SP’s Naval Forces (SP’s): Having been at the helm of the Indian Navy for over two and a half years, how do you view the capability based modernisation plans for Indian Navy moving?

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): The Navy’s focus has been to evolve a force structure commensurate with the geopolitical and economic aspirations of the nation within the scope of funding and indigenous shipbuilding capacity. Threats, missions and affordability have, therefore, remained dominant factors in force structure planning.

The modernisation and enhancement of the Navy’s capabilities is an ongoing process, to meet emerging maritime challenges. The Indian Navy’s current perspective force level planning is driven by a conceptual shift from ‘numbers’ of platforms—from the old ‘bean-counting’ philosophy, to one that concentrates upon ‘capabilities’. In terms of force accretions, in the immediate future, we are acquiring ships in accordance with the Navy’s Maritime Capability Perspective Plan. Our preferred choice of inducting ships and submarines has been through the indigenous route and of the 49 ships and submarines currently on order, 45 are from Indian shipyards. The induction programme is continuing apace and over the next five years, we expect to induct ships/submarines at an average rate of five ships per year, if the shipyards deliver as per contracted timelines. These include aircraft carriers, stealth frigates, destroyers, corvettes, amphibious ships and submarines. The Indian Navy would also be inducting state-of-the-art aircraft and helicopters to augment our surveillance and integral aviation capabilities.

SP’s: As Navy Chief, you have braved many challenges and launched many new initiatives. Would you like to share your perspective on how Indian Navy has fared in discharging its primary responsibilities?

CNS: I had stated in my inaugural press conference in December 2009 that my focus would be “to consolidate and improve all aspects of internal growth that shape the future Navy, and contribute in every measure possible, towards strengthening maritime security”. We have put in efforts to sustain the growth trajectory of the Indian Navy and have ensured that critical capability enhancements in all three dimensions are maintained apace. The fact that the Indian Navy spent more than the allocated capital budget in the FY 2010-11 stands testimony to the work put in by ‘Team Navy’.

In the context of the coastal security, we have been able to achieve a high level of inter-agency coordination, strengthened maritime surveillance and response, and have formulated a most comprehensive plan that will exponentially enhance our maritime domain awareness (MDA).

Building a potent Navy is an ongoing process, one that gets even more challenging as we strive towards maximum indigenisation. We have been able to meet many of the goals we had set for ourselves but there is still more to be accomplished. I am confident that the Navy will continue to grow and meet the emerging security challenges in the maritime domain.

SP’s: Post-Mumbai 26/11, there has been comprehensive revamp in the coastal and maritime security construct. How do you view Indian Navy’s pre-paredness to shoulder those additional roles and responsibilities?

CNS: Consequent to the unfortunate events of 26/11, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had designated the Indian Navy as the authority responsible for overall coastal security of the country. As you are aware, over the past three years, several steps have been taken to strengthen coastal security, including induction of assets and manpower, organisational changes, and most importantly, better inter-agency coordination and synergy of effort between all the stakeholders in coastal security. However, much more remains to be done to close all the remaining gaps on our vast coastline. Towards this, the Defence Minister has emphasised that efforts be now directed to embark on the next phase, which has been termed as Phase II of Coastal Security.

Meanwhile, we are working on the operationalisation of the National Command, Control, Computer and Intelligence (NC3I) network across the country, which is being led by the Indian Navy; installation of radars along the coast by the Coast Guard and the establishment of a coastal AIS chain by the Ministry of Shipping. I would like to reiterate the importance of the timely completion of each of these projects. Registration of all fishing vessels and issue of identity cards to all fishermen is also an important issue that needs to be expedited by all maritime states.

Additional steps are being taken to develop infrastructure to handle oil spills and ensure the security of our offshore development areas. I can assure you that coastal security is getting close attention and our capability in this regard is improving, steadily and surely.

SP’s: Anti-piracy campaign has added a new dimension to the maritime security challenges in our region and the Indian Navy has acquitted itself brilliantly with many firsts to its credit. What are your views on the impact of this new dimension on the operational force levels of Indian Navy towards its primary role?

CNS: Piracy off the coast of Somalia is a menace to international shipping. A large percentage of India’s trade, including oil and fertilisers, passes through the Gulf of Aden. The Ministry of Shipping has estimated that Indian imports/exports through the Gulf of Aden route were valued in the order of $117 billion ( Rs. 5,85,000 crore). The safety and unhindered continuity of maritime trade, through ships that use this route, is a primary national concern as it directly impacts our economy.

