17 January,2024 11:09 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar speaking at the event/ ANI screengrab
Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar recently inaugurated a cutting-edge CO2 air conditioning plant at INS Shivaji in Pune's Lonavala, Maharashtra. During the opening, he emphasised the plant's importance in supporting the government's goal of reducing global warming, stated a report in ANI.
Reportedly, Admiral Kumar expressed delight in the compressor's indigenous creation, stating that this project represented a significant step towards environmental sustainability. He also provided updates on the status of a third aircraft carrier, emphasising the ongoing process with the Ministry of Defence.
The Navy chief, on the plant's inauguration, said, "Happy to be here today at the inauguration of this transcritical CO2 airconditioning plant. This compressor has been developed indigenously."
"This is a major step towards meeting the government's commitment to reduce global warming and emission of gases harmful to the environment," he further told as per ANI.
By year's end, Admiral Kumar assured everyone that the aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, would receive full operational approval. He also underlined the Navy's commitment to attaining Atmanirbharta, or self-reliance, by 2024 in line with the country's objective of developing into a developed nation.
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"It is being processed through MoD. It has completed the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) clearance, but now it has to fill up the Defence Security Corps (DSC) so there are some staff work requirements. So it's under process. Vikrant after commissioning went through the initial operation clearance we have done with the landings and placing the craft so these things are being done then she went through the guarantee docking. Now she will go for a full operation clearance that will progress from this month and it will be clear by the end of this year," Admiral Kumar, was quoted in the report as saying.
Per the ANI report, the Navy Chief gave an overview of activities in the Indian Ocean region since 2008 while talking about anti-piracy measures. Even if there was a brief break in piracy, new developments forced a greater deployment to counter possible threats.
"We have two operations ongoing in the Indian Ocean region. One is an anti-piracy operation that has been going on since 2008, we have constant deployment of one ship there. Since 2008 we have deployed about 108 ships to counter piracy," he said.
"Early last year we thought piracy had gone. But recently we have noticed some activities. So we have increased our deployment and we are going aggressively after them, we want to tell them this is not the place where you can do the piracy where Indian Navy is around. One of the major facilitators has been the Government of India's Anti-Piracy Act which was approved by the Parliament and helped us to pursue our task," he added.
In response to questions on the Red Sea situation, Admiral Kumar stated that the Navy is keeping an eye on the region and will step in to protect Indian interests if necessary.
"Currently, we are not inside the Red Sea, we will pursue the Red Sea once our interest is threatened we have deployed a ship at the side of the Red Sea. We do not have many Indian flag vessels there and so far Indian flag vessels have not faced any issues from anyone. So far no Indian flag vessels have been targeted till today but we are monitoring the situation," he told ANI.
In addition, he launched the Indian Navy Chadar Trek excursion at INS Shivaji, encouraging the Navy's spirit of adventure and building resilience under trying circumstances.
