Will ensure funds for pending projects, Sitharaman assures navy’s top brass

Taking note of critical capability gaps in the navy, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured top commanders that “due impetus” is being given to projects related to multi-role helicopters, reconnaissance aircraft, unmanned platforms, conventional submarines, and warships.

Addressing the navy’s top brass at a bi-annual commanders’ conference that began on Tuesday, she said the government would provide adequate funds and implement measures to mitigate the shortcomings at the earliest.

Laying emphasis on indigenisation, she said that ship-building projects worth more than Rs 32,000 crore had been tendered and were heading towards contract conclusion.

“Projects worth Rs 760 crore for construction of yard crafts are also being targeted for early conclusion through private and small shipyards to bolster the Make in India scheme,” the minister said.

Sitharaman said the navy was the “primary instrument and manifestation” of India’s maritime power and the force had established itself as “a potential tool for military diplomacy”.

She commended the navy for playing a significant role in furthering India’s national and foreign policy objectives “through active cooperation and engagement with not just Indian Ocean region littorals, but maritime nations across the globe”.

Sitharaman expressed satisfaction at the navy’s high operational tempo through regular deployment of ships, submarines and aircraft in its areas of responsibility.

“I am confident that the navy’s maritime domain awareness in our areas of interests will enable it to respond effectively to the various contingencies such as search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and anti-piracy,” she said.

The minister said India could not be truly self-reliant until it was able to develop its own weapons and sensors.

“The combat management system for the indigenous aircraft carrier being developed with a private vendor (M/s Tata Power SEO) is a big step towards strategic partnership between the ministry and industry,” added Sitharaman.