New Delhi, 15 April (H.S.):

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has emphasized the need to adapt in line with changing geo‑strategic realities and the evolving nature of warfare, including its economic and technological dimensions. Considering the rapidly changing character of war, he has urged the Navy to devise new strategies.

Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has stressed the importance of continuously focusing on operational preparedness and leveraging emerging technologies to build a force that is “ready for the future.”

CDS General Chauhan addressed the Naval Commanders in relation to issues arising from shifting geo‑political equations and held discussions with them. During these interactions, he commended the Indian Navy for its rapid deployment to safeguard India’s energy security.

The first day of the three‑day Naval Commanders’ Conference at Nau Sena Bhawan began with the inaugural address by Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. He addressed the Navy’s senior leadership, visiting operational and area commanders, command headquarters, and headquarters staff.

He highlighted the Navy’s achievements in protecting India’s maritime interests, including energy security, amid ongoing conflicts in West Asia, the increased pace of operations, and the improved synergy among the three Services.

The Naval Chief reaffirmed Indian Navy’s commitments in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond in the emerging geo‑strategic landscape, and underscored the importance of a unified and credible posture through active participation in multilateral and bilateral exercises.

During the conference, key operational issues were discussed, including integration and jointness, capacity enhancement, maintenance and repair, multi‑domain security architectures, training, foreign cooperation, relief and rescue operations, and indigenization.

Speaking about the global balance of power, he said that within just five years, the world has moved from an era of competition to an era of confrontation.

He emphasized the economic and military consequences of ongoing conflicts, and explained how perceptions of conflict are being reshaped not merely by the outcome of on‑ground operations, but also through “narrative warfare.”

The Naval Chief also highlighted the various factors that have brought the maritime security environment to a critical juncture, where collective actions are creating an increasingly challenging daily operating environment for the Indian Navy.

The Naval Chief shed light on the Indian Navy’s achievements in its journey toward becoming “ready to fight, reliable, integrated, and ready for the future.”

While showcasing full readiness for both offensive and defensive operations, he also stressed that, over the past five to ten years, there has been a significant rise in the operational deployment of naval ships.

Continuous enhancement and expansion of capabilities to wage war on, under, and above the surface have contributed substantially to the Navy’s operational preparedness.

He noted that the Indian Navy has played a crucial role in ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels transiting out of the Persian Gulf.

At the same time, the presence of Indian warships in the region has also served as a source of confidence for Indian mariners.

The Naval Chief outlined priority areas that will ensure the Navy’s collective efforts remain coherent, sustained, and clearly directed.

He also highlighted various technology‑intensive capability‑development projects, some of which have already been completed while others are at various stages of development and induction.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar