Article Posted on : - Apr 08, 2011

INS Jalashwa.

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Indian Navy has upgraded the post of the Chief of Staff (CoS) at its Eastern Naval Command (ENC) by appointing a three-star officer at the command for the first time.

Rear Admiral S Lanba is set to take over as the first three-star Chief of Staff of the Vishakhapatanam-based ENC on May 1 after his elevation to the rank of Vice Admiral.

The move comes in the wake of increased Chinese presence at the Bay of Bengal.

“The upgradation of the post signifies the importance attached to the Eastern frontiers as the Command's area of responsibility has also expanded in comparison to the earlier times," Navy officials said here.

Earlier, the officials said, the focus was on the western front only as Pakistan was the only perceived enemy but after the adoption of the Look East policy, focus was laid on upgrading the capabilities in the Eastern sector as well.

The Indian Navy has deployed its latest warships, aircrafts at the eastern coast.

The Navy has deployed its amphibious warship INS Jalashwa, Shivalik Class frigates and the P-8I long range maritime surveillance aircraft on the eastern front.

It also plans to deploy one of its two future aircraft carriers on the East Coast.

The East Coast faces six littoral states including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. In the recent past, there have been reports that China has been developing facilities in Myanmar for military uses.