Naval Staff Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta today said negotiations for the induction of Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft in the Indian Navy are in the final stages.Addressing the investiture ceremony at the southern Naval Command here, Admiral Mehta said “33 ships and six submarines are under construction in various shipyards in India besides the 'Vikramaditya' (Aircraft Carrier) and more ships of the Talwar class being built in Russia.”The MIG 29 and helicopters are also expected soon, he said. With the economic development and growth in GDP, trade over the seas, which play a major role in the nation's development, adds on to the Navy's responsibilities and this necessitates the need for new inductions, he said.On the Pay Commission recommendations, Admiral Mehta said while it will be largely beneficial to all, certain anomalies exists which are peculiar to the working atmosphere in the services and the issue will be taken up with the Finance Ministry in the next couple of weeks.The Admiral appreciated the Southern Naval Command in imparting quality training for optimal exploitation of the advanced technology being inducted in the navy and stated that the Navy's training is on firm footing.
