Navy Day, 2020: Year-End wrap-up on our sentinels of the sea
| Published date | 05 December 2020 |
While expressing his thoughts on force level planning and future acquisitions, CNS emphasized on induction of new assets and capabilities as being progressed in consonance with the Navy's long-term perspective plans.
Considering building a future Navy, IN remains committed to the vision of 'Make-in-India' 'Atmanirbharata' in the defence sector. Indian Navy's commitment to 'Self Reliance in Defence Production' is evident from the fact that all 24 ships and submarines commissioned into the Navy over the last six years have been built in India. Further, of the 43 ships and submarines, currently under construction, 41 are being built at Indian shipyards. These include the Aircraft Carrier -Vikrant, P-15B Class Destroyers, P17A class stealth Frigates and Scorpene class submarines.
Amongst the projects, Vikrant is at an advanced stage of construction and shall commence sea trials in early 2021. Visakhapatnam, the first of the P 15B destroyers, is undergoing trials and is scheduled to be commissioned next year. In May this year, IN also commissioned the indigenously built Landing Craft LCU L57, and ASW Corvette Kavaratti in October. 'Himgiri', the second of the seven ships of P17A frigates will be launched later this month at GRSE, Kolkata as conveyed.
Whilst addressing at the conference, CNS also voiced that the Modernisation of the submarine arm is also underway. The delivery of the third Scorpene (P75) class boat, Karanj, is expected to be by the end of the month, the fourth boat, Vela, is undergoing sea trials and fifth boat Vagir was launched recently.
As regards Naval aviation, IN inducted three ALH Mk III, four Chetak, eight Dornier and one P8I aircraft this year. Contracts for procurement of six P8Is, six Kamov 31 helicopters and upgrade of six Heron RPAs are under process and likely to be concluded in 2021. IN also signed the LOA for 24 MRH helicopters from the United States through the FMS route this year, with deliveries expected...
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