Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh on Thursday said attempts to “change the status quo” on the northern borders (Line of Actual Control) has impacted the security situation and prompted the Navy to periodically deploy its aircraft and drones at the borders for reconnaissance in the last six months.
“The year was defined by the challenge of Covid pandemic which has permeated and disrupted every aspect of our lives. A near simultaneous attempt to change status quo on our northern borders has increased the complexities in our security situation,” he said.
Outlining the operational readiness of the armed forces, Singh said, “This dual challenge scenario continues as we speak. The Army, IAF and Navy were working in close coordination to produce the desired results at the border and ensure security. The Navy is ready to face any threat.”
Addressing the annual Press conference on the eve of the Navy Day on Friday, the Navy chief termed the present tension at the LAC as still ongoing.
Replying questions about the role of the Navy in meeting the challenge at the LAC in Eastern Ladakh and other parts, Singh said the Navy several times deployed its P-8I long range reconnaissance aircraft on the Northern borders during the ongoing standoff.
“The P-8I is a potent platform that has certain equipment that can be used on the border. Based on the requirements of the Army and IAF we have deployed the P-8I on several occasions. We have also deployed the Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from one of the Northern bases,” the Navy chief said in response to a question.
The reconnaissance aircraft was also used during the 73-day long face-off in Doklam near Sikkim in 2017 to get real time picture. The situation was defused following parleys at the highest diplomatic and political levels then.
On the possible deployment of the two MQ-9B Predator drones that were leased from the US recently at the LAC, the Navy chief said it depends on the requirements of the Army or IAF.
He said these drones inducted some days back into the Navy can remain in air for more than 30 hours and are already help in mounting surveillance on large areas of the strategically important Indian Ocean region. He also said these drones have to some extent also aided the Navy overcome capability gap.
In the backdrop of the face-offs at the LAC and growing Chinese maritime prowess in the Indian Ocean region, the Navy chief said the service has a standard operating procedure (SOP) in place in case there is any infringement there by the Chinese research or other maritime ceases operating there. He also said the warships were actively deployed in deep seas patrolling critical areas and various choke points at the sea lanes. However, there were no infringements by the Chinese in the region so far, Singh said.
“As of now, three Chinese warships are in the Indian Ocean region. The Chinese have been maintaining three ships since 2008 for anti-piracy patrols,” he added.
Stressing the fact that the Navy is in the forefront of indigenisation, Singh said at least 26 ships inducted into the Navy in the last six years were manufactured in India. He also said 41 of the 43 warships and submarines will be built in India including the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier.
On enhancing capabilities in the fast changing war fighting scenario, the Navy chief also said the force is in the process of procuring Smash-2000 rifles to shoot down drones. Also, the process was on to procure at least 30 Predator drones for the Army, Navy and IAF to add to the unmanned capabilities of the armed forces.
Presenting the case for the third aircraft carrier for the Navy, Singh said air power is an essential component of naval operations to enhance its reach and capability. He said the proposed acquisition of the third aircraft carrier will be in line with the country’s ambition of becoming a $5-trillion economy.
“If you want to be a $5-trillion economy...you will have to go outwards. The Navy does not want to be tethered to the shore. For that, aircraft carriers are absolutely essential,” the Navy chief said.
As on now, the Navy has one aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. The second carrier INS Vikrant is under construction at Cochin Shipyard. It has completed basin trials and the ship will shortly go for open sea trials. It may be inducted into service early 2022.
The Navy is working with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on a multi-role carrier-based combat jet to replace its MiG-29s. This work will build on the lessons learnt from the indigenously built light combat aircraft and the Navy is hoping the home-grown carrier-based fighters will join service in the 2030s, Singh said.