Realisation of India’s “Atmanirbharta” vision is under complete limelight from all sides and across the defence forces. The Indian Navy is also continuously propelling the domestic industry’s growth with the belief in its far-reaching strategic consequences. In line with that, the lead story of this issue presents an extensive and exclusive interaction with Vice Admiral S.N. Ghormade, Vice Chief of Naval Staff with Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP’s Naval Forces where he provides a comprehensive overview of the Indian Navy’s plans. The Indian Navy is seen as a force that provides regional stability and peace in the region. To contribute to the nation’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, the Navy aims to be a fully ‘Atmanirbhar’ force that is ‘combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-proof’ in service of the nation. The Vice Chief talks about India’s aspiration as a regional power to safeguard its interests and those of friendly countries that can be affected through a near continuous presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

It was a proud moment for India, earlier last month, when India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant (IAC-1) was commissioned into the Indian Navy. A detailed report of Vikrant’s commissioning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Cochin Shipyard Limited has been put together in this edition by Ayushee Chaudhary. With the commissioning, India has entered into a select band of nations having niche capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier. At the event, the Prime Minister also unveiled the new Naval Ensign. The revealing of the new sign is being touted as a step to do away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage.

Another report by Vice Admiral A.K. Chawla (Retd) articulates about niche defence exports for developing and promoting Indian ship-building. He espouses that vessel such as patrol boats and offshore patrol vessels (OPV) have the greatest export potential in terms of quantity and that there is need to give more momentum to the construction of different types of patrol boats in India, both for domestic and export purposes, through a dedicated programme. He highlights that the role and relevance of patrol boats is only going to grow, fed by the emergence of unmanned autonomous patrol boats.

With such detailed encounters from the blue economy world, wish you all discerning readers happy reading!

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