The Navy is equipped to counter any threats to the country’s maritime interests, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan has said.
Talking to reporters after reviewing a passing-out parade of cadets at the Indian Naval Academy (INA) here on Saturday, Admiral Dhowan said the Navy was a multidimensional combat force ready to take on any challenge. The country had a huge maritime interest, as 90 per cent its trade passed by the sea.
“Indian Ocean region is emerging as the world’s centre of gravity as far as maritime interests are concerned,” he said.
To a question on the Navy’s action plan in response to the Make in India campaign of the Central government, he said the Navy had started its quest for self-reliance over 50 years ago. “The blueprint of the future of the Navy is firmly anchored on indigenisation,” Admiral Dhowan said adding currently 41 naval ships and submarines were under construction.
On the incidents of Indian fishermen from coastal Tamil Nadu being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, he said it was the Navy’s endeavour to see that the Indian fishermen were safe.
The government and the Navy were taking all measures to help the fishermen know where they were at sea while fishing, he added.
