CEREMONIAL FAREWELL: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash taking salute at a parade in the city on Thursday. Vice-Admiral Sureesh Mehta, who will succeed Admiral Arun Prakash looks on — Photo:K.R. Deepak

VISAKHAPATNAM: By the year 2017, Indian Navy will gain greater stability in terms of force and ship requirements, according to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash.

He expressed this opinion during the farewell parade conducted by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at INS Circars on Thursday.

Addressing officers and men on parade, he said that the Navy would grow as a balanced force in all the three dimensions - land, sea and air. The government had been providing adequate funds to complement the growth of Navy through purchase of ships, aircraft, destroyers, frigates, submarines and other defence artillery.

"The ENC, in the coming years, will gain greater importance in furthering the Government's `Look East' policy which is to maintain cordial relationship with the Eastern neighbours," he said.

Another base

Due to limitations of the Vizag port, the Navy would shortly be opening another base 30 to 40 km south of the city.

The Command, in the month of February, also brought glory to the Navy by holding the President's Fleet Review, which was witnessed and appreciated by the nation, he observed. The seas were also becoming a dangerous place due to presence of sea piracy and smuggling of arms and ammunition, and the government had recognised the importance of Navy to protect sea-based resources.

"Defence is not the only role of the Navy. We have also offered our services to people during tsunami and the Lebanon crisis," he said.

Visakhapatnam was of special importance to him as it was here in 1965 that he joined as a cadet onboard INS Tir.

After 40 years of service he was happy to hand over the charge to the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief ENC Vice Admiral Sureesh Mehta and said that it was a great honour to command the Indian Navy whose support and loyalty had made his tenure a success.

Admiral Arun Prakash complimented the colourful ceremonial parade and the participants of the event.

The parade commanded by Shailendra Singh of INS Rajput consisted of 24 platoons of which six were armed platoons. The President's colour presented to the ENC was also paraded on the occasion.

All Flag Officers in station, including Project Director SBC, Vice Admiral A.K. Kalra, Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard, Rear Admiral Dilip Deshpande, Chief Staff Officer (Technical) Rear Admiral S.C. Mukherjee and Chief of Staff ENC Rear Admiral Anil Chopra were present on the occasion.

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