Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 16 December 2024
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant played a pivotal role in the eastern theatre, operating as a centrepiece of India’s naval strategy. Critical intelligence suggested that Pakistan’s submarine PNS Ghazi was tasked with locating and destroying INS Vikrant. In response, the Indian Navy devised a tactical strategy to protect its prized carrier by leveraging the strategic location of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Intelligence and Deployment:
The Indian Navy stationed INS Vikrant near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, away from immediate danger and mainland vulnerabilities. It safeguarded the carrier from potential attacks. Meanwhile, the Navy spread misinformation, suggesting that INS Vikrant was anchored at Visakhapatnam, a decoy that played a crucial role in trapping PNS Ghazi.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offered an ideal defensive position. The islands’ remote location ensured that INS Vikrant remained protected from Pakistan’s naval advances.
PNS Ghazi – A Lethal Threat:
PNS Ghazi was a Tench-class submarine acquired from the United States in 1964, making it Pakistan’s most formidable naval asset at the time. Measuring 95 meters in length and equipped with a crew of 93, including 11 officers, Ghazi had an impressive operational range and was capable of undertaking long missions. Armed with 28 torpedoes and naval mines, it had the firepower to devastate enemy ships and disrupt maritime operations.
PNS Ghazi was the first submarine to serve in South Asia. Its mission in 1971 included sinking INS Vikrant and laying mines along India’s eastern seaboard, which would have crippled Indian naval operations. The threat posed by Ghazi was significant, necessitating strategic countermeasures by the Indian Navy.
The Demise of PNS Ghazi:
PNS Ghazi, Pakistan’s advanced submarine, was dispatched to hunt down INS Vikrant and disrupt Indian naval operations. Misled by Indian intelligence, Ghazi moved toward Visakhapatnam, where it eventually met its end. The sinking of PNS Ghazi eliminated a significant threat to INS Vikrant and reinforced the efficacy of India’s defensive strategy.
Post-Ghazi Operations of INS Vikrant:
With the threat of PNS Ghazi neutralised, INS Vikrant assumed an aggressive operational role in the Bay of Bengal. The carrier launched sustained air raids on key East Pakistani installations, including the ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, and Khulna. These strikes targeted military infrastructure, supply depots, and troop concentrations, crippling Pakistan’s ability to sustain its operations in the eastern theatre. The success of Vikrant’s missions effectively contributed to isolating East Pakistan, hastening the fall of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh.
The Impact of INS Vikrant’s Operations:
INS Vikrant’s relentless airstrikes and naval blockade were instrumental in ensuring India’s victory in the eastern theatre. The operations not only disrupted East Pakistani logistics but also provided crucial support to the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini forces, facilitating their rapid advances.
This strategic utilisation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands highlighted their importance in India’s defence planning during the war. By stationing INS Vikrant in these waters, India not only protected its most valuable naval asset but also established a commanding presence in the Bay of Bengal.
Legacy of INS Vikrant:
The original INS Vikrant, India’s first aircraft carrier, was procured from the United Kingdom. Initially ordered for the Royal Navy as HMS Hercules during World War II, its construction was halted post-war, and the incomplete vessel was sold to India in 1957. Completed and commissioned on March 4, 1961, INS Vikrant had a displacement of approximately 19,500 tons and measured 210 meters in length. It could accommodate up to 23 aircraft, including Hawker Sea Hawk fighter jets and Breguet Alizé anti-submarine aircraft. Equipped with anti-aircraft guns and powered by steam turbines, Vikrant could achieve speeds of up to 25 knots. During its service, INS Vikrant played a crucial role in enforcing naval blockades and conducting air raids, significantly contributing to India’s victory in the 1971 war. After more than three decades of service, INS Vikrant was decommissioned in January 1997, later converted into a museum in Mumbai, and eventually dismantled between 2014 and 2015. Despite its dismantling, INS Vikrant remains a symbol of India’s maritime strength and naval heritage.
In a testament to India’s advancing naval capabilities, the new INS Vikrant (IAC-1), commissioned on September 2, 2022, marks a significant milestone as India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed at Cochin Shipyard, this vessel boasts state-of-the-art automation systems and a displacement of approximately 43,000 tons. Measuring 262 meters in length, the new Vikrant can carry up to 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighters, helicopters, and drones. Equipped with advanced combat and surveillance systems, a ski-jump for aircraft takeoff, and a mix of indigenous equipment, INS Vikrant (IAC-1) significantly enhances India’s maritime security and power projection capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The commissioning of this carrier not only strengthens India’s blue-water navy but also places the nation among the few countries capable of designing and constructing an aircraft carrier domestically, underscoring India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence.