With its footprints spreading from the Indian Ocean to West Pacific, the Indian Navy is working towards doubling its aircraft fleet in the next 10 years. At present, the aviation fleet of the Navy has 238 aircraft and helicopters, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil lanba said in Hyderabad on Saturday adding the fleet will have more than 500 aircraft in the next decade.
“We have a naval air wing, which has 238 aircraft at the moment. It has a combination of fighters, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft, both- long range and short range. And we have a plan in place...In a decade's time this Naval air wing will grow to close to 500 aircraft of different types,” lanba said at a Press conference after reviewing the Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy.
He also said the Defence forces are committed to the 'Make in India' programme and currently as many as 34 ships and submarines are under construction in Indian shipyards. The Navy plans to build six conventional submarines under the new strategic partnership policy in Indian shipyards in collaboration with a foreign vendor. This project is worth over Rs 60,000 crores.
Replying to a query on the issue of Sabi Giri, an Indian Navy sailor, who was discharged from service for undergoing a sex change surgery, the naval chief said the force cannot take her into direct employment, but is willing to accept her if she comes through any agency as a contract staff.
Defending the termination of the sailor's employment, lanba said the Navy is a gender-neutral service but Giri's actions violated the rules. “Specifically to the issue of Giri, he was inducted as male in the Navy. And there is no provision in the Navy or in the rules and regulation where you can go and do what he has gone and done. That's why he has been dismissed from the service for violating the rules and regulations.”
Meanwhile, Air Force Academy said, “105 flight cadets passed out today as Flying Officers, including 15 women officers. The officers include two fighter pilots.”