In a significant escalation of maritime readiness, the Indian Navy deployed 36 frontline naval assets during Operation Sindoor, according to sources — a sharp contrast to the six warships mobilised during the 1971 operations targeting Karachi. The move signalled a powerful message of deterrence and operational preparedness.Following the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people were killed, India launched a tri-pronged pressure strategy on Pakistan. The Navy was placed on high alert, prompting Pakistan to issue NAVAREA warnings amid fears of a possible naval strike.At the heart of the deployment was the Carrier Battle Group INS Vikrant, sources said, accompanied by 8 to 10 warships, forward deployed into the Arabian Sea. This marked one of the Indian Navy’s largest real-time operational movements outside routine peacetime exercises.The deployment included seven destroyers equipped with BrahMos missiles, Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM), and Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes, capable of engaging surface, aerial, and underwater threats. Also in position were seven stealth guided-missile frigates, including the newly inducted INS Tushil, forming a formidable naval wall off the western coast.An estimated six submarines operated in close coordination below the surface, adding a stealth component to India's maritime posture. The operation also saw participation from fast attack crafts and missile boats, bringing the total number of assets to around 36—outnumbering the Pakistan Navy, which currently fields fewer than 30 warships.Pakistan’s naval fleet reportedly remained confined within Karachi harbour, unable to respond effectively due to the Indian Navy’s overwhelming presence. The heightened risk even led to international commercial vessels rerouting to avoid the tense waters around Karachi.Published By: Devika BhattacharyaPublished On: May 14, 2025