Air Droppable Containers could Drastically Improve Ships Deployment Period during Missions

Indian Navy Tests original Air-Droppable Containers for Logistics Support
Air Droppable Containers could Drastically Improve Ships Deployment Period during Missions

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff, a four-star Admiral, commands the navy.

The Indian Navy traces its origins back to the East India Company's Marine which was founded in 1612 to defend British merchant shipping in the region. In 1793, the East India Company recognized its rule over the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent i.e. Bengal, but it was not until 1830 that the colonial navy was titled as His Majesty's Indian Navy. When India became a republic in 1950, the Royal Indian Navy as it had been named since 1934 was renamed to Indian Navy.

The primary objective of the navy is to defend the nation's maritime borders, and in combination with other Armed Forces of the union, act to deter or defeat any threats or violence against the territory, people or maritime interests of India, both in war and peace. Through joint exercises, goodwill visits and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief, Indian Navy promotes bilateral relations between nations.

As of 1 July 2017, 67,228 personnel are in service with the Navy. As of March 2018, the operational fleet consists of one aircraft carrier, one amphibious transport dock, eight landing ship tanks, 11 destroyers, 13 frigates, one nuclear-powered attack submarine, one ballistic missile submarine, 14 conventionally-powered attack submarines, 22 corvettes, one mine countermeasure vessel, four fleet tankers and various other auxiliary vessels.

The containers, nationally developed by the country's defense research body, could fundamentally improve ships' deployment period on missions.

In what may provide a major boost to India's prepared logistic ability in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy has conducted winning trials of the Sahayak air droppable containers. The containers were productively dropped at the proposed location from IL-38 aircraft off Goa in the Arabian Sea during the trials, according to the navy.

"Sahayak Containers will enhance prepared logistics competence of Indian Navy and will provide the wherewithal to supply spares and stores to ships which are deployed more than 2,000 km from the coast," a statement issued by the Indian Navy reads.



The cylindrical containers have been indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), India's state-owned military research body. On Tuesday, the Indian Navy dropped a test payload of 50kg in the container, which descended to the sea with the help of a parachute.

"With the success of these trials, series production of Sahayak containers and parachutes would be undertaken," the Indian Navy added.

The Indian Navy has been ornamental its operational and logistic strength in the Indian Ocean Region by signing pacts with several friendly nations. Since 2016, India has signed logistics pacts with the US, Singapore, France, while similar pacts are expected to soon be signed with Russia and Japan.

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