President of India Presents Colour to Indian Naval Aviation
Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Defence
In News: The President of India presented Colour to Indian Naval Aviation, a recognition of its exceptional service rendered to the Nation, in peace and war.
About Presidents colour:
The President’s Colour is the highest honour bestowed on a military unit in recognition of its exceptional service to the nation.
The Indian Navy was the first amongst the Indian Armed Forces to be awarded the President’s Colour on 27 May 1951 by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India.
About Indian Naval Aviation:
Indian Naval Aviation came into being with acquisition of the first Sea land aircraft on 13 Jan 1951 and commissioning of INS Garuda, the first Naval Air Station, on 11 May 1953.
Arrival of the armed Firefly aircraft in 1958 added an offensive punch, and the naval aviation steadily expanded its inventory to become an integral part of a formidable Navy.
Today, Indian Naval Aviation boasts of nine air stations and three naval air enclaves along the Indian coastline and the in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Over the past seven decades, it has transformed into a modern, technologically advanced and highly potent force with more than 250 aircraft comprising Carrier-borne fighters, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, helicopters and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).
The Fleet Air Arm can support naval operations in all three dimensions and will remain the first responder for maritime surveillance and HADR in the Indian Ocean Region.
Recent strides by Indian Naval Aviation
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations: Provided relief to fellow citizens like the rescue operations off Mumbai during Cyclone Tauktae in May 2021 and crucial assistance to several neighbouring countries and nations in the Indian Ocean Region.
Furthered India’s diplomatic engagements: The Indian Navy has invested significant effort in meeting all regional commitments and furthering India’s diplomatic engagements with friends and partners in the Indo-Pacific. With missions like Operation ‘Samudra Setu’ and ‘Mission Sagar’, the Navy was a key instrument of India’s COVID outreach, delivering assistance and support to India’s maritime neighbours and partners in the Indian Ocean Region.
Indigenization efforts: The Indian Navy has actively taken up indigenisation which is well reflected in its current and future acquisition plans. With resounding progress in aviation technology, naval aircraft are being installed with modern, state of the art indigenous, weapons, sensors and Data Link suites. The recent inductions of Advanced Light Helicopters as well as Dornier and Chetak aircrafts manufactured indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited highlight the march towards ‘Atma-nirbharta’ in defence sector.
The prompt and effective deployment of the Indian Navy in the time of crisis, has underscored India’s vision of being the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in the Indian Ocean Region.
