The Naval administration has constituted a Safety Audit Organisation (SAO) to take stocks of all safety-related issues. This is in response to the recent spate of serious incidents involving naval warships, the newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan said on Monday.
It was after thoroughly examining the recent incidents at every level that SAO had been constituted. It would ensure that all standard operation procedures (SOPs) are strictly followed, the admiral added.
Admiral Dhowan is on a two-day visit to the city-based Western Naval Command. He addressed the media at INS Shikra in Colaba. Senior officers from the Indian Navy were also present. The admiral also reviewed the ceremonial parade at INS Shikra.
"The Western Naval Command is the most important command of the Navy and we need to take care of it. We have taken all measures to ensure that operational efficiency of submarines, ships and aircraft remains intact, said Admiral Dhowan.
He said currently 44 ships and submarines with high indigenous content were being built at Indian shipyards. He also said the Navy was processing fresh demands for buying critical equipment—especially the Advanced Towered Array Sonar that the surface fleet lacks making submarine detection virtually impossible—for being put up before the new central government.
"We are also proud to posses Rukmini, a dedicated satellite for naval purposes, that has tremendously boosted our communication and navigation capabilities," added Admiral Dhowan.
"The first ship of Project-15, Alpha of INS Kolkata class destroyers, built at Mazgaon Dock Limited (MDL), will soon join the Western Naval command. Six submarines being built at MDL under Project-28 will also join the Western fleet," he said.
"The new submarines and ships will be well equipped, but to make sure that they function properly, there should be good understanding and communication among Navy personnel, which will help increase operation efficiency and help avoid mishaps," said Admiral Dhowan, adding: "The salvage operation of INS Sindhurakshak is under progress. The ship will be retrieved in a few months' time and an inquiry into the incident will begin after that."
