New Delhi, September 21 (HS). The four-day Commanders’ Conference in the capital focused on increasing the combat capability of the Navy and synergizing operations with other services. Senior naval officers discussed the dynamics of the geo-strategic situation of the region in the backdrop of international developments. Apart from this, the Navy also brainstormed on preparing a future roadmap to strengthen itself in the Indian Ocean region.
The Commanders’ Conference held from 17 to 20 September at Navy Bhawan, New Delhi began with the inaugural address by the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. He described the conference as the most important top-level forum of the Indian Navy where discussions were held to deliberate and find solutions to keep the Navy a combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-ready force. The Chief of the Naval Staff highlighted the disruptive technologies and evolving strategies in the maritime domain in the contemporary geo-strategic environment.
The Chief of the Naval Staff reiterated the need to ensure combat readiness of all naval platforms, equipment, weapons and sensors by focusing on weapon delivery. The Chief of the Naval Staff also emphasised the need to maintain vigilance towards ensuring maritime security and coastal defence through close interaction, synergy and functional relationship with the Coast Guard and other maritime agencies. He urged the Naval Commands and Staff to continue to evolve as an ‘anytime, anywhere, anyhow’ seamlessly networked force, ready to respond, protect and promote our national maritime interests.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed and interacted with Naval Commanders on 19 September. The Defence Minister lauded the Indian Navy for its vital role in maintaining maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and preventing piracy in the Gulf of Aden. He shared his views on several operational and strategic issues with the Naval Commanders and exhorted them to maintain high operational preparedness and readiness to tackle emerging maritime challenges. He also emphasised the need to enhance jointness with other services.
The Defence Minister also participated in a tech demo organised as part of the event. Various agencies, including Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment, the premier research and development organisation of the Indian Navy, showcased indigenous solutions including autonomous systems, domain awareness, software defined radios and other unique technological initiatives. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and other senior civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
During the conference, CDS, COAS and CAS interacted with the Naval Commanders and shared their assessment of the operational environment and underscored the level of readiness to safeguard national interests. They also highlighted the tri-services in the context of the current operational environment so that the armed forces can be further integrated to collectively address India’s national security challenges and imperatives. The conference also reviewed key operational, material, infrastructure, logistics and human resource initiatives and discussed contemporary and emerging maritime security challenges and mitigation strategies.
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