Article Posted on : - Mar 12, 2015

KOCHI (PTI): Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan and Commanders-in-chief of all the three naval commands, along with a number of senior operational commanders, on Wednesday discussed the future road map of operations for the Navy here.

"...the naval brass discussed the future road map of operations for the Navy which included refining existing concepts of operations catering for the improved maritime capabilities with new acquisitions and infrastructure," a Navy release said.

The Navy chief, who is at the Southern Naval Command here, reviewed the recently-concluded annual Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX) -- the annual naval war drill -- that took place in the Arabian Sea and the Northern Indian Ocean.

"Commanders-in-chief of all the three naval commands along with a number of senior operational commanders attended and participated in the discussions held at the Naval Base, Kochi," the release said.

The Navy said the recently concluded maritime exercise TROPEX 2015, was unique in scale and size with the participation of two aircraft carriers and integration of various new platforms including Mig 29K, P8-I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, the nuclear submarine Chakra, indigenous stealth destroyer INS Kolkata and anti-submarine warfare frigate INS Kamorta.

Besides, 50 ships, submarines and more than 70 aircraft from all the three Commands as also assets of Indian Airforce and Indian Coast Guard also participated in the exercise.

"All the participating units were completely networked and the operations were facilitated by the robust and seamless communications network, including satellite communications under the Navy's overall thrust on Network Centric Operations, aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of 'Digital India'," the release said.

"Overall, the exercise reiterated the Navy's readiness and capability to meet various mandated roles, in support of national objectives," it said.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had spent a day on board INS Vikramaditya during the exercise last month and witnessed the operational prowess of the newly acquired assets.

The Admiral would also be interacting with officers and men of the Command during his stay at Kochi, the release added.