Summary:
New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar on Friday said his force is keeping a close watch on Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean and is fully ready to deal with any security threat even as he fully backed the ambitious tri-services reforms that included setting up of a maritime theatre command.Addressing a press conference on the eve of Navy Day, he said the Navy had forward-deployed ships under the framework of mission-based deployment in the Indian Ocean Region following the eastern Ladakh standoff last year and was even ready for all contingencies.The newly-appointed Chief of Naval Staff said the situation along India"s northern border has added to the security complexities at a time the country was reeling under COVID-19 and that the scenario continues.Referring to China"s rapid expansion of its naval assets, he said "it is not just the numbers that matter" as he highlighted the importance of strategy, operational plans and weapons to combat various threats."I want to assure you that the Indian Navy is a well-balanced force and is confident of defending India"s maritime interests for sure," he said, responding to a volley of questions on the threat from China in the maritime domain."The Chinese activities and deployments are kept under close watch.
We have our plans," he added.Asked about the Navy"s earlier plan of becoming a 170-ship force, he said a new scientific process to assess the requirement under a 10-year Integrated Capability Development Plan (ICDP) is underway following which decisions will be taken."It may be 230 (ships), it may be 300, the process is on.
It is a scientific process.
I cannot give you a number at this point.
We will arrive at a decision following the completion of the process," he said.The Navy had set a target to become a 170-ship force by 2027.
At present, the Navy has around 130 ships.Throwing his support to the theaterisation plan, he said it will take time and noted that it took the US military almost 50 years to put in place the joint command and control structures after it was rolled out."I would like to reiterate the Navy"s wholehearted support for reforms in our higher defence organisation, and on enhancing tri-service synergy," he said."We are looking at the establishment of the "Maritime Theatre Command" in the near future, which would further buttress "Joint planning and Joint application of force" in the maritime domain.