Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan has said that the Navy has taken a ‘serious note’ of the recent accidents involving its submarines and the probe reports are at different stages. He said that the prestige of the white uniform and confidence of the nation in the Navy would be restored.
Admiral Dhowan, who is on his first official visit to the Southern Naval Command after assuming office, was interacting with media at the Naval Base on Wednesday.
“The inquiry procedures are very detailed and the enquiry reports are at different stages. Some have been submitted by the command while some are being examined at the naval headquarters. Though probe report is awaited, some ‘stringent recommendations’ have been made on the measures to be taken, and they have been communicated to every single platform of the Navy including ships, submarines and aircraft,” he said.
“The intention is that we should operate these platforms in a professional manner to ensure that we follow procedures and see to it that we do not make mistakes,” he said. Asked about the reports quoting ‘Q’ branch police that there were plans to attack the Southern Naval Command and Ezhimala Naval Academy, the Admiral said the Navy is always alert. “We are a fighting force and we will always be alert to take on any emergency,’’ he said. He said the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) was of primary interest for the Indian Navy both from the operational as well as professional angles. ‘’This century is an era of sea and the IOR has a focus role in it. In the maritime domain, the region is the the focus of the world,” Dhowan said.
Asked about the proposed ship design facility in Kozhikode, the Admiral said it would be set up in phases. And once it is set up, it will have a repository of various aspects of design and construction in the country. On upgradation of training aspects in the Navy, the Admiral said the Navy’s plan of modernisation was in accordance with its long term maritime capability in respective classes. ‘’What is being inducted into the Navy is in accordance with that plan”, he said.
‘’Forty four vessels, including the indigenous aircraft carrier, are under construction for the Navy at various shipyards,’’ he said.
Earlier, addressing naval personnel, Dhowan said the accidents in the last few months had dented the image of the force to some extent. He exhorted the personnel to join together to reinforce professional pride in the white uniform, and take the force to greater heights. He informed the personnel that INS Vikramaditya is operationally deployed with MIG 29 Ks integrated with the carrier.