Asserting that the Indian Navy was keeping a close watch on Chinese Navy activities in the Indian Ocean Region, Navy Chief, Admiral R. Hari Kumar on Friday said the maritime force was fully capable of defending national interests in the maritime domain. Addressing the annual Navy Day press conference, the new Navy Chief said that during the peak of the India-China border tensions along the Line of Actual Control last year, Indian Navy had deployed its warships in the forward locations and were keeping an eye on the Chinese warships operating along the Indian maritime borders. “We are aware of the development of the Chinese Navy. They built around 110 warships in the last few years, meaning 13-14 warships every year. Our plans factor all these activities and deployments in the Indian Ocean Region. PLA Navy (PLAN) has been present in the IOR since 2008 and we have been watching that. I want to assure you that the Indian Navy is confident of defending India’s maritime interests,” said Hari Kumar in the one-hour-long press conference. Navy Day is on Saturday, 4 December.
He said the Chinese have been deploying seven to eight warships on an average in the Indian Ocean Region which is kept under “constant surveillance by aircraft and ships and their activities are kept under close watch.”
Asked about the Indian response to the aggression by the PLAN in northern areas, he said the force had forward-deployed its warships at that time.
Praising the government for the creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Kumar said this was the biggest reform that has happened in the military since independence along with the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff.
“This enables faster decision making, integration and fewer layers of bureaucracy. I feel DMA made a significant change in the way armed forces operate at headquarters’ level,” the Navy chief stated.
Pointing out that the Chinese aggression on northern borders and the COVID-19 pandemic has created complex security challenges, he said that “despite the COVID-19, Indian Navy has maintained combat and mission readiness and resulted in preventing any misadventure in the maritime domain.”
The Navy chief also stated that of the 39 warships and submarines being built for the Indian Navy, 37 were being built in India under “Make in India”.
“We have taken measures to provide additional opportunities to women officers. The first woman Provost officer joined in March this year. Navy is ready to induct women in different capacities,” he added.
Hari Kumar, who took charge as Navy Chief on Tuesday, said that the creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) was the biggest reform in the military since Independence. “The creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) is the biggest reform in the military since Independence along with the creation of the post of CDS. This enables faster decision-making and fewer layers of bureaucracy,” he said.