Chief set to revive Navy’s image

Visakhapatnam: On his maiden visit to the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, the newly appointed Chief of the Indian Navy, Robin K. Dhowan, admitted that the Navy’s image has been dented somewhat by recent naval mishaps.

In an interaction with the press, the naval chief said he has taken over at a difficult time but it was now necessary to start building up the force again to be prepared for combat at all times.

“India’s maritime interests must be pursued unhindered, both in peace and war. This necessitates a multi-dimensional, combat-ready force and the Eastern Naval Command, with operations spread across the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, is undertaking these tasks admirably,” he said.

India must focus on strengthening its indigenous capabilities. The warship building programme under Project-28 (P-28) must meet the Navy’s requirements. Over the last two years, the ENC has acquired three Shivalik class stealth frigates, P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft, Hawk advanced jet trainers, the nuclear powered submarine INS Chakra and a number of fast interceptor craft along with INS Arihant, India’s first indigenously build nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine which is in the final phase of harbour trials and will shortly be ready for sea trials.

He said the Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette designed under P-28 by the Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design and being built by one of India’s leading shipbuilders, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, Kolkata, will be joining the ENC fleet in the near future.

The naval chief reviewed a ceremonial parade held at INS Circars Parade Ground and inspected a 50-man armed guard and reviewed platoons of Naval and DSC personnel drawn from various ships and establishments of the command.