Indian Navy to acquire more muscle and punch

The Indian Navy is planning to increase its fleet strength by acquiring several ships, submarines and aircraft besides developing an infrastructure to ensure that by the end of the decade it would be a force to reckon with, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash has said.

Addressing Naval personnel after inspecting a 50-man Nishan Guard (Guard of Honour with the President’s colours) and the 36 platoons on parade on Wednesday, he said that the most significant thing was that most of these acquisitions would have a 90 percent indigenous component.

He also spoke about a speedier and secure connectivity for the Navy, which would facilitate all naval units to share information through computers and satellite once the project was completed.

The Naval chief also spoke about the various threats at sea like piracy, gun-running and the need for the Navy to be strong and powerful to counter them.

Earlier, arriving for the parade after laying a wreath at the war memorial, he was received by Vice Admiral JS Bedi, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command. Admiral Arun Prakash, who was on a two-day farewell visit to Kochi, later left for Mumbai.

The parade ground reverberated with three cheers for Admiral Arun Prakash by those on parade which was a deviation from the standard practice of bidding farewell.