In a decisive move to bolster maritime security, the Indian Navy has heightened its surveillance operations concerning Chinese naval and research vessels in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, underscored the Navy’s commitment to maintaining continuous monitoring and comprehensive situational awareness regarding Chinese movements in the area.
This heightened vigilance follows the recent return of the Chinese tracking ship Yuan Wang-5, a third-generation missile and satellite surveillance vessel operated by the People’s Liberation Army’s Strategic Support Force. Equipped with advanced navigation and meteorological systems, the ship has been closely monitored ever since satellite imagery from Geo-Intelligence analyst Damien Symon indicated its operational maneuvers within the Indian Ocean.
Speaking at the curtain raiser for the International Fleet Review 2026 in Visakhapatnam, Vice Admiral Vatsayan highlighted India’s watchful stance against the persistent presence of “extra-regional powers” in the IOR. Currently, between 40 and 50 foreign vessels are active in the region at any given time, all of which are continuously tracked through the Navy’s integrated maritime surveillance network.
This comprehensive surveillance system, which relies on satellite imagery, radar technology, and long-range patrol aircraft, allows for precise tracking of the arrival, activities, and departure of foreign vessels. Such a robust Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) framework is crucial for safeguarding India’s maritime interests and strategic sea lanes against potential threats or intrusions.
In conjunction with these surveillance efforts, Vice Admiral Vatsayan announced the Navy’s ongoing modernization plan, which includes the induction of four new vessels into the fleet by the close of 2025. Additionally, 19 more ships are set to be incorporated in 2026, followed by another 13 in 2027. This expansion underscores India’s unwavering commitment to indigenous shipbuilding initiatives under the Make in India program.
Moreover, Vice Admiral Vatsayan reaffirmed that Operation Sindoor, which is India’s maritime security initiative, remains actively engaged, with the Navy operating at a heightened state of readiness. He emphasized the importance of continued joint exercises and interoperability with partner nations, which have significantly enhanced India’s maritime deterrence and credibility in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Vice Admiral’s statements highlight India’s strategic intent to uphold a secure and rules-based maritime environment amid escalating geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean. The intensified vigilance and planned fleet expansion are aligned with India’s long-term strategy to ensure secure sea lanes, monitor foreign activities, and project credible naval power throughout the region.
