Navy Chief: Ready to tackle China in Ocean
The Indian Navy had deployed its warships in forward positions during the clashes with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and it continues to keep close watch on the Chinese warships in the Indian Ocean Region, Chief of Naval Staff Adm. R. Hari Kumar said on Friday. He said that the Indian Navy’s preparedness had deterred any misadventure in the maritime domain.
“When there were tensions at the northern borders, our ships were out for mission-based deployment. All other ships were ready for any escalation in the situation,” said Adm. Kumar during the annual press conference on eve of Navy Day, which falls on December 4. He said the ongoing security situation on “our northern borders has added to our security complexities”.
He said the Chinese have been deploying seven to eight warships on an average in the Indian Ocean Region. “We are aware about their ships’ deployment. We have kept the Chinese ships under close surveillance, and we continue to do that even now,” Adm. Kumar added.
Adm. Kumar said China had built 138 new ships in the past 10 years and that China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy had emerged as the largest navy worldwide in terms of its assets.
“Our plans factor in all these activities and deployments in the Indian Ocean Region. The PLA Navy has been present in the IOR since 2008 and we have been watching. I want to assure you that the Indian Navy is confident of defending India’s maritime interests,” the Navy Chief said.
He said the Indian Navy had commissioned 28 ships and submarines in the last seven years which have been built in India.
Further, of the 39 ships and submarines currently under construction, 37 are being built at Indian shipyards. These include aircraft-carrier Vikrant, P-15B class destroyers, P-17A class stealth frigates and Scorpene class submarines. Among these projects, the Vikrant has completed two sea sorties as part of its contractor sea trials.
On “theatreisation”, Adm. Kumar said that theatre commands was a complicated process and the maritime theatre command (MTC) details could be finalised by the middle of next year. Adm. Kumar said women officers had been appointed on board almost all major warships. Senior officials said 28 women officers had been deployed so far in 15 major warships of the Indian Navy and the number was going to go up soon.