Navy to have sharper focus on Indian ocean

Just six months after the Indian Navy was given charge of the country’s entire costal security, it announced a revised maritime policy today. The Navy will now have a even more sharper focus on the neighbourhood of the country.
This means securing the trade routes in the Indian Ocean region; extending the reach of the Navy to project India as a major force and also preventing Mumbai-style sea-borne invasions by terrorists.
The 2009 edition of the Indian Maritime doctrine was released here today by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta. The original doctrine was published in 2004 to provide a common understanding of universally applicable maritime concepts, not only for the forces but also for the public at large. This revision was needed, on account of the rapidly changing geo-strategic environment and transformational changes in the maritime domain, Commander PVS Satish, spokesperson of the Indian Navy said tonight.
The earlier doctrine was more generic in nature, this one will provide a sharper focus. The Indian Navy’s role in the Indian ocean has changed in the past 12 months. It has been sent out to patrol the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden area to ensure safety of international sea trade routes. Indian sailors have successfully foiled at least five bids by pirates to take over ships and brought down instances of pirates using choppers stationed on the ships.
After the Mumbai attacks in November last year, the government handed over the entire command and control of the coast to the Indian Navy that has been installing high-tech sensors along the coast. In coordination with the coast guard, it is also buying fast-attack crafts for shallow waters.