'Well Aware Of China And Pakistan Activities': Indian Navy Chief Highlights Growing Capabilities And Nuclear Deterrence

While speaking at the annual Navy Day press conference on Monday (2 December), Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that the country is well aware of the threats posed by China and Pakistan.

"We are keeping a watch on extra-regional forces operating in the Indian Ocean Region including the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy, their warships, their research vessels and satellite tracking ships," he said.

For Pakistan, Navy Chief Tripathi said, "We are aware of the surprising growth of the Pakistan Navy which aims to become a 50-ship Navy. They have chosen weapons over the welfare of their people."

Emphasising the nexus between Pakistan and China, he said, "Many Pakistan Navy warships and submarines are being built with Chinese support showing that China is interested in making Pakistan's Navy stronger."

"Their eight new submarines will have significant combat potential for Pakistan Navy but we are fully aware of their capabilities. That is why we are tweaking our concepts to be able to tackle all threats from our neighbours," he added.

The Navy Chief highlighted the efforts done by the Indian Navy like the Milan-24 exercise in Visakhapatnam which reported the participation of record over 50 countries, enhance image in geopolitical and maritime domains.

Tripathi further said that in August, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the second SSBN (nuclear submarine) INS Arighaat, adding to the country's nuclear capabilities in the third leg of our nuclear triad.

"The nuclear submarine INS Arihant has carried out many deterrence patrols and the second one just carried out a missile test and will do what it is supposed to do after that," Chief Admiral stated.

"62 warships and one submarine are under construction in the country and there is acceptance of the necessity for 31 more powerful warships and submarines including six submarines of the Project-75 India," he added.

60 Utility Helicopters Marine for the Indian Navy are also in consideration, while the Navy is also working on disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, robotics and quantum computing.

"India carried out a test of the missile and the launch was successful. The agencies concerned are examining the trajectory that the missile took and soon we will know the results," Chief Admiral Tripathi said.

He promised that the SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines) would be ready in the time indicated to the government and that the Navy is hoping to sign the deals for Rafale-Marine fighter and three additional Scorpene submarines by next month.