Gurugram: The Indian Navy commissioned its newest naval base, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Aravali, here today in a ceremony attended by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. Named after the resilient Aravali mountain range, the base is designed to bolster various information and communication centres critical to India’s maritime security. Its motto, ‘सामुद्रिकसुरक्षायाः सहयोगं,’ translating to ‘Maritime Security through Collaboration,’ reflects its commitment to working seamlessly with naval units, Maritime Domain Awareness centres, and allied stakeholders.
The base’s crest features mountain imagery symbolising the steadfast Aravali Range, paired with a rising sun representing vigilance, resilience, energy, and advanced technological capabilities in communications and Maritime Domain Awareness, underscoring its role in defending India’s maritime interests through continuous innovation and cooperation.
The event, held at the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region, marked a significant step in enhancing India’s maritime security infrastructure and communication framework, with the base set to support the Navy’s command, control, and Maritime Domain Awareness framework.
In his address, Admiral Tripathi emphasised that Indian Naval Ship Aravali provides robust administrative and logistical support, aligning with the Navy’s expanding scale and advanced facilities to ensure seamless operations. He described the base as a hub of technology and collaboration, linking naval platforms and partners across the oceans, embodying the vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, which aims to strengthen India’s role as a key security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
The commissioning ceremony featured a 50-member Guard of Honour presented to Admiral Tripathi. Captain Sachin Kumar Singh, the first Commanding Officer of Indian Naval Ship Aravali, recited an invocation in Sanskrit and read the commissioning warrant.
Admiral Tripathi congratulated Captain Singh and the commissioning crew, urging them to uphold the Navy’s core values of duty, honour, and courage while pursuing excellence through information dominance.
Shashi Tripathi, President of the Navy Wives Welfare Association, unveiled the commissioning plaque, followed by the hoisting of the Naval Ensign, accompanied by the National Anthem, during which the commissioning pennant was raised on the mast.
The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, senior naval officers, among others.
– global bihari bureau
