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Asharq Al-Awsat
04-06-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Royal Saudi Naval Forces Join Hajj Security Efforts
The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) are participating in the Hajj season 1446 AH as part of the Ministry of Defense's comprehensive security plan. Their role includes providing support to government agencies operating at seaports, enhancing efforts to secure the entry of pilgrims and ensure safety, SPA reported. The forces are tasked with inspecting suspicious packages at seaports, detecting and identifying explosives utilizing advanced technologies and specialized expertise in maritime security. Additionally, a team of specialized divers from the RSNF will assist Civil Defense teams in search and rescue operations during flash floods or heavy rainfall at the holy sites. Represented by the Western Fleet, the RSNF will support internal security forces at the holy sites with infantry units, special forces, drone aviation, naval military police units, and other specialized personnel for various auxiliary tasks.
News18
04-06-2025
- Business
- News18
From US's Gerald R Ford To India's INS Vikrant: Countries With Powerful Warships, Naval Prowess
Last Updated: India's INS Vikrant stands among some of the best warships in the world including US's Gerald R Ford and Russia's Admiral Gorshkov-class Frigate. India is among the top five countries in the world with the best warships and maritime strength. INS Vikrant, India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, signifies a major milestone in naval autonomy. Vikrant stands among some of the best warships in the world including US's Gerald R Ford and Russia's Admiral Gorshkov-class Frigate. Earlier this week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing officers and sailors onboard INS Vikrant off the Goa coast, commended Indian Navy's 'silent service" during Operation Sindoor, India's precision strikes against terror sites in Pakistan. 'Our Western Fleet ships deployed at sea, within 96 hours of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, carried out successful firings of surface-to-surface & surface-to-air missiles and torpedoes on the western & eastern coast. It demonstrated the combat readiness of our platforms, systems & crew and our intent & readiness, forcing the enemy to come into a defensive posture," he said. Warships are central to a nation's maritime dominance and global military projection. In the current geopolitical landscape, certain countries have emerged as leaders in naval power by developing technologically advanced, heavily armed, and strategically capable warships. We asked ChatGPT which of these are among the top warships in the world. Meanwhile, the 2025 Global Firepower rankings also shows navies that dominate the world with their fleet and strength. 1. United States Warship With its key warship USS Gerald R Ford (CVN-78), US Navy holds dominance in naval warfare. It has the largest fleet of aircraft carriers, advanced destroyers, and submarines. The USS Gerald R Ford is known to be the most advanced aircraft carrier in the world, featuring an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), improved radar, and reduced crew requirements. Navy Fleet And Strength The US Navy is widely regarded as the most powerful naval force globally, boasting the largest total tonnage of warships at over 4.16 million tonnes. The US fleet includes 472 ships and submarines, with 64 submarines, 11 aircraft carriers, 75 destroyers, and 23 corvettes. 2. China Warship China boasts of its key warship Type 055 Renhai-class Destroyer. The Type 055 destroyers are among the largest and most heavily armed surface combatants in the world, equipped with 112 vertical launch systems (VLS). China operates three carriers, including the domestically built Fujian (Type 003), with advanced catapult systems. Navy Fleet And Strength China has rapidly modernised its naval fleet and is now the largest navy in terms of ship numbers. In the 2025 Global Firepower ranking, China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ranks second in total tonnage with about 2.86 million tonnes and possesses the largest fleet by number of vessels, totaling around 700 ships. The Chinese fleet includes a significant number of destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and submarines, with the country also investing heavily in aircraft carriers and amphibious warfare ships. 3. Russia Warship Russia's key warships are the Admiral Gorshkov-class Frigate. These multirole warships are designed to replace older Soviet-era vessels and provide the Russian Navy with a highly capable, flexible platform for blue-water and littoral operations. They are equipped with hypersonic missiles like the Zircon, as well as Kalibr cruise missiles. Navy Fleet And Strength Russia maintains a formidable naval presence with a total tonnage of approximately 1.26 million tonnes and a fleet of 419 vessels. It ranks third on the 2025 Global Firepower ranking. Drawing from its Soviet-era strength, Russia continues to innovate with modular frigates and updated missile systems. The Russian Navy's fleet includes nuclear submarines, cruisers, and destroyers, with a focus on strategic deterrence and regional power projection. 4. Japan Warship Japan's Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer is among the world's top warships. It incorporates cutting-edge US Aegis combat systems, and is being converted to carry F-35B stealth fighters, enhancing Japan's power projection. Originally built to operate rotary-wing aircraft, the Izumo-class can deploy SH-60K Seahawk helicopters for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), MCH-101 for minesweeping and transport, UH-60J for search and rescue missions and AEW (airborne early warning) helicopters in the future. Navy Fleet And Strength Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force ranks fourth in total tonnage with about 770,000 tonnes and fields 155 ships, including 23 submarines and 36 destroyers. Japan's diesel-electric submarines, such as the Soryu and Taigei classes, are among the quietest in the world. 