Latest news with #Naval
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Queen Camilla makes history as she's handed yet another prestigious title
While attending a ceremony at Devonport naval base, Queen Camilla has been awarded an esteemed title in a historic move, making her the first royal family member and first woman to hold the designation Queen Camilla has become the first member of the royal family and first woman to be appointed Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom. The honour was given to the Queen during a ceremony at Devonport naval base in Plymouth today, where, as the sponsor of HMS Astute, she joined a ceremony to mark the end of the submarine's first commission. Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, said Camilla's new historic title would "further enhance Her Majesty's relationship with the service" and reflected the "high regard" she commands with sailors and other Naval officers. Arriving at the naval base, Queen Camilla inspected a Guard of Honour consisting of submariners before the ship's company performed a traditional "Cheer Ship" salute, as the Queen descended onto the submarine's deck. As Lady Sponsor of the HMS Astute submarine, the Queen has maintained close ties with the vessel, and the Navy at large, since naming it in 2007. Since taking on the role of Lady Sponsor, she has been considered a key member of the submarine's ship's company and has stayed closely connected with the 135-strong crew. Camilla's support has come in the form of annual writings to the crew onboard the vessel, as well as the delivery of care packages that include English breakfast tea and shortbread, which were "really well received on board" according to naval sources. The office and esteemed title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom dates back to the mid-16th century, after it was created by Henry VIII in 1513. The most recent holder of the title was Admiral Lord Boyce, the former First Sea Lord and Chief of the Defence Staff, who died in 2022 aged 79. Rear Admiral Andy Perks, head of the submarine service, presented Camilla with the honour, which included the formal presentation of a burgee, or pennant, to recognise the Queen's ongoing support for the Royal Navy. Commander Christopher Bate, HMS Astute's Commanding Officer, expressed the crew's pride in the Queen's sponsorship, as he said: "Her Majesty The Queen has supported us from the very beginning. She has consistently shown a deep commitment to all aspects of our work." He added: "It is a proud and memorable moment to welcome Her Majesty to HMS Astute and for her to meet our families as we mark the end of our first commission." While at the naval base, Queen Camilla was given a very unusual gift: a roll of cling film. The Queen was presented with the roll of cling film on a wooden stand after the ceremony, which was engraved with the words: "First of class, second to none." The gift marks an inside joke between the submariners as cling film apparently kept the vessel going when they used it to wrap the engines more than two years ago. Camilla found the strange gift very amusing, exclaiming: 'The famous clingfilm!' The submariners engraved the gift with a special message: 'Clingfilm, keeping Nuclear Submarines at Sea'. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins met with Queen Camilla earlier today at another event, and expressed his joy over bestowing Camilla with the honour. He said: "We're super proud of Her Majesty's role with HMS Astute, as are the crew, it really matters a lot to us as a Navy and to them as a crew that it's the Queen's submarine." The Queen then joked to him about not wanting to serve on a submarine, with the head of the Royal Navy saying: "I think we would all recognise that being a submariner is a very special skill set, you have to be really committed to the role and what you do for the country. It can be phenomenally rewarding, it's an amazing sense of teamwork onboard, but it's not for everyone."
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First Post
06-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
Indian Navy's platforms to get a boost with anti-drone systems, special long-range comms?
As unmanned aerial threats grow more sophisticated and prevalent, the Indian Navy has been prioritising counter-drone capabilities. Long-range NLOS communication solutions vital for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore coordination are also being worked on read more Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Pentagon Rugged Systems India Limited to integrate anti-drone and long-range communication systems on Indian Navy platforms, in a significant move to enhance maritime warfare readiness. The agreement, signed on July 5, 2025, focuses on two key areas: the integration of advanced Anti-Drone Systems and the deployment of Long-Range Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Communication Systems. These technologies are expected to bolster the Navy's operational capabilities in both blue-water and littoral theatres. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As unmanned aerial threats grow more sophisticated and prevalent, the Indian Navy has been prioritising counter-drone capabilities. The anti-drone system being developed under this partnership promises real-time detection, tracking, and neutralisation of hostile drones, with coverage extending up to 30 km. The system is designed to jam frequencies across the 400 MHz to 6 GHz spectrum, enabling neutralisation without causing collateral damage to friendly systems or infrastructure. Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has taken a decisive step towards future warfare readiness by signing a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Pentagon Rugged Systems India Limited on 05 Jul 2025 to jointly integrate cutting-edge Anti-Drone Systems on Naval ships with cutting-edge… — Chairman, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (@CMD_HSL) July 6, 2025 The partnership is also aligned with India's 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' programmes, with both companies aiming to indigenously design and produce the technologies. According to the official statement, integration trials are scheduled to begin in the next quarter, with deployment on frontline vessels to follow shortly after. Cmde Hemant Khatri, Chairman and Managing Director of HSL, stressed the urgency of equipping the Navy to counter asymmetric threats. 'This MoU is a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence technology. Our partnership with Pentagon Rugged Systems will not only enhance the combat readiness of our naval platforms but also foster indigenous innovation in maritime security.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The collaboration also targets long-range NLOS communication solutions, which are vital for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore coordination in complex maritime environments where traditional line-of-sight communications can falter. These systems are expected to significantly improve the Navy's ability to operate in contested zones while maintaining secure and resilient communication links. This image illustrates how the NLOS enables communication over long distances. Image courtesy: HSL Dr. Swaminathan Manikandan, Managing Director of Pentagon Rugged Systems India Ltd, echoed the sentiment, saying, 'We are proud to collaborate with HSL to deliver indigenous, mission-critical, rugged, real-time, and scalable Anti-Drone technology tailored to address high-risk maritime threats.'
