Manpower needs of future aircraft carriers, warships met: Navy

Panaji, May 26 (UNI) Vice Admiral Jagjit Singh Bedi, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Naval Command, has said Indian Navy has undertaken training of manpower in view of the induction of newer aircraft carriers and warships.

Addressing cadets after reviewing the passing out parade of the 74th batch at the Naval Academy at INS Mandovi here today, Vice Admiral Singh said the country has already acquired the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

The building of the country's first indigenous air defence ship at Kochi was nearing completion, while the order for the second indigenous aircraft carrier will be placed by the year 2012 to further strengthen the Navy, he said.

The Navy, he added, was likely to acquire three more DC simulators soon, having recently commissioned one such simulator at INS Shivaji at Lonavala, and a ship handling simulator at Kochi.

He ruled out the phasing out of the Chetak helicopters, now in operation of the Indian Navy.

As many as 123 officer trainees of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard passed out of the Naval Academy in the spectacular Passing Out Parade, where the Vice Admiral received the ceremonial guard of honour.

He later presented various medals to the cadets for their meritorious performance during the training.

Capt Kutubai Limaye bagged the President's Gold Medal, while Capt Shakti Chaudary received the Chief of Naval Staff Silver Medal.

Squadron Cadet Adjutant A K Bora bagged the FOC-in-C Southern Naval Command Silver Medal while Assistant Cmdt S Negi got the Director General-Cost Guard Medal.

Rear Admiral Sanjay Vadgaokar, Flag Officer, Goa Naval Area, and other senior officers of the Academy, besides the parents of the passed out trainees witnessed the Parade.

UNI