Admiral Arun Prakash defines Indian navy's blue water capability

New Delhi, July 30 (UNI) The Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash has said that the Indian Navy is fully prepared for future rescue operations in West Asia in line with its blue water capabilities.

Speaking to Doordarshan in the programme, "War and Peace" to be telecast tonight, Admiral Arun Prakash said the rescue missions off the coasts of Lebanon was a clear demonstration of Indian Navy's blue water capabilities.

He said, "This is very much a traditional role of the navy and like the other (Western) navies we are also prepared at all times to discharge this role".

He said one clear advantage was that Indian warships were all the time loaded with supplies that could last for three months.

The Chief of the Naval Staff said that the Indian Navy has a bright future and has made plans to carry out naval exercises with foreign navies as a regular feature.

"In future we are likely to look at more multilateral exercises where two, three navies can participate simultaneously" he said.

Admiral Arun Prakash also saidd that in the next 10 to 15 years the Indian Navy will be equipped with two carrier groups which will have commensorate strength of escort. He said, "there will be sufficient frigates, destroyers, a capable submarine force and hopefully a small amphibious force too ".

Admiral Prakash further added, "we will take up in an organised manner transformation of the navy in the next few years how to handle it, how to manage change in the best possible way".

He said the Indian Navy has created a Directorate of Indigenization to focus on self reliance. Admiral Arun Prakash added that in the race for technology, one should not lose moral or ethical bearings.

"So we not only want bright intelligent young people but we also want people who are honest, loyal, hardworking and they who have certain ethical moorings and values" he said.

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