NEW NAVY CHIEF BACKS THEATERISATION PLAN

Says closely watching Chinese activities in Indian Ocean

NEW DELHI: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar on Friday said his force is keeping a close watch on Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean and is fully ready to deal with any security threat even as he fully backed the ambitious tri-services reforms that included setting up of a maritime theatre command.

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 the country was reeling under Covid-19 and that the scenario continues. Referring to China’s rapid expansion of its naval assets, the new Navy chief said “it is not just the numbers that matter” as he highlighted the importance of strategy, operational plans and weapons to combat various threats.

“I want to assure you the Indian Navy is a well-balanced force and is confident of defending India’s maritime interests for sure,” he said, responding to a volley of questions on the threat from China in the maritime domain. “The Chinese activities and deployments are kept under close watch. We have our plans,” he added.

About the Navy’s earlier plan of becoming a 170-ship force, he said a new scientific process to assess the requirement under a 10-year Integrated Capability Development Plan (ICDP) is underway following which decisions will be taken. “It may

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be 230 (ships), it may be 300, the process is on. It is a scientific process. I cannot give you a number at this point. We will arrive at a decision following the completion of the process,” he said.