NDA set to acquire Advanced Training Vessel for naval cadets

The vessel, costing around Rs one crore is expected to give the naval cadets at the country's premiere defence institute at Khadakwasla, a "real life experience" of operating on a warship as it would be mounted with a radar and other equipment.

"The ATV is expected to arrive soon as part of the NDA infrastructure upgradation programme," Lt Gen Jatinder Singh, Commandant, NDA, told mediapersons here.

Peacock Bay in the Khadakwasla dam, which is the training base for naval cadets of NDA, will be home for ATV.

Not to lag behind, NDA's Air Force training team (AFTT) too is poised to get five more Super Dimona aircraft shortly, possibly by the end of this month.

Elaborating on the upgradation programme, Lt Gen Singh said, "The AFTT will soon acquire five more Super Dimona aircraft which is expected to greatly enhance the training of Air Force cadets."

Regarding upgradation on academic front, NDA authorities are currently considering a plan to replace its science degree course with an engineering course focusing on military specialisation in near future.

"The shift from science to engineering degree is necessitated in order to keep pace with rapid changes in the field of higher and technical education," the Commandant noted. The specially designed four year engineering course being worked out with Pune university, will focus on emerging technologies to meet requirements of the defence services. MORE