Indian Navy to review operational effectiveness at high-level meet Tuesday

In the backdrop of China’s increasing military presence in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy at a high-level meeting in Delhi starting from Tuesday will discuss plans to enhance its footprint in the region with a review of its operational effectiveness for sustaining distant operations, indigenisation efforts for self-reliance and modernisation of its warfare capabilities by unmanned systems.

These issues will be discussed at the Naval Commanders’ Conference, which will be held from October 24 to 27. The biannual conference serves as a platform for thorough interactions between the naval commanders, chiefs of the Army and Indian Air Force, besides senior government officials. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will interact with the commanders during the conference. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba with his commanders will review major operational, human resource, training and administrative activities undertaken in the past six months.

“The Commanders will also discuss plans for enhancing and sustaining the Indian Navy’s operational footprint in the IOR in keeping with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR),” says the Indian Navy.

In relation, initiatives to progress maritime cooperation with other navies in the IOR will be reviewed. The Indian Navy already conducts the Malabar naval exercise with the navies of US and Japan in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, the navy’s ability to proactively respond to maritime security challenges, including natural calamities, in the IOR will also be discussed. The Navy adds that its, "combat readiness would be reviewed with focus on operational effectiveness of combat platforms, logistics and development of shore support infrastructure for sustaining distant operations."

A 2015 Indian Navy document titled Ensuring Secure Seas: Indian Maritime Security Strategy mentions that the Indian Navy’s interest areas cover the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, IOR island nations and East Coast of Africa among other nations. The South China Sea, East China Sea and Western Pacific Ocean are also its priority areas.