Indian Navy is committed to promoting self-reliance in military technology, said Vice-Admiral Satish Soni, Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command. He was speaking after inaugurating the Naval technology seminar organised by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) at Southern Naval Command on Friday.
The momentous economic growth of the nation has to be sustained by suitable security measures. Accordingly, the Maritime Capabilities Perspective Plan lays down a force level of 200 ships, 600 aircraft and about 20 submarines apart from shore-based assets and infrastructure, said the Admiral.
Elaborating on the Navy’s increasing role, the Vice-Admiral said that patrolling the region between east coast of Africa and the Malacca straits, frequent forays into the Gulf and Red Sea as also establishing a reach in the Mediterranean, South China Sea and beyond has become vital.
He also sought good waterfront support infrastructure backed by a sound fault finding and repair system as well as adequate spares inventory.Anil Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director, BEL, who delivered the keynote address, said that three new SBUs for missiles, satellites and communication systems have been set up. He also spoke about the fruitful partnership with Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) in Kochi which resulted in the production of a number of new generation sonars for the ships and submarines for the Navy. Coastal Surveillance System project by BEL has already been commissioned in Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra. BEL is also involved in setting up similar infrastructure at Mauritius and Seychelles. Product support Centre for NPOL, Cochin Shipyard and Naval Ship Repair Yard Kochi is already functioning from KINFRA Kochi, said Anil Kumar.
A product exhibition showcasing various products of Bharat Electronics was inaugurated by Vice-Admiral Soni. The latest communication equipment, night vision devices, modern commando information systems and other electronics intensive hardware were on display. BEL has been conducting customer engagement initiatives since 2010.
S Ananthanarayanan, Director, NPOL, Rear Admiral Ashok Kumar, Chief of Staff Southern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Madhusudanan, Admiral Superintendent Naval Ship Repair Yard Kochi and senior directors of BEL attended the seminar.