Make in India, Fleet Review to be discussed by naval commanders

Increasing the level of indigenisation in the Indian Navy will be in the focus as the naval commanders are set to meet here October 26-28, as well as assessing preparations for upcoming International Fleet Review (IFR), an official statement said on Friday.

Commanders will be deliberating on the key technological enablers for the transformation of the navy, during the second edition of this biannual commanders' conference.

"Indigenisation, in line with the 'Make in India' initiative of the hon'ble prime minister, is the key driver for this roadmap. The navy has been at the forefront of indigenisation with 47 ships currently under construction at Indian shipyards," the statement said.

During the conference, Navy chief, Admiral R.K. Dhowan will review critical operational and administrative issues, while also on the agenda are issues like operational readiness of the commands, infrastructure development, human resource management, coastal security, cyber security in the navy and foreign cooperation initiatives.

The commanders will also delve on the numerous initiatives taken by the navy to usher in E- governance to provide greater impetus to the service's integration with the "Digital India" initiative.

"While doing so, measures to further strengthen cyber security in the Navy would also be examined," it said.

The statement also said that with the aim to showcase the Indian Navy, foster a better understanding of the navies of the world and share best operational practices, the arrangements for the International Fleet review scheduled at Visakhapatnam in February 2016 will be reviewed.

The first naval commander's conference was held in May.