Speaking at his first annual Navy Day press conference, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar said the Navy “wholeheartedly supports the ongoing efforts to enhance tri-services integration”.

He added that the Maritime Theatre Command is likely to be finalised by mid 2022 and said that the creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) and the post of Chief of Defence Staff were the biggest reforms in the military since Independence.

“This enables faster decision-making and fewer layers of bureaucracy,” Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar said.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN

Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said that the Navy has taken measure to provide additional opportunities for women officers. “The first woman provost officer joined in March this year. The Navy is ready to induct women in different capacities,” he said.

‘MISSION READINESS’

In his address, he stated that the situation on the northern borders and Covid-19 had created two complex challenges but the Indian Navy was prepared to tackle both. “Indian Navy has maintained combat and mission readiness and this resulted in preventing any misadventure in its maritime domain,” he said.

‘MADE IN INDIA’

Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said that the Navy had commissioned 28 ‘made in India’ ships over the last seven years.

He added that indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant would be inducted in August 2022.

RELATIONS WITH OTHER NATIONS

On relations with other nations, R Hari Kumar said that the Indian Navy had established itself as an information centre in the region.

He said the Navy participated in 22 multinational and bilateral exercises this year.