The Navy's plan to have a force with 170 ships by 2027 has suffered delays, for various reasons, but it is still moving ahead with the same objective in its perspective planning and has catered for a third aircraft carrier in it, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Satish Namdeo Ghormade said Tuesday.
He mentioned that although threats keep changing, the Navy caters for them when it builds its 15-year Maritime Capability Perspective Plan, when asked about China handing over one of its largest and most advanced warships to Pakistan last week.
The Navy has a present fleet strength of 130, including ships and submarines, he stated.
Ghormade said, “Maritime environment is a complex one and it only increases with more players involved.”
“We live in a time when global and regional balances of power are shifting rapidly and the region of most rapid change is undoubtedly the Indian Ocean Region. Continuous efforts are, therefore, on to ensure that our force levels grow progressively to enhance the capability of the Indian Navy to meet the emerging challenges,” he said.
He asserted that the Navy's “complete and focussed thrust on strategic independence is in line with the national objective” of a self-reliant India. The Navy has developed indigenous designs in-house for over 57 years, including small craft to the aircraft carrier, building over 90 ships.
He added, “We have made our Maritime Capability Perspective Plan and we are progressing as per that schedule….
