Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on Monday said that he was not against Indian Navy inducting more aircraft carriers. However, he added that in view of India having a large number of island territories, the armed forces need to study what can ensure the security of the country's sea lines more efficiently.
General Rawat's statement assumes significance as he had earlier questioned the Indian Navy's priority for the third aircraft carrier. He made these remarks during the launch of 'Himgiri', the first of the three Project 17A ships, in Kolkata.
Responding to a question on what the Navy needs more - aircraft carriers or submarines- General Rawat said, "Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Submarines have their separate place in the naval warfare and so does an aircraft carrier. I am in no way saying the Navy does not need its Air wing. Yes it needs an Air wing. But how to manage it and how to ensure the security and sanctity of our sea lines of communication we are thinking about."
"I think you also need to look at our Island territories that we have in large numbers. If we can leverage our Island territories to our advantage, then we can balance out. This can be used as territories to launch naval strike aircraft or do we need an aircraft carrier. Once we have studied all that in detail we will take a call," he added.
Himgiri is a Guided missile stealth frigate that was launched in Kolkata. This is the first of the three Stealth Frigates ordered in 2015 at the cost of ₹ 19,293 crore. The frigate was launched two months ahead of schedule, said shipbuilder GRSE, by Madhulika Rawat, wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
The Stealth Frigate Himgiri is 149 m long, with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes and has an advanced CODOG Propulsion system enabling speed of over 28 knots.
"These complex weapon platforms are equipped with a powerful weapon & sensor package capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions, Air, Surface & Sub-surface," a GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers) statement said.
An Italian company, Fincantieri, is the knowhow provider for technology upgrade for the project.
For GRSE, the frigate is a prestige project and one of the biggest orders it has ever got from the Defence Minister. GRSE is also currently executing two more major projects of Indian Navy – the construction of four Survey Vessel Large ships and eight ASW SWC ships.
Speaking at the launch, CMD Rear Admiral VK Saxena (Retired) said GRSE has delivered 105 warships so far. It has orders for 15 warships for the Navy to be delivered by 2027.
