SP’s Naval Forces would like to convey its heartfelt wishes and felicitations to all the women and men in the Indian Navy on the occasion of Navy Week 2022 celebrations.

This special issue of SP’s Naval Forces marks the Indian Navy Day 2022 and thus the lead article is an exclusive interaction between Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff with Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP’s Naval Forces.

The CNS defined the overarching vision of the Indian Navy to be a ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future-Proof Force’ and detailed the endeavours that drive this vision. He mentioned about the Indian Navy’s Vision document for Unmanned Systems for industry partners to synchronise their development efforts. The Navy Chief also highlighted that with a long-term vision to undertake indigenisation holistically, from ‘Conceptualisation to trials and induction’, Indian Navy has setup an umbrella organisation called Centre for Indigenisation and Self-Reliance (CISR) cell for closely interacting with the Industrial Corridors.

Admiral Hari Kumar specified that as Indian Navy move towards a 100 per cent Atmanirbhar Navy, they continuously assess the threat environment and technological trends, to identify the major thrust areas and required critical capabilities. Few of the major thrust areas that have been identified include, Maritime Domain Awareness, Network Centric Operations, Power Projection and Sea Control, Joint Operations, New and Evolving Technologies, etc.

Also, as a ‘Blue-water force’, considering the vast area of operations, operational philosophy centred on sea control and growing threat in the IOR, CNS categorically stated that the IN has a requirement of three operational aircraft carriers as it is also important towards sustaining our Maritime Dominance in all three geographical expanse of the Indian Ocean Region.

Prior to the Navy Day, CNS held the annual press conference where he reaffirmed that Indian Navy has made an unequivocal commitment to be fully ‘Atmanirbhar’ by 2047. The Navy Chief said that combat readiness of the forces and budgetary provisions are now increasingly being looked at jointly by the three Services and that Indian Navy is committed to jointness and increased synergy and collective efforts. Admiral Hari Kumar also revealed that procurement decision to acquire armed MQ-9B Predator (Sea Guardian Drones) from the US is under process and the numbers are being discussed.

This issue also has a string of other very informative and thought-provoking articles by eminent experts. We hope you will enjoy reading them all!

In the end, we wish the valuable readers of SP’s Naval Forces, a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Year 2023.

Jai Hind!