Indian Navy set to expand

Apr 28, 2004
Author: P&S

The Indian Navy needs to expand to a strength of 200 warships, says naval chief Madhavendra Singh. And he adds that if local shipbuilders are unable to supply the demand India will turn elsewhere to source the vessels.

Singh was addressing a press conference in Cochin. He told reporters that the Indian Navy currently had 147 ships but the fleet would shortly reduce to 127 as vessels are decommissioned.

Among ships currently on order or under discussion are the former Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, which the Russians agreed to sell to India earlier this year, complete with 28 MiG-29K navy jets. In addition it was announced that negotiations are nearing completion with the French Thales group and shipbuilder DCN for the supply of six French Scorpene submarines costing USD2 billion.