Amid growing naval clashes over the disputed South China Sea, Indian Navy is set to deploy its forces at the location to protest its interest of oil as China Navy has rapidly modernized as a “major concern”, Navy Chief Admiral D K Joshi said today.
“Yes you are right. The modernisation (of Chinese Navy) is truly impressive… It is a actually a major major cause of concern for us, which we continuously evaluate and work out our options and our strategies,” he told media persons.
China has claimed virtually the entire mineral-rich South China Sea with its forces at location, raising dispute over gas and oil exploration block off the coast of Vietnam. Whereas at the same coast, Indian ONGC Videsh has three offshore deepwater blocks, has been invested $600 million in the past few years, reports said.
But now situation is more “complex”, Indian Navy will protect its economic and maritime interests in the disputed waters very very frequently and ready to deploy forces, if necessary, Navy Chief said while addressing the annual Navy Day press conference.
Over Navy Presence, Chief has also delivered good news for Indian that the long awaited INS aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov which is currently undergoing trials in Russia is to be commissioned very soon, by end of 2013.
And also Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) developed nuclear-powered INS Arihant will be made “very soon” as of picking up pace at Kochi Shipyard, one of the major futuristic move. The vessel will facilitate a definite target to achieve a credible retaliatory strike capability.
Navy Chief clarified that India does not want to make claim over disputed Sea in maritime region, including with Vietnam and the Philippines over territory rights. But when the situation will out of control where country’s interests are involved, they are set to act immediately.