News18
03-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Armoured Vehicles To Missiles: Indian Armed Forces To Get Indigenous Weapons Worth Rs 1.05 Lakh Cr
Last Updated: The approved acquisitions are aimed at enhancing the mobility, combat preparedness, and overall operational efficiency of the Indian Armed Forces In a major boost to India's defence capabilities and indigenous manufacturing, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to approximately Rs 1.05 lakh crore. The proposals are set to be procured through indigenous sources. The decisions were taken under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The approved acquisitions are aimed at enhancing the mobility, combat preparedness, and overall operational efficiency of the Indian Armed Forces. Key proposals include the procurement of Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare Systems, an Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services, and Surface-to-Air Missiles. These systems are expected to significantly bolster air defence capabilities, streamline supply chain management, and improve the mobility of armed units. In addition, AoNs were approved for the procurement of Moored Mines, Mine Counter Measure Vessels, Super Rapid Gun Mounts, and Submersible Autonomous Vessels. These assets will help mitigate threats to Naval and Merchant vessels, enhancing maritime security. To further promote the government's vision of self-reliance in defence production, the approvals were granted under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category. The DAC's move marks another significant step towards strengthening indigenous defence production and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. First Published: July 03, 2025, 19:39 IST
Mint
01-07-2025
- General
- Mint
Indian Navy leads high-risk firefighting, rescue operation on Palau-flagged tanker in Arabian Sea
The Indian Navy has successfully executed a high-risk firefighting and rescue operation aboard the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Yi Cheng 6, following a distress call on 29 June in the North Arabian Sea. The operation ensured the safety of all 14 Indian crew members onboard, averting what could have been a catastrophic maritime disaster. According to a statement released by the Indian Navy, the vessel had reported a major fire onboard, prompting an immediate and coordinated response. A Naval warship, already on operational deployment in the region, was swiftly diverted to the scene to render assistance. Upon arrival, naval personnel undertook a complex firefighting effort in extremely hazardous conditions. The team's swift and professional actions successfully brought the blaze under control, stabilised the vessel, and safeguarded the lives of the entire crew. 'The high-risk operation was carried out under challenging conditions and demonstrated the Indian Navy's commitment to maritime safety and security,' the statement read. The Indian Navy also coordinated with regional maritime authorities and the ship's management throughout the course of the rescue, ensuring timely support and effective crisis management. No casualties or major injuries were reported among the crew. MT Yi Cheng 6, a commercial oil tanker flying the flag of Palau, was en route through the busy shipping lanes of the North Arabian Sea when the incident occurred. The cause of the fire is yet to be officially determined, and further investigation is expected to follow. This latest operation underscores the Indian Navy's expanding role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly in safeguarding the lives of seafarers and protecting commercial maritime traffic. With regional tensions and maritime risks on the rise, the Indian Navy's quick intervention highlights not only its operational readiness but also its humanitarian commitment to ensuring the safety of all vessels navigating through high-risk waters. The crew of MT Yi Cheng 6, all Indian nationals, have since been declared safe and are currently under observation.
NDTV
27-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Exclusive: Navy Was Assigned Target Packages During Op Sindoor, Almost Hit Pak
New Delhi: The Indian Navy fleet had been assigned their target packages, and were put on hot-standby to launch land-attack missiles at targets inside Pakistan on more than one occasion during Operation Sindoor. The final orders to fire ultimately never came with sources telling NDTV, "the Navy stopped short of launching an attack on identified targets. This included Pakistan Navy ships and submarines in harbour and land-based targets." An all-out Naval attack would have marked a significant escalation in the military hostilities during Op Sindoor. Targets inside Pakistan, including Pak Navy ships at Karachi harbour, would have been attacked with BrahMos missiles and submarine-fired land-attack cruise missiles, believed to be of the Klub series, which are integrated with India's Russian built 'Kilo' Class submarines. "Both warships and submarines were in position to launch anti-ship and land attack missiles." Throughout the military hostilities between India and Pakistan, the Pakistani Navy's frontline assets including frigates and corvettes stayed bottled-up within harbour and did not venture out. NDTV has learnt that many of these warships could have been sunk at port if the order to fire had come to the Navy. While the Indian Navy's warships, which enjoy an overwhelming qualitative edge over the Pak Navy, did not fire, NDTV has learnt that Naval weapons were deployed from land bases to strike terrorist bases and other targets within Pakistan. The weapon-systems used have not been specified. India's dominance of the North Arabian Sea revolved around the INS Vikrant carrier battle group and its integral component of MiG-29K fighter-jets. This ensured dominance of airspace off the Southern coast of Pakistan. "The presence of the Carrier Battle Group also kept the pressure on Pakistani air assets, with literally nil presence over sea." Navy's MiG-29K forced Pakistan Navy's RAS-72 Sea Eagle to head back to coast NDTV has learnt that a lone Pakistan Navy RAS-72 Sea Eagle, a maritime patrol version of the ATR-72 turbo-prop aircraft had been tracked by INS Vikrant battle group a few days after military hostilities between India and Pakistan came to an end. "The lone Pak surveillance aircraft which ventured out was effectively tracked and quickly formatted on by MiG-29K forcing it to head back to coast." The Indian Navy MiG-29K, which was launched from INS Vikrant, positioned itself within a few hundred metres of the Pak Navy aircraft, forcing the Pak Navy aircraft to return. File pic of Pak maritime surveillance aircraft that Indian Navy MiGs tracked and came within a few 100 metres away Operation Sindoor was a series of air and missile strikes conducted by Indian Armed Forces between May 6-7 which targeted at least nine Pakistani terrorist infrastructure sites. This was in retaliation for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 civilians were shot dead.
