Navy begins joint exercises with France

NEW DELHI, FEB 3: The Navy will soon acquire the warship INS Brahmputra, tanker INS Aditya and submarine INS Sindhushastra, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sushil Kumar announced on Wednesday. The Navy also began joint exercises with the French Navy in the Arabian Sea Springex 2000 on Wednesday.

Elaborating on the naval doctrine of prevention of war with sharp combat capabilities and conventional deterrence, Admiral Kumar said that the Navy would put these doctrines to test now. 8220;Preventive deterrence means preventing anybody from creating trouble and that we intend doing by our active presence and vigil. This is more relevant that nuclear deterrence,8221; he added.

Earlier, Naval Headquarters announced the beginning of a major exercise where both the eastern and the western fleets would participate. 8220;More than 45 ships, submarines and a number of aircraft including the state-of-the-art Su-30s, Jaguars and MiG-29 aircraft of the Indian Air Force will participate in the exercise,8221; Rear Admiral S C SBangara, said.

The French navy will participate with one squadron, including an aircraft carrier, tanker and destroyer.