Navy has taken serious note of mishaps: Naval chief

Kochi: The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan on Wednesday said that the Indian Navy has taken a 'serious note' of the recent accidents involving its submarines and the probe reports are in different stages.

"Inquiry procedures are very detailed. These are different incidents. The inquiry reports are in different stages. Some submitted by command, some at examination at naval headquarters," the naval chief, who is on a two day visit to Kerala, said in a brief interaction with media.

Responding to queries if probe reports on mishaps concerning naval ships and submarines had been submitted, he said, "What was important is that even before the probe report has been submitted, some 'stringent recommendations' have been made on measures to be taken and these have been communicated to every single platform of the Indian Navy including ships, submarines and aircraft."

“The intention is that we should operate these platforms in a professional manner to ensure that we follow procedures and see that we do not make mistakes.” He added.

About some reports quoting 'Q' branch police at Chennai that interrogation of a Sri Lankan national, a suspected ISI agent arrested recently, revealed that there were plans to attack the Southern Naval command and Ezhimala Naval academy, he said "We are always alert. We are a fighting force and we will always be alert to take on any contingency and the aspect of safety and security of our assets and personnel is of paramount importance." 

Asked if the Navy's confidence had been dented with the series of accidents, the Naval chief said being a professional service, the navy would work as a team to ensure that the "prestige of white uniform and confidence of the nation in the navy is restored." He said that the Indian Ocean region was of primary interest both from operational angle as well as professional angle for the Indian navy.

In the maritime domain, that region was the focus of the world, Dhowan said. "So we have to take into account every aspect of threat perception that exists in our waters. If there is any specific input that comes in, then we take specific note of it, he said.

On taking in foreign cadets at the naval academy at Ezhimala, he said "Our requirement was first to consolidate the infrastructure and other facilities. It is now our intention to examine the feasibility of commencing this from December this year."

When asked about the proposed ship design facility at Kozhikode, the Admiral said it would be set up in phases. And once set up, it will have a repository of various aspects of design and construction in the country.

On upgradation of training aspects in Navy, Dhowan said the Navy's plan of modernisation was in accordance with its long term maritime capability in respective classes. "So what is being inducted into the Navy is in accordance with that plan", he said.