5. India Warship India's INS Vikrant (IAC-1) is the first indigenously built aircraft carrier. Vikrant can carry and operate MiG-29K multirole naval fighters, Kamov Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters, MH-60R Seahawks for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), HAL Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and potential future indigenous fighters like TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter). Navy Fleet And Strength India ranks fifth in total naval tonnage with 593,603 tonnes and sixth in fleet size with 293 vessels. The Indian Navy is rapidly modernizing, incorporating aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, and submarines. The Visakhapatnam-class destroyers come equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and advanced sensors. With its central position in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy plays a crucial role in maritime security in Asia. The strength of a nation's navy is not only measured by the size of its fleet but also by its technological sophistication, strategic doctrine, and global deployment capabilities. While the United States maintains clear supremacy, countries like India and Russia are rapidly evolving. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : indian navy ins vikrant Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 04, 2025, 08:00 IST News explainers From US's Gerald R Ford To India's INS Vikrant: Countries With Powerful Warships, Naval Prowess
NDTV
30-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Pak Would Have Been Split In 4 Parts If...": Rajnath Singh On Navy Strength
Panaji (Goa): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh aboard India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, on Friday warned Pakistan of the Indian Navy's unmatched strength, stating that had the Navy joined its sister forces in active combat during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan would have faced a worse outcome than in 1971, surmising that it could have been divided into four parts. "1971 is a witness to this, that when the Indian Navy came into action, Pakistan was divided from one to two. If the Indian Navy had come into action in Operation Sindoor, then Pakistan would not only have been divided into two parts, but I think it would have been divided into four parts," Mr Singh proclaimed. The Defence Minister was speaking during his visit to INS Vikrant, currently deployed in the Arabian Sea, where he reviewed operational readiness and praised the Navy's role in neutralising threats during the operation. Mr Singh commended the Indian Navy's silent but effective role in bottling up Pakistani naval assets, asserting that their aggressive deployment, maritime dominance, and high state of preparedness prevented Pakistan from challenging Indian interests at sea and kept its naval assets confined to their own shores. "During 'Operation Sindoor', the Indian Navy has impressed every Indian with its silent service. Despite remaining silent, the Indian Navy succeeded in tying down the Pakistani Army," he said. "The role of the Navy in this entire integrated operation has been glorious. During Operation Sindoor, when the Air Force destroyed the terror bases on Pakistani soil, your aggressive deployment in the Arabian Sea, unmatched maritime domain awareness and maritime supremacy confined the Pakistani Navy to its own shores. They could not even muster the courage to come into the open sea," the minister added. Further, the Union Minister highlighted the Navy's forward presence, along with precision firing drills by the Western Fleet, which sent a strong strategic signal. "Our Western Fleet ships deployed at sea carried out multiple successful firings of surface to surface, and surface to air missiles and torpedoes along the western and eastern coast, within 96 hours of the terrorist attack, which shows the combat readiness of our platforms, systems and crews. These long range precision strikes also demonstrated our intent and readiness against the enemy and forced the enemy into a defensive posture," Mr Singh stated. Mr Singh further elaborated how the Navy stunned its adversary without firing a single shot. "Along with the forward deployment of our forces, the force projection of the Vikrant Carrier Battle Group also gave an effective indication of our intention and capability. Your strong preparation has already broken the morale of the enemy. Your preparation alone was enough for Pakistan. You did not even need to take action, the enemy was stunned by your preparation itself. Pakistan not only realized the tremendous power of the Indian Navy, its military acumen and destructive capabilities, but they were also afraid of it," Mr Singh noted. During his address to Navy personnel aboard INS Vikrant, he warned that Pakistan was fortunate the Navy did not fully engage during the operation, hinting at the force's unmatched capability. "The way you protect our maritime borders, the intensity with which you track every movement in the Indian Ocean, if that capability of yours was a part of this mission, then there is no need to tell what would have happened to Pakistan. In a way, Pakistan is very lucky that our Navy did not display its valor during Operation Sindoor," Mr Singh said. However, the Defence Minister urged the Navy to stay fully prepared for any future provocation. "I want to tell all