The Hindu Business Line : `Networking battle ships, submarines vital to wage modern warfare'

THE Navy is focussing on network-centric operations and indigenisation based on close co-operation with the Indian industry, Admiral Madhavendra Singh, Chief of Naval Staff, has said.

At a press meet here on Thursday, after the conclusion of the Navy commanders' meet, the Admiral said networking all the battle ships, submarines and aircraft was of utmost importance to wage modern warfare. Indigenous technologies designed and operationalised by the Navy and the Indian industry would be employed in the process.

He said the Navy was in constant touch for all its requirements and had given a list of things it needed to the Confederation of Indian Industry. "There is a great understanding between the two and we seek the co-operation of the industry,'' he said.

Admiral Madhavendra Singh said the indigenous aircraft carrier was in production at the Cochin shipyard and it would be ready by 2011 or 2012. It would be able to carry the light combat aircraft and the whole project would cost roughly over Rs 3,100 crore.

Answering a question, he said the Eastern Naval Command, with its headquarters here, was being expanded with the induction of extra destroyers and "ultimately it is our aim to have a balanced fleet on both the eastern and western fronts''.

On possible joint naval exercises with Pakistan, he said it was too premature to speculate along those lines. "Anyway, the peace process with Pakistan has been initiated,'' he said.

The Navy is inducting the Russian aircraft carrier and a new fleet of MiG aircraft. Three destroyers, each costing roughly Rs 1,000 crore, are under construction.

The Admiral said the Government had introduced a scheme providing medical facilities to the ex-naval staff. On the future of the INS Vikrant, he said an agreement had been arrived at to convert it into a maritime musueum with the Centre bearing two-thirds of the cost (roughly Rs 75 crores) and the Maharashtra Government the rest. "However, the project will have to be executed by the Maharashtra Government and it may take a few years,'' he said.

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`Networking battle ships, submarines vital to wage modern warfare'