Navy Chief underlines need for indigenous production of warships

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R.K. Dhowan, on Thursday said that joint efforts from industries, ship builders and foreign collaborators was required to have indigenous production of warships.

He said in the past five decades, India's growing maritime self-reliance facilitated the greater recognition of the role that India plays in providing stability in the region of Indian Ocean.

Speaking at an event to commemorate the golden jubilee of indigenous warship design and construction at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Bhawan in New Delhi, Admiral Dhowan urged the collaborators to synergise efforts for making warships in India.

"I would urge the designers, the ship builders, the industry, the DRDO and other collaborators overseas to synergise their efforts to see that we focus on the fight component with regards to indigenisation of weapons and sensors so that the future warships build for the Indian Navy can be 100 percent made in India," he said.

The Navy Chief's remarks came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Make in India' initiative on Thursday, urging billionaire tycoons, industry moguls and foreign investors to invest in the development of India and turn the country into a manufacturing hub for the world.

With 41 ships and submarines under construction at various public and private shipyards within the country, Admiral Dhowan said plans to craft indigenous submarines were also in the pipeline.

He also said that the Indian Navy was monitoring the Chinese movement in Indian Ocean and was ready to tackle any untoward situation.

"The Chinese ships remain deployed in Indian Ocean and we continuously monitor them and observe their deployment. Simultaneously, our ships and airplanes also remain ready to face any challenge or untoward situation there," he said.