Andhra Pradesh   

Navy geared to meet challenges: ENC chief

Vice Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma

VISAKHAPATNAM: The recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai have once again brought into focus the importance of having a strong maritime force with adequate reach, endurance and capability, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma has said.

Addressing a media conference on board the Jalashwa here on Wednesday, he said that the induction of new ships, modern weaponry and sensors has boosted the combat capabilities of the Navy. Though orders had been placed for construction of a number of new ships at various shipyards in India and abroad, the current force level would see a reduction till about 2012.

This was because of the long gestation period of the ship-construction projects.

Vice Admiral Verma said that of the 44 ships and submarines that were under various stages of construction, 39 were being built indigenously.

The plan was to build 75 ships and submarines in Indian shipyards by the end of the 12th plan period.

A large amphibious ship, which was in an advanced stage of construction and four of the 10 fast attack craft, also under construction, would soon join the Eastern Fleet.

The other crafts under construction include: four advanced anti-submarine corvettes and an advanced version of the offshore patrol vessel that were also expected to join the Eastern Fleet in the near future. He said that the patrol vessels and new corvettes would significantly enhance the surveillance capabilities and strengthen coastal security.

The ENC Chief said that pending arrival of the new warships, the life of the existing ones was being extended through retrofit and upgradation with state-of-the-art weaponry.

The first upgraded Ranvir-class Destroyer has already joined the Eastern Fleet.

Vice Admiral Verma said that two new air squadrons – one fixed wing Dornier squadron and one embarked UH3H helicopter squadron – would soon be commissioned in Visakhapatnam.

A Naval Air Station would be set up at Ramnad to support martime reconnaissance in the Palk Bay and the air station at Arkkonam was getting ready to base the next generation naval long range maritime patrol aircraft.

Referring to the protection of maritime interests on the East Coast, he said that the Malacca and Singapore Straits were the busiest sea lanes of the world through which a quarter of the world’s trade passes every year.

He said that the Indian Navy maintains a robust, credible and visible force capable of tackling maritime security contingencies.

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