Context: 

26th July 2023 marked the 24th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

• Every year this day is observed to pay tribute and honor to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers in the Indo-Pak War of 1999.

About Kargil War:

• It was fought between India and Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil district of Ladakh.
• The Kargil War was an unexpected intrusion by Pakistani forces into Indian territory.
• Operation Badr: 
  • As part of this operation, Pakistan moved troops into Indian territory covertly and took over a portion of Kargil.
• Operation Vijay, 1999: 
  • Under this operation, the Indian Army fought bravely and recaptured the famous ‘Tiger Hill’ and other important posts by evicting the Pakistani troops in the 1999 Kargil War.
    • Operation Vijay of 1961 is different, which was the operation by the Indian Military that led to the capture of Goa, Daman and Diu and Anjediva Islands. 
• Live on TV: It was the first ever war to be broadcasted live on TV channels in India. 
• High Altitude Warfare: It was fought at extreme altitudes, with some of the battlegrounds reaching heights of over 18,000 feet.
• Duration: It lasted for about three months.
• Arms & Armaments Used by India:
  • The Indian Army employed heavy artillery, air power as well as major infantry operations.
  • India used the Bofors FH-77B howitzers to shoot down enemy positions, which is renowned for its accuracy, range, and mobility, making it a highly effective weapon in various military operations.
    • It is an artillery piece designed for field artillery use, which was manufactured by a Swedish arms manufacturer. 
  • India was having Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which were provided by Israel.
• Operation Talwar:
  • It was the naval operation carried out by the Indian Navy during the Kargil War of 1999 with an aim to choke Pakistani trade channels.
  • Protecting Activities: This operation involved protective activities such as bolstering our coastal defenses and jointly conducting maritime patrols along with agencies such as the Coast Guard, Customs and police. Warfighting assets such as ships, submarines and aircraft fully armed were deployed. 

The Unnoticed but Important Role Played by Indian Navy:

• Pinpointing the Enemy’s Location: The Navy was also engaged in inquiring the location of enemy warships and submarines that could be a threat to their own ships through enhanced surveillance of the Gujarat/Saurashtra coast. 
  • India’s special hydrographic survey teams were embedded with the artillery units of the Army to pinpoint enemy gun locations.
  • Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) aircraft played a huge role in this. 
• Protection of Bombay High: Special steps were taken by the Navy along with the Indian Air Forces to protect Bombay High.
• Force Multiplier to Air Operations: The Navy’s Electronic Warfare (EW) aircraft operated along the LoC as a force multiplier to the air operations there. 

Concerning Points for India:

• Twenty-four years ago, we got “Vijay”. But, still now, the threats in the maritime domain have only increased for India. 
• Both the Chinese and Pakistani navies have expanded significantly. 
• Chinese Presence:
  • Chinese naval presence in and around the Arabian Sea is more frequent. 
  • Its naval base in Djibouti and possible use of Gwadar port is a clear and present danger to India. 

Way Forward:

• Enhancing Naval Power: India needs to significantly enhance naval power in all three dimensions — surface, air and sub-surface.
• Developing Blue-Water Naval Capability: India needs to significantly develop blue-water naval capabilities.
  • It is able to carry out operations far from its borders, without being required to return to its home port to refuel or re-stock.
• Developing Sea-Denial Capability: India needs to significantly develop Sea-Denial Capability.
  • Sea denial is a military term describing attempts to deny the enemy’s ability to use the sea without necessarily attempting to control the sea for its own use.
• Strategic Alignment: It needs to be developed and enhanced.
  • Example: Quad grouping can be expanded by including ASEAN member countries.

News Source: The Indian Express