The Indian Navy’s blue print for the future is anchored on self-reliance and indigenisation and as many as 41 ships and submarines are under construction in various public and private shipyards of the country, said Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan.
He was speaking at a function to commission INS Sumitra, fourth indigenous Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV), into the Indian Navy at Chennai.
Vice-Admiral Satish Soni, Flag-Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral A.V. Subhedar, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, retired Rear Admiral and Chairman and Managing Director of Goa Shipyard Shekhar Mittal were present.
Admiral R.K. Dhowan said that over the years the country had progressively designed and built 120 warships and submarines of various categories in different shipyards transforming from a “Buyer’s Navy” to a “Builders Navy.” INS Sumitra would have a major role to play in patrolling the country’s Eastern seaboard and be an important component under the Eastern Naval Command.
The command has the task of countering maritime challenges in the Bay of Bengal and the waters of the adjoining Eastern Indian Ocean region.
INS Sumitra becomes the first major ship being based at Chennai in view of the growing importance of the region and enhanced surveillance needs.
The primary role of the ship is to undertake surveillance of the country’s exclusive economic zone besides anti-piracy patrol, fleet support operations, maritime security of off-shore assets and escort operations.
Designed and built by the Goa Shipyard Limied, INS Sumitra aptly demonstrates the immense potential of the country’s indigenous design and ship-building capability.
