New Delhi: In the recent past the Chinese Navy has expanded rapidly and has been frequently foraying into the Indian Ocean. Keeping this in mind Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar said Friday that the Indian Navy is fully capable of confronting any security threat. He also fully backed the ambitious tri-services reforms that included setting up of a maritime theatre command.
Hari Kumar was addressing a press conference on the eve of Navy Day. He said the situation along India’s northern border has added to the security complexities at a time India was reeling under Covid-19 and that the ‘dual’ scenario continues.
“In these testing times, the Indian Navy aims to stand steadfast in furthering our national and maritime interests. Our focus on maintaining combat and mission readiness resulted in deterring any misadventure in the maritime domain,” Hari Kumar said without elaborating.
Hari Kumar also commented on the Chinese Navy’s growing combat capability and presence in the Indian Ocean. “We are aware of the developments of the Chinese Navy. They have built 138 ships in the last 10 years. Every nation is entitled to have its own capability development. We keep an eye on all developments in our area,” he said.
The Navy chief said China’s PLA Navy has been present in the Indian Ocean Region since 2008 and the Indian Navy has been watching it.
“It is not just the numbers that matter. It is also about people, how you employ the weapons that you have, your strategy and your operational plans etc. There are a whole lot of issues,” informed the Navy chief. “I want to assure you that the Indian Navy is a well-balanced force and is confident of defending India’s maritime interests for sure,” he added.
Admiral Kumar said that Acceptance of Necessity (approval) has been accorded for 72 projects worth Rs 1,97,359 crore for the Navy and out of which 59 projects worth Rs 1,74,027 crore will be implemented indigenously.
Referring to the theaterisation plan of the Armed Forces, the Indian Navy chief he said the details on setting up of the maritime theatre command are being worked out and they may be finalised by the middle of next year.
“I would like to reiterate the Navy’s wholehearted support for reforms in the higher defence organisation and on enhancing tri-services synergy,” Admiral Kumar said.
“We are looking at the establishment of the maritime theatre command in the near future which would further buttress joint planning and joint application of force in the maritime domain. The details are being worked out and maybe finalised by the middle of next year,” the Navy Chief added.