The navy plays an important role in providing humanitarian relief in times of natural disasters , including floods , cyclones and tsunamis . In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami , the Indian Navy launched massive disaster relief operations to help affected Indian states as well as Maldives , Sri Lanka and Indonesia . Over 27 ships , dozens of helicopters , at least six fixed-wing aircraft and over 5000 personnel of the navy were deployed in relief operations . These included Operation Madad in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu , '' Operation Sea Waves '' in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , '' Operation Castor '' in Maldives , '' Operation Rainbow '' in Sri Lanka and '' Operation Gambhir '' in Indonesia . Gambhir , carried out following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami , was one of the largest and fastest force mobilisations that the Indian Navy has undertaken . Indian naval rescue vessels and teams reached neighbouring countries less than 12 hours from the time that the tsunami hit . Lessons from the response led to decision to enhance amphibious force capabilities , including the acquisition of landing platform docks such as , as well as smaller amphibious vessels
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Indian Navy