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Addressing a press conference ahead of Navy Day, Admiral Tripathi said the process to seal the proposed acquisition of six stealth submarines under Project 75 India (P75-I) is nearing completion.
He also said that the Navy will get the first four of the 26 Rafale-M fighter aircraft in 2028.
Rs 64,000 crore deal with France in April to buy jets.
The Navy chief highlighted the role of his force during Operation Sindoor and said its aggressive posture forced the Pakistan Navy to remain close to its ports.
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The Admiral said the Indian Navy has maintained high operational readiness, including in the Western Arabian Sea, in the last seven-eight months following the hostilities with Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor is “in progress”, the Navy chief said without elaborating.
“The aggressive stance and immediate action during Operation Sindoor, including the deployment of the carrier battle group, forced the Pakistan Navy to remain close to its ports or near the Makran coast,” he said.
The Navy chief said Operation Sindoor has put financial pressure on Pakistan as a large number of merchant ships avoid visiting that country after the hostilities.
He said that the cost of insurance of ships going to Pakistan has also increased.
Responding to a question on nuclear-powered submarines, the Navy chief said India is set to commission the third indigenous nuclear-powered submarine soon.
Responding to a question, he said that INS Aridaman is in the final stages of testing and will be commissioned soon.
India’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program is a closely guarded project. INS Arihant was the first ship under the SSBN project, followed by INS Arighat.
The SSBN program is a key element of India’s nuclear deterrence capability.
While India has air- and ground-launched nuclear capabilities, it is now focusing on enhancing its underwater nuclear power.
INS Arihant is India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine. It was launched in July 2009 and quietly became operational in 2016.
India is among the few countries that have nuclear powered submarines. The countries which have such assets are: US, Russia, UK, France and China.
India has been a leading voice in advocating universal nuclear disarmament with the aim of complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
In 1998, India conducted the Pokhran-II nuclear test, which drew a strong reaction from many countries. Following the tests, India said it had conducted tests for “credible minimum deterrence” and would follow a “no first use” approach.
In 2003, India officially came out with its nuclear doctrine which clearly elaborated on the ‘no first use’ policy.