Article Posted on : - Dec 20, 2011

Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya. Photo: Indian Navy

MUMBAI (PTI): The Indian Navy is all set to get younger with over 80 new warships, including two aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines each, scheduled to join its fleet.

Due to the scheduled inductions in next couple of years, the average age of the fleet would come down making it a comparatively younger force, Navy Spokesperson Commander PVS Satish said on the sidelines of President's Fleet Review (PFR) here.

"The present average age of the naval fleet is around 12 to 15 years. But by the time the next PFR takes place, the force would be younger by three to four years," Satish said.

Meanwhile, addressing the officers and sailors of Indian Navy, President Pratibha Patil said, "The Navy, today, is poised to achieve new milestones with the imminent induction of the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, the Kolkata Class stealth destroyers, the follow-on frigates of the Talwar Class, the indigenous ASW Corvettes and an impressive number of submarines and aircraft."

On induction of indigenous submarines and frigates, she said, "The launch of the nuclear submarine Arihant, and induction of the indigenously built Shivalik Class frigates are an reflection of the capability of our shipyards and technological competence of our personnel."

The President on Tuesday reviewed the naval might of the country and took salute from a flotilla of 81 ships, including four submarines and 44 aircraft of Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

"Around 50 to 60 per cent of the naval ships and 60 to 70 per cent of the all the major warships in the Indian Navy participated in today's fleet review. The warships had arrived from all the naval commands including the Andaman and Nicobar-based tri-service command," Satish said.

The Andaman and Nicobar command was represented by its commander-in-chief Lieutenant General Naresh Marwah and his flag ship INS Kesari.

Replying to a query on construction of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), the spokesperson said, "IAC is scheduled to be launched in few months, probably by early next year. Its induction may take place in next few years, as planned."