Article Posted on : - Oct 27, 2015

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar with Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R.K. Dhowan releasing the Navy's strategic guidance document titled "Ensuring Secure Seas - Indian Maritime Military Strategy" at the biannual Naval Commanders' Conference, in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: PTI.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Amid changing maritime threats and challenges, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday directed the Navy to be "more aggressive" for protecting the country and maintain highest combat readiness of platforms.

Parrikar also released the revised strategic guidance document in view of the prevalent geo-economic and geo-strategic scenarios.

Noting that the last document was prepared in 2007, he said that a lot of changes have been made since then in terms of perspective and challenges.

Asked if Navy needed to be more aggressive, he said, "We have to be more aggressive in defending our country" and added that one does not need to be aggressive just for the sake of it.

He was speaking at the biannual Naval Commanders' Conference being held to discuss issues of operational relevance, identify capability gaps and to review future plans of the Navy.

Addressing the Commanders, Parrikar emphasised on the need for continuous vigil and readiness to respond to any contingencies in our area of interest "which required maintaining highest combat readiness of platforms and diligent monitoring of developments in the maritime domain", a statement by the Navy said.

He assured the Commanders that the Ministry of Defence is committed to providing requisite support to the Navy's quest for planned modernisation activities.

Taking note of the extensive deployments at extended ranges from our coasts, spanning from the South China Sea and Sea of Japan in the East to the Persian Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean in the West, the Minister expressed satisfaction at the very high operational tempo maintained by the Indian Navy.

Parrikar complimented the Indian Navy's continuous presence and pro-active focussed operations in deterring piracy attempts off the Gulf of Aden which resulted in the recent decision by CGPCS to shift the eastern limit of High Risk Area from 78 Degrees East to 65 Degrees East.

There has been no hijacking of Indian owned ship since 2008, the Minister stated.

Stressing that 'Make in India' is an important aspect, he expressed his pleasure at the impetus being imparted towards indigenous development of naval capabilities and pace of modernisation programme of the Indian Navy.

He said the indigenous component in fight category needs to be increased, especially in submarine construction.

He also highlighted the issues of capability shortfalls of ship-borne helicopters, mine sweepers and submarines, and assured full support of the government in addressing them.

Parrikar also released the follow-on edition of the Navy's strategic guidance document titled 'Ensuring Secure Seas: Indian Maritime Military Strategy'.

This edition highlights the incontrovertible link between the seas and India's resurgence in the 21st century.