Article Posted on : - Oct 15, 2014

NEW DELHI (PTI): Top Indian Naval commanders on Tuesday met here to brainstorm issues of operational relevance and to identify capability gaps and review the future plans and activities of the Indian Navy including sustaining of combat readiness.

Naval chief Admiral R K Dhowan met the Naval Commanders as the second edition of the three-day bi-annual Naval Commanders Conference began here.

This is the first such conference after Admiral Dhowan took over on April 17 as the Chief of the Naval Staff, a post which was lying vacant for nearly two months since D K Joshi quit suddenly in the wake of a series of accidents.

Admiral Joshi's resignation came after a fire on the INS Sindhuratna, which left two sailors dead.

An official investigation had found, deaths happened due to their failure to adhere to mandatory protocols to wear gas masks during such incidents. Last year, the INS Sindhurakshak exploded and sank, killing 18 crew members.

During the course of the conference, senior naval commanders' are going to discuss several important issues, including sustaining of combat readiness, building capabilities for the future and addressing human resource challenges which are also the "thrust areas" of the Navy.

Amongst other issues, deliberations would also be held on the means to enhance Battle Space and Maritime Domain Awareness, review of progress made in strengthening coastal security, operationalisation of NC3I project for realisation of the multi-agency national network under National MDA, maintenance philosophy and quality of refits for ensuring combat effectiveness of platforms, infra-structure development and foreign cooperation initiatives, a statement by the Navy said.