Navy ready for any contingency, says Admiral Lanba

Pune, May 30 (PTI) Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba today said the footprint of the force is increasing in the seas and that it is ready for any contingency.

Pune, May 30 (PTI) Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba todaysaid the footprint of the force is increasing in the seas andthat it is ready for any contingency.

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"Over the years our footprint has been increasing (inIndian Ocean). We have increased our deployment. We have aship that is permanently stationed in the Gulf of Eden and theship of the western fleet has just done a foray intoMediterranean and gone all the way into Atlantic," Lanba toldreporters here.

The Navy chief reviewed the passing out parade of theNational Defence Academy (NDA) held here this morning.

He said ships from the eastern fleet were in Singaporeand they carried out an exercise with the Singapore Navy inthe South China Sea.

"They are en route to Australia, where they are going toexercise with the Australian Navy. So you see Indian Navy isdeployed from the Pacific to the Atlantic and this what we aregoing to do," he said.

Asked about increase in presence of Chinese ships in theIndian Ocean and militancy from Pakistan and how the Navy isprepared to tackle another 26/11 like attack, Lanba said, "Weare ready for any contingency and whatever decision governmenttakes, we will fulfill our task."

On modernisation of Indian Navy, he said the Navy hasbeen a pioneer in 'Make In India' initiative.

"Way back in the early 60s, we took a call that we aregoing to be a 'builders Navy than buyers Navy'. We built over200 ships since the early 60s in the Indian shipyards and atthe moment we have 41 ships and submarines, all are underconstruction in defence and private shipyards and new assetsare being inducted into the Navy," he said.

"We will have capable and effective Navy which canoperate in all the dimensions," asserted the Navy chief.

Asked about the status of INS Viraat, he said Viraat hasbeen decommissioned and she has been de-stored.

"At the moment, we have not got a concrete proposal ofconverting her (Viraat) into a museum. We will take a call onwhat is to be done with her," he said.

Speaking about the integrated command, he said it hasbeen recommended.

"The committee report has been submitted to thegovernment and they are examining it. We are going forwardwith jointness and integration with a slow and steady stepforward," he said.

During his address to the graduating cadets, AdmiralLanba said,"Cherish the true spirit of jointness that has beeninstilled in all of you at the NDA. Remember, no singleservice can win a war on its own."

Meanwhile, 312 cadets graduated from NDA, which included211 from the Army, 34 from the Navy, and 67 from the AirForce.

The graduating cadets included 11 foreigners, from countries like Bhutan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Lesotho and Rwanda. PTI SPK NRB RCJ