ELECTION 99
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Navy equipping subs with cruise missiles

The Indian Navy will soon equip its Kilo class submarines with Klub missiles with a 300km range as it aims to achieve full blue-water capability by 2010, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sushil Kumar said today.

This is the first time that Indian submarines will have these cruise missiles.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of Navy Day, Admiral Sushil Kumar, however, said the thrust of the blue-water capability would be on the Indian Ocean region.

"Global perception has never been our scheme of things," he said when asked whether it would be necessary to equip the Indian Navy with nuclear capability to give it the status of a blue-water navy. He said the navy could achieve that status even without nuclear submarines.

The admiral said the navy requires at least two operational carriers for an effective combat capability, but the long-term objective is to have a three-carrier navy, keeping in view India's vast maritime zone.

Indicating that the thrust has to be on developing infrastructure and information technology, he said the proposed doctrine aimed at conflict prevention includes an active physical presence, diplomacy, and deterrence.

Citing the recent example of the seizure of a pirated ship, mv Alondra Rainbow, by the navy, the chief described it as one of the finest examples of the use of IT which had made the seizure possible within a "split second" of getting the information.

Describing the 20th century as a 'continentalist century', which saw an emphasis on land-based wars, he said the next millennium would be a maritime era and a new 'Columbian Age'. The emphasis in the next millennium would be on economic interdependence, energy security and international maritime trade.

On the status of the Far Eastern Command, the chief said upgrading of the infrastructure would have to be done before it is put into practice. Many factors are involved, he said, and did not give a timeframe.

An international fleet review is to be held in February 2001 on the theme of 'building bridges of friendship'. All major navies, particularly from the region, are expected to participate. The main objective will be to protect India's maritime interests, he said, adding that stress is being laid on versatility, easy deployment, long reach, sustainability and a reasonable capability to deter even a superior adversary.

He hoped that government assistance would be available for this. It has to be a careful mix of submarines, navy and air power, he said.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report