Naval Commanders Conference to focus on doctrinal themes

New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) Charting course for the Navy of the future, Naval Commanders commence a three-day meeting here tomorrow focussing on doctrinal themes that have dominated Indian naval operational thinking and planning over the past year.

To be inaugurated by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the Naval Commanders Conference will deliberate upon 'Maritime Manoeuvre from the Sea' and 'Network Centric Operations'.

The first is designed to ensure that in a short, swift and intense conflict between nation states, the Navy is able to directly address and favourably influence the progress and outcome of the air-land battle. The second draws its centrality from the realisation that in a conflict -- whether between nation states or otherwise -- the Navy will be able to achieve spatial and temporal dominance over the adversary.

In conjunction, 'Maritime Domain Awareness' focuses on being fully aware of all entities that are operating within the area of Indian maritime interest and being able to share this information within the force in real time, said an official spokesperson here.

'Network Centric Operations' coupled with the knowledge available through 'Maritime Domain Awareness' converge to employ weapons, including those with stand-off capability, against the enemy and bringing them to bear in the most optimum, efficient and organised manner for achievement of best results.

The progress of these themes and the ''way ahead'' will be discussed during the Conference, the spokesperson said.

Charting course for the Navy of the future, re-evaluation of threats and focus on certain vital warfare areas will be some of the other important issues on the agenda, he added.

The Conference will be addressed by Naval Chief Admiral Arun Prakash during the inaugural tomorrow. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi and Army Chief General JJ Singh would also separately address the Naval Commanders who include top brass from the Integrated Headquarters here, Command Headquarters and the Fleets.

The Conference is the highest decision-making body of the Navy that deliberates upon major operational issues with regard to the defence of maritime interests, operational planning, coastal security, defence of national assets at sea, naval strategy and review of weapons and platforms towards achievement operational plans.

UNI DG LS GC1852