Indian Navy Day this year, also marked 50 years of victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan. On this occasion, Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP’s Naval Forces had an exclusive interaction with Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff and this interview is the lead article of this issue. The CNS shared his vision on the contribution of the Navy in the future. He highlighted the immense role of its work force towards achieving the aim of a ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future- Proof Force’. Keeping in mind the future requirements, Indian Navy has raised the bar for minimum entry qualification of officers to B. Tech & for sailors 10+2.

The other aspect highlighted by the CNS was the focus on indigenisation wherein, the three categories of Float, Move and Fight have been indigenised to the extent of 90 per cent, 60 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. Indian Navy’s commitment to ‘Self Reliance in Defence Production’ is evident from the fact that all 28 ships and submarines commissioned into the Navy over the last seven years have been built in India. Further, of the 39 ships and submarines, currently under construction, 37 are being built at Indian shipyards.

In an article, Vice Admiral A.K. Chawla (Retd), who recently retired from the Indian Navy, takes us through the modernisation of Indian Navy based on the lessons at the strategic, operational & tactical level learned from the 1971 war. At the strategic level, the lesson is for political commitment and support for a Navy’s growth which plays a major role. At the operational level, the Indian Navy ensured that it selected the new capabilities with a view to inflict substantial damage on its adversary but also to introduce an unbeatable asymmetry. This coupled with the high level of morale and motivation among the men who fought the 1971 War, made the Indian Navy an unstoppable force.

In another article, Vice Admiral K.N. Sushil (Retd) talks about the metamorphosis of the India Navy post-1971 into a modern day Navy. Then there is a brief write up on the Naval operations of 1971 where the gallant & audacious operations of the Indian Navy resulted in stupendous success and complete control of oil routes from the Persian Gulf to Pakistani ports. Due to the gallant achievements of the Indian Navy coupled with the valour of the officers & sailors, the Indian Navy had established control of Pakistan’s east & west coast in a short time. In another article on the progression in the role and capabilities of the Indian Navy, Saloni Salil writes that despite having come a long way, the Indian Navy still faces significant challenges in getting ready to rule the waves as the pre-eminent naval power in the region.

This issue winds up with the flag appointments.

We at SP’s wish every valuable reader of SP’s Naval Forces, a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Year 2022.

Jai Hind!