Eleven years ago, Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists used the sea route to strike at Mumbai. A decade after the horrific attacks, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh says that the threat of seaborne attacks remains just as great now, even as the navy is working with multiple stakeholders to counter them. In this interview with Executive Editor Sandeep Unnithan, Singh speaks about the seaborne threat of Pakistan-based non-state actors, the navy’s modernisation challenges and more

Q. On August 27, you said that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was training its cadre to carry out underwater attacks. Do you have intelligence about the presence of state actors involved in this?

A. Intelligence regarding training of cadres by JeM for underwater attacks has been received on various occasions in the past. Such training would not be possible without the involvement of state actors.

Q. What will your response be to an attack on Indian maritime assets by non-state actors? Does the navy have the locations of these training camps and will it be prepared to carry out strikes to take them out if called for?

A. I can assure you that our response to such misadventures, if any, will be strong and befitting.

Q. How severe is the above-mentioned threat by non-state actors acting with or without the support of state actors, and what measures has the Navy taken to safeguard the coastline?

A. The threats from non-state actors are, indeed, real and imminent. There have been increasing intelligence reports of threats to our offshore and coastal areas from non-state actors and this is a matter of concern for maritime agencies. Coastal security is a multi-stakeholder construct and the Indian Navy, along with the Indian Coast Guard, State Marine Police and other agencies, maintains layered presence in coastal and offshore areas. Mechanisms for focused operations, based on assessment and intelligence, have matured over time and we can collectively bring to bear our effort in quick time to respond to any threat at or from the sea.

Q. Earlier this year, for the first time, a pan-India coastal defence exercise was conducted by the Indian Navy along with partner agencies. This, to my mind, is the largest maritime exercise conducted in India encompassing all stakeholders. Focused audits of various facets of coastal security was undertaken during the exercise.

A. The trials for the transponder system proposed by the Indian Navy for sub-20m boats, have been successfully completed and we are hopeful that this will be implemented in a phased manner shortly. In addition to the National Command Control Communication and Intelligence (NC3I) Network and the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), we are steering a case for comprehensive Maritime Domain Awareness through the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) project. We are looking at measures to streamline SOPs with partner agencies for improved inter-agency coordination. We also have plans to continuously upgrade our assets used in coastal/ offshore security and counter any emerging threats.

The Indian Navy is always prepared to thwart any kind of asymmetric adventure by any state or non-state actor in our waters, as well as upon the high seas. Various measures have been taken to keep strict vigil on the coastline and Indian waters. The collective and coordinated efforts of various central and state agencies have strengthened our coastal security apparatus.

Q. At least three critically needed Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels are bottled up in the Reliance Naval and Engineering as unfinished hulls. Is there a plan to recover these hulls and complete them at another shipyard?

A. M/s RNEL is undertaking its maiden warship construction contract for five Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs) projects. The yard was to deliver the first vessel in November 2014, but the project execution has been delayed by over five years. We are pursuing with the shipyard for early resolution.

Q. While the P75I is still in the RFP (request for proposal) stage, it seems that the navy will get its first conventional P-75I submarine only after six to seven years at the very earliest. Do you see the need for a short-term buy/ lease of submarines or extending the present line of Scorpenes to tide over the current shortfall, if any?

A. The Indian Navy currently operates 15 conventional submarines (09 Sindhughosh Class, 04 Shishumar Class and 02 Kalvari Class) and one SSN. With a mix of conventional and nuclear submarines, the Indian Navy can accomplish a wide range of operational tasks. Most of our submarines have been modernised and upgraded in terms of their weapons-sensors suite as well as their crew-support system. INS Kalvari and Khanderi, two Scorpene class submarines, have been inducted. The balance four Scorpene submarines are at various stages of construction and trials at M/s Mazagon Docks Limited, Mumbai. Further, the case for procurement of six submarines under Project 75(I) is being actively pursued under the Strategic Partnership model. This would provide a fillip to indigenous submarine construction under the Make in India’ initiative of the Government of India. Shortfalls in Force Level’ will have to be addressed by the GoI through speedy implementation of Project 75(I).

Q. How successful have been your attempts to equip your fleet with ship-borne unmanned aerial vehicles and by when do you think this will become a reality?

A. The Indian Navy is progressing a case for procurement of mini Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, capable of being launched and recovered from ships utilising portable Catapult Launchers and Arrester Wire/ Net recovery systems. The Naval Ship Borne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS) would enhance Indian naval ships’ capability to undertake surveillance, Low Intensity Maritime Operations, Search and Rescue missions and Battle Damage Assessment missions. The case is being progressed under Buy and Make (Indian)’ category and the endeavour is to obtain Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by end of this year.

Q. How have you rationalised your acquisitions in the short, medium and long-term horizons given the current budgetary squeeze? Will the navy have the money for a third aircraft carrier battle group-a new carrier with fighter aircraft and escort ships?

A. The navy prioritises its requirements based on likely resource availability/ forecast provided by the GoI. Consequently, the navy has prioritised its schemes so that the critical capability gaps are addressed in the short term. Cases with longer gestation periods are also concurrently being progressed to ensure uninterrupted modernisation with a balanced spread of expenditure. The third aircraft carrier is part of a prioritised capital acquisition plan. The entire expenditure towards IAC-2 would be spread over a period of over 15 years and has been factored into the naval expenditure plans. Further, the cases for acquisition of all surface ships that would constitute the Carrier Battle Groups are a part of the existing naval plans and at various stages of induction.