FOC-in-C, WNC Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi Addresses the Media for Navy Day

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi addressed the media on the eve of the Navy Day aboard the stealth-guided missile destroyer INS Chennai in Mumbai on 1 December 2023.

In his opening address, the Commander-in-Chief spoke about the extensive deployment of ships, submarines, and aircraft by the Western Naval Command (WNC) to maintain a presence in all maritime areas of interest, ensuring national security. He highlighted the near-continuous deployment of ships and submarines on mission deployments across the operational area, supported by extensive surveillance and cooperative engagements with friendly foreign countries. The focus remained on ensuring combat readiness of all units and refining operational skills, emphasizing the precision delivery of ordnance on target during sea operations.

The Admiral addressed the challenges posed by non-traditional security threats, such as maritime terrorism, piracy, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, human/ arms and drug trafficking. This required the development of a new paradigm for maritime security. He also highlighted the increased instances of natural disasters and regional instabilities, necessitating the Indian Navy’s enhanced deployment for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO).

Fielding a diverse range of questions from the media, VAdm. Tripathi clarified queries on various subjects including the upcoming operational demonstration by the Indian Navy at Sindhudurg on Navy Day, coastal security, cyber security, Agniveers, the fight against drug trafficking through the sea, indigenous warships production, and the increased roles and responsibilities for women in the navy, among others.