Fleet review boosts Navy's confidence : Your take?

[echarcha]

What do you think? Padhu, some light on this please!

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MUMBAI: The much-publicised International Fleet Review is over. The Indian Navy is now assessing its own performance. There was criticism that the public could not see the warships from the Gateway of India on February 16 and 17. The Times of India spoke to Flag Officer Commanding-in Chief Madhvendra Singh, Western Naval Command, to elicit his views. Excerpts:

How has the fleet review benefited the Indian Navy?

It tested our organisational and administrative capabilities. It has given us confidence to hold mega events in the future. The success of the five-day exercise has made foreign navies hold our navy in high esteem. And globally, the image of the country, the Indian Navy and the city of Mumbai has been enriched.

If the Indian Navy organises another mega event, do you think there are some areas which it would like to improve upon?

No. I really do not think there are areas which need improvement. Everything we did was of world standard and it was based on the experience of people who have participated in international events.

Despite all the publicity, the public felt let down because they were unable to watch either the rehearsal of the fleet review on February 16 or the actual event on February 17. Considering this do you think the exercise should have been organised in the afternoon when the visibility would have been clearer?

The timing of the fleet review was dictated by the condition of the tides. In the afternoons the tide conditions would have been unfavourable to hold the exercise. It is for this reason it was scheduled in the morning. Moreover, in the afternoon the sun would have been directly in front of the public and would have irritated their eyes. We had repeatedly advised the public to watch the exercise on TV. Let me tell you that during the last two days I have received 300 e-mail messages from different sections of the population praising the event.

Many feel that it was the flypast by different planes over Marine Drive rather than the warships off the Gateway of India which stole the show? Do you agree?

Most of the aircraft which participated in the flypast belonged to the navy. The warships could not have been anchored off Marine Drive because of the depth of water. The air display was clearly visible on February 18 because the Clear Air Campaign jointly launched by the Indian Navy and the state government fructified on that day. I agree that the effect of this campaign was not felt on February 16 and 17. The International City Parade and the air display were actually meant for the public on February 18 when the visibility became very good because of our campaign.

Some say that the fleet review was an excuse to project the force level of the Indian Navy rather than build ``Bridges of Friendship''. Do you agree?

No, I do not agree. The force level of the Indian Navy is known all over the world and it does not need a major fleet review to project its strength. I maintain that the purpose of the exercise was to build ``Bridges of Friendship'', which we did. We also learnt a lot from each other. On Monday, there was an exercise in which 37 warships participated both from India and abroad which was successful.

More at: http://www.timesofindia.com/today/23mbom5.htm

[Indian]

Many say ..there are actually back room discussions and negotiations with world countries, while the people are busy watching the naval show.
The discussions and negotiations are to buy some more fighter planes, equipment, tanks etc.. for navy and military.

i think ..this is much true ..as india is preparing itself to hike the Defence Expenditure in this year's budget.

Check this here...
India's defence shopping list

-300 Russian T- 90 battle tanks
-Licensed production of 150 Su-30 front-line combat aircraft
-Upgrade of 125 MiG 21 ' bis ' fighters
-British Hawk advanced jet trainers
-Mid-life upgrades for MiG 27 and MiG 29 fighters
-Soviet Navy aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov
-40 sea-based Mig 29 K fighters

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/wor...00/1192863.stm