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| India's Indigenous Carrier Design |
“Indigenous aircraft carrier programme – a continuing process over the next decade plus”: Admiral Nirmal Verma
The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma today said “...the global gaze is focusing increasingly on the Asia-Pacific region which underlines the significance of the Indian Ocean in global security affairs”. Speaking about the improving resource allocation to the Indian Navy in India’s carefully controlled defence budget, the Admiral observed “...there is an increasing realisation that the destiny of our nation is entwined with our maritime destiny.”
Admiral Nirmal Verma was delivering the key address – “Metamorphosis of Matters Maritime: An Indian Perspective” at the International Institute for Strategic Studies at London.
Painting a picture of an intensely competitive and dynamic Asia the Admiral stressed the need to develop and prepare accordingly. He drew the attention of those gathered to the possible state of affairs in 2025 saying: “By the year 2025, three of the world’s four largest economies will be in Asia. The region is also recognised as the ‘primary loci’ of ‘ostensible’ non-state threats in the world. Juxtaposed with these entities are three of the world’s four largest Armies, and atleast four declared nuclear weapon states”.
Expressing pride in India’s progress along the road of indigenous ship building Admiral Verma said that the Indian navy had articulated a perspective plan for development upto 2027, a plan that was capability based rather than threat based. Talking about India’s aircraft carrier programme the Admiral said “ The indigenous aircraft carrier programme is planned to be continuing process over the next decade-plus, with the Indian navy’s medium term aim being to have at least two fully operational and combat worthy carriers available at any given time”.
Admiral Nirmal Verma is on a three day visit to the United Kingdom as a part of the bilateral Indian Navy-Royal Navy interaction.
It maybe recalled that addressing the 11th Asia Security Summit (also called the Shangri-La dialogue) on 02 Jun 12, Defence Minister, Mr AK Antony had said “...given India’s geographical location, extensive maritime interests, dependence on the seas for trade and the evolving asymmetric threats in the form of maritime terrorism, piracy and drug trafficking, maritime security issues have become a strategic priority for us.” He added that “As we seek to satisfy the growing demand for mineral resources to meet our growth and development aspirations, we will seek to increase our investments in the exploration of our maritime domain,” he had said.”