Will keep assets prepared for operations: Navy chief

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan. (BCCL photo by Rizwan Mithawala)

With plans afoot to decommission INS Viraat, India will be left with a single operational aircraft carrier by the end of 2016. The country's indigenous carrier, INS Vikrant, won't be commissioned till the end of 2018 and till then, INS Vikramaditya will have to hold fort and the Indian Navy will by no means wield supremacy over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

"Under our Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP) we constantly assess what assets we have and what more is required. At times, there are gaps. We don't like this. A final decision on INS Viraat is yet to be taken but it is possible that we may have to operate with a single carrier for some time. The Navy's endeavor is to ensure that the assets we have are kept well prepared for operations," Admiral R K Dhowan, chief of naval staff, said in Kolkata on Monday on the eve of the launching of the INS Kavaratti, the fourth and last in the series of Kamota-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes from the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

India's naval chief didn't sound too concerned with China's growing military presence in the IOR nor with the problems in setting up a Forward Operating Base (FOB) north of Paradip in the Bay of Bengal. The two existing ports in West Bengal are riverine and unfit for naval assets. The Navy had planned an FOB at Sagar Island (after the setting up of a deep-drafted port there) where ships could berth to pick up supplies and fuel. With the future of the Sagar port not looking too bright, the FOB plan may have to be scrapped.

"We could have a base at Haldia or Sagar for our smaller vessels but we prefer to depend more on flexibility and maneuverability. Our large assets don't need to remain stationed at one location as they have the flexibility to cover a lot of territory. So far as the PLA Navy's presence in the IOR is concerned, this has been going on since 2008. They are involved in anti-piracy operations. Their submarines, both nuclear and conventional, also operate in this region. We monitor all their activities and shift assets in our Area of Responsibility (AoR) as and when required. Our P-8I aircraft based at Rajali carry out surveillance across the IOR and also operate from Port Blair when the need arises. We also have sufficient assets in the Andamans to secure our maritime interests," Dhowan said.

According to him, there are vast interests in the AoR that need to be taken care of and the Navy has to ensure peaceful relations with littoral neighbours. He named nearly all of India's neighbours that are coastal nations except Pakistan and China and how relations with them are being developed.

"We are also carrying out economic patrols for Maldives. China is welcome to do whatever it chooses to secure its maritime interests. We will secure our own maritime interest that comprises busy sea-lines of communication. As per the MCPP, we are also keeping whatever submarines we have at operational readiness though their role is more of sea denial than maritime security. We are also constantly making efforts to increase the life-spans of our existing submarine fleet. The first Scorpene is expected to be commissioned next year. Once, more vessels of this class join the Navy, we shall have adequate submarines," the CNS said.

On the issue of coastal security, the admiral said that state governments would start issuing transponders to coastal fishermen soon. All 240,000-odd fishing boats will get transponders that will help security agencies keep track on them.

"Nearly 60-70% fishermen and boats have been registered. The trials for the transponders have also been completed and meetings have also been held with the Cabinet Secretary. The state governments are participating in this program and will issue the transponders. These will also ensure the safety of boats as they can be easily located in case of emergencies," Dhowan added.