The Indian Navy will increase its fleet strength by acquiring several ships, submarines and aircraft besides developing infrastructure, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash, said on Wednesday.
He said this would be done to ensure that by the end of the decade it will be a force to reckon with.
He addressed naval personnel after inspecting a 50-man Nishan guard (a guard of honour with the President's colours) and the 36 platoons on parade.
Admiral Prakash said what was significant was that most of these acquisitions would have about 90 percent indigenous component.
He also spoke about the networking of the Navy, which will facilitate all naval units to share information using computers and satellites once the project is completed.
The Naval chief also spoke about the various threats at sea like piracy, gun running and the need for the Navy to be strong and powerful to counter such threats.
Earlier,arriving for the parade after laying a wreath at the war memorial, he was received by Vice Admiral J S Bedi, Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Naval command.
Admiral Arun Prakash, who was on a two-day farewell visit to Kochi, later left for Mumbai along with his wife, Kumkum Prakash.
