Article Posted on : - Nov 05, 2011

ROURKELA (PTI): Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma on Friday hoped that strategic ties between Navy and Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) would be strengthened which could reduce imports by the force.

"The strategic relationship between the Indian Navy and SAIL will be strengthened in the days to come," Admiral Verma said while addressing senior officers of Maharatna steel PSU SAIL here.

G S Prasad, CEO of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), Commodore AK Dutta, NM, Indian Navy and senior officers of SAIL were present at the meeting.

Admiral Verma said in the past RSP in collaboration with the DRDO had developed various new products to fulfill the customised requirements of the Indian Navy, according to a release from RSP.

This has helped in reducing the dependence on imports which was exposed to the vagaries of time and pricing, the naval chief said.

Admiral Verma also discussed various issues related to further improving the synergy between Indian Navy and RSP, expansion plans of the steel plant, provision for increasing supply of Navy Grade steel, R&D, Marketing and HR initiatives, the release said.

A presentation was made on the occasion regarding various endeavours of RSP with a special focus on the Special Plate Plant that caters to the needs of the Defence sector.