The Indian navy is now at the last leg of a major contract to purchase 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France, said Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, chief of Navy. Addressing the annual press conference on Navy Day, Admiral Tripathi said that negotiations for the acquisition of Rafale-M aircraft have reached the final stages of negotiation, and one stage is left before it reaches the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). He said that, as it is a government-to-government deal, the process should be completed soon. The Indian defense ministry had cleared the purchase in July last year, and the jets were to be deployed on the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Admiral Tripathi also talked about the increasing naval capabilities of Pakistan, which have been strengthened by Chinese support. He said that most of the new warships and submarines being built for Pakistan are built with the help of China, and this is an indication that China is also playing an active role in building up Pakistan’s Navy. The Admiral mentioned that eight new submarines that were delivered to Pakistan could pose a serious threat.
“We know everything about them. That is why we are tweaking our concepts to be able to tackle all threats from our neighbours,” Tripathi said. He also commented on Pakistan’s ambitious goal of building a 50-ship navy, noting that this development is being closely monitored by India.
On the subject of India’s nuclear deterrence, Admiral Tripathi confirmed a successful missile test conducted from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat. India conducted a test of the missile, and the launch was successful. The concerned agencies are examining the trajectory that the missile took, and soon we will know the results,” he said.
He again reiterated that the INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, had carried out multiple deterrence patrols. The second nuclear submarine, INS Arighaat, was commissioned in August by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
“In August, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the second nuclear submarine, INS Arighaat, which is an important leg of our nuclear triad,” Tripathi added.
About fleet expansion, Admiral Tripathi underlined efforts being made by the Indian Navy to modernize its existing fleets.
“Sixty-two warships and one submarine are under construction in the country, and there is acceptance of necessity for 31 more powerful warships and submarines, including six submarines of Project-75 India. This includes 60 Utility Helicopters Marine for the Navy,” he explained. This massive shipbuilding program is an integral component of India’s strategy to enhance naval power and promote self-reliance in defense production.
Admiral Tripathi also emphasized that the Navy was vigilant over extra-regional forces’ activities, particularly that of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
Odisha | “Rafale Marine is at an advanced stage of negotiations and is only one level short of taking it to the Cabinet Committee on Security. Since it is a government-to-government deal, it should not take much time.” says Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on the proposed… pic.twitter.com/Su8VCpQ7LH
— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2024
“We are keeping a watch on extra-regional forces, including the PLA Navy, their warships, and their research vessels, and know what they are doing and where they are,” he said, driving home the Navy’s proactive posture in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
As India prepares to celebrate its Navy Day on December 4, this year’s event will be held in Puri, Odisha. Navy ships have already reached the coastal town, and practice sessions and rehearsals are underway. The Navy has clarified that the rumors about anti-infiltration measures are baseless and that the focus is solely on preparations for the event. Admiral Tripathi also visited Puri to oversee the preparations and interacted with the district administration to ensure the success of the event. The Navy Day would have live operational demonstrations and would be graced by President Droupadi Murmu to witness the operational might of the Navy. It is an open event for the public and would be live telecast on national media and the Indian Navy’s YouTube channel.
Navy Day celebrations over the past years have generated a lot of interest among the general public. Draupadi Murmu would be witnessing the Navy Day as she has been invited as the chief guest , The government intends to celebrate its service readiness and its importance to secure the maritime domain of India. Navy ships landing in Puri have already attracted significant crowds who remain eager to witness the vessels docked along the coast. The operational demonstration will be the main attraction of the event, highlighting India’s commitment to the maritime security environment amidst ever-changing challenges within this region.