of you that you should not leave any stone unturned in your preparations. Whatever has happened till now was just a warm up. If Pakistan dares to do anything again, then this time the Navy will also get into action and then only God knows what will happen to Pakistan," the Defence Minister warned. At the start of his speech, the Defence Minister stated, "The meaning of 'Vikrant' is - indomitable courage, and unconquerable power. Today, standing among all you brave soldiers, I am seeing the meaning of this name come true. The determination in your eyes reflects the real power of India." The 45,000-tonne warship, a symbol of India's growing naval power, played a major role in the recently conducted Operation Sindoor. According to an official statement issued by the Government of India (GoI), the Indian Navy's Carrier Battle Group (CBG), led by INS Vikrant, played a central role in maintaining maritime superiority during the operation, which focused on keeping Pakistan's naval forces tucked in their harbours. "The Indian Navy played a critical role in asserting maritime dominance during Operation SINDOOR. Operating as a composite networked force, the Navy deployed its Carrier Battle Group (CBG) equipped with MiG-29K fighter jets and airborne early warning helicopters. This ensured persistent surveillance and real-time identification of threats across the maritime domain," the official statement from GoI read. The statement further highlighted how the Navy managed to prevent any enemy activity in the area. "The CBG maintained a powerful air defence shield that prevented hostile aerial incursions, especially from the Makran coast. The Navy's presence created a strong deterrent and effectively bottled-up Pakistani air elements along their western seaboard, denying them any operational space." Naval pilots carried out day and night sorties, demonstrating India's preparedness and strategic capabilities in the region. "Naval pilots conducted round-the-clock sorties, further demonstrating India's readiness and strategic reach in the region. The Navy's ability to establish uncontested control over the seas also validated its anti-missile and anti-aircraft defence capabilities in a complex threat environment," the statement added. INS Vikrant, which joined the Indian Navy in 2022, is a major representation of India's goal of building a self-reliant defence sector. The Made-in-India aircraft carrier is slated to get a boost to its lethality with the inclusion of Rafale Marine (M) fighter jets that will complement the current fleet of MiG 29K. The deal for the Rafale M jets was signed last month after India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) for the Navy, a statement by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
India Gazette
30-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
If Navy had acted in Operation Sindoor, Pakistan could have split into four parts: Rajnath Singh aboard INS Vikrant
Panaji (Goa) [India], May 30 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh aboard India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, on Friday warned Pakistan of the Indian Navy's unmatched strength, stating that had the Navy joined its sister forces in active combat during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan would have faced a worse outcome than in 1971, surmising that it could have been divided into four parts. '1971 is a witness to this, that when the Indian Navy came into action, Pakistan was divided from one to two. If the Indian Navy had come into action in Operation Sindoor, then Pakistan would not only have been divided into two parts, but I think it would have been divided into four parts,' Singh proclaimed. The Defence Minister was speaking during his visit to INS Vikrant, currently deployed in the Arabian Sea, where he reviewed operational readiness and praised the Navy's role in neutralising threats during the operation. Singh commended the Indian Navy's silent but effective role in bottling up Pakistani naval assets, asserting that their aggressive deployment, maritime dominance, and high state of preparedness prevented Pakistan from challenging Indian interests at sea and kept its naval assets confined to their own shores. 'During 'Operation Sindoor', the Indian Navy has impressed every Indian with its silent service. Despite remaining silent, the Indian Navy succeeded in tying down the Pakistani Army,' he said. 'The role of the Navy in this entire integrated operation has been glorious. During Operation Sindoor, when the Air Force destroyed the terror bases on Pakistani soil, your aggressive deployment in the Arabian Sea, unmatched maritime domain awareness and maritime supremacy confined the Pakistani Navy to its own shores. They could not even muster the courage to come into the open sea,' the minister added. Further, the Union Minister highlighted the Navy's forward presence, along with precision firing drills by the Western Fleet, which sent a strong strategic signal. 'Our Western Fleet ships deployed at sea carried out multiple successful firings of surface to surface, and surface to air missiles and torpedoes along the western and eastern coast, within 96 hours of the terrorist attack, which shows the combat readiness of our platforms, systems and crews. These long range precision strikes also demonstrated our intent and readiness against the enemy and forced the enemy into a defensive posture,' Singh stated. Singh further elaborated how the Navy stunned its adversary without firing a single shot. 