Operation “Samudra Setu” launched by Indian Navy

On May 5, 2020, the Indian Navy launched Operation “Samudra Setu” to bring back the Indians that are stranded in Maldives. They are stranded in the foreign land due to the grounding of airlines.

Samudra Sethu means Sea Bridge.

Highlights

• The Indian ships Jalashwa and Magar are being sent to the port of Male, Maldives. 
• The plan is to bring around 1000 persons during the first trip. 
• The list of Indians to be evacuated from the Maldives is being prepared by the Indian Mission in the Republic of Maldives.
• The INS Jalashwa is to reach Maldives on May 8, 2020. 
• It is capable of displacing 17,521 tonnes. 
• INS Magar will reach Maldives on May 10, 2020. 
• It is an amphibious warfare vessel that is capable of displacing 5,750 tonnes.

What is the plan?

• After evacuation, these people from Maldives are to be kept in quarantine at Kochi.

INS Jalashwa

• INS Jalashwa was formerly known USS Trenton. The USS Trenton was bought from the Unites States in 2006. 
• The ship was renamed as INS Jalashwa after the purchase. 
• Jalashwa in Sanskrit means “Hippopotamus”. 
• INS Jalashwa is an amphibious warfare ship.

What is an amphibious ship?

• An amphibious warfare ship is an amphibious vehicle warship that is employed to land and support ground forces.

Significance of Amphibious Assault Ships

• In 2018, the Government of India initiated Rs 20,000 crore project. 
• Under the project, four amphibious ships are to be built in India. 
• Each of these ships weigh 30,000 tonnes. 
• After INS Vikrant, these four ships will be the largest to be built in the country.