EDITORIAL
The first issue of SP’s Naval
Forces coincides with the Defexpo 2014, being held from February 6-9, at Delhi. SP Guide Publications is the sole media partner and has a bouquet of magazines to offer for the Defexpo 2014. This issue of SP’s Naval Forces, which is part of the bouquet, starts with the excerpts of the interview with Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral P.K. Chatterjee, who is a hard core submariner. During the interview, Vice Admiral Chatterjee dwelt at length as how the Indian Navy is going to fulfill its doctrinal obligation, state of operational readiness and degree of indigenisation of naval hardware, apart from other issues. He opined that the overall security situation in the Indian Ocean region continues to be palpable due to piracy and terrorism, coupled with failing states and ungoverned spaces. Therefore, in his opinion, issues of regional stability would continue to remain centre stage.
The interview is logically followed by an article on the Indian Navy’s supporting plans for Force Projection through modernisation. The author traces the Navy’s path-breaking journey from pre-Independence to the current era. The Navy has been in the forefront in attempting India’s mantra of self-sufficiency in military hardware through indigenisation. In order to fulfill this aspiration, an article on India’s warship building capability is included which takes a hard look at the current capability and future plans for its development.
Indian Coast Guard is intimately involved with coastal security thus an insight into their modernisation plans has also been included. Due to the persistent effort of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) its post26/11 Capability Building Plan has resulted in the ICG concluding contracts for more than 120 surface platforms of different sizes since January 2009 till date. The current force level has grown to over 90 surface platforms comprising OPVs, Pollu- tion Control Vessels, FPVs etc. News in Brief just about wraps the issue.
For the information of you ardent readers, SP’s Naval
Forces has completed eight glorious years in 2013 which would not have been possible without the support of ‘you’ readers and cooperation of the Naval Headquarters. February 1 is Indian Coast Guard Day. SP Guide Publications wish them a very glorious and successful future. If you are at the Defexpo 2014, please visit us at Hall 14, Booth 14.3. Wish you all happy reading.