The Indian Navy is working to bolster its operational prowess in all domains, from air and underwater to AI and quantum technology, to become an all-round network force endowed with multi-domain capabilities, Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS), Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, said here on Monday.
During a curtain-raiser press conference ahead of Swavlamban 2026, the naval officer mentioned some of the lessons the force has drawn from recent conflicts in terms of technology adoption, and indicated that the Navy is exploring ways to acquire a directed-energy weapon system – as a low-cost solution instead of firing a costly armament for bringing down relatively cheaper drones. The Navy will host the fifth edition of its flagship seminar at the Manekshaw Centre here on October 26 and 27. In April, the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO)had carried out a successful trial of a laser-directed energy weapon system, joining a select group of nations having the new-age armament used to bring down hostile drones and unmanned aircraft.
Asked what new warships or other platforms are expected to be inducted in their timeline, the VCNS said, as far as ships are concerned, “we have 42 platforms which are on order. In addition, 78 platforms and 120 FICs (Fast Interceptor Crafts), with an estimated combined value of `2.41 lakh crore, have received Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), and these are at different stages of procurement process.”
On a query related to Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), he said, “I’m glad to share with you that the RFP has just been issued for four LPDs, last week to the shortlisted shipyards. And similarly for the next-generation frigate, the RFP has been issued a couple of weeks before, and responses are awaited,” he said.
Asked about the ongoing West Asia situation and the role of the Navy in protecting maritime interests amid this evolving conflict, he said, “Ongoing crises have kept us engaged, in terms of both thinking and deployment.” He also referred to the Navy’s Operation Urja Suraksha, which has helped in safely escorting a large number of ships to Indian shores, amid attacks on critical sea lanes. On the ongoing situation in West Asia and if the matter will come up for discussion during Swavlamban, the VCNS said every time a situation emerges, “we do discuss, and I can share with you that it is not only this Naval Commanders’ Conference), in many other forums, these challenges and our responses for such situations are discussed.”
On the Indian Navy’s direct role amid the West Asia situation, he said, “Our maritime interests lie far beyond our boundaries. And, therefore, it is the job of the Indian Navy to secure and protect our maritime interests”. And, these crises have kept the “Navy engaged” in terms of both thinking as well as deployment. The Navy has been following this concept of mission-based deployments for almost the last 9-10 years. Therefore, whenever there is a situation which “emerges in our area of operations, we are kind of well prepared to handle that situation because we are operating in these areas.
We are well aware of the geography, the challenges and the environment,” he added.
On the lessons drawn from the recent conflicts in terms of technology adoption, the VCNS said they have brought to the fore changes the naval force needs to adopt and imbibe, such as autonomous systems and artificial intelligence in war-fighting.
The very first edition in 2022 saw around 800 participants, and Swavlamban has grown over the last four years, attracting nearly 3,000 participants last year.