Eastern Naval Command gears up to meet China Threat; Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal to be finalised soon
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • With an eye on China as well as in keeping with India's "Look East" policy, the Navy is bolstering force levels on the eastern coast with new warships, aircraft and spy drones as well as forward-operating bases (FOBs). Significantly, Navy has now upgraded the post of the Chief of Staff (CoS) at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), which is next only to the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, to a three-star general rank. Vice-Admiral S Lanba will take over as the new CoS at ENC on May 1, 2011. The ENC, which has around 50 warships at present, include the new indigenously-manufactured stealth frigate INS Shivalik, which is packed with weapons and sensors, and the 16,900-tonne INS Jalashwa, the huge strategic sea-lift amphibious warship second only to aircraft carrier INS Viraat in size.1

    According to reports, the Eurofighter Typhoon is in combat for the first time over Libya and the Indian Air Force is watching with deep interest its operation. The aircraft is one of six competing for the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) tender and is among the frontrunners. Air Marshal PK Barbora, Ex vice Chief of Air Staff said, "The Air Force is not looking at price. That's not our area of concern. What we want is QRs are focussed on technical aspects, latest technology. Lot is available in the market and there is potential for future growth." The EuroFighter and the Rafale are relatively new aircraft and in that sense, state of art. India as a matter of fact, urgently needs more fighters. The new planes will take ten years to come, even after the deal is signed. The crucial element now, is political capital. How India can leverage the world's biggest fighter aircraft tender for larger gains is something keenly watched by observers.2

    Top