Navy Vice Chief Stresses Importance of National Security and Self-Reliance in Defence Strategy

The Indian Navy is prioritising national security while striving for self-reliance, according to Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan. During a media briefing at Kota House, he emphasised that the Navy aims to balance these goals without conflict. This discussion took place ahead of the third Swavlamban seminar, which focuses on naval innovation and indigenisation.

Vice Admiral Swaminathan addressed questions about the INS Brahmaputra, assuring that the ship will return to service. He highlighted the Navy's commitment to supporting national security through self-reliance. "As far as the Navy is concerned, and I hope, as far as every Indian is concerned, the requirements of national security are supreme," he stated.

Indigenisation and Innovation in Focus

The upcoming Swavlamban seminar, scheduled for October 28 and 29, aims to promote naval innovation and indigenisation. The Navy has presented around 2,000 challenges to the industry, with several receiving Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) status. Contracts worth Rs 1,194 crore have been committed, reflecting the Navy's push towards self-reliance.

Vice Admiral Swaminathan explained that indigenisation is not only a national service but also practical. "We found that in our own history, it is easier to make systems that are home-grown," he said. This approach enhances supply chain management and cost competitiveness.

Addressing Challenges and Accidents

Regarding the fire incident on INS Brahmaputra in July, Vice Admiral Swaminathan acknowledged the unfortunate event. He mentioned that salvage capabilities are essential for such situations. "We have a lot of salvage capabilities," he noted, adding that foreign assistance has been sought for recovery efforts.

The Vice Admiral stressed that no navy can prepare for every conceivable event. Sensible investment decisions are crucial. He expressed confidence in learning from the accident and ensuring the ship returns to battle readiness.

Advancements in Submarine Programmes

Discussing India's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine programme, Vice Admiral Swaminathan confirmed its success. Without revealing specifics, he mentioned progress with commissioned submarines and anticipated future developments.

The Navy has established two special task forces to expedite technology induction. These focus on areas like fuses, radar, quantum computing, and niche electronic technologies.

Embracing Artificial Intelligence

The Navy is actively exploring artificial intelligence (AI) applications across various sectors. Vice Admiral Swaminathan highlighted efforts in AI and machine learning integration. The Indian Navy Incubation Cell for Artificial Intelligence (INICAI) in Bengaluru is working on these initiatives.

The force aims to incorporate AI into administrative processes and maintenance practices. Predictive maintenance is a key focus area, using thermal and other signatures for equipment assessment.

The Indian Navy continues to advance its capabilities while maintaining a strong focus on national security and self-reliance. Through innovation and indigenisation efforts like the Swavlamban seminar, it seeks to enhance its operational effectiveness and technological prowess.