Indian Navy is alert to the emerging challenges to our maritime interests from various quarters in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). With a well laid out long-term plan, the Indian Navy has been able to keep pace with the developing security situation in the region. The Indian Navy operates a balanced force comprising an aircraft carrier, multi-role destroyers and frigates, fleet tankers, amphibious ships and a multitude of other aviation and sub-surface combatants, capable of blue water operations in the IOR and beyond. Towards that end, the present force levels are being further augmented for undertaking tasks defined for the Indian Navy as also the challenges of piracy in the IOR and the responsibility of coastal security. It can, therefore, be summarised that the Indian Navy is ready to counter any threat to the sovereignty of the country.

SP’s: It has been reported that the 30 years submarine building perspective plan is running astern, adversely affecting the force levels of submarine fleet. Would you like to elucidate upon the government approved build plans, construction schedules and challenges/ bottlenecks in its implementation?

CNS: The Indian Navy has a programme for construction of submarines under Projects 75 and 75I indigenously. Six submarines are currently under construction at Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, under Project 75, in collaboration with DCNS, France. Approval of the Government of India also exists for construction of another six submarines, under Project 75I. To meet our projected requirement, more submarines will be constructed with the experience gained from the present projects. The first submarine of Project 75 is expected to be delivered in 2015 and the remaining five would be delivered at regular intervals thereafter.

SP’s: Acquisition plans for naval aviation assets are reportedly well on track. Please give your views on how the modernised and suitably beefed up Fleet Air Arm would be able to contribute to the Indian Navy’s operational capability and profile?

CNS: The Indian Navy has drawn up a comprehensive plan for expansion and modernisation of the Fleet Air Arm. With an aim to enhance the role-worthiness and combat capability of existing fleet of helicopters, a comprehensive upgrade involving fitment of advanced avionics/sensors suite on the Seaking and Kamov 28 helicopters is being progressed. Further, to augment the fleet air defence and maritime strike capability, 16 MiG 29K fighters have been inducted. The scheduled induction of additional 29 MiG 29K would further enhance our deck based strike capability.

The planned induction of 17 advanced jet trainers (AJT) is on schedule and would enable smooth transition of young fighter pilots into the highly demanding deck- based fighters. The Navy is also pursuing the fruition of the indigenous LCA-Navy programme for operation of these aircraft from the aircraft carriers. The engine ground run has been progressed and the maiden flight of the LCA (N) is likely in early 2012 as per Aeronautical Development Agency’s projection. With an aim to increase the presence and surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region, eight P8-I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (LRMRASW) aircraft have been contracted. The first flight of the aircraft was conducted in September 2011. Acceptance of necessity has also been accorded for procurement of additional four P8-I aircraft. The Indian Navy is looking forward to equipping the newly inducted ships with potent and role-worthy rotary wing assets. The delivery of additional Kamov 31 AEW helicopters scheduled this month would enhance the fleet ‘air defence’ capability. Field evaluation trials for procurement of multi-role helicopters (MRH) have been completed and induction of these platforms would improve the integral ASW/ASUW capabilities of the fleet. The Navy is also planning further augmentation of the fleet of multi-role helicopters for operations from new frigates and destroyers. Procurement of naval utility helicopters (NUH) as replacement to Chetaks would boost the search and rescue capability of Indian Navy.

SP’s: The recently concluded President’s Fleet Review has showcased the growing prowess of Indian Navy. How do you visualise the emergence of Indian Navy as the leading maritime power regionally, if not on the global canvas?

CNS: The world has acknowledged India’s economic prowess and future economic potential. As the country continues to progress on the path of sustained growth, there is a growing acceptance of the fact that the maritime domain is the prime facilitator of our economic growth. The role and responsibility of the Indian Navy to protect our maritime interests will grow with the requirement to safeguard our expanding economic interests, as also the responsibilities associated with being a mature and responsible regional maritime power. Therefore, while the Indian Navy is prepared to meet any form of traditional threat; it is also in the process of acquiring capabilities and realigning its operational ethos to meet emerging security challenges in our maritime domain.

It is natural that India’s growing stature will require the Indian Navy, which is the largest Navy in the region, to maintain good order and security at sea and offer assistance in the IOR when sought. To achieve its mandated tasks, the Indian Navy is enhancing its capabilities, cooperation and inter-operability with regional and extra-regional navies. The Indian Navy has been actively involved in cooperative engagement with several friendly countries across the globe. We have a well established material and training assistance programme in place with many IOR countries to assist them in capacity-building and capability-enhancement. Indian Navy also provides assistance by deploying its assets like ships and aircraft to undertake surveillance of the exclusive economic zone of these littorals from time to time, based on requests made by these friendly countries.

The Indian Navy stands committed to providing stability not just in the Indian Ocean region, but also safeguarding our interests across the oceans.