Growing assertiveness of China in the Indian Ocean, strategically important for India, and operational preparedness to deal with any challenge will figure prominently during the five-day bi-annual Navy Commanders Conference starting here on Tuesday.

The top echelon will also take stock of the Navy’s mission based deployment of warships in deep seas. This strategy adopted last year has seen more than 50 warships now sailing in far off places in the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and Bay of Bengal. The new operational philosophy aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region is in furtherance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Security and Growth For All in the Region(SAGAR), officials said here on Monday.

The Navy’s focus over the past year is on combat efficiency, material readiness and upkeep of its large fleet of 131 ships and submarines. Various measures taken to improve combat efficiency including the new transition cycle for ships for transition from maintenance periods through a training phase and thereon to full scale operations will be reviewed at the conference, they said. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate the conclave.

As the Navy is stressing on indigenization and ‘Make in India’ initiative, the commanders will take stock of progress made in the ongoing construction of 27 warships and submarines within the country. They will also deliberate upon the optimal utilization of the Navy’s share of the defence budget through prioritizing capital acquisitions and modernization plans to bridge critical capability gaps, officials said.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Tuesday, 08 May 2018 | PNS | New Delhi