The Indian Ocean tsunami in late 2004 was a watershed for the Indian Navy. It prompted the launch of the largest humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission the Indian Navy had embarked on until that point. Indian Navy ships carried supplies to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Maldives, but the tsunami response exposed a chronic shortcoming: India lacked amphibious assault ships that were optimal for ferrying men and material in the event of natural disasters. Read more…
