Indian Navy has emerged as a multidimensional force ready to take challenges in the Indian Ocean region and with the participation of 50 countries in the International Parade it has come a long way since the last IFR, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Robin K. Dhowan has said.
Addressing a press conference on the eve of Presidential Review at the IFR here, he outlined the importance of Navies of coastal states working together and their networking for safety, stability and security of global commons.
On maritime partnerships it was making, he said that the operational footprint of Indian Navy extended as far as the Western Pacific in the East, North Atlantic in the West, the Gulf countries, off the islands of Indian Ocean, off the East Coast of Africa - all in a span of one year.
It had held joint exercises, among others, with the Navies of the US, Japan, UK and Australia as a part of the efforts to ensure safety and security of global commons.
Visakhapatnam emerged as a choice for hosting the country’s second IFR in tune with aspects of “Look East and Act East policy” of the Government and since it provided excellent depth.
In the first IFR in 2001 off Mumbai 29 countries participated. Around 100 ships - 71 Indian and 24 foreign vessels are participating in the current IFR.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will witness operational demonstration showcasing the naval might.
Stating that the blueprint of future Indian Navy is firmly anchored in self-reliance and indigenisation, Admiral Dhowan said currently 46 ships and submarines were under construction in Indian public and private shipyards. With an S&T roadmap in place the goal was to progressively indigenise to make future warships 100 per cent in India.
Ninety per cent of anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kadmatt, the latest to join the Navy, has been made in the country.
With the inclusion of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, long-range reconnaissance aircraft P8I and satellite Rukmini providing backup for creating networked Navy, the Navy emerged multi-dimensional networked force.
Among the new initiatives of the Navy is an effort to have clean and green Navy with its fast intercepting craft using bio-fuels.
“Besides a pilot project in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on ocean thermal energy conversion is on the cards as alternative energy,” he said. Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice-Admiral Satish Soni was present.
