The Indian Navy aspires to have more than 200 ships by 2035 with overall indigenisation touching close to 90 per cent, said Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
While delivering the keynote address at THE WEEK Maritime Conclave 2024 in Chennai, he said that by 2047, the Indian Navy aims to be “completely Aatma Nirbhar” or self-reliant.
“From a modest 35 ships at the time of independence, the Indian Navy has grown to a sizeable strength of about 130 ships, with two capable fleets. In the 2000s, especially after 9/11, maritime security, anti-piracy and collaborative missions with regional navies became strategic focus areas. Since 2015, there have been enhancements in the Navy’s capabilities by around 20 per cent,” the vice admiral said.
If India is to realise the Maritime Vision 2047, the country has to become a much bigger maritime power, says Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM at the Maritime Conclave 2024, organised by @TheWeekLive #TheWeekMaritimeConclave #FutureofShipping #MaritimeInnovation… pic.twitter.com/9xYGiNlNWX
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From “look east” to “act east” there has been a shift in policy, he said, as India has expanded the area of operations and interests up to the west African coast in the Gulf of Guinea and the Mediterranean Sea in the west and the Pacific Ocean in the east and the Southern Ocean for surveillance, collaborative exercises and countering piracy attempts.
He threw light on the critical role of the Navy in the context of growing maritime trade and transportation. Reminding that currently 95 per cent of trade by volume and 70 per cent of India’s energy needs are passed through Indian Ocean, he said that the Navy becomes the first line of defence to protect the country’s strategic well-being.
Estimating that India's ocean economy would surpass one trillion dollars by 2025, he explained how it could lead to increased jobs, exports, food security and also upliftment of the coastal communities. He said that there was a need to develop and modernise ship-building industry and also trans-shipment hubs. He said that India’s coastline of 7,500km can propel India as a maritime power.
Riyad Mathew, chief associate editor & director of THE WEEK, presents the memento to Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, at THE WEEK Maritime Conclave 2024 in Chennai | Sanjoy Ghosh
Commissioned into the Navy in January 1987, Pendharkar is an anti-submarine warfare specialist. He has commanded three frontline ships—Missile Corvette INS Kora, Stealth Frigate INS Shivalik and aircraft carrier INS Viraat. A recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva medal, Pendharkar also talked about the naval history of the region and how it is intricately linked to India’s defence forces.
“India’s maritime legacy is deeply rooted in its ancient texts and history. Rig Veda, for example, dating back to around 1500 BC, gives reference of ships and samudra indicating maritime trade and exploration. It is from this text that the Indian Navy's motto 'Sham no Varunah' is derived.”
He spoke about the contribution of ancient Indian kingdoms and dynasties in fuelling a thriving maritime industry leading to a high GDP in the 16th century, but noted that the downturn started after colonial powers started ruling the region. He said that taking cue from the past, India can rebuild its maritime supremacy.
