Article Posted on : - Oct 28, 2016

NEW DELHI (PTI): The three-day naval commanders conference, during which key issues such as operational readiness, capability enhancement, infrastructure development and human resource management was discussed, came to an end on Thursday.

Coming in the close aftermath of "recent events", the conference provided an invaluable opportunity for the top-level leadership of the Indian Navy to review the operational environment and readiness of the maritime forces to deal with the entire range of prevailing as well as emerging threats, a statement by the Navy said.

The Conference, held over three days deliberated the ever increasing dynamism in the maritime sphere, especially in India's neighbourhood, and the enhanced range of taskings and expectations of the Indian Navy as a result of it.

The deliberations included a comprehensive review of operational preparedness, training and resource-availability.

Commanders also took stock of the progress achieved in integrating newly inducted naval platforms into the overall operational design and their deployment as force multipliers in any future scenario.

Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba also reviewed the progress of various infrastructure projects that are in the pipeline and shall contribute towards capacity building.

Coastal security construct was deliberated and reviewed during the conference, the statement said adding that Lanba asserted the need to remain ever vigilant and focused towards our coastal security responsibilities through proactive coordination with other maritime agencies and coastal states in light of the increasing variety of asymmetric threats.

He also asked his personnel to prepare themselves and the Navy to meet all future maritime security challenges before the country.

"Combat readiness should remain our collective focus at any given time and operational effectiveness should be the touchstone of all our efforts, he said. The Navy's role is not only vital for national security, but also for national prosperity and development," he said.