'Along with the forward deployment of our forces, the force projection of the Vikrant Carrier Battle Group also gave an effective indication of our intention and capability. Your strong preparation has already broken the morale of the enemy. Your preparation alone was enough for Pakistan. You did not even need to take action, the enemy was stunned by your preparation itself. Pakistan not only realized the tremendous power of the Indian Navy, its military acumen and destructive capabilities, but they were also afraid of it,' Singh noted. During his address to Navy personnel aboard INS Vikrant, he warned that Pakistan was fortunate the Navy did not fully engage during the operation, hinting at the force's unmatched capability. 'The way you protect our maritime borders, the intensity with which you track every movement in the Indian Ocean, if that capability of yours was a part of this mission, then there is no need to tell what would have happened to Pakistan. In a way, Pakistan is very lucky that our Navy did not display its valor during Operation Sindoor,' Singh said. However, the Defence Minister urged the Navy to stay fully prepared for any future provocation. 'I want to tell all of you that you should not leave any stone unturned in your preparations. Whatever has happened till now was just a warm up. If Pakistan dares to do anything again, then this time the Navy will also get into action and then only God knows what will happen to Pakistan,' the Defence Minister warned. At the start of his speech, the Defence Minister stated, 'The meaning of 'Vikrant' is - indomitable courage, and unconquerable power. Today, standing among all you brave soldiers, I am seeing the meaning of this name come true. The determination in your eyes reflects the real power of India.' The 45,000-tonne warship, a symbol of India's growing naval power, played a major role in the recently conducted Operation Sindoor. According to an official statement issued by the Government of India (GoI), the Indian Navy's Carrier Battle Group (CBG), led by INS Vikrant, played a central role in maintaining maritime superiority during the operation, which focused on keeping Pakistan's naval forces tucked in their harbours. 'The Indian Navy played a critical role in asserting maritime dominance during Operation SINDOOR. Operating as a composite networked force, the Navy deployed its Carrier Battle Group (CBG) equipped with MiG-29K fighter jets and airborne early warning helicopters. This ensured persistent surveillance and real-time identification of threats across the maritime domain,' the official statement from GoI read. The statement further highlighted how the Navy managed to prevent any enemy activity in the area. 'The CBG maintained a powerful air defence shield that prevented hostile aerial incursions, especially from the Makran coast. The Navy's presence created a strong deterrent and effectively bottled-up Pakistani air elements along their western seaboard, denying them any operational space.' Naval pilots carried out day and night sorties, demonstrating India's preparedness and strategic capabilities in the region. 'Naval pilots conducted round-the-clock sorties, further demonstrating India's readiness and strategic reach in the region. The Navy's ability to establish uncontested control over the seas also validated its anti-missile and anti-aircraft defence capabilities in a complex threat environment,' the statement added. INS Vikrant, which joined the Indian Navy in 2022, is a major representation of India's goal of building a self-reliant defence sector. The Made-in-India aircraft carrier is slated to get a boost to its lethality with the inclusion of Rafale Marine (M) fighter jets that will complement the current fleet of MiG 29K. The deal for the Rafale M jets was signed last month after India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) for the Navy, a statement by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Russia-built stealth frigate ‘Tamal' to be commissioned into Navy in June-end
New Delhi: India's latest stealth missile frigate, Tamal, is expected to be commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, by the end of June, officials familiar with the development said on Wednesday. The frigate, which is expected to reach India's west coast in September, will be boosting the country's maritime power in the Indian Ocean region, an official, requesting anonymity said, adding that it will be part of the navy's Mumbai-based Western Fleet. Tamal is part of a $2.5-billion deal with Russia for four more Krivak/Talwar class stealth frigates for the Indian Navy, two of which were to be constructed at the Yantar shipyard and the remaining two at the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) with technology transfer from Russia. The first frigate under the deal, INS Tushil, was commissioned into the navy last December at the Yantar Shipyard and reached the country in February. It was commissioned in the presence of defence minister Rajnath Singh, who described the warship as a 'proud testament' to India's growing maritime might and a 'significant milestone' in the long-standing friendship between the two countries. Tushil and Tamal are upgraded Krivak III class frigates of Project 1135.6, and six such vessels are already in service --- three Talwar class ships, built at Baltic shipyard in St Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class ships, built at the Yantar shipyard. These frigates have an indigenous content of around 26%, double that of the previous Teg-class frigates. This includes contributions from 33 firms including Bharat Electronics Limited, BrahMos Aerospace (an India-Russia joint venture), and Nova Integrated Systems (a fully owned subsidiary of Tata Advanced Systems Limited). The new frigates are armed with a range of advanced weapons, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Shtil surface-to-air missiles with enhanced range, upgraded medium-range anti-air and surface guns, optically controlled close-range rapid fire gun system, torpedoes and rockets.
