Security situation in Indian Ocean in the wake of China asserting its maritime prowess in the strategically crucial region and operational preparedness to meet any challenge will figure prominently during the three-day Navy commanders’ bi-annual conference beginning here Monday. Coastal security, indigenisation and ‘Make in India’ will also come up for discussion as 47 ships and submarines are now under construction in various Indian shipyards.
China in the last few years has focused its attention on this zone and also opened an embassy in Maldives to have a footprint there. Moreover, China is rapidly modernising its naval prowess with the induction of an aircraft carrier besides acquiring submarines.
All these developments will be discussed in the conference to be inaugurated by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, officials said here on Friday. The top commanders will take stock of operational readiness of the various Commands and infrastructure development as the Navy is in process of acquiring state of art warships, submarines, maritime reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters to enhance the strategic reach.
Entrusted with the responsibility of coastal security in the wake of 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the conference will review progress made in plugging gaps in protecting the 7,500 km long coastline spanning nine littoral states, they said. At least 13 stake holders including the Coast Guard, state police, customs, department of fisheries and others are engaged in coastal security and the meet will focus in ensuring smooth co-ordination amongst all the agencies.
With the Navy going hi-tech and conducting its operations through information technology and space based communication network, cyber security is another issue to come up in the conference, they said.
The Navy is likely to head the proposed Cyber Command as recommended by the Naresh Chandra committee on higher defence management.