Indian Navy closely monitoring China's activities: new naval chief

New Delhi – The new Chief of Naval, Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar said, China has built 138 warships in the last decade and has been active in the Indian Ocean since 2008. He assured the Indian Navy is closely monitoring the development and is fully capable and poised to counter any challenge. The naval chief said that the Indian Navy is balanced and can protect maritime interests.

While speaking at a press conference on Naval Day, Admiral R. Hari Kumar highlighted the threat from China. He said that the Indian Navy is keeping an eagle-eye on China’s foray into the Indian Ocean region and is poised to respond to any Chinese misadventure decisively. He further added that having a larger fleet does not matter, but skilled manpower, weapons, strategy, and campaign planning are important. The Indian Navy is well balanced and confident of safeguarding its maritime interest.

Indian Navy is implementing 72 projects, out of which 59 projects are indigenous, for which provision of 1.97 lakh cores has been made. 37 warships and submarines out of 39 are being built under ‘Make in India’ for the Indian Navy. The Naval Chief has said that India has prepared a ten-year plan to develop indigenous unmanned air and sea automated systems.

The Naval Chief informed that the Theatricalization plan of the three defence forces could be implemented by the middle of next year. The Chief of Naval Staff welcomed these reforms. Meanwhile, the Naval Chief pointed out the complex situation due to conflict arising last year between the Indian and Chinese army in Galwan over the LAC in Ladakh and the crisis caused by the Corona.