New Delhi, December 2 (IANS). India’s deal with France for 26 Rafale-M aircraft is in the final stages. These Navy variant Rafale aircraft purchased from France are to be included in the Indian Navy fleet. Not only this, the deal for 3 Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy is also in the final stages. It is believed that this deal will be finalized in the coming few days.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi gave this information in New Delhi on Monday. The Navy Chief said that the Indian Navy is going to get a total of 96 ships and submarines within the coming 10 years. Several naval ships and one submarine are currently under construction.
He informed that from next year a new ship will be inducted into the Indian Navy almost every month. The Navy Chief was speaking at an event organized in New Delhi on preparations for Navy Day to be held on December 4. The Navy Chief said that we are aware of the suddenly increasing power of Pakistan Navy.
It is noteworthy that Pakistani Navy is preparing to become a navy of 50 ships. Looking at the economic condition of Pakistan, the Navy Chief said that they have chosen weapons rather than the welfare of their people. Along with this, the Indian Navy Chief says that China is helping Pakistan in building naval ships.
He told that the ships being received by Pakistan are being built in China or with the help of China. India is fully prepared to deal with any challenge coming from its neighbourhood.
Talking about India, the strength of the Indian Navy is continuously increasing. From next year, on an average, the Indian Navy will start getting one new ship every month. Two of the ships being built for the Indian Navy are being built in Russia. The remaining ships are being built in India.
Last year, the Defense Ministry also approved the purchase of Rafale M fighter jet aircraft for the Navy. If this deal happens, there will be a tremendous increase in the strength of the Navy. The Navy variant of Rafale jets purchased from France will be used mainly for deployment on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
The Navy Chief said that the first nuclear powered submarine built in India will be commissioned by the year 2036.
It is important to mention here that approval has recently been received from the government for the construction of this nuclear powered submarine. Within two years of the commissioning of this nuclear powered submarine of India, the Indian Navy will also get its second submarine. A total of 6 such submarines will be built for the Indian Navy. Nuclear powered strike submarines are very important for any navy. Along with attacking accurately, it can remain underwater for a long time.
The Navy chief also said that India has tested a nuclear-capable missile with a range of 3,500 km from a ballistic missile submarine. President Draupadi Murmu will be present in Puri, Odisha on the occasion of Navy Day to be held on 4th December. She will be the chief guest of Navy Day. On Navy Day, the Indian Navy will showcase the capabilities of aircraft, ships, helicopters, submarines and vessels on the ‘Blue Beach’ of Puri.
–IANS
GCB/ABM
