Indian Navy actively working to expedite induction of minesweepers: Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has said that the Indian Navy is working to induct more minesweepers as there is a deficiency as of now. Vice Admiral Tripathi was speaking at a press conference in Mumbai on Friday ahead of a mega event scheduled for Navy Day at the Sindhudurg Fort on December 4, 2023.

"Minesweepers are a crucial asset, and currently, there is a deficiency. The Indian Navy is actively working to expedite the induction of minesweepers," said Indian Navy Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.

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Vice Admiral Tripathi talked about the shortage of minesweepers in the Indian Navy, underlining their significance and listed the Navy's proactive measures aimed at addressing this deficiency.

“I believe that the acquisition process will commence soon following the guidelines of the Defence Procurement Procedure 2020. Once the Acceptance of Necessity is granted, the program is expected to progress swiftly,” he said.

Until new minesweepers are inducted in the fleet, Vice Admiral Tripathi highlighted the alternative measures that the Navy has resorted to, "We are currently employing indigenous engineering solutions and exploring various alternatives. Through emergency procurement, we have acquired necessary alternate equipment, and the corresponding platforms for their deployment have been identified. We currently possess adequate capabilities for minesweeping operations if the need arises."

Acknowledging the limitations of these alternative solutions, he remarked, "Of course, can they do the job that minesweepers do? Obviously not. Nevertheless, these measures will suffice until the arrival of minesweepers," adding that the Navy remains operationally ready during such transitional periods.

Earlier in the day the Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar announced the appointment of its first woman commanding officer for a naval ship.

As per sources, the soon-to-be-commander will take charge of INS Trinkat, a versatile patrol vessel and Fast Attack Craft. This small naval ship is versatile, capable of conducting fisheries protection, anti-poaching, counter-insurgency, and search-and-rescue operations in coastal areas and the exclusive economic zone.

The Navy will be celebrating this year’s Navy Day at the historic Sindhudurg Fort. This marks the first time such an event will be organised away from any major naval station. The historic Sindhudurg Fort was constructed under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century.