NEW DELHI, June 26: Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan today said the roadmap for the Navy’s expansion and growth would continue to remain anchored on self-reliance and indigenisation and stressed the need for vigilance and focus on coastal security.
Addressing top Commanders of the Indian Navy at the two-day conference which concluded today, Admiral Dhowan said the Navy’s surface capability was further poised for a quantum jump with the planned induction of Kolkata (P15 A Destroyer) and Kamorta (P 28 ASW Frigate) in the near future. The conference which was inaugurated by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday, and Chaired by Admiral Dhowan, discussed several important issues including operational readiness, coastal security, maintenance philosophy and quality of refits for ensuring combat effectiveness of platforms, infra-structure development and foreign cooperation initiatives.
This was the first edition of the bi-annual Naval Commanders’ Conference.
The Admiral outlined three inter-related priorities ie sustaining combat readiness, building capabilities for the future and addressing human resource challenges.
He emphasised that combat readiness of the fleet and other operational formations was of prime importance and focussed efforts were required at all levels to ensure sustained growth of the Navy into a formidable multi-dimensional force.
Asserting that induction of INS Vikramaditya was a substantial boost to Navy’s capabilities, the Admiral said the Navy’s surface capability was further poised for quantum jump with the planned induction of Kolkata (P15 A Destroyer) and Kamorta (P 28 ASW Frigate) in the near future.
He expressed satisfaction at the steady augmentation of assets in the aviation arm of the Navy with progressive induction of P 8I LRMR aircraft, commissioning of ALH squadron and induction of AJT aircraft.
Discussions were also held on the ongoing LCA (Navy) project, capability gaps resulting from the ageing submarine fleet, shortage of integral helicopters in the fleets and the need for Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs).
The Admiral discussed the Navy’s self-reliance programme and stressed that indigenisation of platforms, weapons, sensors and equipment, through public as well as private sectors, should remain an area of focus.
He reviewed the ‘coastal security construct’ and expressed satisfaction at the steady progress made in strengthening the coastal security apparatus–induction of FICs, ISVs and NC3 I project.
The Navy Chief asserted the need to remain ever vigilant and focussed towards coastal security responsibilities through proactive coordination with other maritime agencies and coastal states. The Navy’s foreign cooperation initiatives and engagements were growing considerably and past efforts had borne fruit, he said and lauded the quick response of ships and aircraft deployed for search and rescue operations of the ill-fated missing Malaysian Airlines jetliner MH 370.
During the conference, the Navy Chief reviewed progress of various infrastructure projects that are in pipeline and highighted the need to adopt sustainable green technologies, re-cycling and waste management to reduce carbon footprint of bases in pursuance of the energy goals.
He also discussed the utilisation of resources allocated to the Navy and called for ensuring that every rupee was optimally utilised through adherence to cost consciousness, especially in the acquisition of spares, equipment and machinery.
On the issue of Human Resource Development and Management, he reiterated his vision to run a “taut, effective and happy Navy.” (UNI)
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