‘Navy must gear up for global role’

‘‘The Navy’s diplomatic role has expanded, not just in terms of the number of countries we deal with and the variety of issues we interact on, but also in terms of expectations that others have from us today, particularly in the wake of the tsunami. We stand to reap rich dividends from our active international role, particularly in our immediate neighbourhood,’’ the Navy Chief said today at the Naval Commanders’ Conference.

After the tsunami, the Navy’s internationally recognised role as a relief mobiliser has also thrown up the absence of largescale machinery and strategy to deliver forces and equipment quicker, to far-flung territories in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).

Consequently, the Navy has almost finalised the purchase of a 34-year-old, 16,590-ton US Navy landing vessel, the Austin-class USS Trenton for Rs 200 crore. A Navy spokesman indicated that the vessel, to be operated for 15 years, will be used as a platform for indigenous construction of landing platform dock (LPD) vessels, capable of landing large numbers of troops or relief workers and hosting a fleet of utility helicopters.

It will also be given a demonstration of the new French Mistral-class landing vessels, made by the firm that manufactures Scorpene submarines, early next year. The Navy currently operates two Magadh-class landing ship tanks (LSTs), though these are insufficient for the huge demands of an enlarged ‘‘strategic event horizon’’.

The Navy had actually begun displaying its upgraded post-tsunami profile in June this year when Admiral Prakash took his force’s sole aircraft carrier INS Viraat on its first ever trip to the South East on a ceremonial visit.

It was a subtle sign that the Navy had recognised its matured profile and responsibility as a regional maritime power and an exercise in strategic projection.

It is also significant that this recognition was followed by an expeditious consolidation of Naval access agreements with the Asean countries.