Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone of a new Very Low Frequency (VLF) Station of the Indian Navy at the Damagundam Reserve Forest site, Pudur Mandal in Vikarabad, Telangana on October 15, 2024. The facility, built at a cost of ₹3,200 crore, will be spread across 2,900 acres. It will bolster the Indian Navy's operational readiness, ensuring effective command and control capabilities in challenging maritime environments. It will play a pivotal role in strengthening the Naval communication infrastructure, enabling reliable and secure transmission over long distances.

Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister exuded confidence that the VLF station would expand the military capabilities of the country, proving to be a boon to the Armed Forces. He asserted that the high-tech VLF station, once operational, would not just be a military establishment, but a strategic asset of national importance.

"Effective coordination between men and machines is becoming extremely important in view of the evolving methods of warfare. This VLF station is being built with the vision of securing our maritime interests. It will ensure secure and real-time communication between our ships & submarines with the command centres of the Armed Forces. A fool-proof communication proves to be a decisive factor between victory and defeat. Without real time communication, we cannot gain an edge despite having adequate equipment or manpower," Rajnath Singh said.

Further highlighting the significance of a strong communication system, Defence Minister termed it as pivotal for coordination in any complex operation. He emphasised that a clear and secure communication channel not only helps in timely & effective decision making, but also an important medium to convey the orders of the command to the field formations and obtain the feedback.

Rajnath Singh added that if soldiers are fully informed in a battlefield or an operational environment, their morale & unity receive a major boost, enhancing both safety and strategy. "During crisis management, a clear communication channel is the key. It becomes even more necessary when the situation is dynamic and the response time is very less. These things are historically proven. We're learning from the past and striving for future security and prosperity," he added.

Defence Minister laid stress on the need to continuously empower the Indian Navy in view of the ever-growing global interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). "Our interest is spread across the Indo-Pacific region. We have also emerged as the first responder and a preferred security partner in the IOR. Today, many countries have shifted their focus towards marine resources in the region. If India has to secure its commercial & security interests and remain a strong deep sea force, it is necessary to possess state-of-the-art platforms/equipment and a strong communication system," he added.

Citing a saying 'A good Navy is not a provocation to war, but a surety of peace'. Rajnath Singh termed the Indian Navy as the biggest guarantee of peace in the entire IOR, including the Bay of Bengal. "The countries with which India shares its maritime boundaries should understand that maritime security is a collective effort. Summoning external forces at your doorstep hurts this effort. Maintaining peace & order in the Bay of Bengal and IOR should be the top priority of all of us. The support of all friendly countries is necessary in this endeavour of India as even if one country is left out, the entire security wheel breaks. India believes in uniting rather than dividing. We are taking every possible step to move ahead with all the friendly neighbouring countries together," he added.

Further highlighting the significance of a strong communication system, Defence Minister termed it as pivotal for coordination in any complex operation. He emphasised that a clear and secure communication channel not only helps in timely & effective decision making, but also an important medium to convey the orders of the command to the field formations and obtain the feedback.

Rajnath Singh added that if soldiers are fully informed in a battlefield or an operational environment, their morale & unity receive a major boost, enhancing both safety and strategy. "During crisis management, a clear communication channel is the key. It becomes even more necessary when the situation is dynamic and the response time is very less. These things are historically proven. We're learning from the past and striving for future security and prosperity," he added.

Defence Minister laid stress on the need to continuously empower the Indian Navy in view of the ever-growing global interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). "Our interest is spread across the Indo-Pacific region. We have also emerged as the first responder and a preferred security partner in the IOR. Today, many countries have shifted their focus towards marine resources in the region. If India has to secure its commercial & security interests and remain a strong deep sea force, it is necessary to possess state-of-the-art platforms/equipment and a strong communication system," he added.

Citing a saying 'A good Navy is not a provocation to war, but a surety of peace'. Rajnath Singh termed the Indian Navy as the biggest guarantee of peace in the entire IOR, including the Bay of Bengal. "The countries with which India shares its maritime boundaries should understand that maritime security is a collective effort. Summoning external forces at your doorstep hurts this effort. Maintaining peace & order in the Bay of Bengal and IOR should be the top priority of all of us. The support of all friendly countries is necessary in this endeavour of India as even if one country is left out, the entire security wheel breaks. India believes in uniting rather than dividing. We are taking every possible step to move ahead with all the friendly neighbouring countries together," he added.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Minister for Forests & Environment, Telangana Government Smt Konda Surekha Garu, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence & state government were present on the occasion.