Indigenous Technology Imperative for Indian Navy’s Growth

Indian Navy is committed to promoting self reliance in military technology  said Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief , Southern Naval Command, while inaugurating a Naval technology seminar organized by Bharat Electronics Limited at Kochi on 03 May 13. 

The momentous economic growth of the nation has to be sustained by suitable security measures. Accordingly, the Maritime Capabilities Perspective Plan lays down a force level of 200 ships, 600 aircraft and about 20 submarines apart from shore based assets and infrastructure said the Admiral. Elaborating  the increasing role of the Navy in the context, the Admiral said that patrolling the region between east coast of Africa and the Malacca straits, frequent forays into the Gulf and Red Sea as also establishing a reach in the Mediterranean, South China Sea and beyond has become vital. While lauding BEL for this customer engagement initiative, Admiral Soni also sought good  waterfront support infrastructure backed by a sound fault finding and repair system as well as adequate  spares inventory.

Shri Anil Kumar the Chairman and Managing Director of BEL, who delivered the key note address at the seminar said that BEL is proud to partner Indian Navy’s blue water aspirations. Three new SBUs for missiles, satellites and communication systems have been set up. He also reminded the audience of the fruitful partnership with Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) at Kochi which resulted in the production of a number of new generation sonars for the ships and submarines of  the Navy. Coastal Surveillance System project by BEL has already been commissioned in Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra. BEL is also involved in setting up similar infrastructure at Mauritius and Seychelles. Product support Centre for NPOL , Cochin Shipyard and Naval Ship Repair Yard Kochi is already functioning from KINFRA Kochi said Shri Anil Kumar.

A product exhibition showcasing various products of Bharat Electronics was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Soni on the occasion. Latest communication equipment, night vision devices, modern commando information systems and other electronics intensive hardware was on display. BEL has been conducting such customer engagement initiatives since 2010. The navratna PSU – a defence electronics giant has their production facilities spread around 9 factories across India catering to the Indian Armed Forces. Senior Directors of Bharat Electronics, Shri S Ananthanarayanan, Director NPOL, Rear Admiral Ashok Kumar, Chief of Staff Southern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Madhusudanan , Admiral Superintendent Naval Ship Repair Yard, Kochi, senior Directors  of Bharat Electronics Limited and others attended the seminar. Technical papers which are contemporary and in tune with the realistic needs of the Navy were presented.

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Press Release, May 7, 2013; Image: Indian Navy