The Indian press is focusing on Greek Defense Minister N. Dendias, particularly his proposal for the deployment of Indian surface units to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
Before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias highlighted India’s evolving role as a major global power and expressed Athens' desire to see New Delhi play a more significant role in key international regions, including the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, according to Indian reports.
Dendias also stated that India’s military presence in these regions would benefit not only Europe but the entire world.
Speaking to the Indian news agency ANI, Dendias said, "I am a dedicated friend of India. Foreign Minister Dr. Jaishankar is a close friend of mine. I admire what you have achieved with your economy. That said, India, I believe, has a different role to play now. India is a great country, becoming a major power. And with that comes great responsibilities."
He added, "From the Greek perspective, we would like to see India present in the Red Sea, present in the Mediterranean, and accepting the role of a significant power. We would like to see more of your Air Force, more of your Navy playing a bigger role in the Mediterranean, in Europe, and around the world."
The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Greece in 2023 opened a bridge of cooperation between Athens and New Delhi.
Today, the two countries are discussing potential collaborations in the defense sector.
But what is the spearhead of the Indian Navy, which largely traces its origins to Alexander the Great’s passage through the subcontinent and the construction of perhaps the first organized port in Patala?
This fleet consists of one aircraft carrier, 11 destroyers, 13 frigates, 23 corvettes, 19 submarines (one nuclear-powered), and a significant number of missile boats that, in the past, obliterated the Pakistani Navy at its naval base.
Aircraft Carrier
With a crew of 1,600 and a range of 7,000 nautical miles, the 8,000-ton displacement Vikramaditya aircraft carrier is essentially a floating city. It is the flagship of the Indian Navy.
The ship can carry more than 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K/Sea Harrier, Kamov 31, Kamov 28, Sea King, ALH-Dhruv, and Chetak helicopters. The multi-role MiG-29K is the main offensive platform that enhances the naval strike capability of the Indian Navy. These fourth-generation air superiority fighters provide a significant asset to the Indian Navy with a range exceeding 700 nautical miles and a variety of weapons, including anti-ship missiles, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, and missiles.
Destroyers
Three Delhi-class heavy destroyers are the largest warships designed and built entirely in India. They incorporate elements from Soviet-designed Sovremennyy-class destroyers, as well as purely Indian design elements.
Three Rana or Rajput-class destroyers are also known as Kashin-II class ships, built in the former Soviet Union. These ships were the first in the Indian Navy equipped with supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles. Their role is to provide air and anti-submarine protection for aircraft carrier battle groups. They can also counter cruise missiles.
Frigates
Three Shivalik-class frigates are multi-role frigates and the first Indian-built warships to feature integrated stealth characteristics.
Three Talwar-class frigates, including the frigate Tabar, recently trained alongside the Greek frigate Themistoklis southwest of Crete, as part of enhanced Greek-Indian military cooperation against the Turkey-Pakistan axis.
Corvettes
Four Kamorta-class corvettes are designed for anti-submarine warfare with stealth technology and an integrated helicopter. They are 90% of Indian design.
The Indian Navy’s arsenal includes 19 additional corvettes, mainly based on Soviet designs.
Submarines
Five Kalvari-class submarines are diesel-electric submarines based on the French Scorpene design. Two of these are in the testing phase and are not yet operational.
One Chakra-class nuclear-powered submarine is based on the Russian Akula design.
Nine Sindhughosh-class submarines are diesel-electric submarines of Russian Kilo-class design. They have a displacement of 3,000 tons, a maximum diving depth of 300 meters, a top speed of 18 knots, and can operate for 45 days with a crew of 53.
Four Shishumar-class submarines are diesel-electric and essentially German-designed Type 1500 submarines. The first two were built in Germany, and the other two in Mumbai. They were commissioned gradually from 1986 to 1994, with a displacement of 1,660 tons and a surface speed of 22 knots, manned by a crew of 40.
Naval Aviation
This branch of the Indian Navy, which primarily operates from the fleet’s aircraft carrier, is equipped not only with naval versions of MiG-29s but also with Sea King, Kamov 28, and 31 anti-submarine helicopters. It also has light helicopters like ALH and Chetak, mainly for personnel transport and training. However, the Indian Navy’s focus on developing a force for open seas and oceans is evident in its fleet of maritime patrol aircraft.
