul, a frigate, collided with a commercial vessel outside Mumbai harbor while returning from a training mission.¹ Similarly, INS Prahar, a corvette, sank off the coast of Goa after colliding with a container ship in April 2006. Other incidents include INS Dunagiri’s collision with a merchant vessel off the Mumbai coast in September 2006, and INS Betwa’s grounding and collision with an unidentified object while approaching Mumbai Naval Base in January 2014.
Fires and explosions have also been a significant concern for the Indian Navy. In August 2013, a devastating explosion occurred in the torpedo compartment of INS Sindhurakshak, a submarine, while it was berthed at the Naval Dockyard off Mumbai Coast, resulting in the loss of 18 lives. Other fire incidents include those onboard INS Deepak in May 2011, INS Shankush in December 2012, and INS Tarasa in July 2013.
More recent incidents include a fire onboard INS Ranvijay in October 2021, which injured four sailors, and an explosion onboard INS Ranvir in January 2022, which resulted in the loss of three lives. In July 2024, a fire broke out onboard INS Brahmaputra, causing the ship to list on its side and resulting in the loss of one sailor.
In conclusion, the Indian Navy’s claim of being the net security providers in the Indian Ocean is indeed questionable. Their repeated accidents and collisions, combined with their limited capabilities and evolving doctrine, raise concerns about their ability to protect the region. It’s essential for the Indian Navy to reassess their priorities, address their safety concerns, and develop a more comprehensive strategy to ensure the security of the Indian Ocean Region.
#IndianNavy #SecurityMyth #NetSecurityProviders #SecurityMythBusted #SecurityRisk
