“Changing Contours of Competition and Conflict - Implications for Indian Navy” A talk by Admiral Karambir Sigh, Chief of Naval Staff

Welcome remarks by Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF

Dear Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to today’s Vimarsh talk byAdmiral Karambir Singh, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, the Chief of Naval staff.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Chief for accepting our invitation to speak on an important subject pertaining to national security, “The changing contours of competition and conflict: implications for Indian Navy.”

Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM, AVSM, ADC assumed command of the Indian Navy on 31 May 2019 as the 24th Chief of the Naval Staff.

He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980, he earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1981 and has flown extensively on the Chetak (Alouette) and Kamov helicopters.

He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai and has served as Directing Staff in both these institutions.

In his career spanning over 40 years, he has commanded Indian Coast Guard Ship Chandbibi, Missile Corvette INS Vijaydurg, as well as two Guided Missile Destroyers, INS Rana and INS Delhi. He has also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet.

Ashore, he has served at Naval Headquarters as the Joint Director Naval Air Staff, and as Captain Air and Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Air Station at Mumbai. He has also served as member of the Aircrew Instrument Rating and Categorisation Board (AIRCATS).

On promotion to flag rank, the Admiral was appointed as the Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command. His other important flag appointments include Chief of Staff of the Tri-Services Unified Command at Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG).

In the rank of Vice Admiral, he has been Director General Project Seabird, in charge of infrastructure development of the Navy’s expansive and modern base at Karwar.

At the Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence (Navy), the Admiral has been the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and, subsequently, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff.

He was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam, prior taking over helm as the Chief of the Naval Staff on 31 May 19.

Friends,

India’s security environment is becoming increasingly complex by the day due to the shifting geopolitical landscape, the emergence of new power equations, strategic uncertainty in the west, the rise of China, the deepening of China-Pakistan strategic nexus, the morphing of the threat of terrorism and radicalisation into new forms, the emergence of new technologies, and the potential of non-traditional threats like the pandemics, food, water and the existential threat of climate change.

Thanks to the growing assertiveness of China in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the geopolitical concept of Indo-Pacific is becoming more salient.

India is a rising power. It enjoys high credibility globally. Yet, we have the unfinished task of building our comprehensive national power in order to meet the security challenges and also contribute positively to peace and prosperity in the world.

Faced with new geopolitical relites and complex threat scenarios, India’s strategic thinking is evolving. We have been traditionally oriented towards continental security. However, the Mumbai terror attacks changed our thinking quite dramatically. Today, the Maritime dimension of our security has assumed great importance.
The world’s oceans are global commons. Maritime spaces lack common governance architecture. Regrettably, despite the UNCLOS, there is considerable disorder on the sea. This creates problems for us as the oceans are our life line and key to our survival, security and prosperity.

The Indian navy has a major role in safeguarding India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This role will grow further as global and regional uncertainty deepens further.

The navy is the most potent instrument we have in safeguarding our maritime interests from external threats. It also plays a significant role in India’s diplomatic endeavours and enhancing India’s image. Time and again the Indian Navy has shown its capabilities in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to other countries in the time of needs. Its role in protecting the sea lanes of communication and evacuation of stranded Indian nationals on numerous occasions has been exemplary.

Friends,

Conflict is taking new forms. It takes place in various dimensions including, air, water information outer space, as well as economic space.

China’s growing profile in the Indian Ocean region creates its own set of security challenges for India. China’s attempts to change the status quo on the northern borders have made the security situation far more complex.

The recent Malabar Naval exercises have underlined the need for India to find innovative solutions to the security challenges in the oceans.

Indian navy is rapidly modernising itself, with a focus on indigenisation. It is exploring with the DRDO the option of a twin-engine deck based indigenous fighter aircraft.

Aircraft carrier Vikrant is in an advanced stage and will begin sea trial in early 2021. The Indian Navy is also making a case to the government for a third aircraft carrier.

Interoperability between the Indian and foreign navies is increasing. Two US Predator drones are operating out of the Indian Navy's INS Rajali airbase and were inducted under a lease agreement with the American vendor in the third week of November.

It is understood that the Indian Navy has approached the Ministry of Finance with some funding models, especially for shipyards, similar to the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) model.

We are privileged to have Admiral Karambir Sigh to talk to us about the role of the Indian Navy in the emerging conflicts. It will also be interesting to know how the Indian every is incorporating new technologies like the underwater drones into its operational planning.

I request Admiral Karambir Singh to kindly delivery his talk.