On 3rd December 2022, the Indian Naval Chief Admiral Hari Kumar, at an event for Navy Week in New Delhi, stated that The Indian Navy will be utterly self-reliant by 2047. This vision will be achieved through indigenisation under the Guidelines of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
In this context, he reflected on the indigenously made IAC-Vikrant aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy as a landmark achievement of the Indian Nation. He added that the Indian Navy is a torch-bearer in “Atmanirbharta.”
The main aim of the Indian Navy is to find “Made in India Security Solutions for the Country.” The Navy seeks to address its capability through three components: Float, Move and Fight. The float component refers to all the material equipment and systems associated with the structures and fitting of the ship’s hull. Equipment under the move category includes propulsion systems, power generation turbines and firefighting equipment.
The equipment in the fight category comprises ship-borne weapons and sensor systems that affect the combat capability of the naval vessels and battleships. Admiral Kumar stated that the Indian Navy had achieved an Atmanirbharta of 95% in the float category. 65% in the move category and 50% in fight components.
Admiral Hari Kumar added that there are very few countries in the world that can make an aircraft carrier, and India is one of the elite nations of the world which can do so. It inspires self-confidence and is a shining symbol of our indigenous capability. It has enhanced the stature of the nation.
Additionally, he said that the Indian Navy is keeping a “close watch” on the activities of Chinese Ships and Submarines patrolling in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). There are at least 60% extra-regional forces in the IOR. He stated that he was aware that it is a vital region for many countries for world trade and energy flows and the job of the Indian Navy is to see that Indian maritime interests are not under threat.
The Naval officer mentioned that under the Agnipath Recruitment Scheme, 3000 Agniveers had been inducted into the Indian Navy. Three hundred forty-one of them are lady cadets. By the following year, women officers will be deployed and inducted into all branches and not limited to only seven chapters as of this year.
They will serve on ships, aircraft, and airbases and be trained as all sailors. After all, the armed forces look for capability and a gender-neutral power. There will be no difference in terms of training.
Reflecting on the previous year, the Naval Chief has stated that there has been a greater emphasis on the criticality of maritime security as India Marches ahead.
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