Indian Navy to be the strongest by 2022

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-03-31
VASCO- The Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, PVSM, AVSM, ADC on Monday disclosed that the Indian Navy will emerge as the strongest and powerful Naval force in the world by 2022 with a total capacity of crafts in its fleet having 160 warships and 300 aircrafts.
Stressing the need of sharing intelligence, he said that the intelligence problem always comes up after any incident.
Admiral Mehta was addressing the media soon after the launching ceremony of the first Naval offshore patrol vessel ‘INS Saryu’, the largest patrol vessel indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Ltd for the Indian Navy, here in Vasco on Monday afternoon.
The launching ceremony was held at the hands of Ms Maria Teresa Mehta, wife of Admiral Sureesh Mehta. The function was attended by Rear Admiral A K Handa, chairman and managing director of GSL; Commander M S Dangi, deputy inspector general, Coast Guard, Goa Region.
Among others were Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area; Admiral Ganesh Mahadevan, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition; Dr L U Joshi, chairman, Goa State Pollution Control Board besides other Naval officers.
Admiral Mehta called upon the state authorities for better coordination to tackle emergency situations. “As per the state water authorities, coastal police could play a vital role in thwarting terror attacks and also maintaining security alert round the clock within the state water boundaries”, stated Admiral Mehta. He informed that the status of the Gorshkov vessel, which Russia has agreed to sell to India by upgrading, will be known in another two years. The carrier will be named INS Vikramaditya.
Speaking on the recent incident wherein a Kavom-28 helicopter crashed in the Arabian Sea off the Dabolim airport, Admiral Mehta said that the Indian Navy has a plan to have more helicopters in its fleet. He also informed that the country would be participating in a joint-naval exercise involving different countries including China. He disclosed that the joint-naval exercise is a routine process of naval forces of different countries to participate in a joint venture.
Answering a question on the Dabolim airport, Admiral Mehta said that the parallel taxi track at the airport is in the interest of the Navy and the airport. He stressed that the parallel taxi track needs to be completed for the development of the state.
Admiral Mehta informed that the defence shipyards have made an invaluable contribution towards the country’s growth. “We have an unprecedented 32 warships at various shipyards in India and also an aircraft carrier at the Cochin shipyard.” “The public-private partnership could play a vital role in the defence sector and Navy has a wide role to play in maritime and effective coastal surveillance round the clock”, stated Admiral Mehta.
“The Indian Navy has a vital role in protecting the country’s maritime interests in the Indian Ocean region. The offshore patrol vessels play a pivotal peacetime role for coastal defence and surveillance”, said Admiral Mehta. He also has said that the ship being launched is also a testimony to the Navy’s commitment to the indigenisation process.
Rear Admiral A K Handa, said that Monday was a landmark day for the GSL, as after five years the Naval ship ‘INS Saryu’ had been launched. “Raising the standard of shipyard has been the tradition of GSL and it is an important event for all of us gathered here”, stated Rear Admiral Handa. He also said that the 39-month period for building the ship is with the international standards and added that it was the result of hardwork of all the GSL employees. He also said that Rs 800 crore is being invested in modernisation of the GSL.
“I am glad to note that Goa Shipyard has steadily built up the requisite confidence and skill in undertaking complex shipbuilding projects. It is a matter of pride for all of us that we are among the very few nations who have become self-reliant and mastered the intricate art of building warships. As we progress to the next phase of shipbuilding, the volume and pace of activities will further intensify”, said Rear Admiral Handa and further opined that he is confident that the GSL would be working towards increasing investment in infrastructure and incorporating modern planning and project management tools to further reduce the period of building warships to be able to compete with the best in the world.
The ‘INS Saryu’ ship is primarily aimed at meeting the increasing requirement of the Indian Navy for surveillance and accomplishing surface warfare operations in order to prevent infiltration. The vessel is capable of coastal and offshore patrolling. The ship has also been designed for the sporting and flight deck for a 21500 lbs AUW helicopter and it supports embarkation and operation of advanced light helicopter/ sea king helicopter.