India to acquire six more submarines: Naval Chief

“We will soon float tenders for conventional submarines to join the six French Scorpenes under construction at the Mazgaon Docks,” Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta said on Friday.

India was aiming to boost its naval strength to over 160 vessels, Mehta said, adding that this would include 34 ships that were being built besides the new submarines. Mehta was in Mumbai to address the annual Naval Commanders’ Conference. The country’s capabilities in ship building to meet the rising demand for vessels, according to the Naval Chief, were also limited as much needed to be done in areas of technology and infrastructure. To address these needs, the Ministry of Shipping plans to set up two new yards and is also considering other Greenfield projects.

“It is not only us but the merchant navy also requires more vessels and especially Oil tankers.” he said.

On the operational frontier, while admitting to delivery delays of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), Mehta said India hoped to have three aircraft carriers. “Considering the long-term perspective of the Navy, we’re quite on target,” he added.

He also called for “cooperative engagement” and not confrontational, on the China question. “It’s a pretty big ocean with plenty of oil in transit,” he said implying that frequent sightings of Chinese vessels was natural because of soaring trade. Mehta shot down questions on comparing the two navies. “Navies are developed as per nation’s interests. Therefore, the priorities of different countries may vary,” he said.

Calling the recent USS Cole controversy as mere hype created by the media, Mehta said he personally had a word with the Defence Minister who he said did not have any issues with the American ship’s presence during the Indo-UK naval exercises off Goa last month.