Navy Day is celebrated every year on December 4 to honour Operation Trident, the Indian Navy’s first major offensive during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. (Photo: GoI)
The Indian Navy marked Navy Day 2025 with one of its biggest public demonstrations, held at Shangumugham Beach in Thiruvananthapuram. The event took place on December 3–4 and offered the public a close view of India’s growing maritime strength. The celebrations moved beyond major naval bases, allowing people to witness modern naval operations directly from the coastline.
This year’s theme, “Combat Ready, Cohesive and Self-Reliant”, underlined India’s commitment to indigenous defence capabilities and operational preparedness.
Navy Day is celebrated every year on December 4 to honour Operation Trident, the Indian Navy’s first major offensive during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. Indian missile boats launched a powerful attack on Pakistan’s Karachi Harbour, destroying fuel depots, supply vessels, and key installations.
Air operations from INS Vikrant targeted other enemy locations, helping India secure a decisive victory. The success of these coordinated strikes made December 4 a historic day for India’s naval forces.
The Indian Navy showcased a large fleet during the Operational Demonstration 2025. Warships, submarines, and naval aircraft performed coordinated manoeuvres that displayed the Navy’s high-level combat readiness. The demonstration included:
The event also highlighted India’s progress in indigenous defence manufacturing, with several made-in-India platforms forming the core of the demonstration.
The President of India, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi hosted the celebrations. The presence of top leadership underlined the importance of maritime security and India’s expanding role in the Indian Ocean Region.
The display reflected India’s preparedness to safeguard its sea routes, respond to emergencies, and defend national interests.
This year, the Navy continued its initiative to host Navy Day celebrations outside traditional bases. Shangumugham Beach was selected to give citizens direct exposure to naval operations. The beach area was upgraded and strengthened to handle large crowds and ensure smooth viewing.
The open coastline provided the perfect backdrop for aerial shows, sea manoeuvres, and coordinated formations.
The theme “Combat Ready, Cohesive and Self-Reliant” guided the entire event. It emphasized three priorities:
The theme aligned with India’s long-term goal of building a strong, independent, and technologically advanced defence force.
Spectators witnessed naval formations, water-borne operations, high-speed manoeuvres, live demonstrations, and precision flying. The show offered a rare opportunity to understand how the Navy protects maritime routes, conducts surveillance, and responds to crises.
The event also paid tribute to the discipline, dedication, and courage of naval personnel who operate in challenging environments to keep the nation safe.
Indian Navy Day 2025 not only honoured the legacy of Operation Trident but also showcased India’s future-ready naval power. The demonstration at Shangumugham Beach reflected a confident, capable, and self-reliant force committed to securing India’s maritime interests.
