Naval commanders' conference begins in Mumbai

The Indian Naval Commanders' Conference with its purpose to discuss on issues pertaining to the defence of the nation in terms of maritime interest, coastal security, and defence of national assets at sea, naval strategy and accusation plans is set to be held at the Western Naval Command Headquarters' at Mumbai between May 7-9, 2008.

Keeping the complex and volatile maritime security structure especially on the Indian Ocean region and at the same time Indian economic growth structure as a developed nation, the importance of strategy making body the defence system as a whole has been a major concern. With this a strong and effective naval system is essential to safeguard the interest of the nation by drawing all operational issues at one platform as the conference does.

The conference would be inaugurated by Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of the Naval Staff and would be attended by the highest stratums of the navy from the Integrated Headquarters at New Delhi, three command headquarters and two fleets.

The Indian Navy, considered as the fifth largest navy, is well-armed with all latest technologies mostly indigenously developed sophisticated aircraft, warships, submarine etc., deeply concerned to its roles and responsibilities has a larger role to play related to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to its own people as well as of its maritime neighbours.

To ensure that the navy remains operationally focused force, capable and dealing with the challenging environment of the 21st century, surveillance of the seas around us as also real time exchange of information through network centric operations assumes greater significance today and these are the primary focus areas of this year’s conference.

Further, some major platforms in all three dimensions of the navy’s operation are scheduled for induction and integration of these platforms and weapon systems into the overall concept of operations assumes significance and the naval commanders would deliberate on these issues as well.